VSP Blog

It wasn’t too long ago that our choices in lenses were as narrow as “plastic or glass.” This was the predominant question posed to patients in the 1980s and even into the 90s, (even though relatively modern technological options were available at that time). During most of the 20^th century, glass was the only material and the selection in lens designs presented to patients was usually limited to basic single vision, bifocal, and trifocal configurations.

The question of frames often centered on plastic or metal, black or brown, and silver or gold. It’s been a fairly recent development that people don’t routinely regard their eyewear in varying degrees of ugly and the catalyst to adolescent social annihilation, not to mention the weight induced crevices gouged into many overburdened noses. Heavy lenses and cumbersome frames didn’t seem to be a great motivator for innovation in the optical industry during those dark, yet not so long ago, ages.

Today we see a plethora of materials, designs, and treatments that offer an exponential array of choices when combined with the multitude of available frames on the market. It is no longer necessary to cast our children into infinite nerd-dom or liken ourselves to the portraits of unsmiling ancestors, wizened beyond their years by unsightly eyewear. Frame and lens choices abound that enhance our appearance and vision well beyond the limitations of yesteryear’s trends.

While the frame purchase may be regarded as any other fashion accessory by many, it’s function is to hold lenses in front of the eyes. When those lenses contain a prescription, the frame need only be of ophthalmic quality and manufactured suitably for your correction. It can run anywhere from $20.00 to thousands, depending on designer labels, gold content, and the number of embedded diamonds sparkling on the temples. Aside from the obvious expense of bejeweled frames in precious metals, there are other factors that determine cost and some would justifiably argue that quality is among those considerations. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to go broke buying a good quality, attractive frame.

Lenses, on the other hand, are generally functional and don’t usually bear visible or commonly recognizable markings. There are, of course, exceptions to this, but they are typically in the form of sunglass/lens combinations and most often don’t include a prescription. The lens portion of your prescription eyewear should be your first concern; they provide the fundamental purpose for the frame. Furthermore, your prescription, facial measurements, and lens choice affect which frames are appropriate for you. If your budget doesn’t permit both the optimum lenses for your correction and a designer frame, it’s always best to compromise on your frame selection—not your lenses. The aesthetic charm of your eyewear is admittedly very important, but it shouldn’t dominate and supersede the part that helps you see better.