Choosing a pair of prescription safety eyewear can be a little stressful at times. There are so many options between the style, the color, and more importantly, the material of the frame. Today we are going to discuss the pros and cons of plastic frames.
For many, when we think of eyewear, we think of plastic frames. For many years, plastic frames have become the cheaper material to create sunglasses, prescription glasses, and safety eyewear. There are many pros to choosing plastic as the material of choice, such as plastic frames can be very comfortable. Plastic frames are better if you are looking for a thicker frame and style option. They have a molded bridge that rests on your nose and is easy to put on, plus they are better if you have a metal allergy of any sort. They are also very light, meaning the backs of your ears rarely get sore due to the frame’s weight. This leads to another pro of the frames when you incorporate prescription lenses.
You should always consider your prescription level when choosing your frame material. If you have a higher prescription, this means your lenses are likely to be heavier and thicker. If this is the case, you will want lightweight plastic frames to support the lenses and keep you comfortable while wearing your eyewear. Plastic frames also come in several colors for men and women of all ages. If you’re style-conscious or have a child who wants to pick out a fun color for their first pair, you will always be able to find a color frame that will look good and make you feel good too. There are many pros to this material!
While you may think you’ve settled on plastic frames as your choice, we want you to know the cons still to make an informed decision when your purchase. When it comes to plastic frames, they are generally one-size-fits-all. While the plastic bridge on the nose is comfortable, it doesn’t fit everyone’s nose. These are not adjustable, and they don’t have nose pads which means they cannot be adjusted if they slip down your nose. It is also important to consider your lifestyle if you want plastic frames.
Plastic frames aren’t always the most durable if you have a more active lifestyle. If you get hit in the face while wearing them, there is a possibility they could break. Polycarbonate or metal frames may be the better option if you plan to wear your eyewear during sporting events or higher intensity activities. Also, if you are looking for a specific style frame, plastic frames don’t come in half-rim options.
As you can see, there are many pros and cons to plastic frames. At SafeVision, we have various frame materials between the PENTAX and Wiley X brands, including plastic, polycarbonate, and metal. If you’re unsure which frame type you think is best, visit our website and talk to one of our representatives. They will help you find the right frame for your lifestyle that fits both your job and your personality.
To be honest whether it’s plastic or metal glasses there isn’t a clear winner here. Ultimately the decision is yours based on what you do on a daily basis. As opticians it’s our job to guide you in helping you choose your perfect pair of glasses and give you recommendations based on what we know that works.
In this section I think it’s important to give you the pros and cons of each type of glasses, so that you can make an educated decision when it comes to choosing your new pair of glasses.
I might sound a little biased here (it’s because I like plastic glasses) – but they are just better. I’ll tell you why:
Comfort – Overall plastic glasses are more comfortable and this is because they don’t have nose pads (although you might find the odd plastic frames with these nose pads). They have a molded bridge so will be more comfortable to wear on your nose. The nose pads in metal glasses tend to dig in on two areas on either side of your nose and can become uncomfortable over time.
Hide Lens Thickness – If you are highly short sighted then you will notice more thickness on the edges of your lenses. Plastic frames are much better at hiding that extra thickness of the lenses.
Colourful – Overall plastic frames are available in more colours. The colourful options are particularly good for someone who wants to make a bold statement and wants to be noticed on the streets.
Sturdy – Plastic frames feel more secure on your face unlike metal frames which can feel flimsy and loose.
Hypoallergenic – Plastic frames don’t contain any nickle so if you are allergic to nickle then plastic frames are a better choice for you.
Better for High Prescriptions – If your prescription is on the higher side then your lenses will be thicker. Plastic frames do a better job at holding the heavier and thicker lenses.
Do you still like plastic? Well it’s
not all perfect with plastic frames, they do have some drawbacks.
Loosen Quickly – Your frame are in constant contact with your face and the body heat can cause the frames to widen and lose adjustment quickly. This can easily be fixed by making a quick trip to the your opticians. It’s always best to have regular adjustments on your plastic frames and not to leave it too long. Older plastic frames become harder over time and it can make it very difficult for the optician to adjust.
Metal frames do have there advantages
and are designed for people who want more of a conservative or a business
professional look. However times have changed and some plastic frames can have
the same affect.
So what are the benefits of a metal
frames:
Minimalistic Look – Metal frames give a very conservative look. If you don’t want to make a bold statement then go for a metal frame. You can also have semi rimless or supra frames (no frames at the bottom) which give even more of a minimalistic look.
Hold Adjustments – Metal frames tend to hold their adjustments a lot better than plastic frames. Meaning less trips to the optician. However I would still recommend you visit your optician regularly to have your frames checked.
Fine Adjustments – All metal frames have nose pads and these can be individually adjusted to sit on your nose correctly. Unlike plastic frames which don’t have nose pads, so you may find that they don’t always sit correctly on your face.
Better For An Active Lifestyle – Metal frames are generally lighter and more flexible. For this reason people are drawn more towards metal frames that have an active lifestyle.
Metal frames are great for people who
want a minimalistic look and have an active lifestyle. However there are some
drawbacks with metal frames.
Metal Allergy – Some people are not able to wear metal frames because they are allergic to the nickle in metal frames. An alternative option is either stainless steel or titanium.
Not Suitable for High Prescriptions – I’m not saying you can’t have metal frames if you have a higher prescription, but lenses that are thicker and heavier have a tendency to fall out of metal frames.
Snap at Joints – Metal frames have a tendency to break at the joints especially if they don’t have spring hinges.
Are you ready for an eye test you can call us on the numbers below to book your eye test.
Call us on 0115 947 5858 (Hockley) or 0115 981 4788 (West Bridgford) to request an appointment
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