90-Day Review: Is the Cheapest Place to Buy Prescription Glasses Actually Good?

I needed new glasses in a hurry after my old pair snapped at the temple. Getting a replacement from my eye doctor would have cost over $400—a significant amount. So, I decided to search for the most affordable place to buy prescription glasses online. I settled on the MERRYS DESIGN Retro Oval frames (model S2137). They were inexpensive and came with the promise of quality lenses featuring an anti-blue light coating.

I’ve worn these glasses every single day for the past 90 days, or three full months. This is my comprehensive review. My goal was to determine whether saving money meant compromising on vision or durability.

• Benefit 1: Significant Cost Savings: I paid less than a quarter of what I would have spent at a local optician.
• Benefit 2: Fast Shipping: They arrived even faster than my doctor’s office usually delivers.
• Benefit 3: Anti-Blue Light Promise: This feature is crucial for my 10-hour workdays spent in front of a screen.

Day 1: First Impressions

The package arrived safely, with the glasses secured in a hard case—a good start. Upon removing the frames, the first thing I noticed was how incredibly light they were. The listing described them as 'Ultralight Eyewear,' and that seemed accurate.

They appeared quite thin. My immediate concern was that they might break within a week. They felt fragile compared to my old, chunky plastic frames. The MERRYS frames are made of thin metal and seemed delicate. However, the fit was excellent right away. The oval shape suited my face well, and the lenses felt clean and clear.

Action Step: Inspect the hinges immediately. I checked the screws on the temples, and they were tight—not cheap or wobbly. This gave me a bit of hope.

Verdict: Skeptical about long-term durability, but impressed by the ultralight weight and initial clarity.

Week 1: Getting Used to Them

This week was all about adjustment. It always takes a day or two for my eyes to adapt to a new prescription. The optical power was perfect—they nailed my complicated prescription on the first try. That’s a major win for an online order.

Before purchasing, I needed assistance to ensure my complex prescription details were correct. I spoke with a support agent named Alex, who was very knowledgeable and helpful. He guided me through the necessary measurements for the specific frame category I was considering.

Testing the Anti-Blue Light Feature

I primarily wear these glasses for computer work. After a full week of 8-10 hours daily screen time, my eyes felt noticeably less strained. With my old clear lenses, my eyes would often feel tired and dry by 4 PM. With the 1.61 Anti Blue Light lenses, the fatigue was much less severe. There’s a slight yellowish tint if you hold them up to the light, but it’s not noticeable when wearing them.

Warning: When buying inexpensive glasses, always verify the lens quality. Ensure they use accurate prescription measurements (PD, spherical power, cylinder). If these are wrong, the glasses will be useless, regardless of how cheap the frames are.

Verdict: The lenses passed the basic clarity and function test. The anti-blue light feature works as advertised.

Month 1: Daily Use

By the first month, these frames had become my everyday pair. This meant I was tossing them on my desk, occasionally dropping them (by accident!), and cleaning them vigorously.

Durability Check Points:

I monitored for the common issues that often plague cheap metal frames:

• Finish Fading: Inexpensive jewelry or frames often use thin plating that can wear off where it contacts your skin. So far, the black finish on these metal frames hasn’t chipped or faded at all. They still look brand new.
• Nose Pad Discomfort: The oval frames come with thin silicone nose pads. They remained comfortable, even on hot days when I perspired a bit.
• Screws Loosening: I had to tighten the screws on the right temple hinge once around week four. This is fairly normal for any metal frame.

I learned an important lesson this month: just because these glasses were among the most affordable options doesn’t mean the quality is subpar. The 'ultralight' construction, which made me nervous on day one, actually turned out to be a benefit. They’re so light that I often forget I’m wearing them.

Action Step: If you buy thin frames, always keep a small screwdriver kit handy. Check the hinges monthly.

Month 3: Long-Term Verdict

Three months is sufficient time to distinguish a decent product from a poor one. If cheap frames are going to fail, they typically show serious signs by now—like peeling lenses, loose temples, or broken hinges.

I compared my experience with these affordable frames to my old $350 designer pair from three years ago. In terms of daily function, there’s almost no difference.

Final Comparison Table (MERRYS vs. Expensive Old Pair)

Feature	MERRYS S2137 (Affordable)	Old Designer Pair (Expensive)
Frame Weight	Ultralight (Excellent)	Heavy Plastic (Okay)
Lens Clarity (1.61)	Perfect, No Distortion	Perfect, No Distortion
Finish Chipping/Fading	None after 90 days	None after 3 years
Anti-Blue Light	Effective	Did not have this feature
Total Cost	Very Low	Very High

The most significant long-term finding is that the anti-blue light coating hasn’t worn off. Sometimes inexpensive coatings scratch easily, especially with frequent cleaning. I clean my lenses daily with spray and a cloth, and they remain scratch-free. Finding the most affordable place to buy prescription glasses didn’t mean I received low-quality lenses.

Action Step: If you’re looking to save money, prioritize frames made from durable materials like stainless steel or certified ultralight alloys. Avoid frames where the metal type isn’t specified.

Would I Buy Again?

YES. I would absolutely purchase these MERRYS frames and lenses again.

Why? They demonstrated that you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a solid, reliable pair of prescription glasses. The lens grinding quality was excellent. The anti-blue light feature genuinely reduced eye strain. The frame held up better than anticipated, even with rough daily use.

If you’re trying to find the most affordable place to buy prescription glasses, the key is to research the seller and the specific frame materials—not just focus on the price tag. This purchase was a complete success, saving me money without any headaches.