Frequently asked questions
LensFactory works in three simple steps:
1. Pick the type of eyeglass lenses that you need, the lens material and any other options.
2. Send us your current or new eyeglass frames along with a copy of your prescription and pupil distance. Our shipping kit makes this process super easy!
3. Sit back and relax while we make your new lenses and ship everything back to you.
Read More about why you should buy lenses online.
The length of time it takes depends on the lens material you select. Generally, Plastic replacement lenses are the fastest followed by polycarbonate - averaging about 7 - 12 business days. Glass replacement lenses will average about 25 business days and could be longer.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept insurance for your replacement lenses. Some insurance companies may reimburse you for your lenses. You will be supplied a receipt when your glasses are shipped to you to use to file your own insurance claim. Please check your individual policy for requirements and restrictions.
You can ship your frame in the case; however, we prefer them shipped in bubble wrap. Your newly lensed frames will always be returned to you in a new LensFactory case if you don't send yours.
Absolutely! We keep a record of all our prescriptions. Just make sure you put a note in the package that you want to use an earlier prescription and note the earlier order number so we can find it quickly.
If you do not have a copy of your prescription, we can very accurately measure it from your existing lenses, even if they are badly scratched. Please put a note in with your order that you want us to do that. If you have a new prescription, include a copy when you ship your glasses in and we will have a licensed optician carefully interpret it.
No, your contact prescription is different than your glasses prescription and they cannot be converted.
The doctor that wrote your prescription can provide you your PD (Pupillary Distance) over the phone. If not, there are a few ways to get your PD. Please click the link below to get further information about how to measure your pupil distance:
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/measure-pupillary-distance/
Additionally, if you are sending us glasses that were yours and worked well for you, we can read the pupil distance in the existing lens if you make a note asking us to do that for you.
At this time, we only ship domestically to the United States and minor outlying islands.
Lens-Related Questions
Questions related to your lenses.
Use our helpful lens selector! Click Here to use the tool!
We offer the following lenses to fit your needs:
Single Vision
Single vision lenses have the same prescription power across the entire lens. Ideal for correcting myopia (near-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness).
Progressive
Progressive lenses are becoming an increasingly popular choice over bifocals and trifocals. Progressive lenses correct vision at near, middle, and far distances with no “transition zone” or visible line in the lens. A progressive prescription will have a number listed under the ADD heading on your prescription.
Bifocal
Bifocals are made up of two lenses to correct both near and far-sighted vision. Bifocals have a visible dividing line between the two. A bi-focal prescription will have a number listed under the ADD heading on your prescription.
Trifocal
Trifocals are made up of three lenses to correct not only near and far distance vision, but also presbyopia, the inability to focus in the middle distance (caused by loss of flexibility in the eye’s lens). A trifocal prescription will have a number listed under the ADD heading on your prescription.
Non-Prescription
Non-Prescription glasses are called “Plano” glasses. You would order a single vision lens and then put a note in the box that you want the glasses to be “Plano Glasses.”
Single vision lenses have the same prescription power across the entire lens. Ideal for correcting myopia (near-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness).
Progressive lenses correct vision at near, intermediate, and distance with no “transition zone” or visible line in the lens.
Bifocals are made up of two lenses to correct both near and far-sighted vision in the same lens. Bifocals have a visible dividing line between the two.
Trifocals are made up of three lenses to correct not only near and far distance vision, but also presbyopia, the inability to focus in the intermediate distance.
Non-Prescription glasses are called “Plano” glasses. You would order a single vision lens and then put a note in the box that you want the glasses to be “Plano Glasses.”
There are many options when it comes to your material for your lenses. It comes down to your lifestyle, and what fits your individual needs the best. It can be hard to choose, so don't hesitate to ask questions.
Plastic
Because of its light weight (about half the weight of glass), low cost and excellent optical qualities, CR-39 plastic is still a popular material for lens even today. Plastic lenses cannot be used for anyone under the age of 18.
