Internet glasses... yes or no?

I've committed a blogging no-no... I haven't posted in a couple of months.  Quite frankly, I just haven't had a burning desire on a particular message.  That is, until today.  The question about buying glasses on the internet has come up several times over the past week and I've been asked whether or not it's a good idea... so I thought it would be a splendid topic to share my point of view.

Let me start by saying that I have no personal experience in purchasing glasses over the internet, but I still have an opinion.  Buying glasses through a website is very enticing... wide range of frames and such low prices that you can buy multiple pairs.  I get it, really I do... particularly since I'm a consumer as well.

When I'm spending my hard-earned money, especially in an investment as costly as glasses, I want to know that I'm purchasing the product that is best for me.  We tend to forget that glasses and contact lenses are medical devices... and as such, our vision is far too important to not take seriously by simply buying the cheapest product we can find.  They're medical devices, folks... not socks.

From working in the industry I know there are hundreds of different lenses, frames, and product add-on's ranging from high to low in both QUALITY and PRICE.

• I've had cheap lenses (read my blog for more on that) from a retail store's "special" that made me ill... headaches, nausea, neck strain.  
• I've seen scratch and anti-reflective coatings that peel off.  
• I've heard stories about people buying frames on-line only to discover they were close-out models with no replacement parts when they broke (so they had to buy a whole new pair).

Because of this, I want to work with an expert to help me decide the best bang for my buck and protect my health (and my investment)... to me, that means working with an educated optician at the doctor's office.  But, that's just my opinion.

You may have had a terrific experience buying your glasses through the internet and, if you have, then I applaud you.  For me, however, I'm not willing to risk it.  I want the experience of trying on various frames.  I want to be able to ask questions about product add-ons to determine what will work best for my eyes.  I want to have someplace I can turn to in case something goes wrong, and know they'll take care of me.

For me, personally, I just don't get that warm, fuzzy feeling from the internet; I'd rather deal with a professional.  Again, it's just my opinion.