Choosing eyeglasses to correct your vision can seem complicated and time-consuming. That’s why many people put off buying or replacing old ones. We’ve compiled the most important information on choosing eyeglasses for vision correction, so you don’t have to put off consulting with a master optician any longer.

Step 1: Get a prescription for eyeglasses

A prescription from an ophthalmologist is the basis from which you should start selecting glasses. It states in Latin letters the characteristic of the right and left eye, as well as the problem that needs to be corrected.

Before choosing glasses, get a prescription from an ophthalmologist

Although the prescription has no expiration date, ophthalmologists advise you to get a checkup every six months. This is to make sure that the characteristics have not changed in 6 months or, on the contrary, to notice changes in time.

Step 2: Selection of frames for eyeglasses

The choice of frames affects not only the appearance of glasses, but also the comfort of wearing them.

Frame material

Metal. In recent times, it is not so often chosen. But unlike plastic, metal is more flexible, it is easier to adjust to the shape of the face. Also metal frames are more wear-resistant, they do not break when bumped, scratches are not noticeable on them.
Plastic. The main plus of such frames is lightness, which helps to get used to glasses faster. This material is used most often, so on the market of plastic frames there is a large selection of different shapes, as well as colors.
Important!

Plastic of poor quality can dry out, crack and break. It is not difficult to distinguish quality material:

A good frame does not show signs of molding or grinding, as well as roughness.
Screws do not unscrew themselves. They are firmly fixed in the frame and coated with a special composition.
High-quality material does not cause allergies.

Type of frame

The choice of frames depends on the dioptrics. If the optical power should be too large, the lens can be very thick. This thickness looks better in a rimmed frame.

The size of the frame

This characteristic affects the comfort and the quality of vision correction. If the glasses are large, they may constantly fall down and slip off. Small glasses will press on the bridge of the nose and on the ears and will leave marks. This is especially uncomfortable and even painful if the glasses need to be worn all the time

Design

Color. You can be guided by the color of your eyes and skin color and choose a matching or, conversely, contrasting shade. For example, green eyes are brighter on the background of green shades, or orange and cherry tones. For swarthy skin are suitable warm shades, for pale skin – cold.

Style. Think about your closet. What things you wear more often: business or more free. Glasses are not only a method of vision correction, but also an accessory. For business style, go for thin or rimless frames. You can also choose frames of calm colors: blue, black, beige, brown. For a bright image, the same bright glasses with unusual decorative elements are suitable.

Brand

When choosing glasses, it is better to focus on functional characteristics. But if you want to buy a branded frame, look at the collections of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Caroline Abram, Cartier, Chopard. These brands often create new models and focus on the latest trends.

Step 3: Lens selection

Refraction

Refraction determines the thickness of the lens

The thickness of the lens depends on this index. The higher the index, the thinner it will be. Currently, the index of refraction is from 1, 5 to 1, 74.

By increasing the refractive index, even lenses with a high or low refractive index can be inserted into glasses with frames with incomplete or no rim.

Material

Lenses are made of glass or polymer. Glass does not scratch and scuff as quickly, but at the same time it is much heavier than polymer. This is especially noticeable in lenses with a high diopter value. Also polymer is a more durable material and does not break when dropped.

Shape

Spherical. Standard form, in which the surface of the glass smoothly curves into a sphere without sharp transitions. This form is suitable for minor nearsightedness, farsightedness, as well as other not pronounced vision problems.
Aspherical. Lenses of this form are divided into several surfaces, one of which is not spherical, but more straight. Closer to the edges are curved. This shape provides good vision in the center (when the gaze is directed forward), as well as at the edges (when using peripheral vision). In standard shaped lenses, at high dioptre values, the difference between center or peripheral vision is very noticeable. In aspherical lenses, this difference is smoothed out.