How to Choose Your Glasses

When you purchase a pair of glasses, the optometrist will give you the prescription telling you the strength of your eyes or your vision power.  I here introduce you four common terms that you may see on the prescription.

OD represents right eye while OS represents left eye. The prescription for the right eye always comes first.

Sphere power

The first number next to OD or OS is the sphere power. The sphere power tells you whether you are short-sighted or long-sighted and its measure.

Cylindrical power and Axis

The number next to sphere power is the cylindrical power which is the index for astigmatism. The number next to cylinder power is the axis which should be the place for cylindrical power.

Pupillary distance

Pupillary Distance (PD) indicates the distance between the two centers of the left and right eye. This measure helps ensure the centre of the lens and the center of your eyes aligns for your best vision.

Basically there are two types of lens including the single vision for distance or near correction or multi-focal one for astigmatism. You can find bifocal, trifocal or progressive style for astigmatism lenses. Normally, multi-focal lenses are much more expensive than the single vision one.

Lenses can be made of different materials and the most common ones are glass and plastic. Of course, if you have a heavy prescription you should choose some light ones like polycarbonate.

Coatings on the lenses also differ a lot. You can find coating for different purposes like scratch-resistant, ultra-violet rays filter and glare reduction. In Addition, you may find polarized lenses which become darken outdoors and lighten indoors. You may wish to consult your optician for more advices for your right choice of glasses.

Plastic frames are very stylish and durable. As you can notice plastic frames are usually thicker than the metal one, they can hide thick lenses better. If you are having say serious short sight, plastic frames can be good choices. Also, plastic frames are less adjustable compared to metal frame, if you have it adjusted at the very first time, it will fit you afterwards.

There are some drawbacks for plastic frames. One of them is there is usually no adjustable nose pad, therefore, the glasses easily slide down the nose. Also, Plastic frames usually do not have adjustable nose pads, making them more prone to sliding down the nose. Also, when plastic frame is broken, it is broken, unlike metal one which you may still repair it.

There are various lens shapes that fit metal frames but not plastic ones. Metal frame is very adjustable. There are usually nose pads for metal frames which prevent sliding of glasses.

Compared to plastic frames, metal frames are less stylish probably because they are less noticeable.

How do you know whether the glasses fit you? The right pair of glasses is just gently rest on your nose without too much pressure especially for the nose pad area. You eyes should be in the center of lenses. Frame is not too big (lenses) that your cheeks may hit the frame when you smile. You should feel comfortable with the temple arms around your ears. The temple arms should not be too tight or squeeze your head or ear. If the nose pads leave deep impressions on your nose or if it slides down, it is probably not suitable for you.

Depending on your face shape, certain type of glasses may suit your more than other types. For more common type of face shape like oval, round, square, oblong and heart shape, take a look at the following before your actually go the buy your pair!

Square face

Square face is those with angular jawline. Though glasses cannot help you cover up the angular jawline, it can help soften the jawline or at least not make it more obvious. For angular face, you should try oval, round or butterfly shape frame. Never try the geometric or square ones as they make you look even squarer. Also, try to avoid frames that with color accents at the bottom which put more emphasis on your lower part of face.

Oval face

Oval face is those with faces with length around one and a half times of the width and is well balanced. As the face is well balanced, you can carry almost all type of glasses like oval, round, geometric, square, etc. The only thing to notice is not to choose big ones!

Round face

Round face means your face length and face width is the same. As your face is round, you probably want it to look longer to be the shape of oval. Therefore, round or oval ones are definitely not your right choice. Try the rectangular or geometric ones. You may also wish to choose glasses with temple connecting at the top of the frame.

Oblong face

Oblong face is actually long face which with face length much longer than the face width. Unlike the round face, you want to shorten or widen the face to make it look more well-balanced. You should never try small and short frames. Try tall or board frames.

Heart shape

Heart shape face means you have board forehead, wide or high cheek and significantly narrow chin. You can try glasses that put more emphasis on the bottom to make the lower part of face more balanced. Try the frames with heavy bottom or with lo set temples.

Eye and Nose

Other than face shape, eye distance and nose length also affects your glasses look. For example, if your eyes are wider apart, chose a heavy color bridge one as it helps your eyes to look closer together. If you have eyes close to each other, you should on the other hand choose the clear bridges one.

For short nose, you should choose the short frame with bridge connecting at the top of the frame. For long nose, you should choose long frame with bridge connecting the bottom.

Glasses can be reagarded as a kind of fashion. What you put on you nose actually tells people what kind of people you are. To mix and match with your clothes, hairstyle is another thing to notice when you choose your glasses.