Spectacle Frame Selection Guide matching to Your Face

Spectacle Frame Material

Around 40% population is having refractive error globally which can be corrected by using glasses or contact lenses (if someone likes it). So we are discussing about glasses frame – which one is good for you or how to select a spectacle frame?

Eyeglasses frames are available in different styles, sizes, and materials. New material and technology have made the frames more comfortable and light-weighted.

Most population want a fancy frame and eyeglasses with a reasonable or low price as they know the fact that they need to change glasses every 6-12 months. Changing of glasses is purely dependent on your age and profession.

If you are under 20 years then your glasses number may change every 6-12 months. If you are between 20-38 years then you may need to change glasses 1-2 years. If you are falling in the age group 40 years or more then you need to change your glasses every year as you would need reading correction in your glasses. In the case of myopia, person need to use glasses only for distance and can remove glasses for near even after the age of 40 but in case of hypermetropia person need to change glasses every year (sometimes 8-9 months also) as their accommodation is going to be relaxed.

There are some more factors which we need to consider while selecting a frame ie. weight of the frame, the flexibility of frame, the strength of the frame, and corrosion-resistant. In today’s fashion time there are several types of frames available in the market: Plastic frame, metal frame, and rimless.

Plastic frames are very less expensive and the most popular choice. These frames come in a variety of colors and styles. Soft plastic frames are good for infants and small children and likely to hurt the child. Plastic frames are made up of Zyl (zylonite, acetate or cellulose acetate) or propionate, polycarbonate, nylon, polymide, optyl (epoxy resin) and carbon.

Plastic frames are further divided:

Cellulose acetate (Zylonite): most commonly used in frames and relatively inexpensive. This material is easily adjustable but becomes brittle with age. These frames are available with the name of ‘Zyl Frames’.

Cellulose acetate propionate: This material is light weighted and injected in a mould to form an intricate design. The person should be careful while heating and adjusting the frame. Overheating may unshaped the frame and would be difficult to fit the lenses.

Optyl: Optyl is almost the same weight as cellulose acetate. This material is hypoallergenic so the wearer will not have skin-allergy. Adjustment of the frame would be difficult as the material may go back its own shape and there is a possibility to increase the breakage of the frame.

Nylon: Nylon frames are flexible, lightweight, and unbreakable. Nylon frames are used for sports and safety applications. Nylon frames are typically made of gliamides, grilamid, or trogamid materials and are resistant to hot and cold temperatures. Popular wraparound styles are made with nylon material. Nylon frames are available only in dark colors. These frames are having difficulty during adjustment and over a period of time frames become brittle.

Metal frames are further divided:

Titanium: Titanium frames are flexible, light weight, strong and corrosion-resistant. These frames are hypoallergic in nature but good for people who are allergic to some metal such as Nickel. These frames come in trendy and fashionable range but they are expensive.

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel frames are stronger but not light weighted as the Titanium frame. It is less expensive and corrosion-resistant frames than other metal frames.

Aluminum: Aluminium frames are light weight, strong, flexible, and corrosion-resistant and provide excellent durability. Aluminum frames creates unique looks due to its high-end designs.

Beryllium: Beryllium is light weight, strong and flexible. It is a little less expensive and alternative to the titanium frame. It is a good choice for people who spend more time in or around salt water.

Monel: Monel is a mixture of one-third part of copper and two-third parts of nickel. This is a high yield alloy with which a variety of different shapes of frames can be made without losing strength but some people may get allergy with this metal. To protect the skin allergic reaction frames have a special coating.

Flexon: Flexon (an alloy of titanium) is a very flexible material as its name suggests. It is light weight, corrosion-resistant, and hypoallergic. Flexon frames that bend or twisted and comes to its original shape. These types of frames are a good choice for active kids.

Rimless frames:

Rimless or drilled frames are lightweight. Trivex or polycarbonate lenses work with these types of frames.

Unusual frames:

People who want a unique style of frame and want to spend money on it. Frames come with precious stones, gold plate, silver, leather, wood, and bone (buffalo horn).

There are ready and custom-made glasses:

Ready-made glasses: These glasses are one-size-fit for all and less expensive. These types of glasses can be purchased from an optical store easily. Readymade glasses are not available in bifocal or progressive lenses.

Custom-made glasses: Custom-made glasses are prescription glasses for individual eye and are made according to the prescription. Bifocal or Progressive lenses can be fit according to Interpupillary distance.

Select frame as per your prescription, lens shape, and size will help you to save money and prevent skin allergy too.