How to choose the best eyeglasses?
First, what makes the best eyeglasses?
Perhaps it’s the finest quality frame finishing and details? Possibly the most flattering fit? Potentially the clearest lenses?
Let’s think of it like this: Is your car of choice a Mercedes or a Honda? Would your prefer to tell the time on a Rolex or a Timex? Both are cars. Both are watches. But a very different end product. How do you know if you are buying H&M, or Hermes, in terms of actual build quality? This article aims to enlighten with an outline of how the best eyeglass luxury brands share certain traits.
Best Eyeglass Frames
The following are several helpful tips when looking for well-made frames.
Impeccable Finish Quality
Luxury eyeglasses are similar to high-end jewelry. It is the hand finishing accuracy of build that brings the superiority of the product up to a level that is noticed by the well informed. Additionally, this cultured finish further enhances a sophisticated level of comfort. Discover where the frames were made – Japan, Italy, & Germany are known to be the best. Look for construction qualities such as smooth transitions from temple to frame front, and finely finished areas around the hinges. The surface quality of the acetate should be consistent and free from waves, pits or unsightly grooves.
Genuine Rivet Hinges
The hinge is the only moving part in a pair of eyeglasses. Investing wisely in a well-crafted frame with high quality hinges will prolong the life of your frames; hence guarantee longevity. Look for real rivets versus coarse faux versions. Customized hinges will ensure further elegance. If the temple is over a few millimeters wide, look for 5 – 7 barrel hinges. Barrels are the little circlets that the screw goes through. The more ‘barrels’, the stronger the hinge, thus the more stability provided over longer periods of time
Attention to Detail
When considering luxury eyeglass frame details, customization and accuracy is key. What separates good design from exceptional design is the attention focused on each detail of the frame. Frame details can be very functional; like the milled anti-slip grooves on a temple tip. Likewise, eyeglasses may encompass details that include a functional element and introduce intricate details–akin to the filigree found on a piece of jewelry or watch bezel. For instance, a customized coined wire core as part of the temple/arm.
Best Eyeglass Lenses for Your Rx
Crystal Clear Lenses
Clarity is king. Creating the perfect recipe for the clearest lenses should always start with the right ingredients. Proper lens materials are produced using the latest optical technology with coatings that cut more glare, scratches and smudges. Trivex is a newer material with multi-layer, longer lasting coatings such as digital lens surfacing, and should unquestionably be used over polycarbonate.
Lens construction technique is considered of equal importance. High Definition Digital aspheric lenses are consistently better than their conventional counterparts. For progressive lens wearers, we advise always using free form High Definition lens surfacing. Finally, never let an algorithm select your SEG height. Consistently ensure the measurements used are specific to how the frame fits your face. Guess work simply will not achieve the accuracy required.
How to Select the Proper Lens
There are 3 primary considerations when it comes to selecting your lenses, all of which are designed to work in conjunction.
Prescription Type
• Single vision lenses correct your sight for one focal length – for distance or reading (but not for both).
• Progressive lenses correct for distance, intermediate and reading, and are integrated all in one lens. These lenses are available in different configurations dependent upon your intended use – from everyday progressives to specific progressives such as an occupational or computer progressive.
• Bi-focal lenses correct for two focal lengths – distance and reading, and are recognized by a distinct line between the two focal lengths. While not as cosmetically appealing as progressive lenses, they provide a very quick transition from distance to near.
• Non-Prescription lenses do not have a prescription in the lens and are commonly used for cosmetic purposes.
Lens Material
• CR39 is a good quality basic lens material suitable for very light prescriptions; less than –/+ 2.00. These are not suitable for rimless or frame designs that expose the edge of the lens.
• Trivex is a very clear, light and shatter-resistant material that works with any frame design. Excellent for up to -/+ 3.00 prescriptions.
• 1.67 High Index material is significantly thinner and lighter than the materials listed above: perfect if you have a prescription between -/+ 3.50 to-/+ 6.50.
• 1.74 High Index material is excellent for -/+ 7.00 or stronger RX. This matter helps reduce lens edge thickness and weight.
• Polycarbonate is not recommended for use as an optical material. The clearer or thinner materials as described above are far superior to this matter, as proved by our mantra of friends don’t let friends wear polycarbonate!
Lens Options
• A high-grade, anti-reflective coating ‘stack’ is well worth the investment. In addition to anti-reflection properties, we recommend the addition of anti-scratch, smudge, and static substance to your lenses. Not all coatings are constructed with equal craftsmanship, so be sure to ask questions. It is worth noting that a good coating will come with a warranty.
• Transition lenses are a good functional option if you spend time indoors and outdoors and don’t want to constantly swap your glasses for sunglasses.
• Polarized lenses are essential for cutting down glare in bright conditions: particularly near water, snow and many road surfaces.
It is worth noting that prescription type, lens material, and lens options can be combined into one lens, dependent upon their intended use.
Best Eyeglass Fit
Avoid the Common Pitfalls
Frame sizing can be extremely confusing, but our expert opticians are here to help you. Let’s start by clarifying 3 common issues and help create your path to the perfect fit.
#1: ARE YOUR EYES MUCH CLOSER TO THE CENTER (BRIDGE) OF THE FRAME THAN THE SIDES OF THE FRAME?
Optician Tip:
This can make your eyes look narrow set and result in thick lens edges. Look for a smaller frame that centers your eyes.
#2: ARE YOUR EYES IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE LENSES WHEN YOU PUT THE FRAME ON?
Optician Tip:
Find a frame with a larger/wider nose bridge size, or adjustable nose-pads that can be widened to lower the frame.
#3: DO YOUR EYES SIT TOO HIGH IN THE FRAME, AS IF YOU ARE LOOKING OVER TOP OF THE FRAME? OR, DO THEY REST ON YOUR CHEEKS?
Optician Tip:
Look for a frame with a smaller/narrower nose bridge size, or lower nose bridge design. Alternatively, add custom adjustable nose-pads to help center your eyes.
To conclude, we hope you will now be able to see more clearly when considering the attributes of high quality eyeglass brands. It really is as transparent as that…