01 · LENS SHAPE

Different lens shapes and depths change the overall impression

The number 48 is related to the horizontal A dimension of the lens opening, not the total lens area.

A deep lens and a shallow lens can have the same horizontal dimension but occupy very different areas on the face.

Round, Wellington and square shapes also create different clearances around the cheekbones and brows.

An A measurement such as 48 describes the horizontal size of the lens opening; it does not directly describe lens area or how large the whole frame will look on the face. With the same A value, a different B dimension, lens shape or effective diameter can change both visual scale and lens-blank requirements.

02 · DBL

Distance between lenses also changes the front geometry

With the same 48 A dimension, a DBL of 18 and a DBL of 23 create different geometric spacing between the two lens openings.

A plus DBL is useful for understanding the relationship between the lens boxes, but it still does not equal the external front width.

The actual bridge contact shape must also be judged separately.

Adding A and DBL is useful for understanding the geometric center distance of the frame, but that number does not include rim thickness outside the eyewire, the endpiece or hinge projection. Two frames with the same 48 and a similar DBL can therefore have noticeably different outside width and temple start positions.

03 · RIM

Rim thickness adds to what lies outside the lens opening

Plastic frames add acetate around the outside of the lens opening.

With the same 48 A dimension, a thicker or more outward rim can make the front look and feel much larger.

04 · ENDPIECE

Endpiece length changes the distance to the hinge

A longer endpiece between the lens rim and hinge can widen the external front and move the temple starting point outward.

That information is not contained in the number 48.

05 · FACE FIT

The final judgment still has to be made on the face

Even two 48-size frames can feel different depending on face width, temple position, cheekbones, nose shape and temple direction.

Use the number for comparison, but also compare total front width and actual temple spread.

When comparing two 48-size frames, check the actual outside width, hinge start, temple spread on the wearer and pupil position rather than the printed number alone. In higher prescriptions, frame size and decentration can also change the required blank diameter and thickness conditions, so identical eye size does not mean identical optical conditions.

SOLUTION GUIDE

Solutions at a glance

Check DBL

See whether the spacing between lens boxes differs.

Check rim thickness

See how much material extends outside the lens opening.

Check endpiece length

Compare the structure between the lens rim and hinge.

Compare total front width

Look at the external width that the size number does not show.

Check actual temple spread

Confirm wearing width on the face.

GLANOS FITTING CHECK

GLANOS fitting check order

  1. Front
    Check lens shape and the total external front.
  2. Nose pads / bridge
    Separate DBL from actual nose contact.
  3. Width
    Check endpieces and temple spread.
  4. Temple bend
    Confirm the final fit at the ears.

CAUTION

Choosing frames only by saying “I always wear size 48” is unreliable

Two size-48 frames can differ in lens shape, DBL, rim construction and endpieces, so compare the full dimensions and the actual wearing result.

GLANOS EYEWEAR

There is a reason glasses feel uncomfortable.

CATEGORYFrame selection
TOPICLens size vs actual frame size
FRAMEAll frame types
TAGSGLANOS EYEWEAR

48 size · glasses size · frame width · DBL · bridge · plastic frames · metal frames · frame selection