How Long Does It Take for Lenscrafters to Make Glasses: Quick Guide

Have you ever sat on your glasses? I have. It is a terrible feeling. You hear a crunch. You look down. Your clear vision is gone.

This happened to me last year. I was packing for a trip. I put my glasses on the bed. Then, I sat on them. I panicked. I needed to see to drive. I needed to see to enjoy my vacation. I needed new glasses, and I needed them fast.

You might be in the same spot. Or maybe you just want a new look. You do not want to wait weeks. You want to know: How long does it take for LensCrafters to make glasses?

I have been wearing glasses for 20 years. I have used many stores. I know how the system works. In this guide, I will tell you everything. I will share secrets to get your glasses faster. We will look at what slows things down. We will look at how to speed things up.

Let’s get your vision back.

The Short Answer: Can You Get Glasses the Same Day?

You want the quick answer. I understand.

Yes, you can. But there is a catch.

LensCrafters is famous for speed. They used to say “Glasses in about an hour.” They still offer LensCrafters same day glasses in many places.

Here is the simple breakdown:

• Simple Prescription: 1 to 2 hours (Same Day).
• Complex Prescription: 5 to 7 days.
• Special Coatings: 7 to 10 days.

This depends on the store. It depends on the lab. It depends on your eyes. Not every store can do this. You have to check first.

If you have a simple problem, they have a quick fix. If you have a complex eye need, it takes time. Quality takes time.

My Personal Experience at LensCrafters

Let me tell you my story. Remember the broken glasses on the bed?

I called my local LensCrafters. It was a Tuesday morning. I asked, “Can you make me glasses today?”

The lady on the phone was nice. She asked about my prescription. I have a mild prescription. I am near-sighted. I do not need bifocals.

She said, “Yes, we have a lab in the back. Come in.”

I went to the store. I picked a frame that was on the shelf. I did not order a custom color. I picked a black frame they had in stock.

I sat down with the optician. He checked my eyes. He put the info in the computer.

I asked for a blue light filter. He stopped me.

“If you want the blue light filter,” he said, “I have to order the lenses. That takes five days.”

I did not have five days. I skipped the filter. I chose standard plastic lenses.

He sent the tray to the back. I went to get a coffee.

One hour and fifteen minutes later.

I got a text. My glasses were ready. I walked out with clear vision. It saved my trip.

This is real. It happens. But you have to make the right choices. I made choices for speed. If I picked the blue light filter, I would have waited.

Credit: www.lenscrafters.com

Understanding the In-Store Lab Advantage

This is the most important part. You must understand the “Lab.”

Not all stores are the same. Some are just showrooms. They have frames. They have mirrors. But they do not have machines.

If a store does not have a lab, they cannot make glasses there. They must ship them out. This adds days to your wait.

But many locations offer LensCrafters one hour service. This means they have a lab in the back room.

What is in an In-Store Lab?

• A Stock Room: They keep boxes of lenses here.
• A Blocker: A machine to hold the lens.
• An Edger: A machine that cuts the lens shape.

If your prescription matches the lenses in the stock room, you win. They take a lens from the box. They cut it. They put it in your frame. You are done.

How to Find a Lab

Do not guess. Use the store locator on their website. Look for the “On-Site Lab” icon. Or, do what I do. Call them.

Ask this question: “Do you have an in-store lab, and do you have my prescription in stock?”

This saves you a trip. It saves you disappointment.

Factors That Determine Your Wait Time

Why do some people wait two weeks?

It is not because the staff is slow. It is because of physics. It is because of chemistry.

Making glasses is science. Some science is fast. Some science is slow.

Here are the big things that change the time:

1. Your Prescription Strength.
2. The Lens Design.
3. The Lens Material.
4. The Coatings.
5. The Frame Choice.

We will look at each one. This helps you manage your hopes.

Lens Types and Production Speed

Your eyes decide the lens type. You cannot change this. But you should know how it affects the clock.

Single-Vision Lenses

These are the fastest. LensCrafters turnaround time for these is short.

Single-vision means one power. The whole lens is the same. It is for reading. Or it is for distance.

• In-Stock: Ready in 1 hour (at a lab store).

• Out-of-Stock: Ready in 2 to 5 days.

