FAQs

Our Products

+ - What type of glasses do you offer?
We have a wide range of glasses to meet everyone’s need. Here’s a quick overview:
  • Non-prescription glasses
  • Single vision glasses
  • Progressive glasses
  • Screen glasses
  • Reading glasses
  • Polarised sunglasses (we don’t do prescription sunglasses just yet, but we’re working on it)

All our glasses are designed in-house in Nairobi, manufactured with top-notch materials and assembled in Kenya. For our prescription lenses, we work with the world’s leading supplier, Essilor.

Please do contact us if you have special needs, we’ll see if we can work something out together.

+ - How much do your glasses cost?
We made it simple, and transparent.

All our frames cost KSh 6,500 (yes, all of them!), including single-vision prescription lenses (within a range of +/- 4 dioptres).

Head to our Pricing page to see the price of all our options and lenses, if you have a different prescription or want extra treatments.

+ - What's your lens quality?
 

Our prescription lenses are manufactured by the world’s leading supplier, Essilor. What can we say, we want only what’s best for your peepers.

All our lenses are made from lightweight, impact-resistant plastic. On top of being super tough, they always come outfitted with the good stuff:

  • Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings
  • 100% UV protection
  • A thickness index of 1.56, appropriate for prescriptions up to +/- 4 dioptres

All this, at no additional cost.

Read more on our different options and coatings here.

+ - How do single-vision and progressive lenses work?
 

Single-vision lenses have one prescription over the whole surface of the lens — correcting either myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).

Progressive lenses are designed with both near and distance correction, so you don’t have to switch between frames. They provide a gradual transition in strength from top to bottom, making it convenient for intermediate viewing distance too.

Read more about progressive lenses here.

+ - What about blue light glasses?
 

Blue light is emitted by the sun, modern lighting and all sorts of digital screens. It has very short, high-energy waves, and scatters more than other wavelengths — casting a glare that reduces your visual contrasts and affects clarity and sharpness.

Our Blue Light Filter blocks this high energy radiation causing you eye strain and headaches at the end of the day. You can add it to any frame, with or without a prescription, for just KSh 3,000 extra.

Learn more about blue light here.

+ - What are thin lenses and do I need them?
Our thin lenses (1.67 index) are 20% thinner than our regular 1.56 lenses. The higher the prescription, the thicker your lenses will be. You might want to choose our thin lenses to avoid the jam jars effect and have lighter frames that won’t slide down your nose.

We recommend this slimmer look if you have a prescription above +/- 4 dioptres. However, thin lenses will be required for prescriptions above +/-6 dioptres.

Unfortunately, we are not able to add our Anti Blue Light filter or Photochromic option to our thin lenses yet.

+ - Are your sunglasses polarised?
 

Yes! All our sunglasses come with polarised lenses.

+ - What is the sunlight filter category of your sunglasses?
Most of our sunglasses have a sunlight filter category of 3, the best protection for everyday life.

But we also have a few exceptions in our range, with lighter-colour category 2 lenses (for instance, our beloved Alain). These are ideal to look dapper in overcast conditions, but not for sunbathing by the pool. We advise you to use category 3 sunglasses for sun protection.

Eye Tests & Prescriptions

+ - How can I send you my prescription?

You have several options:

  • You can upload it when you are placing your order. There will be a special field.
  • You can email it to us at hello@mamy-eyewear.com
  • You can re-use a prescription you uploaded for a previous order if it’s less than 2 years old (above, we recommend you get your eyes checked again)
+ - Are your eye tests really free?

Yes, they are. No hidden conditions, no obligation of purchase.

Our qualified optometrists provide them for free, in the comfort of your home. Learn more about our All At Home experience here.

+ - How do I get a prescription?

Once our qualified optometrist has completed your eye exam, he will provide you with your prescription (whether or not you decide to purchase glasses).

If you have had your eyes checked somewhere else and thus already have your prescription (it should be less than 2 years old), you can go ahead and buy glasses directly.

+ - Can you help me understand my prescription?

Absolutely, we’re here to help. You’ll see, it’s not that complicated once you got the tools!

