I understand the desire to save a few dollars. When I saw an ad for trendy Metal Frame Cat Eye Reading Glasses—transparent, with blue light filtering, and offering every strength from 0 to +6—the price seemed too good to pass up.
I assumed buying glasses online would be quick and straightforward. I was mistaken. I made these errors so you don't have to waste your time, money, or compromise your vision. Learn from my experience.
Here’s what happened when my bargain readers arrived:
I saw the rock-bottom price and immediately clicked "Buy Now." That was a serious error. When a product is excessively cheap, manufacturers cut corners—often on the most crucial components like the lenses and frame hinges.
The low cost translated to a thin, flimsy metal frame. The hinges were loose straight out of the package and began to feel twisted within days. The lens clarity was also poor. Despite claims of being crystal clear, everything appeared slightly blurry.
Feedback for inexpensive glasses often sums up the experience in one word:
If glasses are terrible right away, it indicates subpar materials. Saving $10 meant I purchased a pair that didn't last ten days.
I took "Metal Frame" to mean sturdy construction. It didn't. I should have investigated what type of metal was used and how the components were assembled. The arms of the cat-eye frames were paper-thin and bent easily just from putting them on.
Quality is paramount for two key elements:
You need glasses that can handle daily wear. If the seller doesn't specify durable materials, assume they're using the lowest quality available.