Custom Eyes

	Nerd No More

Quick, decisive action definitely has a place in our lives, but sometimes it's better to consider our options and savor many possibilities before making up our minds.

Choosing eyeglasses is one of those times.

Chain-store ads trumpet budget-priced glasses delivered in a hurry, and mass marketers offer racks of ready-made models.

But our most constant accessory deserves more time and thought than a hurried lunchtime decision.

And it may not be realistic to expect a pair of glasses that you'll wear for years with comfort and confidence to cost less than dinner for two.

"[High-end] glasses could be as much as $1,000 off the shelf, depending on the lens," says Ruth Handel of L.A. Eyeworks, an internationally distributed eyewear designer and manufacturer.

Choosing from among the styles offered at the average optical shop or eyewear boutique isn't always easy.

For the nearsighted, trying on glasses involves peering at a blurry image in the mirror and hoping for the best. Some shops have temporary lenses on hand that slip in behind the frames so shoppers can get a clearer impression of how they look -- an improvement, but not a flawless solution. ...