Made in our UK lab · Next Day Delivery
How long does it take to get glasses online?
This guide explains what to expect at each stage. Breaks down timescales by lens type, and shows you the fastest route if you need glasses in a hurry.
Published by Direct Sight | Eye Care Guide
Most people are pleasantly surprised. Online prescription glasses from Direct Sight are usually dispatched within 3 to 5 working days for standard single vision prescriptions. Often faster than collecting from a high street optician. More complex lenses, such as varifocals, take a little longer.
Direct Sight makes every pair to order in our own optical laboratory in Amersham. The clock starts when your order is confirmed, not when you click buy.
The total time to your door is production time plus delivery time. Both are within your control.
Production time + Delivery time = Total wait
Online glasses turnaround times by lens type
Standard single vision
3 to 5 working days production
Higher power single vision
5 to 7 working days production
Varifocal & bifocal
7 to 14 working days production
How long do prescription glasses take?
Polarised, tinted, and prism prescriptions take 7 to 10 working days.
The times above cover production only. Once dispatched, glasses delivery time UK will depend on the royal mail service you choose. Visit our production and delivery timescales guide for the full breakdown of every delivery option and cost. Including same-day dispatch upgrade pricing.
Need glasses faster? Next Day Express explained
If your prescription is eligible, Direct Sight's Next Day Express service gets your glasses made and in the post the same day. Order before 3pm Monday to Friday and your glasses are dispatched the same day you buy your glasses. Place your order after 3pm, or over a weekend or bank holiday, and they go out on the next working day.
Who is eligible for Next Day Express?
Single vision lenses only, on 1.5 or 1.6 index. Prescription must be within SPH ±0.25 to ±6.00 and CYL ±0.25 to ±2.00. Not available for varifocals, bifocals, Transitions, tints, blue light blocking, prism prescriptions, or CYL over ±2.00.
Next Day Express orders can be placed with Royal Mail 48, Royal Mail 24 or Royal Mail Special Delivery. For the fastest next-day delivery after dispatch, select Royal Mail Special Delivery at checkout.
Not eligible? Standard single vision orders still dispatch within 3 to 5 working days. Among the fastest turnaround times in the UK online glasses market. If you need emergency glasses see our same day glasses guide.
How long does it take to make prescription glasses?
- Order confirmed & prescription checked - Our optical team reviews your prescription before production begins. If there is a query, we contact you before proceeding, so a valid, legible prescription avoids any hold-up.
- Lenses cut and fit - Your lenses are produced to your exact prescription in our Amersham laboratory. Working days are Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.
- 7 point quality check - Every pair undergoes a dispensing optician-approved quality check before it is packed for dispatch. No pair leaves without passing this check.
- Dispatched & tracked - You receive a dispatch confirmation and tracking number. Choose from Standard, Tracked 48, Tracked 24, or Royal Mail Special Delivery at checkout, full pricing is on our delivery options page.
- Delivered to your door - All Direct Sight orders are delivered within the United Kingdom. Every pair is covered by a 365 day workmanship guarantee and 30 day returns policy.
Full production and delivery timescales
This guide gives you the essentials. For the complete breakdown, including all delivery service options, costs, what to do if your order is delayed, and collection from our Amersham outlet. Visit our dedicated production and delivery timescale guide.
Need Glasses Faster?
If your prescription is eligible, Direct Sight's Next Day Express service is the fastest route available. Your glasses are made and in the post on the same day you order.
Next day express - who qualifies?
Order before 3pm Monday to Friday. Single vision lenses only (1.50 or 1.60 index). Prescription within SPH ±0.25 to ±6.00 and CYL ±0.25 to ±2.00.
Not eligible for varifocals, bifocals, photochromic lenses, tints, blue light blocking, prism, or CYL over ±2.00. Orders placed after 3pm or at weekends go out on the next working day.
Common Reasons an Order Takes Longer
Sending your prescription later
If you choose 'send prescription later' at checkout, production cannot begin until your prescription reaches us and is reviewed. Sending it within 24 hours of ordering is the simplest way to avoid any delay.
