How to Order Prescription Lenses Online

Ordering prescription lenses online used to feel more complicated than it needs to be. Prescriptions contain several numbers, and many people are unsure how those values translate into the lenses they need.

The good news is that the process is usually much simpler than it appears.

Learning how to order prescription lenses online doesn’t require technical knowledge. Once you understand the basic prescription values, the process becomes straightforward.

If you are considering ordering prescription lenses online, this guide explains what information you need and how the configuration process works.

Before ordering prescription lenses online, take a moment to look at your prescription. Understanding the main values will help you choose the right lenses and complete the configuration process more easily.

To configure your glasses, you typically need: a recent optical prescription your Pupillary Distance (PD) a general idea of how you plan to use your glasses
A prescription usually includes several measurements:

Sphere (SPH)
Indicates the main corrective power of the lens. Negative values correct nearsightedness (myopia), while positive values correct farsightedness (hyperopia).
The higher the number, the stronger the correction. For example, a prescription of -0.75 is considered mild, while values such as -4.00 or -5.00 indicate a stronger correction that may affect lens thickness.

Cylinder (CYL)
The additional correction for astigmatism.
If this field is not present on your prescription, it usually means no astigmatism correction is required.

Axis
Defines the orientation of the astigmatism correction. This measurement only appears when a CYL value is present.

ADD
Extra magnification for near vision, used in progressive lenses.

PD (Pupillary Distance)
The distance between the centers of your pupils. This measurement ensures that the optical center of each lens aligns correctly with your eyes.

If your PD is not included on your prescription, it can be measured online. Mia Burton also provides a digital tool that uses your device’s camera to measure your PD with accuracy comparable to an in-store measurement.

These measurements are the key information optical labs use to produce online prescription lenses that match your vision needs.

Once you know how to read the numbers on your prescription, you can also identify the type of vision correction you need. The most common conditions are myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.

If the Sphere (SPH) value in your prescription is negative (-), it usually indicates myopia.
People with myopia can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. Glasses for myopia are designed to correct distance vision, helping you see clearly when driving, watching TV, or looking at objects far away.
When ordering glasses online, this usually means selecting distance lenses and entering your prescription values.

If the Sphere (SPH) value is positive (+), this usually indicates hyperopia.

Hyperopia makes it harder to focus on nearby objects, although it can sometimes affect distance vision as well.

Depending on your prescription and age, hyperopia may be corrected with distance lenses, reading lenses, or progressive lenses. Your prescription will indicate which correction is needed.

If your prescription includes CYL (Cylinder) and AXIS values, it means you have astigmatism.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing light to focus unevenly on the retina. Corrective lenses compensate for this irregular curvature.

Astigmatism is usually corrected together with myopia or hyperopia using prescription lenses that include the CYL and AXIS values.

Presbyopia is a natural change in near vision that usually appears after the age of 40.
In prescriptions, it is indicated by an ADD value, which specifies the additional magnification needed for reading or other close tasks.
People with presbyopia may use reading glasses or progressive lenses, depending on whether they need correction for near vision only or for multiple distances.

Once you understand what your prescription means, the next step is choosing the type of lenses that match how you plan to use your glasses.

When you get prescription lenses online, this is usually the first step in the configuration process.

At this stage, you are simply defining the main purpose of your glasses, before moving on to more technical options such as lens treatments or thickness.

Most online eyewear stores, including miaburton.com, offer a few common choices.

Distance lenses are designed to help you see clearly when looking at objects far away.

They are typically used for activities such as:

If your prescription is intended for distance vision — for example if you have myopia (typically indicated by a negative SPH value) — this is usually the option to select.

Reading lenses are optimized for close-distance vision, making it easier to focus on nearby objects. They are most commonly used by people with presbyopia, an age-related change in vision that makes close tasks more difficult, for activities such as:

When ordering reading glasses online, you will usually have two options:

Ready readers are convenient and widely available, but they use the same magnification in both lenses and do not correct astigmatism. If your prescription includes different values for each eye or CYL/AXIS measurements, custom prescription lenses usually provide more accurate vision.

Progressive lenses allow you to see clearly at multiple distances with a single pair of glasses.

They combine distance, intermediate, and near vision in one continuous lens surface, so you can switch naturally between activities without changing glasses.

Progressive lenses are commonly used by people with presbyopia who also need correction for distance or intermediate vision.

When ordering progressive lenses online, you will usually find two main options:

Designed for all-day use.
They provide clear distance, intermediate, and near vision in a single pair of glasses.
This allows you to switch naturally between activities such as:

without needing to change glasses.

Designed specifically for desk work and extended screen use.

These lenses are optimized for near and intermediate vision, with a wider field of view for computer screens. This reduces the need to tilt your head back when working at a desk, which can help limit neck strain.

Because they prioritize near and intermediate distances, office progressives are not suitable for driving or long-distance vision.

If you do not need vision correction, you can still order glasses with non-prescription lenses (also known as plano lenses).
These lenses are chosen mainly for:

In this case, the lenses do not include any corrective power. However, they are still real lenses designed for everyday use, unlike demo lenses used for display in stores. Plano lenses can be worn comfortably throughout the day just like prescription lenses.

Some people choose to order the frame only, without adding prescription lenses.
In practice, this option is less common, since most people prefer to receive their glasses ready to wear.

Ordering the frame only can make sense if you:

If you are waiting for your prescription, miaburton.com allows you to send it later by email after placing your order. This way you can still take advantage of promotions or avoid the frame going out of stock.

