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Please visit our Locations page to find a store near you. If you’re looking for AO outside of the US, please Contact Us to find a location that will work for you.
All AO frames are handcrafted in our Chicago factory from the finest globally sourced materials. AO lenses are imported from the world’s best lens manufacturers and edged in the AO factory.
All AO frames have been updated in 2020 and feature several marks of authenticity. The vintage AO mark is now coined into the temples of all metal frames. Lenses are laser-etched with the AO mark in the upper left corner and ‘Polarized’ on the right lens when applicable. Nosepads on metal frames are embedded with a vintage AO design. The much anticipated relaunched Saratoga utilizes AO’s signature decor style. Inner temple markings display the primary American Optical logo including the AO shield.
If you purchased your AO frames prior to August 15, 2020, please email us at contact@aoeyewear.com with photos of your frame so we can evaluate the authenticity.
Please visit the Become a Partner page to submit your request.
Cellulose acetate, the material used in all of our plastic styles, is hypoallergenic. All of our metal platings with the exception of silver and matte finishes have an additional protective coating applied that both protects the precious metal plate and renders them hypoallergenic. However, please note that hinges and screws are alloys and are not considered hypoallergenic.
Please check our Locations page to find authorized AO retailers carrying newly released AO Eyewear. Since AO has been making frames since 1833, you may find vintage AO frames in some stores and, unfortunately, counterfeit products may also exist in the market. If you have any questions about the authenticity of AO Eyewear found in a store near you, please don’t hesitate to contact us at contact@aoeyewear.com.
Please email marketing@aoeyewear.com with all media requests. Looking forward to connecting with you!
In preparation for relaunching aoeyewear.com in August of 2020 and beginning to offer new AO styles, we have been working hard to elevate the product offering in many ways. We have upgraded the materials that go into each frame, upgraded tooling, and upgraded the manufacturing process. Pricing has gone up to reflect these changes of what we know to be vastly improved products that we are proud to offer and carry on the legacy of AO for future generations.
Please email us at contact@aoeyewear.com or call us from 9am to 6pm CST Monday-Friday at 800.777.1173 (or non-toll free 1-224-352-2476). We reply to emails as quickly as possible, but please allow up to one business day for a reply. Please add contact@aoeyewear.com as a trusted sender or monitor your spam.
AO Eyewear offers free standard shipping within the US for all orders. Orders typically ship within 3-5 business days via UPS, with a transit time of 1-5 days depending on your location. Due to the impact of COVID-19, shipping delays may occur.
Expedited Shipping is available within the US for an additional fee. Expedited orders typically ship within 3-5 business days with a transit time of 2 business days. Due to the impact of COVID-19, shipping delays may occur.
Expedited Saver orders typically ship within 3-5 business days via UPS, with a transit time of 3-4 business days. Due to the impact of COVID-19, shipping delays may occur.
Yes. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and you are responsible for any duties, fees and taxes that may be assessed by your country’s customs office. If you have questions about shipping costs, please call or email us at orders@aoeyewear.com or 800-777-1173.
AO Eyewear orders are shipped via UPS, and cannot be shipped to a PO Box.
We will gladly ship to an APO, FPO, or DPO address. To service the military community, we ship via USPS for military orders only; please allow additional time in transit for delivery.
AO Eyewear offers free returns and exchanges within 30 days of purchase. AO sunglasses must be sent in original purchase condition and packaging for full credit. Please visit the Terms and Conditions page to view the full policy and to start your return/exchange.
Please visit the Terms and Conditions page to start your return/exchange.
AO Eyewear offers a lifetime warranty on all solder points that fail due to manufacturer’s defects. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, including scratches on the lenses, broken lenses, or damage caused by abuse or mishandling.
This warranty applies only to AO Eyewear sunglasses purchased from authorized AO Eyewear dealers and is valid for the original purchaser only.
