As a result of e-commerce, consumers can now buy for almost anything without leaving their houses. Sure, glasses are included in that category too. It’s no secret that many eye doctors and opticians disapprove of this fad, but not for the reason you may expect.
As eye doctors, it is our responsibility to guarantee that your eyesight remains sharp and clear at all times. We can’t guarantee that you’ll be fitted with the most effective corrective lenses if you buy glasses online.
The first thing to decide when making an appointment for an eye exam, contact fitting, or even just to pick out some new glasses is whether you’d be better served by a private practitioner or a retail chain.
You can improve your odds of making the right decision by thinking about these factors.
Reputation –
A well-known optometrist in the area has built a solid clientele. It is crucial to their daily work. You can never tell how long an optometrist has been working in a retail store or what kind of reputation they have built for themselves.
Experienced Doctors and Staff –
Two of a retail chain’s enterprises can operate out of the same building. Exams are performed by a contracted independent optometrist, and sales of eyewear are handled by in-store sales staff. In a small, community-based clinic, the optometrist is usually either the business’s proprietor or a pivotal member of the clinical staff. This optical shop cares deeply about your eyesight and eye health from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave.
When it comes to selling Lindberg Eyewear glasses and contacts, retail chains often recruit inexperienced workers, whereas independent opticians have years of expertise and advanced education in the field. These experts can not only guide you through the maze of eyewear options to choose the most aesthetically pleasing frames, but also provide you with tips on how to take good care of your eyes. When shopping for glasses in a chain store, you may find yourself with a restricted number of options.
The environment of the Eye Doctor Clinic –
Many neighborhood optical shops are easy to get to and have a pleasant atmosphere to boot. Lighting and traffic patterns at department stores tend to be bright and busy. While local optometrists strive to earn your confidence and provide comprehensive vision care, retail chains’ outsourced doctors sometimes have other, unrelated agendas.
Costs and Prices –
Discounts are sometimes promoted in chain stores, but the lowest quality frames and lenses are what is really offered at those rates. Retail stores rarely accept insurance for sale products, but independent opticians and optometrists are likely to have reasonably priced glasses of acceptable quality. You may save a lot of money on your eye exam and glasses if you make sure your insurance will let you do so.
Quality of the treatment –
The quality of treatment you receive at your local optometrist’s office is typically greater than at other types of medical facilities. It’s not uncommon for chain retailers to need cash up front and provide a toll-free number to call in order to organize a refund.
The optometrist at your neighborhood optical shop stays current on the newest advances like Ortho-K in eye care by attending regular continuing education events.
Your local optometrist and his or her team are well-versed in treating dry eye, glaucoma, and other eye ailments.
