Features & Benefits

Eye Size

Eye size also known as the A dimension is the horizontal measurement of the lens. The first number of a frame measurement (51-18-140) is the width of one lens measured in millimeters. This number provides a sense of a frame’s overall width & to determine the particular fitting needs of each customer, to ensure that the frame is comfortable for long periods of wear.

As a rule of thumb your eyes should be nearly centered in the width of the lenses. A frame that is too wide will make your eyes look close set while a frame that is too narrow will exaggerate the width of your face.

Narrow Eye Size

If you have a narrow face, look for optical frames in the 42mm to 50mm range and in sunglasses range from 42mm-55mm

Medium Eye Size

Medium faces look for optical frames range from 48mm to 53mm & sunglasses from 56mm – 64mm.

Wide Eye Size

Wider faces should look for optical frames range from 52mm and higher & sunglasses from 65mm and higher

B measurement

Vertical measurement also known as the frame depth on the lens. This helps determine if the frame can be used for progressive or multifocal lenses. Minimum should be 30mm for traditional progressive lenses.

Bridge (DBL)

Bridge width is the second number in the string (51-18-140) and is also a factor in determining fit. The bridge measurement is the distance between the lenses. If you have a narrow bridge or close set eyes you will want this number to be lower (15mm to 18mm) if you have a wider bridge or wide set eyes this number can be higher (18mm to 22mm).

Bridge Location

Also consider the location of the bridge in relation to the browline of the frame. Frames with bridges that are even with the browline are great if the bridge of your nose is higher on your face (above your pupils). Frames with a lower bridge and a more arched browline best if the bridge of your nose is lower on your face (approximately even with your pupils).

Temple length

The third number in the string (51-18-140), temple length is the measurement in millimeters of the ‘arm’ of the frame. This measurement does not vary as much as the others with 135mm, 140mm, 145mm and 150mm being most common. Acetate temples can be adjusted to get the best fit but it is important to have enough length so the temple sits horizontally and does not tip up over the ear. If you have had problems with temples being too short, look for frames with lengths of 145 and 150mm.

Face Form

Also known as frame wrap angle, Is the angle of how the frame wraps around the face. An important aspect of wrap fitting is eyelash clearance. Depending on a person’s ethnicity, a different amount of wrap will be needed for a comfortable fit.

Pantoscopic Tilt

The vertical tilt of the frame or the angle of the frame as it leans towards the cheeks. This is needed in order for patients to rotate the eyes from distance to reading without having difficulty or looking under the glasses and in order to maintain vertex distance. Different ethnicities require a different degree of tilt. The goal is to always have lens coverage regardless of where you are looking. A frame has too much tilt if the frame touches your cheeks. It doesn’t have enough tilt if you see the bottom rim of the frame when you look slightly downwards.


Metal

Stainless Steel

A widely used metal in the manufacture of eyeglasses, stainless steel is an alloy of steel and chromium. Strong, corrosion-resistant and generally hypoallergenic.

Flex Stainless Steel

Steel alloy with the same benefits as standard stainless steel but mostly used on temples to add flex and comfort without needing a spring hinge.

Memory Metal

Memory metal is a titanium alloy that allows frames to return back to their original shape, even when bent.

Strong, lightweight, flexible TITANflex® frames “remember” their original shape, even when bent with the rigors of daily eyeglass wear.

Titanium

High-tech, high-performance pure metal that is most commonly used in high-end frame manufacturing. Strong, ultra-lightweight, hypo-allergenic & corrosion resistance.

Beta-Titanium

A titanium alloy that provides flexibility in titanium frames. It is strong, lightweight, flexible & adjustable.

Copper, Brass, Bronze

Brass and bronze are copper alloys most commonly used to cast decorative elements on a frame. Decorative details can be highly dimensional and detailed when made from these materials.

Aluminum

The most abundant metal in the earth’s crust, aluminum is a lightweight option for eyeglass frames. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant and durable. Aluminum is also 100% recyclable.

Plastic

Cellulose Acetate

A plant-based plastic that is hypoallergenic. It is strong, lightweight, and flexible. It is a non-petroleum based plastic that is made from natural cotton and wood fibers. Cellulose acetate for eyewear is made by forming sheets of plastic, out of which frames are cut and formed, then hand polished and final assembled into a frame.

Cellulose acetate also has the widest range for transparency, rich color depth and dynamic finishes. More complex colorations are able to be produced by layering several colors or transparencies in layers and sandwiching them together or by puzzling pieces of different colors side by side. See custom laminations for more information. Most cellulose acetate can be heated for lens insertion and temple adjustments.

High Density Acetate

A newer material on the market, this material is much thinner and therefore lighter than traditional cellulose acetate. A traditional acetate frame will be 4-5mm in thickness, where as an HD frame is only 3mm in thickness. It can also be headed for lens insertion and temple adjustments. However, there are a fewer colors available in this material in comparison to standard cellulose acetate.

Cellulose Propionate

A form of cellulose acetate, called cellulose acetate propionate, this is injected plastic that is lightweight, hypoallergenic and is available in a wide range of colors and densities, which are often translucent. This material can be headed for lens insertion and temple adjustments.

Nylon

Nylon is often used for sports and performance sunwear. Flexible yet stiff, nylon is lightweight and strong. It is easily molded into wraparound styles. It is also hypoallergenic. It cannot be heated for adjustments.

TR-90/Ultem

A thermoplastic material that is incredibly durable, flexible, and lightweight. Glasses made with TR90 are extremely comfortable because they have a flexible quality that can bend under pressure and contour your face comfortably. These materials are heat resistant and therefore cannot be heated for frame adjustments. However, they also won’t lose their shape when left in a hot car accidentally.


