Archive for July, 2009
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
If you are at that certain age and you need help for close work, then you might need some guidance around the issue of reading glasses – for some hints and tips read on – if you can!
When you have an eye examination, your optician will give you a prescription, which usually shows reading and a distance power. If you only have a reading power, then this is what you need to use when buying ready reading glasses. If you have a distance prescription, then the reading power is usually expressed as an add power – the reading prescription will say add next to it. Your optician will need to calculate the power of ready readers for you, so ask them what you need.
Ready readers work the best if your prescription is almost the same in both eyes, preferably exactly the same! Your pupil distance – the distance between your eyes also needs to be fairly average too. If this is not the case, then the glasses will still work, but may not be as comfortable for reading for any length of time. If your eyes are very different powers then you will need to have reading glasses made up for your individual prescription.
The beauty of ready readers is that they are cheap and useful to have around – a pair in your briefcase, your desk, by the books at your bedside. Keep older pairs with weaker prescriptions, they’ll be useful for tasks with less detail at a further distance – ironing, pruning, the computer.
If your ready readers cause headaches, then replace them with an updated prescription, or try them from a different supplier – some brands are made with more precision than others.
Tags: eye examination, Optician, prescription, pupil distance, reading glasses, reading power, ready readers
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
If you’re the kind of person who finds decision making difficult, then choosing your eyewear can be tricky. Trendy? Traditional? Coloured? Or Clear? An obvious distinction with spex frames is the material – the basic choice being plastic or metal. There is however an easy way to make your mind up over that issue – just go for a combination!
A plastic front frame with a metal side gives you a trendy, chunky look on the face, but with a side that’s easy to adjust, and isn’t too thick. Useful if you have problems getting frames to fit, or even if you wear a hearing aid. Plastic fronts don’t have moveable nose pads, which some wearers find uncomfortable.
A metal front with a plastic side is great if you like a bit of colour, as the front will be light and subtle, while the wider plastic sides can be decorative and add interest. The adjustable pads can be altered for fit.
Some frame fronts, whether plastic or metal, have a nylon thread holding part of the lens in, usually across the lower rim, but sometimes down the temple edge. This reduces weight, makes the frame flexible, and is good if you like the look of rimless but not the fragility.
Traditionally these frames – called supras – have a metal front, but with plastic frames becoming more popular recently there are more plastic supras around. These have a really trendy look and give you a slightly different edge. So don’t go for the obvious! A combination of materials can suit your individual needs better than a simple metal or plastic frame.
Tags: adjustable pads, eyewear, plastic front frame, problems getting frames to fit, rimless, spex frames, supras
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
We’re all aware of how sizes work when it comes to shoes or clothes – even if some of us don’t like to admit what size we really are! When it comes to glasses though, we are not so clear about what size we should choose. So here is a brief guide to what to look for, and what eyewear sizes mean.
Spectacle frames have a size printed on them, usually on the inside of the side arm or across the inside of the bridge. This will read something like 50/20. The first number, which may range from 44 – 68, is the size in millimetres across the lens. This governs how big the frame itself will be. The second number, ranging from around 12 – 26, is the width in millimetres of the spex bridge.
The current trend for frame size is around the 48mm mark for women, 50 for men, although fashion and style can influence this. In the Seventies when frames were huge the average size was about 58mm, and for sunglasses it’s usually larger. So what does this mean to you? Unlike with clothes, you won’t always have the same frame size, although looking at the size you currently wear is a good guideline.
Some frames are deliberately styled to look good in different sizes, such as the aviator shape for men, which is worn oversized. In the Eighties when round frames were trendy we wore these super small. It’s a good idea to find an online optician who will let you try at home before you commit to ordering, as this gives you the option to experiment with different looks.
Tags: aviator shape for men, frame size, glasses, online optician, spectacle frames, try at home, what eyewear sizes mean
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Monday, July 27th, 2009
I just got my first ever pair of glasses last week – it’s been an amazing experience that I want to share with you, as all my friends are bored with me going on about it!
At twenty seven I’m a late developer apparently, my husband is v excited about this as he’s hoping it’s not just about my eyes! Ha! Dream on. The Optician told me it’s unusual to be short sighted at my age with no previous prescription, but there you go, I’ve always liked to think I’m special! I’m -1.00 in my right eye, and -0.75 in the left. I need my glasses for TV, driving, and cinema etc.
I felt a bit disappointed about having them, but as I have a problem that can easily be sorted I’m telling myself to be brave. My husband always buys his specs with the online optician, so we browsed sites and made a short list. I tried his frames on to get an idea of size, and chose some Marc Jacobs – never turn down the chance to shop!!
The world is now a totally different place. There are bricks, leaves, and everything seems weirdly three dimensional. My rapidly developing crows feet have relaxed as I’m not squinting at road signs all the time. I’ve stopped wearing statement jewellery as I love having my specs do that for me. I feel more professional, better dressed, and
kind of grown up!
