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How To Choose the Best Prescription Sports Glasses in 2024

Finding the perfect pair of prescription sports glasses can feel like hitting a home run. The best glasses help you see clearly and make you look like the MVP. The options for eyewear in 2024 are endless, but we're here to give you the playbook for selecting prescription sports glasses.

Learn how to pick glasses that flatter your face and what other aspects to consider. We'll help you find frames featuring the coolest sports-themed designs and the latest tech innovations. Whether you're gearing up for the game or just want to rock a sporty look, this guide will help you pick the best prescription sports glasses.

How To Determine What Kind of Glasses You Need

Before getting into the fun part of picking out stylish frames, it's essential to understand exactly what kind of prescription glasses you need. This step is your foundation for choosing the perfect frames. Schedule an appointment to make sure your prescription is up-to-date.

You wouldn't want to spend the money on new glasses only to realize you need a stronger prescription. Visiting an optometrist ensures you have an accurate prescription. They will also determine if you require single-vision lenses, bifocals, or progressives.

Single-Vision Lenses

Single-vision lenses can correct several different focusing problems:

  • Myopia or Nearsightedness: If you have nearsightedness, you struggle to see far away, but you can see things right in front of you.
  • Hyperopia or Farsightedness: If you are farsighted, you're on the opposite side of the spectrum of people with nearsightedness. You have trouble seeing objects up close.
  • Presbyopia: Getting older has its positives and negatives. Older individuals can develop presbyopia, which is when they lose the ability to focus on nearby objects. Reading glasses can help them see clearly when they need to focus on something up close.

As you age, your eye lenses gradually change and lose flexibility, so it's important to have them checked yearly. Your ability to focus will become increasingly difficult, and you'll need a stronger prescription.

Multifocal Lenses

There are also a few different types of multifocal lenses:

  • Bifocal: These types of lenses are designed for someone to be able to read on the bottom and see far away on the top.
  • Trifocal: These lenses offer three different lens corrections. One fixes vision for distance, one is for intermediate vision, and one is for near vision.
  • Progressive: While bifocals and trifocals have dividing lines, progressives provide a smooth transition. Many people opt for progressive lenses due to this invisible transition. However, the focus areas are smaller because the transition areas are more significant.

Pair Eyewear’s single-vision lenses can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism. We also offer progressive lenses, premium plus lenses, and readers.

How To Pick Glasses That Look Good on Your Face

Choosing glasses that complement your face shape can make all the difference. If you don't know your face shape, there's a way to figure it out, and we're going to walk you through it.

It's time to break out the measuring tape and take the following measurements:

  • Face Length: Measure from the top of your hairline to the lowest point of your chin.
  • Forehead Width: Measure the distance across the middle of your forehead from hairline to hairline. Keep the measuring tape flat. Avoid bending it to fit the contour of your face.
  • Cheekbone Width: Identify the highest point of your cheekbone. You may need to feel around to find it. Measure from one cheekbone to the other.
  • Jawline Width: Place the measuring tape below your ear and bring it to the center of your chin. Multiply the number by two to find your jawline width.

What Are the Main Face Shapes?

After measuring, compare your numbers to the following descriptions of face shapes.

  • Round Face: Rounder faces have equal width and length. Opt for glasses with square or rectangular frames to balance out your features and add angles.
  • Oval Face: This face shape has a wider cheekbone than the forehead measurements. The face is also longer than it is wide. Oval face shapes are the best since every frame style works.
  • Diamond Face: The cheekbones are generally higher and wider than the forehead length. The chin is also on the narrow side. Oval frames are ideal for complementing a diamond face's features. Rounded, oval, or cat-eye frames complement this face shape.
  • Triangle Face: This face shape has high cheekbones and a narrow jaw. The width of the forehead is generally the same as your cheekbones, while the chin is narrow. Select frames wider at the bottom, like cat-eye frames, to balance out your pointy chin.
  • Square Face: This is your face shape if your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are the same measurements. You may also have a more pronounced jawline and forehead. Oval or round frames can soften the jawline and add curves to your appearance.

