EyewearFebruary 16, 2026
Rimless eyewear occupies a unique position in the world of optics. It is simultaneously the most minimalist form a pair of glasses can take and the most demanding to execute well. Without a frame to hide behind, every detail is exposed — the precision of the drill holes, the polish of the lens edge, the geometry of a custom shape, the way light catches a hand-cut facet. When you add a difficult prescription to the equation, rimless work becomes a discipline that separates true optical craftspeople from everyone else.
At The Last Optical in Montgomery, NY, rimless eyewear is not a sideline — it is a specialty. We work with the finest rimless frames in the world, including Cartier, Lindberg, Swissflex, Lunor, Kawasaki, and 2.5, and we handle prescriptions that other shops turn away. If you have been told your prescription is "too strong" for rimless, or that custom shapes and facets are not possible with your Rx, you have not yet visited the right optician.
Lindberg spirit titanium — where Danish design meets rimless perfection
What Makes Rimless So Difficult
A full-frame pair of glasses is relatively forgiving. The frame hides the lens edges, supports the lenses structurally, and masks any imperfections in the finishing. Rimless eyewear offers none of these concessions. The lenses are the frame — they are the entire visual statement — and they must be perfect.
The challenges multiply with prescription strength. Higher prescriptions require thicker lenses, and in rimless designs, that thickness is fully visible. A minus-five prescription in standard plastic will produce a lens edge thick enough to be distracting and heavy enough to cause discomfort. A plus-four prescription creates a lens that is thickest at the center, requiring careful attention to overall diameter and edge thinning. In both cases, the optician must select the right lens material, calculate the optimal lens diameter, and execute the edging with precision measured in fractions of a millimeter.
Then there is the mounting itself. Rimless lenses are held in place by tiny screws or compression fittings that pass through drill holes in the lens. The placement of these holes must be exact — a fraction of a degree off angle and the frame will sit crooked, or worse, the lens will crack under stress. With high-index materials, which are more brittle than standard plastic, the margin for error shrinks further.
The Art of the Facet
Faceting — also called diamond-cut edging — is where rimless eyewear crosses from optical necessity into genuine artistry. A faceted lens edge is cut at precise angles to create flat planes that catch and reflect light, transforming a simple lens into something that sparkles like a gemstone. The technique has been used in fine eyewear for decades, but it remains a specialized skill that most optical laboratories and retail shops simply do not offer.
Diamond-cut faceted edges transform rimless lenses into light-catching works of art
There are several types of faceting. A single bevel creates one angled plane along the lens edge. A double bevel creates two, producing a more pronounced prismatic effect. Deep back facets — cut into the rear surface of the lens — create a subtle sparkle visible only at certain angles, adding dimension without being ostentatious. Fantasy diamond cuts combine multiple facet angles and depths for a truly bespoke effect. Cloud facets use softer, rounded cuts for a more organic aesthetic.
Each type requires different tooling and technique. The work is done on specialized lapping wheels — one embedded with diamond particles for cutting, another with felt for polishing. The optician must hold the lens at precisely the right angle and apply consistent pressure throughout the cut. Too much pressure and the lens chips. Too little and the facet is uneven. The skill is developed over years of practice, and it cannot be replicated by the automated edging machines that most chain optical stores rely on.
Custom Shapes: Beyond the Standard Template
Every rimless frame comes with a standard lens shape — the manufacturer's recommended geometry. But one of the great advantages of rimless eyewear is the freedom to customize that shape entirely. Want a hexagonal lens in your Cartier C Décor? An octagonal shape in your Lindberg spirit? A soft cat-eye in your Lunor Classic? At The Last Optical, we can create virtually any shape you envision.
Cartier rimless with custom faceted hexagonal lenses and gradient tint — bespoke luxury at its finest
Custom shaping is particularly important for patients with strong prescriptions. By carefully selecting the lens diameter and shape, a skilled optician can minimize edge thickness, reduce overall lens weight, and improve the aesthetic balance of the finished eyewear. A slightly smaller or more geometric shape can make the difference between a lens that looks thick and heavy and one that appears refined and intentional.
The process begins with a detailed consultation where we discuss face shape, personal style, and the optical requirements of the prescription. We then create a custom pattern — either digitally or by hand — and edge the lenses to that exact specification. The drill holes are positioned to align with the frame's mounting system while maintaining structural integrity in the custom shape. It is meticulous work, and it is one of the things we do best.
