5 Mistakes I Made Buying eye exam for reading glasses (So You Don't Have To)

I recently hit that age where reading fine print felt like a job for a magnifying glass. I finally went for an eye exam for reading glasses and got my prescription: +1.75. Great! I thought buying the glasses online would be easy. I was looking specifically at the popular Polygonal Retro Reading Glasses Men Women Ultralight Presbyopic Glasses Magnifier Metal Full Frame Eyewear.

I get it, we all want to save money, but rushing the process was a big mistake. I jumped for the fastest, cheapest option, and I wasted time and cash. I made these mistakes so you don't have to experience blurry vision and broken frames.

Mistake #1: Going for the Cheapest Option (Ignoring Lens Accuracy)

My first thought was, "Readers are readers." I found a pair that looked exactly like the stylish Polygonal Retro Readers but cost about $7. I figured the lens power (+1.75) had to be accurate since it was stamped on the frame.

I was wrong.

When they arrived, the lenses felt fuzzy. My eyes got tired after reading just two pages. I realized later that super cheap lenses often have poor optical centers or inconsistent power across the lens surface. This is why people complain:

• "These were $7, but the +1.75 felt like a +1.50. Everything was blurry and caused headaches."

Big mistake. Don't cheap out on what you use to see.

Verdict: Spend a little more money on quality lenses to protect your eyes. Cheap lenses often lead to eye strain.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Material Quality (The Flimsy Frame Trap)

The Polygonal Retro design looks great because it has a clean, sharp metal frame. When I bought the cheap knockoff, the frame material was paper-thin aluminum. It wasn't built to last.

I dropped them once from my desk onto a carpeted floor. That was it.

• "The frames looked great online, but the metal bent completely out of shape after one week of use. They felt cheap and thin, especially at the hinges."

I learned my lesson: look for specific materials. Look for sturdy metal alloys or stainless steel in the description. If the description just says "Metal," assume it’s the cheapest stuff they could find.

Verdict: Check the frame material specs. Ensure the metal is durable, especially since polygonal frames have sharp angles that need support.

Mistake #3: Not Checking Reviews for Fit and Scale

I assumed "standard size" meant they would fit my face. The style I bought was similar to the desired Polygonal Retro Readers—a bold, geometric look. But when I tried them on, they looked ridiculous.

They were either too narrow, pinching my temples, or the lenses were too small, making me look like I was wearing doll glasses.

• "They looked large and stylish online, but they were tiny on my face. The arms were way too short and they kept sliding down my nose."

Don't make my error. Glasses look different on a model’s face than they do on yours. You need to see them on real people.

Verdict: Always check the reviews that include buyer photos. Look for feedback on temple length and frame width.

Mistake #4: Falling for Ads (Ignoring Face Shape)

The ad for the polygonal style was everywhere. It looked incredibly modern and cool. I bought them without thinking about my own face shape. I have a rounder face, and angular frames are usually a good choice, but the specific geometric pattern I chose was too aggressive.

I should have thought about suitability, not just trendiness.

• "The ad showed this cool retro look, but the sharp corners of the lenses hit my cheekbones awkwardly. I should have stuck to classic rectangular shapes that I know work for me."

Learn from me: Know your face shape (round, square, oval). Different frame shapes look better on different people. Now, before buying, I always check the full category to see frame options and compare shapes against what I already own.

Action Steps for Style:

1. Figure out your face shape (Round, Square, Oval).
2. Look up frame recommendations for that shape.
3. Compare the advertised photo to customer photos to check scale.

Verdict: Match the frame shape to your face shape, not just the latest trend.

Mistake #5: Skipping Measurements Beyond Power

When you get an eye exam for reading glasses, they give you the power (+1.75). But they also measure your Pupillary Distance (PD). This is the distance between the centers of your pupils. For simple readers, this measurement is sometimes ignored, but it is critical for clarity, especially for higher powers like +2.25.

When I bought my first pair, I ignored the PD.

• "I bought the right power, but the lenses felt 'off.' My eyes were fighting the focus point, and I got dizzy. I realized I never measured my PD, so the focal point was wrong."

If the PD of the glasses doesn't match yours, the optical center is wrong. This makes your eyes work harder, defeating the entire purpose of the glasses.

Verdict: Power isn't enough. Get your PD from your eye exam results and confirm the online seller uses a standard or adjustable PD.

What I Should Have Done: Choosing Quality and Service

After failing multiple times, I went with a reputable seller for the Polygonal Retro Reading Glasses. I looked for a store that clearly cares about customer education and quality—the kind of store that prevents all five of my mistakes.

The feedback for the actual quality product shows why paying attention matters:

• "Love my stylish new readers that fit my face! :)" (Proves the style and fit were checked.)
• "The individual who helped me was patient, attentive, knowledgable, and kind. I was choosing my first part of glasses and they patiently walked me through the options available to me. It made me more comfortable making a purchase there and I greatly appreciated the extra education I gained during my visit." (Proves service prevents buying the wrong material or style.)

When a store invests in quality customer service and educational information, they ensure you leave with the right power, the right fit, and durable frames. I should have started there instead of trying to save a few dollars.

Action Step: Prioritize stores that offer clear material specifications and excellent customer support, even if you are only buying reading glasses.

Lessons Learned

If you are getting an eye exam for reading glasses and plan to buy online, don't repeat my errors. Always follow this simple guide:

• Don't Buy Too Cheap: If the price seems impossible, the lens quality is probably bad.
• Verify Materials: Look for strong metal or quality plastic, not just vague descriptions.
• Measure Everything: Get your Pupillary Distance (PD) and compare the frame width to a pair that already fits you well.
• Check Buyer Photos: See the glasses on a real person, not just a perfect model.

Buying readers shouldn't be hard, but rushing the process turns a simple purchase into a headache. Learn from me—do your homework first!