Most young people need single-vision. This is why many people get glasses fast.

Progressive and Bifocal Lenses

These are complex.

A progressive lens has many powers. It changes from top to bottom. It helps you see far. It helps you see near. It helps you see the computer.

It is a custom geography for your eye.

LensCrafters usually cannot make these in the store. They need digital surfacing. This requires big, heavy machines. These machines live in a central factory.

• Wait Time: 7 to 14 days.

Sometimes, you can get LensCrafters glasses ready in 1 hour with bifocals. But only if they are old-school lined bifocals. And only if they have them in stock. This is rare now.

If you wear progressives, plan ahead. Do not wait until you break them.

The Impact of Lens Materials

Glass is not just glass anymore. Lenses are made of high-tech plastics.

Standard Plastic (CR-39)

This is the basic material. It is easy to cut. It is easy to dye. Most in-store labs have tons of this.

• Speed: Very Fast.

Polycarbonate

This is thinner. It is lighter. It is safe for sports. It is safe for kids.
It is harder to cut. It needs a special wheel in the machine.
Most labs can do this. But they might not stock every power.

• Speed: Fast to Medium.

High-Index Lenses

Do you have a strong prescription? Do you have thick glasses?
High-index lenses make them thin. They are beautiful.
But they are fragile during cutting. They need care. They often come from the central lab.

• Speed: Slow (5 to 10 days).

Credit: www.mallatmillenia.com

Special Coatings and Treatments

This is where people get stuck. You want the best features. But features take time.

Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating

This stops glare. It makes you look better in photos. It helps you drive at night.
To add this, the lens must be super clean. Then, it goes into a vacuum chamber. Layers of metal are vaporized onto the lens.
This happens in a batch.
If you order a custom AR coat, it adds time.
However, LensCrafters stocks some lenses with the coat already on them.

• Tip: Ask for “Stock lenses with AR.” If you fit, it is fast. If not, you wait.

Blue Light Filters

This is popular. It blocks screen light.
Some lenses have this built-in. Some need a coating.
Coated filters add 2 to 3 days.

Photochromic (Transitions)

These turn dark in the sun.
They are complex. They are almost always a custom order.
You rarely get these in one hour.

• Wait Time: 7 to 14 days.

Frame Availability and “Tracer” Technology

Let’s talk about the frame.

You see a frame on the wall. You like it.
If you buy that exact frame, it is fast.

But what if you want a different color? What if you want a smaller size?
They have to order it.
Shipping a frame takes 3 to 5 days. Then they make the lenses.

How fast can I get glasses from LensCrafters if I pick a stock frame? Very fast.

The AccuFit System

LensCrafters uses a tool called AccuFit. It is digital. It scans your face.
It measures exactly where your eye sits.
This reduces errors. Fewer errors mean fewer re-makes. This speeds up the whole process. It gets it right the first time.

Step-by-Step: How LensCrafters Makes Your Glasses

You might wonder what happens in that back room. I have watched it. It is cool.

Here is the journey of your glasses:

1. The Pick: The tech finds your lens blank in a box. It looks like a hockey puck.
2. The Tape: They put protective tape on the front. This stops scratches.
3. The Block: They stick a plastic handle to the lens. This lets the machine hold it.
4. The Trace: The machine feels the shape of your frame. It creates a digital map.
5. The Cut: The edger machine sprays water. Diamond wheels grind the lens. It follows the digital map.
6. The Fit: The tech snaps the lens into the frame.
7. The Check: They use a lensometer. They check the power. They check the axis.

This whole loop takes about 20 minutes per pair. If there is no line, you are out the door quick.

Credit: www.lenscrafters.com

LensCrafters Express Service and Rush Options

Does LensCrafters have an express lane?

Not officially. You cannot pay $50 to cut in line.
But, the LensCrafters express service is basically their “Same Day” promise.

If you need it urgent, tell them.
Say: “I cannot drive without these. I have an emergency.”
The staff are humans. They want to help. They might move your tray to the front.

Overnight Options

Sometimes, they can ship to your home.
If they have to order lenses, you can pay for faster shipping from the main lab to the store. Or from the store to your home.
Ask for “Expedited Shipping.” It costs more. But it saves days.

