The substance of style

Practice team members have an important role to play in providing guidance on the style and fit of eyewear.

The level of care applied to choosing spectacles should align with their status as the wardrobe item customers typically reach for more than any other.

Simone Mason, who has worked as a dispensing optician for 29 years, shared that when she is considering the right frame style for a customer, she takes into account their hair and skin colouring, eye colour, face shape and eye-brow shape.

“We have a chat about what colours they like to wear, and if they like a frame to make a statement or not,” she said.

“During my early years I took some colour analysis courses, so that is great tool for frame selection,” Mason added.

She noted that due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic, it is important to have a good idea of what will suit the customer and what they will like before experimenting with frames to limit the number tried on.

Ophthalmic dispensing assistant, Hazel Parkyn, emphasised that listening is the most important part of frame selection.

“Style choice and colour is always very individual. You have to be honest too – I never tell a patient a frame looks good if I don’t think it suits them or is a poor fitting choice,” she said.

Senior optical assistant and team leader, Lisa Skelton, highlighted that choosing the correct frame is firstly determined by prescription and frame size.

“Taking into account the type of lens we are going to be using will also determine the frame shape and size,” she said.

She engages with the patient to find out what frame styles would suit their lifestyle and personality.