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A wing tip frame is an eyewear style defined by pronounced temporal extensions that flare upward and outward from the endpieces. This design is characterized by the geometric lift it provides to the frame's top line. In optical dispensing, wing tips are utilized to alter the perceived vertical height of the wearer's face and to provide extra width for patients with wide temporal measurements without increasing the actual lens size.
read more about wing tip (frame) ...The wing extension serves a functional purpose beyond aesthetics:
Yes, but the edge thickness must be managed carefully. Because wing tip frames often have sharper angles at the temporal edge, a high-minus lens will show significant edge thickness in the wing area. Opticians recommend high-index 1.67 materials and a polished edge to minimize the visual "rings" that can be visible in these extended frame geometries.
In wing tip designs, the hinges are often mounted higher on the frame front than in standard frames. This high mounting point shifts the center of gravity, which can cause the glasses to slide down the nose if the temple tension is not properly adjusted. Spring hinges are preferred in wing tip frames to provide the necessary lateral grip on the temporal bone.
No. Because the wing extension is located on the frame front and flares away from the eye, it does not typically enter the wearer's line of sight. However, in very thick acetate "bold" wing tip designs, the wearer may experience a slight increase in the temporal scotoma (blind spot) compared to a thin wired or rimless frame.
While the exaggerated cat-eye wing tip is often categorized as feminine, modern "Clubmaster" or "Browline" styles utilize subtle wing tips that are a staple of masculine and unisex eyewear design.
Yes, by drawing the eye outward and upward, wing tips create the illusion of width at the brow. This is an excellent choice for balancing a narrow forehead or a prominent jawline.
Wing tips are most common in acetate because the material is easy to sculpt, but titanium wing tip frames are also popular for their lightweight and durable properties.
1. What Is a Wing Tip Frame? Definition, Style & Features. Lens.com. https://www.lens.com/what-is/wing-tip-frame/. Accessed February 9, 2026.
2. How to Choose the Glasses Frame Style That's Right for You. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/eyeglass-frame-materials. Accessed February 9, 2026.
3. History of Eyewear Styles. Museum of Vision. https://www.museumofvision.org/exhibitions/. Accessed February 9, 2026.
4. Clinical Contact Lens Practice. Bennett ES, Weissman BA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
5. Eyeglass Frame Design and Selection. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580554/. Accessed February 9, 2026.