Reading Glasses: Finding the Right Fit for Your Face Shape

Finding the right fit for your face shape is important for reading glasses. This way, you can avoid those uncomfortable moments where your frames pinch your nose or force you to hold a book uncomfortably close. Choose wide, upswept frames to create balance and accentuate your chin if you have a heart-shaped face with a narrow jawline. These styles include cat-eye, aviator, and retro square frames.

Know Your Face Shape

Knowing your face shape is key to finding the perfect pair of reading glasses. Simple guidelines help you narrow the options and find frames that best complement your face shape. For example, if you have a heart-shaped face with high cheekbones and a narrow chin, you’ll want to choose frames wider at the brow and widest at the jawline. A square or rectangular structure with softer angles will also bring out your high cheekbones and narrow chin. Similarly, if you have a triangle face shape, which is wider at the forehead and jawline with high cheekbones, consider a wide, upswept frame with rounded edges to complement your angular features. A full-rimmed frame that’s slightly curved and a darker color will also add definition and contrast to your jawline. Oval face shapes are lucky because they can pull off just about any frame style, but the key is to balance out your chin and forehead with narrowed eyes. Try out a pair of retro cat-eyes or square frames for on-trend styling, or choose a rectangular silhouette with detailed embellishments to display your sophisticated professional style. But remember, these are simply flexible guidelines to guide your search — not unbreakable rules!

Know Your Eye Shape

When it comes to buying reading glasses, there are a few considerations you need to keep in mind. It would help if you were functional for your reading needs, but you also want them to complement your face shape and be comfortable. This is especially important if you wear them for long periods or activities requiring attention and focus. To determine your eye shape:

1. Use a standard chart that begins with the smallest text and moves to larger fonts.
2. Cover one eye, then read the chart from top to bottom and left to right until you see a line that appears clearest.
3. Note the number at the end of that row, which will match up with your prescription strength or diopter.

You can then take this information while shopping for frames, as it will help narrow down your options and guide your selection. However, the final choice is always personal preference, and if you see a pair of frames that speak to you, feel free to go with them. Remember that the more knowledge you have, the easier it will be to find a pair of glasses that flatters your features and suits your personality. Ultimately, it’s all about finding a look that makes you happy and confident!

Know Your Lenses

As you’ll wear your reading glasses more than any other eyeglasses, ensuring they work for you is important. Too strong magnification can cause eye strain and headaches, so it’s best to test several strengths. If two teams are very similar, go with the lower power. Another key information is the distance between your pupils, called your pupillary distance (or PD). Typically, this measurement is taken during an eye exam, but you can also measure it at home. To do this:

1. Stand 8 inches from a mirror and hold a ruler against your forehead.
2. Close one eye and align the ruler’s 0 mm mark with the center of your pupil.
3. Do the same with the other eye.

This measurement helps determine your prescription and can match your PD with a pair of frames that fit you well.

Know Your Frames

As we age, many of us find that our close-up vision blurs. For example, threading a needle or reading a book may become difficult. You may also notice that your eyes hurt or get a headache when you try to focus on reading for extended periods. These are all signs that you may be developing presbyopia. Reading glasses are a great solution to help with this condition. But finding the right pair can be challenging, especially if you need help figuring out what to look for. There are a few things to remember to make shopping for reading glasses easier. First, you’ll want to know your frame measurements. These are normally printed on the temple or bridge of your glasses. They’ll usually be grouped with other information (such as words or symbols) irrelevant to the size measurements. To find your frame measurements, measure horizontally across one lens at its widest point. This is your lens width, also known as your eye size. Then, measure the distance from your nose to the top of your temple (also known as your bridge width). If the bridge of your glasses pinches your nose or temples, you’ll want to look for a larger bridge measurement. Otherwise, a smaller bridge measurement will be more comfortable.