How do I pick the right glasses for me? Is it just whatever looks good? 

Lots of factors should be considered when it comes to selecting the perfect prescription glasses for you. The first thing to consider, even before the color or style you want for your glasses, is your prescription. Do you have a stronger prescription? A weaker one? Do you have a lot of astigmatism? Do you need a bifocal or progressive lens? Realistically, most prescriptions can be accommodated in most frames. However, aligning your prescription needs with the style and frame that works with your prescription will increase your overall satisfaction with your glasses.
 

Why does the prescription in the glasses matter? 

A stronger prescription will invariably lead to thicker lenses. There are different lens materials you can choose to minimize the thickness, but choosing a frame that does not fit will still cause it to be aesthetically displeasing. Current style trends lean into large and oversized lenses, which for prescriptions over -6.00 can leave you really feeling the heavier weight of the eyewear as lenses are thicker and tend to stick out more. Due to the nature of the lens manufacturing process, the thinnest point will be where your pupil sits, or roughly the middle or ⅔ up on the lens. The larger the lens, the more room there is for the thickness to continue to increase. One way to hide the thickness is by going with a smaller lens frame.  Another option is choosing a frame with a thicker acetate to hide some of the thickness.  
 

Another factor to consider when selecting frames with higher prescriptions is that half-rimmed or completely rimless glasses do not hide the thickness as well as a full-framed pair would. However, if you really do like the minimalist look, you can improve the aesthetic of the look by having your optician add a "roll and polish" to the lenses. This allows the edges of the lenses to “blend in” for lack of a better term. 
 

My doctor said I need a progressive lens, what do I need to consider? 

The first thing to consider would be the length from the bottom of the frame to the very top of the frame. This is called the B measurement. A progressive or no-line bifocal is designed in a way where your distance vision is near the top of the lens and the lenses get progressively stronger as your eyes move toward the bottom of the lenses. The reading distance is near the bottom of the frame and your intermediate/computer distance is roughly halfway between the top and bottom of the lens. It is important when choosing a frame intended for progressive lenses that your optician ensures your eyes sit roughly ⅔ up on the lens.  Also, your eye doctor and the optician will discuss your lifestyle needs to determine if the B measurement of different frames will allow you enough intermediate room.
 

Is that it? 

Realistically, no, but those are the main considerations when choosing a frame/lens combination based on your prescription. I also thoroughly recommend trying on and getting glasses made with an experienced optician as opposed to browsing and purchasing online. In addition to helping you find the perfect style, there are multiple measurements involved when it comes to making sure you are seeing clearly (pupillary distance is NOT the only one). Choosing a pair of glasses that you are going to wear every day for a year or longer is not always easy.  Leveraging the above information plus your local optician's robust knowledge base, you can go into your next frame purchase knowing that you will end up with a product that will get you looking and seeing your best.