No matter where you buy your glasses, there are two steps
to buy a pair of eyeglasses:
1. choose the frame, 2. add prescription lenses.
This article will focus on the things that you should consider
when choosing glasses frames online.
There are a number of things you should consider when choosing
glasses frames online. For example, how to make sure the frame
is at the right size? What is the best frame material for
my situation? Can I have a small frame for multifocal lenses?
Do you know whether to choose a full-rim, semi-rimless or
rimless frame is not only a choice of style, it also affects
the total cost of the glasses? This article provides you inside
tips on how to choose glasses frames.
First of all, the size of frame, because no matter how
beautiful the design of a frame is it will have to fit you
comfortably. More and more online optical stores provide
virtual try on system for customers to upload photo and
try on glasses online. However, many virtual try on systems
do not re-scale the glasses to your photos in proportion
to show the relative size of the frames to your face. An
accurate sizing system is important because majority of
the frame models come only in one size. If you like the
frame style but the frame is not at the right size for you,
very unlikely you will find a frame of the same model that
would fit you. Try glasses using our E
Try-on® and see the difference.
Secondly, you should consider lens limitations on certain
frame styles.
Semi-rimless and rimless frames have limitations on what
lens materials 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.
Impact resistant lenses (for example polycarbonate lenses,
high index 1.60 lenses) generally are more expensive than
normal plastic lenses (for example C39 lenses). This 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.
Eyeglasses frames
can be fitted with single vision lenses for distance only
or near only reading glasses.
However, if you would 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 eyeglasses
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
store and have the lenses fitted at a different store, make
sure you ask about the lens depth requirement beforehand.
Forthly, consider material of the frame.
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 option. Instead,
you may choose alternatives such as plastic or titanium
glasses frames.
Prescription is another thing to consider especially if
your prescription is strong.
For example, if your sphere is -9.0, the lenses are usually
very thick on the edge even with high index 1.74 lenses.
To minimize the edge thickness, it is recommended to choose
frames with small lens width and lens depth. You should
avoid semi-rimless and rimless frames where possible because
of the thick edge.