The different parts of the eyewear itself as well as the reason for needing glasses affect the choice of eyeglasses. Glasses may be needed for distance, reading, sports or sun protection. They can last for years or be exchanged annually.
Prescription glasses normally are not an impulse buy although an extra pair of reading or sunglasses may be an impromptu purchase.
Types of Glasses
- Reading glasses
- Opera/Sports glasses
- Protective eyewear
- Sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- Driving glasses
- Diving glasses
- Everyday distant vision glasses
The Eye Glass Frame
The frame holds the lenses and hopefully enhances facial features or at the least, makes a statement. (For example, Elton John or groucho Marx). Frames come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. The best frames are a personal choice but consider the following:
- Gold or silver can clash or complement face and neck jewelry.
- Black frames flatter dark haired cool skin tones but may become the dominant facial feature on pale skinned redheads.
- Tortoise shells look better on warm skin tones, i.e. yellow, golden, individuals
- Rimless glasses disappear into the face for a non-eyeglass look.
- Eye color can be enhanced by a contrasting frame color. An example is red frames on brown eyes or brown patterned frames on green eyes.
- Plastic frames cost less than titanium ones but may need more frequent adjustments or repairs.
- Metal frames can get very hot left in closed cars in the summer.
Face Shape and Eye Glass Frame
- Small faces need smaller glasses so as not to overwhelm the head. Similarly larger faces can handle larger frames to avoid looking close eyed with tiny lenses.
- The eyeglass should contrast the facial shape.
- Angular frames will flatter round faces.
- Triangular faces of narrow chin and broad brows might try frames with a bottom design only.
- Angular faces need to soften the face and shy away from rectangle frames.
- Narrow frames can soften square faces.
Lens
- A single pair of lens can be single vision design, bifocal, or trifocal (progressive) depending on need.
- Lenses can be thinned and lightweight.
- Photochromic lens have improved over the years, now returning to indoor vision quickly and no longer fade to a yellow hue.
- Polycarbonate lens have built in UV protection unlike plastic lenses.
- Glass lenses protect only from UVB rays.
Coating the Lens Increases the Overall Costs but Prolongs the Wear of the Lens
- There are several types of coating all of which can be combined for different purposes.
- Nonreflective coating
- Scratch resistant
- Ultra Violet (UV)
- Mirror coating to hide the eyes
- Hydrophobic for resisting fog, rain, and moisture.
Where to Purchase Glasses
Glasses can be purchases from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They may be accessed in a private office or a clinic connected with an insurance plan. There are retail manufacturers such as Costco, Sam’s club, Wal-Mart, Vision Works, etc. Private freestanding offices may offer a more unique expensive line.
Internet purchases can save money and time. Buying glasses online requires a prescription and may require knowledge of pupil distance (PD) for accurate lens creation. One loses the immediate advantage of trying before buying but usually returns are possible within a limited time fram
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