How Can I Find Out What Prescription My Glasses Are?
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Over 150 million people in the United States wear corrective eyewear, designed to compensate for issues such as nearsightedness and farsightedness.
“It can be expensive and time consuming to get a prescription and new glasses for someone. The average time for eyeglass prescriptions is 1 to 2 years. If you haven’t had an eye doctor in a while, it’s a good idea to get your most up-to-date prescription and best fit.”
If you have eyeglasses and you’re confident the prescription is up-to-date, you can try the GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner app to get your prescription details.
This is not the best way to measure Your glasses.prescription because of the unknown accuracy of apps like this.
In this article, we will discuss the steps I took when trying to use the GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner app, as well as other options you have for figuring out the prescription of your glasses.
“The GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner is a free app that uses your phone’s camera to read your prescription. You will submit a photo to measure yourPD, the distance between your pupils.”
How we tested the GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner app
I tried out the app.
- “My own eyeglasses are outside the app’s range, and they have a complex prescription for presbyopia.”
- A second pair of eyeglasses with single vision for nearsighted in a simple prescription.
I’m a computer-literate, older woman with a complicated prescription. I wear trifocal eyeglasses, which include a prescription designed to address presbyopia, an age-related eye condition.
Scanning lenses that GlassesUSA doesn’t make
“I completed the Scan using my own eyewear, even though I knew that GlassesUSA wasn’t designed for my type of prescription.”
How the first scan went
After doing all of the steps, a screen came up that said my glasses were out of range.
“It was good news that the GlassesUSA app read my prescription correctly and gave me accurate information that it couldn’t be filled, even though this confirmed that I couldn’t use the app.”
How the second scan went
I tried it again with my own eyewear to make sure I could handle all of the screens.
I was surprised that the second try brought a different result. The app took me through the entire process and tried to read my prescription at 99 percent complete for over 20 minutes. It never finished and never sent me an error message.
Scanning lenses that GlassesUSA can make
My son has a simple prescription for glasses that fits within the GlassesUSA range, so I borrowed a pair from him. The range is for single vision prescriptions between -6.00 to +3.00 and cylinder up to -2.50.
I use the GlassesUSA app to show the steps I took with his glasses.
You can read more about the Prescription Scanner app on GlassesUSA.com.
1. Download the GlassesUSA app
- From its website. Open up the GlassesUSA website on your computer. Towards the bottom of the homepage there’s a “download app” prompt where you can request the app link.
- From the app store. You can also download the GlassesUSA app directly through the app store on your phone. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
2. Scan from the app
Click on the button to start scanning. The app uses voice commands to get you from one step to the next.
3. Collect what you’ll need
The screen will show you the tools you need to complete the task. These are the things.
- A computer has a screen that is 12” x 27”
- Magnetic card for scaling
- Your glasses.
What’s a ‘magnetic card’?
The size of a credit card is usually the size of a magnetic strip. There are gift cards, debit cards, and some ID and transit cards.
The scanning app uses a magnetic card to take certain measurements.
We suggest using something without account information.
4. Set up and calibrate your device
You will receive a web address to log into your computer, where you will see a code to use. This will connect your phone to your computer.
“If your computer doesn’t have functional cookies, you won’t be able to complete this step. I had cookies enabled but I couldn’t complete this step in the browser. I tried to use chrome on another computer. I was able to use Microsoft Edge to do the scanning.”
“You are prompted to scale the size of your computer screen using a magnetic card after the code is scanned. This may take several tries before it works. You have to hold the card against the screen if it doesn’t work immediately. I had to adjust the screen many times before it was right. This took a long time on two computers.”
5. Scan your current pair of eyeglasses
The app is ready to use once things are set up. You hold your glasses mid-way between your phone and computer. You will be asked to tilt your glasses until they read. This takes around 3 minutes.
6. Take a photo for your PD measurement
You will be asked to take a photo with a magnetic card. This is done to measure your distance from the other side of the eye. This is the most important step in the process of centering your eyewear.
You will be provided with your prescription by GlassesUSA after they request your account information.
If you have a prescription on hand, you can compare it to the one in GlassesUSA.
