For last several years there's been a big shift toward people buying prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses online rather than in-store. Much of that has to do with the shockingly high prices for both frames and lenses in brick-and-mortar stores, with higher-end options easily topping $500.

The arrival of so many online glasses shops offering relatively cheap glasses, sunglasses and blue-light filtering lenses has certainly changed the eyewear industry and given consumers a multitude of options with a greater selection at a variety of prices. And many, including Warby Parker, accept money from flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) along with vision insurance. Shopping online also allows you to get higher-end eyewear at more budget-conscious prices as sites frequently advertise glasses deals with promo codes that you input at checkout. 

Online glasses stores continue to improve with time and become more user-friendly, adding new features, including try-before-you buy options (by sending sample frames for you to try at home), that make it even easier to shop online and reduce the possibility of a bad outcome. 

Buying glasses online from a manufacturer like Warby Parker is not only cheaper but can also be a lot less time-consuming, particularly after you've gone through proce