What Do Those Digits Printed On Your Glasses Mean?
You might be a seasoned glasses wearer, but
have you ever noticed the numbers printed on your frames? Indeed, those
little numbers stamped on the temples of your glasses do mean
something. And understanding their meaning is more useful than you
think!
The series of numbers we’re referring to is
usually stamped on the inner surface of the temple or the bridge.
Essentially, these numbers represent the structural dimensions of your
frame. These are always printed on the inner surface of the frame
temples or the bridges - so as to not ruin the design of the eyeglasses.
A set of three numbers appears on the eyeglass frame, e.g. 55-18-150.
All of these are measured in millimeters (mm).
From left to right, these numbers denote
the following measurements:
- Eye size (in the example, it’s 55) measures the horizontal width of
the lenses. This number is usually between 40 and 62 mm.
- The bridge size measures the distance between the lenses (in the
example, it’s 18) and the bridge that’s above your nose. It ranges
between and 14 and 24 mm.
- The temple length (in the example, it’s 150) denotes the length of the
arms, and it’s normally between 120-150 mm.
These three measurements are extremely
important and ensure that your glasses fit you well. After all, we all
have different facial features, and your glasses should work with your
facial anatomy, not against it. For example, if your head is on the
larger side, you will need to extend the temple length so that the
glasses sit on your face without putting pressure on the skull.
A good optician will always ask for your glasses and look at their
measurements to help you choose the best-fitting frame. Also note that
these dimensions may change depending on the style of glasses you wear,
which is why you should always try on a pair of glasses before
purchasing and make sure that they fit comfortably. If you’re looking to
purchase glasses online, make sure that you have the option to return
or adjust the glasses if they don’t fit. We hope this was helpful, and
that you learned something useful!