Online Companies Offer Big Discounts, But Are Eye-Catching Savings On Glasses Really A Good Deal?

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Prescription glasses can cost hundreds of dollars a pair, but now some online companies are selling them for a small fraction of what they cost at brick and mortar stores.

As CBS2's Julie Watts reported, the ads are eye-catching and the prices are eye-popping.

A growing number of online companies are offering custom-made prescription glasses advertised for about the price of a coffee and a pastry.

CBS2 looked into the claims, testing out three of the big names in online eye-wear.

Schelly wears bifocals and for distance she tried 'Zenni,' Trevin wears a single prescription for reading, he tested out 'Goggles For You,' and KPIX producer Whitney -- who also wears bifocals -- tried EyeBuyDirect.

For all three, picking a pair was easy.

Entering the prescription was more challenging, there were also decisions about lenses, coatings, and measuring pupillary distance -- something not included on most prescriptions.

When the glasses arrived a week-and-a-half later CBS2 took them to optometrist Dr. Dave Redman.

Trevin's glasses had the wrong prescription -- he made a mistake entering his 'sphere' measurement.

Schelly's pair from Zenni needed adjusting to fit properly, and she said they still give her a bit of a headache.

Whitney said her glasses from EyeBuyDirect work fine, though the doctor said the bifocal line is a little low.

Dr. Redman did have some concerns.

"There's no quality of care, there's no service, you're doing it all yourself," he said.

A 2014 by the American Optometric Association found almost 45 percent of glasses purchased online had incorrect prescriptions of safety issues.

Not surprisingly, the online eyeglass industry sees it differently.

Novato based Zenni said that since glasses are a 'large revenue driver' for optometrists, "it's in their best interests to discourage online eye-wear purchases."

Zenni like many online eye-wear companies will replace a pair with problems for free.

While the eyeglass establishment and the online startups may never see eye to eye, Dr. Redman said that if you do order online, keep it simple.

"A simple prescription, single visions -- either far or close, not necessarily a complex one," he said.

It's clear advice that could save you money and time.