Eyeglasses offer more options than ever before. Designer eyeglass frames can be fitted with prescription lenses that are photochromic, progressive, and high index, with AR coating and UV protection. They can correct your vision whether you're nearsighted or farsighted, have astigmatism or presbyopia. Discount eyeglasses are everywhere, so you can buy a whole wardrobe of fashion frames from Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren.

For more complete information on eyeglasses, including designer eyeglasses, progressive lenses, bifocals, UV, and advice on frame shapes and buying eyeglasses online, visit:

The Consumer Guide to Eyeglasses

...at All About Vision, a website providing complete information on vision correction options and eye health.

When it comes to eyeglasses, you've got plenty of options. Here are brief descriptions:

The main thing is to find the right eyeglass frame shape and color for your face, but it's also fun to make a fashion statement with your eyeglasses as well. Another aspect is the frame material. Titanium is one of the strongest and most lightweight metals used for eyeglass frames; other frame metals and alloys are stainless steel, aluminum, beryllium, monel and zyl.

As important as eyeglass frames are eyeglass lenses:

Progressive lenses are no-line bifocals for people with presbyopia. They correct nearsighted vision but also allow you to read or do close work.

Photochromic lenses, also called transition lenses after the brand name Transitions Lenses, change according to the amount of light they are exposed to.

High index lenses use a denser material than regular glass or plastic, so they can provide the same eyeglass prescription in thinner lenses. Aspheric lenses are a variation of this idea.

For children and active adults, polycarbonate lenses are best, because they are more impact-resistant than other lens materials such as glass or regular plastic.

For eyeglass lenses, look for manufacturer and brand names such as Varilux lenses, Varilux Panamic, Transitions Lenses, Carl Zeiss, Vision-Ease, Essilor Lenses, Sola Percepta, Corning Sun Sensors and Rodenstock.

Reading glasses are another option for people with presbyopia.

In the United States, prescription eyeglasses must be purchased from an optometrist, optician or dispensing ophthalmologist.

All About Vision also includes The Consumer Guide to Contact Lenses and The Consumer Guide to LASIK Eye Surgery.

Find an eye doctor - optometrist or LASIK surgeon. Learn about macular degeneration.