Archive for February, 2011

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The Rise of the Designer

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Since the 1970’s and the first appearance of the Designer jean, the serious shoppers amongst us have lusted after the starry delights of properly posh products from the Hermes Birkin to the latest Dolce Corset dress. Specs were a relatively latecomer to this phenomenon, with clothing, accessories and perfumes filling our closets and our dreams before we got around to thinking about that all important piece of jewellery for the face. So what has designer eyewear meant to us? What do you get for your hard earned cash, and will it enhance your life or at least your vision?

So the basic question……what does Designer really mean? It should mean you are paying a slightly higher price for the excitement of the latest and boldest shapes, innovative colours and decoration, and the best quality materials. You really do get what you pay for, and remember that an international fashion house like Gucci or Christain Dior will not put their name to a shoddy or poorly designed product. You are getting your own little piece of luxury for everyday wear, with superior construction, exclusivity, and style. The problem today is that any ambitious manufacturer will stick any exotic sounding name on a frame and call it Designer! Don’t be fooled – it will cost you more so make sure you get more! Stick to the well known and trusted names in fashion – Pucci, Prada, Fendi, Chanel, Hugo Boss – for example to know you are getting what you’ve paid for. You’ll get an excellent quality product that will last longer, be comfortable, and provide stable housing for your lenses. This strength and durability may also mean your sight is always properly corrected, as ill-fitting specs can affect your sight as well as your comfort.

Back in the dark days when the NHS called the shots in our eyewear choices, we had very little say in what we wore, and many a child feared the dread news that they needed glasses. Giorgio Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier and YSL were among the first Designers who bought joy to our hearts and fashion to our faces with their stunning eyewear designs, and we haven’t looked back! Eye wear is now a must have accessory, not a grudge purchase, and anything that prevents bullying and low esteem must be applauded – this is a huge issue for some, so never dismiss fashion as frivolous.

You may be a Marc Jacobs girl or a Paul Smith boy, but don’t worry that you’re only paying for the name. You’re paying for quality and style, and who could ask for more than that!

Varifocal Glasses

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Totally on Trend

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Now we’re settled into 2011, and thinking forward to lighter nights and brighter days, new looks for the season hit the fashion pages and the High Street. Watching the tried old Sale stock disappear, to be replaced with fresh funky fashion is always an exciting time, and eye wear is no exception. So what have we seen to tempt us so far this year?

Retro is definitely back again – there really is nothing new in fashion!! The surprise for this year is round shapes, which were due for a revival as we haven’t seen them for some time. This very American, preppie look, will be totally new for youngsters, as it hasn’t hit our shelves since the Eighties. The most flattering round eye has a straight top rim, with all the curves below the brow. Christian Dior, Paul Smith and Gucci are all working on this look at the moment.

Sizes, as we predicted last year, are still getting bigger. This is great news for varifocals wearers, but if you’re very long or short sighted you may want to give this trend a miss – you’ll end up with heavier lenses. If you do take the plunge, choose thinner material lenses and prepare for increased weight on your nose!

In terms of look and material, whatever the size and shape you choose it’s still plastic frames for true fashionistas. Graduated colours, going from light to dark or a colour mix are cool, again it’s a retro trend that looks set to stay. For a twist on original frames it’s androgynous shapes in feminine colours that are cool this year, such as the boyish geek look in hot purple or bright blue.

The good news is that despite this hot fashion look, shapes are still mixed, with bigger and smaller frames, rectangular and round jostling for position on the shelves. So if your prescription dictates your choice, there are still plenty of options for you. This is a refreshing change, as all too often the designers plump for a uniform fashion that doesn’t allow for specific eyewear needs.

Varifocal Glasses

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Problem Solving

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

You all know that we love our glasses here at the Internet Glasses Company, and I’m sure that even if we weren’t all short sighted we’d even wear them with no lenses just for fun. But we do know that this is not the case for every spec wearer out there, and for some of you, specs are a total nuisance and a real grudge purchase. So if you have some little spec niggles that are driving you batty, here are some solutions – and we promise that soon you’ll love your specs too!

My glasses always steam up, and then slide down my nose……

Specs steam up if air can’t get behind them, and then slide as moisture collects and makes them slippery. So examine the fit of your frames. If you have cute chubby cheeks or a flat bridge to your nose, then plastic frames might be a no no for you. Metal frames have nose pads which will lift the frame off your skin. If your frame is deep, then it may sit on your face as you talk, smile or eat. Choose a shallower frame, or again, a metal should solve the problem.

