An eye exam by an optometrist can help determine the need for glasses.
Buying new glasses can be a dizzying experience, thanks to the wide variety of frames on the market. While an optometrist is often happy to help clients choose new glasses, it can be helpful to think about what he wants before he buys his glasses. By organizing his wants and needs, shopping for new glasses will be much easier, as he can quickly remove unwanted glasses from the selection.
Choose a frame that matches your face shape.
Most people buy new glasses because their old frames have broken or they don’t like them anymore. In either case, an eye exam should be done when purchasing new glasses to make sure the prescription is updated if needed and your eyes are healthy. Most optometrists offer a selection of frames in their office, and some also sand the lenses on-site, so you can get your new glasses the same day. If you’re shopping for new glasses for an emergency and need them urgently, talk about it when you call to make an appointment.
Some people prefer glasses that turn into sunglasses when exposed to strong light or sunlight.
The shape of the frames is an important consideration when buying new glasses. Glasses come in rectangular, oval, or polygonal configurations, and not all of them will look good with your facial structure. Also, the shape and size of the lenses will affect your field of vision. For example, if you’re buying new glasses because you’re severely nearsighted, you’ll probably avoid small oval lenses, even though they may look attractive because your vision will be restricted. Consider bringing a friend with you when shopping for new glasses, to get a second opinion on how the glasses look on your face, while you think about how you’ll see through them.
If you wear glasses all the time, you should consider purchasing a flexible frame style that matches various styles of clothing or types of accessories. If you wear mostly silver jewelry, for example, you should probably avoid buying new glasses with a gold finish. When trying on glasses to add style, consider comfort as well. Make sure the nose pads are adjustable if glasses don’t fit comfortably, and think about how the earmuffs feel. If you’re physically active, you probably also want flexible glasses, like frames made of a memory material that will bend on impact rather than break.
When shopping for new glasses, you have several options when it comes to lenses. Most lenses come with built-in scratch resistance, which can be a useful feature. Many optometrists also offer the option of clear or transition lenses. Clear eyeglass lenses are plain, while transition lenses darken when exposed to ultraviolet rays, turning into sunglasses. Some eyeglass wearers appreciate this feature, while others prefer to have a separate pair of prescription sunglasses.
If you drive a lot, you should probably buy a pair of clear glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses, because temporary lenses won’t darken in a car since the windshield blocks ultraviolet rays. This means you may have trouble seeing in bright driving conditions. Also, prescription sunglasses tend to be darker and will protect the delicate eye tissues from sunburn, keeping them healthy in the long run.