Privacy, please!
If you are concerned about information privacy, use a card that is credit-card sized and cover information like numbers and names.
Pros
- It is easy to use.
- It is easy to do in the comfort of your home.
- “It’s less expensive to visit your eye doctor.”
Cons
- Errors can cause incorrect prescriptions.
- Your prescription may have changed.
- Not suitable for progressive prescriptions.
The app is suitable for prescription drugs.
- People are in good health.
- People with stable vision are satisfied with their current prescription.
- There are single vision prescriptions between -6.00 and +3.00.
- The cylinder measurement is lower than -2.50.
It’s necessary to have a smartphone with a working camera, a desktop or laptop computer with at least a 12-inch (30-cm) screen, and a standard-size magnetic card. Plus, you’ll need Your glasses.with your current prescription.
GlassesUSA has a 4.5 (excellent) rating on Trustpilot. GlassesUSA is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a B rating. Customer reviews on the BBB website give GlassesUSA an average rating of 2.4, and there were 205 complaints filed in the last 12 months.
Positive reviews say the Prescription Scanner app is easy to use and accurate. Customers are satisfied with the prices and selection of glasses.
Poor customer service communication is mentioned in many unfavorable reviews. Some customers complain about hidden charges, a short return window, and receiving faulty products.
You can request your prescription details from the office where you last had an eye exam. They have to give you a copy.
There are other scanning apps that can be used to find out your prescription based on your existing glasses.
- Liingo RX Reader: Liingo Eyewear also has an app that you can use to get the prescription of your current glasses by downloading the app, calibrating hardware, and scanning your lenses.
- GlassesOn app: 6over6 offers its GlassesOn app to take measurements similar to GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner to get PD and lens details.
- Lens Scanner App: SmartBuyGlasses, an eyeglass retailer, partnered with 6over6 to offer its own version of an eyeglass scanning app.
What the Prescription Scanner app isn’t for
“The app doesn’t work with it.”
- Strong or weak prescriptions can be used.
- prism prescriptions used to correct double vision
- Multiple prescriptions within one lens
- Contact lens prescriptions.
Is the information reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional?
The information you give to the Prescription Scanner app is not reviewed by a healthcare professional. Medical advice is not offered by GlassesUSA.
Do eye doctors recommend finding out your glasses prescription online?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eyeglass prescription apps and home vision tests are suitable for people 18 to 39 years old with healthy eyes and a mild or moderate prescription.
They are not advisable for people with a strong or complicated prescription, an eye condition, or a condition that increases their risk for eye disease.
“Anyone who hasn’t had an eye exam in a couple of years should visit an eye doctor.”
Do I need an internet connection to find out what prescription my glasses are?
If you want to use an app to determine your prescription, you will need a strong internet connection and a device to scans your current eyeglasses.
How accurate are the measurements from the GlassesUSA app?
The prescription measurement from the GlassesUSA app are fairly accurate, but the exact accuracy is not known. The app has a higher error rate than tests that an eye doctor performs.
How do you know when your prescription is no longer for you?
There are a number of symptoms that may suggest that it is time to see an eye doctor.
- There are headaches.
- blurry vision
- Eye fatigue.
“If you haven’t had an eye exam in a year, it’s time to make an appointment.”
How often should I change my prescription?
Your eye prescription will likely change throughout your life. If you have any issues with your eye health or vision, try to visit your eye doctor every year for an updated prescription.
Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive exam to see if your prescription has changed.
Can I have multiple prescriptions at once?
It is possible to have multiple eye prescriptions at the same time. If your eye doctor prescribes bifocal or multifocal lens, this may happen.
The same lens contains more than one prescription to help you see at different distances.
You can get your current eyewear prescription read at GlassesUSA.
Some retailers also offer vision checks, which are assessed by ophthalmologists. But according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), these aren’t as accurate as in-person exams and these vision checks don’t assess eye health.
These services may be cheaper than some brick-and-mortar retailers.
They are best for simple prescriptions. If you have a strong prescription, seeing an eye doctor in person may be the best first step.
Once your prescription is in hand, you can use an online retailer, if you choose.
