The Internet Glasses Company

Glasses Industry News

Extra Special Service

December 29th, 2011

After a busy year here at the Internet Glasses Company, we’ve been filing and tidying ready for New Year. Looking back over some of the queries and special orders we’ve had we thought we’d share with you some of the trickier challenges we’ve helped our clients to deal with…..

Mr Hauss had been struggling with bifocals because he suffers from arthritis and his balance is a problem. He told us that he’s always felt unsafe on the stairs. We suggested varifocals, with a lower reading corridor to ensure he can see his feet and the steps clearly. Our guarantee allowed him to try the lenses at home, and he knew he could return them if he couldn’t adapt to them. Six months on, he’s just ordered a spare pair!

Miss Campbell had never worn glasses before and had spent several months window shopping in Opticians but feeling intimidated by all the choice and options. We helped her to decide on plastic lenses with a coating, to make her vision as good as possible and keep them lightweight. After a couple of try-before-you-buy back and forth practice runs she chose a chunky plastic frame for socialising, and a sleek metal for work. We’re now working on another pair that we’ll glaze as sunglasses!

Mrs Banks had already invested in clear distance glasses, prescription sunglasses and reading specs from her Optician. While she liked all these for the jobs they were designed to do, the constant swapping about was annoying her. After a few e-mail discussions we learnt that she doesn’t need the readers that much, as due to her myopia she can usually manage to read just by removing her distance specs. So we reglazed the distance frame with photochromic lenses. She can see in them in all light conditions, whip them off to read, and keep the dark sunnies for holidays and readers for tiny details if she needs them.

Mr Biant kept breaking his rimless specs but wanted something equally light and subtle. We sent him some try-before-you-buy options, and he chose a skinny metal in a matt metal so they weren’t too shiny and obtrusive. We used the thinnest material plastic lenses with an anti-reflection coating, to reduce weight, thickness, and give an invisible lens look. He has now ditched the rimless and eight months later, hasn’t broken anything yet!

So if you need help with what will suit your lifestyle and your spectacle prescription, don’t be afraid to ask our advice and utilise our many years of experience. There are real people on the other side of your keyboard, qualified as Optometrists, dispensing Opticians and lens technicians. So don’t be afraid to make our acquaintance and give us a challenge – hope to hear from you soon!

Varifocal Glasses

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Get a New Look for New Year!

December 28th, 2011

When the last shreds of wrapping paper have been tidied away and the last sprout has been munched, we turn our attention to a fab new look or entire new lifestyle for New Year. It’s a time to brush away the cobwebs of winter and look forward to an improved 2012. Amid the health resolutions and vows to give up all vices, how about taking the easy option to improve your looks – some fab new specs with a few tiny tweaks to make you see better and look better!

If you wear bifocals – this older format of lens is seen as cheap and easy option once you need help for close and far vision. It does show the world that you’ve reached that certain age however, and it’s pretty hopeless at the computer. Change to varifocals – no visible line, middle distance correction for laptops, VDU screens and i-pads, and all with a no fuss full refund policy from the IGC!

If your lenses are thick – higher prescriptions can result in chunky heavy lenses. This can lead to sore noses and ears, and they can minify or magnify the eye too. Switch to thinner material lenses to reduce weight and flatter your eyes. There will be less visual distortion at the lens edge too.

If your lenses obscure your eyes – standard lenses in slightly higher prescriptions can reflect light back, hiding your eyes and interfering with your sight. Choose anti-reflection coated lenses which will allow all the light through to the eye. This means that people see you not themselves, and will allow you to maximise your sight. They also make vision much more comfortable for night driving and at the computer.

If you struggle with ready readers – it’s not an expensive option to order bespoke reading lenses in your glasses. Ready readers do the job for brief snatches of glancing at small print, but for prolonged periods of reading you need your proper prescription set at the correct measurement for you. Keep your ready readers for emergencies only -  then close work will be less likely to cause eye strain.

Varifocal Glasses

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Barely There

December 23rd, 2011

With rimless frames declining in popularity over the past couple of years, the minimalist style hunters among us are looking for an alternative which is equally lightweight and invisible on the face. This leads to us an interesting juxtaposition in trends – the chunky bold lines of heavy geek or retro plastics, and the uber skinny rims of memory metals and super thin plastics. So which look suits you?