Rimless

No frame for the lenses to sit in, the lenses are mounted directly to the bridge and/or temple. They are designed to be nearly invisible so they’ll have little impact on how you look. They are extremely lightweight, which makes them more comfortable.

Semi Rimless

These frames have a rim that surrounds only a portion of the lenses. These glasses can typically be identified by the metal rim around the top of the lenses while the bottom is transparent and secured with a clear nylon cord. Compared to a full frame, they reveal a little bit more of the face, so they are more subtle.

Full Frame

Frames that fully surround the lenses no matter what the shape.

Combination

These frames combine acetate and metal. Sometimes the front is acetate and the temple is metal or visa versa. Often today, both acetate and metal are used on the front to create a bold and complex look.


CR-39

Excellent optics & thicker in dimension

Polycarbonate

Impact-resistant, lightweight and thinner

Nylon

Impact resistant & lightweight

TAC

Thinner lens with polarized coating

Polarized

A coating applied to the lens that filters reflective light and reduces glare.

Gradient

Lenses tinted from the top down, so that the top of the lens is darkest. These lenses are good for driving, because they shield your eyes from overhead sunlight and allow more light through the bottom half of the lens so you can see your dashboard clearly. They also provide a fashion element to your sunglasses & come in a range of colors.

Tinted

Many lens colors are purely for aesthetic reasons, however, the tint of a lens can enhance your depth perception and reduce eye fatigue in different environments, improving your performance across a number of sports and activities.

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Mirror

A mirror like coating on a lens that creates a reflection. Mirror coatings are good for situations that require a reduction in the overall brilliance of light, such as sunlight on snow. They reflect light away from the eye (beyond the standard absorption of a tinted lens) which is ideal for people who are light-sensitive. Mirrors can be any color and can vary from a light about of reflection (flash mirror) to a heavy amount of reflection where the eye behind the lens is completely hidden.

Iridescent Mirror

Mirror coatings that changes colors creating a rainbow effect on the surface.


XL Fit

Designed for men who want a perfect fit without compromising style. This collection has larger eye sizes ranging from 57-60mm, wider PD & bridges from 18-21mm, longer temple lengths at 150-155mm, bowed temples for extra comfort.

Petite Fit

For smaller or narrower faces, for eye sizes ranging from 46mm-50mm

Universal Fit

Designed for faces with lower or minimal bridges and/or high cheekbones. These frames have less curvature or face form & pantascopic tilt, to create a better fit. Acetate frames have deeper nose pads on smaller bridge sizes to ensure frame does not slip.

Progressive Friendly

Progressive lenses increases clarity and a range of vision correction, from near to. The B measurement on a frame will help determine if you can have a traditional progressive lens put into the frame. The deeper the measurement the better. Minimum should be 30mm. Compact progressive lenses are possible on a shallower frame.

Reading Glasses

Reading glasses are made primarily for presbyopia which is an age-related eye disease most people experience around 35 to 45 years of age. Presbyopia is caused by a decreased elasticity in the eye's lens, making it more difficult to focus on objects in a close range. These are known as single vision lenses.


Spring Hinges

A spring mechanism inside the hinge which allows a greater extension of the temple outward, creating a flexible temple. They provide a more comfortable fit. They require less adjustment from the optician & are more likely to hold their shape for the long term.

Integrated Spring Hinges

Integrated spring hinges have the same benefits as a regular spring hinge, plus the added design benefit of being completely hidden by the temple design.

exclusive Prints

High definition prints custom made by each brand.

LAMINATIONs

A sheet of cellulose acetate that has had one or more layers bonded (laminated) to each other. If it has two layers, it’s called a double laminate and if it has three layers, it’s a triple laminate.

Custom Lamination

When a designer is able to choose which colors to combine to create a new color that is exclusive to the collection. Sometimes these colors can sit side by side on the frame and are puzzled together for a complete custom look.

Block Materials

Chips of acetate in various colors are put into a mold that is shaped like a large block. The plastic melts and solidifies – the small chips become chunks of color that all blend together. The block is then sliced into sheets of acetate. Think of a marble cake when each slice has a slightly different pattern. No two frames will look exactly alike because the pattern varies throughout each slice. All tortoise materials are block acetate.

CARVED

Carved is a cutting process that uses a milling cutter to remove material from the surface to reveal the second layer material.

Pierced

A process of making holes in the frames in intricate patterns such as lace and/or modern designs like vents.

Enamel

Enamel is done by a skilled craftsman with a tiny needle, takes resins in any color and places into a recessed area or smeared on the surface of a frame. Sometime the enamel I transparent and has a stain glass effect called plique a jour.

Two Tone Plating

A process which allows for different colors to appear on various parts of a metal frame. This is done by masking off sections and plating it two times to achieve a two coloration effect. A skilled person has to clean off the excess by hand.

Laser Details

A laser machine is used to engrave intricate patterns on a frame’s surface.

Double Tooling

A pressing or casting process which allows a frame’s decorative patterns to have high definition and appear beautifully on the inside and outside of the temple.


ETS TECHNOLOGY

Titanflex Technology - Easy Temple Shortening: individual segments each measures at 2.5mm that can be cut to shorten the tip juncture to the required temple length. Up to a total of 10mm of adjustability

EAs TECHNOLOGY

Titanflex Technology - Easy Adjustment Support: An innovative core wire design that makes the workload of the optician much easier. The flat core wire features a zig zag ridge design which creates maximum flexibility and optimum adjustability in wider tip designs.

PDT TECHNOLOGY

Titanflex Technology - Performance Design Technology: Construction of a flexible bridge with TITANflex memory sheet metal material. The result is a tough, durable, flexible frame.