A complex prescription is one where a stock lens won't give you the best vision. That means a strong sphere (high myopia or high hyperopia), a high cylinder value of ±2.00 or over (strong astigmatism), prism correction, or any combination of them. Any one of these changes how the lens has to be made.
The combinations are where it compounds. For example, a -9.00 sphere with a ±3.50 cylinder and a prism is three demands on one lens, and the lens has to answer all three at once.
Nerdy Frames is a self service boutique optical. It's the quality and custom lens work from a storefront optical but from our lab so we control the quality of our product.
Complex prescriptions are handled the same way they are handled in a storefront optical: surfaced from scratch, by opticians with years in the business who know how to handle these prescriptions. Very high prescriptions, prescriptions with high astigmatism, and prescriptions with prism are handled by our lab. It is the best way to maximize your vision.
The full range, on every frame in the catalog:
A strong sphere on its own is common enough that most retailers can fill it. Where prescriptions will get rejected online is the cylinder side, see our high cylinder page for more information. Prism is entered directly on the prescription form, right under your SPH, CYL, and AXIS.
A complex prescription can carry a charge, and every charge is shown before you commit to anything. High cylinder (±2.00 and over) and high spheres (±9.50 and over) carry one flat $150 charge. Prism carries one flat $35 charge. Note: you also have the option of surfacing (custom making) your lenses from scratch for the best possible vision if you so choose to.
Custom lenses are always made as a matched set. Even if only one eye needs the extra work, lenses must be made in pairs so the charge covers both.
A stock lens is a pre-made lens held in inventory and works for most standard prescriptions. Most online retailers only use stock lenses. We prefer to make lenses from scratch for the best possible vision and we encourage you to do so.
Surfacing means the lens begins as a blank puck of material and your exact prescription is generated into its curves, and it takes the frame shape and curve into account when making your lenses. The outcome is the best possible vision you can have. A complex prescription benefits from this type of custom work.
The order is self service. Pick a frame, enter your prescription exactly as written, and open the prism section if your prescription lists prism. The charges above appear in the price breakdown as you enter, so the number you see is the number you pay.
Most orders are done in 8 to 15 business days. Complex prescriptions are made by our lab and placed into the frame in-house.
If you want to be sure about the frame first, use the virtual try-on or the at home try-on program. With strong numbers, order the thinnest lens available to you.
A complex prescription is one where a stock lens won't give you the best vision: a strong sphere (high myopia or high hyperopia), a cylinder of ±2.00 or over (strong astigmatism), prism correction, or any combination of them. Any one of these changes how the lens has to be made.
At Nerdy Frames, yes. The order form accepts sphere from -20.00 to +20.00, cylinder to ±10.00, and prism from 0.25 to 5.00 per axis, in single vision, anti-fatigue, and progressive lenses. Complex prescriptions are handled by our lab, surfaced from scratch by opticians. More on the cylinder side at the high cylinder page.
Yes. Prism is entered on the prescription form with your other numbers: 0.25 to 5.00 per axis for each eye, with Base In, Out, Up, or Down. Prism lenses are made as a matched set, and one flat $35 charge covers the pair.
High cylinder (±2.00 and over) and high spheres (±9.50 and over) carry one flat $150 charge. Prism carries one flat $35 charge. Each charge covers both lenses, and every charge is shown in the price breakdown before checkout. You also have the option of having your lenses custom surfaced from scratch for the best possible vision.
Because stock lenses are designed around standard prescriptions. Surfacing generates your exact prescription into the lens and takes the frame shape and curve into account. The outcome is the best possible vision you can have, and a complex prescription benefits from this type of custom work.
We make them as thin as they can be made. How thin depends on the prescription itself, but your lenses are custom made from scratch to your exact numbers and your frame, which brings the thickness down compared to a stock lens. If your prescription is strong, order a hi-index material (1.67 or 1.74) for the thinnest possible result. The full material menu is in the Lens Guide.
Sphere from -20.00 to +20.00, cylinder to ±10.00, and prism to 5.00 per axis, in any combination, in single vision, anti-fatigue, and progressive lenses. All work from ±2.00 of cylinder up, spheres of ±9.50 and over, and all prism work is custom made from scratch. See the frames to start.
Unfortunately, we don't have any direct partnerships with vision insurance providers, but we can assist you in getting a reimbursement for your purchase after you have paid in full at the time of purchase. In order to be reimbursed, you will first need to fill out a form from your insurance provider. After you fill out their reimbursement form, you will need to provide an itemized receipt, which we can provide you with once you have completed your purchase. We've provided some links below of popular vision insurance providers to help you get started.
Please contact your vision insurance for more information on how to file for a reimbursement.
If you have any question or you need an itemized receipt, please email us at [email protected]
We accept both FSA and HSA payments, as long as they are in the form of a credit or debit card. After you have had completed a purchase with your FSA/HSA, you can then file for a reimbursement with your vision insurance provider.
