Options for Eye Glasses

When it's time for new eyeglasses, the array of choices can be overwhelming. There are decisions to make at every step along the way, and many patients find they don't understand what all the options really mean; however, if you take the time before an appointment to learn what all those terms represent, you'll feel more confident that your new glasses will be the best pair for you. You may even find that an extra or specialty pair isn't so difficult to order either.

Frame Selection

• Whether you are choosing your first pair or your 20th, picking glasses is often the biggest hurdle to overcome. Eyeglass frames may be plastic, metal or a combination of the two materials, such as a plastic front and metal temples stretching back over your ears. Another style of frame is rimless in which the temples are attached directly to the lens itself. The shape of the lens is usually round, oval or rectangular, and lens size varies from frame to frame. Colors range from the conservative black or tortoise-shell to bright purples and greens and may include multicolor patterns or two-tone looks. Some frames are basic in styling, while others carry high-end designer names. In most cases, the best frame is the one you like the most when you look in the mirror.

Special Frames

• If you are an active sports enthusiast, you might benefit from frames designed to withstand rough treatment better than most glasses. In this case, a good choice is a frame made of titanium, which is lightweight yet strong and flexible enough to handle a bump in the face during an intense basketball game. Spring hinges add to a frame's flexibility by allowing the temples to move outward past a 90-degree angle. Titanium is also a good option if you have sensitive skin and suffer from contact dermatitis, as is stainless steel.

Lens Types

• The most common types of lenses are the single-vision, bifocal and progressive styles. Single-vision lenses have just one prescription throughout the lens and are most often worn by children and younger adults. After the age of 40 years, many adults have more difficulty focusing at close range and need a bit of extra help for reading and other close tasks. At this point, you can choose a bifocal lens, which offers two prescriptions in one pair of glasses. The top part is for distance and the lower half is for near vision, with a distinct and obvious line separating the two portions. Another option is the progressive lens, which still provides for distance and near vision, but the progression from one to the other is gradual, allowing you to see everything in between.

Lens Features

• After you've selected your frame and lens type, there are still several decisions to make. One is the lens material, with choices of basic plastic or polycarbonate, which is lighter in weight plus impact and scratch resistant. Either of these materials can be enhanced by the addition of one or more coatings, including anti-reflective, ultraviolet-blocking, anti-fog and, for basic plastic lenses, scratch-resistant.