How To Order Replacement Lenses
Replacement Lenses
At Replacement Eyeglass Lenses, we know all the eyeglass-related lingo can get a bit complicated. We're here to help. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to get high quality eyeglass lenses into your frames.
This page gives you a step by step overview of our ordering process and will give you all the information you need to get a perfect pair of lenses! If you still can't find what you're looking for, or have any other questions, don't hesitate to give us a call at 800-207-6119 .
- How Does this Work, Anyway?
- Step One: Choosing Your Lens Type and Material
- Step Two: Choosing Your Frame Type
- Step Three: Choosing Your Upgrades
- Step Four: Pupillary Distance and Your Prescription
- Step Five: Completing Your Order
How does this work?
At EyeglassPeople.com, you are ordering new lenses that will be fitted into your existing frame. Once you've chosen your lenses and placed your order, we need two things from you: your frames and your prescription. Getting your frames to us is easy - just package them up in any box you'd like and use the shipping label we provide to you in your order confirmation email to mail them to us. There's no need to leave your house!
As for your prescription, it's easy to get us the information we need.
Just choose one of three options:
- Include a copy of the prescription from your doctor in the package you send to us with your frames. We'll take it from there!
- You may also email us a copy of your prescription to us at info@eyeglasspeople.com
- If you want the same prescription that you already have in your new lenses, we can read the measurements off of your old lenses. Just let us know in the 'Order Comments' section if you'd like us to do that.
We'll send you an order confirmation email that has all this information in it. If you have any questions, please give us a call.
Let's get started. Here's a step-by-step guide on everything you need to know to get the lenses that are right for you.
STEP ONE: Choosing Your Lens Type and Material
There are four types of eyeglass lenses available at EyeGlass People: Single Vision, Bifocal, Trifocal and Progressive.
| Single Vision | Bifocal | Trifocal | Progressive |
|---|---|---|---|
Single vision lenses have your distance prescription power, reading prescription power or any other specialized prescribed power (such as computer distance) throughout the entire lens. They are less complex than bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lens which have more than one power ground into them. They are the simplest and least expensive replacement type. | Bifocal lenses have distance prescription power on the upper portion of lens and lined segment with reading prescription power on the bottom portion of the lens. | Trifocal lenses have the distance prescription power on the upper portion of lens and lined segment with reading prescription power on bottom portion along with intermediate (computer distance) prescription power in the middle portion. | Progressives lenses are invisible (no-line) multifocals. Prescription power "progressively" increases from distance prescription on the upper portion to reading prescription on the bottom portion. It essentially performs in a similar way to a trifocal, but with a smooth transition from distance to near. |
Most eyeglass lens types are made in four different materials: Plastic, Polycarbonate, Hi-Index and Glass. It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each, so that you can find the perfect lenses for you.
| Plastic | Polycarbonate | Hi-Index | Glass |
|---|---|---|---|
The least expensive lens material We only recommended plastic lenses for prescriptions of +/ - 2.00 and below 50% lighter and less breakable than glass lenses Plastic lenses are the thickest and have the most distortion around the edges of the lens UV and Scratch Coating is not included Cannot be used with rimless frames | Also known as "Thin & Light" Polycarbonate lenses are tough, shatter-resistant, lightweight and ideal for everyday wear (Ten times more impact resistant than plastic) Recommended for active wearers and children We recommended Polycarbonate lenses for prescriptions of +/- 4.00 and below Filters 100% of UV in daylight and fluorescent lighting. Comes with scratch resistant coating | Hi-index Lenses are lighter than Polycarbonate or Plastic and are the thinnest lenses available They have the least distortion around the edges of the lens We especially recommend Hi-Index for prescriptions above +/- 4.00 Filters UV in daylight and fluorescent lighting Comes automatically with scratch resistant coating We offer Hi-Index 1.67 (about 20% thinner than Polycarbonate) and Super Hi-Index 1.74 | Glass lenses are extremely scratch resistant Much heavier than Plastic, Polycarbonate or Hi-Index Much less impact resistant than Plastic or Polycarbonate (see disclaimer on the product page), even though they are safety hardened in accordance with FDA regulations. |
STEP TWO: Choosing Your Frame Type
We'll need to know which type of frame you want your new lenses in. Your frames will be one of three types: Full Metal/Plastic frame, Semi-Rimless or Rimless.
Full Metal/Plastic: The most traditional looking frame type. The lenses are completely surrounded by the metal or plastic of the frame.
Semi-Rimless: Semi-Rimless frames (frame on top of lens, rimless on bottom) require lenses with a grooved edge. These lenses have edges into which a groove is cut to accomodate a nylon cord which retains the lens to frame.