Take a look around your home and you can translate this into an indicator of your personal style. If you think less is more, and you favour neutral colour palettes, sleek lines and not even a visible door handle, a skinny rim is for you. This will suit your love of function and form, as these frames require super-technology and state of the art materials. To cut down on bulk and weight, materials need to be super tough even when pared down to the minimum. Usually devoid of decoration, or even joints! These frames are made of as few parts as possible, with springy materials that do the work of joints and complex lens housings. Almost invisible on the face, they are practically weightless and very comfortable, second only to contact lenses for making you look specless!

If you like to chuck as much colour, bling and detail at everything as possible, if your lounge looks like the Strictly ballroom, then you need a plastic. With plenty of surface area for decoration and extra colours it’s just the thing to allow you to express your exuberance and wildness! These frames do the work of accessories for you, bringing interest and warmth to the face. These are frames with personality, for those who like to be noticed. On a practical level, they also disguise thicker lenses, will stand up to a careless owner, and are perennially trendy.

There are styles in between these extremes of course – subtle plastics, metals in colours, a few remaining rimless – but who wants to go for the safe path? Take it to an extreme for a memorable look, bold or barely there, the choice is yours!

Varifocal Glasses

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I Can See Clearly Now?

December 22nd, 2011

All patients dread that moment when the Optician tells them…..you’ve got cataracts which are ready to be treated……because of course none of us look forward to the thought of an operation. Nowadays however it’s easier than having a tooth removed, and the vast majority of patients sail through surgery. After recovery however, there are a couple of possible pitfalls that all Cataract patients should be aware of……

As both eyes are treated separately, in some patients there will be a time period where the two eyes need different correction. This can lead to you feeling disorientated when it comes to walking around, slight double vision and a problem knowing how far away things are. The key here is to remember that this will be corrected when you are prescribed glasses after the eye has healed, so patience as a patient may be required! Your Optician may be able to prescribe specs for this interim period, and as they’re only temporary, you may need to call on the services of the IGC for an economical pair!

25% of patients suffer glare and distorted sight after surgery due to deposits forming in the ‘lens capsule’. The Cataract forms in the first place due to a lens inside your eye, which becomes gradually opaque, usually due to age or trauma. The surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a synthetic one, using the original capsule that held your own lens for the implant. After surgery the capsule can get cloudy itself as deposits form on it. This is treated by a quick zap with a laser, a speedy procedure which solves the problem and restores clear sight again.

People with general health issues such as Diabetes may suffer other complications after surgery, which are thankfully rare and are treatable if caught early. The important things to remember are to follow post-operative instructions carefully, using drops as prescribed and attending all follow up appointments. If you notice any new symptoms, such as blurred or distorted vision, have it checked out immediately by your Optician or GP.

Varifocal Glasses

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In the Pink!

December 4th, 2011

Sore, tired, gritty, irritated eyes can create more misery than many other minor health issues, leaving the sufferer feeling tired, uncomfortable and of course worried. There are several causes of ‘pink eye’, so here are some pointers…..

Dry Eyes – Eyes feel dry, gritty, may sting, sight will be normal, no discharge or stickiness.

Can be due to – hormonal changes, air conditioning or central heating, overuse of contact lenses.

What can you do? – Speak to your Optician or GP to rule out contact lens problems. You may be prescribed artificial tears. Move desks away from vents or radiators, drink plenty of water.

Acute Conjunctivitis – Eyes feel sore and irritated. May be some watery discharge. Vision ok.

Can be due to – Eye strain, smoky or polluted air, lack of sleep and overusing a computer screen.

What can you do? – Speak to your GP to rule out infectious conditions. Rest eyes, drops may help to soothe irritation and restore natural tear function. Avoid contact lens wear until the eye recovers.

Bacterial or Viral Conjunctivitis – Eyes look very pink, lashes stick together, discharge which may be very fluid or sticky. Lashes stuck together when you wake up, vision may be blurry until discharge clears.

Can be due to – Contagious bacterial or viral infection.

What can you do? See your GP for prescribed drops. Take contact lenses out immediately and replace disposable lenses, sterilise any others. Replace mascara and eye make up brushes. Don’t share towels or flannels with other family members. Finish course of prescribed drops.

Irritant in the Eye – Eye slightly pink. Vision ok but eye watery.

