Archive for August, 2010

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Retro Chic

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

We all know that fashion is cyclical, and if you keep everything it’ll reappear in Topshop one day soon – did we think we’d ever see shoulder pads, leggings and batwing sleeves again? Did we want to?! Eye wear is just another branch of fashion, and fashion designers are taking an ever increasing interest in what we wear on our faces as well as our bodies. Frames have been creeping into Eighties territory for some time now, with sizes increasing, shapes softening, and red and white making a comeback. Are we horrified or excited?!

Back in the Seventies and Eighties big frames meant thick and heavy specs. The new wear to wear the size is in thin materials, with thin lenses too to reduce weight. New shapes are easier to wear, less extreme than the originals. Round is back too, taking over from sharp angular shapes, but the good news is that fashion seems to be less cut and dried than in the past. We have large and small frames sitting side by side on the display, oval and rectangular. The designers seem to be waking up to the fact that we don’t all want the same thing!

New materials mean that the shiny harsh golds and yellow tinged tortoise browns are thankfully consigned to the past, with subtle metals and soft colours bringing a fresh look to old shapes. Past and present blend with classic styles brought up to date in Noughties colour schemes and detail. Look for soft rounded squares and gentle Aviators that echo the disco era but still look on trend today. Aviators are a unisex style this time around, particularly for sunglasses where they give a really casual and relaxed beach babe look. (See Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz for inspiration!)

Big frames give you a large field of vision and make a real statement on the face, so don’t dismiss the return of these old friends as a mare fashion fad – just hope that shoulder pads will be much more of a one season trend!

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Choices Choices……..

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

As retailers like ourselves provide the consumer with economical eye wear choices, the days of single visual solutions are long gone. Our clients can now have an eye wear wardrobe with combinations of specs and contact lenses to help them at work or play. Are you missing out on any ways to make your life easier?

Richard – Teacher age 50 – Short sighted for distance:

‘I wear specs for work every day because I need to see stuff on my desk, my computer and the kids around the classroom. At home I take my glasses off if I want to read a book, as my close work is just as easy without them. I have daily wear contact lenses for the weekend, when I play squash or golf.’

Ellen – IT Consultant age 23 – Short sighted for distance:

‘I wear my glasses for driving and TV etc, I’ve got two pairs of clear ones with an anti-reflection layer and a dark lens pair for prescription sunglasses. I play different sports 3 times a week, so I have monthly disposable lenses which I also wear if I’m going out with friends. I just clean and store them and put them in when I need them.’

Susan – Boutique Owner age 48 – Long Sighted for distance:

‘I hate my prescription glasses because they magnify my eyes, however much I spend on thin lenses. I wear contact lenses all through the week; they’re varifocal so I can see at any distance in them. On Sundays if I’m not going out I wear my varifocal specs to give my eyes a rest. My real indulgence is the five pairs of Designer sunglasses I’ve got to go over my contacts!!’

Grace – Student age 16 – Short Sighted for distance:

‘I started wearing glasses about 3 years ago, and I think they’re quite cool. I’ve got a thick black frame and some thin red ones, and I wear them to go with different clothes. For tennis I’ve got daily throw away contact lenses, and sometimes I use them for going out, if I can afford it!’

Edward – Retired age 64 – Long Sighted for distance:

‘Since retiring I’ve found my days filled with taxing activities like golf, swimming, and my art club, so I ditched my office glasses and got some new ones! I have varifocals that do dark in sunlight for sport, but I can’t wear them to paint because they alter colours, so I’ve got a clear pair too. I use goggles with my prescription in for swimming, or on holiday I swim in my varifocals. I’ve got contact lenses for distance sight only that I like for golf, because I struggle to look down at the ball in my varifocals.’

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Moving Forward

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Opticians used to have a bit of a fusty image – tiny display windows full of tired old frames, faded posters and spiders, NHS specs and serious looking chaps in bow ties. Thank goodness we’ve shrugged all that off! Today we’re designer retailers gleaming with technology, state of the art equipment and lots of new blood entering the profession. And every single week, new innovations take Optics even further into the future.

Opticians love their gadgets, and every conference or training session is awash with talk of the latest screening equipment, and more recently, prodding i-phones and chatting about what apps they can play with! An eye test chart app has been around for ages, plus various manufacturers’ information. The latest is an app that lets the user take an interactive vision test to get a pass or fail and information on corrective lenses. This then directs you to an optician for a full examination.

