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EyeBuyDirect

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6.4

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: January 31st, 2025

EyeBuyDirect is an online eyeglasses retailer based in Austin, Texas. Since 2006, this retailer has offered affordable in-house eyeglasses. It doesn’t sell brand name frames, but does offer a premium designer brand called RFLKT Eyewear.

In 2013, the company was acquired by the Essilor Group, a huge international eyewear company.

Shop EyeBuyDirect’s more than 1,200 frames by size, shape, rim, material, color, and special features like bifocal or progressive-friendly frames, adjustable nose-pads, and spring hinges. There is even a fit and style quiz to help you understand your preferences. While it does offer more than 200 sunglass styles, adults and kids frames can be used for prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses, plus reading or computer glasses. You can virtually try them on with the EyeTry virtual mirror.

Customers can create an account with their already existing Amazon or Facebook credentials. You need to have a valid prescription and pupillary distance measurement to order and glasses are delivered within 7–14 business days.

Keep reading for pros and cons of shopping at EyeBuyDirect.

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The Good

  • Affordable Frames and Lenses
  • Lots of Prescription Lenses
  • Free Shipping
  • Return Policy
  • 365-Day Guarantee
  • Buy One, Give One
  • Loyalty and Discounts

Affordable Frames and Lenses

EyeBuyDirect offers low-priced glasses, with an average total purchase of $65. It is direct sale only. All manufacturing is under one roof, so overhead is low.

Frames range from $6–$70, with 1.50 index single vision lenses included. From there, there is an added cost for upgraded frames:

  • Bifocal — $29
  • Progressive — $49
  • Premium Progressive — $69

Not only are the frame prices low, but that price includes standard 1.5 single vision lenses. On top of that, the site even has a Coupons section to see what current discounts and promos are. You don’t have to wait until a specific code is emailed to you

Lots of Prescription Lenses

Not only does EyeBuyDirect offer affordable prices, but it also offers a wide variety of lens options, including single vision distance and reading glasses, and progressive lenses as well as fashion glasses with non-prescription lenses. You can even buy bifocals, which is a lens type that other online eyewear retailers exclude.

Two options for blue light filtering glasses to help with eye fatigue and digital eye strain include EDBlue and SightRelax.

Indexes available:

  • 1.50 standard
  • 1.57
  • 1.59
  • 1.60
  • 1.67
  • 1.74

Lenses automatically come with anti-scratch coating, but you can add-on the following coatings:

  • Anti-reflective coating
  • Light-adjusting photochromic lenses
  • Premium photochromic Transitions™ coating, light-adjusting, UV protection, anti-smudge, AR, scratch resistant
  • Four color tints, and two intensities
  • Gradient-tinted coating, darker tint at the top and lighter at the bottom
  • Polarized coating in three colors (dark green, brown, or gray) for reducing reflections
  • Mirrored tinting in three colors (blue, gold, silver)
  • Water repellant
  • UV protective coating (free with 1.59 polycarbonate)

Free Shipping Over $99

Orders over $99 ship free. If your order total is less than $99, it’s still a bargain, but you do have to pay $5.95 for standard USPS shipping (7–14 business days) You can upgrade to faster shipping for $19+ via UPS and UPS Next Day Air, but that won’t expedite your processing time.

Return Policy

Customers can return or exchange their glasses within 14 days via the fit and style guarantee.

If you return after the 14-day policy, you will have to pay for return shipping.

This isn’t the longest return or refund policy (many other online eyeglass stores offer 30 days), but at least you can return for a refund, with no fees.

Customers have a variety of ways to contact EyeBuyDirect. Customer service is available via email, chat, and phone, seven days a week: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to midnight (Eastern) and Saturday and Sunday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern).

365-Day Guarantee

EyeBuyDirect also offers a product guarantee for 12 months if there is a defect in materials or workmanship. However, this doesn’t cover mistakes and scratches.

This guarantee is probably a big reason why the site boasts a 95 percent satisfaction rate with customers.

Keep in mind that it is a one-time replacement. It can’t be used for replacements multiple times within that first year.

Buy One, Give One

For every order, EyeBuyDirect will donate a pair of prescription glasses through an organization called Vision for Life.

