Buying eyeglasses and sunglasses... pro tips?!

November 25, 2023 5:07 PM

Explain the particulars of eyeglass (optical and sun) measurements so I understand how to buy pairs online that I'll like. Details inside.

I need new glasses. Toronto prices are crazy for frames I like. Lots of great deals on frames I don't like but I'd prefer not to buy any of those.

Today, I found a frame I liked and which fit me perfectly and has these measurements:

SIZE:46
BRIDGE:21

From the designer's site.

I found another pair, these, which say:

LENS WIDTH: 47MM
BRIDGE WIDTH: 21MM
TEMPLE WIDTH: 145MM

Optometrists at both stores agree these are perfect fit.

So, suppose I want to buy different frames online that I do not have the option of trying on. Armed with these measurements, what do I need to look for? Avoid? How do those numbers change for sunglasses?

And what about the height? I understand I'm not "supposed to" have frames that rise above my eyebrows and following my browline can be a plus. What else?

Should I be looking for frames that match my hair color (brown and gray), eye color (green / hazel), clothing color palette?

Any tips, rules of thumb, advice are appreciated.

(Note that I prefer not to use any sites where I upload a photo and virtually try things on. Creeps me out.)

Thanks!

posted by dobbs to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

I think for eyeglasses with corrective lenses you'll also need your pupillary distance (the distance between your pupils). I've found that to be the critical measurement for ordering my specs online.

Eta: how to measure your pd
posted by anadem at 7:16 PM on November 25, 2023 [1 favorite]

For sunglasses, you’ll probably want a bigger eye size (lens width), but your bridge (width of your nose) and temple length (the “arms” that go from the frame front to over your ears) should stay the same.
posted by toodleydoodley at 9:05 PM on November 25, 2023

> Toronto prices are crazy for frames I like.

If you need a physical optician, try Costco - they're not part of Luxottica's eyeglass monopoly. I'd assume the savings would pay for a membership.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:06 AM on November 26, 2023 [1 favorite]

I used Zenni online recently. You do need the "pd" above, my eye doctor told me upon request.

If you have thick lenses, go for ALL the "thinning" tech you can add online...I did some but not all and regret it..the glasses I got were heavier than I'm used to.
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:58 AM on November 26, 2023

I disregard advice from folk about size of frames, stay below eyebrow, etc...but that's me...I love big round frames...kind of a mask I suppose...But if you do purchase frames and lenses online, once you receive them, take them to a local optician to have the power and axis of the lenses to make sure they correspond to your script..I have ordered several pair online. Most are from China...Two or three were not exactly what the script said, so buyer beware...The prices are great though...
posted by Czjewel at 9:43 AM on November 26, 2023

In terms of colour - I'm mostly grey these days (and I'm white), and I really like having darker glasses setting off the middle of my face, in terms of the frame colour. My first pair were blue (I wear a lot of blue), my current pair are a blue/black/bits of jeweltone green/clear acrylic.

I get more exciting with my sunglasses: the current pair are a copper/teal tortoiseshell sort of pattern.
posted by jenettsilver at 9:45 AM on November 26, 2023

Adding that pupillary distance is extremely important for corrective lenses. At one point, several (sheesh, maybe even 10) years ago, my optometrist did not include my PD in my prescription that I asked for! I took it home and noticed that it was missing from the printout. I had to call them and ask specifically for my accurate PD and they told me over the phone. I think they did that to discourage buying glasses online versus in their store. I have no idea if your doc does/did that, but PD is critical—especially for a person like me with bad nearsightedness.

Anecdote, but I did the "measure your own PD" thing once very carefully according to online directions, and I was off by a few millimeters, which made a big difference. Get the real measurement from a real optometrist. Another anecdote but avoid those big chains. We recently took my elderly father in law to America's Best because he "found a great coupon" and he ended up walking out the door angrily because of the incompetence and bad service from the staff (I was there, it was a genuinely bad experience... they just wouldn't listen to what he was asking for and ignored his comments. Age discrimination? Probably. Poorly treated and low-paid staff? Probably). Plus we wasted almost two hours there.

Go to a smaller private company that has well trained staff. Maybe it costs more, but it's your vision!
posted by SoberHighland at 10:08 AM on November 26, 2023

The width is the width in mm of the lenses, and the bridge (also in mm) is the width of the part that is between the lenses.

So when you go to shop online, there are usually filters you can adjust and if you adjust the lens width to 46-48 and the bridge to 20-22, that will show you only the frames that are close to the ideal size you found.

Then there are two things I look for - one is the shape at the top. It looks like the frames you like dip down a little in the middle, and are pretty level - like they don’t tilt down or up (like a cat-eye, for instance.) The second thing is how tall the lenses are. It looks like you are looking for something that is a little more of a rectangle shape than a square shape. My strategy is to go through and “favorite” or “like” everything that meets my criteria, and then I can look at just the favorites to see what stands out to me. (You might also look at the placement of the nose pads as another criteria, looking for those that sit at a similar height to the frames you like.) You might keep a tab open showing your ideal fitting pair so you can go back and forth to compare.

As for color, you could consider what would help enhance your eye color - so if your eyes are green, then a reddish frame could help them stand out. If you wear a lot of cool-toned clothes, think of silver/pewter. If you wear warm tones, look at gold/brass. As my hair has gotten more and more silver, I find that a darker frame stands out nicely.

I agree with others about pupillary distance. Once you get that, it’s pretty easy to order online. I have dialed in this approach with great success. Good luck!

PS - I go for bigger lens width when looking at sunglasses, but keep other measurements the same/similar. Also, with wire frames, you can sometimes find some that come with sunglasses clip-ons that fit the exact shape.
posted by rocketing at 1:22 PM on November 26, 2023

You've got good advice for eyeglasses above. When it comes to sunglasses, a lot depends on what you're doing when you wear them. If you just want something to shade your eyes while you sip a latte at the outdoor cafe, it doesn't really matter, so buy whatever you like the look of the most or whatever makes you look cool.

If you're into activities where you are going to be in the direct sun for long periods and/or environments where there is a lot of sun reflection such as snow or on the water, the type, size, shape and placement of lenses really matters. Start with polarised lenses and don't accept anything else, no matter what. I look for lenses that are as close as possible to my face (without touching eyebrows or lashes) and that wrap around the sides to the point where my peripheral vision is within the lens. I avoid sunglasses with gaps anywhere that would let significant sun in, as this not only exposes my eyes to more glare, but can also create reflections on the inside of the lenses. I also look for frames that fit quite tightly without squeezing so they can't blow off my face. My current and most recent sunglasses have been Maui Jim brand, which are up there in cost, but have lasted a long time and performed beyond anything else I've ever had. Both pairs are the only glasses I've ever had that don't feel constantly at risk of blowing off my face and have both felt quite secure up to 95 km/h.

Neither of my current pairs of sunglasses have prescription lenses and I know it can be much harder to find good sunglasses that do all the things sunglasses should and still work with your prescription. If you need sunglasses that perform well in active settings, I think you're going to have to try them on first. There's nothing to stop you from trying on sunglasses at optical stores or sunglass stores and then searching for them online, of course.
posted by dg at 5:31 PM on November 26, 2023