LAST WORD
Color me younger
By Erinn Morgan

Seniors look and act younger than ever. And, they want dispensers to recommend eyewear styles that can help them stay that way. The proper frame colors and lens tints can certainly complement the coloring of an older patient and even help minimize wrinkles and undereye fatigue.

"Older customers come to us because they trust us and know we are going to guide them in the right direction for eyewear to complement their features," says Susan Martinez, an optician with Au Courant in Bal Harbour, Fla.

Guidance can come in the form of knowing which colors will best add to clients' appearance. "A lot of elderly ladies want something fun and different to add color to their faces," says Pam Weddle, optician at Optiks in Bloomington, Ind.

Softer colors work for men as well, and a range of blues adds a hint of sophistication and style. "Men also look good in a charcoal gray or shiny black," says Weddle. In fact, metallic colors can be used for both men and women, although some say shiny metallics should be used because matte colors can be too flat.

Lens tints are another excellent way to minimize telltale signs of aging. "A lot of gray-haired women and men look good with a blue tint," says Martinez. Other options include soft rose and light tan colors. Many suggest staying away from gray lens tints because they emphasize dark circles.

AR is always suggested for its visual benefits, but wrinkle-conscious dispensers combine it with a tint for older wearers. "AR coating on a plus lens will amplify wrinkles," says Martinez. "On the other hand, minus lenses actually minimize wrinkles. If AR is used, a lens tint will certainly help reduce the effect of the amplification."

While some older patients may be reluctant to consider brighter colors and trendier eyewear, once they've made the leap, the results can be beautiful. "We fit an older client in a blue metallic frame which looked wonderful on her," says Connie Frazier, senior technician at La Mesa Eyecare in La Mesa, Calif. "It was a beautiful and very hip frame in an octagonal shape. She wanted something really different, and it definitely made her look younger."