Parts of glasses: Get to know the 9 elements of your frame

Did you know that the first eyeglasses were invented in the mid-13th century? The idea is attributed to Alexander De La Espina and Roger Bacon, two Franciscan monks residing in Venice. However, the closest contraption to what we know today as prescription glasses was manufactured in Murano, an adjacent island.

Individuals who lived before that date never knew about this invention. In fact, a significant portion of the Italian population living between 1270 and 1290 never even tried on a pair of glasses. At that time, the price of such accessories far exceeded the budget of the average citizen.

Fortunately, today anyone is aware of what a pair of spectacles is and what they are used for. What's more, eyewear has gone from being a mere tool to improve vision to an extension of our individual expression. Today, the options are endless, and the prices are much more affordable.

Having said all this, do you have any idea how eyeglasses are made and what the parts of a frame are? Are you curious? At Bassol Optics we detail one by one the parts of the glasses and their different functions.

Read on!

Lenses or crystals

Lenses are the most important element among all the parts of the glasses. After all, the rest of the frame exists only to protect the lenses and make them easier to wear. This is especially true for prescription glasses, although over time many people have begun to wear glasses for aesthetic purposes.

In the times of Alexander De La Espina and Roger Bacon, lenses used to be made of real glass. That is why today they are called this way. Now, however, lenses are made from a mixture of multiple materials, with little or no glass at all.

Of course, it all depends on the manufacturer and their quality standards - take a look at our Brand Catalog to find the best lenses and frames!

Front

In short, the frame that surrounds the lenses is known as the front. The front protects the lenses and holds them together with the frame. On the other hand, being one of the most eye-catching elements, designers often play with its shape and appearance. The materials most often used in their manufacture are metal, acetate and other injection-molded polymers.

It is also common to find much lighter fronts with the lenses in the air attached to the frame only at the temples and bridge. In these cases, the goal is to give the impression that the lenses are floating in the air on their own. This type of frame tends to be very eye-catching, however, the lenses are much more unprotected.

When browsing our collection of Prescription Eyeglasses and Sunglasses you can filter the results by material. Find just what you're looking for with our customized search system.

Bridge

The bridge is located on the front itself, and serves as a junction between the two lenses. This piece opens a space for the nose, on which it often rests directly.

The kind of bridges that make contact with the septum of the nose are usually made of acetate or other polymers. In contrast, metal bridges often have nasal platelets. We will talk about these elements later.

Rods

The temples connect to the front ends and provide support and support between the glasses and the ears. Basically, the temples are responsible for keeping the goggles in place once they are on.

These pieces are also known as "temples". They are usually made of some type of metal or acetate. Most temples are curved at the end to hold on to the ears. Some of their sizes tend to be adjustable.

Heel

The side ends of the front of the frame, which are in contact with the temples, are called the heel. Some models of glasses have details and inlays in these areas as ornaments.

Hinges

Hinges are the piece that joins the temples to the front of the frame. In the vast majority of cases, the hinge consists of a hinge fastened by small screws. However, today we have different materials that allow us to eliminate this element and increase the flexibility of the frame.

The best hinges are made of sweat-resistant polymers or stainless metals. This may slightly increase the cost of the frame, but it also extends its durability.

Terminals

Remember we mentioned that the rods are curved at the ends to offer greater support? Okay, well, these curved ends are known as terminals. As we explained above, terminals improve support and provide comfort to the wearer.

With the latter goal in mind, terminals are often covered with soft, lightly padded materials. The most commonly used raw materials are rubber and rubber.

Nose pads

Although they may not look like it, nose pads are among the most essential parts of a frame. While it is true that not all spectacles have nose pads, those that do rely heavily on these small parts. Without nose pads, the stability and comfort of a frame can be greatly diminished.

In addition to this, nose pads tend to be much more ergonomic than acetate bridges, with the exception of a few particular cases. As with hinges, the best nose pads are rust and heat resistant. On the other hand, they should be adjustable if necessary.

Hoop fasteners

As the last stop on this little tour of the parts that make up the eyewear, we have the rim closures. Rim closures are plastic or metal parts that encapsulate the lenses in order to protect them. These elements are attached to each other by means of special screws for glasses. In this way, it is possible to open them in case the lenses need to be replaced.

Get the perfect glasses for you and your family at Bassol Optics.

Many of us wear prescription glasses or sunglasses regularly without understanding the structure of these accessories. At first, knowing the parts of the glasses may seem unnecessary. However, when it comes to choosing a new frame, this knowledge proves to be very useful.

There are many, many brands of eyewear on the market, but not all of them offer the same level of quality. By understanding what the parts of a frame are and what to look for, it will be easier to identify the best model. Likewise, if your glasses suffer a damage, you will be able to specify what the problem is more accurately.

We usually overlook some elements such as eyeglass screws or eyeglass nose pads. However, these small parts could make the difference between a good model and a bad one.

At Optica Bassol we do everything in our power to guarantee our customers' satisfaction. Our mission is to serve you and guide you throughout your shopping experience. Order your glasses through our Online Store or at any of our branches!

Schedule your appointment from home

When was the last time you had a general eye exam? Ophthalmologists recommend that we check the health of our eyes regularly. You can schedule a consultation with the optometrist from the comfort of your home through our platform. Choose the date and time that suits you best and give your vision the care it deserves.

Request your appointment online and don't forget to take a look at our featured promos section. Depending on where you are and what kind of glasses your eyes require, we may have a special offer for you.

Don't feel like wearing glasses?

Do you practice any high performance sport or you just don't like the idea of wearing glasses? At Optica Bassol we also have a wide catalog of contact lenses.

Visit our contact lenses section, order yours and forget about glasses parts, don't forget to check our contact lenses saving packs!