Spectacles
should look good and function properly
BERLIN
- Improved vision is only one of many considerations to make
when buying spectacles and comfort and aesthetic appeal also
count.
“The
upper rim, for example, should not go above the eyebrow,” says
Kerstin Kruschinski, a spokeswoman for the Berlin-based Board
for Good Vision (KGS). “That does not look good.”
Aesthetics
also dictate that glasses should complement the facial shape. As
a rule of thumb, experts advise people with angular faces to
choose round frames and vice versa. “Women with angular faces
can create a more feminine impression this way.”
If
the glasses pinch when tried on, that is no reason to rule out
narrow models. It just means the optician has to modify them.
“Nobody
should let their frames rest on their cheekbones.” First of
all, that can lead to the glasses steaming up faster, says
Kruschinski. Apart from that, regular skin contact can cause
problems for people with allergies, especially if the frames
contain nickel.
Design
is not the only thing that counts when selecting glasses. The
intended use is more important. Opticians make many decisions
about the strength and design of the spectacles depending on
whether the wearer plans to spend most of his time reading or
sitting at a computer.
Customers
also need to consider what kind of glass to use. Silicon-based
or special glass is scratch resistant and offers the best vision
options. However, synthetic glass is almost as good according to
Kruschinski. Although it is not as scratch-resistant as glass,
it is shatterproof.
“Synthetic
glass is therefore good for children and athletes.”
Synthetic
glass can be treated with a special coating to make it more
scratch resistant. Other coating techniques can help keep dirt
off the lens or prevent moisture from accumulating. Anti-glare
lenses are suitable for people who work a lot with computers,
according to Kruschinski. They are also helpful for people
driving at dusk.
“In
these cases, the customer has to decide what he needs.”
There
is a clear trend toward lighter materials for frames,
Kruschinski notes. “Modern frames of steel alloys and titanium
are elastic and weigh hardly anything. They spring right into
shape. That makes them more comfortable to wear and less likely
to break immediately.”
DPA
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