First of all, your eyes have to be distinguished — they can have very different needs.

  • OD (oculus dextrus) is your right eye
  • OS (oculus sinister) is your left eye

But practices are evolving and some doctors have chosen to modernise their prescriptions, using simply LE for the left eye and RE for the right one.

Then, for each eye, you can have 3 possible entries : sphere, cylinder and axis.

  • The sphere (SPH) measures your degree of nearsightedness (“-“ for myopia) or farsightedness (“+” for hyperopia). The bigger the number, the stronger the prescription.
  • The cylinder (CYL) measures astigmatism — that’s when your cornea is slightly oval instead of perfectly round, causing you blurry or distorted vision. It can be positive or negative too and here again, the bigger the number, the stronger the astigmatism.
  • The Axis describes the orientation of the astigmatism. It’s measured in degrees, going from 1 to 180.

Now, you can also have an “ADD” value on your prescription. It means you have presbyopia — it’s nothing more than the eye’s normal ageing process — and that you need additional magnifying power on your lenses. You can correct it with our progressive lenses. Learn more here.

Your PD is your pupillary distance — basically how many millimetres there are between your pupils (that black bit in the middle of your eye). This is very important to make sure your lenses are properly positioned within your frames and ensure clear vision.

If you have any doubt, don’t hesitate to contact us, we’ll be happy to break it down for you.

+ - How do I measure my pupillary distance?

If you’re having your eyes checked by our Optometrist, then don’t worry, it’ll be done for you.

But if you already have a prescription and there is no mention of your PD, then you can measure it yourself. We’ll give you a step-by-step guide.

  1. Place yourself in front of a mirror
  2. Hold a ruler against your eyebrows
  3. Close your right eye, and align the ruler’s 0 millimetre mark with the center of your left pupil (it’s that black bit in the middle of your eye).
  4. Look straight ahead, then open your right eye, and close the left one.
  5. With your right eye, read the millimetre figure that lines up with the middle of your right pupil.

You’ll be looking for a number between 54 and 74mm, which is the average adult’s PD range. And don’t worry, if something doesn’t feel right, we’ll make the necessary adjustments for your specs.

+ - I have a high prescription, is that a problem?

Of course not! We’ve got you covered.

We make prescription lenses (single vision and progressive) with a sphere (SPH) up to +8.00 or -10.00, and a cylinder up to -4.00 or +4.00. Above +/- 4.00 diopters, we recommend thin lenses for a better comfort, and above +/- 6.00, they are required.

+ - What exactly is your All At Home program?

It’s quite simple. Get your eyes tested and try your favourite frames without leaving the house — we’re bringing the shop to you.

Just follow these steps:

  1. Browse our collections online and select your 6 favourite frames.
  2. Book an appointment. Our optometrist can come to your home, your workplace, or anywhere you can sit around a table a talk for about 20 minutes.
  3. On the set date, get your eye test and try on your selected frames.
  4. You can either complete your purchase during the appointment, or think about it a little bit more and buy your favourite pair online once you’ve decided which style suits you best — our optometrist will have your prescription ready.
  5. We deliver your brand new specs fitted with your prescription 3 to 5 days after your purchase.

You can read more about it here.

+ - Who is carrying out the eye tests?
We have a team of qualified optometrists who are providing outstanding vision care. They are all highly experienced, service-minded and enthusiastic to be changing the way you take care of your eyes and buy glasses.
+ - Which machines are you using to check my eyes?

Our optometrists use top-notch portable machines allowing them to be mobile. Just like any other optician, they use an autorefractor, a phoropter, a lensometer, as well as the good old visual acuity chart — everything we need to provide you with the highest quality vision care.

Learn more about the eye tests here.

+ - What if I’m not comfortable letting someone in my house?

We understand some people might not be comfortable letting a stranger in their house. If you’d rather settle your appointment elsewhere, it’s totally fine. It can be at your workplace, or anywhere quiet where you and the optometrist can sit around a table for 20 minutes.

+ - I missed my All At Home appointment… What happens now?

If you settle an All At Home appointment with our optometrist and you’re not there on the set date and time, you’ll be able to book another one but we will have to charge you an extra fee of KSh 500.

