REDDING, Conn.—E-tailer Eyeglasses.com has released a detailed consumer guide to purchasing eyeglasses. The free, 110-page publication, "How to Buy Eyeglasses: A Consumer Buying Guide for Eyewear," is available in the "Consumer Guide" section of the Eyeglasses.com website.

According to Eyeglasses.com, the guide was published in response to questions from customers who could not find the information elsewhere. It is also intended to help consumers choose the best lens features for their needs, and avoid “unnecessary lens features,” the company said.

"It is amazing how little information is available to consumers about eyeglasses and prescription lenses,” said James Hilford, president of Eyeglasses.com. “Consumers can access product information on virtually every consumer appliance, spending an hour of research before making a $250 purchase—but not when it comes to eyewear."

The guide explains the features and benefits of different eyeglass lenses (progressive, bifocal, single vision), lens coatings (anti-reflective coating, anti-scratch coating), new lens technology (sun-sensitive lenses, digital lenses), as well as information about different eyeglass frame types, eyeglass frame materials, and eyeglass frame features. It also includes a section about "How to Buy Glasses Online."

Mark Agnew, founder and CEO of Eyeglasses.com, remarked, "We are thrilled to be able to offer this free service to consumers. Now, eyewear shoppers both on and off the internet can educate themselves before making this important and expensive purchase.”