Can I Buy New Eyeglasses During the Pandemic?

With the new COVID-19 restrictions on business practices, you may wonder if it’s possible to buy new eyeglasses during the pandemic. If you’re a person with poor vision, you know how essential new eyeglasses are for daily life. When your old eyeglasses have been lost or broken, will you be able to buy new ones during this pandemic? The short answer is yes, but there are some important things you’ll need to know. Buying new eyeglasses right now will be a different experience than it was before COVID-19. Here’s what to expect.

Obtain Your Prescription From Your Eye Doctor

Be sure to obtain your latest prescription from your Riverdale Vision Care eye doctor. You can ask to have your prescription emailed or faxed to you so that you don’t need to have personal contact with the office. Alternatively, you can have your prescription faxed or emailed directly to your eyeglass store if you’ve already chosen a new pair of frames.

Wear Your Mask

Whether or not your state currently has mandatory mask requirements, chances are that the frames shop will require masks. Bring a mask that you feel comfortable in because you’ll need to keep it on while you try on frames.

Expect a Temperature Check

Many frames stores check visitors’ temperatures at the door using a forehead, contactless thermometer. Don’t be personally offended. This is for the added safety of other customers and staff members.

Prepare to Wear Gloves

It’s possible that the frames store will also require customers to wear gloves while shopping for frames. If you have a latex allergy, be prepared by bringing your own vinyl or cloth gloves, just in case.

Place Frames in Bins

Many frame stores have implemented a protocol for disinfecting frames after they have been tried on by customers. You may be presented with a small plastic basket for frames that you’ve tried. Instead of putting the frames back on the display wall, you’ll put them in the basket so the staff can disinfect them.

Once you find a pair of frames that you like, a staff member will fit the frames to your face as usual. However, they will be wearing a mask as well. Don’t put off getting needed eyeglasses during the pandemic. Although the process is different, you can still anticipate getting the prescriptive eyewear you need.