Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. BudgetGlasses requires a current, valid prescription from a licensed eye doctor to make prescription eyeglasses. In the United States, eyeglass prescriptions are typically valid for 1 to 2 years. You can upload a photo of your prescription at checkout, email it to contact@budgetglasses.com, or enter the values manually during ordering.

An eyeglass prescription lists these values:

• OD = right eye, OS = left eye
• SPH (Sphere) — power correcting nearsightedness (negative) or farsightedness (positive)
• CYL (Cylinder) and Axis — correction for astigmatism
• ADD — extra magnification for reading, used in bifocals and progressives
• PD (Pupillary Distance) — distance between the centers of your pupils in millimeters

Pupillary distance (PD) is the distance between the centers of your pupils, measured in millimeters. It ensures the optical center of each lens aligns with your eyes. Adult PD typically ranges from 54 to 74mm, with 63mm being an average.

To measure PD at home: stand about 8 inches from a mirror, hold a millimeter ruler across your brow, close your right eye and align the ruler's zero mark with the center of your left pupil, then without moving the ruler close your left eye and read the number over the center of your right pupil. Your eye doctor is required to provide your PD on request.

Yes. BudgetGlasses offers non-prescription (plano) glasses with clear, blue-light-filtering, or tinted lenses. Select the "Non-prescription / plano" option at checkout. This is ideal for fashion frames, computer glasses, or a backup pair.

Yes. BudgetGlasses offers four lens types:

• Single vision — one prescription across the full lens (distance, intermediate, or reading)
• Progressives — a seamless gradient from distance at the top to reading at the bottom, with no visible line
• Bifocals — distance vision on top with a visible reading segment on the bottom
• Readers — one reading power in both lenses

Every frame has three measurements printed on the inside of the temple, in millimeters:

• Lens width — width of one lens (typically 45 to 58mm)
• Bridge width — space between the lenses (typically 14 to 22mm)
• Temple length — length of the arm (typically 135 to 150mm)

The easiest way to find your size is to match the numbers on a pair of glasses you already wear comfortably. You can also try our Virtual Try-On to preview frames using your camera.

• CR-39 (standard plastic) — affordable, best for low prescriptions
• Polycarbonate — thinner, lighter, impact-resistant; ideal for kids, sports, and rimless frames
• High-index 1.67 and 1.74 — the thinnest and lightest option for stronger prescriptions above ±3.00
• Trivex — lightweight, tough, and optically clear

• Anti-reflective (AR) — reduces glare from screens and headlights
• Scratch-resistant — standard on most BudgetGlasses lenses
• UV protection — blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays
• Blue-light filter — reduces digital eye strain from phones and computers
• Photochromic (Transitions-style) — clear indoors, darken outdoors
• Polarized — cuts glare from water, roads, and snow (for sunglasses)

Yes. Nearly every frame sold by BudgetGlasses can be made with tinted or polarized sunglass lenses, in your prescription or as plano. Preview tint colors and shades in our Tint Viewer.

Yes. Our Serenity Sleep Lenses use the clinically recognized FL-41 tint, which softens harsh lighting, helps with light sensitivity and migraines, and supports better sleep. Available in your prescription or plano.

BudgetGlasses is a family-owned business with more than 30 years in the optical industry. By selling direct to consumers and eliminating middlemen and retail markup, we offer the same quality frames and lenses used by major brands at a fraction of retail prices. Read more on our Our Story page.

BudgetGlasses does not bill vision insurance directly, but most plans — including VSP, EyeMed, Davis Vision, and Spectera — offer out-of-network reimbursement. After your order ships, email contact@budgetglasses.com to request an itemized receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider.

Yes. Prescription eyewear is an eligible FSA and HSA expense. You can use your FSA or HSA card at checkout just like a credit or debit card.

BudgetGlasses accepts all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and FSA/HSA cards. Shop Pay Installments lets customers split eligible orders into 4 interest-free payments.

Most BudgetGlasses orders are made-to-order and delivered in about 7 to 14 business days within the United States. Progressive, high-index, and specialty lenses may take a few additional days. A tracking number is emailed as soon as the order ships.

BudgetGlasses currently ships only within the United States. International customers can email contact@budgetglasses.com to inquire about case-by-case shipping options.

BudgetGlasses accepts return, exchange, or remake requests within 30 days of delivery. Because prescription lenses are custom-made, specific terms may apply depending on the situation. Email contact@budgetglasses.com to start a return or exchange.

It's normal for new prescriptions — especially progressives — to require 1 to 2 weeks of adjustment. If the prescription still feels wrong after that period, email contact@budgetglasses.com with a photo of your prescription and BudgetGlasses will verify the order. If a lab error is found, we will remake the lenses at no charge.

Yes. All BudgetGlasses frames include a 1-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover accidental damage or normal wear.

Email contact@budgetglasses.com within 7 days of delivery with photos of the issue and your order number. BudgetGlasses will resolve the issue at no cost to the customer.

BudgetGlasses offers a free Virtual Try-On that lets you see any frame on your face using your phone or computer camera.