One of the biggest spectacle frame manufacturers in the world, Marchon eyewear, has announced the launch of 3D vision, creating 3D eyewear for Optical practices. Their 3D lenses use circular polarisation technology which will be compatible with RealD cinemas, upcoming technology that will be used in Laptops, TVS and monitors.

Dry eyes are an eye health problem that causes short term discomfort and potential long term damage. Dry atmospheres due to air conditioning and electrical equipment, increased VDU use that reduces our blink rate, and the effects of some drugs can all lead to dry eye problems. Old approaches used to include bathing the eye in home made solutions and artificial tears in drop form. We now have a few new options, including specially formulated eyelid wipes, seed filled eye masks that you heat in the microwave, and even a goggle kit that allows the sufferer to steam the eye area!

Whatever your eye health or visual problems, new treatments and solutions will appear to help you, so take advantage of the fact that we constantly move forward thanks to ever evolving technology.

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Screen Test

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

We still get many enquiries from computer users, frustrated with their specs at the screen. It’s become a big problem, as we all use computers more and more in our work and leisure time. So here are the options for different situations……

If you’re under the age of presbyopia, usually around your mid-forties, your ordinary specs will let you see at any distance, and your eyes do the work for you. If you’re short sighted you’ll see the screen without your specs on, if long-sighted you may feel you need them on, depending on your prescription.

Once you reach your mid-forties, you need a separate prescription for distance and reading, and over the fifty mark, a separate one for the VDU too.

If you have no prescription for distance – you may need your reading specs if the screen is close too and the font is small. Weaker reading specs will probably do the job perfectly well, so dig out your old reading glasses from your last test and try them out! If you need to look up into the distance as well as at the screen, opt for varifocals, which let you do everything in one pair of glasses.

If you’re long or short sighted for distance, varifocals again let you do everything without swapping specs about. For some people the angle of their head or position of their screen may make varifocals tricky for long periods of use, so tell us your distance and reading prescription and we’ll calculate a computer distance strength for you. This single vision option gives you a wide area to use without craning your neck.

A little test for you to run though before you next see the Optician – am I physically comfortable at the computer – do I have to tilt my head or keep shifting to see comfortably? Am I visually comfortable – do I have to squint or keep moving back and forth to see clearly? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then think about how long you spend at the screen, what you do in conjunction with your desk work, and consider in investing in specs for the screen.

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It’s Only Natural

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

We’re lucky in 2010 to have a staggering choice of materials to use in any product we need to buy. Every object that we select and use is available in a range of choices that we can select to suit our budget, lifestyle and even how green we are! Spec frames are obviously no exception, with new variations of metal and plastic under constant developed by manufacturers. Last month a frame made of eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo was launched, and while we’re looking forward to the future of specs, let’s take a look at what we had to use in the past……

The very first examples of spectacle frames were fashioned from an ingenious range of natural materials. Leather, wood, bone and horn have all been used to hold spectacle lenses. An obvious advantage was that these were all very skin friendly, provoking none of the allergic reactions that some people suffer from today. Just not very friendly for the previous owner of the bone or horn!

For the rich there was of course gold and silver, used to make elegant and delicate frames in every variety from full rims to Lorgnettes and Quizzers. Again, pure metals were hypo-allergenic, lightweight, and did not deteriorate when in contact with skin acids.

The most famous natural product was tortoiseshell, actually the shell of the poor old Hawksbill Turtle. This produced beautiful frames, with a high polish and a glowing rich brown colour. We still produce plastics today that try to imitate the rich lustre of natural shell. They could even be repaired by splicing together new shards of shell. Sadly this was not good for the Hawksbill, and like so many species it suffered heavily from it’s desirability to man.

As we move back towards protecting the planet and our resources, the intensive manufacture of plastics for spectacle frames may lead us back to the days of looking at natural materials. Let’s hope we can do so by finding renewable resources and without resorting to endangering any more species.

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The Small Print

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Even in this day and age of Kindles and i-pads the good old fashioned book is still a much loved and cherished part of many people’s lives. From devoted book worms that couldn’t live without the scent of paper and the feel of a weighty tome, to beach loving blockbuster holiday readers, many of us love to curl up with the latest bestseller. When we pass the milestone of our fortieth birthday, most of us will need reading glasses within the next few years. If reading is your passion, how can great specs help to fan the flames?!

