There are different types of frames - which should you choose, and what are the pros and cons? Read on to find out!
TR90 Lightweight Plastic Frames
These are very popular in recent years, as they are much lighter in weight as compared to the traditional acetate frames. Besides being more flexible, unlike many acetate frames, TR90 frames often do not have a metal core in the arms (temples) of the spectacle frame. This makes the arms more flexible, and thus more comfortable and durable.
Ultem Material Frames
Ultem frames are often made thinner, and hence provided an added edge of being even more flexible. Some optical shops selling these frames even twist the frames to show how flexible they can be. A popular feature is the adjustable end-pieces - the portion that goes over and at the back of your ears when you wear the glasses. These make the spectacles more easily adjustable for a good comfort and fit.
Ultem Material Frames with Nosepads
Due to the popularity of the ultra-flexible Ultem material frames, manufacturers have added nosepads to make these glasses fit like a pair of metal glasses, giving wearers with flatter nose-bridges a much better fit, i.e. the glasses sit further away from the eyes and does not slip down the face so easily. The small downside is that the nosepads may be damaged or break off if mishandled.
Metal and Titanium Frames
Metal spectacle frames are slowly moving from metals like stainless steel and aluminum to titanium - which is lighter, and often can be done thinner, giving a nice minimalist feel. Some metal frames are half-rimmed, i.e. the edges of the lenses are exposed usually at the bottom half of the front rim. This means more care should be taken when handling the glasses to prevent damage or breakage. Thinner frames also mean more of the lens thickness can be seen, which can be a factor of consideration for those with higher prescriptions, especially high myopia.
Combination Glasses
Some spectacles combine two materials - plastic and metal - in their design. These can be a TR90 plastic front with metal arms, or "brows" for the top half of the rims. These trendy glasses designs provide an added edge in style for the wearer, but can also be less long-lasting, as they may have more parts that are joined together (although not always the case!).