+ - Where is the All At Home program available?

For now, our All At Home program is only available within Nairobi.

+ - Do you have physical shops?

Not yet, we don’t. But you can go and see our sunglasses in a few concept stores around the city — and soon, on the coast!

Find out where our glasses are displayed here.

Shipping, Returns & Warranty

+ - Where do you ship and how much does it cost?

We currently ship to Kenya only. But we hope to extend to other countries very soon! Stay tuned.

Delivery is free within Nairobi and costs KSh 464 for the rest of the country.

+ - When can I expect my glasses to arrive?

The delivery time depends on your prescription. The bigger your prescription, the more complexe it is to craft your tailor-made lenses and so the longer it’ll be. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Sunglasses: 1-5 business days
  • Non-prescription glasses: 3-5 business days
  • Single vision (prescription below +/-6.00 dioptres): 3-5 business days
  • Single vision (prescription above +/-6.00 dioptres): 10-14 business days
  • Glasses with thin lenses: 10-14 business days
  • Progressive lenses: 10-14 business days
+ - I missed my delivery… What can I do?

In case of a missed delivery, your order will be returned to our workshops and we will contact you to settle a new delivery date — free of charge.

Please note that you can also have your glasses delivered at work if it’s more convenient for you. In this case, simply specify the name of your company in the shipping address.

+ - Can I return my glasses if I’m not satisfied?

Of course, it’s ok to change your mind.

If, for any reason, you are not completely happy with your glasses, you can send them back to us within 30 days after purchase. We will change them for a new pair or give you a voucher — no questions asked.

But please note that we can’t reimburse returned glasses and we can’t exchange products that have been worn, used or damaged.

+ - Do I have time to get used to my new progressive glasses?

Yes! It takes a bit of time and practice to get used to progressive lenses. So we give you 30 days to adjust to them. If it still doesn’t feel right, book an appointment with one of our optometrists and we’ll make all the necessary changes. Of course, it’s on us.

Here’s a few tips: when wearing progressive lenses, it’s important that you look through the correct part of the lens — the lower part when you’re reading, straight ahead for distance, and somewhere in-between for computer work. So when you take them home, take a few hours to practice and get used to the different depths! Read a book (chin up), look through the window, pictures on the wall… And see how it all feels.

You might also experience some blurriness on the edges, but this sensation is likely to go away after a few days.

+ - I feel have a wrong prescription. What can I do?

If your glasses don’t feel comfortable and you believe they have the wrong prescription, book an appointment with us. Our optometrist will come to you with all the necessary equipment to verify the prescription of your lenses and check your eyes again, in order to understand where the problem lies. We will make all the necessary adjustments once we’ve identified the problem.

Remember that progressive lenses take a bit of time and practice to get used to. So don’t panic if they feel a bit weird at first, it should be much better after a few days! Learn how to tame them here.

You have 30 days to return or exchange your glasses.

+ - Can I buy new lenses for my Mamy glasses?

Yes, we can replace your old lenses with new ones — for instance, if there’s been an accident and they’re damaged, or if you feel that you need an updated prescription but don’t want to change your frames.

Our single-vision lenses (which are usually included in the price of our frames) will cost KSh 2,500 if you take them alone. Then all options and coatings remain the same price. You can check our detailed pricing here.

+ - Is there a warranty for your products?

Yes, all our products have a two year warranty. If there is anything wrong with your glasses, contact us. We will find a solution to your problem.

But please note that we won’t be able to replace your glasses in the following cases:

  • They were damaged either deliberately, by inappropriate cleaning or misuse of the product.
  • They were lost or stolen.
  • They have normal wear and tear.

Learn more about our Product Warranty here.

Payments & Insurances

+ - What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payments by credit card, Paypal or MPesa. You can pay online or in person, directly to our optometrist during your appointment. Please note that we don’t accept cash. 

+ - Can I pay in instalments?

If need be, yes, we can accept payments in instalments — but we cannot give you credit.

You need to make a 30% deposit to secure your glasses. After that, we will schedule together the terms and periods for payments. We strive to be as flexible as possible to adapt to your unique situation.

