How to Buy Eyeglasses Online: A Guide to Fit, Fashion, and Function

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Eyeglasses remain an important part of daily life for many people, not just as a means of improving one’s vision, but also as a subtle way to accessorize and show off one’s personality.

Online shopping has made buying eyeglasses more accessible than ever, but with this accessibility comes choices [Paste Magazine, 2024]. While there are many factors that come into play when considering which glasses to pick, prospective buyers should take the time to think about these three most of all: materials, lenses, and aesthetics.

Frame Materials 101

Eyeglass frames can come in a wide variety of materials, though the two predominant types are metal and plastic. Generally, metal frames tend to be more costly, but on the upside, they also tend to resist everyday wear and tear effectively since they often resist corrosion better than plastic frames [AAO.org, 2020]. Common examples include stainless steel, a cheaper but heavier metal, and titanium, a strong, lightweight metal useful for those with allergies to other metals like nickel.

Plastic, the other common material for eyeglass frames, is usually cheaper, lighter, and more customizable than metal, though this can come at the cost of longevity. That being said, plastic frames are a popular choice for children’s glasses since they tend to be more flexible and are therefore harder to bend or snap.

Many plastics, including blended nylon and zylonite, are especially malleable and help with making glasses easier to adjust for opticians.

Choosing The Right Lenses for Your Lifestyle

Lenses are arguably the most important part of a pair of glasses to get right—they are what determine how well the wearer sees, after all—so online shoppers should make certain they know what they want from their lenses before making any purchases. Like frames, there are many options to choose from when determining the lens that best fits the wearer’s needs and preferences.

In the past, lenses for glasses were, fittingly, made exclusively from glass. Today, however, nearly all lenses are made of advanced, durable plastics, with many of them designed to help address specific lifestyles.

For example, polycarbonate lenses are particularly impact-resistant, making them a solid choice for active individuals, especially kids, who could get their glasses damaged while playing sports or engaging in other outdoor activities [WebMD, 2023]. As a bonus, polycarbonate lenses also usually include built-in UV protection.

Aspheric lenses are more suited for general use as they provide more of a gradient in curvature, offering the user a greater surface area to see through.

Coatings are another factor to consider with lenses, though many of these serve more aesthetic than functional purposes. Mirror coatings, for example, do not affect the wearer’s eyesight but can hide their eyes from view. Anti-reflective coatings, however, can help with issues stemming from bright lights, including glare and halos around light.

Style that Speaks: Picking Frames That Fit Your Look

Faces play a key role in communication, not just through active means like expressions, but also passively via accessories like eyeglasses. Something as simple as picking one frame style or color over another can complete an outfit and help add that touch of distinction that keeps glasses a popular means of personalization. Although styles are ultimately a matter of taste, several types have stood the test of time and remain popular choices to this day.

Aviators often suit men and women alike, in part due to their distinctive shape that fits many kinds of faces. Color and material can also influence the general vibe of a pair of aviators; metal frames provide the clean, disciplined look often associated with them, while softer ombre frames carry a sense of levity and delicateness.

Round frames, meanwhile, can embolden or diminish strong features like square jawlines, depending on their fit. Users may want their lenses to be more or less narrow on the sides, creating an oval shape if narrowed.

Final Tips for Confident Online Eyeglasses Shopping

Shopping for eyeglasses online can be both convenient and rewarding when you know what to look for. By focusing on materials, functionality, and style, you can find a pair that not only fits your face but also complements your personality.

FAQs

Q: Are metal or plastic frames better?

A: It depends on what the wearer needs them for. Plastic frames usually better support an active lifestyle, whereas metal frames tend to resist aging better.

Q: Are special coatings like anti-reflective or blue light worth it?

A: These coatings are best suited for those whose positions require them to look at screens or bright lights often, such as office workers, as they can help reduce eye strain.

Q: What kinds of eyeglasses stay in style?

A: Aviators, rectangular, and cat eye frames remain popular due to their universality, as they each fit a wide spectrum of face shapes and sizes.

The Paste editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.