The most important thing is to visit your optician and get the strength you need for a comfortable reading distance. Even if you then pop out and buy a handful of ready readers, you’ll be saving eye strain and the onset of crow’s feet by wearing the correct power. If you want to see tiny print close too or big print at lap distance, tell your Optician, who can then adjust the prescription for your requirements.

Make sure the light is good when you are reading. The best specs will not help you if lighting is poor, and the problem is worse if you’re looking at low contrast materials like magazines with coloured print and background. An anti-reflection layer on the lenses will reduce glare from white paper and be more soothing to tired eyes. While a light tint won’t bother most people, it can affect sight for some, so you may need a clear lens for close work.

If you wear varifocals on a daily basis you may want a simple pair of single vision reading glasses for long periods stuck into your favourite Dan Browne or Terry Pratchett, or for reading in bed. If you like to sink under the covers then varifocals may be at the wrong distance or angle for comfort.

If you suffer from Dyslexia there are specialized tints and filters which may improve your sight and make reading easier. If you haven’t investigated this within the past few years then do enquire – they give very good results for some patients. If you’re elderly and glasses won’t do the trick for you, then a specialized magnifier or low vision aid may give you the help you need. There are many solutions out there for different types of reading problem, so seek help if you’re struggling. The simple pleasures of the printed word should be easily accessible to everyone.

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Seeing things Clearly!

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Awareness is gradually increasing amongst the public of the dangers of UV exposure. Thanks to the constant information regarding sunscreens, we’re all getting to grips with the idea of using the correct SPF factor and shielding our skin from UV. This also means that discussion opens up about sunglasses, and UV protection for the eyes. So we know we need sunglasses with UV protection, but can we do anything more to fight the enemy of glare?

Polarized lenses will cut glare that can enter your eyes by being reflected from snow or water, and the sneaky light rays that creep in from the car bonnet, wet roads or oncoming vehicles. Sudden bright glare will wash out your sight, and pulling down a visor or screwing your eyes up will reduce your area of clear vision and make the problem worse. A polarized lens cuts out the reflected rays, making things more comfortable and enabling you to see more clearly. If you look into water with a polarized lens you’ll notice that you can see right through the surface, and take note of any fish! For driving a polarized lens is safer and saves eye strain and discomfort, and they don’t just protect you against sun shining on the windscreen. Sun behind your car makes it difficult to see brake lights and traffic lights, and the last thing any of us wants to do is whizz straight through a stop sign.

If you pursue outdoor sports then polarized lenses will improve your vision and your game! Any sport played under bright light puts you at risk of high UV exposure and eye strain. Mountaineering, water sports and snow sports all present the problems of overhead and reflected glare. You’ll be getting maximum UV protection, saving eye strain and enhancing your performance by reducing fatigue.

You can have a polarizing tint added to prescription glasses, or look for polarizing on a standard, non-prescription sunspec. A wrap around style cuts out the maximum amount of glare. The only downside is interference with vision with LCDS, such as cell phone screens or cash registers, or seeing stress patterns on certain types of windscreens or windows. You may wish to try lenses out in your car before committing to buy if your main concern is driving.

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The Fear Factor

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

People can be very squeamish about eyes, and of course frightened of losing their sight. As we age, other health issues can escalate and visiting the Optician is yet another appointment to worry about. The most common eye conditions that affect the over 60’s can however be treated if caught early, so don’t delay, keep up to date with your check ups and take action on any problems.

Statistics suggest that up to a quarter of a million people living in Britain risk blindness from undiagnosed Glaucoma, a disease which can often be successfully treated with drops. Some patients need surgery, but treatment is straightforward and preferable to losing your sight. As there are no symptoms that the patient is aware of initially, it’s important to attend for regular eye tests.

Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens within the eye becomes opaque. It can result from trauma, UV exposure, or simply ageing. It’s easily treated by surgery, but 25% of people suffering from blindness over the age of 75 have Cataracts, and this could be corrected. Annually in the UK the NHS is responsible for over 300,00 Cataract surgeries.

ARMD – Age Related Macular Degeneration – is the commonest cause of blindness in the Western World. In the UK it affects the lives of over 600,000 people. Monitoring by your Optician can spot the earliest signs, when changes to diet and dietary supplements can help to control the condition. The very fast progress of the wet form of the disease needs immediate treatment, so early detection is essential.

