Can Glasses Make Your Eyes Look Smaller or Bigger?

If you've ever looked at someone wearing prescription glasses, you may have noticed that their eyes sometimes appear slightly larger or smaller behind the lenses.

This isn't your imagination. Prescription lenses can change the apparent size of the eyes, and the effect depends largely on the type and strength of prescription.

Why can glasses change how your eyes look?

Prescription lenses bend light to correct your vision.

The same optical properties that help you see clearly can also slightly change the way your eyes appear to somebody looking through the lenses from the other side.

Why do some glasses make eyes look smaller?

Minus lenses are commonly prescribed for short-sightedness, also known as myopia.

These lenses can create a slight minification effect, making the eyes appear somewhat smaller through the glasses.

The effect generally becomes more noticeable as the prescription becomes stronger.

Why do some glasses make eyes look bigger?

Plus lenses are commonly used to correct long-sighted prescriptions.

They can magnify the appearance of the eyes slightly when viewed through the lenses.

Again, stronger prescriptions tend to produce a more noticeable effect.

Does frame choice make a difference?

Your choice of frame can influence the overall appearance of your glasses.

Different frame shapes, sizes and styles draw attention to the eyes in different ways.

Choosing a frame that complements your features can therefore make a significant difference to your overall look.

What about thinner lenses?

Higher-index lens materials can allow certain stronger prescriptions to be made thinner than they would be with standard lens materials.

This can improve the appearance and weight of the finished glasses, although the optical effect of the prescription itself will still be present.

Is the effect always noticeable?

No.

With many prescriptions, the difference is subtle enough that most people will barely notice it.

The effect tends to become more obvious with stronger prescriptions.

Your glasses are part of your look

Prescription glasses don't simply correct your vision. They're also something people see whenever they look at your face.

Understanding how your prescription, lenses and frame work together can help you choose glasses that provide clear vision while making you feel confident in how you look.