I wish I hadn’t put up with my short sightedness for so long, as I’m loving my glasses. The online optician is putting the corrective lenses in my Gucci sunnies too, which is cool as I love the frame. Must go now – need to re-watch all Brad Pitt DVDs now I can see him properly!!
Tags: Brad Pitt, glasses, Gucci sunnies, Marc Jacobs, online optician, Optician, prescription
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Monday, July 27th, 2009
Trends come and go, in eye wear as in any fashion, but every summer there’s a returning horror as predictable as soggy picnics. For some reason we all start to imagine we’re on the prom at St Tropez, and before we know it the dreaded white sunnies have come out of the drawer again!
Just like Liz Hurley in her white jeans, we all have an image of the ideal summer look, and despite the fact that white is hard to wear, isn’t very flattering on most English rose complexions – or indeed any others – and picks up stains from your hair dye, we do it every year. It didn’t look good in the eighties, can we make it look good now?
The important thing is the right shape – retro can be good but there are limits – don’t go round, don’t go too bug eyed, and choose a shade of white that suits you. Cold grey toned whites are good on cool complexions, shades of creamy white are good with olive toned skins. It looks classy lined with black or crystal white, as a contrast in colour helps to avoid the cheap and nasty effect.
Keep the white plain – don’t add bling or bright pattern, although white is good with turquoise – very Pucci and hot for summer. A discreet inlay or touch of silver is good, but keep the lines clean – think Bianca Jagger lounging in a trouser suit, not Madonna pretending to be like a virgin! This is one fashion that the seventies actually did better than the eighties, let’s see if we can actually nail it in the noughties!
Tags: Bianca Jagger, eye wear, Liz Hurley, Madonna, Pucci, white sunnies
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Sunday, July 26th, 2009
We’re all becoming much more active nowadays, taking note of advice to keep fit and stay fit, and the sportswear market is important in maximising your performance. The only neglected area is in eye wear, where you need to know that the correct prescription glasses will help you in your efforts and protect your sight.
The obvious point to make is that if your eyes are properly corrected, then you will avoid eye fatigue. This means keeping your prescription up to date, and ensuring that you have UV filters and/or tints if your sports are outdoor. Polarised lenses are useful if your sport is on or in the water. These lenses cut glare from horizontal surfaces, and make your vision sharper.
The colour of the lens is important if you choose a tint, as each shade does a different job. Grey lenses transmit light evenly, so give true colours. Plump for these if you’re into road sports – jogging, racing, rock climbing. Brown give you excellent contrast and depth perception, ideal for golf, hiking over rough ground, fishing and biking sports. Yellow is great in poor light, giving the best contrast – good for driving later in the day, and for shooting.
For many sports a specific frame is not necessary – golfers for instance will be fine with standard specs, but with a good quality tint and UV filter. Check out sports magazines for suitable frames for your area of interest – wrap around masks etc give protection for racquet sports such as squash. Try out the products designed for your sport and stay ahead of the game!
Tags: depth perception, eye fatigue, eye wear, lenses, make your vision sharper, Polarised lenses, prescription, protect your sight, squash, UV filters
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Sunday, July 26th, 2009
Our jolly holidays will soon be upon us, so lets’ have a quick look at what you need to pack to ensure good eye health and excellent vision while you are away. If you need new specs for your hols then get your order in early – this is always a busy time for any opticians as we rush to fulfill orders to let you do your sight seeing!
Obviously a spare pair of glasses is essential – they get dropped over the side of boats, left on planes, squashed in unfamiliar rooms, and ground into the sand. That blissful view looks even better when you can see it! So don’t think that your four year old pair will do as a spare. Could you drive in them for long periods? Would you be seen dead in the frame?!
Then there are sunglasses, whether prescription or clear. Do you look like Dame Edna or Lady GaGa in last years? Are they scratched, sad, or sandblasted? Make sure you have 100% UV protection and a good tint that’s dark enough for the climate of your destination.
If you wear contact lenses, make sure you pack your spare glasses, and plenty of cleaning solutions for your time away. It’s not always possible to get the same solution abroad, so make sure you’ve got your supply to hand. You may also need non prescription sunglasses to wear over your contacts.
If you need reading glasses, why not pick up a couple of cheap pairs of ready readers, so you have some to hand if you lose or break a pair. That relaxing read on the beach won’t be fun if you’re squinting at every line and giving yourself wrinkles!
If you use eye drops or take supplements for your visual health, stock up before you go, and don’t have a holiday from taking them! Take a copy of your glasses prescription with you, so that if the worst comes to the worst you can order replacements. Have a relaxing holiday and at least you’ll be sure that your eyes are taken care of!
Tags: 100% UV protection, contact lenses, Dame Edna, eye drops, glasses prescription, good eye health, Lady GaGa, Opticians, prescription, Prescription sunglasses, reading glasses, sight seeing, spare pair of glasses, sunglasses
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »
Saturday, July 25th, 2009
We asked our resident optician for an update on common eye diseases that he sees when he’s in practice. A huge part of an optician’s work is about eye health, not just prescribing glasses. Early diagnosis and referral is vital for successful treatment, so keep up to date with your eye exams, and be sure that any any early warning signs are picked up.
