This article walks you through exactly how lens fitting works here at Banton Frameworks.
There’s no single “correct” way to do it. Instead, you’ve got three sensible options, each designed to suit different levels of confidence, prescriptions, and timelines.
- You can try the frame first and commit to lenses later.
- You can have your lenses fitted before we send your glasses.
- Or you can have lenses fitted elsewhere entirely.
Here’s how each one works, and how to decide which is right for you.
1. Try-on first, lenses later
This is the most cautious, low-pressure route. If you’ve never bought glasses online before, it’s often the most reassuring place to start.
How it works
- You order your chosen frame
- We send it to you for a home try-on
- You either send it back for lens fitting or return it for a refund
- If you proceed, we fit your lenses and send the finished glasses back to you
Why you might choose this
Trying a frame at home gives you time and space to live with it. You can wear it around the house, see how it feels on your nose, notice the weight, the balance, and how it looks in different light.
If you’ve never bought glasses online before, or if you’re unsure about size, shape, or boldness, this option removes most of the risk. You’re not committing to prescription lenses until you’re sure the frame feels right.
Things to be aware of
This route is slower, simply because there’s some back-and-forth postage involved. But for many people, that extra time is worth it for the peace of mind.
Home try-on is available whether you’re in the UK or overseas.
2. Pre-fit discount
This is the most efficient option, and the one many people choose once they feel confident about the frame they want.
How it works
- You order your frame and lenses together
- We make your prescription lenses and fit them to your frame
- We send your glasses to you, ready to wear
Why you might choose this
Pre-fitted lenses mean no back-and-forth shipping and no waiting in stages. Everything happens in one go.
It’s particularly popular if you’re based overseas, as it avoids international return shipping and gets your glasses to you sooner. It’s also a good choice if you already know your size and feel confident the frame will suit you.
*Pre-fit orders are non-refundable. Once lenses are made specifically for you, they can’t be reused or resold.
The pre-fit discount
Because we save on shipping by fitting your lenses before dispatch, we pass that saving back to you. At the time of writing, this is: £29.95 off UK orders and $69 USD off overseas orders
3. Lenses fitted elsewhere
This option gives you the most independence and flexibility. You order the frame only, then have lenses fitted by your local optician or a third-party lens lab online.
Two ways to approach this
1. No-return discount
If you’re confident the frame will suit you, you can opt out of the return option and save £29.95 / $69 USD.
2. Retain the option to return
If you’d prefer to keep the safety net, you can retain the option to return the frame if you change your mind.
Why you might choose this
Some prescriptions are best handled in person. Strong prescriptions, prism corrections, or complex visual needs can benefit from face-to-face fitting with an optometrist.
You might also have a long-standing relationship with your optician, or a strong preference for certain lens brands like Zeiss, Hoya or Nikon.
And sometimes, you may simply find a better deal elsewhere. That’s completely fair.
How long does lens fitting take?
If you select pre-fitted lenses, we begin making your lenses shortly after the shop closes. You’ll receive an email when lens production starts.
- Single vision: 5–7 working days
- Varifocal (progressive): 7–12 working days
If you select home try-on, we wait until your frame arrives back with us before starting lens production. Once we begin, the same timelines (written above) apply.
Do I need a recent eye test?
You don’t need a recent eye test to order your new glasses. But once you’ve placed your order, it’s a good idea to have an eye exam so you have an up-to-date prescription.
As our website only opens six times a year, it’s best to secure the frame you want so you don’t miss out. You can have your eyes tested any time and we’re happy to wait until you have a new prescription before making your lenses.
Take all the time you need.
How long does back-and-forth shipping take?
United Kingdom
- Outbound: 3–4 working days (Royal Mail Tracked 48®)
- Home try-on: up to 14 days
- Return: 3–4 working days
- Lens fitting: 5–12 working days
- Final outbound: 3–4 working days
- Total: roughly 14–30 days on average
Rest of the world
- Outbound: 5–7 working days (Royal Mail International Tracked®)
- Home try-on: up to 14 days
- Return: variable couriers (typically 3–4 working days)
- Lens fitting: 5–12 working days
- Final outbound: 5–7 working days
- Total: roughly 18–30 days on average
Which lens fitting option do most people choose?
Slightly more than half of Banton Frameworks customers tend to choose pre-fitted lenses to save time and benefit from the pre-fit discount.
Which lens fitting option would be best if this is my first time buying glasses online?
If you’ve worn glasses for years and know what size and style works for you, pre-fitted lenses are usually the simplest route.
However, if you’re unsure, new to glasses, or have a strong prescription, home try-on is the safest option. It gives you time to be confident before committing to lenses.
What are 'complimentary' lenses?
We offer standard complimentary prescription lenses with every pair of Banton Frameworks glasses. These can be single vision or varifocal lenses, specifically from our Lite Range. This article explains exactly what our complimentary lens offer includes, who it’s best suited for, and when it might make sense to upgrade.
What information do you need to make my lenses?
Primarily, all we need is your prescription which you can upload when ordering your lenses. But if you have it, it's helpful to have your PD (pupillary distance) which ensures the optical centre of each lens lines up precisely with your eyes. It’s a small measurement, but it makes a big difference to comfort and clarity.
How long can I take to get my eyes tested after ordering a frame?
So far, the record is 13 months. Which means you can take as long as you need to get your eyes tested before having your prescription lenses fitted.
Can you help me choose the right lenses for how I use my glasses?
Sure, get in touch and we can advise on the best lenses for you.
What if my lenses don’t feel right when I receive them?
New lenses often take a few days to adjust to, especially if your prescription has changed or you’re wearing varifocals for the first time. Give yourself about a week. If things still don’t feel right, get in touch and we’ll help.
Are lenses fitted by you the same quality as my local optician?
Lite Range lenses are reliable, durable, and cost-effective. They’re made by Essilor, but aren’t part of their core 'branded lens range'.
Essilor branded lenses represent some of the most advanced lens technology available, backed by decades of research and development.
Can I upgrade or change my lenses later on?
Yes, absolutely. It’s worth noting that upgrades require brand new lenses. Additional thinning or coatings can’t be applied to existing lenses once they’re made.
You can update your lenses any time for your Banton Frameworks glasses as part of our reglazing service. The ordering process is exactly the same.
Do you keep my prescription on file for future orders?
It’s best to upload your prescription each time you place an order as this means its attached to your order details, all in the one place. I know, this might sound a little repetitive, but this approach prevents us from mistakenly using old or outdated information. However, your prescription will be attached to previous orders which we could reference if need be.
Is lens fitting different for sunglasses compared to spectacles?
No. The process, options and timelines are exactly the same.
Still deciding?
If you're gathering intel for your upcoming optical investment, you should definitely check out our before-your-buy blog posts. It's a series of blog posts just like this one, designed and written to help you decide if our handmade frames are 'the ones.'
Thanks for reading x