Once you’ve selected your frames and lenses for style and function, you have to make sure they stay where they belong. The right temples, hinges and bridge (the part that sits on your nose) will make your eyeglasses more secure, more comfortable and more durable.

Bridges

Your nose supports about 90 percent of the weight of your glasses, and the bridge determines how well the nose does the job. There are three kinds of bridges:

• Adjustable nose pads are the most common and sit on either side of your nose. They’re flexible, comfortable and easy to fit, and the silicone pads keep the frames from slipping.

   

• The saddle bridge, a single, larger piece molded into the frame, sits along the top and sides of the nose, spreading the weight around. It’s a good choice for heavier glasses. The saddle bridge is a good alternative to nose pads for people who are sensitive to pressure or indentations.

   

• Keyhole bridges help keep the frame riding high by using the sides of the nose for support. This is a good option for people with small or flat nose bridges.

Temples

The side pieces of your glasses should hold everything in place without discomfort, and without obstructing your side vision. For most people, regular skull temples do the job - they’re the ones that bend over your ears. For active wearers, especially those in sports safety glasses, comfort cables that hook behind the ears are an excellent choice. They’re also good for kids because they make the glasses almost impossible to dislodge. Finally, library temples, which go straight back over the ears and are held on by pressure, are ideal for reading glasses because they’re easy to slip on and off.

Hinges