My glasses are really heavy – they aggravate my sinuses……

In order to make glasses as light as possible, you need to pull a few different factors together. Choose a frame which is as small as you feel comfortable with, as bigger lenses can be a problem – the bigger they are – the thicker the edges will be, and there’s more lens area. Go for thinner material lenses which will reduce weight further. Plastic frames with moulded bridges spread weight better than two small nose pads which concentrate the weight on small areas of skin.

My nose pads really drag on my skin……

Many metal frames nowadays have soft silicone nose pads, which are comfortable for most patients as they’re nice and soft and squidgy. For some however, they can drag the skin, as they ‘stick’ and pull as you talk and eat. Semi-rigid or hard pads will suit you better, your optician will be able to change them for you, or send them to us!

My ears so aren’t level, so my glasses always sit lop-sided….

Everyone seems to think their ears aren’t level, so you’re not alone! More often than not however, it’s the frame which has got bent out of shape, or has twisted. Firstly, take a look at the frame and see if t looks asymmetrical. It’s easy to knock them out of alignment without realising. It can be put back into shape by a local optician’s workshop, or we’ll adjust it for you. If you’re investing in new specs, plastic frames are more sturdy, but warp out of shape if they get hot. Metals bend more easily, but can easily be bent back too!

Varifocal Glasses

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Celeb Watch – February 2011

Monday, February 21st, 2011

After drooling over our Celeb friends in their golden globe outfits (and admiring the golden globes of many girls on the red carpet !) We’re exhausted by all the Celeb watching but looking forward to chucking out the cruise collections and getting excited about the new season. Goodbye January, hello Fabulous February – we just need some camouflage to help us sparkle into spring. Now who’s inspired us this month……

Helena Bonham-Carter – You gotta give the girl credit for true originality. Not only cosy on the big screen with our very fave Mr Darcy Colin Firth, but firmly semi-ensconced with the deliciously dark Tim Burton, and now wowing us on the catwalk. Mis-matched shoes – check. Mad hair – check. Very groovy round sunnies that she may have borrowed off Johnny Depp – check. A true one off – go Helena!!

Jennifer Aniston – Not gracing the red carpet at the globes, but looking pretty cool about town this week in an elegant deep plastic with a wide proportion across the face – very flattering. She may not have loved her Rachel cut but we’re loving your style Jen…

Kate Moss- Seen out and about, finally in a change from those so-last-century Wayfarer style sunnies. A grown up sweeping wide plastic, in a cool shape. A chic graduated tint brings further attention to those killer cheek bones – as if they need it!

Nicole Ritchie – not always our fave style Queen but looking cool this week in a classic Aviator. Shiny gold is pretty with her sun kissed blonde locks, and the obligatory Celeb camouflaging dark lens.

So plenty of inspiration out there this week Celeb fans, Helena looks like an easy icon to follow, just need to throw away the hair brush, pair up all our shoes in mad combinations, and borrow dad’s John Lennon sunnies. Sorted!!

Varifocal Glasses

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Gathering Clouds……

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Although the eye condition of cataracts is fairly common, especially as we get older, there are still many misconceptions and much confusion over them. If you have a problem yourself, or are worried about an elderly relative who has been given this diagnosis, here are a few facts to help you see more clearly!

The cataract patient may not notice any deterioration in their sight immediately as a cataract forms. Gradually, sight becomes dim, colours look less bright, and when having an eye test the optician sees early signs when looking into the eyes. As the problem progresses the patient will start to notice that in bright sun light is scattered, and over time you they will feel they are looking at the world through clouds rather than a clean clear window.

Cataract occurs because the crystalline lens inside the eye becomes opaque, which blocks our vision. This may be due to age, trauma, UV exposure or smoking. The usual treatment nowadays is to remove the ‘frosted’ lens and replace it with an artificial implant. The implant is chosen to correct any sight defect the patient has in terms of long or short sightedness, which gives an unexpected bonus! Even life-long spec wearers may end up with their sight even better than it was before the cataract appeared. This is an amazing development, as before implants were developed patients had to wear very strong magnifying specs after the op, which were uncomfortable, unsightly and reduced peripheral vision.

The optician will refer the patient to the hospital eye service when the Cataract is sufficiently developed. If there are no underlying health issues the operation is done with a local anaesthetic, and most patients are pleasantly surprised at how quick and painless it is. They will be prescribed eye drops after the Op, and then advised when they have an eye exam for correction any residual prescription.