Loyalty and Discounts

If you spend over $99 in a calendar year, you are eligible for EyeBuyDirect’s Focus Loyalty Program, which comes with cool benefits and discounts:

  • Buy One, Get One Free Offer
  • 15% off any purchase
  • Free U.S. Shipping
  • Free premium glasses case
  • 30% off sunglasses discount
  • 20% off a single purchase
  • Exclusive offers
  • Exclusive early access to limited collections

Additional discounts are available at eyebuydirect.com for lots of groups:

  • Student Discount — 20% off plus free shipping
  • Veterans’ Discount — 20% off
  • Referral Discount — When you refer a friend, you get $10 (and they get $10 off their first order). There is a $50 bonus when you add five new referrals. You can track your progress through your EBD account.

Visit Site

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The Bad

  • Glasses Only
  • Try-On
  • Insurance
  • Trifocal Lenses

Glasses Only

While EyeBuyDirect has a huge selection of frames and lenses, you won’t find contact lenses among its inventory.

Try-On

You can virtually try on glasses when you upload a photo through the EyeTry option, but you can’t try on frames at home without purchasing.

Remember, if you don’t like them, you can return within 14 days.

Insurance

EyeBuyDirect does not partner with any vision insurance providers. So, if you want to use insurance, it will have to be an out-of-network benefit. However, FSA and HSA cards are accepted, if they are branded with a major credit card.

Trifocal Lenses

While you can definitely buy progressive lenses, you can’t get lined trifocals at EyeBuyDirect.

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The Bottom Line

EyeBuyDirect offers a huge selection of its low-price, self-branded frames. You can get single vision glasses for as little as $6. This is pretty cheap, when you consider that most eyeglass stores selling nationwide brands can cost hundreds of dollars for the same thing. Most customers will be able to find a good option.

EyeBuyDirect offers a 14-day return policy, a 1-year warranty, and lots of discount opportunities, on top of the retailer’s already low prices.

Have you ordered a pair of glasses or sunglasses from EyeBuyDirect? Tell us about your experience with a quick review below.

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Star Rating

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4.6

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951 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

76%

4 grade

15%

3 grade

6%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

1%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Trustworthiness

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Gary Robinson Miami, FL

I liked the glasses, but the ones that were supposed to get dark, don't. I called and the woman said I had to pick another style frame to get the Transition X ones I should have. I asked for a list of which worked with them and she said no I had to pick then she could check, after about an hour of picking and being told no, I asked for a supervisor, I was put on hold and then hung up on. I called back and got a supervisor who explained you no longer do the Trasition X models, so I spent a very frustrating hour for nothing. It still isn't settled, the supervisor said he would see what he could do and call me tomorrow.

5 years ago

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Jeanie Hebert-Brown San Diego, CA

This is my fourth pair of classes from EBD and the previous classes were my favorites.But this time my prescription was entered incorrectly so I cannot use the glasses and besides that they're not very nice frames and I wish the descriptions of them had been better because I would never have bought them. But I am also unhappy because I was told on Friday that someone would contact me re returning them but no one has contacted me. it's really not that hard to do they just have to let me know if I can send them back .I've already ordered another pair because I need glasses .I had cataract surgery and I need new glasses. I'm concerned about getting my refund .

5 years ago

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Mat The Bronx, NY

I love the glasses and they are perfect. HOWEVER, there was a slightly frustrating aspect to my experience-- my order was placed on hold for 2 weeks and it wasn't until I emailed to find out what had happened that someone was able to tell me the order was on hold until I could verify the prescription. If there were questions about my prescription, why did no one reach out to me to expedite the process?? I had to wait 2 weeks with no update and finally reach out myself to get any progress? It just seemed weird. Once I knew the issue and was able to verify, everything went quickly and smoothly from there, but I just found the "hold" to be very odd and set my order back-- I didn't receive it until a month after I had placed it because of the lack of communication. Still happy with the glasses and the price, however.

5 years ago

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Kevin Ortiz

This was a much better experience that I anticipated. The only downfall is that the virtual Tryon feature is really unstable and does not correctly represent what the eyewear is going to actually look like when you wear it. As expected, the quality of the eyewear is not great compared to my local eyewear shop, how ever you can’t beat the price of these glasses. The website is not as technologically advanced as I would’ve expected, but I got the job done. It took a little longer that other eyeglass places but nothing that would make it a deal breaker.

1 year ago

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Kammo Gainesville, FL

I had the same bad experience with EyeByeDirect's so-called "premium progressive" lenses that others have reported. They distorted my field of vision more than the standard progressives that I bought from another company, and I doubt that there is any difference between EyeBuyDirect's standard progressives and their "premium progressives." The upcharge for the "premium progressives" is pretty steep, and I will not waste my money on it again.

