A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Pair of Glasses

There is nothing quite like putting on a pair of perfectly fitting classes and seeing the world as clear as day. Glasses are a big purchase. You wear them every single day, and they quite literally help you see the world in a different way. It’s important to get it right when purchasing your first pair, but many people don’t know where to begin. The wide selection can be overwhelming, but there are many ways to filter your options. There are several important areas to consider when buying glasses, and it’s important to consider each aspect.

Consider Your Faily Activity

What does a normal day in your life look like? Are you a rockstar, constantly swinging your head around? Or does a comfortable office space sound more like your speed? Either way, your daily affairs should be among the first considerations when buying glasses. Your level of activity can make a big difference in the frame size and shape that will suit your lifestyle best. If you live a more active lifestyle glasses you may shift more toward contacts. How you move and act every day makes a difference between glasses being a nuisance or the best thing that ever happened to you.

Express Yourself

Glasses can be a great way to express yourself and your style. Since you will be wearing these glasses every day, don’t rush the process of trying on different colors, shapes, and styles. Use your glasses as a way to communicate who you are as a person, don’t hide behind them. Glasses can become part of your look, part of your new and fun identity. However, it is also important to consider where you work and what expectations they have. For example, while purple and yellow striped glasses might be exactly your personal style, wearing those to a job at a law firm might not be the best idea. It is important to strike a balance between expressing your personal style, while still being a good representation of the areas where you spend your time. Maybe having a fun pair and a more serious pair is what is right for you. The best part about picking out a new pair of glasses is the experience is individualized to your needs and wants.

What Can You Afford?

Setting a budget is an important step in any purchasing decision, and glasses are no different. Talking to friends who wear prescription glasses can be a good starting place. There are glasses in a large variety of price ranges, so pick the one that works best for you. Make sure to consider whether you’ll benefit from extra features, and how many pairs you intend to purchase. Keep your budget in mind at all times, but also understand the investment you’ll be making with a good pair of high-quality glasses. You can get a great pair of glasses that is right for you without breaking the bank.

Prepare to Protect

Unfortunately, glasses are even easier to break than they are to buy. Finding the right pair is exciting, and you may be ready to stroll out of the store without any more thought, but there are a couple more things to consider first. Many people purchase a hard-shell case to help protect their glasses, as well as a microfiber cloth to keep them clean, and even a backup pair. If you’re making an investment for your eyes, it only makes sense to keep that investment as nice as possible. Make sure to take good care of your classes because they’re an investment that you want to make worthwhile.

Keep up to Date

Putting on an old pair of classes is similar to putting on an old shirt with holes in it, it still fits you but it can perform the function its supposed to. The last thing you want to do when getting a pair of glasses is getting an out of date prescription that doesn’t serve you as well as it could. Most adult prescriptions are valid for two years, whereas kids’ only last for one. Just to be safe, an eye exam prior to your purchase is an absolute must. Eye exams are a great way to benchmark how your glasses are helping, or the doctor can help update your prescription to better fit your needs.

Buying your first pair of glasses is a big deal, so we want to make sure you have all the resources you need to make a good, informed purchase. At Medical Arts Eye Clinic & Optical, we aim to provide our patients with the best optical care available, while serving as your one-stop-shop for all eye care needs, including your very first pair of glasses. Call us at 334-821-3838 to find out more about who we are, and schedule your appointment today!