

"Shifting over to a plastic lens usually creates a lens that's lighter," Dr. Think about prescription and lens thickness: Stronger prescriptions typically require a thicker and sometimes more reflective lens, depending on what special coatings are available. The tradeoff here is they come with "more focal weight" on the sides of the nose, he adds, which some people find uncomfortable. Iwach says, allowing for a more customized fit. "Plastic is lighter, but also tends not to be quite as strong." That means, for example, plastic frames may be less ideal for those with labor-intensive work environments but could hold up just fine at desk jobs.ĭecide on nose pads: The up-side to nose pads (which typically come with metal frames), is that "you can very gently adjust the positioning," Dr. And there are pros and cons to each one.Ĭonsider Frame material: "Metal frames tend to be stronger and, depending on the particular metal, they can be quite flexible," explains Dr. "Personal taste is a big factor in how people choose frames, but there are other things that should be considered," says Andrew Iwach, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. To make the shopping experience a bit easier, we tapped an ophthalmologist for expert input on buying the best eyeglasses frames for your needs. Plus, you have to think about what frame type best suits your lifestyle. Trying them on in-store and comparing styles is tricky because obviously, it's difficult to see without a prescription. If you're near- or far- sighted, you know that choosing the best eyeglasses frames can feel impossible.