Once you’ve paid in full, we will deliver your brand new frames to you!

+ - Can I have my Mamy frames reimbursed by my health insurance?

Unfortunately, we are not working with Insurance providers just yet. But hopefully it’ll change very soon! Stay tuned.

Fit & Look

+ - Which shape suits me best?

The best shape is the one that makes you feel most comfortable, no doubt. Everyone is unique and your own tastes should drive your choosing.

But if all this choice feels a bit overwhelming and you want some general guidelines, please head to our Which shape for which face guide.

+ - How do I know what is a good size of frames for me?

Our optometrist will happily help you find the perfect fit for you during your All At Home appointment, according to your face’s size and shape.

But if you’re buying them online, or when selecting them for your try-home, here’s what you should know to choose well-fitting glasses:

The frames’ dimensions are written inside the left temple of your glasses (we mention it on each product’s page too), and it looks like this: 49-23-145. These numbers respectively refer to the lens diameter, the bridge width and the length of the temples, all measured in millimetres.

We usually take the lens diameter to assess glasses’ fit:

  • 45 to 48mm: narrow frame
  • 49 to 54mm: medium frame
  • Above 55mm: large frame

Basically, your frames shouldn’t be larger than the width of your face, from temple to temple. We also recommend the top of your frames to sit below your brow line (you don’t want to hide your facial expressions), and the lower edge shouldn’t sit on your cheeks (that might cause irritation).

It’s also important to make sure your glasses don’t slide off your nose, so make sure the bridge’s width is comfortable.

Now find a ruler and get started with those face measurements!

+ - How do I know my glasses fit me well?

There are a few basic rules to make sure your glasses are a good fit for you:

  • Your pupils should be looking through the middle of the lenses.
  • They should sit comfortably on your face. If the bridge is too large, your frames will slide off your nose — not good. But if it’s too narrow, it might pinch your nose and your frames will sit too high on your face.
  • There shouldn’t be too much space between your temples and your glasses’ arms.

If you book an All At Home appointment, our optometrist will give you advice to choose a well-fitting glasses.

+ - None of the glasses I tried suits me… Can I try other ones?

Of course! Choosing is the hardest part — we know how difficult it can be to make up one’s mind sometimes.

We advise you to take a few selfies with each pair you selected. If you hesitate, it’s always a good idea to sleep on it and ask a few friends for their opinion, so it’ll be handy to have some pictures!

But if you definitely don’t have a crush, you can book a second appointment to try another set of 6 frames — our optometrist will come back to help you find that perfect pair.

+ - What kind of frames are trendy these days?

Well, since you asked: old school, and visible. Gone are the days of hiding your glasses and making them as discreet as possible! Oversized, sturdy, vintage… these are the hottest trends at the moment. And the good news is, they fit almost every face shape.

Eyewear has become a real style statement, and your frames should match your personality. Serious, classy, quirky, artsy… Frames come in every imaginable colour and shape nowadays — find the perfect one that will make people see the real you. Put yourself out there!

Care & Commitments

+ - How should I clean my Mamy glasses?

Your glasses go through a lot, it’s only natural that some dirt and dust build up on your lenses. Don’t worry, it will turn out alright.

To clean your glasses, run them under lukewarm water (NOT hot water, as the lenses could develop cracks or cloudiness when exposed to high heat). With a drop of dish soap on your fingertips, gently rub both sides of the lenses and nose pads. Rinse, then dry with a soft cloth. Your glasses will shine again, and so will you!

For light stains, a few swipes of your Mamy lens cloth should do the trick.

+ - How do I get my glasses adjusted?

You can fix most fitting problems by yourself, at home!

If your glasses are crooked, too tight or too loose on the temples, here is the trick:

  • For metal frames, you can simply apply a gentle pressure on the arms to make your glasses aligned again, or adjust their fit.
  • For acetate frames, you’ll need to heat the frames to make them more malleable. You can either run them under warm water (NOT hot water, as it could damage the lenses) or use a hair dryer. You can then apply a gentle pressure on the arms to make the necessary adjustments.

