10. Pick Your Frame Type
What sort of frame type are you? Are you a bold and dark frame type, or a light frame type? Or maybe you're both? The type of frame you wear says a lot about your personality and mood. Why not get a few different frame types? That way all of our various moods and personalities are covered! With our mind-boggling low prices on quality eyewear you can easily afford multiple pairs of eyeglasses.
9. Pick a Frame that Fits
Different frames fit different people differently. You don't want frames that fit poorly or are uncomfortable. Use our face shape guide to pick frames that will fit you properly and take note of any sizing numbers on your current eyeglass frames to help pick a frame that's the right size for your head.
8. Pick a Frame that Suits You
Eyeglasses aren't just a tool to help you see better. They aren't like a hammer or a screwdriver that you lay on your face so you can read movie subtitles easier. They're a fashion statement! Make sure you pick eyeglasses that not only fit your face shape well, but let your personality shine through. Luckily for you, you can upload a picture and try on frames virtually to get a good idea of how you'll look in them!
7. Get Your Friends' Help
No one knows you better than your friends! If you're having trouble deciding which eyeglasses are best for you, upload a picture of yourself to your virtual tryon tool. Then you can post screen shots of yourself "wearing" different eyeglasses to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ pages to get your friends' opinions on which frames look best on you. Taking screen shots is easy with both Windows and Mac.
6. Pick Your Lens Options
Do reflections on your lenses bother you? Then you'll definitely want to choose an anti-reflective coating (AR) for your lenses. And if reflections bother you a lot, then make sure to get a premium AR coating. Other options include ultraviolet protection (UV) and scratch-resistant coating (both recommended).
5. Decide on a Lens Thickness
- Basic Plastic - If budget is your main concern, go with basic plastic lenses. They are a common yet sturdy solution.
- Polycarbonate (High Impact-Resistance) - Are you under 18 years of age or have an active lifestyle? Then probably impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses are best for you.
- High Index 1.67 (Most Comfortable & Stylish) - If comfort and style are your number one priority, you may want to consider a high index 1.67 lens, the thinnest and lightest lens we carry. The thinness makes it the most fashionable in appearance.
Remember...the most important thing is to select the eyeglass lens thickness that's best for YOU!
4. Determine Your Frame Size
If you already have eyeglasses that fit well, look for the numbers engraved in the temple to know your sizes for eye, bridge, and temple. They are typically written in the following order: 52 [] 16 135 (52=eye size, 16=bridge size, and 135=temple size).
If you're buying eyeglasses for the first time, we recommend going to eyewear shops and trying on different sizes of frames to determine what sizes you need.
Be sure to collect the following measurements:
- Eye size
- Bridge size
- Temple size
3. Be Sure to Ask for Your PD
Eyecare professionals don't always remember to write down your PD (Pupillary Distance) on your prescription and the thing is, you've got to have it to order eyeglasses online! We'll say that again, only a little louder...YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE YOUR PD TO ORDER ONLINE!
But what if I don't have it? What do I do? No worries! You have a couple of easy options. First option, you can simply call your eyecare professional up and ask for your PD over the phone. They'll have it on file and can provide it to you any time after your exam. Second option, you can download our handy, easy-to-use, and extremely accurate "Do It Yourself PD Measuring Tool." Just follow the directions and you'll have your PD measurement lickety-split!
2. Know Your Prescription Type
Be sure to ask your eye care professional what prescription type you are! There are several prescription types, including:
- Single Vision - This is when you need eyeglasses for either distance or near vision, but not both.
- Bifocal - This is when you need eyeglasses for both distance and near vision. But, hey...bifocals?! Really?!
Nowadays, most people choose progressive lenses since they don't have a line through the middle of the lens making you look like grandma or a serial killer. One Planet doesn't offer bifocal lenses since we highly recommend choosing Progressives instead (and since we don't want to be pepper-sprayed by the fashion police).
- Trifocal - These lenses are for distance, intermediary, and near vision.
- Progressives - These lenses are for both distance and near vision, but have a seamless, fashionable appearance--unlike bifocals that have a line through the middle of the lenses.
- Reading Glasses - Just like the name says...used just for reading.
1. Use a Recent Prescription
We know what you're thinking..."Well duh!" But really this is the most important thing you need to do before buying eyeglasses online. So what's considered an "old" prescription?
- Up to age 18 - It's best to renew your eye prescription annually.
- From age 19 to 59 - You can get by with an eye exam every two to three years.
- Age 60 and higher - It's best to renew your eye prescription annually or as directed by your eye care professional.