We sell replacement nosepads, temples, and lenses. You can email us at contact@aoeyewear.com to order. We recommend that all replacement parts be changed by a professional optician. Please note that AO Eyewear is not responsible for damages resulting from attempted repairs or replacements.
Unfortunately, we no longer carry parts for older AO styles making current replacement parts incompatible with AO frames produced prior to August, 2020. The new styles that are available on our site have been updated with improved materials, new tooling, and new manufacturing processes, etc., and parts, including lenses, are not interchangeable with older styles (purchased prior to our relaunch in August 2020).
We sell replacement lenses, in pairs only. Please email us at contact@aoeyewear.com to order. Please note that these replacement lenses are not compatible with AO frames produced prior to August, 2020.
Please email us at contact@aoeyewear.com for recommendations.
The AO Eyewear lifetime warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, including scratches on the lenses, broken lenses, or damage caused by abuse or mishandling. Please view the full warranty here.
When purchasing Skymaster Lenses, please note that glass lenses, while durable, are still glass and may get damaged if dropped onto hard surfaces.
We do not sell frames without sun lenses on aoeyewear.com. We understand that you may be purchasing sunglasses and then getting prescription lenses. In this case, we strongly recommend that you work with an eyecare professional to ensure proper fit and recommend the best lenses for you. You can find optical stores that carry AO Eyewear on our locations page.
At this time, AO sunglasses are designed to offer the most popular, classic frame and lens color combinations. If you have specific requests you’d like to see in the future, we’d love to hear from you at contact@aoeyewear.com.
Take a look at our Care Guide for details on how to best care for your American Optical frames.
Visit our Locations page to find an authorized American Optical retailer.
A bayonet temple does not bend around the ear; rather, it curves inward to hug your head and stay in place. The design allows you to take your sunglasses on and off without removing a helmet or other headgear.
A standard temple bends over the ear and offers more flexibility for fit adjustments.
The Original Pilot was first designed with the bayonet temple only and this is the configuration that was worn on the moon.
When choosing a lens material and color, it is important to consider your overall lifestyle and the conditions in which you will be wearing your AO sunglasses. AOLite lenses are crafted from high-quality nylon for a lightweight, impact-resistant lens that offers increased comfort without sacrificing optics. SkymasterTM glass lenses offer superior clarity. Originally developed for pilots, SkyMaster™ is AO’s premium lens option for distortion-free vision. When choosing between nylon and glass, be sure to consider that glass lenses are heavier and while durable, are still glass and may get damaged when dropped onto hard surfaces.
Also consider your lifestyle when choosing a lens color, it’s not just about how your sunglasses look. Choose True-Tone™ Green for true color perception closest natural vision. Choose Cosmetan™ Brown to amplify contrast and provide warmth. Choose True-Color™ Gray, the first choice of many pilots, to reduce eye fatigue in bright light conditions. Visit our Lens Technology page for more information.
Polarized lenses have a special filter to block reflected light thereby eliminating glare. This improves clarity and reduces eye fatigue.
There are some instances where polarized lenses are not advised. Polarization can make it harder to see images on LCD screens and are often not recommended for pilots.
Yes, all AO lenses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection.
All AO lenses meet ANSI standards for sunglass lenses. Please note that ANSI standards for plano (non-prescription) sunglass lenses (ANSI Z80.3) are different than those for safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1). For more information about ANSI standards, click here. Please also note that AOLite nylon lenses offer stronger impact resistance than SkyMaster glass lenses; however, AO sunglasses are not intended to be used as safety glasses.
Unfortunately, we do not provide a prescription lens service. We understand that you may be purchasing sunglasses and then getting prescription lenses. In this case, we strongly recommend that you work with an eyecare professional to ensure proper fit and recommend the best lenses for you. You can find optical stores that carry AO Eyewear on our locations page.
Pilots should consult their employer for lens recommendations. Often polarized lenses are not recommended as they can interfere with LCD control panels. Please email us at contact@aoeyewear.com if you need further information.
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