What Are Some Factors To Consider When Choosing Glasses?

When it comes to choosing glasses, there are a few critical factors in mind besides your face shape.

Comfort and Fit

No one wants to wear uncomfortable glasses on their face all day. Glasses that don't fit right can even lead to headaches, or they slide down and are super annoying.

Make sure your glasses fit comfortably and are not too loose or tight — you want to be able to cheer on your team without your glasses getting in the way.

Style and Aesthetics

The more you like what you wear, the more confident you'll feel. Sports glasses come in a variety of styles and designs — select a pair that fits your face shape and shows off your personality.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When selecting glasses, it's important to consider your lifestyle. Consider how your glasses will fit into your lifestyle. Are you the type for indoor activities, or do you love to get outside and enjoy nature? If you venture out often, prioritize features like UV protection.

Some lenses will block out high levels of UVA and UVB rays to keep your eyes protected all day. Your top concerns may be comfort and style for indoor activities or general wear.

Identify Special Features

Consider any special features you need to enhance your vision. Do you spend a lot of time staring at screens? Blue light filtering lenses may be a game-changer in your life. Are you looking for smart lenses that adjust to different lighting conditions?

Consider what will make your everyday activities easier and more enjoyable. Anti-reflective lenses are a must, no matter your lifestyle. This coating allows more light to pass through the lenses instead of bouncing off for maximum clarity.

At Pair Eyewear, we offer a variety of lens options, including blue light, transitional lenses, and Sun Tops. Plus, all of our lenses have UVA and UVB protection for added peace of mind.

Frame Material and Durability

Consider getting frames made from durable materials like polycarbonate or titanium. These frames can take a hit without snapping in two. Plus, they're lightweight, so you won't feel like you're wearing a weight on your face.

At Pair Eyewear, our glasses frames are made from hand-polished, flexible acetate that’s incredibly durable. There are also lens coatings to make your eyewear more durable — we include anti-scratch treatments on our Standard Lenses made from polycarbonate, for extra peace of mind.

What Should You Know About Glasses Today?

Eyewear has come a long way, and the latest innovations are all about making your life easier, clearer, and more stylish. Let's take a look at some of the fun features you can get in 2024.

Blue Light Filtering

You may be wondering, what's all the fuss about blue light? While blue light is not all bad, overexposure can damage retinal cells. It can also impact age-related macular degeneration. Yikes.

How long do you look at screens throughout the day? Many people work all day on their computers, go home, and mindlessly scroll on their phones. Blue-light filtering lenses can be the real MVPs in eyewear.

The special coating helps block out some of the blue light from your devices. The reduction of this type of light can help you avoid eye strain and even sleep better.

Lenses featuring blue light can reduce the adverse effects by 10% to 23%. If your eyes hurt throughout the day, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away from your screen. This practice gives your eyes a brief but much-needed rest.

Smart Lenses

Some lenses can adapt to the environment automatically. They darken in bright sunlight and clear up when you go inside. These transition lenses mean you don't have to switch between your prescription glasses to sunglasses. Another option is to get a Sun Top from Pair Eyewear. These sunglasses easily snap onto the front of your prescription frames!

These eyewear innovations will not only enhance your vision but your life. Whether you're looking for more comfort or you want a special type of lens, Pair Eyewear has what you need. Our sports frames can come with lenses made to fit your unique specifications.

What Are Some Popular Sports Themes in Prescription Glasses?

Pair Eyewear offers a unique way to express your team spirit. Our collection of prescription glasses is a celebration of your favorite sports and teams! If you're a passionate fan of an MLB, NHL, or NBA team, this collection is tailor-made for you. With a wide range of options, you can find the perfect pair that truly represents your team.