Can be due to – foreign body trapped in the eye, i.e. under the lid, or reaction to foreign body after removal.

What can I do? Lift the lid gently away from the eye and look all around you, to let the tear layer wash the eye. Try an eye bath. Seek medical help if problem persists.

If you can’t decide what the problem is yourself, then the general rule is simple for any pink eye condition – take contact lenses out, check things out with your GP, have some specs to hand to allow eyes to rest and recover. Then you’ll be in the pink, and your eyeballs won’t be!!

Varifocal Glasses

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Kid’s Stuff

December 3rd, 2011

As Internet glasses providers, we will not supply glasses for children. Their sensitive skin and variety of face shapes means we cannot guarantee a successful fit, whereas adult’s skin and facial anatomy is much more forgiving and easier to deal with. We are aware however that many of our clients are parents, so information for you on your children’s vision is still a relevant topic here. So what’s in the news this week for children’s sight?

A recent study has shown that the system in the UK is failing kid’s vision, as there is not consistency in screening sight in schools. Local Primary Care Trusts all have their own way of working, and across the country 19% do not offer screening, and in some areas the screening that is provided is of a poor standard. The other issue is that there is no system for those kids that do need further referral for the eye problems found.

Parents need to look after their children’s sight by taking them to a High Street Opticians for an eye exam, which is free under the NHS. You don’t have to wait until the child can read, the letters we use for adult eye exams can be replaced with symbols and pictures for children. We can even test babies before they can talk! This is especially important if you have a family history of eye health problems, and if the parents of the child wear specs.

Meanwhile, studies are still coming up with evidence that children who are outdoors more are less likely to become short sighted (Myopic). For each additional hour of play spent outside per week, the likelihood of myopia developing reduced by 2%. Children who are short sighted reported that spent an average of 3.7 fewer hours a week outside than their peers with normal sight. So it’s not just eye exams that will help your kids – a change in weekly routine may provide prevention rather than cure.

So we try to cater for everyone’s needs here at the IGC – help and advice for children that we can’t supply specs for, and excellent quality, low cost products for adults that we can supply!

Varifocal Glasses

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Return to Retro

December 2nd, 2011

Looking back through the catalogues we collected at the Paris Optical show in the autumn, and viewing the new collections as we go into winter, one trend is the stand out style that defines eyewear fashion for the moment. Retro is the buzz word, for men, women and even kids.

The Geek shape of chunky rectangular plastic in solid colours has been around for so long this time that’s moved away from quirky to mainstream. We’re seeing it on trendy baby boomers, funky young JLS fans, style conscious kids and everyone else in between! It’s in every price range from Fendi and Christian Dior to the cheapest budget ranges.

The trend has evolved a little by moving into bright colours, opaque finishes, and subtle detail like visible pins and engraving. For the first time ever we’ve also seen metal versions of this shape, in chunky rims and flat matt colour finishes. Cat’s eye and round shapes are a cool alternative to angular shapes. The Americans have been way ahead of us with this for ages; they adore the small, preppy round frame. Even the likes of Giorgio Armani have been raiding the archive designs and are re-visiting the fashions of the Eighties. Check out your Mum and Dad’s old spec drawer for some true vintage style.

If you want to move forward rather than back, there are a few alternatives. Futuristic uber skinny metals or rimless in sleek finishes and bright colours. The use of orange, lime and neon blue. Men’s ranges like Porsche Design using matt plastics and Titanium to produce big bold frames with a new look.

So although Retro is the new modern, you don’t have to follow the crowd, you can add an individual twist with colour and shape this season.

Varifocal Glasses

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Christmas Contact Lens Wear!

December 1st, 2011

As Internet Glases Company regulars know, we are not just internet spex suppliers, we also all work part time in practice. This gives us the opportunity to see real patients face to face, and keep up with the word on the street! Obviously we deal with contact lens patients too, and as the fun festive season approaches we have some food for thought for all you lens wearing party people out there!

It’s easy to get carried away as the festive spirit flows, and extend partying into the small hours and even, dare we say it, not go home at all if the party mood takes you! Now this is all very well, but the morning after the night before can be even more agonizing if along with your raging headache and sense of shame you’ve had a contact lens mishap. Patients have reported drinking their contacts, putting both in the same eye, sleeping in them, storing them in everything from beer to fruit juice – the list is as endless as it is terrifying!

