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Optical industry insider talks about eyeglasses

November 23rd, 2009 by Scott Mozayeni No comments »

According to 2005 MIT report, the cost of a pair of mass produced eyeglasses is only 2 dollars. While most of the Americans are paying hundreds for a pair, even in online stores, the price of discount eyeglasses frames and lenses will cost 50 dollars.

Based on insiders of American optical industry, the general markup in most of the eyeglasses stores is from threefold to thirty fold. Though cheap stores like Walmart offers discount eyeglasses frames and lenses, but still insiders say a markup of fourfold is reasonable in the industry though facing the fierce competition from new entrants. Now with the booming of internet technology, online stores compete with brick and mortar ones, buyers can get even more discount eyeglasses frames and lenses at the price of only a fraction of the optical stores. Though people in the very beginning felt reluctant and worried to buy discount eyeglasses online, now more and more people are hunting for a best deal on the net. Even for those conservative people, they can at least buy the discount eyeglasses frames from web stores, and then go to optometrist’s office for installing lenses. In this way, he enjoys all the traditional optical services, meanwhile he can still save 50%. Furthermore, discount eyeglasses frames are especially good for those clear-lenses eyeglasses users who need not worry about the prescription preciseness.

Some American optical experts predict that optical stores are one of the last sections in America that will be finally decimated by the surge of online discount eyeglasses frames and cheap but same quality lenses.

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Categories of Laser Eye Surgery

November 23rd, 2009 by Reza Hyver No comments »

More and more people choose to do eye surgery to correct eyes because they are bored with wearing eyeglasses and contacts. However, the categories of laser eye surgery vary greatly among each other and they actually fit different eye situations. So if you really opt to do eye surgery, you are recommended to do some studies on laser eye surgery.

LASIK, which is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is considered to be the most common and popular kind of laser eye surgery and it is effective to correct the situations like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Before your doctor is ready to do the surgery for you, they will request you to take off your contacts for a couple of weeks. Only in that way they can measure the amounts of corneal tissue to be removed in each eye during the surgery. The procedures of LASIK include flapping and remodeling process of corneal tissue. During the flapping procedure, you are required to keep your eyes wide open to let your surgeon use a metal blade to create a flap of corneal tissue. Then the surgeon will reach to the middle layer of cornea with the help of flap and do the cornea reshaping. Finally, the flap is repositioned and the surgery id done. However, you have to pay attention to lots of notice items after surgery. For example, you should use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drop to prevent any eye infection. You should be away from strong lights to prevent any hurt to eyes again. So we can say both the surgery itself and healing process are important for a successful eye surgery.

PRK and LASEK, which mean photorefractive keratectomy and laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy separately, are two revolutionary kinds of laser eye surgeries being completely different from LASIK. There is only one procedure during the both two operations, which is achieved by the way of ablation to vaporize a small part of tissue from the front eyes in order to reshape the cornea. As the corneal epithelium is regenerative and can be built for a short time, you do not have to worry about the discarding of corneal. The fact that the operations do not have the process of corneal cutting makes them to be well-known as no touch laser vision correction. These surgeries are characterized as no manual surgical instruments and only one excimer laser from the beginning to the end of the surgery.

Since you know the main categories of laser eye surgery and both their advantageous and disadvantageous, you can choose one that is most suitable for you. Good luck!

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Regular Eye Tests

November 23rd, 2009 by George Manche No comments »

It is encouraged in the UK that people with eye or vision problems should have an eye test every two years. There are a variety of reasons behind this, one of which is that it could save you a lot of troubles in later years if you do get regular eye tests.

Primarily, eye tests serve as a check-up to make sure that your vision correction prescription – your glasses and/or contact lenses – is up to date. Without right prescription, not only can your sight suffer but the condition of your eyes can deteriorate overall. It means that bigger problems may be arisen in the future which should be rectified in advance simply by taking an eye test.

Eye tests also serve as a way for optometrists to monitor any early signs of eye diseases. As with other health problems, the earlier a problem is identified, the sooner it can be treated – with a higher likelihood for success than if the problem is allowed to worsen. Problems like glaucoma and cataracts can be identified far earlier than they might be if left alone, and solved in a comparatively easy way.