If you’re afraid you might damage your frames, please contact us for further assistance! You can also head to your closest optical shop and ask for help. Most opticians will be happy to adjust your glasses for free, while others might ask for a small fee.

+ - I have frames I don’t wear anymore, what should I do with them?

We’ll be happy to collect them! Depending on their condition, we will either repair the frames and give them to an association, or recycle the materials to make brand new glasses.

Give your glasses a second life, and let’s have an impact together!

+ - What is your 1 Pair 4 Eyes program?

Our mission is to improve access to vision care and make quality eyewear affordable in Kenya, and — let’s dream big — in Africa.

We are a for-profit, and proudly so. We’re strong believers in private sector solutions that can provide positive social outcomes while ensuring profitability and scalability — ultimately bringing lasting changes in the industry. But we do want to go further, and extend our impact to the communities we can’t reach with our business model.

So we’ve created the 1 Pair 4 Eyes program. We’ve partnered with an amazing organisation operating in rural areas and who has the same empowering approach we believe in. For each pair we sell, we’re financing another one that will be distributed by a rural entrepreneur to the most vulnerable, at a very low price. Learn more about it here.

+ - Are you a sustainable company?

While we are proud of our mission and accomplishments so far in improving access to visual health in Kenya, we can only admit we are not a sustainable company just yet.

As a brand, we have a big responsibility towards the environment and the communities we engage with.

Production and transportation remains energy consuming, but we’re working hard to find ways of creating a more planet-friendly product and reducing the impact our actions have on the environment. This won’t happen overnight, but we’ve been going down that road from the very beginning of this adventure and we can’t wait to share our achievements with you.

+ - What measures are you taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Obviously, protecting our customers and staff, and preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a top priority for us. We are constantly reviewing our measures to adapt to the current situation as it evolves.

  • All our staff is vaccinated, or in the process.
  • Our optometrists use protective masks when providing vision care.
  • All pieces of equipment and glasses manipulated are going under a strict sanitisation cleaning process before being used again.
+ - How can I get in touch?

If there is anything these FAQs didn’t solve, we’re here to help! You can reach out to us at hello@mamy-eyewear.com or on WhatsApp at +254 00000000.

Dig deeper

+ - When were eyeglasses invented, and by who?

The very first wearable eyeglasses appeared in northern Italy, in the second half of the 13th century — yes, you got it right, they’re over 700 years old! Glass blowers would make lenses of different thickness set into wooden frames and basically held in front of the eyes.

And then, centuries of innovations led us to the high-tech lenses and fashionable frames we are offering you today!

+ - What is acetate?

Cellulose acetate is a natural material derived from cotton flowers and wood pulp. It has it all: highly resistant, flexible, vivid and lasting colours… They’re probably the most comfortable material for glasses, due to their light-weight, organic touch and hypoallergenic properties.

Acetate frames also offer the widest range of colours, transparencies and textures. Pigments can be incorporated directly during the production process, making the possible shades and combinations almost infinite.

For instance, take the iconic tortoise pattern. These acetate sheets have organic variations in their grain, making every single glasses cut in them truly unique. Cool, right?

+ - Is it true eyeglasses help preventing COVID-19?

There is no real consensus on this. Some experts believe that eyeglasses are an additional barrier reducing the frequency with which people touch their eyes — which is a major source of contamination.

But this is all quite controversial and we encourage you to stay very cautious and respect social distancing regardless.

+ - Can eyeglasses weaken my eyesight?

No, absolutely not. Eyeglasses can never impact your eyesight — well, except when you’re wearing them of course.

If you have a wrong prescription, it’ll cause headaches and eye strain, but it won’t degrade your vision. There are two reasons why this is common belief:

  • When we develop visual impairment, it doesn’t happen overnight. You vision is degrading slowly, and you need to regularly upgrade your glasses with an up-to-date prescription. One might impute this deterioration on the glasses themselves — but it’s just the natural ageing process of your eyes.
  • And wearing glasses is such a game changer that when taking them off, we feel like our sight is worse than ever. Once you’ve experienced clear vision, the contrast feels stronger! That’s all.

Contact us