Did you know that about 3% of glasses now are bought online? It’s no surprise that people are turning to the internet to find their best options for eye wear. Unlike a store, which has limited shelf space, online stores selling eyeglasses have access to hundreds of models that you can view at the same time, including designer wear that is often difficult to come by in person.

FramesDirect.com, for example, has over 8,000 listed options, so there’s no need to settle for something that’s “sort of like” the pair you wanted. Not sure yet if buying glasses online is the right option for you? Here are three tips for making it a smooth experience.

1. What You Need to Know for Prescription Glasses

You might have heard the stories of people who bought eye wear online, only to find they were of poor quality, or were the wrong prescription. Always read reviews of online stores first, since some operate more questionably than others. You want quality. Many issues actually arise, though, because purchasers don’t know accurate information about their own prescription. One thing you need to have an accurate count of is your PD, or pupillary distance, which is the distance between your two eyes. A guessed PD can lead to headaches and reduced vision. Call your optometrist and get your latest measurements.

2. How to Choose the Right Glasses for Your Face

This is a common question, but not so panic inducing as many people think. The truth is, most glasses will flatter your face- especially if you get them in popular styles! That said, though, there is a simple concept you can keep in mind in order to find the most complementary pair. Basically, you want to find a pair that “balances” your face. If your face is long, very short lenses will make your eyes look small. Similarly, a round face benefits more from angular lenses. Hipster, also known as “wayfarer” glasses, are popular right now and can work for both casual and professional contexts.

3. Can Glasses Affect How People Perceive You in the Workplace?

An interesting study by the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay tried to determine whether the old stereotypes about glasses held true. In fact, they did indeed find that models wearing glasses were rated as seeming more intelligent and trustworthy. However, they did not find glasses to impact whether someone was deemed “employable.” It’s fair to say that either contacts or glasses can be the right one depending on the circumstance, but there’s no disguising the fact that eye wear is a quick way to give your appearance a professional edge.

Have you bought glasses online? See this link for more references.