How to Find Eyeglasses That Fit

When shopping for new glasses, you should look for three specific things to make sure your frames fit correctly. Quality is valuable but comfort and fit are key when picking out new glasses. Frames are made from plastic or metal material or a combination of both. Whatever frame material you choose, you should select the right frame width, temples and bridge for the best possible fit for your eyeglasses.

Instructions

• 1

  Find a frame that is wide enough across the chassis, or frame front. A frame that is too narrow will pinch the sides of your head. Put the frame on, look in a mirror and notice where your eyes are located in relationship to the edges of the frame. A good rule of thumb is to try to have your eyes evenly centered in the lenses. If the frame is too wide, you will appear "cross-eyed" because your eyes will be too close to the middle. If the frame is too narrow, your eyes will be too close to the outside edge of the frame.

• 2

  Check the fit of the bridge, the part of the frame that separates the lenses and rests on your nose. On a plastic frame, the bridge is either shaped like a "U," called a saddle bridge or a keyhole. A good-fitting saddle bridge rests on the sides and top of the nose evenly. A keyhole bridge sits just on the sides of the nose. Metal frames may have a solid bridge that is u-shaped or adjustable nose pads, which are more common. The latter style is desirable for difficult frame fits because you can adjust and re-shape adjustable nose pads when necessary.

• 3

  Order temples, the part that rests on your ears, so they are plenty long enough. Temples are measured in millimeters and average between 135 and 150 mm. Temples are designed to bend at the back of the top of the ear and curve down to the bottom of the ear, behind the lobe. The curve should gently follow the back of the ear but not press into the mastoid, a very sensitive point on the skull behind the ear.