How to Get Blue-light Blocking Glasses from Warby Parker in a Pandemic
Doctor visits are hard to come by in the peak of COVID. And since many of us are working from home in front of a screen, we sent one of writers to Warby Parker to see the process of getting blue-light blocking glasses.
Background
I needed a pair of blue-light blocking glasses aka computer glasses. I’m also near-sighted (I have difficulty seeing far). My vision is honestly not too bad. Let’s put it this way, I can see well enough to legally pass the vision exam at the DMV, but I should probably wear my glasses if I want to see things clearer.
My last pair was from 2018. Although my vision/prescription hasn’t changed much, I wanted a new pair to block blue-light because I’m constantly in front of a screen.
Now I know that the science behind blue-light blocking glasses and its claim to lessen eye strain and help improve sleep quality is controversial, but I thought I’d give it a shot anyway. The gist:
The American Academy of Ophthalmology says you don’t need them.
The former president of the American Optometric Association recommends the glasses to lessen eyestrain.
And the Vision Council (that basically represents the optical industry) says maybe.
Here’s the process of getting a new pair of glasses from home as of July 2020 — from my favorite retailer, Warby Parker.
And for all those wondering, I paid for my glasses all on my own aka not gifted nor sponsored. I like Warby Parker because they don’t have a million frames to sort through, the process is seamless and for every pair you buy, they donate one to someone in need. But feel free to let Warby Parker know I recommended them, and nudge them to send some love my way. *elbow nudge *wink
And back to my story.
Prescription
I had an expired glasses prescription. Many providers won’t fill an expired prescription. But none of the eye doctors (under my insurance) was open, because pandemic. So getting a new prescription was out of the question.
Enter Warby Parker.
While Warby Parker usually has optometrists in their store, ready to give you an eye test for a fraction of what a private optometrist would charge, they stopped offering this service because of the pandemic.
Renewing my prescription via app
I did their computer app prescription renewal called Prescription Check. They have recently reduced this price from $40 to $15. You’ll need a laptop, an iPhone, and whatever pair of glasses you’re currently wearing.
You’ll have to meet certain conditions:
Be in good (eye) health
Be between 18 and 50
Be happy with your current prescription
And you only get charged IF they renew your prescription. If your vision isn’t the same or if you’ve never had glasses before and need a new prescription, you’ll have to see an actual eye doctor.
The app was easy to set up. And actually kind of fun. It’s not like a traditional visit to the eye doctor.
You know, the “Is this better or worse? Now, is this better or worse?” Doc, they all look the same!
The Warby Parker app was kind of like a game. They rotate the letter C and you swipe in the direction of the opening. At one point the C’s got so small they all looked like O’s and I was just guessing. But apparently, they want that.
Update: I updated my prescription again in August 2021 using the Warby Parker app vision test, which has changed since I did it in 2020. Now, instead of C’s, you read a series of letters with your right eye, your left eye, and both together. It literally took less than 5 minutes. And this new app vision test is done completely on your phone — no need for a computer anymore.
Once you finish the test, a doctor will review the results and then either renew your existing prescription or say you need to see an actual doctor.
They renewed my prescription for one year! Woot! Is it weird that I felt a tinge of anxiety waiting for my results? It’s like high school all over again and waiting for my SAT scores.
Renewing your prescription with an eye doctor
Now for residents in D.C., Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, or Pennsylvania, you can schedule a complimentary virtual vision consultation with an optometrist. It’s a temporary arrangement because of the pandemic. I’m assuming it’s not in all states because of local regulations.
Using Google Meet, you can extend your contacts or glasses prescription for free!
I didn’t do this method, simply because I didn’t know about it. So I got my husband to do it. Essentially, you chat with an eye doctor and they discuss your prescription. She renewed his prescription for 6 months.
It seems that the app, where you take an actual test, can renew your prescription for one year, whereas the consultation is just a courtesy renewal. You get 6 months — enough time to get a new pair of glasses and then you’ll need to see a real doctor after the pandemic passes (hopefully).
Measuring your pupillary distance (PD)
You’ll need to submit your PD when you buy your glasses.
Warby Parker has an online tool that calculates your PD using a credit card and a photo. I know this method is pretty accurate because I did this method and then went into the store and had them recheck my PD with the machine. It was only off by a few millimeters.
