Frames & Frame Materials
08-2008
The choice of frame material changes the way your patient and their glasses look. Describe metals as a classic, sleek material that can deliver thinner and lighter frames than other frame materials. Use high luster to matte finishes for a variety of elegant or understated looks. Plastic frames are typically thicker and available in more of an array of color and patterns. As a result, plastics can be used to draw attention to a frame and make a bolder statement. Multiple colors and patterns on the same frame are possible by sandwiching, so help patients with the degree of boldness that they want to achieve. In fact, today, many frames are a combination of materials so that fronts may be sleek while temples are bold in size, shape, color and brand logo. Rimless provides a minimalist approach to eyewear and is often preferred by the person that doesn’t want their glasses seen.They can be the most comfortable and lightest eyewear. The look of both rimless and full frames is possible with semi-rimless styles which provide the patient with a boundary-free frame at the bottom of the lens.
WHICH FRAME MATERIAL IS BEST?
 Thinner frames are more easily adjusted than thicker ones. Some frames cannot be adjusted to fit a wide range of patients so be sure that the frame fits correctly before the patient leaves and you’ve ordered the lenses. Some metals are rigid so fit is critical.
Add crystals and branded logos, it adds elegance to a frame for everyday. It makes patients feel special and provides them with a visible identifier for a brand that they love.
The best material is a combination of looks, fashion and personal taste.Your ability to describe the differences is important so the patient understands why your service and products are the best choice.
 FRAME QUALITY
Quality is part look and part durability in the eyes of the patient. Look for a consistent finish over the entire frame whether it is high luster or matte. When closing the temples, be sure that the frame front butts smoothly and evenly with the temple end. Screws should not loosen easily, especially when the patient opens and closes the temples repeatedly. High fashion, branded frames like D&G, Prada, Bvlgari or Versace represent that brand so must meet the patient’s expectations and experience with that brand in other products. Choose the right high-quality vendor; this ensures that brand promises are met. Quality also means the frame has been tested in accelerated aging that cycles humidity and UV corrosion resistance so frame finishes remain sparkling, lenses pass drop ball testing and metal coating thicknesses are correct and consistent.
Aside from the "invisibility" of rimless eyewear, it’s always a product that shows off new technology to great advantage. This technology extends to both new material uses such as strip titanium, and TR90 plastics as well as newer, stronger and more stable rimless mountings such as tension mountings, thermal bonding and UV curing epoxies. Unlimited customization of lens shapes is also a strong selling point.
Lloyd Silverstein, Optician/Owner
Optical Underground
San Francisco, CA
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