Things to Consider When Choosing Glasses

Once you have been given a prescription for corrective lenses, the next step is to pick your frame. While some people find picking frames easy, most find all the choices daunting and difficult to navigate. Walking into a store and seeing all the options can be unnerving, but if you know what to look for, it will make your search a little easier. Here are a few things you should consider when choosing new frames:

Lens Thickness

Depending on the strength of the prescription you are given, the lenses you need may be fairly thick. You need to consider thickness when choosing frames, as certain styles are better to hide thickness and to hold the lenses without distortion. An optician on site can recommend the best frames for your particular lenses.

Trends

Just like fashion, trends change. Though you may love a certain frame right now, think of yourself wearing it a few years down the road. If the frame you choose is too modern or too much of a passing fad, you may regret your choice before it’s time to get new glasses.

The glasses you choose also need to be versatile. Though you might want a fun pair to show off your creativity, a really bright colour might turn off a serious employer if you go for a job interview. Think about all the different aspects of your life and what kind of message you need your glasses to convey.

Plastic vs. Metal

In the past, plastic frames were thought to be the better choice because they were more flexible, durable, and inexpensive, but today manufacturers are also adding these features to metal frames. Metal frames may even be more flexible and durable today as materials become stronger and bendable. You also need to remember that most metal frames come with an adjustable nosepiece that can be perfectly fitted to your face, while plastic frames have a immovable plastic bridge.

Face Shape

Depending on what shape your face is, certain kinds of frames will do a better job of flattering you. If you have a square or angular face you should try round or oval shaped frames to counteract the sharp angles of your face. If you have a round, softer face, you should consider more rectangular geometric frames to add some dimension and structure to the curves of your face. Though there are recommendations of what kind of frames to look for depending on each face shape, you will likely discover which frame shape works best for you just by trying them on.

Eye and Hair Colour

Just like makeup, certain frame colours can work better to accent your eye and hair colour. Frames with hints of blues can make blue eyes stand out and look even bluer, while dark frames can accent light coloured eyes. The first step is to determine whether you have warm or cool undertones, and pick frames that accent that. If you are warm, then colours like brown, green and gold will work best for you, while cooler undertones support colours like silver, grey, blue or black.

Size

Frames are sized by three different numbers which are written on the arm of the frames or on the packaging. These numbers represent the size of the lens, the length of the temples, and the size of the bridge that sits over the nose. If you know you have a large set face or are more comfortable wearing glasses with a large lens, keep this in mind when browsing.

Durability

Think about what you are doing in your day to day life and how your glasses will be treated. If you play sports or perform rough activities, then you need glasses that are durable and can stand a little abuse so that you aren’t running back to the shop with broken frames every few weeks. Ask your optician to recommend a durable brand of frames that will be able to fit your lifestyle.

Features

Once you’ve chosen your frames, there are a few more options to consider when it comes to the type of lenses you are going to have installed. You can get transitional lenses that tint when you are going into a sunny area, anti-glare lenses that help you avoid being blinded by bright lights, scratch resistant lenses if you are often in dusty areas, or lenses that come with magnetic sunglasses that you can easily take off and on.

Once you’ve got a prescription, the best place to start is a shop that offers a wide variety of frames. Make sure you give the optician your prescription and ask any questions you have before starting your search, as they can likely recommend a frame or brand that will fit your needs best. Then it is ultimately up to you to choose a frame that you like and feel good wearing.