Custom Tints: Color as Personal Expression
Rimless lenses are a natural canvas for custom tinting. Without a frame to compete with, the color of the lens becomes a defining design element. We offer the full spectrum of tinting options: solid colors in any density, gradient tints that fade from dark to clear, double gradients that darken at both top and bottom, and photochromic lenses that adapt to changing light conditions.
Custom violet gradient tint on Cartier rimless — where prescription meets personal style
Colored Transitions lenses have become increasingly popular — ruby, amethyst, emerald, and sapphire tints that shift with UV exposure while maintaining a distinctive hue. Combined with faceted edges, a custom shape, and a strong prescription, these lenses represent the pinnacle of personalized eyewear. They are also among the most technically challenging to produce, requiring precise coordination between the lens laboratory, the tinting process, and the final edging and mounting.
The Brands We Specialize In
Not all rimless frames are created equal, and the brands we carry represent the highest tier of engineering, materials, and design. Each brings something unique to the rimless category:
Cartier is the name most associated with luxury rimless eyewear. The C Décor, Panthère, and Santos collections feature precious metal plating — platinum, gold, and palladium — with the brand's iconic three-ring temple design. Cartier rimless frames are the most popular platform for custom faceted lenses, diamond-cut edges, and bespoke shapes. We can fit any Cartier rimless frame with custom prescription lenses, including complex progressives and high-index materials.
Lindberg is the Danish house that redefined what rimless eyewear could be. Their spirit titanium collection uses ultra-lightweight titanium wire with a patented screw-free mounting system — the lenses are held by precision-machined titanium clips that grip without drilling. Lindberg offers over 100 standard shapes and virtually unlimited customization options for color, temple style, and lens geometry. Every pair is handmade in Denmark.
Swissflex is a Swiss-engineered modular frame system built from high-technology polymer — a hypoallergenic, medical-grade material that is virtually indestructible. The modular design allows the frame to be customized for fit, finishing, and color, making it an excellent choice for patients who need both durability and style in a rimless format.
Swissflex — Swiss-engineered modular rimless system with medical-grade polymer
Lunor is the German manufacturer known for handcrafted eyewear that honors classical design traditions. Their Classic Round rimless frames — available in 18-karat gold — require over 100 individual production steps per frame. Lunor rimless is the choice for patients who appreciate heritage craftsmanship and timeless aesthetics.
Kawasaki (Kazuo Kawasaki) is the Japanese designer whose rimless frames are renowned for their engineering precision and featherweight construction. Using proprietary titanium alloys and innovative hinge designs, Kawasaki frames offer exceptional comfort and a distinctly modern aesthetic.
Kazuo Kawasaki — Japanese precision engineering in rimless titanium
2.5 (Two Point Five) rounds out our rimless collection with designs that balance contemporary style with optical functionality. Like all the brands we carry, 2.5 frames are built to accommodate custom lens work, including facets, custom shapes, and high-prescription lenses.
Why Most Shops Can't Do This
The honest truth is that rimless work — especially with custom facets, shapes, and difficult prescriptions — requires equipment, training, and experience that most optical shops do not have. Chain retailers rely on automated edging machines that can produce standard shapes in standard materials, but they cannot execute hand faceting, custom shapes, or the precise drilling adjustments that complex rimless work demands.
Even many independent opticians outsource their rimless work to external laboratories, adding time, cost, and the risk of miscommunication. At The Last Optical, we handle the entire process in-house, from consultation and design through edging, faceting, and final mounting. This allows us to maintain complete quality control and make real-time adjustments that ensure a perfect result.
Our optician, Stacey Plank, has been practicing since 1998 and has spent decades mastering the art of rimless lens work. This is not a skill learned from a manual — it is developed through thousands of hours of hands-on experience with the finest frames and most challenging prescriptions in the industry.
Your Prescription Is Not Too Difficult
If you have been told that your prescription cannot be done in rimless, or that custom shapes and facets are not possible with your Rx, we invite you to visit The Last Optical. We specialize in the work that other shops cannot or will not do. Whether you want diamond-cut facets on your Cartier, a custom hexagonal shape in your Lindberg, a gradient tint on your Lunor, or a high-index progressive in your Kawasaki, we have the expertise and the equipment to make it happen.
Pull up a seat at the bar, let us get you a drink, and let's design something extraordinary together. Because rimless eyewear, done right, is not just a pair of glasses — it is a work of art.
Visit The Last Optical at 4 Factory Street, Montgomery, NY 12549, or call (845) 769-2020 to schedule a consultation.