Contact lens solutions are designed to fulfil several functions – they clean and sterilise the lenses after wear, lubricate them for all day wear, and maintain the correct hydration. While beer has many good points, it cannot be said to be at all effective in any of the above vital needs of a contact lens. Storing the lens in any liquid other than the prescribed solution can damage the lens can cause eye problems. Even water can be dangerous – it contains some nasty bugs that can attach themselves to the lens and cause permanent damage to the cornea.

So try and think ahead as you plan the big night out. Slip your contact lens case into your pocket, ready filled with solution, even if you’re not planning to stay out. Remove lenses before you become too incapacitated to cope! Get yourself some specs for nights out if you don’t trust yourself with lenses – we can supply something groovy and trendy that won’t eat into the Xmas budget too much. A little thinking ahead could save you time, money, and even your sight……

Varifocal Glasses

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Online Options

November 21st, 2011

W e started the Internet Glasses Company with the intention of giving a premium, fully professional service to clients who want excellent specs at a reasonable price. There are of course many online retailers out there, and a vast number of opticians on the High Street. We wanted to give our clients the best of both worlds, combining experienced optical professional with great product. We often get e-mails from potential customers who have concerns about trusting their sight to a faceless optician – for example, can we make specs that work for you, when we haven’t seen you? Let’s address a few concerns that have cropped up a couple of times…….

What if I can’t see?

This is of course a major concern with new specs and we have a no quibble return and refund policy if all else fails! Fortunately it’s rarely needed, but it’s there to give you peace of mind regarding your order. We always look closely at prescriptions to ensure it all looks logical and we’ll contact you personally if anything doesn’t look right. We then take the greatest care to follow your needs exactly, so the chances of things going wrong are slight.

What if my lens prescription is wrong?

If you’ve just made a typo it’s likely that we’ll pick it up, and we’ll mail you. If the optician has written the prescription out wrongly then you’ll need to take your glasses and the prescription back to the prescriber for clarification. In the unlikely event that our perfect and talented team (!) make the glasses up wrongly then we’ll spot it before you get them. But whatever the problem we’ll still refund if we can’t correct problems for you.

What if I don’t like the frame when I get it?

No quibble guarantee still applies! Even if you just change your mind.

How can you make glasses to fit me when you haven’t seen me?!

Specs nowadays are made of flexible, easily adjusted materials that no longer need any degree of tailor made parts. We look at your pupil measurement and trust your judgement on your order to cerate a pair of specs that will hopefully be comfortable without adjustment, but most high street opticians will adjust them for if necessary. Most of our clients don’t need adjustments – and we can always take your requirements into consideration when we make the glasses if you need us too. As an aftercare service pop them in the post and we can set them straight again if you have any mishaps!

Varifocal Glasses

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Lazing Around

November 20th, 2011

‘Lazy eye’ is an expression that’s often bandied about, yet it is still often misunderstood and causes problems both with the look of the eye and how the patient sees. It’s still something that confuses patients, but it is treatable if caught early in childhood. So are your children at risk and what can be done?

Put simply, lazy eye arises because many children are born with a sight defect that is not detected. Because vision is poor in only one affected eye the child manages perfectly well. What they see is of course normal to them, so parents will not be aware of it unless the child has an eye examination. Due to lack of stimulus the visual pathway in the ‘lazy eye’ does not develop, and after age seven or so it can then not be rectified. Sight will be affected throughout life, and the eye may also turn as it doesn’t move with the ‘good’ eye.

If sight is tested early in life the defect can be detected and sight corrected, and the visual pathway will go on to develop normally. Sometimes an eye patch is used to help correct the problem, for short term wear. Children usually cope with this better than their parents! Often for Mums and Dads it’s a surprise that their children need glasses, but most kids nowadays are keen to be seen sporting the latest eye fashion!

It can be hereditary, so if you’ve heard the phrase mentioned around in the family make sure the very youngest generation are checked out as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait until they know their letters – this is a common misconception that means diagnosis is often delayed. Take them from babyhood onwards – it’s covered by the NHS for the under sixteens so book them in and get eye testing into their healthcare routine as soon as possible. Don’t be lazy about the possibility of lazy eye!

Varifocal Glasses

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