Frequently Asked Questions

Your prescription – that’s it. Visit your local optometrist for an eye test and receive your prescription. The optometrist must, by law, provide you with a clear, readable copy.

Alternatively, you may use a previous prescription as long as it is not more than two years old. It’s your choice where you buy your glasses, the optometrist shouldn’t imply that you need to buy from their shop.

Our costs are significantly lower than those of the retail shops as we do not need to finance expensive store locations and eye testing equipment. We also buy direct from the suppliers in quantities that allow us to pass on the savings to you.

We do not offer eye care advice, we just make your glasses to the prescription you provide.

Back to top

Some prescriptions are in this format. If your prescription is written out with these categories, then follow this advice:

Single vision lenses
Use the ‘near’ line if your glasses are for close up work such as reading
Use the ‘distance’ line if your glasses are for seeing in the distance
Use the ‘intermediate’ line if your glasses are for viewing in between near and distance, such as computer work.

Bifocal, Multifocal and Extended Reader lenses
Give us a call on 1300 788 461 and we can help you fill out the prescription form. Alternatively, leave the prescription fields blank and just enter the optometrist details and date of script. Then, after placing your order, send us your prescription by simply replying to the order confirmation email you will receive, or faxing it to 1300 788 462 including your order number.

The Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance between your pupils (centre of your eyes). It ensures that the lenses are accurately positioned in the frame. Please ask your optometrist to measure your PD when you obtain your prescription.

Alternatively, you may choose to use the average PD provided by our optical dispensers which is 65mm for distance vision and 62mm for reading vision.

If you are having difficulty interpreting your prescription, please call us or fax it through on 1300 788 462 and we can advise you.

However, if it is illegible or there is any doubt, please clarify the prescription with your optometrist. They should give you a clear, easily readable prescription following your eye test.

Contact lens prescriptions, although similar, do have some differences. Your prescription needs to be written out for use with glasses and be under two years old.

Back to top

We use lightweight plastic CR39 lenses as our standard lens and include an anti-scratch coating for free. Our thinner lens options are:

Thin & light
Recommended for prescriptions over +/- 2.50. We use 1.6 index lenses as our standard ‘thin & light’ lenses. For ‘thin & light’ photochromic or polarised lenses we use both 1.59 and 1.6 index lenses.

Extra thin & light
Recommended for prescriptions over +/- 5.00. We use 1.67 index lenses for our ‘extra thin & light’ lenses.

Ultra thin & light
Recommended for prescriptions over +/- 7.00. We use 1.74 index lenses for our ‘ultra thin & light’ lenses.

All our rimless glasses already come with thin & light lenses for added strength and durability.

Yes. Simply select your tint of choice on the customisation page. It’s only $45 extra. Our tints are a standard 80% but if you would like them lighter or darker, just give us a call.

Yes. Polarised lenses cut out reflected light and photochromic lenses are clear in normal daylight and turn dark in sunny conditions. We use 'Transitions' lenses for all our photochromics except 'thin & light' bifocals.

Both options are available on the personalisation page.

All our glasses come with a free anti-scratch coating. Options include an anti-reflective coating, UV protection and our sunglasses options (see above).

Yes. Bifocals offer the convenience of distance and reading powers in one lens. The top part is for your distance vision and the segment below the line is for your reading vision.

We use D28 lenses which have a 28mm-wide segment in the lower half of the lens and are positioned 3mm below the lens centre. Please ask your optometrist to write your prescription assuming a distance of 12-13mm from the eye to the lens (back vertex distance).

Yes. Multifocals are a great choice for those who need different prescriptions for distance and reading and want one pair of glasses to do both. Unlike bifocals, there is no line on the lens. When ordering multifocals, we will ask you to upload a photo of yourself wearing your current glasses (don’t worry, the photo won’t end up on the website!).

As well as standard multifocals, we also provide premium multifocals which have a wider field of vision and less peripheral distortion. For the more technically minded, backsurface freeform technology is used.

Yes! Just select ‘Plano’ (zero power) for both eyes on the prescription page.

Back to top

We provide frame measurements so that you can choose frames that are the best fit for you. If you already wear glasses, the best way is to note down the measurements of your current pair to give you a guide.

Most frames have three measurements on the inside of an arm:









Our customers have found that the best measurement to ensure a good fit is the frame width. The rest of the measurements tend to follow the style of frame you have chosen (for example, a big deep frame will have a bigger frame depth). We measure the frame width from the outside of the left lens where it meets the frame to the outside of the right lens where it meets the frame. It does not include the frame itself.

This does not need to match exactly, but if it is close to your current glasses, they will have a similar fit.

Most frames will fit well. Minor adjustments such as moving a nose pad or gently bending an ear piece are simple to do. If you need help, most optical shops will do this for you. Some may charge a small fee.

Unfortunately we do not re-glaze glasses at the current time.

Back to top

Pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted), Paypal or direct deposit.

We use ANZ Bank’s online payment service which is secured with 128-bit SSL. SSL is the leading security protocol on the internet and 128-bit encryption is the strongest level of encryption available.

All transactions are secure and private. When you reach the payment page, you will see a padlock icon appear in the bottom right of your browser signifying a secure page.

$4.50 for one pair and free shipping for two or more pairs. Glasses are carefully packed and sent via Australia Post. We can deliver to a work address if it is more convenient for you. Some letterboxes are not wide enough for the package so it may save you a trip to the post office!

We will process your order within a day of receiving it.

Most customers receive their glasses in 10 to 14 days, often sooner. In the unlikely event of an unforeseen delay, we guarantee that they will arrive within 28 days at the very latest.

Back to top

There is no difference between GlassesOnline and the shops when it comes to claiming from your health fund. Many health plans make a part payment towards the cost of prescription glasses so it’s best to check your individual plan. All the information that your health fund needs is provided on your GlassesOnline receipt.
For HBF members: HBF has ‘changed its business rules’ and will no longer pay claims for glasses purchased over the internet. We are continuing to seek an explanation as to why but in the meantime, please be aware that HBF will not pay your claim. HBF is the only fund in Australia who prevents their members from buying glasses online.

Back to top

Before dispatch, our optical dispensers carefully inspect each pair of glasses to check the prescription and lenses, and ensure proper alignment of the frame.

They are then carefully packaged in a protective hard case. In the unlikely event that they arrive with a defect, we will replace your glasses free of charge. Please call us within 10 days of shipping to receive your replacement.

We have also created a special guarantee for multifocal customers as it can take a little extra time to adjust to these lenses - click here for details.

As we process orders very rapidly, please call or email us immediately if you spot any errors.

You will receive an email confirmation upon placing your order. Please check that all these details are correct and contact us if there is a mistake.

Back to top