Can you get glasses same day? The Answer might surprise you!

If you’re like me, you probably don’t have a lot of time to spare for your eye care. You want to get your vision checked and a new pair of glasses as soon as possible. But can you get glasses on the same day?

The answer is yes, but it depends on frame availability and a few factors. You might be able to get your new glasses in an hour or so in-store sometimes. However, in others, you might have to wait for about a week, a few days, or even longer to get them. Here are some things you need to know before you book your appointment.

Do I need an eye exam to get new glasses?

The first step to getting new glasses is to have a valid prescription from an eye doctor. A prescription tells independent doctors to give you the power and shape of the lenses you need to purchase to correct your vision. Without a prescription, you won’t be able to buy new glasses that fit your eyes and your needs.

Prescription glasses typically expire after one or two years, depending on your age and eye health. This is because your vision can change over time due to aging, eye diseases, or other factors. If your prescription glasses have expired, you will need to get a new eye exam before you can buy new prescription glasses.

If you have a valid prescription from a previous eye exam that’s still current, you don’t need to get a new exam to buy a new prescription for glasses. However, it’s still a good idea to have regular eye exams to check your eye health and make sure your prescription is up to date.

Where can I get an eye exam?

There are different places where you can get an eye exam, such as:

  • Your eye doctor’s office: This is the most common and recommended option, as you will get personalized attention and care from a qualified professional. Your eye doctor will also have your medical history and vision insurance information on file, which can make the process easier and more accurate.
  • A retail chain or big-box vision center: These are places like LensCrafters, Target Optical, or Walmart Vision Center that offer eye exams and glasses in one location. They may have in-house optical labs that can make some lenses in an hour or so, which can be convenient if you need your glasses quickly. However, they may not have the same level of expertise or quality as your eye doctor’s office.
  • An online service: Some online platforms offer virtual eye exams and prescriptions through your smartphone or computer. These can be convenient and affordable if you have a simple prescription and don’t need a comprehensive eye exam. However, they may not be accurate or reliable for everyone, and some vision insurance plans or eyewear providers may not accept them.

The best place to get an eye exam depends on your preference, budget, and availability. You should always choose a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist who can provide quality care and service.

Where can I buy glasses?

Once you have a valid prescription, you can buy other prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, or glasses from different sources, such stores as:

  • Your eye doctor’s office: This is the most convenient option to get your glasses on the same day as your exam. Your eye doctor will have a selection of frames and lenses that match your prescription and preferences. They can also adjust your glasses for a perfect fit and comfort.
  • An online retailer: This is the most affordable option to save money on your glasses. Online retailers often have a wide selection of frames and lenses at lower prices than brick-and-mortar stores. You can also shop from the comfort of your home or office and have your glasses delivered to your door. However, you may be unable to try on the frames before buying them, and you may need to pay extra for shipping and returns.
  • A local store: This is the most accessible option if you want to have more choices and flexibility. Local stores may have more variety of frames and lenses than your eye doctor’s office or online retailers. You can also try on different styles and colors before making a decision. However, local stores may not have the same quality or service as your eye doctor’s office or online retailers.

The best place to buy a pair of glasses depends on your preference, budget, and availability. You should always choose a reputable eyewear provider who can offer quality products and services.

How long does it take to get glasses?

The time it takes to pick up contacts and get your glasses ready depends on several factors, such as:

The type of lenses you need

Some lenses are more complex than others and require more time to make. For example, single-vision lenses are the simplest type of lens: lenses that correct one type of vision problem (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism). These lenses can usually be made in an hour or so at an in-house optical lab. However, multifocal lenses are more often complicated prescription lenses that correct more than one type of vision problem (such as presbyopia or age-related near vision loss). These complicated prescription lenses require more precision and customization each lens and may take several days or weeks to make at an outside optical laboratory.

The availability of frames

The frames you choose for your glasses may not be in stock at the store or office where you buy them. They may need to be ordered from the same frame manufacturer insurance company or supplier, which can take some time depending on the demand, price, and frame availability. If you want to get your next pair of glasses faster, you may want to choose frames readily available at the store or office where you buy them.

The lens modifications

Some lens modifications can enhance the performance and appearance of your glasses, such as anti-reflective coating (which reduces glare), scratch-resistant coating (which protects the lenses from damage), blue light blocking (which filters out harmful blue light from digital devices), or tinting (which adds color or darkness to the lenses). However, these modifications can also add time and additional cost to the production of your contact lenses, as they require additional steps or processes.

The location where you buy them

Some eyeglass locations have faster turnaround times than others for making contact lens and glasses. For example, a location that has an in-house optical lab: Some eyewear providers have their own labs where they can make eyeglass lenses themselves on-site, which can speed up the process. For example, some LensCrafters locations can make single-vision eyeglass lenses in about an hour, while some Target Optical locations can make them in a few hours. However, not all locations have this capability, and not all eyeglass frames and lenses can be made in-house.

Moreover, some eyewear providers offer same-day service for the purchase of certain types of glasses, such as single-vision glasses or glasses with standard lenses. Eyeglasses store offers same-day service for the purchase of the lens and most single-vision glasses at a discount in select locations. However, this service may not be available for all frames and lenses, and it is delivered so it may depend on the availability of the staff and equipment.

Based on these factors, it may take anywhere from an hour to 10 days to get delivery of your glasses ready. If you need your glasses urgently, you may want to ask or contact your eyewear provider about their turnaround time and availability of same-day delivery service before you buy them or using online orders.

The best walk-in eye store for same-day service: Our top picks

There are some places where you can get an eye exam and glasses on the same day, but it depends on their availability and policies. Here are some possible options:

  • LensCrafters: This eyewear chain claims to offer same-day service for most prescriptions and frames at select locations. They have an on-site lab that can make your glasses in as little as an hour. You can also schedule an eye exam with an independent doctor of optometry at their locations.
  • Target Optical: This eyewear chain also offers same-day service for some prescriptions and frames at select locations. They have an on-site lab that can make your glasses in about an hour. You can also book an eye exam with an independent doctor of optometry at their locations.
  • Eyeglass World: This eyewear chain provides same-day service for most single-vision glasses and some multifocal glasses at all locations. They have a large selection of frames and lenses to choose from. You can also book an eye exam with their independent licensed eye doctors online or by phone.
  • Visionworks: This eyewear chain offers same-day service for most prescriptions and frames at select locations. They have an on-site lab that can make your glasses in about an hour. You can also schedule an eye exam with an independent doctor of optometry at their locations.

Conclusion

Getting an eye exam, contact lenses, and glasses on the same day is possible, but it depends on several factors. To increase your chances of getting your glasses and contacts in on the same day, you should choose simple contact lenses, and frames that are available in stock, book your eye exam early in the morning, and call ahead and ask about the store’s policies frame price, contact lens options, and availability.

Therefore, it is important to plan and do some research before you book your appointment. We hope this blog post can help you get a better understanding of these factors and then you can have the best choice. We love to hear from you, have a nice day!