Prescription eyeglasses aren’t just a way to correct your vision. They’re also an extension of your style and an opportunity to express yourself.
Many people use face shape as a first step in determining which styles of frames might look good on them. For example, if you have a heart-shaped face that’s wider at the top, you may want to balance that out with frames that draw attention downward.
At the end of the day, however, there are no rules for choosing eyeglass frames. So long as your prescription lenses are compatible with those frames, you can enjoy clearer vision. Ideally, though, you’ll also want glasses that reflect your sense of fashion and style.
What’s Your Face Shape?
If you want an accurate read of your face shape, use a tape measure to determine the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. Then, measure the length of your face from hairline to chin.
You can also look at diagrams and descriptions like these, which categorize common face shapes and their defining features:
- Round: Similar face length and face width, with a soft, curvy hairline and jawline
- Square: Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline share a similar width; an overall boxy appearance
- Oval: A face longer than it is wide, with a narrower forehead than cheekbones and softer curves than a square face
- Triangular: Wide forehead, wide and high cheekbones, and a narrow jaw that comes to a narrow and pointed chin
- Heart-Shaped: Wide forehead and cheekbones, a pointed chin, and often distinguished by a widow’s peak hairline
- Rectangular: A longer than wide face, with equal width from forehead to jawline
- Diamond: Similar to an oval-shaped face, but with high cheekbones and a narrower, more pointed chin
Glasses & Face Shapes
Balancing facial features and the shape of eyeglass frames is a classic approach to matching glasses and face shapes:
- Round: Try square or rectangular frames with straight, angular lines to balance out the natural curves of your face
- Square or rectangular: Go with rounder frames that balance out the naturally bold lines of your face
- Oval: Many styles of frames can work with oval-shaped faces, but perhaps avoid oversized frames
- Triangular or heart-shaped: Consider frame shapes that are slightly wider on the bottom, and avoid frames with heavy designs on the tops
- Diamond: Try cat-eye glasses and wider lenses, but avoid narrower lenses as they may make your face look more narrow
It’s Up to You
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing eyeglass frames. As long as your frames are compatible with the lenses you’ve been prescribed, you’ll be able to enjoy clearer vision.
Don’t forget to consider colors, styles, and brands. Some people enjoy a bold, sporty, or modern look, while others prefer a simple, elegant, and classic style.
Aim for comfort. If you’re expecting to wear your glasses all day, make sure they fit properly. Your eye care team should take careful measurements of your eyes and make custom adjustments to your frames.
Eyeglasses: Other Things to Know
Eyeglasses are a simple and convenient way to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and age-related farsightedness (presbyopia). They can also be used to correct astigmatism. Types of eyeglasses include:
- Single-vision: This type of lens corrects either close-up or distance vision. If you have myopia, you’ll be prescribed a single-vision lens for distance vision. If you have hyperopia, you’ll be prescribed a single-vision lens for seeing objects up close.
- Multifocal: This type of lens can correct both close-up and distance vision. Multifocals are suitable for people with multiple refractive errors at the same time, such as myopia and presbyopia. This category includes bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses.
- Reading glasses: These glasses are designed for people with presbyopia who need help seeing things up close. You can buy them without a prescription at a pharmacy, but it’s better to get an accurate prescription from an optometrist first.
Caring for Your Glasses
Clean your eyeglasses regularly. Unlike contact lenses, eyeglasses don’t require complex maintenance. But they can still get dirty, causing blurry vision if left unclean. It’s also important to cleanse your frames, because germs can gather in the nooks and crannies.
Use water, a microfiber cloth, and a cleaning solution or dish soap to clean lenses. Rinse off the lenses with water if you use soap. Avoid using tissues, paper towels, or the bottom of your shirt to wipe your lenses, as these materials may scratch the lens. Use warm water to clean lenses and rubbing alcohol to clean nose pads, but never use acetone (nail polish remover).
Try Our Glasses Online
Eyeglasses aren’t just there to enhance your vision; they’re an extension of your unique style. If you’re in the market for a new pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses, take your time to explore your options.
For a wide variety of brands and styles, visit us at Eye Care Center of Colorado Springs. You can also explore our frames from the comfort of your own home by accessing our Virtual Frame Gallery. This digital tool allows you to virtually “try on” glasses using the camera on your device. If you’re not sure what prescription you need, visit us for an eye exam by booking an appointment today.
