5 Myths About Square Prescription Glasses That Cost Me $200

I used to think purchasing quality prescription glasses online was straightforward. The prices seemed unbeatable, the styles looked sharp, and virtual try-ons appeared foolproof. What could possibly go wrong?

As it turns out, quite a lot. These hidden pitfalls often transform what seems like a bargain into an expensive ordeal. I learned this lesson the hard way. Here's the reality of what happens after you click 'Buy' on those affordable square prescription glasses.

• You absolutely must verify your specific measurements.
• Customer service becomes virtually non-existent when you need a refund.
• You might find yourself without glasses for weeks during an exchange.

Myth 1: The Prescription Is All They Need

The Myth: Simply uploading your basic eye prescription guarantees your new glasses will work perfectly.

Here’s What They Don’t Tell You: While your prescription includes power measurements, it often misses a crucial detail: your Pupil Distance (PD). This measurement represents the distance between your pupils' centers. If it's incorrect, the lens power won't align properly with your eyes, rendering the glasses ineffective.

Consider one parent who ordered glasses for their 12-year-old. The child struggled to see clearly through them. A follow-up visit to the doctor revealed the PD was wrong. The company had defaulted to an adult average of 62 since the buyer didn't know to provide this measurement. The incorrect PD made the glasses unusable.

Let me tell you the truth: Many online retailers will assume a standard adult PD if you don't provide your specific measurement. This approach fails for children or adults with unique facial structures. Always obtain your exact PD measurement before placing an order.

Verdict: Never rely on assumptions. Step 1: Contact your eye doctor for your precise PD. Step 2: Manually enter this number during ordering. Assume the seller will get it wrong if you don't provide it yourself.

Myth 2: You Can Easily Talk to a Real Human

The Myth: If problems arise with your order, you can quickly resolve them through customer service.

Here’s What They Don’t Tell You: After receiving your payment, many large online retailers make it incredibly difficult to reach a human representative. They typically rely on automated bots and slow email systems to handle complaints, dragging out simple issues for weeks or even months.

The parent dealing with the PD issue attempted to correct their order. They reported, "You'll never reach an actual person... prepare for frustration if your glasses aren't right." Email exchanges moved at a snail's pace, and each new customer service response felt like starting over from scratch.

Another customer spent months chasing a $246 refund. They shared, "I can't get a real response about my refund—just repeated automated messages saying it's 'in transit.'" Only when they threatened legal action did they finally receive human assistance.

Let me tell you the truth: Competitive pricing and fast shipping often come at the cost of terrible post-purchase support. If you can't quickly speak with a manager, the company likely designed its system to discourage complaints through frustration.

Verdict: Always research customer complaints about communication. If you see numerous reports of only reaching automated systems, steer clear. Consider purchasing from smaller, highly-rated sellers known for personalized customer support.

Myth 3: Exchanging Lenses Is a Quick Fix

The Myth: If your prescription is wrong, the company will promptly send corrected glasses.

Here’s What They Don’t Tell You: The exchange process often seems designed to discourage customers. Typically, you must return the incorrect glasses before they even begin working on your replacement.

The buyer needing PD correction discovered this inconvenient truth. They noted: "If you need to exchange glasses, you must return them first before they start working on your replacement. This means you'll be without glasses while waiting for the new pair."

Imagine the situation: If these are your only pair of square prescription glasses, you'll either go without vision or resort to wearing old, damaged glasses throughout the replacement period. Combined with slow customer service (as mentioned in Myth 2), this wait could stretch to four to six weeks.

This process becomes particularly challenging if you depend on your glasses daily.

Verdict: If a company requires returning faulty glasses before starting replacements, prepare for a lengthy period without proper vision. Always inquire about replacement policies before purchasing.

Myth 4: Refunds Are Simple and Automatic

The Myth: Companies automatically refund your money if your order doesn't arrive or you cancel it.

Here’s What They Don’t Tell You: Obtaining refunds from problematic companies can feel like a battle. They often hold your money for weeks or months, banking on you forgetting or abandoning your claim.

One customer placed a $246.00 order on February 24th. The tracking information stalled in Atlanta and never updated. For weeks, they received no assistance. They expressed their frustration: "GlassesUSA still hasn't refunded me for an order I never received."

How did they eventually secure their refund? They became proactive by filing complaints with multiple authorities:

• The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Trustpilot (public review platform)
• Google Reviews
• The Vermont Attorney General's office

Only after facing significant public and legal pressure did the company agree to the refund. Even then, the customer waited another 7-10 business days to receive their money.

Let me tell you the truth: Reputable companies process refunds within 3-5 days. If a company makes you fight for your money, they're likely using those funds to support their operations—a major warning sign.

Verdict: If you're waiting more than 10 days for a refund after cancellation or providing proof of non-delivery, immediately file a BBB complaint. Don't rely solely on email communication.

Myth 5: Virtual Try-Ons Guarantee a Correct Fit

The Myth: If frames look good during the online virtual try-on, they'll fit perfectly.

Here’s What They Don’t Tell You: While virtual try-ons work well for assessing style—letting you see how fashionable cat-eye or modern square frames complement your face—they focus solely on appearance. They don't account for functional performance.

The virtual try-on doesn't measure your critical PD. It can't determine whether lenses will center properly on your specific eyes.

The 12-year-old from our first story selected frames using the virtual try-on and loved how they looked. However, because the PD was incorrectly assumed (as in Myth 1), the glasses proved unwearable until corrected.

Let me tell you the truth: Use virtual try-ons exclusively for style evaluation. After choosing frames, dive into the technical specifications.

Action Step: Check the frame's lens width (A), bridge width (B), and temple length (C) in millimeters. Compare these measurements to your current comfortable glasses. If the frame dimensions differ significantly, the optics will be off even with the correct PD.

Here are the key measurements to compare:

Measurement	Why It Matters
Pupil Distance (PD)	Ensures lens power centers over your eyes—absolutely essential
Lens Width (A)	Determines how wide the frame appears and feels
Temple Length (C)	Affects how far the arm extends behind your ear—too short causes discomfort

Remember: Style comes second to fit, and fit comes second to correct PD.

The Real Deal: Buying Smart Glasses

Don't let these myths prevent you from buying glasses online altogether. You can still save money—you just need to perform the due diligence that retailers often skip.

When comparing providers offering Cat Eye Anti-Blue Light Blocking Glasses or other popular styles, specifically check reviews about customer service and return processes, not just frame quality. Before committing, examine product details for high-quality frames and review size guidelines thoroughly. The greatest risk often lies not in frame quality, but in logistics and correction procedures.

A Safe Buying Plan:

1. Obtain your exact prescription and specific PD measurement from your doctor
2. Select frame styles using virtual try-ons
3. Compare frame measurements (A, B, C) against your current comfortable glasses
4. Read reviews focusing on refund and exchange experiences
5. Place your order and verify the PD number on the final receipt

Don't Believe the Lies

The most dangerous myth is that buying super cheap means minimal risk. In reality, the risk is substantial—you could waste $200, wait two months, and end up with glasses that cause headaches.

Online glasses shopping should be convenient. It shouldn't require arguing with bots or filing legal complaints just to receive a refund. Shop wisely, demand quality customer service, and always know your PD measurement.