What to Think about when Choosing Glasses Frames

Whether you are in your 40's and getting your first pair of glasses as bifocals, getting your first distance pair as an adult or getting glasses for the first time for your child, picking out glasses can be a daunting task. Depending on where you go, you may or may not have an optician who is assisting you and giving you helpful advice. I have compiled some helpful information from an opticians point-of-view to assist you in your next frame choosing adventure.

What are we opticians looking for?

You might wonder what we are thinking while we are eyeing you in your potentially new frames. It is slightly more involved than you might imagine.

Does the color compliment your skin and hair color?

Of course it is important that the frame looks good on you and if you wear it as your primary form of vision correction in place of contacts then you probably want it to go with almost every outfit. What I recommend is making sure it compliments your skin and hair color. Generally people know what colors they look good in and what colors they do not look good in. They then use this information to choose their clothing. If this is done than choosing a frame along the same lines will help guarantee that your new frames go with most of your wardrobe.

Does the style match your personality?

Just like any other accessory or article of clothing, frames should match your personality. Wouldn't it be nice if people said "Those frames are so you!" when they saw your new frames. You have to think are you classic? Are you trendy? Are you retro? Are you minimalistic? Do you want to stand out? Do you want to blend in with the crowd?

Does the style match your needs?

• If you are buying bifocals the lens needs to be large enough to fit your near, distance, and sometimes intermediate ranges of vision comfortably. Generally we recommend at least 10 mm from your bottom eyelid to the bottom of the frame for lined bifocals. For no-line bifocals every type of lens has a different minimum measuring height. The lowest I have seen and used is 14 mm from the center of your pupil to the bottom of the frame.
• The frame should fit the width of your face and be a hair smaller. The hinges should not be strained as the temples go around the sides of your head and similarly they should not be wider than your face. This is sometimes tricky for children. We want a frame that fits comfortably now, but also has some room for growth.
• The temples should go comfortably over your ears without going over too far. If they go over too far they would have to be turned down so far you might look like a child wearing an adults frame. This is especially important when choosing frames for children. There is a large range in sizes for children's frames and it is most important to get one that fits well. 
• If you have a high prescription your lenses will be thicker and you probably already know this. To help counteract the thickness I recommend a smaller rounder lens shape on your frame. Also, there are thinner and lighter weight lenses that could be used. Also, depending on the strength of your prescription I may not recommend a frame that exposes the bottom edge of your lens (semi-rimless) or one that exposes the entire edge of the lenses (drill-mount).
• Do you have a small nose? If you do, in most cases a plastic frame will not stay in place. The best option would be a metal frame with moveable nosepads. There are a few frames out there that are plastic and also have moveable nosepads.

**So just remember does the shape and color fit your face?
**Do these frames match your personality?
**What are your needs? Does this frame meet them?

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