In most cases of age related Cataract both eyes will need the operation at some point. The interim period between having both done can be tricky, but is usually only for a short time. If the patient needs any visual correction at all, it’s usually just some help for reading. So if you hear the words, “You have a Cataract forming.” Don’t panic – easier than having a tooth out nowadays, and the nearest thing to having a new pair of eyes for the vast majority of people!

Varifocal Glasses

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A Rash Moment!

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

I’ve been wearing glasses for a few years now, and after several pairs of dodgy rimless that constantly fell to bits I chose a sleek gunmetal frame, with slightly chunky rims and cut outs at the sides. I thought they looked pretty cool, and received many positive comments on my new look. Then one morning I woke up with a vivid red rash across my cheeks, and I soon realised that my new look was turning into a nasty problem….

I’ve had the odd problem before with an allergy to Nickel, I can’t wear belts with metal buckles or costume jewellery. I didn’t really think about specs doing the same thing, as they don’t seem to touch my skin. When I went to the GP about the rash on my face she pointed out that the bottom edge of my glasses touches my cheeks some of the time, and when we examined the frames they have funny little pitted marks along that edge.

So I investigated further with my Optician – taking my flaming face and the glasses in for a re-fit. The problem was traced back to a slightly drunken (!) incidence over Christmas, when I sat on the frames. This had bent them and left them tilted down, so the lower edge now caught my cheeks when I was eating, talking or laughing – so most of the time really!! The contact with my skin had broken down the protective lacquer on the frame rim, which exposed my delicate little face to the nickel silver underneath.

The Optician had several helpful tips to help me. Firstly, you should always wash the frames every night with soapy water. This stops a build up of pollutants on the frame, which could eat away the protective layer. Secondly, check the fit periodically – the frame should only touch the skin behind the ears and on the nose where the plastic pads or bridge piece are. Thirdly, if you know you have an allergy, avoid metal frames. Choose plastic or Titanium metal, which is hypo-allergenic. Even if the metal does not physically come into contact with the skin, really sensitive little flowers like myself could react to the proximity of it.

I’ve now traded in my funky metals for a really groovy plastic, which has been a joy to wear and the rash has cleared up. You live and learn, and I won’t be rashly going for metal frames again!

Varifocal Glasses

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Making it Work!

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Even if you use the services of an online optician to purchase specs, you still have to visit your optometrist for an eye test, and amid all the looking into your eyes and fiddling around with lots of space age technology, you may wonder why they ask you what you do for a living! Are they sussing out what you can afford? Trying to find themselves a new career option? Well possibly! But usually they’re concerned about finding the perfect spec solution for your lifestyle. They have to think about your health and safety, and what frames and lenses will suit your personal needs.

If you use a VDU for a significant part of the day, then your employer must pay for your eye test and specific computer distance glasses. Your optician might be required to report their findings to your HR department, and discuss vocational lens types with you for your working distance. They’ll need to know how much time you spend at the screen, whether it’s a laptop or pc, and how far away you usually sit.

If you’re in a workshop or the building industry then you may need specialised safety glasses. These will adhere to British Standards with regard to the frame and the lenses. Your safety officer will tell you what you need to conform to regulations in your work place.

Even the most ordinary jobs may need certain types of specs. If you drive for a living you may need a different lens type to someone with a static desk job. If you’ve had problems with varifocals in the past, then you may need something tailored more towards your occupation. If already have your prescription and you want to order specs online, mail or phone us is you’ve had problems with glasses in the past, or are used to a certain lens type. Our opticians can discuss your requirements in specific detail – we know you’re all individuals who have your own needs.

Varifocal Glasses

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Eyes in Focus

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011


Choosing new frames can have a dramatic effect on your appearance, and it’s also a useful time to consider the condition of your skin and your make up. With this harsh winter taking it’s toll on post-party skin, this is a good time of year for some pick me ups that can brighten your complexion and your whole look to take you forward into spring.

Spec wearers who keep their glasses on all day have to take a little more care with make up, to make sure that your eyes are visible and don’t fade away behind your funky frames. Frames can create a shadow under the lower lid, so use highlighter to counteract this problem. Choose a shade that’s a tone lighter than your skin and blend well.

Mascara and eyelash curlers are a must, so even on days when eyeliner and shadow are too much effort, a slick of mascara will open up the eyes and bring attention back to them. Just remember that false lashes or lash extensions don’t usually fit behind frames, and can result in a lot of eyelash fluttering as they catch on your lenses! So mascara will do the trick without interfering with your spec wear. A couple of light coats combined with lash curlers is perfect for day time.