During an eye test, your optometrist will adopt several measures to determine the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. These include a discussion of your health and lifestyle, followed by tests such as the measurement of your spectacle power, the measurement of your eye pressure – key to discovering glaucoma – auto refraction to help with your base prescription and a test of your visual acuity. This test determines how well your vision works based on near and far distances, usually by reading letters on an eye chart.

There are many other tests with which your optometrist determines any other problems you may have, which check the general condition of your eyes, including the strength and flexibility of the surrounding muscles.

By booking regular eye tests, it is far more likely for you to save yourself from future pain and discomfort due to the greater chance of identifying any sign of diseases before they become too severe, and ensure your prescription is completely up to date so that you are not at risk of entailing any other damage.

Your optometrist will also be better informed to suggest a course of treatment, whether it is new glasses or LASIK laser eye surgery for corrective purposes – making regular eye tests an essential part of your routine health checks.

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All about See-Clearly Eye Exercises

November 22nd, 2009 by David Wachler No comments »

On one encountering eyesight problems, either myopia or hypermetropia, it firstly occurs to him/her to choose a solution by wearing glasses, contact lenses or undergoing an eye surgery. Few has ever thought to find a natural way to improve eyesight problems, nor have any ophthalmologist told them. In recent years, a rumour that there are some see-clearly eye exercises to improve eyesight is popular on net and many net friends state that they have tried such exercises and have benefited from it greatly. So today I want to, over this issue, to make a verification that there indeed exists a natural vision therapy that is believed to be able to help correct faulty vision.

This natural vision correction is principle-based on useing eye muscles more to make them stronger and flexible, reducing the power and stress to eyes, in terms of Dr. Bates’ opinion that the main cause of most eyesight problems is stress. This is also the reason why when people get to their 40s, no matter whether they have eyesight problems or not before, they tend probably to have blur vision and need to wear glasses.

Then you may ask where you can get any information concerning specific techniques. Firstly I want to say it is almost impossible to get such information from an ophthalmologist, because in some degree, it affects his/her career. The best place is on Internet where many sites display various specific techniques and a lot people who have gotten tremendous results share their experiences.

All in all, see-clearly eye exercises are able to relax eyes and strengthen eye muscles. As long as you keep on taking exercises everyday, you will certainly be far away from glasses forever. In addition, such eye exercises do no harm to eye health. This is another advantage that it should be more preferable than any other ways to correct vision.

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Equilibrium between function and fashion

November 22nd, 2009 by Paul Benjamin No comments »

Glasses wearers used to have the impression that they will have to make great efforts in choosing glasses, which can always make them look older. With time goes by, nowadays, functions and fashion can be aggregated in the prescription eyeglasses.

Some people hold that now that it is possible to receive some eye surgery, why do they still take prescription glasses? The fact is that such surgery is not suitable for all people. Just image that glasses can sometimes be used as essential accessories, which can always embody the element of fashion, so do not feel furious about wearing glasses.

Nowadays, there appear some very fashionable glasses brands, which can always provide top glasses frames in the world. Of which, Sean John, Marco Jacobs are very typical examples. And it is very common to notice that many glasses wearers have loved these brands very much.

The image of Harry Potter has exerted great influences on the youngsters in terms of prescription glasses. As for this reason, prescribing glasses has become very popular thing among them. For the special features of the younger crowd, their glasses should be able to combat forceful impact. And of course, flexibility and elasticity are also very important.

Materials employed to produce such glasses are also the results of many considerations. Of which, Wood and bamboo are very common. They are not only can be renewed very easily, but can be used as products of environmental protection.

The disposed Plastic and metal frames are not the wastes like other dumps, which has attracted the caution of many environmentalist. In fact, the latest plastic metal frames are dominants in the glasses field. Some of the best materials are very welcomed, as Titanium and stainless steel, for they can help people who have suffered a lot from skin allergies.

In most cases, people will buy a lot of glasses to match their clothing. For instance, some women would like to wear colorful glasses for the sake of their accessories. Hence, it is very common to see people match their dresses with specific glasses frames.

Why does this happen? The foremost important factor is that some retailers are prompted some activities, in which consumers can benefit a lot, say, they can have two pairs at the price of one. Hence, some have got many glasses at a very low price.

Another reason is that glasses frames can be used for a very long time. Generally, some pairs of different glasses can be used for even longer time.

The last possibility might be that glasses are not only for the sole purpose of vision correction. Some people even think different frames can present their different glamour. People tend to wear different glasses on different occasions.

