Consider lifestyle when buying eyeglasses
Thomas Merrill owns four pairs of glasses: bifocals, back-up bifocals, sunglasses, and one just for playing the piano.
"For me, it was easier to just have one focal length so I could see the music and my hands," says Merrill, explaining why he chose a special pair just for his hobby. Playing the piano with his everyday bifocals forced him to move his head in uncomfortable ways.
As the manager of optical services at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Merrill knows his frames and lenses. His shop fits about 20 customers a day for new glasses -- from the near-sighted to those who have had serious injuries -- and serves many more for eyewear adjustments and other services.
Lifestyle is one thing to consider when shopping for glasses, he says. While your prescription will show how much correction your eyes need, it doesn't necessarily reflect why you use your glasses.
If, for instance, you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, Merrill might suggest "room distance" lenses, which are good for seeing a computer and around a office.
He recommends that when you have an eye exam you talk about how you use your glasses, before you visit the optician. "Bring it up if the doctor doesn't say it," he advises.
From there, Merrill says, the lenses are the foundation for any pair of eyeglasses. Most are made of plastic: While glass doesn't scratch as easily, it can be more dangerous if it shatters.
Merrill also recommends anti-reflective coating because reducing glare makes lenses look better and can improve vision. The Vision Council of America reports says an antireflective coating costs about $35.
Frames are made of various materials, including plastic and metal. Titanium and stainless steel are the lightest, Merrill says. Monel is a popular alloy, but it contains nickel, a problem for people with allergies. The trend has tilted toward smaller frames in recent years, says Merrill, who adds that rimless frames are popular.
Some people like to have glasses to match different outfits. In lieu of bifocals, some also prefer different sets for reading and seeing far away, although Merrill says that can be inconvenient. "The problem is they're never where you want them to be when you need them."
According to the Vision Council, more than 67.3 million pairs of eyeglasses were sold in the United States between July 2005 and June 2006. The average price for a pair of frames was about $117, and the average price for a pair of lenses was about $101.
The optical shop at Mass Eye and Ear carries a range of eyewear, including designer frames from Fendi and Calvin Klein. Glasses that fit well shouldn't be wider than the widest part of your face, Merrill says.
While some customers choose dark, chunky frames that make a strong statement, many want something less obvious. Merrill says people with heart-shaped faces tend to look better in oval frames, while rectangular lenses are a good choice for those with a wide forehead.
"There's no hard and fast rule," he says. "You want to find something that's going to blend well with the face."