Forget the jersey. Rock a pair of glasses to the game with your favorite team's colors and logos. Here are a few examples to get you pumped up:

  • MLB Glasses: Frames with colors and a sleek, modern look with your MLB team's logo are available. Picture yourself wearing glasses with the vibrant red and white of the Boston Red Sox at a game at Fenway Park.
  • NBA Glasses: These frames are designed to match your favorite basketball team. Whether it's the Los Angeles Lakers' purple and gold or the Miami Heat's red and black, these glasses bring a touch of the team to your everyday look.
  • NHL Glasses: The NHL frame designs are two-toned or feature a look that resembles ice skate lines on the ice. If you're a Tampa Bay fan, there are frames featuring the iconic lightning bolt, while the Chicago Blackhawk's design is half black, half red with the team logo.

Customizable Options

These sports-themed glasses come with customizable options. Choose your frame style — whether you have an oval face and want rectangular frames or you have a square face and want a rounder style. All of the team designs can go on any frame.

Once you select your team and frame style, let us know your prescription needs. We can make sure you'll be able to see every run, basket, and goal all season long. You can also select any specialized lens coatings, like blue-light filtering. Your glasses will automatically have an anti-reflective and anti-scratch treatment applied.

How To Choose the Right Glasses Retailer

Choosing the right retailer is crucial when purchasing prescription glasses. The best retailers will offer a great selection and top-notch service and ensure you get the best value for your money. Here's how to pick a winner when shopping for your next pair of eyewear.

Selection and Variety

Find a retailer offering a wide range of options. When it comes to eyewear, you want a frame style, color, and lenses that are right for you. Retailers with only a few choices may not have what you need.

At Pair Eyewear, our glasses start with base frames, and then we have a wide selection of top frames that snap onto your base frames. This means you can switch up your glasses to match any style, aesthetic, or outfit — the sky’s the limit.

Online Shopping

Online retailers often offer a bigger selection than brick-and-mortar stores. Shopping online is also more convenient because you can do it from home anytime.

At Pair, we even have virtual try-on tools so you can see how different frames look on your face right from the comfort of your home.

Return Policy

Look at the retailer's return policy before purchasing. Glasses are an investment, and you want to be covered if there's an issue. At Pair Eyewear, we accept returns up to 30 days from the time of your order.

How To Care for Prescription Sports Glasses

Keeping your prescription sports glasses in tip-top shape is key. Treat them like a top athlete by following the best practices and using the best materials to keep them clean. Avoid tossing them in your bag with no case or wiping them off with your t-shirt because this can lead to lens scratches and frame damage.

Here’s a quick walkthrough of how to clean your glasses:

  1. Spritz on a spray made for lenses on both sides of the lenses. Gently wipe the spray off with a microfiber cloth.
  2. If you don’t have a spray for your lenses, rinse your glasses under lukewarm water, then dry them with a clean, soft cloth. The water will remove any grit that could lead to lens scratches.
  3. Don't use household cleaners or soaps because they can damage the lens coatings.

Storage Tips

When you take your glasses off your face, put them in a case. A hard-shell case is like a helmet, protecting them from damage and getting crushed. Place the glasses lens-up in the case to avoid scratches and avoid keeping them in extreme heat or freezing cold temperatures. When you take the extra steps to protect your glasses, you'll get the most out of them.

No one wants to have to buy new prescription glasses regularly, but with the Pair Eyewear’s selection, you can find great replacement options if you damage your specs.

Score the Best Sports Eyewear

Finding the best prescription sports glasses doesn’t have to feel like running a marathon. First, understand your vision needs and any special coatings you want. Next, find a retailer offering the coolest designs featuring your favorite team in a variety of frame styles.

Once you have your new glasses, take great care of them so they last. Pair Eyewear can help you find the best sports glasses in 2024.

Sources:

Protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV light | National Eye Institute

Eyeglasses: How to Choose Glasses for Vision Correction | American Academy of Ophthalmology

Myopia (Nearsightedness): Causes, Symptoms &Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

How blue light affects your eyes, sleep, and health | UC Davis