Nowadays, there are so many choices for eyeglass frames, it can make your head spin. Of course, these endless options also come with benefits: there are frames to suit every face, style and fashion trend.
Having all these choices is exciting, but can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
In order to pick the perfect pair, it’s good to have a basic understanding of the different materials, features and styles out there, so you can make an informed decision.
Try to keep in mind that although you may be looking for that ‘wow’ factor, comfort, durability and quality are key. After all, you’ll likely be wearing your new specs for a good part of your day.
Here are 5 tips to help you find the glasses that most suit you and your lifestyle:
1. Know Your Material Options
Eyeglass frames come in a variety of materials. Your winning pair can be made from metal, plastic or even wood.
Metal
Metal frames can be found in a wide range of styles and are renowned for their strength and durability. But not all metal frames are the same. There’s a range of metals used for eyeglass frames, each with their own advantages:
- Titanium: Hypoallergenic, strong, durable, lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
- Beryllium: Strong, lightweight, flexible, corrosion-resistant and less expensive than titanium.
- Steel: Strong, lightweight (but heavier than titanium), corrosion-resistant and less expensive than most other metal frames.
- Monel: Flexible and corrosion-resistant, but contains a combination of metals — so not a first choice if you’re hypersensitive to any type of metal.
- Aluminum: Flexible, strong, corrosion-resistant, but typically more expensive than other metal frames.
- Flexon: Very flexible, lightweight, hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant.
Plastic
Plastic frames are available in a dizzying variety of shapes, styles and colors. They offer a bolder look than metal frames and are often less expensive as well. But plastic frames don’t offer the same degree of durability that metal frames do, so if you’re looking for longer-lasting frames, this is something to consider before making your purchase.
Wood
Wooden frames aren’t only trendy; they’re also very lightweight and comfortable. Wooden frames are made of pure, natural wood and are stained using plant-based treatments — making them an eco-friendly option. They’re also a great choice if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic frame.
2. Understand that Size Does Matter
Eyeglass frames come in so many different sizes. You may want to opt for a smaller frame for reading glasses, but for all day-wear consider a larger frame that will give you a larger viewing window and a wider peripheral view.
3. Choose Comfort
Bridge Fit
Your eyeglasses should sit comfortably on the bridge of your nose. If they’re too big, you’ll constantly be pushing them up, and if they’re too small, they’ll sit too high or pinch your nose.
Temple Style
The temples of your eyeglasses are what secure your frames to your face. They connect the front of the frames to the back of the ears, and sometimes wrap around the head. Most frame temples range from 120 to 150 mm in length. To check that your glasses fit properly, move your head from side to side and even bend down at the waist (it’s worth it!) to make sure that the frames you choose won’t easily fall off.
4. Consider Flexibility
If you lead an active lifestyle, have young children, or sometimes fall asleep with your glasses on, you may want to consider spring hinges. Spring hinges give your temples greater flexibility, making them less likely to break if they’re grabbed or bent the wrong way.
5. Try Different Styles
Not sure which shape or color suits you best? Try on as many frames as you’d like until you find a style that you love. You can either pick a frame that matches your face shape and hair color or decide to be a bit more daring and go for a more striking look. Your options are endless.
When it comes to your vision, we’re here for you. Contact Tesla Practice in Tesla City to check out our large selection of eyewear. We’ll help you find the perfect pair, with the perfect fit.
Q: Are metal frames strong enough for sports?
- A: While metal frames can withstand a certain amount of wear and tear, they aren’t recommended for sports. If you play sports on a regular basis, protective eyewear is the way to go. Protective eyewear, like sports goggles and wraparound frames, not only contain high-impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses, but are also lined with rubber padding to protect your eyes from injury.
Q: Is one pair of eyeglasses enough?
- A: Depending on your lifestyle and visual needs, one pair of eyeglasses may not suffice.Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding if you need a second pair of glasses:
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- Do you lead an active lifestyle? If so, it’s important to have a back-up pair of glasses, just in case.
- Do you have two different optical prescriptions? Some people prefer two different pairs of glasses over wearing bifocal or multifocal lenses.
- Do you worry about breaking or losing your glasses and having to scramble to order another pair?
- Do you want your frames to match your wardrobe? Then you may want to think about purchasing more than one frame.
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Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses. Visit Tesla Practice for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.