Do you feel like you need a change? If you wear glasses, now may be the time to start thinking about buying your next pair.
But to have the best possible experience, it’s necessary to have a plan of attack. You want to make sure you get a pair that fits your face, suits your personality, and is still within your budget.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading for 7 tips before purchasing your next pair of glasses!
1. See Your Eye Doctor
Before you get bogged down trying to buy that perfect pair, the first thing you need to do is see your eye doctor. Scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor will ensure that you have the most recent and up-to-date version of your prescription.
You should expect to see your eye doctor annually if you wear glasses or contact lenses. Your ophthalmologist will ensure your eyes are healthy when you have your eyes checked.
During your eye exam, expect to have your visual acuity measured and your eye pressure. If you’re due for a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will also dilate your pupils to check for eye conditions.
After your eye exam is over, your eye doctor will give you a current prescription. Wherever you choose to buy glasses, your new prescription is a necessary component, so make sure not to lose it.
2. Determine Your Maximum Budget
If you need to buy new glasses, now that you have your new prescription, the next tip is to determine your maximum budget. Start by looking at your current frames.
Give them a good once over. What do you like about them? Are there features you wish you had on your glasses, like glare reduction?
Do you like the way your glasses feel when you wear them? If not, is there another material that you’d like to try with your new pair?
After thoroughly looking at your glasses, this will give you a better idea of what to look for in your next pair. Armed with this information, you can start doing a little research.
You can see how much glasses you like cost, which will help you come up with a number to stick to without going over your budget. After you have this, you can start shopping!
3. Pick Frames that Enhance Your Face Shape
When buying new glasses, the only way to know if a pair looks good on you is to try them. If it seems like some glasses look better on you than others, it’s usually due to your face shape.
Most people fall into a round, square, oval, or triangle face. If you can’t figure out your face’s shape, ask for help!
Any optical technician should be able to help you determine the shape of your face. Once you know what shape you fall into, it becomes much easier to pick a pair that suits you.
Do you have a rounder face? You may find that rectangular frames will help make your face look longer and more aesthetically pleasing.
Is your face more angular, like a square? Frames that soften your face are often the most flattering. Look for round frames while staying away from anything that will make your face look too angular.
Do you have an oval face? Oval faces are the most universal, meaning you can wear almost any frame and still look good. Although nearly everything will look great, the most flattering are symmetrical frames.
A proportional frame may have more structure, but it will help soften your face and balance its composition.
4. Consider Whether You Want Coatings on Your New Lenses
Besides making sure that your new glasses fit properly, you also need to consider coatings. Do you spend a lot of time working in front of the computer? You may want to invest in an anti-reflective coating that helps to reduce glare.
Do you like being physically active and participating in sports like skiing, biking, or running? If you spend a lot of time outside, you may want to think about if you want an anti-scratch coating.
With this coating, your lenses will be less likely to get scratched, no matter what you’re doing. In the long fun, choosing an anti-scratch coating can help improve the longevity of your glasses.
There are many other kinds of coatings available, so make sure to discuss your options when looking at a new pair of glasses.
5. Are You Interested in Transition Lenses?
UV protection is an essential part of keeping your eyes safe. For some people, transition lenses are more straightforward than dealing with sunglasses.
Transitions (known as photochromic lenses) darken whenever you’re in sunlight. Once you come back inside, your transitions lighten and shift to accommodate depending on your environment.
You can have photochromic lenses on almost any lens material, like bifocals, progressives, and high-index lenses. With this versatility, your eyes will always be protected when you’re wearing transition lenses.
6. Do You Want Prescription Sunglasses?
If transition lenses aren’t something you’re interested in, you may want to buy prescription sunglasses instead. Prescription sunglasses can be incredibly useful, especially if you need to wear sunglasses and aren’t wearing contact lenses.
Instead of squinting because you can’t see, your prescription sunglasses follow the same prescription as your eyeglasses. Choosing prescription sunglasses is an excellent way to ensure that your eyes feel good.
If you’ve ever worn sunglasses over your regular glasses, you know how jarring this can be. Wearing two pairs of eyewear can give you headaches, and it won’t provide you with an accurate way of seeing. Prescription sunglasses can add both protection and comfort to any activity.
7. Will You Need a Spare Pair of Glasses?
If you’re already purchasing one new pair of glasses, it’s an ideal time to pick up a spare pair. Having two pairs of glasses instead of one is like an insurance policy if anything goes wrong.
If you lose, break, or scratch your glasses, having a backup is the best way to ensure that you will always be able to see. Buying a second pair of glasses is also recommended if you want more than one choice.
Having several pairs of glasses means more options for those who like to be more fashionable! Make sure your second pair is not a carbon copy so you can mix things up a little. Even your eyewear allows you to show off your personality!
Are you looking for information about keeping your eyes happy and healthy? Schedule an appointment at Bausch Eye Associates in Allentown, PA, today!