If you’ve got more time, a dash of eye liner across the upper and lower lash lines will define the eyes. Use neutral eye shadow from the lashes up to the brow bone, then blend brown eye shadow over the lids up to the eye socket. Shimmery colour in a brighter shade will open the eyes up if you just add a touch to the inner corner of the lids. (Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill eyeshadows are amazing if you fancy a little indulgence!)

Keep lip colour subtle if you’re going for it with the eye make up, especially if you wear glasses. Full eye make, frames and lip colour can be overkill, and you want the attention to be on you, not a mask of make up! If you are keeping it simple just with mascara however, bold lip colour can be stunning with bright frames. Chanel do a beautiful bold colour that’s still got a touch of transparency – look for Rouge Coco.

Consider your glasses and how they work with your look, and you’ll feel happy to be a stylish specs wearer!

Varifocal Glasses

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Teenage Troubles!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Everyone knows that for teenagers life can be one long trauma, awash with raging hormones, adolescent angst, and parents who just don’t understand. Amid the confusion, to add to their woes, this may be a time when sight changes and they need glasses. If you have a troubled teen at home, take note of a few points about their sight and the correction they might need.

If your teenager is suddenly short sighted, then be supportive and don’t show your dread if they’re told they need glasses. You may not want your little Princess to have to wear specs, but projecting your feelings onto them won’t help. Offer an opinion when selecting styles, but recognise that their friends or the dispensing optician will have constructive things to say too.

Investing in a frame that they love may colour their lifelong attitude to wearing glasses, so it may take a little time and money to find something they are happy with. Thinned lenses may cost a little extra, but what price the self-esteem of a teenager? Spec wearers can be a target for bullies, so keeping confidence high and making sure they are proud of their specs can save a lot of heartache.

Contact lenses can be fitted from childhood onwards, so if your teen is sporty, consider this option. They need to be motivated to wear them but offering this choice can make sure they are relaxed about sight correction, and wearing contacts for some of the time can make spec wear more appealing too – all teenagers love experimenting with different looks!

The NHS supply a voucher up to age nineteen (if in full time education) which should cover the cost of spec lenses. If you’ve used this, online suppliers can be a useful option for low cost extra pairs. Frames are funky nowadays, so with a little patience and shopping around you should be able to find a style they love. The geek look is

cool right now – just don’t tell them it’s like the old NHS pair you had to wear!

Varifocal Glasses

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The Stigma of Astigmatism!

Monday, February 14th, 2011


We still get confused patients mailing us with queries about this weird eye defect they have: “I’ve got a stigma in my eye!” Or even a stigmata! Or sometimes an astigmatism……clearly there’s still some confusion about this tricky little eye problem, so here are our ten facts about astigmatism, for those of you worried about your stigma!!

1.Astigmatism is very common – most patients who need specs have some amount of it. It’s just another part of your prescription, and nothing at all to worry about.

2.It simply means that instead of being spherical like a football, your eye is shaped more like a rugby ball. So you need one correction for the long axis of your rugby ball, and one for the short axis. Your spectacle lens has the two powers built into the lens.

3.As each astigmatism is at a varying angle, your spectacle lens needs to be precisely placed to correct your sight. So if you damage your glasses and the lens is moved out of alignment, your optician will need to put it back into place.

4.You can have glasses or contact lenses to perfect your sight, so don’t worry that the astigmatism means you can’t have contacts. Some amount of it can be masked by standard contacts, for higher amounts of astigmatism you need more specialist lenses. They will be weighted or cut across the bottom to make sure orientate in the right way.

5.If your astigmatism is high then one edge of your spectacle lenses will be thicker than the other, Take your optician’s advice about suitable frames to help to disguise this.

6.As with your amount of long or short sightedness, your astigmatism can vary. Small variations are nothing to be concerned about.

7.Changes to your astigmatism can make your new specs feel a bit strange. Plates might look oval, shelves might slope……but it wears off quite quickly and the only way to get used to it is to stick your glasses on and try to ignore it! After a day or two it will settle down!

8.Even if you’re not very short or long sighted, but have a high amount of astigmatism, then you might need to invest in thinned down lenses. It will reduce the thickness and weight, and the specs will look better.

9.Your Optician will tell you if you have an astigmatism, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! He can tell you how high it is and what you specifically need to aware of.

10.Unless your astigmatism is very high, you won’t see the correction within your glasses. If it is high, you might see that the lens looks a little distorted across one axis as you look at it. In wear you can’t see it, and hopefully the only way you’ll know is thanks to your perfect, corrected vision!

Varifocal Glasses

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