Online Orders vs. In-Store Pickup

You can buy from their website. It is easy.
But it is slower.

Online Orders:

• Processing: 1-2 days.
• Manufacturing: 3-5 days.
• Shipping: 3-5 days.
• Total: ~2 weeks.

In-Store:

• Total: 1 hour to 1 week.

If speed is your goal, go to the store. Do not buy online.
When you are in the store, the lab is right there. There is no shipping truck. The “shipping” is the tech walking 10 feet to the back room.

What to Do If Your Order Is Delayed

Sometimes, things go wrong.
You wait two weeks. No text. No email.

Why?
Usually, it is Quality Control (QC).
The lab made your glasses. They checked them. They found a scratch. Or the power was off by 0.1.
They scrapped them. They started over.

This is annoying. But it is good. You do not want bad glasses.

How to check:

• Use the “Order Status” page on their site.
• Call the store directly.

If it has been more than 14 days, ask for a discount. Be polite. But be firm. Ask if they can upgrade your shipping for free.

How to Get Your Glasses Faster: 5 Expert Tips

I want you to get your glasses now. Use my cheat sheet.

1. Call First.
Ask: “Is your lab running today?” Sometimes machines break. Verify before you drive.

2. Compromise on Coatings.
If it is an emergency, skip the Anti-Reflective coat. You can buy a second, fancy pair later. Get the basic pair now so you can see.

3. Bring a Frame.
Do you have an old frame? Sometimes they can put new lenses in your old frame. This saves time shopping. (Note: The frame must be in good shape).

4. Go on a Tuesday.
Weekends are busy. Saturdays are crazy. Go on a Tuesday morning. The lab is quiet. You get VIP treatment.

5. Ask for “Stock Range.”
Ask the optician: “Is my prescription in your stock range?” If they say yes, you are golden.

Comparing LensCrafters to Other Retailers

Is LensCrafters the fastest?

LensCrafters vs. Online (Zenni, etc.)

• Online takes 2 to 3 weeks.
• LensCrafters takes days.
• Winner: LensCrafters.

LensCrafters vs. Walmart/Costco

• Walmart/Costco send almost everything out. They take 1 to 2 weeks.
• LensCrafters has in-store labs.
• Winner: LensCrafters.

LensCrafters vs. Local Boutiques

• Local shops give great service. But they usually use outside labs.
• Winner: LensCrafters (for speed).

LensCrafters is expensive. But you are paying for the lab. You are paying for speed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are the questions everyone asks. I have the answers.

Q: How fast can I get glasses from LensCrafters if I have astigmatism?
A: You can usually get them the same day. Most in-store labs stock lenses for astigmatism. It depends on how strong it is. If it is very high, they order it.

Q: Does LensCrafters still make glasses in one hour?
A: Yes, they do. But only for single-vision lenses. And only at stores with labs. And only if they have the lens in stock. It is not a guarantee for everyone anymore.

Q: Can I pay extra to get my glasses faster?
A: You cannot pay to speed up the manufacturing. The machine has a set speed. But you can pay to speed up the shipping if they are being made elsewhere.

Q: Do progressive lenses always take two weeks?
A: Usually, yes. But some newer tech allows faster surfacing. Ask about “digital fast track” options. Sometimes they can do it in 5-7 days.

Q: What if I need glasses immediately for driving?
A: Go to the store. Tell them it is illegal for you to drive without them. Ask for the most basic plastic lens they have. Get the fancy pair later. Prioritize safety.

Q: Is the one-hour service available on weekends?
A: Yes. But the queue is longer. If 10 people are ahead of you, “one hour” becomes “four hours.” Go early in the morning.

Conclusion

So, how long does it take for LensCrafters to make glasses?

It can be one hour. It can be two weeks.

It depends on you. It depends on your eyes.

If you have a simple prescription and pick a simple lens, you can walk out today with perfect vision. I did it. You can too.

If you need complex progressive lenses with fancy coatings, you will wait. But the wait is worth it for good vision.

My final advice:
Don’t wait until your glasses break. But if they do, don’t panic.
Find a store with a lab.
Check your prescription.
Keep it simple.

You will see clearly again very soon. Clear vision is closer than you think.