Have you gone into a designer eyewear shop recently only to find that their selection is limited? Finding the perfect pair of glasses can be frustrating when you can’t find anything you like. However, shopping for eyewear online can be even easier than going to the store (especially thanks to a larger selection) as long as you know a few important things.
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1. Face Shape – Round, square, oval - these are basic shapes, but did you know you can also be a triangle? Knowing your specific silhouette is one of the keys to purchasing glasses online. Head over to our blog to check out the Frame Yourself series, where you can read about your shape, see photos of celebrities to compare yourself to, and find personalized recommendations.
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2. Size –You can find this by looking at an old pair of glasses, where the size is printed on the inner arm. It will have three sets of numbers (ex. 54-12-135), which correspond to measurements of the lens, the bridge, and the arms in millimeters.
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3. Frame Type Preference – If you want the librarian look, dark plastic glasses are more your style. We also have rimless eyewear for those who need corrective lenses but don’t want to drastically change their, as well as semi-rimless, bold, metal, and a number of other styles that help express your personality. Narrow down your preferred look(s) and choose which type of frame is most appropriate. Don’t be afraid to go for multiple styles either – you can rotate your glasses like you do clothes. The frame you choose says a lot about your personality and most likely, you have more than one side!
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4. Lens Type – What function are you looking for in a pair of designer glasses? You may want to try lenses with an anti-reflective (AR) treatment if you want to get rid of reflected light, or scratch-resistant coating if you’re prone to accidents. Choose the thickness you want as well: regular lenses work for just about everyone, while thinner polycarbonate lenses are a great choice for active people. The thinnest are High Index lenses, which are also the lightest.
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5. Your Prescription –Having your most recent prescription is a must. To order online, you must also know your pupillary distance (PD) measurement and your prescription type. The latter options include single vision, bifocals, trifocals, progressives, and reading. Your optometrist can provide all of this information for you.