Choosing a new pair of glasses can be overwhelming. There are so many different shapes, colours, sizes and styles to choose from. The most important part of buying new glasses is having the time to make your choice and getting good advice on the style that suits you and the best lens choice for your needs. So where do you start?
The first thing to consider is the lenses. Not all lenses and prescriptions are suitable for all frames. That’s why it is important to know the lenses that you need before looking for a frame. At all our Eyes On Optometrists practices we have qualified staff who have any years of experience and expertise in the area of frame selection and lens technology. As part of the selection process our staff will discuss your visual needs to determine which lens is right for you. Some of the possible lenses choices include:
- Single vision lenses for distance, reading or computers
- Multifocal lenses which provide distance, near and intermediate vision
- Computer or office glasses which provide clear vision in the office, on the computer and at the desk
- Sports glasses
- Thin lighter lenses, or normal lenses
- Lenses that change colour
- Coatings to reduce glare and protect from blue light
When choosing your glasses, looking good is the first priority. It is however very important that the glasses fit properly otherwise they won’t feel comfortable long term. We want the glasses to live on your face not in the draw. For a frame to fit properly, it needs to fit correctly on your nose, and the arms should be long enough to fit over your ears so that they don’t always slip. There shouldn’t be any pressure points, especially on your temples or behind your ears.
Frames are optimally positioned when your eyebrows are either above or directly behind the upper edge of the frames. This ensures the you can see clearly and that the edge of the frame isn’t getting in the way. The size and material of the frames is also an important consideration. If the frame material is too heavy or the frame too large it may not feel comfortable after a couple of hours of wear. As a general rule, frames should not be much bigger than your face and should never touch your cheekbones.
Frames should also not sit too close to your face otherwise they will fog up.
An one more important point. It is important that your glasses are properly fitted and adjusted when you pick them up so that they are comfortable all day long……