As the population ages, cataracts are seen more often. Cataract is simply a change that occurs in the crystalline lens that’s inside the front of the eye. It can become opaque with age, although smoking and UV exposure are contributing factors. It’s more common in the over fifty five age group. Treatment is as simple as extracting a tooth – the diseased lens is removed and replaced with a plastic lens. Early symptoms that the patient notices are are needing more light, colours not seeming as sharp, and more glare than usual.
Glaucoma is a common eye problem where the fluids inside the eye cause an increase in pressure. The optician puffs air onto the eye to read your eye pressure, and combined with his examination of the retina he can spot signs of Glaucoma. If it not detected at an early stage it can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent loss of sight. It can be a hereditary disease, although it’s also more common in the over forties, diabetics, and Afro-Carribeans. Treatment is usually with eye drops, although surgery is sometimes necessary.
Diabetic patients can suffer from diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease where new blood vessels form in the retina and can then leak. Once leakage has occured this can affect the vision and the general health of the eye. Early diagnosis is crucial because the patient can then be referred, for stabilization of their diabetes, or in some cases for laser surgery to seal the blood vessels.
All of these conditions respond well to treatment if the earliest signs are detected. So even if you buy your glasses online, don’t neglect your eye health by neglecting your optician!
Tags: cataracts, common eye diseases, Diabetic, diabetic retinopathy, glasses online, Glaucoma, Optician
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Saturday, July 25th, 2009
When you see that many spec frames are made of plastic, it sounds a bit sub standard. Surely plastic is kind of a bit, well, plasticy?! A bit cheap? But read on – plastic is an amazing frame material and should be part of everybody’s eyewear wardrobe.
Plastic is what we wear nowadays as an alternative to metal frames. It’s kind of an evolution from the original frame materials of bone, horn, and real tortoiseshell. Bone and horn came up as beautifully polished, totally natural materials, but of course we do not use them now, as we have man made alternatives that are a little more friendly to wildlife! Shell was sourced from the Hawksbill Turtle, and was a beautifully colored, lightweight material – not so good for the poor turtle though!
Plastic now provides us with skin friendly, light weight frames in a dazzling array of colours. It can be inlaid with pattern, stones and glitter, or laminated in layers for a more subtle effect. Plastic frames have a moulded bridge, which is useful if you don’t like the feel of individual nose pads. It’s a cheap way to bring your look bang up to date, without breaking the bank. For girls and boys plastic is big news this Summer, in chunky shapes as bright as you dare. Updating your eyewear can take years off you – you may feel you’re not happy baring too much flesh or wearing younger fashions from the High Street, but any specs can be worn by anyone of any age. A little upsweep on the rims for ladies. or an up to date, angular shape for men will bring the compliments flooding in, so try a little fantastic plastic!
Tags: eyewear, eyewear wardrobe, metal frames, plastic frames
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
You may have the style sense to appreciate designer, but at the moment it’s not the right time to splash the cash. Internet opticians can help because you’re only paying for the product – not the overheads of a High Street Optical Store. Think about the designer style that suits you, and then scale it down to suit your cash flow!
If you’re a sleek and powerful kind of guy then Mercedes Benz may be for you. Always classic, always cool, but if it’s outside your price range, take a look at IGC model Hampshire 1942. The neat sweep of the joints from front to side echoes the MB look. A similar prestige brand is Dunhill, who’ve been around for many years in the Optical market, designing specs alongside their other luxury goods. IGC Ferrucci 175, with it’s simple black polished plastic, brings Dunhill style to mind.
For something a little more wild, Gianfranco Ferre lovers like something with a touch more detail. IGC Leicester 1936 has a look way beyond it’s cost, with a funky pattern in the plastic sides. Dolce Gabbana always come up with something amazing, but never OTT, IGC Feruchi 1275 is a chunky trendy metal, reminiscent of their collections.
For the girls, the choice is equally good. Like a bit of bling? Think Jimmy Choo – the footwear is too die for, and the eyewear is too. Check out IGC Episode 080. If you like detail but not diamante, then a touch of pattern may provide enough interest for you. Miss Sixty do it amazingly well, but IGC Episode 085 is a touch cheaper. A Pucci swirl is a pattern that’s endured since the 1960s. IGC Episode 093 has a fab design inlaid on the sides.
Of course if money is no object, then internet opticians can do genuine designer for an excellent price, and it’s guaranteed to be the real deal. See well, pay less, look great!
Tags: Dolce Gabbana, Dunhill, Ferrucci 175, genuine designer, Gianfranco Ferre, High Street Optical Store, IGC model Hampshire 1942, Jimmy Choo, Mercedes Benz, Miss Sixty, Pucci swirl
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