The first pair of sunglasses wasn’t created until the 18th century. However, as early as 60 AD, Roman emperor Nero was known to wear an emerald eye shield to filter bright sunlight when he was attending outdoor athletic events.
Your optician will customize your glasses to your particular head and facial dimensions. This means the end to uncomfortable pressure points and that you will walk out with the most comfortable glasses that you have ever worn.
For a classic, chic look, consider wire-framed glasses. Lightweight and professional, these frames will be acceptable in even the most corporate offices, while still being attractive when it’s time to ditch the work wardrobe.
If you're purchasing eyeglasses for children, make sure you explain to them that scratch resistant lenses aren't immune to scratching. You never know when a child might take your words out of context and test their scratch-proof glasses on the sidewalk.
More than 30 million people in the United States wear contact lenses, and two-thirds of contact wearers are women and girls. Only ten percent are children.
The term “eyeglasses” was first used by an Italian monk, Alessandro della Spina, who died in 1313. He was credited in his obituary not with creating the first pair of glasses, but with making eyeglasses widely available to the public.
Myopia, better known as "nearsightedness," is a common reason to need an optician to create eyeglasses or contact lenses. With this condition, vision is blurred for images farther away, while objects up close can be seen fairly clearly. About one out of four people in the country has myopia, according to the National Eye Institute.
The two types of frames for glasses are acetate and injection mold frames. Both are plastic-based and extremely flexible. Come in and talk to our specialists to find out which type will suit your lifestyle.
What are bifocals? They are corrective lenses that are made to address two different prescriptions at the same time. It is not uncommon for one person to have two different refractive errors, such as astigmatism and nearsightedness. Bifocals contain prescription to adjust to both vision problems.
Sunlight changes photochromic lenses from clear to dark as you move from an indoor to an outdoor environment, eliminating the need for a separate pair of sunglasses. These can be made either of glass or plastic, depending on your prescription needs.
British optician Edward Scarlett is credited with devising the first pair of spectacles that featured earpieces. Before this innovation, eyeglasses were worn perched on the nose or mounted on a handle, so they could be held in front of the eyes.
Do you see objects from a distance much more clearly than objects that are close? That could indicate that you have farsightedness, also known as "hyperopia." This occurs when the eye, or the lens or cornea in the eye, is shorter than normal. About 5 percent to 10 percent of Americans have hyperopia, according to the National Eye Institute.
With an astigmatism, the cornea, which is the front part of the eye, is oval shaped (instead it should be round). What results is blurred vision. Fortunately, this type of vision issue can be easily corrected with glasses.
New eyeglass lenses can make you feel dizzy initially as your eyes adjust to the new prescription. Do not drive immediately after replacing your glasses. Instead, give your eyes a few days to adjust at home.
Each eye has a blind spot where the optic nerve is attached, but because the eyes work together to fill it in, we don't always realize it.
American President Thomas Jefferson was so obsessed with glasses that he requested many pairs for almost every important occasion he was part of. In fact, he had a Philadelphian optician named John McAllister make his glasses months ahead of time to be ready for events.
While some glasses cases may be bulky, sleek cases are available. Microfiber pouches are also on the market to protect glasses that aren’t worn all the time, such as reading glasses, from damage.
If you participate in sports, you need glasses that can withstand the forces that are generated. While you may use a strap to keep them affixed to your head, they still need to be sturdy enough to resist damage if they are knocked off your face. Talk to us about frames designed for sports.
The first historical record of sunglasses can be dated back to ancient China and the Roman Empire. In fact, it is said that the villainous and bloodthirsty Roman leader Emperor Nero would use his sunglasses while watching gladiator battles.
It’s important to remember that eyeglasses aren’t your only option when you need something to help correct your vision. Let’s talk about contact lenses and whether they could be a better vision solution for your lifestyle than glasses.
Nowadays, there are frames for glasses that can enhance any mood, meet every fashion demand, and have you looking great all of the time. Choose from colors, materials, and design patterns to deliver the exact look(s) you want.
New contact lens wearers may experience dry eyes as they adjust. Take breaks from staring at a screen, don’t forget to blink, and use eyedrops. Because lenses can interact with chemicals and drops, make sure to only use drops approved for contact lens wearers.
“So constructed as to allow the folding together of the glass frame and the short temple bows and cups, forming one of the most convenient and snugly portable spectacles for use and for the pocket ever before invented or used.” (Burt and Willard patent application, 1859)
What invention led to eyeglasses becoming popular during the 1400s? If you guessed the invention of the printing press that made books and leaflets more affordable and numerous, you're right.
The first set of eyeglasses as we know them were developed in 1752 by James Ayscough. The double-hinged side pieces became very popular and were often used in paintings and prints during the period.
All babies are born colorblind, but don’t worry. By the time we grow up, our eyes will be able to detect 10 million different colors. It is a skill so subtle that we can even distinguish between 500 shades of gray.
Early eyeglasses were very similar to reading glasses with the exception of one missing part. There were no temple pieces anchored behind the ears. For that reason, early eyeglasses were often an exercise in balance.
Did you know that most eyeglasses are not actually made of glass? In fact, most eyeglasses are made of high quality plastic. This makes them lighter in weight and less prone to breakage, and if you lose your glasses in the pool, they will more than likely be found floating!
We recognize that some children who aren’t able to see the board well in class will act up rather than admit they have vision issues. Let’s talk about how scheduling regular eye exams for your child can help keep him or her on the right path in school.
Clouding of the lenses of the eye results in a condition called cataracts. Wearing UV protected glasses, even those with clear lenses, can help reduce UV exposure and the development of cataracts over time.
When it’s time to get your child his or her first pair of glasses, you may be interested in any option that will allow him or her to survive until his or her next appointment. Let’s talk about the different options we have that can offer additional protection to his or her lenses.