High prescription strength or specialist lenses
High-power prescriptions and specialist lens options, such as varifocals, polarised lenses, or blue light blocking, require additional steps in production. The more complex the lens, the longer the production window. Lens coatings and upgrades each add a small number of working days on top of the base production time.
Prescription queries
If our optical team has a question about your prescription, a missing value, a potential error, or an unusually high strength, we will contact you before producing your lenses. Responding promptly keeps your order on track. Reach us on 01494 307 345 or help@directsight.co.uk.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get glasses online in the UK?
At Direct Sight, most single vision prescription online glasses turnaround UK is within 3 to 5 working days.
Higher-power single vision lenses take 5 to 7 working days. Varifocals, bifocals, and specialist lenses such as Transitions or polarised take 7 to 14 working days. Delivery time is in addition to production. For the fastest option, our Next Day Express service dispatches eligible single vision orders the same day if placed before 3pm on a weekday. See our production and delivery guide for full delivery costs and options.
Are online glasses delivered faster than the high street?
Many high street opticians quote 7 to 14 days for standard orders. Direct Sight dispatches most single vision glasses within 3 to 5 working days from our UK lab in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
With our Next Day Express service, eligible single vision orders placed before 3pm on a weekday, are dispatched the same day.
How long do varifocal and bifocal glasses take online?
Varifocal and bifocal lenses require additional manufacturing steps and typically take 7 to 14 working days to produce. These lens types are not eligible for our Next Day Express service. If you need varifocals urgently, contact customer service team on 01494 307 345 and we will advise the fastest available option.
Does the prescription type affect how long glasses take?
Yes. A standard single vision prescription within ±6.00 SPH and ±2.00 CYL is our quickest to produce at 1 to 5 working days.
Higher-power prescriptions, those with astigmatism correction over ±2.00 CYL, or prescriptions including prism take longer. Typically 5 to 10 working days depending on complexity. Photochromic, tinted, and polarised lenses all add processing time and take 7 to 10 working days.
When does my production time start?
Production begins from the date your order is accepted and payment is confirmed. If you use the 'send prescription later' option, the clock starts only once our team has received and added your prescription to the order. To avoid any delay, we recommend uploading or emailing your prescription as soon as you have placed your order.
What if my glasses haven't arrived?
Parcels are occasionally delayed in the carrier network. Please allow up to 10 working days from your dispatch date before contacting us. After that point, get in touch with your order number and dispatch date and we will open an investigation. Full guidance is available on our production & delivery timescales guide.
Can I get glasses the next day?
Yes, if your prescription qualifies. Direct Sight’s Next Day Express service allows eligible orders to be dispatched the same day. The option to upgrade to Royal Mail Special Delivery, guaranteed by 1pm the next working day, is available at checkout.
Eligibility is limited to single vision lenses (1.50 or 1.60 index) with SPH ±0.25 to ±6.00 and CYL ±0.25 to ±2.00. Orders placed before 3pm on working days qualify. Visit our next day glasses page for details.
Does adding a lens upgrade affect my delivery time?
Yes. Specialist lens options such as blue light blocking, photochromic (Adaptions), polarised, or custom tints add production steps and extend the working days required. A standard single vision pair with no upgrades is typically ready in 3 to 5 working days; the same pair with photochromic lenses would follow the specialist timescale of 7 to 10 working days.
When does production start if I send my prescription later?
Production begins only once your prescription has been received by our optical team and added to your order. If you select 'send prescription later' at checkout, the production clock does not start until that point. For the fastest turnaround, send your prescription within 24 hours of placing your order.
Do working days include weekends?
No. Working days at Direct Sight are Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays. Orders placed on a Friday afternoon, over the weekend, or on a bank holiday enter production on the next available working day.
How will I know when my glasses have been dispatched?
You will receive a dispatch confirmation email once your glasses have been collected by Royal Mail. If you have not received a dispatch notification within the expected production window, contact our team on 01494 307 345 or at help@directsight.co.uk.