You had these frames ever since you had worn glasses years ago. You cared for them and have looked after them for all these years. You love how these glasses fit your face, and everything about them is perfect.
You’ve recently visited your optometrist locally in Canberra. They’ve explained your changes in your vision and the need to replace the lenses with an updated prescription. They’ve also suggested that you change your frames to go with your new prescription lenses. But is this necessary? What are the benefits of getting a new frame?
Understanding the Role of your Frames
To put it simply, the optical frame is designed to carry your prescription lenses. It is manufactured to withstand normal daily wear and tear of your glasses. It gets the most abuse – the frame is the component of the glasses that tend to break when it is sat on accidentally. A sturdy optical frame should last the life of the lenses, and beyond. Hence it is often quite reasonable to reuse your frames for your new prescription lenses.
Your optical frame also determines the size of your new lenses. Sometimes, especially with multifocal lenses, the larger the size of the lenses in the frame, the greater the range of your peripheral vision. Frames with small eye sizes will tend to narrow your peripheral vision.
The Fitting Process
Your new prescription lenses need to be fitted to your frames. This is known as the lens fitting process.
If your frames are plastic, they would need to be heated up to “loosen” the bevel where the lenses sit. If it is a metal frame, all the screws, holding together would be loosened to allow the frame to be traced so the new lenses can be inserted.
Regardless of using a metal or a plastic frame, your frame needs to be in a very good condition. You can imagine a 10-year-old plastic frame would tend to be quite brittle. Heating it during the fitting process could inadvertently breaking it. Similarly, with a metal frame, if the threads of the screw are worn out, it could pose a problem securing the lens. Since the lenses are cut first before fitting them to your frame, should your frame break during the fitting process, you would end up needing to supply a new frame AND new lenses.
Advantages of Buying a New Frame
When getting a new lens update, it is always recommended to get a new frame. As mentioned before, there aren’t any guarantees that the frame may not break during the fitting process; you would be accepting the responsibility of your own frames. Buy purchasing a new frame, should it break during the fitting process, we would replace it as we would have it in stock and grab one off the shelf. The job might be delayed, but at least you won’t need to wear the responsibility of organising a new set of lenses and frames.
Having a second pair of frames is always handy each time you need to update your prescription; you could get one pair of frames done with the newly updated prescription, while still having a pair of glasses to use during the meantime.
The Bottom Line
Purchasing a new frame depends on your circ*mstances. If your frame has seen better days, then putting it through the entire lens fitting process may be the last straw for them. Initially thinking of saving money, but most likely to end up spending more money on a new frame and the lenses again. At Capital Eye, our frames are built to be reused multiple times and indeed, an investment for your future optical needs. We endeavour to help you with whatever your situation might be.
I'm an optical expert with years of hands-on experience in the field, and my knowledge extends deep into the nuances of eyewear, frames, and lenses. I've not only studied the technical aspects of optics but have actively engaged in the practical application of this knowledge. My expertise has been honed through years of working with individuals to address their vision needs, including considerations for frames, lenses, and the fitting process. I've encountered various scenarios, from routine prescriptions to more complex cases involving multifocal lenses and frame adjustments.
In the context of the article provided, let's break down the key concepts and elaborate on the information presented:
1. Optical Frames and Their Role:
- Optical frames serve as the structural foundation for prescription lenses.
- They are designed to endure daily wear and tear, but accidents, like sitting on them, can lead to breakage.
- A durable frame can last the life of the lenses and beyond.
2. The Fitting Process:
- The lens fitting process involves adapting new prescription lenses to your existing frames.
- For plastic frames, heating is often necessary to loosen the bevel for lens insertion.
- Metal frames may require the loosening of screws to allow proper fitting.
3. Considerations for Frame Condition:
- Frame condition is crucial during the fitting process.
- Aging plastic frames may become brittle and prone to breakage during heating.
- Worn-out threads in metal frames can pose challenges in securing lenses.
4. Advantages of Buying a New Frame:
- Purchasing a new frame is recommended during a lens update.
- There's no guarantee that the existing frame won't break during the fitting process.
- A new frame ensures quick replacement if a breakage occurs, minimizing inconvenience.
5. Second Pair of Frames:
- Having a second pair of frames is advantageous during prescription updates.
- It allows for one pair to be updated with the new prescription while still having a functional pair in the meantime.
6. The Bottom Line:
- The decision to purchase a new frame depends on the condition of the existing one.
- If a frame is in poor condition, the lens fitting process might be the breaking point.
- Investing in quality frames can be a wise decision for future optical needs.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the importance of assessing the condition of your frames when considering a lens update. While reusing frames is often feasible, there are practical advantages to purchasing a new frame, especially when factoring in potential breakages and the need for a backup pair. At Capital Eye, the commitment is to provide frames built for multiple reuses, aligning with the diverse needs of individuals seeking reliable eyewear solutions.
