Frame Styles:

Full frame-there is a frame all the way around the lens.

Semi-rimless-there is a nylon cord or fishing line somewhere (usually the bottom) of the frame.

Rimless-there is NO frame around the lenses. These lenses usually have drill holes with screws or posts to keep the lens fastened in place.

Frame Materials: Different materials will impact performance, durability and comfort of your eyewear.

Plastic: Is a great option if you like color! It’s very cost effective and lightweight. There are drawbacks too. Plastic frames are easier to break, they can burn, aging and/or exposure to sunlight decreases their strength, and the color can fade. Plastic frames also tend to slide down an oily nose.

Metal: Metal frames are the most widely used material in the manufacture of frames. They are corrosion resistant, but for some people, they can react with their skin chemistry.

Titanium: Titanium is lightweight, durable, strong, corrosion resistant AND hypoallergenic.

Stainless Steel: is an alternative to titanium. It’s lightweight, strong and nickel free which makes it hypoallergenic as well.

Flexon: Flexon is a titanium based alloy. It is also commonly refered to as “memory metal” because they will come back into shape even after twisting and bending. Flexon frames are lightweight, corrosion resistant, and hypoallergenic.

Color and Shape: Most people hate to select eyeglasses, because they don’t know what looks good. If you follow these guidelines it will save you a lot of time and aggravation…unless you WANT to try on every pair in the store!! First, you should determine your face shape because your eyewear should contrast with your face shape and be in the same scale as your face size (eyes should be in center of lens), additionally you want the eyewear to compliment your best feature (such as a blue frame to match blue eyes).

There are seven basic face shapes:

Round: To make a round face appear slimmer and longer, choose rectangular eyeglasses to make the face appear longer, and select a light colored bridge to widen the eyes.

Oval: Most all glasses will look good, just look for glasses that are as wide as or wider than the broadest part of the face.

Oblong: To make an oblong face appear shorter, try frames that have more depth than width.

Base-down triangle: this face is wider at the cheek and chin area. You’ll want to try frames heavily accented with color or deatailing on the top half or cat eye shapes.

Base up triangle: This face has a wider forehead and eye area. You’ll want to select a frame that’s wider at the bottom and very light in color. A rimless frame works very nice.

Diamond: This is the rarest of face shapes!! You’ll want to select eyewear that is decorative at the top or rimless.

Square: To soften the angles select frame styles that have more width than depth such as an oval or more rounded frame.

In short, select a frame shape that is opposite your face shape. Don’t worry too much about this, we will assist you!!

Selecting Color: Most people don’t know their skin undertone. Knowing and understanding your skin tone will help you find flattering colors that work with your coloring and enhance your natural beauty. The easiest way to determine your undertone is to look at your veins on the inside of your wrist in natural sunlight. If they appear blue, then you have a “cool” skin tone. If they appear green, then you have a “warm” skin tone. Once you’ve determined your undertone, select eyewear that compliments that color. Examples for warm undertones are carmels, golds, coppers, reds…all “warm” colors. Examples for “cool” undertones are pinks, blue grays, purples and greens. Don’t worry about this too much, we will assist you in the selection process!

Specialty Eyewear:

These are glasses designed for a specific task in mind to optimize your vision. It’s very rare that one pair of eyeglasses will work in all situations, so we’ve listed a few suggestions for you to consider.

Computer Glasses: If you spend a lot of time at a computer, you’ve probably experienced some eye fatigue because your eyes stay focused at a specific distance for long periods of time. Computer glasses are designed for intermediate(25-35”) and near(16-18”) distances. This will give you the best correction for these distances and avoid eye strain.

Occupational Glasses: Pilots, mechanics and electritians are good examples of people who may be interested in an occupational lens because a lot of the work they perform is above them. An occupational lens has two “segs” (refer to Bifocal above) one at the top of the lens and another at the bottom of the lens and is sometimes referred to as a “double D” lens.

Hobbies: Do you enjoy cross-stitching, jewelry making, crafts, or reading for long periods of time? You may want to consider a pair of reading glasses. Yes, you can pick up a pair of “readers” at most drugstores, but more than likely your eyes have a different prescription, so it’s better to have them custom made for optimum comfort and vision.

Safety Glasses: These glasses protect your eyes when you’re working around flying debris or power tools. These glasses must be made with an impact resistant lens for maximum protection. Safety frames are stronger than the typical dress eyewear.

Sports Glasses: These glasses also protect your eyes while you enjoy your favorite sport. The lenses must be made with an impact resistant lens for maximum protection. The type of sport may determine the color of the lens and are a must have for the athlete. No matter the sport you participate in, sports glasses should be worn!! The lenses and frames are stronger than regular dress eyewear and are meant to protect your most valuable feature!!