Buying process
Warby Parker has a free at-home try-on service. You choose 5 frames and they ship it to your house for free. Try them on and ship them back. Then, place your order with the frames that you liked best.
But, here’s the catch: not all the frames are eligible for this service. You could also do a virtual frame try-on using their app if you have an iPhone X or above. But since my phone is not up to snuff, I picked out the frames I liked online and headed to the store.
I live in New York City. But we flew to Nashville to visit family. The store in Nashville has a special system during COVID. You give your name, email and phone number to the girl at the door. And she’ll text you when it’s your turn to go in. Think of her as Warby Parker’s bouncer.
And you can’t call ahead to schedule an appointment or save your place in line. Believe me, I’ve asked.
The store had complimentary face masks and hand sanitizer at the front. Thanks for looking out, Warby.
The retail space is divided into two sides, left and right. Only two guests (or families that live together) are allowed in at the same time. One shops on the left side and one shops on the right.
Every frame you touch or try on is sanitized after. The shopper assigned to help us was very nice, but I felt so anxious and almost guilty for trying on glasses. Every pair I looked at, I thought, do I REALLY want to try these? Do I REALLY like them? Because if I just touch them, this poor lady is going to have to clean them. But that’s me imagining what she’s thinking as her eyes followed every movement of my hand. In reality, she probably didn’t even care.
Because the store is now divided, they couldn’t fit all the frames on display. I had to ask for several pairs I saw on the website that weren’t out. The employee was kind enough to get them for me though.
Placing the order
You can order your glasses with the employee or you can just do it online. You’ll pick:
the frames
the width (narrow, medium, or wide)
the color (if applicable)
the lenses (prescription and special features like blue-light filtering)
lens material (regular or 1.67 high-index, which is thinner and lighter)
I got the Whittier frames in jet black with gold accents. My lenses were:
Single-vision (cheapest option)
Blue-light blocking (costs $50 extra and blocks 40% of blue light — unlike some brands that only block 10%)
Polycarbonate (standard and free)
Be careful when you build your glasses on the website because they also offer these frames as sunglasses.
PSA: The glasses come with a case and a wipe.
(I almost got duped into buying a second case during checkout. Why would you ask me if I want to buy a case? Does it not come with one?! Folks, the answer is, it does come with a case. They just offer you a different case from the standard.)
Delivery
Super quick processing and delivery. The glasses come in a case that’s put in another box that’s put in a shipping box. Kind of like the Russian nesting dolls.
Fittings and adjustments
You can bring your new lenses to any Warby Parker store to get your glasses fitted for free. Just give the email that you used to place your order.
But you’ll need to go through the same process of giving your name, email and phone number to get added to the list to go into the store. Social distancing and all.
The fittings are super quick. They warm up the frames and mold them to your face. Check your ears, check if they fall, etc.
Warby will also reimburse you up to $50 if you bring your glasses to a local optical shop to get them fitted. And Warby Parker can email you the instructions on how to fit your glasses by yourself at home.
Returns
Warby has a 30-day return policy. And they have a one-year, no-scratch guarantee, or they’ll replace your lenses for free.
Could I have done the entire process from home?
Yes. It is possible to buy a pair of glasses without ever leaving your house if you have an expired prescription. I didn’t, but here’s what it would’ve looked like.
Order a try-on box. If a frame isn’t eligible, you can take a gamble and buy it anyway. With free returns, you don’t have anything to lose. And for iPhone X and above, the Warby Parker app has a virtual try-on option.
Renew your prescription. Use the Prescription App check or schedule a virtual vision consultation, if eligible.
Measure your PD. Submit the picture with a credit card underneath your nose onto the Warby Parker website.
Place your order. Their website and app are both user-friendly and intuitive.
Fit your glasses. Contact Warby Parker to get the step-by-step instructions on how to adjust your glasses from home.
Final thoughts
I had a really enjoyable experience shopping at Warby Parker. The process was easy and customer service is very responsive, like lightning-quick if you chat with them via Live Chat. Their texting service takes a couple of hours to get a response.
The frames are lightweight and appear durable. I’ve had my previous pair from Warby for 2 years and I’ve never had a problem with them. (I did contact them about a design issue while I was abroad. They were extremely understanding and accommodating.) There’s nothing wrong with my old pair; I just wanted a black frame with blue-light blocking lenses to go with different outfits.
So how do you like my new look?