Six Tips for buying your first pair of Eyeglasses

Did you know that 75 per cent of Australian’s need glasses? Yep you read that right, three out of four people require some sort of vision assistance. At The Eye Place we know that buying your first pair of eyeglasses can be a daunting process. Because we see this every day, we know what the common issues are and can advise on the best ways to overcome them. So, what are the most common issues? We’re glad you asked.

1. Glasses are expensive – the initial purchase of a pair of prescription glasses can cost hundreds of dollars.
2. Finding the perfect pair of glasses at a fair price can take a lot of time.
3. Choosing the right style can be confusing. Do you need more than one pair? Do you need bi-focal or multi-focal lenses?

For all these reasons above, The Eye Place stocks a large variety of brands and styles. We know our products and are happy to spend the time explaining the process to you to ensure that you leave happy after making such an important purchase. Following, we have outlined six tips to help you make the right decision when it comes to your glasses.

1. Have an up-to-date prescription – we recommend regular eye-checkups to ensure that your prescription is as current as possible. We will set this schedule up to suit your individual eye needs. When looking at your prescription you may notice some unfamiliar jargon. Some common ones we use include:
   • OD (Oculus Dexter) refers to your right eye.
   • OS (Oculus Sinister) refers to your left eye.
   • Sphere (SPH) indicates the amount of lens power, prescribed to correct nearsightedness (-) or farsightedness (+).
   • ADD (for bifocals) is the added magnifying power applied to the bottom part of multifocal lenses to correct presbyopia (farsightedness).
   • Cylinder (CYL) indicates the amount of lens power for astigmatism (curvature of the lens).
   • Axis describes the positioning of the cylindrical power on your lenses (required for astigmatism).
2. Select the right frames – the secret to ordering perfectly fitting prescription glasses is simple – know your frame size. There are three factors that affect the selection of frames for your eyeglasses.
   1. Choose eyeglasses that complement your face shape. The right eyeglass frames offer a benefit beyond clearer vision. This is the ability to complement your facial features and overall look. Create a balanced appearance using eyeglasses by choosing a frame shape that provides a contrast to the shape of your face.
   2. Pick a frame that fits your personal style. What are your personal and professional needs?
      • For serious business – Stick to conservative frame colors and shapes. To enhance your professional image, consider classic shapes such as ovals, rectangles and almonds. Black, gunmetal, silver and brown frames are recommended because these conservative tones match with business suits.
      • For creative professionals – Wear modern shapes, such as geometric designs in thick plastic or metallic frames. Try unusual colors – blue, purple and green. Retro, vintage styles and aviator shapes are also suitable to highlight your creative edge.
      • For students – Sport eye-catching shapes and colors. Unusual shapes, bright colors, larger sizes and interesting details such as colour laminations. Feel free to experiment with a geeky, retro look or a modern frame with lots of color.
      • For the busy parent – Don’t worry about the latest trends in eyewear, stick to a basic yet stylish pair of glasses. Ovals, upswept rectangles and soft cat-eye shapes are very functional and still look great. Darker colors like deep red, black and green can also add a stylish edge to a basic frame.
   3. Buy the right size. Proper positioning of the glasses in front of your eyes should be your primary concern.

Note: It is important to match the size and shape of your eyeglasses to the proportions of your face. The resulting overall look should be balanced. Smaller frames suit a person with a less pronounced facial structure.

3. Buy the right frames. We offer two options to purchase eyeglass frames, in person at our store, or through our online store.
   1. Advantages of buying in store:
      • Professional help – Adam is an experienced optometrist and has the knowledge to tell you if the frame you select is suitable for your prescription or if it fits your nose correctly.
      • Complicated prescriptions – If you have a high power, complicated prescription, it is difficult to use an online store.
      • Support local – If you like supporting local business than look no further than The Eye Place.
   2. Advantages of buying online:
      • Convenience and speed – you don’t have to waste time driving to our store to pick up your eyeglasses. Order from the privacy of your home in your pajamas – your glasses will be delivered to your doorstep.
   3. It’s worth paying extra for the frames you love! $100 for eyeglasses that look average vs. $200 for a pair you love? Prescription eyeglasses are an accessory you wear every day. It is worth paying full price for a quality pair, especially once you divide the total price by the number of days you will wear them. They end up costing mere cents in terms of price per wear. You are likely to wear your glasses every hour you are awake, so spend a little extra to purchase an attractive pair, over glasses that are cheaper but not as appealing.
   4. Consider purchasing more than one pair. Having the flexibility to change your eyeglasses is a lifesaver in times of emergency, however it can also be useful if your everyday frames don’t suit the occasion, so you can switch them out with your spare.
   5. Use a protective case and a microfibre cloth. The Eye Place provide these as a thank you with every purchase. They are not just a warm fuzzy to make you feel good but are there to help you protect your glasses and have longevity on your frames and lenses.
      • It is important to store your glasses in a sturdy, hard case.
      • Cleaning your frames and lenses regularly helps you see clearly and keeps your glasses looking new.
      • Use both hands to take them off as this helps maintain their original shape and never place the glasses lens down as this can result in scratched lenses.
      • Regularly check the screws that hold the frame together. If you find one is loose, tighten it gently with a small screwdriver or bring your glasses in store and we will check them over for you.