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ProDesign

Dr. Melissa McCulley built McCulley Optix Gallery around a simple standard: every patient leaves with glasses that actually fit their face and their life, not just whatever happened to be in stock. That standard is why she chose to carry ProDesign, a Danish label with a design history stretching back to 1973, as part of the gallery’s curated lineup.

Her team pairs that eye for craftsmanship with real clinical expertise, so you’re never choosing between style and a proper fit. Whether you need an everyday pair with progressive lenses or a sun style built for glare, our collection is selected with the same care that goes into every exam and fitting at the practice.

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What the Research About UV Exposure and Eye Health Shows

The American Optometric Association notes that short-term UV overexposure can cause photokeratitis, a temporary but painful “sunburn” of the eye, while longer-term exposure raises the risk of cataracts, pterygium, and macular degeneration. The AOA also recommends sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75 to 90% of visible light. Awareness of this risk isn’t universal, either: a Harris Poll conducted for the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that a significant portion of Americans have light-colored eyes, a trait linked to greater UV sensitivity, yet less than a third of that group knew about the connection.

If you’re managing an existing condition like cataracts or macular degeneration, consistent UV protection is one of the simplest daily habits you can maintain. ProDesign’s UV400-rated lens options give you a straightforward way to close that gap without changing anything about how you already wear your glasses.

Meet Dr. Melissa McCulley

Dr. Melissa McCulley, owner and optometrist at McCulley Optix Gallery, is a Fargo native who earned her Doctor of Optometry with honors from the Southern College of Optometry after completing her undergraduate degree at Boston College. She spent four years at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Ophthalmology specializing in specialty contact lenses and low vision care before returning home to North Dakota.

Her focus today is personalized care, from fitting contacts to easing patients into their first progressive lenses to treating conditions like dry eye, work that’s earned her recognition as a CooperVision Best Practices Honoree and helped make McCulley Optix Gallery a 2025 top finalist for INVision Magazine’s America’s Finest Optical Retailers. That same hands-on approach shapes every ProDesign fitting. Her team knows the full lineup, from materials to lens technology, so you’re never guessing your way through the options. Learn more about our practice.

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Finding Your Perfect Frames

Getting to Know Your Vision Needs

Your visit starts with a conversation, not a sales pitch. Dr. Melissa McCulley or a member of her team asks about your daily routine, your prescription history, and how much time you spend outdoors versus in front of a screen. These details shape every recommendation that follows. You can schedule your visit online whenever it’s convenient for you.

Narrowing Down Your Style Options

Once we understand your needs, we start narrowing the catalog down to a manageable list. Face shape, prescription strength, and personal taste all factor into which frames make the cut. Lens needs matter too, so we account for things like polarization or progressive prescriptions early on. What began as an overwhelming range of choices becomes a short, personalized shortlist.

Trying On and Ordering Your Frames

This is where you get hands-on. You’ll try on each shortlisted pair while our team watches for fit, balance, and how the frame sits against your face. Dr. McCulley often joins at this stage to weigh in on style and proportion. Once you’ve made your choice, we take precise measurements and place your order, lens upgrades included.

Caring for Your New Glasses

Before you leave, we’ll cover the basics of cleaning and storage. A microfiber cloth and a hard case do most of the heavy lifting here, especially if your lenses are polarized or photochromic. Small, consistent habits protect the finish, the hinges, and the coatings for years to come. Skipping this step is the fastest way to shorten the life of a good pair of glasses.

Checking In After Your Fitting

A few weeks after you start wearing your new glasses, we reach out to see how things are going. Frames settle differently once they’re part of your everyday routine, and small adjustments are common at this stage. If anything feels off, whether it’s pressure behind your ears or how the lenses perform outdoors, we’ll fine-tune it at no extra cost. Comfort on day one should still be comfort on day one hundred.

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Your Perfect Fit Is Waiting!

Dr. Melissa McCulley and the team at McCulley Optix Gallery would love to help you find a pair that actually feels like yours, from the first fitting to the moment you put them on for good. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook to see new arrivals as they land in the gallery. Ready to try a pair for yourself? Book your appointment today. Or you can visit our practice if you live in the Fargo area!

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FAQs

Are ProDesign frames unisex?

Yes, many ProDesign styles are designed to suit a wide range of face shapes and preferences rather than sticking to strictly gendered categories. Collections like STITCH and CARVE feature shapes built specifically as unisex options, blending rounder and more angular lines into a single silhouette. That flexibility means two people with very different styles can wear the same frame and still feel like it fits them personally.

Are ProDesign frames good for sensitive skin?

Many ProDesign frames are built from titanium or stainless steel, both naturally hypoallergenic and free of the nickel that commonly causes skin irritation in cheaper metal frames. If you’ve had reactions to glasses before, mentioning that during your fitting helps our team steer you toward these nickel-free options. Acetate frames are another gentle alternative, since the material itself doesn’t contain metal alloys that can trigger a reaction.

Where are ProDesign frames made?

ProDesign is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark, where the brand’s design language and Scandinavian aesthetic take shape. Manufacturing is handled by specialized production partners chosen for precision milling and quality control, particularly for detailed work like layered acetate laminates and wire core accents. This combination of Danish design oversight and skilled manufacturing is part of why ProDesign frames hold up so well over time.

Does insurance cover ProDesign frames?

Many vision insurance plans offer some level of coverage toward eyeglass frames, though the exact amount depends on your specific plan and provider. Coverage can vary significantly between plans, and some providers only reimburse a portion of designer frame costs rather than the full price. It’s worth checking your benefits before your visit, and our payment options page or a member of our team can help verify your insurance and walk you through your options during your appointment.

How do I clean polarized or photochromic ProDesign lenses?

Use a microfiber cloth and a lens-safe cleaning solution rather than paper towels or household glass cleaner, which can wear down protective coatings over time. Rinse lenses with lukewarm water before wiping if they’re especially dusty, since dry-wiping can grind small particles into the coating. Store your glasses in a hard case when you’re not wearing them, especially with photochromic lenses, since scratches can interfere with how evenly the tint shifts.