Tips for Buying Prescription Glasses or Contacts as a Gift By Gordon Wong, OD on December 01, 2023

smiling woman wearing glasses

Whether it’s a Christmas gift or a birthday present, you want to make sure what you wrap up is some combination of personal, practical, and enjoyable — and, if you know what you’re looking for, prescription glasses or contact lenses can fit the bill!

Our optometrists serving La Jolla, CA, Del Mar, CA, and surrounding areas have put together some tips and considerations for buying prescription glasses or contacts as gifts.

Buying Prescription Glasses as a Gift

If Necessary, Line Up an Eye Exam

You’ll most likely have to unveil the “surprise” of the present well before they receive their new glasses — and that’s okay! Ensuring their new glasses are the right prescription is necessary to make this gift as functional and long-lasting as possible.

If they don’t have their prescription information readily available or it’s been a while since they’ve visited an optometrist, consider bundling the gift of new glasses with an eye exam.

Consider Their Face Shape When Shopping Frame Styles

Face shape is the most significant aspect to consider when getting someone new glasses; you’ll want their eyewear to complement the shape of their face and even their skin tone. We’ve put together a guide on pairing face shapes and styles of glasses to help you get a better sense of what you should consider.

This could be an opportunity to gift them glasses that complement their face shape better than their existing eyewear, letting them revamp their look and instill a new sense of confidence.

Go Frame Shopping Together

If you come across multiple frames or styles of glasses you think they’d enjoy, send over a short list and let them decide on the one they’d like best. Also, you could arrange for a special outing to an eyewear store to try on all types of designer frames and give recommendations and feedback in real-time as they try them on.

GW Eye Associates helps those near La Jolla and Del Mar get started with an online optical shop that lets you view what frames are available in each of our offices.

Buying Contacts as a Gift

It’s a bit easier to give a gift of contact lenses to those who have worn them before. However, if contacts would be new territory for them, your gift could be a wonderful opportunity to explore the option for the first time.

Since the wrong contacts can impact the eye health of the person you’re giving the gift to, you may consider some of the following:

  • Purchase a gift card to a local optician or offer to pay for a certain amount of contact lenses and any fitting fee involved.
  • Gift them contact lens-related items and other eyewear, such as fun or colorful cases, rinsing solutions, or even non-prescription sunglasses.

Looking to Give the Gift of Great Vision? Get in Touch With Us

The friendly staff at our optometry practice is here to help individuals throughout San Diego County not only find eyewear they love but also promote their long-term eye health. Whether you are looking for a new pair of glasses or want to find the perfect pair for a loved one from an optometrist's office that puts them first, we’re in your corner.

For more information, get in touch with us today or visit our optometry offices in La Jolla or Del Mar.

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GW Eye Associates

Our team at GW Eye Associates in La Jolla and Del Mar can provide a wide range of high-quality eye care services. Dr. Gordon G. Wong and Dr. Wildon C. Wong have over 45 years of combined experience and belong to several prestigious organizations, including:

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • American Optometric Association
  • NVISION

For more information about our services, contact our office online or call us at (858) 454-4699 today.

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