Helpful Tips When Buying Your Next Pair of Glasses

Did you get a new vision prescription, or are you in the mood to get new glasses? Finding new glasses can be a fun activity.

You can explore glasses made from different materials and try on different styles. However, if you haven’t liked your glasses in the past, you may need to ask better questions when shopping.

Keep reading to learn about five helpful tips for buying your next pair of glasses this fall.

Get Your Eyes Examined First

No matter where you’re buying your eyeglasses, you need to have an up to date prescription to ensure your best vision and eye health.

If you can’t remember the last time you even saw your eye doctor, it’s been too long, and you should book an appointment with them as soon as possible. Think of your eyes the same way you would your teeth or seeing your primary care physician.

You should see your eye doctor every year. This ensures that your prescription stays up to date, which comes in handy when you’re in the market for a new pair of frames. Your comprehensive eye exam checks more than just your prescription, however.

It ensures your eyes are healthy and that there are no underlying issues you may not have noticed. This is why we recommend that everyone has an annual eye exam, even if you don’t have a refractive error (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism).

Now, once you have an up to date prescription, the fun can begin!

Try on Different Types of Frames

To get an idea about the types of glasses you like on your face, you should try different styles. You need to decide between various materials, shapes, colors, lens types, and more.

Looking online and in stores will help you understand what is available and what you like. Also, remember that some websites let you “try on” frames virtually by uploading a picture of your face.

Decide on Your Budget

Knowing your budget helps determine a few things. Your price range defines the material of your glasses, how many pairs you get, and if you get extra coatings or not.

If you wear your glasses daily and can’t afford two pairs, then maybe you should get a more neutral-looking pair with extra protection. Neutral shapes and colors will go with any outfit, and the additional protection will help them last longer.

So before you start looking at glasses, decide how much you’re willing to spend. That way, you know what types of frames, lenses, and protective coatings you may want.

Find frames that suit your face shape and your personality

When buying new glasses, you’re looking for something that both looks good and suits your personality. The key is finding frames that flatter the shape of your face. It breaks down like this:

Round face:

If you have a round face, you’ll have a circular face with a rounded forehead. To flatter your rounder face, look for frames that are wider than they are tall.

You may find that a rectangular pair of glasses will look best since they add structure and make your face look longer instead of rounder.

Heart/diamond face:

With this shape, your face will have strong, broad cheekbones and a larger forehead that curves into a narrower chin. Look for glasses that have similar angles to your face.

A pair of glasses with round frames with a wider top than the bottom may be the most flattering.

Square face:

With a square face, your face will be more angular, especially around the face and jaw. Soften your angles with rounder frames and avoid anything that’s square or more angular.

Oval face:

If you have an oval face, you can wear almost any kind of frame with no problem at all. The most flattering might be a pair that are more symmetrical. They will have more structure but be softer and have a rounder bottom to balance them out.

There are other face shapes out there but these are the most common. If you don’t think your face fits into these, your best bet is to go and try glasses on in person. This will give you a better idea of what is and isn’t flattering.

Consider whether you want to have a spare pair of glasses

Glasses are great but you never know when you may need a spare pair. For this reason, you may want to consider buying a second pair.

If your budget only allows for one, that’s fine, but having a second pair is always a good idea! You may lose them temporarily, scratch them, sit on them, or forget them at work or home.

Having a second pair in case of an emergency (or something out of the ordinary happens) is just a good idea to follow if you can afford it. If you do decide you want a spare pair, why not make them a more fun pair?

Maybe this pair is a funky color or a different shape than your standard pair that you wear daily. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun with your glasses!

Decide if You Want Coatings or Glare Protection

If you use your glasses daily, you might want to think about getting special coatings in your lenses. Coatings can reduce glare and reflections and protect your eyes from blue light.

Special coatings can help make looking at a computer easier. Or they can reduce squinting in the sun.

Getting new glasses can be a fun experience, and it’s much easier when you know precisely what you want.

Whether you need a new pair of frames or an eye exam, the talented eye doctors at Goldeneye Optometry are here to help!

Sources:

1. EyeHealth Northwest, 5 Helpful Tips For Buying Your Next Pair of Glasses This Fall
2. Diagnostic Eye Center, 6 Helpful Tips When Buying Your Next Pair of Glasses