Buying new glasses can be overwhelming. Although your optometrist will handle the prescription, the style is entirely up to you. Should you go minimal or bold? Colorful or neutral? Trendy or classic? Trust your instincts to find the right pair of frames – and remember you can always invest in multiple pairs in order to switch up your style on a day-to-day basis. Although we can’t help you select the frame style in this article, we can help you understand some basic guidelines regarding the size and shape of eyeglass frames. How should glasses fit? Scroll down to find out.
How Should Glasses Fit?
Your glasses should feel comfortable, work with your prescription, and look good to you. If that’s the case, then they’re probably a perfect fit. But the following guidelines can help ensure that your glasses fit your face properly. Sometimes the wrong fit can lead to vision issues, eye strain, headaches, or even nausea.
First, keep in mind that although these guidelines are helpful, they can’t replace an expert consultation. Visit your optician so that a professional can review your prescription, face shape, and face size to find the perfect frames for you. By measuring your face, the optician can determine the ideal lens width, bridge width, and temple length. Measured in millimeters, these measurements are found on the inside of every frame. Let’s review them:
- Lens width is the horizontal width of each lens at its widest point, typically ranging from 40mm to 60mm.
- Bridge width is the distance between the lenses; the bridge is the bar in the center of the frames that connects the two lenses. Bridge widths typically range from 14mm to 23mm.
- Temple length is the length of each arm, measured from the hinge. It can range from 120mm to 150mm.
Knowing these measurements will help you quickly assess whether a pair of glasses will work for you or not. Your optician will also check your pupillary distance (PD), which is the distance between your pupils in millimeters. This number is important because when you look straight ahead, each pupil should be in the optical center of the lens. If it’s not, your glasses won’t fit or function properly.
Beyond all the measurements, you can also assess how your glasses look and feel on your face. The following tips may prove helpful:
- Horizontally, each eye should be centered in the lens. This will ensure optimal vision.
- The frames should extend the width of your face, reaching just beyond your cheekbones. The endpieces should match the widest part of your face at your temples (just in front of your ears).
- The frames should rest comfortably on your nose. They shouldn’t slip or leave red marks on your nose. If you feel the need to fuss with them, they’re probably not a good fit for you.
- They shouldn’t rest on your cheeks when you smile. Don’t let your glasses interfere with your gorgeous smile!
- They should feel secure resting on your ears. They shouldn’t pinch or feel uncomfortable. When you look down and shake your head, they should stay in place. If they’re the right length but they pinch, an optician may be able to adjust them for you.
- The frames shouldn’t extend higher than your eyebrows. They also shouldn’t cover the entirety of your eyebrows.
Finally, keep in mind that sometimes it takes a little time to get used to new glasses.
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Do you need new glasses? If you live in southwest Missouri, contact Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an email to [email protected], or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!