If you wear glasses and your vision seems to be off, your first response will likely be that your prescription needs to be checked.

But that is not always the case.

If it’s been less than a year since your most recent eye exam, Desinee Drakulich, OD, Nebraska Medicine optometrist at the Truhlsen Eye Institute, recommends checking your frames first. “There’s a good chance that your frames may need to be adjusted as most adults’ prescription will not change in less than a year.”

Signs your eyeglass frames may need to be adjusted

Dr. Drakulich recommends seeing an optician for a frame adjustment if you experience any of the following issues:

• Your frames are crooked or bent
• Your glasses keep sliding down your nose
• You have pain or pressure behind your ears
• Your vision seems to be off
• The nose pad is leaving marks on your nose

While your eyeglass prescription will help you see better, having the correct fitting frames for your face that work best with your prescription is also a critical component in helping maximize your vision.  

For example, explains Dr. Drakulich, if you are farsighted, your lenses will have a thick center. This requires a larger frame. If you are nearsighted, the edge of the lenses will be thicker depending on how severe your nearsightedness. In this case, a thicker frame also works best. Plastic eyeglass frames may provide the most stability for heavier prescriptions, whereas metal frames may be adequate if the prescription is mild or moderate.

“There are a lot of variabilities that go into choosing a well-fitting frame,” notes Dr. Drakulich. “At Truhlsen Eye Institute, we have trained opticians who understand the principles of fitting your frames to your prescription and face size.”

For instance, your glasses should rest in the middle of your face and no higher than your eyebrows. The width of your frames should equal the width of your face at the temples, leaving enough room on the sides to avoid digging in or leaving marks.

To achieve the best fit, one of Truhlsen Eye Institute’s trained opticians will take several measurements of your face that include:

• The width of your face
• Length from eyes to ears
• Eye size
• Bridge width, the distance between nose and eyes

These measurements are usually stamped inside your frames. When you receive your glasses, your optician will check the fit and adjust to achieve the best feel and comfort.

Should I buy my frames online?

To get well-fitting frames, Dr. Drakulich does not recommend getting your frames online.

“A lot of online sites will have you take pictures of your face and send those to them for measurements, but this just doesn’t take the place of doing in-person measurements and consultation,” says Dr. Drakulich. “When you get your prescription and eyeglass frames here, we will do free frame and prescription adjustments. This will automatically be done at your annual eye exam and on an as-needed basis.”

What type of frame should I get?

“The best frame is the one that fits your face best, your lifestyle and is comfortable for you,” Dr. Drakulich says.

For instance, if you are physically active or are rough on your glasses, a titanium frame, which is more resilient and less likely to break, may be a good option, suggests Dr. Drakulich. Metal frames would not be a good choice for people allergic to metal. Plastic frames are typically a good choice for people with thick lenses. “Your optician will help you make the best choice for you,” adds Dr. Drakulich.

To keep your eyes healthy and your prescriptions up to date, Dr. Drakulich recommends getting a yearly eye exam. “Being proactive can help your optometrist diagnose any potential eye problems early on before they get worse,” she says. “Just like you get your teeth checked every six months to a year, you should also get your eyes checked annually.”

Need an eye exam?

The Truhlsen Eye Institute has Optical Shops at 3902 Leavenworth and Village Pointe Health Center at 110 N. 175th St. To schedule an appointment with one of our optometrists, call 402.559.2020.