Choosing Frames & Lenses

Properly customized spectacles are more than just a frame, lenses, and a couple of screws. At Oak Bay Optometry, our optometrists determine a prescription and our eyewear stylists use their training and expertise to ensure that you get the best type of frame, lenses, and options for your lifestyle and visual needs.

Have you ever wondered what is involved in ordering a set of glasses? It all starts with an eye examination by an optometrist. The optometrist will ask whether you are having any particular difficulties with your vision, followed by further questions to get an understanding of your particular visual needs. The optometrist will then check how your eyes naturally focus light, either with an automated instrument or with a hand-held retinoscope. This provides a starting point for the prescription.

You may remember being asked “one or two?” at your last eye examination. This part is important. Your optometrist is paying attention to your responses and designing your prescription based on a number of factors — your age, lifestyle, comfort with your previous glasses, eye health, and even your height will affect the fine tuning of your prescription. Your optometrist will also assess your binocular functions, checking to see if you require adjustments, such as prism, to allow your eyes to work properly together. Of course, as part of your full eye exam, a full assessment of ocular health will also be performed.

Once your prescription has been fine-tuned, an optician or eyewear stylist can take the next steps to customize your visual correction. Face shape, strength of prescription, amount of astigmatism, and whether or not you are hard on your glasses will all affect frame selection. Lens selection is even more specialized. Depending on your prescription, different lens materials and curvatures are appropriate. You will be asked about your individual visual needs in order to determine which lens style is suitable. For example, do you do a lot of night driving? Are you an athlete? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors or on the water? Do you spend a large part of your day on the computer? These are all important considerations when choosing lenses. Once frame and lenses are chosen, optical staff will adjust the frame to your face and take specific measurements to make sure the lenses will be properly centered in your frame. All the measurements are verified and final adjustments are made to ensure the glasses are fitting comfortably.

All the little details mentioned above are important in providing comfortable vision and satisfaction with a new pair of glasses. Our team of experts at Oak Bay Optometry will provide you with attentive and individualized care when it comes time to update your spectacles.