A Simple Guide to Choosing Prescription Glasses

With an expansive range of shapes, colours, materials and styles available online, shopping for prescription glasses can be somewhat overwhelming. However, with a simple guide at hand, it can be a breeze to find the perfect pair for yourself without even visiting a store or paying the big store prices. Before buying eyewear online, several factors should be considered, including up-to-date prescription, budget, face shape, personal style, suitable lenses, proper fit and more.   

Whether you’re buying prescription glasses online for the first time or have bought before, this guide will truly help you get your hands on a perfect pair.  

Ensure your prescription is up to date

Before exploring glasses online, it’s necessary to have an updated prescription from your optician. A prescription should include all the basic details, such as the patient’s and optician’s names, the date and the sphere (power) for both eyes. Those with astigmatism should also have cylinder and axis values mentioned on their prescription. In case of presbyopia, the prescription should have ADD values. Feel Good Contacts is a renowned online eyewear retailer that lets you enter your prescription manually, upload it or send it later via email.

Choose the frame as per your face shape

Face shape plays a crucial role in selecting the right pair of glasses that enhances natural facial features rather than overpowering them. For those with a round face shape, angular frames, such as square and wayfarer, are recommended to add definition to their face. On the other hand, individuals with square faces are advised to go for oval or round frames to soften their features. Oval face shapes are best complemented by cat eye and rectangular glasses, whereas the best bet for those with heart-shaped faces is thinner frames with a round or cat eye shape.    

Be mindful of frame size and fitting

Prescription glasses that are too tight or too loose can be overly uncomfortable to wear throughout the day and affect the wearer’s vision. Always pay heed to the measurements, such as lens width, temple length and bridge width, before choosing the frames. If you already have a comfortable pair, check the inside of the temples for accurate measurements and use them as a reference when shopping for new frames online.  

Select the right material

The frame material plays a significant role in ensuring the durability, comfort and style. While acetate frames are flexible, durable, and come in many colours and patterns, metal frames are lightweight, sleek and usually adjustable, offering a better fit. When it comes to titanium frames, they are hypoallergenic, corrosion-resistant and feather-light. Eco-friendly glasses, on the other hand, are made from sustainable materials and are not only stylish but also help promote an environmentally friendly cause.  

Choose lenses and coating carefully

There are various lens types and coatings available to suit different lifestyles and vision needs. While single-vision lenses correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, varifocal lenses are designed to correct vision at multiple distances (close, far and intermediate). Lenses with a blue-light filter help reduce digital eye strain, while the anti-reflection coating helps reduce glare and halos from reflective surfaces. It’s crucial to select lenses and coatings that cater to your specific vision and daily needs.  

There’s no doubt that buying prescription glasses online is extremely convenient. However, one should consider the aforementioned factors before purchasing a pair to shop with confidence and meet their lifestyle and visual needs.