Glasses Frames

Glasses Frames

There are two aspects in buying glasses: the frame and the lenses. This article will focus on the things that you should consider when choosing glasses frames online.

The first thing you should look at is the size of frame on top of everything else. More and more online optical stores provide virtual try on system for customers to upload photo and try on glasses online, However, remember to pay attention to whether the virtual try on system has accurate sizing technology that shows the relative size of the frame to your face. This is important because majority of the frame models come only in one size. If you like the frame style but find the frame is too big or too small for you, very likely you will not find a frame of the same model that would fit you.

Secondly, consider lens limitations on certain frame styles when choosing a frame.

For semi-rimless and rimless frames, there is a limitation on the lens materials that can be used, which would affect the overall cost of the glasses. In semi-rimless frames, groove is created to hold the nylon. While the groove holds the nylon to support the lenses to the frame structure the groove also weakens the lenses making it more subject to chipping. You can use normal plastic lenses however, impact resistant lenses are highly recommended.

For rimless frames, only impact resistant lenses can be used because the lenses need to be strong enough to allow holes to be drilled through.

Examples of impact resistant lenses are polycarbonate lenses, trivex lenses and some index 1.60 lenses or even 1.67 lenses etc. Impact resistant lenses are generally more expensive than normal plastic lenses (for example C39 and index 1.56 lenses) which means higher cost in making glasses using semi-rimless and rimless frames. However full-rim frames generally do not have such limitation.

Thirdly, consider the function of the glasses you would like to achieve.

Glasses can be fitted with single vision lenses for distance only or near only. However, if you like multifocal or bifocal glasses, i.e. use the glasses for both distance and near vision, then there is a lens depth requirement on the frames. Depending on the lens design, some optical store requires the lens depth for multifocal lenses to be as large as 30mm. If you intend to purchase glasses frame at one place and have the lenses fitted at a different store, make sure you ask about the lens depth requirement beforehand.

Fourthly, the material of the frame is another thing to consider.

If you live in consistent humid weather condition or if you tend to sweat a lot on your face, or if you have hyper-allergic type of skin, metal frames may not be a good choice. Good alternatives are frames made of plastic or titanium.

To achieve the best overall aesthetic result, you should also take your prescription into consideration.

For a strong minus prescription, for example -9.0 sphere, the lenses are usually very thick on the edge even with very high density index 1.74 lenses. To minimize the edge thickness, it is recommended to choose frames with small lens width and lens depth. Semi-rimless and rimless should be avoided where possible because of the thick edge.