Optical Glasses — How to Choose the Frame and the Lens
Written by MODI
Optical glasses are the pair made for you personally — a frame you choose, fitted with lenses made to your prescription. Unlike ready-made reading glasses, they correct exactly what your eyes need. Here is how to choose both parts well — the frame and the lens.
Ready-made or made to prescription — what's the difference
Ready-made reading glasses have the same dioptre in both lenses and work well when both eyes see roughly alike (how to choose a reading dioptre). Optical glasses are built from your prescription — SPH, CYL, AXIS and pupillary distance — so each eye gets its own correction. What those numbers mean, we explained here: prescription lenses — what to know before you order.
How to choose an optical frame
- Size. The numbers on the temple (e.g. 46□21 145) are the lens, bridge and temple measurements in millimetres — compare them with a pair that already fits you well.
- Material and weight. You wear optical glasses all day, so weight matters most: TR-90 and bio-acetate frames weigh around 15 g.
- Shape for your face. The same rules as any glasses — contrast balances: how to choose glasses for your face shape.
- Frame vs lens thickness. With a stronger prescription, a smaller frame plus a high-index lens (1.6 / 1.67) keeps the glasses thin and light — a large frame makes strong lenses thicker at the edges.
Choosing the lens
Clear lenses with an anti-reflective coating are the everyday classic. If you spend the day at a screen, a blue-light filter can be added (computer glasses guide). Photochromic "chameleon" lenses darken outdoors and clear indoors — one pair instead of two (how photochromic lenses work). And tinted prescription lenses turn any frame into sunglasses (lens tinting guide).
How it works at MODI
Bring your prescription (or visit your ophthalmologist first), pick any BARNER frame you like, and a consultant will help you choose the right lens — index, coating, filter. Timing and price are confirmed on the spot, and fitting is always free.
Where to find us
Vake (Axis Towers), East Point, Tbilisi Mall, Batumi Grand Mall — or start by browsing the frames online: Browse BARNER frames →
Frequently asked questions
Can prescription lenses be fitted into any BARNER frame?
Yes. At MODI any BARNER frame can be fitted with prescription lenses. Bring your prescription and a consultant will help you pick the index, coating and filter; fitting is free.
What do the numbers on the temple mean?
A marking such as 46-21-145 gives the lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres. The easiest check is to compare them with a pair that already fits you well.
Which lens index should I choose: 1.5, 1.6 or 1.67?
The stronger your prescription, the higher the index worth choosing: 1.6 or 1.67 keeps a strong lens thin and light, while 1.5 is enough for weaker corrections. A smaller frame also stops strong lenses from thickening at the edges.
How much do prescription lenses cost at MODI?
Blue-light lenses are 105 GEL, photochromic lenses 135 GEL and tinted lenses 125 GEL. Frames start at 195 GEL, and the final price and turnaround are confirmed in store.
Do I need an eye test before ordering optical glasses?
You need a current prescription with SPH, CYL, AXIS and your pupillary distance. If you do not have one, see an ophthalmologist first and then bring the prescription to any MODI store.
