Beyond just the shape of the frames—or the designer label attached—your eyeglass choice should also consider other factors. You should evaluate not only the patterns, colors and other fashion-aspects of your frames, but also which materials they’re made of since that will determine their strengths and weaknesses. Various frames might be hypo-allergenic, light-weight, flexible or vary considerably in price based on their materials.
Plastic
Plastic frames (usually made of zyl) are very affordable and allow a wide variety of colors. In addition, plastic frames tend to be very lightweight. There are even specific plastics such as cellulose acetate propionate that are hypoallergenic as well. Plastic might just be your best bet if lightness is your most important criterion.
Nylon
Nylon frames are the top choice for sports and performance glasses because they are both strong and lightweight. Nylon is also easy to mold and is therefore often used for wraparound style glasses.
Metals
A wide variety of metals is used in other eyeglass frames. One common metal is titanium which is lightweight and durable and also corrosion-resistant. Like certain plastic blends, titanium lenses are also hypoallergenic. Numerous alloys are combined with titanium for more cost-effective alternatives.
Aluminum
Aluminum is another popular metal often by designers because of its distinctive fashion look. Aluminum is also lightweight and like all metals, resistance to corrosion.
Other Materials
Other, less commonly-used materials in eyeglasses, help to achieve a distinctive look. Wood, bone and even buffalo horn frames are far more costly than traditional materials like metal or plastic, and are selected because of their striking appearances. Buffalo horn even has the unique ability to warm to the body’s natural heat, creating a unique experience for the wearer.