• Rinse lenses under lukewarm water to remove dust and grit before wiping.
• Clean with a drop of dish soap and your fingertips, then dry with a microfiber cloth.
• Avoid paper towels, clothing, and glass cleaners like Windex — they can scratch lenses and strip coatings.
• Store glasses in a hard case when not in use and never place them lens-down.
• Keep them out of hot cars, which can warp frames and damage lens coatings.

Yes. Many BudgetGlasses customers order a second pair as a backup, dedicated sunglasses, or a computer pair with blue-light or FL-41 lenses. Email contact@budgetglasses.com to request a multi-pair discount code.

Yes. BudgetGlasses uses industry-standard encryption for all transactions and does not sell or share prescription or personal information. See our Privacy Policy and Your Privacy Choices for full details.

Transitions lenses are photochromic lenses that automatically darken outdoors in sunlight and return to clear indoors. They contain trillions of photochromic dye molecules embedded in or bonded to the lens material. When ultraviolet (UV) light hits the lens, the molecules change their chemical structure to absorb more visible light and darken. The stronger the UV, the darker the lens. Indoors, where UV is minimal, the molecules reverse and the lens fades back to clear.

Modern Transitions lenses reach sunglass-level darkness in about 25 seconds and fade back to clear in under two minutes. Read the full breakdown in our guide: How Transitions Lenses Work.

Most standard Transitions lenses do not darken well inside a car because modern windshields block the UV light photochromic lenses need to activate. If you want more tint while driving, choose Transitions XTRActive, which is designed to respond to visible light as well as UV and will darken moderately behind the windshield. BudgetGlasses can help you pick the right option for your driving needs. See our Transitions guide for details.

For most patients, Transitions lenses are worth it because they replace two pairs of glasses with one. Benefits include:

• One pair that works indoors and outdoors
• 100% UVA and UVB protection whether clear or dark
• Reduced glare and eye strain
• Blue-violet light filtering
• Lower cost than buying a second dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses

They are not ideal if you need maximum darkness or polarization for water sports or long-haul driving — in those cases, dedicated sunglasses or Transitions XTRActive are better choices. Full comparison: Photochromic Lenses: Are They Worth It?

Yes. All Transitions lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays at all times — both when the lens is clear indoors and when it is fully darkened outdoors. This helps reduce the long-term risk of UV-related eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and photokeratitis (a sunburn of the surface of the eye). More in our Transitions article.

Yes. BudgetGlasses offers Transitions photochromic technology in single-vision, progressive, and most other prescription lens designs, in multiple colors including classic gray, brown, and newer vibrant options. You can keep the frame and style you prefer while adding adaptive functionality. Details in our Transitions guide.

Fashion color custom tints are permanent cosmetic color treatments applied to your prescription (or non-prescription) lenses purely for style. Unlike Transitions lenses that change with UV light, or clear blue-light coatings designed for screen use, fashion tints stay the same color all the time.

You choose:

• The color
• The intensity (light, medium, or dark)
• The style (solid, gradient, or mirror)

BudgetGlasses offers solid tints, gradient tints, flash mirror finishes, and custom specialty colors. See the full lineup: Fashion Color Custom Tints.

BudgetGlasses offers four main tint styles:

• Solid tints — one uniform color across the lens (gray, brown, green, blue, rose, purple, yellow)
• Gradient tints — darker at the top, lighter at the bottom (popular in brown, gray, and rose)
• Flash mirror & mirror coatings — reflective finishes in silver, gold, blue, green, and more
• Custom & specialty colors — request nearly any shade, including pastels, vibrant hues, and dual-tone effects

Preview options in our Tint Viewer and read the full guide: Fashion Color Custom Tints.

Tint darkness is measured by how much light the lens absorbs:

• Light tints (10–25%) — work well indoors and are safe for daytime driving
• Medium tints (25–40%) — suit mixed indoor and outdoor use
• Dark tints (over 50–60%) — function as fashion sunglasses; not recommended for night driving or low-light conditions

If in doubt, BudgetGlasses can recommend the right density for your intended use. Full details: Fashion Tints guide.

Research suggests amber-colored lenses can support healthier melatonin timing by blocking the blue and blue-green light (around 460 to 480 nanometers) that signals "daytime" to your brain and suppresses melatonin.

Several studies show that wearing amber or orange lenses in the 1 to 3 hours before bed can help melatonin rise more normally and may reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, especially for people who use screens at night. Benefits are modest and amber lenses are not a cure for insomnia — they work best when combined with good sleep habits. Full evidence review: Do Amber Lenses Help with Melatonin and Sleep?

Regular clear or lightly tinted blue-light glasses typically block only 10 to 30% of blue light and are designed mainly for daytime screen comfort.

Amber, orange, or red-tinted lenses block a much higher percentage — high-quality amber lenses can filter 70 to 90%+ of the blue and blue-green wavelengths that most strongly affect melatonin. That is why amber lenses are the type most commonly studied for evening use and sleep benefits.

Rule of thumb: for daytime screen comfort, a clear blue-light coating is fine; for evening melatonin support, choose a true amber tint. Read more: Amber Lenses & Sleep. BudgetGlasses also offers clinical FL-41 Serenity Sleep Lenses for light sensitivity and sleep support.