Today, 1-800 Contacts, the largest retailer of contact lenses, has expanded and launched The Framery, a new online retailer that aims to stock affordable, high-quality and stylish frames and lenses.
"Over the last 30 years, 1-800 Contacts has provided trusted service, convenience and personalized care for our customers," Amy Larson, president of The Framery, tells CNET. "Our goal with The Framery is to deliver this same experience by making eyewear shopping even easier and provide everyone with access to high-quality frames without the designer price tag."
When asked how The Framery will stand out from other online eyewear retailers, Larson said the brand will partner directly with manufacturers and designers to provide hundreds of premium frames without a designer markup. With The Framery's in-home try-on program, you can also try out up to four frames at home, which you can return for free with a prepaid shipping label.
Every frame will include high-quality polycarbonate lenses, and there are options for progressive, sun and blue light lenses. The entire prescription eyewear price starts at $79.
If you're not sure which frames will look best on you and your face shape, you can use virtual try-ons to narrow down which frames to test out at home. Once you find your match, you can use 1-800 Contacts' ExpressExam to renew prescriptions online. If you're already a customer, you can buy glasses through The Framery with your existing eyewear prescriptions if they're available and up to date.
Once you purchase your frames and lenses, you can also count on free shipping, returns and exchanges for 60 days. Depending on your plan, The Framery is an out-of-network provider with most major vision insurance companies. Prescription lenses of any type are also FSA or HSA eligible.
If you've shopped for eyewear before (especially without vision insurance), then you know how difficult it can be to find frames that are both high-quality and budget-friendly. The Framery working to drive down prices, so hopefully the gaps between style, quality and price will soon be nonexistent.