My eyes feel strain 😩
I've been staring at screens for what feels like an eternity lately, and my eyes have definitely been feeling the strain. Those dreaded headaches and blurry vision by mid-afternoon had become my unwelcome companions. I knew it was time for an upgrade, specifically something that could combat the relentless blue light assaulting my retinas. My old reading glasses just weren't cutting it anymore; they felt flimsy, and honestly, they didn't do much for the digital eye fatigue. I'd heard whispers about online eyewear retailers offering great value, but I was always a bit hesitant, wondering if the quality could really match what I'd get from a traditional optometrist. Plus, I needed a very specific type of lens, a lined bifocal, which isn't always easy to find. I was looking for both relief and convenience, something that many of us digital nomads or just avid readers can relate to. The promise of protecting my eyes while still getting a stylish and functional pair of glasses was incredibly appealing.
My journey to finding the perfect pair led me to browse various online stores, and Anti-Blue Light Reading Glasses from Cinily Eyewear popped up on my radar. The website looked promising, with a wide selection, but my optimism soon met some bumps. Like many online shoppers, I was eager to get my new glasses quickly, so I opted for express shipping, thinking it would shave off some significant waiting time. However, I soon realized, much to my chagrin, that this didn't quite pan out as expected. A fellow customer, Denise LeFrancois, shared a very similar sentiment in her review, stating: "Just so you know, don't bother paying for the faster shipping because you still will have to wait a few weeks to get your glasses. So save yourself that money as it will only get your glasses to you in about 2 days sooner. Not worth that money." This resonated deeply with my experience; despite paying extra, the wait felt just as long, maybe only a couple of days shorter than standard. The frustration didn't stop there. I also found it incredibly difficult to leave a review directly on their website, a problem Denise also highlighted: "Look, I tried in vain to leave a review on the website, where my glasses are listed, but that doesn't work. So after about a 10 minute search I finally am able to leave a review!" This hurdle in providing feedback was a definite red flag in the purchasing process. My initial excitement was definitely tempered by these early frustrations, making me question my choice.
After what felt like an eternity, but was realistically about two and a half weeks – despite the express shipping – my package from Cinily Eyewear finally arrived in late 2024. The packaging itself was fairly standard, a sturdy box protecting a simple, yet functional, case inside. No frills, but it did its job. As I opened the case, revealing the Anti-Blue Light Reading Glasses, I was immediately struck by the quality. To be perfectly honest, my expectations for online glasses, especially given the competitive pricing, weren't sky-high. I braced myself for something decent, but not necessarily exceptional. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The frames felt solid, not flimsy or cheap as I had feared. The lenses, in particular, looked crystal clear. Denise LeFrancois, in her comprehensive review, perfectly captured this sentiment, stating: "Moving on…..I didn't really expect too much quality in the actual glasses but I was proven wrong! I am happy to report that they sell quality frames and the lenses are superior to what I have gotten at Lens Crafters! And that is saying a lot!" This statement truly hit home for me, as the quality indeed felt impressive right out of the box, surpassing some of my previous brick-and-mortar purchases. The initial tactile experience was genuinely positive, sparking a renewed hope for the actual performance.
This is where the Cinily Eyewear Anti-Blue Light Reading Glasses truly shone, despite the bumpy start. The blue light filtering is genuinely effective; I've noticed a significant reduction in eye strain and those nagging headaches. It's like a soft, comforting filter has been applied to my digital world. As Denise LeFrancois rightly praised, "I am happy to report that they sell quality frames and the lenses are superior to what I have gotten at Lens Crafters! And that is saying a lot!" I wholeheartedly agree. The clarity of the lenses is exceptional, and the anti-reflection and anti-fingerprint coating I opted for (similar to Denise's "water and fingerprint protection coating") has proven to be an absolute game-changer. Smudges are practically non-existent, and cleaning is a breeze. It truly was "a wise choice!" The lined bifocal, which was a specific requirement for me, works well. However, Denise raised a crucial point about the bifocal height: "The height of the bifocal is a tad low for me, so still getting used to that. So, if you do order a bifocal, have your eye doctor give the correct height that you can pass on to Glasses USA…..they have a standard height which is NOT for everyone." I experienced a similar slight adjustment period; the standard height wasn't quite perfect for my unique needs, making the transition between reading and distance vision a bit more noticeable initially. This is definitely something to consider if you're ordering specialized lenses.
While the product itself delivers remarkable quality, especially the lenses and coatings, the customer service aspect unfortunately casts a long shadow. This was by far the biggest source of frustration for me, and again, Denise LeFrancois's review perfectly encapsulates my experience: "Don't expect to hear from anyone if you reach out by email. Don't expect to really get help with the \"chat\", even though you will be transferred to \"live agent\", or so they say. I am not sold on that as truth." My attempts to clarify shipping times or inquire about tracking updates via chat and email were met with either silence or generic, unhelpful responses that felt automated. This complete lack of human interaction or effective problem-solving from their customer support team is truly disheartening, especially for an online business that thrives on customer trust. Denise even revised her rating due to this: "I would have given them a 5 star but the worst ever customer service brings it down to a 3 star. What a shame. They have such a great opportunity to sweep the market for online glasses but they failed and it's all due to NO CUSTOMER SERVICE! I actually just changed the 3 star to a 2 star because of the piss poor customer service. Laughable." This is a critical flaw that needs urgent attention. Despite this, I also need to address another important point Denise brought up regarding returns: "Finally, I also read in other review that they only accept ONE glass for return. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I have sent back 3 pairs so far and may not be done until I find the perfect pair for my face. THEY DO REFUND YOUR MONEY ON ALL GLASSES SENT IN FOR RETURN! Just be reasonable and return them within 14 days. Sadly, I have another pair of everyday wear coming that may fit my face better. But then I will be stuck with the pair I am currently wearing because this current pair is now 3 days past the 14 day window. Should I try to ask for help with this from the company? Yes, I should. Will I? No way will I because they have no one to help you!!" While I haven't needed to return multiple pairs myself, it's reassuring to know this isn't a strict one-return policy, though the 14-day window is fairly standard.
So, what's my final take on Cinily Eyewear and their Anti-Blue Light Reading Glasses? It's a classic tale of two halves. On one hand, the product quality – the frames, and especially the lenses with their protective coatings – is genuinely impressive and exceeded my expectations, even compared to more expensive alternatives. My eyes feel less fatigued, and the clarity is excellent. This is a huge win for anyone seeking effective blue light protection and quality optics. On the other hand, the customer service experience is, to put it mildly, severely lacking. The lack of responsive support, confusing shipping times, and general difficulty in getting assistance are significant drawbacks that prevent me from giving a full-hearted recommendation. As Denise LeFrancois put it, "What a shame. They have such a great opportunity to sweep the market for online glasses but they failed and it's all due to NO CUSTOMER SERVICE!" This sentiment perfectly mirrors my own. I would recommend these glasses for those who are confident in their prescription, comfortable troubleshooting minor issues independently, and prioritize product quality over seamless customer interaction. If you're someone who might need extensive support, has complex prescription needs that require precise fitting (like specific bifocal heights), or simply values top-tier customer service, you might find the experience frustrating. It's a gamble between excellent product and poor support, and whether it's "worth it" truly depends on your personal tolerance for the latter. For me, the eye comfort makes it bearable, but just barely.