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How do I Choose the Best Prescription Eyewear?

B. Miller
B. Miller

When choosing prescription eyewear, you'll want to consider both the best lenses and the best frames for you. The lenses are most important for seeing clearly, and your eye doctor can help you pick out the right ones for you. You might benefit from an anti-reflective coating on the lenses to prevent glare, or you might want lenses that darken in sunlight so you do not have to get a pair of sunglasses as well.There are many different styles of frames available, including stylish plastic frames or rimless frames that blend more easily into the face.

Your doctor will be able to help you determine what types of lenses are best in your prescription eyewear. Progressive lenses, for instance, function similarly to bifocals but do not have noticeable lines. Lenses that darken in the sunlight can be a good choice for people who spend a lot of time outdoors and do not want to constantly switch glasses. Lenses with anti-glare or anti-reflective coating can be useful, especially for driving at night when glare can be a real problem.

A pair of prescription sunglasses.
A pair of prescription sunglasses.

Once you have chosen the lenses you want for your prescription eyewear, you will need to choose the frames. The frames you choose can make a strong impact on your look. Rimless frames tend to be light on the face, and not as noticeable as plastic frames or wire rimmed frames. Thicker frames can look very stylish too, however; they are available in many colors and designs, though black, brown, and tortoiseshell tend to be some of the most popular. Some also feature accessories or eye-catching designs on the sides of the frames.

If you frequently wear gold or silver jewelry, you might want to match the accents on the prescription eyewear to the jewelry. If you often wear gold earrings, you might want to choose frames that have gold accents so they look cohesive. If the accents on your glasses are different from the colors you normally wear, your eyewear may stand out or clash.

You should also choose frames that flatter and complement your face shape. Generally, frames that are the opposite of your face shape tend to look the best. For instance, if you have a very round face, square frames can look nice; conversely, cat's eye, oval, or round frames can look nice on a very square face. Oval frames tend to be fairly universally flattering.

It is best to try on a number of different samples for prescription eyewear before you find one that looks best. Some companies who sell prescription eyewear will offer you a brief period of time where you can exchange your frames if you don't like them.

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    • A pair of prescription sunglasses.
      By: Thorsten
      A pair of prescription sunglasses.