The facts foregoing proves that glasses prescription is a matter of function and fashion as well.

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Some important items on Contacts glasses

November 21st, 2009 by Michael Bansal No comments »

For any wearer of glasses, he can either make eyeglasses or contacts glasses as his choices. It is true that with the rapid pace of the society, more people are more likely to buy contact lenses. And other factors may also be that contacts glasses can provide more convenience in their lives and works. When people take part in sports activities, for example, eyeglasses will cause many problems, whereas contacts glasses not. Or some people think that wearing eyeglasses has really harmed their personal images, and contacts glasses will doubtlessly remove such troubles.

It is true that the history of contacts glasses is really very short. But since the day when they made their first appearance, contacts glasses have enjoyed the widest popularity among the people with vision problems. The data has it that the number of people, who wear contacts glasses, has exceeded 100 million.

However, though there are only few people who can not wear contacts glasses, people are recommended to visit opticians or eye doctor before they decide to buy prescription contacts glasses. This is very important, especially for people who decide wear vision contact lens.

As one important sort of contacts glasses, vision contact lens is mainly for people who have vision problems. And vision correction is a very important feature of contacts glasses.

Wearer of vision contact lens should be very careful in their daily lives. Especially in the maintenance of vision contact lens, one should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturers. It is true that people with vision problems are more prone to be infected by bacteria, which will always lead to pretty serious outcomes. Just for this point, wearer should keep vision contact lens in suggested conditions; avoid infection caused by bacteria on the lens. And the last one is to wash hands before he decides to handle or wear vision contact lens.

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Differences between Trifocals and Bifocals

November 21st, 2009 by Arthur First No comments »

Trifocals are a new group of special reading glasses which have three divisions on the lenses for correcting vision. It is different from traditional bifocals which have only two such divisions. The lower sections of the lens of trifocals are demarcated by a thin line which is a semi circular arc. One area is for near and the other for intermediate vision correction. And the part for intermediate rectification lies above the nearsighted correction area which is near the bottom of the lens. For those who used to wear bifocals may think it is strange to reading with glasses having three lines etched on it. As trifocals are new to most of people, it actually did need time for patient who uses this type of glasses to adjust to them. However, once you used to wear them, you will find it pretty easy to use and it is more convenient than bifocals.

After eye exam by the eye doctor, those people with extreme presbyopia, which means their net optical power with a special unit of diopter is very high, will be recommended to use trifocals. Because, unlike bifocals, trifocals can correct all ranges of vision, from nearby, intermediary to far distance, when bifocals can correct only two of them, either near vision or distance vision. Since trifocals can offer three levels of correction, it can give you a better vision. So, if you are one of the extreme presbyopia, you will get the better and more clarified vision when you use trifocals.

Trifocals are not only for those who have extreme presbyopia, it can also correct intermediate distance which can’t be provided by bifocals. For example, if your have a vision of -4 diopters, usually you will be recommended to use a glasses with a correction of 3 units, which means you vision is -1 diopter when you wear your reading glasses. The intermediate correction for such situation may be end up with a power of -2.5, which may take patients a little time to get used to it.

So with a single pair of trifocals, you can solve all problems that are related to presbyopia.

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20/20 Vision

November 20th, 2009 by David Wachler No comments »

The purpose of standard eyeglass prescription is to give a person 20/20 vision, based on an arbitrary measurement developed by Hermann Snellen in 1862. It is much too strong. Except for students looking at the blackboard, when was the last time you needed to see inch letters 20 feet away? For daily living and most tasks 20/30 to 20/50 is enough. Automobile drivers with licenses legally require only 20/40. Only airline pilots require 20/20.

What is 20/20 vision? It means that when you stand 20 feet away from the Snellen eye chart and read the letters on the 20/20 line correctly; your vision is 20/20, which is considered normal. If you have 20/30 vision, it means that when you stand 20 feet away from the eye chart you can only see what a person with 20/20 vision can see at 30 feet. If you have 20/40 vision, it means that when you stand 20 feet away from the eye chart you can see what a person with 20/20 can see at 40 feet.

From the above explanation, we can see that the first number is always 20 which is the distance to the eye chart while the second number is the distance at which a person with 20/20 could read the line. The lowest line that you can read on the eye chart is your visual acuity. The larger the second number is, the worse your vision would be.