The frame will typically arrive with temporary demo lenses, which are meant only for display and not for everyday use.

If you are not completely sure which option is right for you, it’s always a good idea to ask for guidance before placing your order.

When you buy prescription glasses on miaburton.com, you can contact our customer support team via chat or email. Our experts can help you understand your prescription and guide you through the lens selection process.

Once you’ve chosen your frame and lens type, the next step is submitting your prescription.

Submitting your prescription correctly ensures that your online eyeglass lenses are manufactured with the exact optical parameters required for clear vision.

Most online eyewear stores give you a few simple ways to do this.

Uploading a photo or digital copy of your prescription is usually the easiest and most error-proof option.

You can simply take a picture of the prescription with your phone or upload a PDF or scanned document. The optical team will then read the values directly from the prescription.

If you don’t have a digital copy available, you can also enter the prescription values manually.

Most online stores provide simple forms with clearly labeled fields for values such as SPH, CYL, AXIS, and ADD. If you have your prescription with you, copying the numbers into the form is usually straightforward.

If you don’t have your prescription at hand — or if you are waiting for an updated one — you can usually send it later by email after placing your order.

This can be helpful if you want to secure the frame you like or take advantage of a promotion without waiting.

Lens treatments add additional features to your lenses beyond basic vision correction.

While your prescription determines how your lenses correct your vision, treatments can improve comfort, protection, and everyday usability depending on how you use your glasses.

Anti-reflection (AR) coatings reduce glare and reflections on the lens surface.
This can improve visual comfort in situations such as:

• night driving

• bright indoor lighting

• video calls or photos, where reflections on lenses can be noticeable

Many anti-reflection coatings also include scratch resistance and smudge resistance, helping lenses stay clearer and easier to clean.

Blue light filtering lenses are designed for people who spend long periods of time looking at digital screens.

They help reduce visual fatigue associated with extended screen use, such as when working on a computer, using a tablet, or scrolling on a phone.

While blue light is a natural part of daylight, some people prefer additional filtering when working for many hours in front of screens for improved comfort.

Photochromic lenses (also known as light-responsive lenses) automatically adjust their tint depending on lighting conditions.

They remain clear indoors and gradually darken when exposed to sunlight.

This makes them a convenient option for people who frequently move between indoor and outdoor environments, as they combine everyday glasses and sun protection in a single pair.

Tinted lenses have a fixed color applied to the lens.

They are typically used for sunglasses, helping reduce brightness in outdoor environments while also providing UV protection.

Unlike light-responsive lenses, the tint remains constant and does not change depending on lighting conditions.

The best option depends mainly on how you use your glasses during the day.

For example:

Once you have selected any treatments you want to add, the next step is choosing the lens thickness, which depends mainly on the strength of your prescription.

Lens thickness mainly depends on the strength of your prescription.

In general, the stronger the correction, the thicker the lenses tend to be when made with standard materials.

To reduce thickness, lenses can be made with high-index materials. These materials bend light more efficiently, allowing the same corrective power to be achieved using less material. The result is a lens that is thinner, lighter, and less noticeable, especially for stronger prescriptions.

For most people, choosing the right lens thickness simply comes down to how strong the prescription is and, in some cases, to the style of the frame.

Most online eyewear stores offer a few common thickness options.

1.60 index lenses are suitable for mild to moderate prescriptions prescriptions and work well with most frame styles.

They offer a good balance between thickness, weight, and cost, which is why they are often the most common choice for everyday glasses.

1.67 index lenses are typically recommended for stronger prescriptions, where reducing lens thickness becomes more important.

They help keep the lenses lighter and less noticeable, especially when paired with slimmer frames.

1.74 index lenses are designed for very strong prescriptions, where minimizing lens thickness is a priority.

Because these lenses are extremely thin, they may not always be recommended for rimless frames, which require slightly thicker materials for structural stability.

In most cases, the goal is not simply to choose the thinnest possible lens, but to achieve the right balance between lens thickness, weight, and frame style.

When ordering from miaburton.com, you don’t need to worry too much about this choice. Our opticians always review your prescription before the lenses are produced, making sure that your correction, the selected lens thickness, and the chosen frame are fully compatible. If any adjustment is needed, our team will contact you before processing your order.

Some eyewear stores offer optional lens coverage or protection plans that cover accidental damage to the lenses after purchase.

These options are not essential, but they can be useful if you want extra peace of mind, especially if you wear your glasses daily.

When ordering on miaburton.com, you can choose Mia Burton Lens Care, an optional protection plan for your lenses.

It covers up to two repair or replacement interventions for accidental lens damage within two years from purchase.

We advise to check the coverage details before adding it to your order.

If you were wondering how to order prescription lenses online, you now have a clear answer. The process simply comes down to choosing your frame, selecting the right lenses, and submitting your prescription.

By now, you should have a clear understanding of what to look for when ordering prescription glasses online. You can explore the frames and configure your lenses directly on miaburton.com.

Once you’ve placed your order, all that’s left to do is sit back and wait for your glasses to arrive.

Because prescription lenses need to be custom-made and fitted into the frame, complete glasses usually require slightly longer processing times than non-prescription eyewear. You can always check the estimated delivery time before purchasing, but in most cases production takes around 3 to 6 additional days.

We hope this guide helped make the process clearer and easier. Enjoy your new glasses.

What Glasses Color Should I Get?

How to clean your glasses: Tips from an optician

Luxury eyeglasses: the designer pieces to invest in