Clear Glasses Frames: What to Know Before You Choose

A clear frame is most often made of plastic, such as acetate, in a colourless or crystal tone you can see through. It is light and easy to adjust, but it also shows the edge of the lenses: with a strong prescription, the choice of lens and frame size matters more.

What are clear glasses frames?

They are frames made of a material that lets light through, colourless or lightly tinted. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), plastic frames are the most popular choice because they are light, usually less expensive and come in many colours and styles. Cellulose acetate, also called zyl, is one of them: the AAO describes it as lightweight, available in many colours and easy for an optician to adjust.

Some frames also combine materials, the AAO notes, for example a plastic front with metal temples. To compare acetate, titanium and other metals, see our article on frame materials.

Do clear frames turn yellow over time?

A plastic frame can change a little over the years. The AAO says that with time, the colour of a plastic frame can fade slightly and its strength may decrease a bit. The AAO is talking about all plastic frames, not clear frames in particular.

A frame that looks different or seems more fragile is worth showing to your optician, who will also check how it fits your face.

Do clear frames show how thick your lenses are?

Yes: the edge of the lens shows through a clear frame. The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) points out that the lens material affects lens thickness, and the AAO explains that high-index lenses are thin and lightweight, made for people who need strong correction; they reduce the "coke bottle" look of thick lenses.

Frame size is also one of the choices that matter, according to the CAO, along with measuring the pupillary distance. Our article on lens materials compares standard plastic, polycarbonate and high-index lenses.

Clear frames and a strong prescription: what should you know?

That the lens has to be chosen along with the frame. According to the CAO, buying glasses online is not recommended for people with a high or complicated prescription: the frame size, the lens material and the measurements need to be chosen together.

A smaller frame and a high-index lens are among the options to discuss with your optician. If you are torn between ordering online and coming to the shop, see our article Online glasses or an optician.

What colours do clear frames come in?

Far more than one colourless version. In our catalogue, product sheets use names such as "Clear", "Crystal Grey", "Grey Transparent" or "Blue Crystal": the frame stays see-through but takes on a grey, blue or other tint.

A light tint stays discreet while giving your face a little more outline. For the shape, our guide to choosing frames for your face covers round, oval and square faces.

Are clear frames durable?

They are as strong as the plastic they are made of. According to the AAO, plastic frames break more easily than metal ones, while frames made of metal, titanium or alloys stand up well to wear and tear. Blended nylon, the AAO adds, is strong and lightweight, and is a popular choice for sports and safety frames.

For glasses that need to stand up to impact, see our article on prescription sports and safety glasses.

Can you be allergic to clear frames?

It is uncommon, but possible. A 2013 review in Collegium Antropologicum states that contact dermatitis from eyeglass frames is uncommon, and that the most common allergens are plasticizers, UV stabilizers and nickel. The authors also note that plastic frames often combine several materials, which makes their exact composition hard to know.

They suggest suspecting it when there is a rash behind the ears or where the frame touches the skin; changing the frame material is often the only solution. The AAO describes cellulose acetate propionate as a hypoallergenic plastic. If a rash does not go away, talk to your doctor.

Are clear frames a good choice for a child?

Yes, if they are soft and the right size. The AAO recommends soft plastic frames for small children, because they bend and are less likely to hurt the child in a fall. The CAO, for its part, does not recommend buying children's glasses online.

At PrimeVision, children's eye exams are done from age 4. For lenses, fit and sports, see our article on glasses for kids.

Clear frames or rimless glasses: which should you choose?

Both give a discreet look, but they do not wear the same way. According to the AAO, rimless or drilled frames are lightweight, and Trivex or polycarbonate lenses are recommended for them. A clear frame surrounds the lens with a plastic rim.

Our article on rimless and semi-rimless glasses compares comfort, upkeep and the lenses you can use.

Where can you see clear frames in Montréal?

At PrimeVision, 9520 Boulevard de l'Acadie, Suite 222, in Montréal (Ahuntsic), optometrists and a licensed optician work under one roof. In the shop, the licensed optician, Michel Geha, O.O.D., helps you choose among more than 4,000 frames, for every budget, including clear and crystal frames, and takes the measurements in the frame you pick; pupillary distance is measured with a pupillometer and a ruler. PrimeVision is an authorized dealer of Essilor, Hoya and Nikon lenses, and the shop does adjustments and minor repairs. Children's eye exams are done from age 4. RAMQ covers eye exams for children under 18 and adults 65+.

To see the options, visit our page on prescription glasses in Montréal, or book from our page on eye exams in Montréal.

Sources

• How to Choose the Glasses Frame Material That's Right for You, American Academy of Ophthalmology, April 22, 2020.
• Eyeglasses: How to Choose Glasses for Vision Correction, American Academy of Ophthalmology, June 14, 2023.
• Buying Glasses Online, Canadian Association of Optometrists, updated March 27, 2023.
• Šitum M et al., Dermatological aspects of contact dermatitis from eyeglass frames and optical materials, Collegium Antropologicum, 2013.