This document provides guidance on selecting eyeglass frames. It discusses that the primary purposes of frames are to hold lenses to provide optimal vision and be physically comfortable. Additional considerations for frame selection include appearance, fashion, prescription needs, face shape, coloring, nose shape, hairline, image, work environment, habits, budget, and fashion trends. General guidelines are to ensure proper positioning of lenses within the frames based on factors like face shape, width, brow position, and proportion. Color and frame style should complement the face. Frame material and design should account for prescription, activities, and durability needs. Fashion has also become an important factor in frame selection.

1. Frame Selection
Hira Nath Dahal

2. Frame purpose
Primary purpose – to hold the prescribed lenses in
such a way as to provide the optimum visual
efficiency.
Secondly- frame should be physically comfortable ,
attractive in appearance and meet the
expectation of the patient.
Thirdly – fashion ( spectacles frames have become
an important component of fashion)

3. Choosing frames to suit you?
• Careful choice of frame can make a difference
to the way you look and the image you create.
• Do you want to blend in or stand out in
crowd?
• An intellectual or something very modern and
individual?

4. Spectacle frame selection criteria
• LOOKS
• PRESCRIPTION OF YOUR EYES.
• YOUR WORKING ENVIRONMENT
• YOUR HABIT
• Of course YOUR BUDGET

5. General guidelines for selecting
frame.
Eye position - well centered within
the frame.
width- frame should be wide
enough so that there is just slight
clearance between the frame
temples and the sides of the
head.
brow- top of the frame wire should
follow the brow line .

6. • Proportion- size and weight of frame should
be in proportion to the body size and weight.
Slim build – thinner more delicate frames.
• Lenses- thinner , lighter ,reflection free lenses
are always the best choice.
• Attractive frames gently counterbalance your
face shape and features.

7. For suitable frame..
Consider-
• The shape of your face.
• Your coloring.
• Your nose
• Your eyes
• Your hairline
• The image you wish to project.

8. Determining face shape
Looking at
the mirror

9. Face morphology and frame selection
• Frame shape should contrast
with the face shape.
• Frame size should be in scale
with the face size.
• Eye wear should repeat your
personal best feature.
blue frame to match blue eyes.
(Vision Council of America)

10. The nose
Frame must properly adjust to the nose.
Thin nose- narrow bridge
Large nose-lower and larger bridge
Long nose- lower bridge narrow or large.
Short nose – higher bridge narrow or large.

11. Shape of the face
Round face
• Frames with angular shapes will
counter balance the roundness of
face- more attractive.
• A clear bridge that widens the eye
and frames.
• Round frames?
• Exaggerate the roundness of face ,
make your face look like a ball.

12. Oval face
• Greatest freedom for
frame selection.
• Nearly any frame can
match.
• Select frame that is just
slightly wider than the
broadest part of your
face.

13. Base Up triangle
• Frames wider at
the bottom –
minimize the width
of top of face.
• Very light colors
and materials.
• Rimless frame style.

14. Oblong- shaped face
• Face longer than wide.
• Frames with top to bottom
depth-face appear shorter
and more balanced.
• Decorative or contrasting
temples- add width to face.
• Low bridge- shorten nose.

15. Base down triangle face
• Narrow forehead, wide
chin area.
• Frames heavily accented
with colors .
• Detailing on the top half
• To add width and
emphasize the narrower
upper third of the face.

16. Diamond shaped face
• Goal is to add width to
the forehead and jaw
and make cheekbones
appear narrow.
• Use of softly curved
frames no wider than
cheekbones.
• Square frames.

17. Square face
• Oval or slightly angular
frame styles with curved.
• Frames with hinges
located above eye level
can help lengthen the
face.
• A bridge located near the
top of the frame can also
add length.

18. Frame and coloring
• Chose color that
complements your skin
tone.
• Cool complexions have
blue or pink undertones
and will look good in black,
magenta, pink and some
blues.
• Warm complexions have a
yellow cast and should be
complemented by camel,
gold, peach and orange .

19. Eyes
• Eyes widely spaced-
a thick or dark
bridge will help to
draw them
together.
• Eyes closer-slim or
clear bridge make
less noticeable.

20. hairline
• Receding hairlines lengthen the face .
• To balance try wider frames with a strong
top line.
• To highlight the eyes and define the check
bones try frames with detail or distinctive
brow lines.

21. Image
• Important aspect of
frame selection.
• Consider your
occupation when
choosing the
frame.
• Frame should
emphasize personal
image.

22. Working environment and frame
selection
• Field job exposed to lot of heat and dust-
Avoid metal frames.
• Engaged in sport- plastic frames.
• Heavy labor- protective frames .

23. Frame and habit
• Habit should be considered while selecting
frame.
• Metal frames not suitable for children who
usually jump, fight , play carelessly.
• reader may bend his metal frames while he
doses with them on his nose.

24. Prescription and frame selection
High myopia
• Small, round frame shapes
are best to reduce lens
thickness
• Angular frames with sharp
corners will accent the
thickness of the lenses
• Frames that look good
with Plano lenses may be
very unattractive with high
minus lenses

25. Aphakia and high hyperopia
• Sturdy, light weight, easily adjustable frame.
• Avoid frames with thick wires – increase the
width of the ring scotoma.
• Adjustable pads, jumbo pads
• Pads adjusted – lens fit as close to the eye as
possible.
• Select frame with relatively small eye size with
symmetrical lens shape.

26. Frame for PAL
• The frame selected should
provide a minimum vertical
distance of 22mm from the
centre of the pupil.
• The vertical measurement of
frame must be minimum of
38mm.
• To provide a wide lateral field of
view through the progressive
corridor and stabilize the near
vision area , the patents frame at
as close a vertex distance as
possible.

27. Frame selection for children

28. • comfortable and practical as well as
stylish
• Well designed and attractive with
features like
small and symmetrical
colourful
adjustable nose pads
saddle bridge for small nose.
spring hinge for durability and comfort.
• Nickel-free - Hypo-allergenic for
those with metal allergies
• Rimless Frames - very light and
almost invisible, like wearing no
spectacles at all.

29. • Effective diameter of the frame
should be no more than 2mm
greater than marked eye size.
• Frame PD should match
Patients PD – avoid
decentration.
• Riding bow temples – more
stable

30. Fashion also criteria for frame
selection

31. • Recently eye ware have become
an important component of
fashion.
• The public is convinced that
attractiveness in eyeglasses, as
judged in relation to current
fashion norms , is not an option
but a necessity.
• So eye care practitioner must
consider the spectacle frame not
only as a” clinical appliance "but
also as an item of style and
fashion.