2 years ago

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Elizabeth Rowe Wheeling, WV

Didnt know that when i paid the extra for shipping the 2 days started after you had shipped them. So it could be 5 days at your store before its actually shipped. So the next day air mail is kind of misleading. Especially when i receive email saying my package will arrive the next day & then one that says no its not. Then 5 days later, another saying the next day.

4 years ago

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Kelsey Doyle Ft. Pierce, FL

First pair of glasses took a long time to be delivered. They were great once received. Second pair was advertised as "grey" but when it was received, it was a khaki color. This frame was also much smaller than my first pair, even thought they were both Mediums. The frame was very flimsy and felt like it could be broken in half with little effort. I attempted to return online as advised but the system would not work after several days of attempting. Finally got the replacement approved via email. Hoping the third pair is a winner like the first, and is received in a timely manner!

5 years ago

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Diana Carmichael, CA

I love the prices and options but the delivery is lacking. I tried to track the shipping but every time I did, the status was always the same. On day 12 I checked the progress again and the website still said it was in the process of lense cutting/bevel then a few hours after that, they were delivered to my home. The tracking/shipping details definitely need improvement.

5 years ago

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max trujillo Englewood, CO

I placed an order on the 25th of January and two weeks after was notified that the vendors they previously had were shut down and had to find other sources for their supplies. I ended up wating almost a month for my glasses. The glasses look great so far and I have no issues with them yet. Would be nice to have a second pair of these since I had to wait so long for them.

5 years ago

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Shirley Pearcy Kingsport, TN

I had a credit and placed an order. Some how my credit wasn't applied and money was withdrawn from my account. This caused a big inconvenience. In the end, it was worked out . I like the glasses and will probably order again

5 years ago

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scot steele Chico, CA

I can not specify seg height on my flat-top bifocals. My OD should be 1.5 mm higher than the OS, but your system allows no such specification. It's working better than I expected, though. Also, I did not order AR, but got it anyway. I HATE AR...

5 years ago

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Davina Harrison St Louis, MO

I loved the glasses when they arrived (about one week ago,) but one of the decorative elements has already fallen off of the frame. Unfortunately, it now lost and can't be reattached by glue. Kind of puts a damper on my experience.

5 years ago

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VanessaM Apex, NC

My mom picked two pairs of glasses. A week later the company let me know one pair of the order was not available. We picked another. All in all, it took about 3 weeks to get the order and I have not received the difference back to my CC.

5 years ago

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Mkaul Filley Queen Creek, AZ

I’ve bought 10+ glasses from eyebuy. This last time I needed to get 2 day shipping so I payed more. These glasses seemed to be put together in a rushed matter. I don’t know if that’s a thing but they are substantially lesser quality than my previous orders.

5 years ago

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Ty Garcia Houston, TX

Glasses are great and at an amazing price point! Although I love my new glasses I’m a little disappointed that they took so long to ship. I was not notified promptly that there would be a delay in shipping and expected them to be delivered two weeks prior to their actual ship date.

5 years ago

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bianca salinas Versailles, KY

It took a long time but of course I understand their can be unforeseen issues with the production and shipping of any product. Although I was extremely upset and frustrated by my wait, my glasses arrived perfectly in tact and exactly what I paid for.

5 years ago

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Sam theman Wichita, KS

Not real happy with EyeBuy direct right now. I ordered 2 bairs of glasses and the first one was for computer work. It was totally unusable, very blurry vision, no matter what I did, had to return them. The second pair are not good either. Haven't returned them yet but probably will have to due to the really poor vision I have with them on.

5 years ago

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Tanster P La Jolla, CA

the frames are okay, only had them for a couple of days still trying them out. The reason for the 3 stars is more of a customer service issue for me. I had to reach out to find out why my order was taking weeks to be fulfilled instead of hearing from the EyeBuyDirect team as soon as there was a delay on my order.

5 years ago

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Tayray Sita ,

They took FOREVER to get here and I never had a tracking number that would actually tell me anything....BUT I finally got my glasses and OMG they are gorgeous! I love them, so cute, very comfortable. They feel great, i hope they are sturdy but for the price?? Forget about it! Awesome!

5 years ago

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Diane Erwin The Bronx, NY

Large selection of glasses and excellent instructions on how to measure for perfect fit for your new glasses. Received order within 10 days after placing online order. Excellent price for glasses.

