Exact Answer: 2-3 weeks
Statistics show that 75% of the population requires vision adjustment, this high number includes the people born with poor vision, and age-related loss of focus flexibility as well as, the effect of the increase in the time spent watching screens. When you have a vision problem, you will want to get prescription glasses to help you out.
How long does it take for prescription glasses to be ready?
Typically, it takes 2-3 weeks for your prescription glasses to be ready. This amount of time will be determined by the complexity of your order and the location you place your order. For priority production, the glasses take 1-2 weeks to be ready.
The different variables included in the making of vision lenses determine the amount of time you will need to wait for your prescription to be ready. The first variable is the prescription, your prescription is unique, and the next is the lens material and lastly the lens coating not to forget choosing the frame. All these variations with thousands of options take time to produce.
Some shops need to send your prescription to their optical lab, which in some cases is not located in the US. If the optical lab is located in China for example, then it will take your lens about two weeks to be produced and shipped back to the US.
Why does it take this long for prescription glasses to be ready?
In the current times, we are used to getting what we order on demand, for example, you order an item on Amazon you get it at your doorstep in three days, you order an Uber and its available in minutes, this form of instant gratification may hinder one from understanding why the prescription glasses are taking this long to be ready.
The truth is that the process of making your glasses can be complicated; the first step is to pick a blank lens which is then shaved down to match your prescription. The shaved lens is then inserted in a machine that polishes the lens to make it clear. Then the coating process, where the lens is coated with the coatings you requested. These coatings could be anti-scratch, anti-reflective, mirror among others.
The coating is done by a heat and vacuum technology machine to ensure the lens has a smooth surface. The lens is then edged to shape it into the frame you chose, and then mounted on the frame and your prescription glasses are good to go. The glasses are then subjected to a quality check to ensure they are what you ordered; finally, the shop will call you and let you know the glasses are ready for you to collect.
When it comes to vision lenses, they are unlike any other products people buy in a shop or online, there are thousands of combinations to choose from. This high number of options make it virtually impossible to stock them, thus once you submit your prescription you will have to wait for your specific lens to be made for you.