Screens play a dominant role in our lives these days, it just comes with 21st century living. But our eyes aren’t built for it.
That’s where high-quality glasses come into play.
So where’s the end of the year tie in? Well, Black Friday/Cyber Monday is approaching and it seems like as good a time as any to take advantage of deals.
But first, you need to understand what glasses are necessary.
Book an eye exam sooner than later
Don’t wait until the big deals days come. Seeing an eye professional gives you an idea of what you need ahead of the sales.
Most eye exams take maybe 30 minutes. You’re in and out in no time. And the optometrist gives you exactly what’s required for your vision requirements.
Honestly the part that can take the longest is booking the actual appointment, depending on where you live.
Figure out the turnaround time
This is something I didn’t understand very well at first. I’d always assumed the turnaround time for everything was just a few days. And by ‘everything’ I mean the appointment, the order, and the lab work. Turns out it can depend pretty greatly, especially based on what types of lenses you go with.
Like for example, single vision lenses will usually be the fastest. Progressives can take longer since there’s more effort involved in the lens design, and if you count specialty coatings it can add time to the process.
Check your insurance before time runs out
Your insurance might cover some or all of your prescription costs. Just make sure to check what you’re entitled to, and whether you have any FSA funds available.
Vision insurance works a little bit differently depending on the plan. Certain plans reset in January, but not always. Some may run throughout a twelve month rolling period from the time you joined.
Check with your employer if the plan runs through them.
What do you really need
We all get hyped by Instagram posts and newsletters announcing BIG sales for the holidays, but we also need to strategize ahead of time so we don’t end up in the poor house.
I like to write things down on pen and paper (old school, but works), like making a list of the exact type of glasses I need, whether I need 1-2 backup pairs, the different stores that supply them, and on which days the deals become live.
And absolutely make sure to keep your prescription handy. That way you can quickly refer to your exact specs before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
So as we get towards that home stretch yet again, it’s time to give ourselves the gift of improve sight. Whether it’s a new pair or an update to an old prescription, stay on top of it before you miss out on the deals.