We make it our mission to help youfinda frame you’ll love, and that fits as if it were tailor-made for you. We’ve found that the perception of a good fit can vary from client to clientso we decided towrite a simple post on eyewear fit from a professional optician’s perspective. We’ve seen thousands of faces in ourframesand we thought you’d like to know the ideal eyeglass fit wehad in mind when designing and fitting each frame.
Frame features 101
These are the key fit areas of any eyeglass frame front, including the pupil location “sweet spot”. Focusing on these key areas will give you a tailored look that will work perfectly with your prescription.
1. Overall frame size
The best fit will “frame” your face. Pay attention to how the overall frame width works with the width of your face. The endpiece should match with the widest part of your face at your temples (just in front of your ears). This fit feature is more important than the size of the lens. We have many clients which focus on lens size (“I’m a 52mm lens wearer”). However, they’ll often find the overall frame size is more important than the lens size marked inside the arm of the frame.
2. Eyeposition
Eye position is very important not only for how your frame looks on you, but how your Rx works in that frame. Horizontally, each eyeshould be centered in the lens up to 5mm inside of lens center–never outside of center. Vertically, if you imagine the lens in four equal sections, your eyes should be in the 25% segment just above center-never below center and never in the top 25%.
3. Bridge fit
Comfort is key and trying on the frame is essential. Whether acetate pads that are integrated into the frame, or pads attached by metal pad arms, the nose pads should rest comfortablyon the sides of your nose. The frame shouldn’t rest on your cheeks nor should the top of the frame bridge only rest on the top of your nose. Thisbalanced fit ensures the frame fits comfortably and helps it to stayin place.
4. Frame shape
While the popular generalities around how round frames are better for square faces and vice versa, we think that is an unhelpful oversimplification. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Sometimes the size of a frame is much more important than the shape. For example, if you have a round face a small round frame may look great, but a large round frame doesn’t work.
5. Your prescription
There are two things to consider–your Rx power and Rx type. For low power single vision wearers, you don’t need to be concerned. For higher Rx powers (over a +/- 3.00) and/or progressive or bifocal wearers, lens size matters. High power Rx’s will want to keep the lens size as small as possible and eyes as centered as possible to help reduce lens thickness and weight. Progressive/bifocal wearers will want to ensure your eyes are in that 25% above lens center–the deeper the frame the more room you’ll have for the distance to intermediate to reading portions.
A proper fit consists of:
- Eyes centered in the frames.
- Width of the frame that matches closely to the width of your face.
- The bridge fitting snugly on your nose.
- For more info, see this post.
Use this calculation for frame size:
Eye size + Bridge size = Frame Size. Or for example: 47mm +21mm = 68mm
Very Narrow: 65mm or less
Narrow: 66mm to 67mm
Medium: 68mm to 70mm
Wide: 70mm to 73mm
Very Wide: 74mm or more
Above is a general rule. For men, add 1-2mm, for women subtract 1-2mm
*This post doesn’t cover fine tuning adjustments (i.e. temple tip, panto, ear height, etc). We are able to do many of these adjustments based upon your feedback during home try-on and further fine tuning can be done by a local optician.
As a seasoned optician with years of hands-on experience in the field, I've had the privilege of working closely with a diverse range of clients, fitting thousands of faces with frames to ensure not just visual clarity but also a tailored and stylish appearance. This in-depth exposure to various facial structures and eyewear preferences has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the nuances involved in achieving the perfect eyeglass fit.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
1. Overall Frame Size:
- The width of the frame is crucial for a well-proportioned look.
- Focus on how the overall frame width aligns with the widest part of your face, particularly at the temples.
- The overall frame size is often more important than the lens size marked on the frame.
2. Eye Position:
- Horizontal and vertical positioning of the eyes within the lens is paramount.
- Horizontally, each eye should be centered in the lens, up to 5mm inside of the lens center.
- Vertically, the eyes should be in the 25% segment just above the center of the lens.
3. Bridge Fit:
- Comfort is a key consideration.
- Nose pads should rest comfortably on the sides of the nose, and the frame should not touch the cheeks.
- A balanced fit ensures comfort and stability.
4. Frame Shape:
- Frame shape is important, but size can often matter more than shape.
- Experimentation is encouraged, challenging oversimplified notions about face shapes and frame styles.
5. Your Prescription:
- Consider both Rx power and Rx type.
- High-power Rx wearers should keep the lens size small to reduce thickness and weight.
- Progressive/bifocal wearers should ensure their eyes are positioned in the 25% segment above lens center.
6. Proper Fit:
- Eyes should be centered in the frames.
- The frame width should closely match the width of your face.
- The bridge should fit snugly on your nose.
7. Frame Size Calculation:
- Frame size can be calculated using the formula: Eye size + Bridge size = Frame Size.
- Specific measurements (e.g., 65mm or less for Very Narrow) help determine the appropriate frame size.
8. Fine-Tuning Adjustments:
- The article acknowledges that fine-tuning adjustments, such as temple tip, panto, and ear height, may be necessary.
- Home try-ons and feedback play a role in these adjustments, and local opticians can further refine the fit.
In conclusion, achieving the ideal eyeglass fit involves a meticulous consideration of various factors, from overall frame size to precise eye positioning and prescription specifics. The article provides a comprehensive guide, emphasizing the importance of both comfort and style in finding the perfect pair of eyeglasses.
