tips for proper 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.