Dry Eye Syndrome is the commonest form of eye irritation in the over 65s, leading to discomfort and problems with vision. There are various therapies which can deal the symptoms, no patient needs to suffer without trying different remedies and drug regimes.

If you have an elderly relative make sure they can visit the optician, or arrange a home visit. Even if eye conditions can’t be treated then solutions such as low vision aids might make a significant difference to the daily life, and everyone should take advantage of any treatments available.

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De-Mystifying the Myths!

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

The world of Optics can be a mysterious place, full of half truths and confusion. The consulting room, like a Doctor’s surgery can be intimidating, and clients often think of questions long after their appointment has ended! So we all talk to friends, look things up on the net, and generally end up with lots of false information and no real answers. So to help you out, we’ve thought about this, and realized that there are a top five of myths that crop up with great regularity……….

1. I can’t wear contact lenses – Lots of people think they can’t wear lenses without even asking their Optician! If they have an astigmatism, if they need reading glasses, if they have an eye health issue……in reality we could probably fit 99.9% of the population with lenses, even if only for short periods of time or to correct part of their prescription, so don’t assume you’re super special, talk to your Optician!

2. I need a huge frame for Varifocals – When these lenses first came out you did need plenty of depth in the frame, but as time and technology move on they will fit into the trendiest and tiniest of frames. Your Optician will soon tell you if a frame is not suitable, so find the frame first and then see what the options are.

3.Wearing glasses will make my sight get worse - A sight defect is usually due to the physical shape of the eyeball, or the crystalline lens of the eye, which you can’t alter, whether you wear your glasses or not! Nothing you do will affect your sight, you just get used to actually being able to see!

4. Children’s Eyes can’t be tested until they can read – It’s actually important to test a baby’s sight as soon as possible, to ensure that their eyes are developing normally. If not picked up sight defects can affect the development of the visual pathways to the brain. So take your baby to the Opticians, it’s free through the NHS, and set your mind at rest.

5. Tints help with night driving – people often assume that tints can cut the glare for driving at night, but actually they can obscure your vision. It’s also illegal to drive in anything but the very palest tint after dark. An anti-reflection coating is the only thing that will help, reducing blur from oncoming headlights and making sight shaper.

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Ahead to Autumn

Monday, August 9th, 2010

The grass is still sucking up the post sunshine showers of July, but the fashion pack is ahead of the game and looking forward to the harvest, Halloween and hot new looks! All the fashion mags are working overtime on pondering the catwalk, studying the styles on display at the Couture shows and imaging what will filter down to the High Street over the next few months. This has an impact on the colours and shapes we’ll be wearing for coming year, so if you’re considering new glasses, read on…..

Giorgio Armani was working glamorous tailoring, always his strength, but with soft silhouettes and a neutral palette. So for work wear you might want to think about classic and grown up specs, in warm pale browns, caramel, or even nude, if your colouring can take it. Detail should be pared to the minimum for this look, so no added bling or pattern! A sleek metal frame or simple plastic with layered laminates would add interest without going over the top.

The house of Dior was awash with colour, a total contrast to the cool Mr Armani. And this colour was used to fantastic effect with mouth watering patterns that dazzled, in a riot of joyful flowers. So if you’re planning a wedding or a special outfit for a ball, you can go wild with hot shades and vibrant colour. Frames can be hot plastics, or layers of coloured metal, in a shade that’s as bright as your dress. You don’t have to match the colour exactly, brilliant red or green is fabulous with purple, or orange with turquoise, just make sure the strength of the colours are the same. Frames again can be simple with regard to detail, let the colour and pattern on your fabulous frock do the work for you!

If however minimalist chic is not for you, and you want to add bling, layers, flounces, diamonds and pearls to your dresses, than Chanel will fire your imagination this season. They were all about the detail and were also championing the floaty and romantic longer hem length. For all you fairy princesses out there, this is feminine and pretty. Specs can be metal or plastic, with slim rims that bring attention to your eyes. Add as much detail as you dare, with inlaid jewels, filigree work and delicate traceries of colour. Gold would be a good colour choice to echo the look and co-ordinate with lots of different colours.

Looking through the fashion pages can inspire you and excite you when making your decisions for the new season, so let your specs complement your clothes and add an extra fashion dimension to your outfit.

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