OPTOMETRY · SEMESTER 1 Frame Selection Ophthalmic Dispensing Theory START READING NOTES Contents of This Topic WHAT IS FRAME SELECTION FACTORS TO CONSIDER DURING FRAME SELECTION Factors to Consider Before Using the Wearer’s Old Frames Frame Selection COSMETIC CONSIDERATIONS FRAME SHAPE AND FACE SHAPE Facial Types 5. Triangular—the lower part of the face is wider than the upper part The oval face is considered normal and can wear almost any frame, so only the general rules apply. FRAME COLOR Key factors in frame color Hair Color Eye Color Personal Style & Goal FITTING CONSIDERATIONS The Bridge The Significant Nasal Angles for Fitting Frontal angle Splay angle The Crest Angle FRAME SELECTION WHAT IS FRAME SELECTION Frame selection is the process of choosing eyeglass frames that best suit your facial features, prescription needs, lifestyle, and personal style, often involving matching frame shapes to face shapes (e.g., angular frames for round faces) for balance, ensuring proper fit and comfort, and considering color and material for aesthetics and function. FACTORS TO CONSIDER DURING FRAME SELECTION USING THE WEARER’S OLD FRAME Sometimes a person wants to use their old frames instead of selecting something new. This may or may not be appropriate. There are a number of valid reasons for wanting to use the old frame and not purchase a new one. These include cost, comfort of the old frames, and sometimes the inability of the wearer to look in the mirror with any other frame and still have what they see look right to them. Factors to Consider Before Using the Wearer’s Old Frames Stress on the frame. Putting new lenses in an old frame may involve putting additional stress on the frame, Older frames may not withstand that stress very well. It is hard to predict how long an old frame will last. Will it last the life of the new lens prescription? If the frame breaks, it is not a simple task to find another frame into which those new lenses will fit. Frame Selection Availability of spare parts. If the old frame needs repairing in the future, will there be parts available? A used frame may already be discontinued. Emergency backup of old frame. Usually people keep their old glasses as a backup spare pair in case they lose or break their new pair. Using the old frames eliminates the emergency backup Frame Selection Are the old frames out of style or nearly out of style? If they are nearly out of style, what will these older frames look like by the time the wearer is ready for the next prescription change? COSMETIC CONSIDERATIONS Cosmetic frame selection involves balancing face shape, skin tone, and features like eyebrows, focusing on contrast (angular frames for round faces, softer frames for square faces) and complementary colors (warm tones for warm skin, cool tones for cool skin) to enhance features, while ensuring proper fit and size for overall harmony. FRAME SHAPE AND FACE SHAPE Since frames are exceedingly obvious on the face, their shape tends to emphasize or deemphasize characteristics of the face. A good frame selection can be simplified by considering first which facial lines are complimentary to the person. Because a hairstyle can also alter the apparent shape of the face, frames are generally chosen to compliment the face as it appears with the hairstyle being worn at the time of frame selection Facial Types Generally, there are seven basic facial shapes: 1. Oval—considered to be the ideal type 2. Oblong—thinner and longer than usual, with the sides of the head being more parallel to one another than in the oval type 3. Round—more circular than the oval 4. Square—again, the sides of the face are more parallel than in the oval, with the face being wider and shorter than usual 5. Triangular—the lower part of the face is wider than the upper part 6. Inverted triangular—the upper part of the face, the temple area, is wider than the lower jaw area 7. Diamond—the central section of the face is wider, with the upper and lower extremities of the face narrowing down considerably Frame Selection To simplify the face shapes to help choose frame width and depth, the seven shapes can be condensed to the following fi ve shapes. The oval face is considered normal and can wear almost any frame, so only the general rules apply. An oval face is longer than it is wide, with balanced, soft proportions, a gently curved jawline, and cheekbones that are the widest part of the face, resembling an upside-down egg, and is often considered the most versatile face shape for hairstyles and makeup Frame Selection The oblong face is simply referred to as long. Both the round and the square face fall into the category of the wide face. The erect or base-down triangular face is a category that does not lend itself to condensation. For fitting purposes, the diamond face is included in the inverted or base-up triangular classifi ca tion, since these shapes are all fi t in basically the same manner. Using this simplifi ed system, a face may deviate from the normal in four essential ways: it may be either too long, too wide, or too triangular, with the base of the triangle up or down. FRAME COLOR When selecting frame colors, consider your skin's undertone (warm: gold, brown; cool: silver, blue) for harmony, your hair and eye color for contrast or accentuation (e.g., orange for blue eyes, dark frames for light hair), and your personal style (classic vs. bold) to find shades that enhance features, make a statement, or blend in, aiming for a complementary look. Key factors in frame color Skin Tone Warm Undertones (golden, peach): Earthy tones like gold, brown, tortoise, warm greens, and orange. Cool Undertones (pink, blue): Silver, black, blue, purple, cool grays, and jewel tones. Neutral Undertones: Versatile; can wear both warm and cool colors. Hair Color Dark Hair: Bold colors (black, deep blues, rich browns) provide strong contrast; clear or pastel frames