In learning how to select eyeglass frames, there are steps that can be taken to avoid a sloppy purchase that results in poor fitting frames. For many people in the market for new frames, making a fashion statement can sometimes be as important to the consumer as quality of vision. However, it is important to remember that knowing how to select eyeglass frames is not strictly an enhancement of one’s beauty. Comfort also plays a vital role in determining whether or not a purchase is made.

If buying eyeglass frames for the first time, buying from an experienced optician you can trust is often a good place to start. Sometimes a sales representative may be more concerned with making a sale than actually finding the right pair of frames. Be sure that you feel comfortable with asking the sales person how to select eyeglass frames or else you may be stuck with a pair that fit horribly or mesh with the style you were looking for in the first place.

Remember, everyone’s face is shaped slightly differently than the next and sometimes face shape may change the shape of the frames you want to buy. There are a few tips that can be followed in looking for the perfect pair of frames. If you have plenty of facial hair, larger frames tend to mask certain features. Smaller cut frames may enhance a bearded look. Also, in knowing how to select eyeglass frames, try to avoid frames larger than your head. In other words, if you have a smaller shaped head smaller frames will not mask your features.

A few tips to consider in knowing how to select eyeglass frames is to make sure your eyes are comfortably positioned with the middle of the lens. Avoid large set frames if your eyes are set close together. When wearing the frames, your eyebrows should line up parallel with the top part of the frame of your glasses.

According to a Vision Council of America (VCA) survey, the most important reasons for purchasing specialty types of eyewear include:

* For a specific activity such as computer use, work, hobbies, sports or driving.
* The need to see better in general.
* Safety features that create an increased enjoyment of sports as well as protection from dust and glare.
* The wearer likes to be different and purchases them for cosmetic reasons.

Can you benefit from specialty eyewear? The descriptions below should help you to decide.

Computer Glasses

As people are spending more time in front of a computer, they are finding that their eyes are focused at a very specific range for long periods of time. Eyestrain and even muscle strains, due to adjusting your body to see better, can be avoided with the correct pair of glasses. Computer lenses are designed specifically for the distances associated with computer use: the intermediate and close-up zones. Computer-specific eyewear will give you the best correction for these distances, helping to avoid eyestrain.

Work and Hobbies

Some people find that their regular glasses are great for most of their day, but are not quite right for their job. For example, if you wear bifocals, you may find that you need to tip your head back all day long to use the reading portions in the bottom of the lenses, because what you’re reading is not in your lap. Instead of suffering neck discomfort to do this, you can get special glasses for work that have the reading segments placed higher up in the lenses. Read more about how special bifocals can help you with your job or hobbies such as golf.

For those whose hobbies include close-up work such as beading, needlepoint, crafting or anything requiring long periods of time working at very close distances, a separate pair of reading glasses may be helpful. If both your eyes need the same correction, then you can purchase a couple inexpensive pairs of readers almost anywhere: drugstores, bookstores, even craft stores. But if your eyes have different correction needs, which is very common, then you will want to order a custom pair of readers from your eyecare practitioner that is designed to meet the visual needs of each eye.

Safety glasses are a must for those who spend a lot of time working with power tools, as debris can fly into the eye and damage it.

Sports Eyewear

By changing the tint of a lens you can improve visual acuity on the tennis court, golf course or on the slopes. Sport-specific eyewear can enhance performance by improving visual clarity while protecting the eyes from injury. Within this category you’ll find both sunwear and eyewear with lenses made from impact-resistant polycarbonate.

Read more about tints and other features that enhance performance and protective eyewear for sports.

Driving Glasses

Driving glasses come in two different categories: sunglasses designed specifically for driving and prescription eyeglasses. In the sunglasses category, driving glasses will feature polarized lenses that reduce glare and make it easier to see. Studies have shown that glare can be a causative factor in automobile accidents, with drivers declaring that they couldn’t see the other car or a pedestrian because of the glare coming off of the road, or the sun shining in their eyes. Polarized lenses reduce glare and make it easier to see in any situation where there may be glare. Sunglasses tinted specifically for driving increase contrast and make it easier to see.

Prescription eyewear for driving will include your distance prescription and should have an anti-reflective coating. This special coating on your lenses will reduce the glare and starburst effect surrounding lights at night, making it easier to see. An anti-reflective coating has the added benefit of reducing reflections on the surface of the lens making your lenses virtually invisible, so people can see you better as well.

Safety Features

Many people buy specialty eyewear for increased eye safety. This eyewear can be in the form of safety glasses, sports goggles or shooting glasses. Safety eyewear is made of ultra-durable materials and provides more coverage than regular glasses, such as in the form of a wraparound design or top and side panels. You can also get other features like anti-fog styling or spring hinges.

Fun and Fashion

Maybe you want more than one pair of eyeglasses simply to match different outfits or moods. Part of the fun of this approach is trying on all different styles in the store, but you can narrow down your search by looking over our articles on matching eyeglasses to your personality and lifestyle and matching them to your face shape and coloring.

Buying Specialty Eyewear  go to Glasses shop

Your eyecare practitioner can help you choose the right lens and frame combinations for your special needs and activities.

Your glasses frames your face–so how do you wear your glasses? The most important thing is to choose the right glasses to wear. Read on to learn how to wear your glasses.Glasses don’t have to be a cross you bear, they can be a fun, new accessory for your to play around and have fun with. Don’t think glasses make you look like a geek, instead think that glasses make you look chic.

Step1

Know your face shape and colors that go well with your skin tone.Open up your face when you wear glasses. Glasses will cover your face quite a bit, and you should get a hairstyle that will keep your hair from falling in your face.

Step2

Purchase a style of frame that makes you look fabulous. If you have a funky side, go for fun chunky frames in dark blue or purple. If you don’t trust your own opinion, bring a trust worthy friend along to help you pick the right pair of glasses.There are hundreds of choices and brands of glasses. Choose glasses that frame your face and are within your budget.

Step3

Use your glasses to your advantage. Wear glasses to business meetings to give you an added aura of intellect and power. See if the glasses look best up at the top of your nose or on the edge of your nose. Ask your friend to take pictures of you wearing the glasses or to give an honest opinion of the way they look and how you’re wearing them.

Step4

Try various pairs. See if you need extra padding behind your ears or any special additions to make the glasses more comfortable.