Poly
Originally developed for helmet visors for the Air Force, for "bulletproof glass" for banks and other safety applications, polycarbonate is lighter and significantly more impact-resistant than plastic, and children under the age of 18 must use polycarbonate material for their lenses.
Hi-Index
In the past 20 years, in response to the demand for thinner, lighter eyeglasses, several lens manufacturers have introduced high-index plastic lenses. These lenses are thinner and lighter than plastic lenses because they have a higher index of refraction and may also have a lower specific gravity. We recommend these lenses for prescriptions that are +/-4.00 and higher. The higher the index number the thinner the lenses will be.
Glass
Although glass lenses offer exceptional optics, they are heavy and can break easily, potentially causing serious harm to the eye or even loss of an eye and can be uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. For these reasons, glass lenses are no longer widely used for eyeglasses. LensFactory requires a release for any of our glass orders. You will be asked at check-out to confirm that we move forward using a glass material with your order.
Plastic Lenses are light weight, low cost and have excellent optical clarity. CR-39 plastic is a popular material for lens. Plastic lenses should not be used for anyone under the age of 18.
Polycarbonate is lighter and significantly more impact-resistant than plastic, and children under the age of 18 must should use polycarbonate material for their lenses.
High Index lenses are thinner and lighter than plastic lenses because they have a higher index of refraction. We recommend these lenses for prescriptions that are +/-4.00 and higher. The higher the index number the thinner the lenses will be.
Glass lenses offer exceptional optical clarity. Glass lenses are heavy and can shatter easily. Lens options such as anti-fog or blue light may not be available in Glass.
We use the highest quality lens blanks and products we can get. Depending on availability, your lenses may come from one of our major suppliers: Essilor, Vision-Ease, KBCo, Hoya, Varilux, X-Cel, Zeiss, Somo, Sola and Optical Dynamics. Some brands only available in Glass.
That is OK! We know how to convert your multi-focal (Either bifocal, trifocal or progressive) prescription to a single vison prescription. If you see a number listed under the heading ADD on your prescription that means you have a multi-focus prescription. If you send us a multi-focal prescription and only want single vision simply add a note on your order whether you want near, intermediate or distance.
All lenses are sold in pairs and the price you see is your total for both lenses.
We discard your old lenses. If you would like to have them sent back to you, just include that as a note on the order.
Photochromic lenses, sometimes referred to as transition lenses, are lenses that will turn darker in sunlight and become clear again when indoors. These are not intended to be sunglasses. They are used for people who are light sensitive.
Tint responds differently based on material and coatings. Plastic will take a tint darker than a polycarbonate material. Most prescription tinted lenses are specified both by their color and a number that indicates the approximate luminous transmittance of the lens. Light tints, #1 tints, have transmittance values of about 75% to 85% and are used as fashion tints. Medium, or #2 tints, have transmittances of about 50%. Dark tints, #3 tints, are commonly prescribed as sunglasses and have transmittances of approximately 20%. We also offer a G-15 tint that is a green tint that was developed by the RayBan company as their signature tint.
Absolutely, yes!
Frame-Related Questions
Questions related to your frames.
Absolutely! Barring incidents from the mail (which we are unable to accept liability for) should your frames break in the re-lensing process we will replace them with a like model, free of charge. If your frames are one-of-a-kind or have special meaning associated with them, please contact us to ensure we can take your order.
Most low-cost readers found at drugstores and supermarkets are made with cost as the primary goal. As a result, the frames do not have screws in them to remove and re-insert the lens and are generally glued in place. Unfortunately most of the time we're unable to relens a drugstore frame.
Generally, yes. However, there are some caveats:
Drill Mount, Wooden, Rimless & Semi-Rimless are not eligible for Glass.
Rimless & Semi-Rimless are not eligible for Plastic (CR-39)
Wrap Frames require polycarbonate material only
Buffalo Horn Frames are unable to be relensed
Frames that are broken or severely worn may be returned to the customer. We can either re-lens another frame or refund your money if we find we may do more damage in the relensing process than what the frame can safely handle.