How Are Glasses Fitted?
Whether you are shopping for your first pair of glasses or are looking to change your frames for a new prescription, finding the correct fit can be tricky. Glasses fitted incorrectly can create small indents to the side of your nose or you may experience an ache behind your ears, subsiding only when you remove the pair. You may also find yourself continually pushing your glasses back up your nose, with them threatening to fall off when you bend over. All of these are common problems that can make wearing glasses a truly exasperating experience.
In this short guide, we look at how glasses are fitted, by an optician, what is taken into account when working out the best fits and everything that is needed to ensure that your new pair are comfortable.
What affects the fit of your glasses?
Whilst all glasses share the same basic shape of two lenses and a frame, there are factors to be taken into account that will determine the individual frame size and how they fit.
Frame width
The width of your frames must align with the width of your face at the temples. That means they shouldn’t extend too much beyond the sides of your face. If your frames are too wide for your face, your eyes will not be centred behind the lenses. Every frame fits differently so it is important to ensure you are measured properly, making it certain that you have the best, most comfortable fit for your glasses.
Measuring up
Three measurements are taken to determine the size of your frames. These are the measurements of one lens and the length of the bridge – this is the shortest distance between both lenses, including the bridge itself and the temple length. The latter is the measurement of each temple arm from hinge to tip. This is the distance that the arm of the glasses will measure around the side of your head to hook comfortably over your ear.
Because features vary from one person to another, as do head sizes and shapes, these measurements are unique to each individual and thus need to be measured carefully. Even when measurements are accurate, remember your optician may need to make minor adjustments to ensure that your glasses fit comfortably.
Pupillary Distance
The distance between the pupils of your eyes (measured in millimetres) is the pupillary distance (PD). This measurement helps an optician to make sure your frames are centred in front of your eyes. Centering is necessary; it means you are looking through the optical centre of your glasses and not out of the side where there will be less clarity. This is particularly important if you wear a multifocal lens.
Face Shape
There are no 2 people who have the same face shape when it comes to cheekbones, eyebrows, and ears, unless of course, you are an identical twin. This means that your face shape can have an impact on how your glasses fit, and it’s why a frame style that suits someone else won’t always suit you. There is no better way to choose a good frame style than to try on a range of different styles and shapes. Your optician will be able to advise if there are any styles which may not work as well with your prescription.
There are a number of factors that come into play when it comes to making sure your glasses fit properly. This is why it is important to seek the assistance of a qualified optician who will ensure that your glasses are the best fit possible and, therefore, remain comfortable to wear.
