The best part of getting a new glasses prescription is picking out your frames! With so many frame shapes, colours and materials on the market, the possibilities are virtually endless. However, few people know that you should also consider the type of prescription you have when choosing a new set of frames. Use our handy guide to choosing the right frames for your glasses prescription below.
Lower Prescriptions
Congrats! It’s always great to need only a slight amount of vision correction. If you’ve got a prescription with a total power of +2.00 to -2.00, feel free to choose any frame that fits your face in the optical shop. These mild prescriptions are highly adaptable and can be used with most styles and shapes. Wire or acetate, aviator or cat-eye — your only limitation is your personal taste and if they fit on your face!
High-Negative Prescriptions
These prescriptions are for people who have nearsightedness (trouble seeing things far away). To help focus eyes on faraway objects, these glasses have lenses that are thicker on the edges and thinner in the middle. On larger frames, this can make the lens visible from the sides of the frames, leading to the so-called “Coke bottle glasses” look. The solution? A shorter, narrower frame, such as one in a small round or oval shape — these will make the thick edges less prominent. Thicker acetate frames can also help disguise bulky lens edges better than thin wire or rimless versions.
High-Positive Prescriptions
Prescriptions with a high positive power are used for people who can see things clearly in the distance, but have difficulty with objects close to them (farsightedness). Lenses for high-positive prescriptions are thicker in the middle and thinner on the edges. This can cause magnification of the eye, resulting in a “bug-eyed” look. To minimize this, avoid oversized frames, which allow more space on the lens for that magnification. Go for a shorter, skinnier frame instead. You’ll also want to avoid rimless or semi-rimless styles, which can leave the thinner edges of your lenses susceptible to damage.
Progressive Prescriptions
Progressives are the modern-day version of bifocals, with the top of the lens used for seeing faraway objects, the middle for medium-distance vision and the bottom for seeing things close-up. Contrary to popular belief, most frame shapes will work just fine for progressive lenses. Just remember to pick a frame with an adequate lens area, since super-small frames won’t provide enough space for all of the different sections.
Prescriptions for Astigmatism
Astigmatism happens when your eye’s cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, resulting in blurred vision at both near and far distances. The type of astigmatism you have will determine which areas of your eyeglass lenses are thicker. In general, people with astigmatism should choose frames that are on the flatter side — wraparound or curved styles can distort vision in lenses for astigmatism. If you have a prescription with “cylinder” and “axis” values, you have astigmatism. In this case, it’s best to visit us at Carey Optical, where our frame stylist and optician can guide you on the best frames for your prescription.
Carey Optical’s wide selection of frames means that customers are sure to find a pair that works with their prescription and budget. Please drop by or call us at 519-832-5000 to make an appointment with our frame stylist.