5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Pair of Eyeglasses

Whether it is your first pair or your tenth, it can be overwhelming to choose eyeglasses. Most likely, you are going to have to wear them hundreds of times, so it is crucial that you opt for a pair that work for your prescription needs, as well as your style and lifestyle preferences.

To help you make the best choice, read on for the five things you need to consider when choosing a pair of eyeglasses.

1. Your prescription

When choosing a new pair of glasses, your first consideration must be your prescription, as this will affect the type of lenses you can get. After all, it’s the main reason you are getting the eyeglasses!

During your eye exam, your optician will inform you of your prescription, which you can then use when choosing lenses. Always follow the recommendation of your optician, as choosing another lens type can prompt additional issues with your vision.

Generally, most eyeglass frames will work for individuals who need single vision lenses. However, if you require bifocals or trifocals, you will probably need a deeper frame to ensure you have a large enough viewing area for all distances.

Furthermore, if you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, it is highly recommended that you opt for anti-reflective coating on your lenses as this helps to decrease glare while also limiting eye strain.

2. Your face shape and complexion

Now that you know what your prescription is and the types of lenses that you need, you can move on to consider your face shape. There are lots of different eyeglass shapes on the market to ensure that everyone can find a pair that works for them.

If you have a round face, you want to look for a pair that has rectangular or square frames, while avoiding round or small frames. On the other hand, for individuals with a square face shape, round or oval frames work best. Or, if you have a diamond face shape, then cat-eye frames will accentuate your natural features, while bottom-heavy frames look fantastic on heart-shaped faces.

3. Your complexion

In addition to considering your facial shape, it is also vital that you think about your complexion and the type of colors that complement it. This is more important than eye color and hair color. Warmer complexions (yellow, gold, or bronze hue) suit brown, gold, beige, olive green, and honey-colored glasses and should avoid pastels, white, and black frames.

If you have a cooler complexion (blue or pink undertones), you want to look for glasses that come in black, grey, silver, pink, purple, or blue. Just make sure to avoid any that wash out your complexion. That being said, make sure to try on a variety of glasses and take pictures to compare how they look. You may be surprised to know which ones look the best on you!

4. Your lifestyle

Not all glasses are made the same, which is why you need to consider your lifestyle before selecting a pair. Obviously, comfort should be one of the main priorities; otherwise, you may not find yourself wearing them very much.

If you are going to be wearing the glasses every day, then you certainly want to consider purchasing a pair of lightweight and rimless frames. Alternatively, if you are only going to be wearing the glasses occasionally, a heavier frame will be fine.

Many athletic individuals like to have an additional pair of sports glasses that provide them with the best comfort, performance, and safety during their activities. In this scenario, you want to look for a pair of wraparound glasses.

5. Your job

If you will be wearing your glasses to work, think about whether or not they will complement your office outfits and be suitable for a professional environment. For most people, it is beneficial to have a couple of pairs of glasses for the same reason that you have multiple pairs of shoes. Just as your sneakers won't work for every occasion, wearing the wrong style of glasses can be a comparable blunder.

For professional environments, it is best to stick with classic shapes (ovals and rectangles) and traditional colors (gold, silver, brown, gray, and black). On the other hand, if you work in a creative industry, you may want to choose a more modern shape and a more eye-catching color. Additionally, a retro or vintage frame can bring a unique look to any outfit.

Final thoughts

If you still have concerns about which eyeglasses are right for you, make sure to reach out to your optician as they will be able to walk you through all the options and help you choose the perfect pair. Additionally, it is recommended that you take a friend or family member with you when you are trying on frames so that they can give you a second opinion on how they look and fit.

What do you think are the most important considerations when choosing a pair of glasses?

Let us know your thoughts and any tips you have in the comments below!