3 years ago

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Danielle Minneapolis, MN

I love the look of the frames. My vision is still blurry though, so I don't think they match my prescription perfectly which is a bummer. That is my only concern. Otherwise, they came in a timely fashion!

5 years ago

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Geoffrey Canaan, CT

EyeBuy used a "-" instead of a "+" for my prescription causing a slight delay in receiving them. Also did not receive a return shipping label as promised for sending back the incorrect glasses.

5 years ago

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Ipad gladys Hollywood, FL

I’m sad cause the prescription is hire than the correct place, and I need it badly. You ask me to send it back but at least I put this lower or hire it depending what do I need to see.

5 years ago

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Kelsey Conner Wilmington, NC

I haven't had the best luck with EyeBuyDirect, but I do know of others who have had different experiences. It's affordable, but the quality wasn't worth it for me.

1 year ago

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Helen C Hallstrom Princeton, MN

I do not like the quality of eyeglasses. 2 of the pairs I have purchased in the last year have broken easily and I cannot wear them a few months after purchasing them

5 years ago

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Yennae Bekele San Rafael, CA

Glasses fit nice, I like them! It took a really long time to get here. I can't virtually try on some of the frames. The camera just doesn't show the glasses sometimes.

5 years ago

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Marie Lamb Mount Sterling, KY

Delivery took forever and my pair of glasses didn’t come with a little screw to a just the tightness so that sucks. I’m happy about the frames and cost tho,

5 years ago

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Amanda Muirhead Knoxville, TN

It was definitely a bummer to have to wait that long to receive them since I was supposed to receive them before a trip, but I understand these things happen.

5 years ago

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Misha Parks North Miami Beach, FL

I like the selection of classes that they have but whether or not the glasses will be in stock is sometimes an issue when ordering.

4 years ago

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Laurie Willems Lewistown, MT

I was really scared to order ion line. When I got them I could see up close but not far away and I need to send them back

4 years ago

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Amy Pisoni San Francisco, CA

I like the glasses. They fit well and are nice quality for the most part. I don't think they have the blue light lens that I ordered though.

4 years ago

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Jennifer ,

Love the price and one my pairs fit perfect but both pairs I bought slope down on the sides more than what the pictures show.

4 years ago

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Ane Louise Kristiansen Qaqortoq, KU

I am really happy about your web-site, most about cheap classes, and I will in the future keeping to buy on EyeBuyDirect.

5 years ago

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Diane Bona Venice, FL

Has great choices of frames. Prices good. Have had 2 pair fall apart where glass came apart from the frame.

2 years ago

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bella mendoza Fremont, CA

I love that the glasses are affordable and cute! I dislike that I am unsure if it is the right measurements.

5 years ago

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victoria metivier San Fernando, SFO

I received my glasses. However i ordered them polarized and polarized they are not so very disappointed

5 years ago

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Cheyenne Fairless Vashon, WA

I ordered glasses on February 5th and didn't get them until February 24th due to "business closures".

5 years ago

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mike hartter Monterey, CA

I needed my glasses before my trip, but my EyeBuy Direct glasses were late due manufacturing delays.

5 years ago

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Patricia Chidley Streamwood, IL

I'm glad I finally got the order. I have been a loyal customer of yours and was very surprised at the delay.

5 years ago

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Rodney Hale ,

The glasses are a little to small for my big head need to return for a bigger pair .

4 years ago

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Mildred Orona Arlington, VA

Unfortunately the glasses do not fit properly. The mount is loose and the last I don't like how the bifocal turned out,

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Hannah Seattle, WA

The options for my prescription are limited, but I have been happy with my 2 purchases.

5 years ago

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Julie Gerr , MN

I didn't like the fact that the glasses came after I already left for my vacation.

5 years ago

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Susanna Ellicott City, MD

Took forever and it the glasses are too tight on my ears. First experience was much better.

5 years ago

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Shahzeen Karim Los Altos, CA

The delivery took too long and one of my frames is too loose.

5 years ago

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Phoebe El Dorado, KS

The prescription was right but was too low, needed to be about 2 inches higher.

5 years ago

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Jazmane Mantel Portland, OR

It takes a long time to get them that’s the only thing I don’t like

5 years ago

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Amy Jeanne Monroe, CT

Processing and shipping takes very long but glasses are nice

5 years ago

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Doniyor Niyozov Gap, PA

Great Customer service. But I realized there was issues with the web site.

5 years ago

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Gabe j. productions Beaverton, OR

They had an issue with my order but took care of it would recommend

5 years ago