Even though you may have a scratch resistant coating on your new lenses, that doesn't mean they're indestructible. To help avoid scratches, use an eyeglass case when not wearing your glasses.
While it’s true that many vision problems are related to advanced aging, that doesn’t mean your child can skip his or her eye exams. Some eye issues can impact your child’s ability to see at a distance, hindering his or her academic progress.
Don’t worry if you notice that you can’t see things up close as well as you used to as you begin to reach your 30s or 40s. The condition is called "presbyopia," and it is part of the natural aging process of our eyes. All people experience some degree of presbyopia after age 35.
In 1847, English optician James Prentice arrived in the United States. His son Charles F. Prentice later became known as the “father of American optometry.” He was threatened with jail time for charging a fee for an eye exam in 1895 and later went on to issue a treatise on the reasons why states should recognize the professional status of the optometrist.
If you wear glasses or contacts, it’s important to get yearly check ups for your eyes. Even if your glasses are still working, an optician can fine-tune your prescription and keep an eye out for other health problems with your eyes.
One of the benefits of seeing an optician is to prevent eye disease. The routine eye exams that you will undergo when visiting your optician have a dual purpose: they ensure your glasses and contacts fit you properly, and they ensure the safety and health of your eyes.
Does your child complain about hating his or her glasses because of scratches and smudges? Remember, adding an anti-scratch coating to his or her lenses can help eliminate certain types of visual obstructions that can otherwise make glasses difficult to wear.
When you're not wearing your glasses, always store them in their case. Not only will this keep dust and particles off them, but it will prevent them from being inadvertently crushed or damaged.
We recognize how scary it can be when you first begin experiencing severe headaches that won’t seem to go away with aspirin. Remember, the headaches you’re experiencing don’t have to point to a serious health concern. In fact, they’re often a sign of vision problems.
It’s important to remember that not all styles and sizes of eyeglass frames will look equally good on all people. When you need to ensure that you have the help you need to find the perfect frames for your face, we’re happy to help.
A London optician named Edward Scarlett was the first to invent sidepieces that rested on the ears for glasses wearers to keep them from slipping down the nose. It was in 1730, and the invention spread around the continent quickly.
We recognize that it can seem like a waste of time to schedule optician appointments each year when you aren’t having any problems seeing. Remember, the need for glasses is only one of the many issues your optician can help you diagnose.
It’s important to remember that many serious vision issues can start out as minor annoyances and develop from there. If it’s been more than a year since your last optician visit, it’s possible that you may have something wrong with your eyes that you haven’t fully noticed yet.
We recognize that many Americans have jobs that require them to work in less-than-optimal conditions for their eyes. Whether you have to work outside all day or stare at a computer screen late into the night, we may have lens coatings that can help protect your eyes.
Do you remember the old thick "coke bottle" lenses worn by those with really poor eyesight? These days, high index plastic lenses offer a much more lightweight alternative for strong prescriptions.
For best results, always use a soft, clean cloth to wipe the lens surface after rinsing or cleaning (preferably 100 percent cotton). It's important that you never use your own clothing, which may contain abrasive embedded dirt.
Your vision changes as you age. Some people may become more nearsighted and require reading glasses or changes in their prescription. Annual exams are the best way to maintain your eyesight.
Around 1286, eyeglasses were first invented in Pisa, Italy. They consisted of two framed glass or crystal stones, and were held up to the eyes using a handle. There is no documentation to indicate who specifically invented them, but they became very popular and began to show up throughout Europe.
The most common type of multifocal lens is the bifocal. Here, the lens is split into two sections, with the upper part for distance vision and the lower for near vision. While there used to be a line separating the two, today there are lenses available with no discernable marking.
Rimless eyeglasses are a relatively new addition to the industry. These glasses have no frame around the lens, creating a very different look, made popular by 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
When you’re shopping for a new pair of eyeglasses that you’ll wear daily, it’s natural to be a little more picky about their style than you would about a pair of occasional use reading glasses. When you need someone you can count on to help you find the best frames for your face, we’re always here for you.
Rimless eyeglasses are a relatively new addition to the industry. These glasses have no frame around the lens, creating a very different look, made popular by 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Roger Bacon, an English scientist, wrote about using the convex side of a piece of glass to magnify letters and small objects in 1268. It's uncertain just what he was referring to, but historians believe it was reading stones.
New optometrist patients usually have to fill out some paperwork before going in to see the doctor. Usually this paperwork includes a person’s medical history, personal information, and their insurance.
When you’re shopping for a new pair of eyeglasses that you’ll wear daily, it’s natural to be a little more picky about their style than you would about a pair of occasional use reading glasses. When you need someone you can count on to help you find the best frames for your face, we’re always here for you.
Rimless eyeglasses are a relatively new addition to the industry. These glasses have no frame around the lens, creating a very different look, made popular by 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Did you know that most lenses already come with scratch resistant and ultraviolet protection coatings? Another popular coating type is anti-reflective, which helps reduce glare, reflections, halos around light, and the like.
Roger Bacon, an English scientist, wrote about using the convex side of a piece of glass to magnify letters and small objects in 1268. It's uncertain just what he was referring to, but historians believe it was reading stones.
New optometrist patients usually have to fill out some paperwork before going in to see the doctor. Usually this paperwork includes a person’s medical history, personal information, and their insurance.
When you’re shopping for a new pair of eyeglasses that you’ll wear daily, it’s natural to be a little more picky about their style than you would about a pair of occasional use reading glasses. When you need someone you can count on to help you find the best frames for your face, we’re always here for you.
Rimless eyeglasses are a relatively new addition to the industry. These glasses have no frame around the lens, creating a very different look, made popular by 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
