If you’ve worn glasses for a while, you’ve probably felt it before: the constant need to push your glasses back up your nose or the gentle ache behind your ears after a long day. A poor fit can be distracting and uncomfortable, making it hard to focus on what’s important. A proper eyeglasses fit means they should feel secure on your face without pinching or slipping, with your eyes correctly centred in the lenses for the clearest view.
Your frames become a part of your daily life, and their comfort can make all the difference in how you see and feel. Explore a variety of eyewear brands and designs to find a style that suits you.
Considerations of a Proper Fit
To find eyeglasses that feel comfortable, look at the 3 main parts of the frame. These elements work together to keep your glasses in place and provide clear vision.
Frame Width and Size
The total width of your frames should match the width of your face, not extending too far past your temples. If the frames are too wide, your eyes won’t be in the centre of the lenses. This inaccurate width can affect how well you see through your prescription.
Pupillary Distance and Lens Centre
For clear vision, your pupils should look through the optical centre of each lens. The measurement between your pupils is called pupillary distance, or PD, and it helps align your eyes horizontally within the frame. But it’s not only the horizontal PD that matters—your vertical alignment is just as important for clear, comfortable vision. The optical centre of each lens should also line up with your pupil vertically, which is measured while the glasses are on your face since the height can change depending on where the frame sits on your nose. Proper vertical measurements ensure your prescription works exactly as intended, especially for multifocal, progressive, and higher-strength lenses.
Temple Arms and Length
The arms of your glasses, known as temples, should be long enough to rest comfortably over your ears. If they’re too short, they might dig into the skin behind your ears. If they’re too long, your glasses will likely slip down your nose.
Lens Coatings
Lens coatings can also play an important role in your overall comfort and vision. Options like anti-reflective coatings reduce glare from screens and headlights, while scratch-resistant coatings help protect your lenses from everyday wear. Blue-light filtering coatings can make digital device use more comfortable, and UV protection helps shield your eyes from sun damage. Choosing the right coatings can make your glasses more durable, clearer, and more comfortable for daily use.
How Glasses Should Rest on Your Face
Even a frame that is the right size can feel wrong if it doesn’t sit correctly. Here is how your glasses can align with your features for a comfortable fit.
Your Eyes and Eyebrows
Your eyes should be horizontally and vertically centred in the lens opening of your frames. The frames can sit just below your eyebrows, so your expressions remain visible. Your glasses should not completely cover your eyebrows.
Your Nose and Cheeks
The bridge of the glasses should rest on your nose without pinching or leaving red marks. When you smile, the frames should not touch your cheeks. If they do, they may be too low on your face or need a slight adjustment from your Optometrist or Optician.
Your Ears and Head
The temple arms can rest gently on top of your ears. The bend in the arm should start just over your ear to hold the frames securely in place. Your glasses should not feel tight against the sides of your head.
Signs Your Glasses Don’t Fit Correctly
An improper fit can lead to discomfort and may even impact your vision. Watch for these common signs that your glasses might need an adjustment or that you could benefit from a new frame.
Are Your Frames Too Big or Too Small?
Your frames may be too big if they constantly slide down your face or feel loose. Your eyes might also appear too close to the bridge of the nose. If your glasses feel tight against your head, pinch your nose, or leave pressure marks, they may be too small.
How to Know if Your Glasses Are Misaligned
If one lens appears higher than the other, or the frame feels tilted, they may be crooked. You can look in a mirror to check if the frame sits level on your face.
Common Issues and What They Mean
- Sliding down your nose: The bridge may be too wide, or the temple arms could be too long
- Leaving red marks on your nose: The frame is likely too tight or heavy at the bridge
- Digging in behind your ears: The temple arms might be too short or curved too sharply
- Causing headaches: This can be a sign of a poor fit, an incorrect prescription, or even digital eye strain
- Blurry Vision: This can be a sign that your eyes are not in the optical centre of the lens. Especially if you tilt your head back and your vision seems to be clearer.
The Fit for Sunglasses
Sunglasses follow many of the same fit rules as regular glasses, but their main job is to protect your eyes from the sun. This job means they often have a few key differences.
How Should Sunglasses Fit?
Sunglasses often feature larger lenses and frames to provide greater coverage for your eyes and the delicate skin around them. It’s perfectly fine if they are a bit oversized and sit higher on your face, even covering your eyebrows, as long as they feel comfortable and don’t slip.
Explore a range of sunglass brands to find a protective and stylish pair in our collection.
Sports And Specialty Eyewear Fitting
For active work or play, the right task-specific eyewear is just as important as your everyday frame fit. Sports eyewear stays secure and enhances visual performance, while safety eyewear protects your eyes from hazards like dust and debris.
Get a Professional Frame Adjustment
While you can typically spot fit problems on your own, a professional can provide a solution. A professional adjustment can make a big difference in both your comfort and your vision clarity.
Why You Need a Professional Opinion
An Optician has the proper tools and experience to adjust frames carefully without causing damage. They can shape the temple arms and adjust nose pads for a personalized fit that is often difficult to achieve on your own.
What to Expect at Your Frame Adjustment
During a fitting, a professional will look at how the glasses sit on your face from different angles. They check the frame width, temple length, and bridge fit, then make small, precise adjustments to improve comfort and stability using specialty tools that won’t damage your frames.
Visit Us In Calgary for All Your Eyeglasses Concerns
If your glasses cause any discomfort, seeking professional help is a good first step. Our team at Eye Q Optometrists can offer personalized care for your whole family, from routine exams to finding the right frame fit. Contact our team today at Eye Q Optometry to book an appointment.