Rimless: Rimless frames have a mount drilled into the sides of the lenses. The lens is not surrounded by any piece of the frame. Please note that Plastic Lenses cannot be used for Drilled Rimless Frames.
STEP THREE: Choosing your Upgrades
Each lens has a wide variety of upgrades to choose from:
UV and Scratch Coating: This upgrade is available on our plastic lenses (it is automatically included on Polycarbonate and Hi-Index lenses). These special coatings on your lenses will filter out all harmful UV light. They will also increase the durability of your lenses by making them much more difficult to scratch.
Anti-Reflective Coatings: These coatings are very important for your eye health, as they reduce the amount of glare through the lens. This is especially important if you drive frequently at night or sit in front of a computer screen. The reduced strain will help you see better and your eyes feel better. They also help cosmetically, as they improve the look of your lenses by reducing the reflective light. We offer three types of A/R Coatings. Think of them as good, better and best options: Onyx (Good), Diamond (Better), Crizal Avance (Best). The more expensive the A/R Coating, the longer it will last and the better it will reduce reflection and glare.
Click Here to learn more about Crizal Anti-Reflective Coatings
HD Digital Progressive Lenses: These lenses are the most technologically advanced lenses available today, taking advantage of the newest digital free-form technology to create an incredibly clear, incredibly precise lens. HD Progressive lenses have numerous benefits:
- A clearer, wider, more precise viewing area
- Smoother transition between the viewing zones
- Virtually zero distortion around the edges of the lenses compared to traditionally surfaced lenses
Tint: If you would like to add some color to your eyeglass lenses or create a pair of tinted lenses for sunglasses, we can help. A tint is a dye absorbed into the lens which imparts color and light absorbing properties. We can tint lenses in Brown, Grey, Pink, Blue, Yellow or Green, anywhere from a 10% tint to an 80% tint. We recommend a 10-20% tint for most light sensitive people and people looking for a fashion tint for their eyeglasses. We recommend no more than a 30% tint if you use the lenses for night driving. Sunglass tints should be at least 70-80% to be effective in blocking intense sunlight.
Transitions Lenses: Transitions lenses are some of the most popular lenses available right now. These photochromic lenses automatically transition to dark outside and clear inside, adjusting to changing light conditions. They also block 100% of harmful UV rays.
STEP FOUR: Pupillary Distance (PD) and Your Prescription
PD is the measurement of the distance between the centers of each pupil. This is important in order to center the lenses in your frames according to the centers of your eye so that the lenses are most effective. Some doctors will include a PD measurement in your prescription. But if you don't have your PD (or we do not have it on file from a previous order, don't worry. You can measure the PD yourself. It's quite easy. Here's how:
- Have a ruler and pencil ready and find a mirror to use.
- Position the ruler on the bridge of your nose so that the beginning of the ruler is in line with the center of one pupil.
- Making sure the ruler is parallel to the floor, put a mark on the ruler at the location of the center of the other pupil.
- This measurement, in millimeters, is your PD. Repeat a few times to make sure your measurement is accurate.
- If you are ordering progressive lenses, we need this measurement, in millimeters, (see below) which is your seg height. Repeat a few times to make sure your measurement is accurate.
Your Prescription
Your prescription contains a few measurements for OD (right eye) and OS (left eye). These numbers are:
Sphere (SPH) is the corrective power of the lens, measured in diopters (a measurement of corrective power). The higher the number, the more corrective power in the lens (and thus the worse your vision is). A plus sign (+) in front of the measurement means you are farsighted. A minus sign (-) means you are nearsighted.
Cylinder (CYL) and Axis refer to measurements of astigmatism.
For a complete description of what your prescription means, click here.
We will email you an order confirmation that will include an order form to print, fill out and mail back to us with your frames. We have provided a chart for you to write your prescription in, or feel free to send us a copy of the prescription note from your eye doctor. If you've ordered with us before, we can most likely use your prescription that we have on file.
STEP FIVE: Complete Your Order
Immediately upon successful checkout, you will receive the order confirmation email that contains all the necessary instructions for successfully getting your new lenses, plus a shipping label for you to use to send the package to us. If you've chosen to mail us your frames, just package them carefully, put them into your own box and include the completed order confirmation form that we emailed to you.
Send Frames To:
Eyeglasspeople.com
4700 33rd Street
Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
Once we've received your frames, we will have them back to you in 5-7 business days with your new lenses!
Thanks for shopping with us!
Sincerely,
The Replacement Eyeglass Lenses Team
