Best Eyeglasses, Sunglasses and Readers for Women Over 50 in 2024

Clear, transparent frames are a fresh alternative to rimless and wire-rimmed glasses. The transparent look also gives mature complexions a subtle, luminous glow. So do shiny finishes on frames, which enhance the dewy effect of face creams and tinted moisturizers.

Ombre frames that gradually blend from a deeper or brighter color on top to a lighter one below can help draw attention to the top half of the frame where eyes sit and away from puffy under-eyes and dark circles.

Browline frames with a defined top and a wire or rimless bottom are another option that works in a similar way.

Colorful glasses can enhance your eye color. For example, blue eyes intensify in cool navy or black frames but really pop in warmer frames like red and golden tortoise. Green eyes gain depth in mossy, emerald and jade greens, but stun in plum or violet. Brown eyes look great in tortoise but get a boost from contrasting purple or green. Hazel eyes melt in green and golden frames but look rich in light to medium tortoise.

4. Chunky or slim?

Some frames are bold and thick, others are refined and thin.

There are no rules, but here’s my foolproof guide:

Bolder, thicker frames often work best on those with larger faces and stronger, more defined features or anyone who wants their glasses to make a statement. For example, take a look at the angular frames with a geometric look like Privé Revaux Women’s La Marina Reader in Black ($30, priverevaux.com) or the Zenni Women Cat-Eye Glasses in Pattern Style 2037539 ($24, zennioptical.com). That said, you can modify the impact of bolder frames by choosing them in clear or a soft color, or you can amplify it by opting for black, tortoise or a head-turning color like red, green or blue.

Thinner frames often work best for small faces, those with delicate features and anyone who wants glasses that whisper rather than shout. Of course you can choose a thin frame in a statement color like the EyeBuyDirect Women’s Aroma Glasses in Cat Eye Emerald Green ($62, eyebuydirect.com) or an oversized shape like the Ann Taylor Cat Eye Glasses in Tortoise/ Navy Style AT354 ($123, framesdirect.com) for extra style without overdoing the trendiness.

Armani Exchange Women’s Metal Aviator in Shiny Black/ Grey Lens, Polarized Style0AX2034S ($86, targetoptical.com).

AARP (Target, 2)

5. Select lenses that solve problems.

For those who wear prescription glasses, healthy eyes and an up-to-date prescription is the No. 1 priority, so be sure to see your ophthalmologist or optometrist and optician each year. Lens types, colors and coatings are another story. Here’s what’s what:

Blue-light coatings on readers and Rx lenses may help reduce eye strain and headaches if you spend a lot of time on an iPhone, computer or tablet. They’re designed to filter out the potentially harmful blue light from electronic devices.

Scratch-resistant coatings — even on drugstore glasses — can help if you’re prone to tossing glasses in your bag or keeping them on a desk minus a case.

Polarized lenses for sunglasses are designed for any outdoor activity where glare is an issue. Like regular sunglasses, they reveal eye shape more or less depending on the depth of color in the lenses.

Mirrored lenses for sunglasses also counteract glare and are effective for poor visibility from water reflection at the beach or snow in winter, and for sports like skiing and snowboarding. They do hide your eyes, so save the winks for your progressives and transitional lenses.

Transition lenses, also called photochromic lenses, are a prescription eyeglass/sunglass hybrid that changes from clear indoors to dark outdoors when exposed to UV light and back to clear again when you return indoors. They are a practical choice that cuts down on the number of glasses you need to lug around in your bag.

Progressive lenses are multi-tasking glasses that correct and combine near, middle and distance vision in one lens. They make having different glasses for reading, computer work, watching TV and driving unnecessary.

Tinted pastel indoor lenses offer cosmetic benefits.

Subtly tinted lenses work indoors, so if you wear prescription lenses, consider asking for a 10 to 15 percent soothing pastel in a light blue or pink to disguise dark circles and under-eye bags but not hide your eyes. They also help if you work indoors near a window so long as the lenses are also 100 percent UVA/UVB ones. Ask your optician to add this benefit.

Gradient lenses that are darker top, lighter on bottom offer indoor/outdoor versatility and with 100 percent UVA/ UVB protection can be confidently worn 365 days a year. They’re suitable for driving since they shield eyes from overhead sunlight, but they make the dashboard clear.

6. Know the good, bad and ugly of DIY fittings.

Many women ask me, “Do virtual try-ons actually work?” Sites like LensCrafters, Target Optical, Zenni Optical, GlassesUSA.com and Warby Parker all have virtual try-ons that enable you to see how different glasses look on your face via your phone or laptop. Virtual try-ons do provide an idea of what you like/don’t like. The advantage of trying on many styles at multiple sites without leaving home is kind of fabulous. The online inventory is much higher than in most stores, and you may snag better deals. However, you won’t be able to feel the fit or test the lenses until the glasses arrive. If you have fitting issues with glasses from past experience, follow up your research by going to a store where an optician can fit a similar frame in person and check for lens alignment.

If you’re an in-store DIY shopper who tends to grab readers or sunglasses from a drugstore rack or a stand/counter at a mass retailer, there are major tip-offs that say, “Nope. You can do better!” Here’s what to look for:

Is the frame’s bridge compatible with your nose’s bridge? There should be no slipping or pinching. A saddle bridge (curved in the center like a saddle) like the Vogue Eyewear Women’s Style VO5603 in Total Dark Havana ($112, glasses.com) helps distribute the frame weight equally. A keyhole bridge (shaped like a keyhole) similar to the EyeBuyDirect Aura Glasses Women’s Round Warm Tortoise Eyeglasses ($70, eyebuydirect.com) distributes glasses weight on either side of the nose rather than on top. Wire-rim frames like the Sofia Vergara x Foster Grant Jasmine Cateye Readers in Brown ($33, fostergrant.com) have flexible nose pads that can be adjusted to improve the fit on any nose size or shape. Trying on glasses by yourself is just like trying on jeans or bras. It requires a little pre-store homework and a tag that says the frames are returnable if you get home and change your mind.

Do the frames interact with your facial movements? If the glasses you’re trying on feel heavy, leave marks on the bridge of your nose and dent your cheeks, move up and down as you speak, smile or eat and/or require frequent push-ups to stay put, they’re not for you.

How do the temples feel? These are the arms or sides of the frame, and they should not be digging into your head or leaning uncomfortably on your ears.

How much eye area do they cover? Sunglass lenses should cover enough of your eye area to adequately protect the eyes and skin around them from UV rays.

Are they sitting straight? Do the glasses tilt? Check your ears — face forward in front of a mirror. One ear may be slightly higher or lower than the other causing any frame you wear to sit askew. Or one arm may be more curved than the other one, making the glasses rock and look crooked.

Are your eyelashes hitting the lenses? If so, the angle of the frame is off.

Do your brows show above, below or not at all? I get this question a lot, but know there are no rules anymore. Your brows are major indicators of facial expression (except for those frozen in place by Botox) and change a lot with age. They can be sparse, thin, gray, shaped like tadpoles or commas (thanks to early overzealous plucking) or missing tails. Or they can be naturally thick thanks to genes or boldly restored thanks to microblading. Thin frames and clear frames give your brows the most visibility, while wider, thicker and more opaque frames partially camouflage brows. It’s your call.