Finding the perfect prescription glasses can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. With so many options available, such as tortoise shell glasses and polycarbonate lenses, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. When finding the perfect pair of glasses for you and your lifestyle, here are a few steps that you should take:
1. Get an Eye Exam
The eye doctor may take measurements of your eyes, including pupillary distance (PD). Knowing these measurements can help you receive glasses that fit perfectly and provide you with clear vision. Get a current prescription because your eyesight can change over time. An outdated prescription may not provide you with the clear vision you require.
2. Determine Your Frame Style
The shape and size of the frames should flatter your face shape and match up with your style. There are a variety of shapes and colors available on the market. Try on different pairs until you find one that fits perfectly and looks great on you. Here are a few different styles to choose from:
Full-rim Frames
Full-rim frames are made from a single piece of plastic, metal, or titanium. These materials are wrapped around the entire lens area providing maximum coverage and protection from dust, dirt, and other elements. Full-rim frames may be the right choice if you prefer a bolder look or if you have an oval or round face shape.
Semi-rimless Frames
Semi-rimless frames are eyeglass frames with a rim only on the top part of the frame, while the bottom is left rimless. The lenses are held together by the top rim and small screws or nylon wire on the bottom. They can provide adequate protection while allowing more light to enter through the bottom portion of your lenses. They can be beneficial if you suffer from glare sensitivity.
Rimless Frames
Rimless frames are the most lightweight option among all three styles due to their lack of material surrounding the entire lens area. They offer minimal coverage but still provide adequate protection from dust, debris, and UV rays. Rimless frames come with adjustable nose pads. They fit comfortably on almost any face shape without compromising overall functionality.
Tortoise Shell Glasses
Tortoise shell frames are made from hand-cut acetate with steel hinges. These hinges can offer lasting durability and elegant frame construction to give a comfortable fit. Tortoise shell glasses not only boast classic appeal and timelessness but can also provide buyers with modern lens shapes. This can make them an ideal fashion accessory for every decade.
3. Select Your Lens Material
Depending on how much time you spend outdoors or driving at night, different types of lenses can protect against glare, reduce eye strain, or block out harmful UV rays from the sun. Before purchasing prescription lenses, talk with your optometrist about what type of lens material would suit your lifestyle best.
Glass
Glass lenses are made from tempered and coated optical-grade glass. They can offer excellent clarity, durability, scratch resistance, and UV protection. While they tend to be heavier than other lens materials, they are scratch-resistant.
Plastic
Plastic lenses offer great clarity and affordability compared to glass lenses. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear. They are not as scratch-resistant as glass or polycarbonate lenses. Plastic lenses lack the UV protection offered by other types of lens materials.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate lenses are lighter than traditional glass or plastic lenses, providing superior impact resistance. They can be perfect for those who lead an active lifestyle. They can be worn comfortably all day long without feeling too heavy on your face. These lenses tend to be more expensive than traditional plastic or glass frames. This is due to the superior quality materials and construction techniques used in their production process.
4. Consider Lens Enhancements
Lens enhancements like anti-reflective coating and blue-light filtering can benefit your vision and overall eye health.
Anti-reflective Coating
An anti-reflective (AR) coating can eliminate reflections from both the front and back surfaces of the lenses, instantly improving clarity and visual comfort. Glasses with anti-reflective coating may enable you to see more clearly, especially while using digital devices or driving at night. They can reduce the glare caused by headlights and streetlights.
Blue-light Filtering
Blue-light filtering lenses can prevent a portion of blue light emitted by digital devices from reaching your eyes. By incorporating this lens enhancement, users can reduce digital eye strain and sleep disturbances.
Get Tortoise Shell Glasses Today
Finding the right prescription glasses may seem overwhelming initially, but following the aforementioned steps can make the process more manageable. Find a reputable retailer to get the perfect tortoise shell glasses for your needs and preferences.
