Eyeglasses: Top 10 Tips for Buying Eyewear

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Prescription eyeglasses serve two important functions: Primarily, of course, they help you see better; but your eyeglass frames and lenses also influence your appearance.

To get the most out of your eyewear and to look your best — whether you are shopping for designer eyeglasses or safety glasses — here are important tips to consider:

  1. Make sure your prescription is up-to-date. Schedule an eye exam and have your eyeglasses prescription updated to make sure you will see as clearly as possible with your new glasses. Your eye doctor will also check for eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma that could affect your vision.
  2. Know your options in thinner, lighter lenses. High index lenses are noticeably thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses for a slimmer profile and greater wearing comfort. These thinner, lighter lenses are especially beneficial if you have a high amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness, which makes regular plastic lenses thick and bulky.
  3. Choose impact-resistant lenses for special applications. If you are shopping for children's eyewear or prescription safety glasses, be sure to choose polycarbonate lenses. These lightweight lenses are up to ten times more resistant to shattering than regular glass or plastic lenses for added safety.
  4. Don't forget about lens coatings. Anti-reflective coating eliminates lens reflections that cause glare. It also makes you eyeglass lenses look nearly invisible for better eye contact. Scratch-resistant coating makes your lenses more durable.
  5. Respect the sun. Choose lenses that block 100 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays that can damage your eyes. Most high index lenses have built-in UV protection. Photochromic lenses provide 100 percent UV protection and also darken automatically in sunlight to increase comfort and reduce glare.
  6. Buy sunglasses, too. Prescription sunglasses are a must when you spend a lot of time outdoors. Again, make sure the lenses provide 100 percent UV protection. To reduce intense glare from light reflecting off water, sand and snow, consider polarized sunglasses.
  7. Choose eyeglass frames that complement your face shape. A professional optician can analyze your face shape, size and coloring and help you choose eyeglasses frames that best complement your appearance.
  8. Multifocal lenses. Are you over age 40 and need bifocals? Consider line-free progressive lenses as an alternative to lined bifocal lenses for a more youthful look.
  9. Reading glasses. If you have a bifocal prescription, consider purchasing a separate pair of customized reading glasses or computer glasses. These special purpose glasses give you a wider field of view for sustained reading or computer use than multifocal lenses for greater comfort.
  10. Buy from someone you trust. Quality prescription eyewear is a significant investment. While you may be tempted to purchase eyeglasses online for "a better deal," you typically will be more satisfied with your eyewear purchase if you buy in person. A knowledgeable optician can help you select the lenses that best meet your visual needs and frames that are the proper size, shape and color to fit comfortably and complement your appearance.

For more information about eyewear and eye care, visit AllAboutVision.com.