When you go into a large eye care chain store for glasses, you may be steered directly to a big rack of frames on the wall. Don’t go there. Experts say you should start with your prescription, not your frame. The reason: many lenses must be a certain shape for maximum effectiveness, and some lenses won’t match well with certain frames. For instance, today’s popular thin, oval wire frames are too thin to support many thicker lenses.

Size is critical, both for appearance’s sake and for your vision. Experts believe a frame should cover 20 to 30 percent of your face, with the top of the frame closely following your brow line.

Too large a frame can catch glare and create distortions in your vision...too small and your side vision may be limited.

If you need strong lenses, consider small frames. Small frames with rounded edges are often best for people with strong prescriptions or astigmatism because they reduce distortions created by having too much of the lens outside the line of vision. Let your Eye M.D.’s optical staff help you find the frame that suits your lenses and the shape of your face.

Most frames today are metal or plastic, although the old horn-rims are still around. Metal is usually the lightest and most stylish, but plastic is more durable and often more suitable for thick lenses.

Some of the newest plastic frames are so flexible they can be twisted into pretzel shapes and snap back undamaged.

People with active lifestyles might want to consider titanium and carbongraphite, two new framing materials particularly resistant to damage.

If you’re looking for safety glasses, be sure you’re getting a protective frame and polycarbonate lenses. Safety glasses with "Z87.1" imprinted on the frame or lens meet the standards put forth by the American National Standards Institute in Standard Z87.1-1989.

Whatever you select, make sure your eyeglasses fit comfortably and securely, and don’t rub behind your ears or irritate the bridge of your nose. If the glasses aren’t right, let your Eye M.D. know. There’s often an adjustment period with new glasses, but your ophthalmologist’s optical staff can adjust the hinges, bridges, or temples for a more comfortable fit. They can also design the "tilt" of the glasses on your face and the "wrap" of the glasses around your face to maximize vision and comfort.