The Affordable Glasses All Teachers Need to Know About

Affiliate links are used within this post, but rest-assured my opinions are 100% my own.

My glasses journey began when I was a sophomore in high school and finally realized that I couldn't see the board - it was fuzzy and I found myself having to sit up front in order to copy the notes adequately. Turns out, I am nearsighted and there's always been a part of me that wonders why my teachers over the years never noticed my need for glasses. Having gone through years of eye strain, I am quick to recognize similar body language in my students who may need glasses - hopefully curbing years of misconceptions about their abilities or even behavior. 

As an adult, I've been overpaying for my prescription and frames for years and can't believe I never heard of Warby Parker before! It wasn't until my husband and I first moved from the east coast to California that I had even heard of this brand. We were walking along Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice one afternoon and I walked by this cute blue building and being curious about their frames I stepped inside to take a peek.

I was totally expecting to fall in love with at least one pair of frames, but was nervous about the price tag. But that's where this story gets good...and informational.

Affordable (and cute!) Eyewear

My husband and I while visiting Luxembourg in 2017!
Frames: Oliver in Whiskey Tortoise

All of their frames from glasses to sunglasses are all $95. That's it! The reason their frames are so affordable is because they design and craft their frames in-house, cutting out the middle man. "The eyewear industry is dominated by a single company that has been able to keep prices artificially high while reaping huge profits from consumers who have no other options." (Warby Parker website). In doing this, they've created a company that makes glasses affordable and available to those who need them!

My husband, son, and I while visiting the Louvre in Paris, 2017!
Frames: Oliver in Whiskey Tortoise

Furthermore, when I picked out my first pair I literally only paid $5 out of pocket thanks to vision insurance. Warby Parker accepts most insurance and having my eye exam and frames mostly paid for was a huge plus!

A few years later I found myself looking to invest in prescription sunglasses as well as take a peek at upgrading my frames since WP is always releasing new styles. Now, my first pair have stood the test of time and the handling of a 2 year old - and that's saying something! I still use them regularly, but I wanted to try a new color or style of frame. At this point, my eye prescription on file had expired, but this is where their services are ah-mazing!

FREE Home Try-On

Thinking about testing out Warby Parker but don't have a storefront near you? Or just like to try things on at home without the hassle or pressure to make a purchase right then and there? Opt for their Home Try-On program absolutely free! Online you pick 5 frames to try and within a few days your frames will arrive and you have 5 days to think about what you liked or didn't like.

For me, I knew I wanted a mix of sunglasses and regular glasses so I chose a few different styles and colors to try. When I received them, I absolutely fell in love with their Welty frames in the Rose Crystal color. The frames are a bit larger than the Oliver's I already have and the crystal pink is so cute and a touch feminine. For my new prescription sunglasses I went with the Raglan frames in Pearled Tortoise. Both were featured in my Home Try-On and loved them instantly.

That moment you want a cute photo with your son and he's in the middle of snacking on raisins.
Frames: Welty in Rose Crystal

Update your prescription without leaving your house!

I was guided to download their free app, Prescription Check, to participate in eye tests and answer a few questions about my eye health. I was a bit skeptical that an app could accurately check my vision and determine if my prescription had changed or not. After spending about 30 minutes or so completing the guided exam, my results were sent off to an eye specialist to review and approve my new prescription. For $40 I was able to update my prescription without leaving my home! I mean, wow! Now, if the specialist determined I needed to go in-person for an eye exam then I wouldn't pay a dime and would have to book an appointment with my eye doctor to get a new prescription. But, having this (often time consuming) task be completed with ease, it made me love Warby Parker even more!

Pay in Installments!

This go-around I purchased my new pink frames and prescription sunglasses through their Affirm program, which allows me to pay just $90 in three installments without interest. Since being a stay-at-home-mom who will begin teaching again in January, my first payment is due right when I receive my first paycheck. Until then, I am able to enjoy my new glasses without worrying about paying for them upfront right away. The balance you pay each month is determined by how many frames you buy, so for my two glasses (and this time without vision insurance) $90 a month for three months is totally do-able!

I truly cannot recommend this company and their quality of glasses more. I've been using Warby's since 2016 and I seriously can't imagine shopping anywhere else for frames. They've managed to take the stress out of every possible aspect of shopping for new glasses and I couldn't believe how easy it was to update my prescription...right from home! Plus, their Home Try-On program helped me find new frames I wouldn't have picked for myself initially in-store, but within the comfort of my home I found my new favorites!

I would love to talk more about Warby Parker if you have any questions or hesitations. The only downside is they only have frames for men and women, but hopefully (fingers crossed) they can add a children's line!