How do you make important purchase decisions? If you’re like most, you carefully weigh your options before doling out your hard-earned cash. Most of us carefully consider specifications, recommendations, and whether we really need a certain “this” or “that” we’re considering buying. We’ll talk to friends and family members. We’ll pour over reviews on seller websites or social media—just to see what others think and what their experiences have been. We’ll compare prices, options, and even availability.
Now think about how you buy glasses and sunglasses for yourself or your family? Is it a painstaking process. Do you ask friends and family what they think about a particular eyewear provider? Do you look online for reviews and recommendations? Or do you let the experts—your optometrist or ophthalmologist—guide you?
The most likely answer is, of course, a little bit of all of the above.
While friends and family can certainly relate their experiences, and online reviews are a good barometer of how reliable a certain frame or lens type or desirable a style might be, the reality is there’s only one YOU. Your likes and dislikes are as unique to you as is your face shape and size. What might look or fit great on someone else, might not work so well for you.
Personal style aside, your friends and family won’t take into consideration your face shape, size, or even your profession when choosing glasses. They probably won’t even know what insurance you have, what’s covered or not covered, and your budget considerations. They might not even be aware of certain health issues that might affect the kinds of lenses or frames that are right for you.
All those things and more are important considerations for getting the right frames for your face and your eyes.
- First impressions count. Your eyes are one of the first things people see when they meet you. First impressions count, and the type of glasses or sunglasses you’re wearing can go a long way toward making a positive or negative first impression. You’ll want them to look good and fit good.
- All faces are not shaped the same. Some faces are wide; some are narrow. Some faces are short; some faces are long. Frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes to match a person’s face, and they can be expertly fitted by an eye care professional to ensure a good-looking and comfortable fit.
- Similarly, all eyes are not shaped or sized the same. Oval or rectangular, square or round or even oversized frames—these are all questions you need to ponder, and an eye care professional can help you weight your options.
- Depending on your profession or lifestyle, you may need or require certain styles and types of frames and glasses for practical applications such as reading and computer work, impact resistance, and secure fit. In terms of style considerations, for example, the type of glasses a college student might prefer is likely to differ greatly from what a business professional might prefer or need, so profession or lifestyle can factor greatly into eyeglass or sunglass choice.
- Not all insurance plans are created equal—and not everyone has coverage for eyeglasses. An eye care professional can work with you to determine what types of frames and lenses are covered by your plan, add-ons, and options, so you can best match your needs with your buying power.
- That said, ultimately, your glasses and sunglasses are a way for you to express your personality and style. As long as they fit well, are comfortable, help you see better, and fit within your budget, the rest is all up to you and your personal preferences. If you’re a serious business type, there’s nothing holding you back (except for maybe a little peer pressure) from getting some brightly colored, uniquely shaped glasses or shades. Or if you’re a student, and a little more on the serious side, maybe classic shapes and tones might be more your style!
Utilize Your Eye Care Professionals
The role of eye care professionals in glasses and frames selection doesn’t have to stop once a prescription has been written and handed off to the optician. Eye care professionals encounter hundreds of customers a week, guiding them through selecting and fitting lenses and frames. Eyewear customers should feel comfortable relying on their expert opinions to help choose not only technically correct glasses, but also the shapes, colors, and sizes that will complement their faces and their personalities. Optometrists should take note of the value-added nature that offering and promoting such a service could have for their practices!
We’re Here to Help
You only live once, and most of us, at one time or another will need a pair of glasses. The professionals at Sunglass and Optical Warehouse are pleased to offer the greater San Diego area’s largest selection of prescription glasses and prescription and non-prescription sunglasses (60+ brands to choose from such as Oakley, Maui Jim, or Rudy Project) to accommodate virtually all of your eyewear needs.
For more than 30 years, we’ve been taking the time to get to know our customers, their eye care needs, their personal styles, and their likes and dislikes. Young or old, traditional, or high fashion—our staff can fit your face comfortably with a new pair of eyeglasses or shades that are comfortable, effective, and that help you look and see your best.