The Snellen eye chart is the standard on which most eyeglass prescriptions are based because it is considered scientific and infallible. However, in 1862 Hermann Snellen simply based his 20/20 vision measurement on the vision of an assistant whom he thought as a person with good eyesight, not very scientific as it is.

Nearsighted eyeglass check are focused on and prescribed for 20 feet because all readings of the Snellen eye chart are done at 20 feet. They are distance vision eyeglasses suited for looking 20 feet and farther because eyes do not have to focus at this distance. However, these distance vision eyeglasses are unsuited for looking closer than 20 feet because the eyes must focus to see objects closer than 20 feet.

By wearing 20/20 eyeglasses, the nearsighted eyes must adjust focus to see objects closer than 20 feet and must further adjust focus to overcome the eyeglasses prescribed for 20 feet. The eyes unnaturally doubly strain to adjust focus and these results in more nearsightedness that eventually requires bifocal eyeglasses.

The Snellen eye chart, upon which most eyeglass prescriptions are based, really measures one visual skill – our distance vision. This is only one small part of our vision. There is much more to our vision: near vision, peripheral vision, eye coordination, color perception, light sensitivity, endurance, etc. Basing our eyeglass prescriptions on 20/20 vision is unnecessary and ultimately harms our eyes.

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Do You Fit Rimless Glasses?

November 20th, 2009 by Angela Garrana No comments »

At present, glasses, like necklace, hat, and scarf, are fashion accessories that play an important role in our daily life, whether for vision correction or for ornament. Proper glasses show your temperament and your personality. Similarly, unbefitting glasses will greatly singularize your flaw of facial features and effect image.

In the past few years, rimless glasses emerge as an inundant glasses style people love. However, the point is that not everyone is fit to wear rimless glasses, therefore, before you make a decision to purchase a pair of rimless glasses, you have to make sure whether rimless glasses are perfect for you.

Rimless glasses are merely composed of lenses, which are connected by nosepieces and glass legs. In light of the absence of frames, rimless glasses are much lighter than any other kind of glasses. They are fairly suitable for those who have to wear glasses for a whole day, reducing the burden on nose bridge. What is more, the arms of rimless glasses are mostly made from titanium, which is a very expensive and durable but extremely lightweight material. The application of titanium presents a further favorable feature for those who need their glasses for everyday activities. Also due to the use of titanium, rimless glasses are resistant to oxidation, resistant to rustiness and everlasting. All in all, rimless glasses are considered to be the most comfortable glasses for one to wear.

Owing to the absence of frames, rimless glasses almost seem to be invisible on the wearers’ faces. Therefore, if you used to wear glasses to mask features or hid flaws in appearance of your face; if you want to shift others’ attentions by wearing glasses; if you, having not so beautiful cheekbone or anisomerous eyes, want to give others an illusion that you have a different shape of facial form and cover your eyes, rimless glasses may not be your perfect choice.

On the contrary, if you possess perfect facial form, and are eager to show to others or spice up your face by the adornment of glasses; if you want to show off every single feature of your face; if you want to get rid of the heavy glasses of old style to relax both your nose bridge and eyes; and if you want to see a clearer world with a feeling that you seem to wear nothing, rimless glasses are here waiting for you to provide you another experience, beside, rimless glasses would probably plus an heir of elegance to you to further enhance your beauty.

However, fortunately, what is illustrated above are not so absolute. Designers have been making their efforts to improve the designation of rimless glasses in hope of making more people look fine and great with a pair of rimless glasses on faces.

Anyway, until now, rimless glasses have successfully help those who have to wear an extra headgear to make help them see a clear world, and they do not have to bear such glasses with bulky frames anymore. With rimless glasses, they are possibly to experience the same with those who are born to be with a perfect vision of twenty-twenty.

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Brief Introduction of Folding Specs

November 19th, 2009 by Connie Robertson No comments »

Many people, especially old people, need reading glasses to improve their vision when objects are close to their eyes because their eyes lose the ability of focusing on close objects which is usually a natural result of aging. We call this condition of eyes presbyopia. The opposite condition of presbyopia is called myopia or shortsightedness, which afflict more than half of the population. People with myopia also need glasses to improve their vision when objects are not that close to their eyes.

Fortunately both of the eye problems are not serious impairments. It is good news that people with presbyopia will never have the problem of nearsightedness, which means they will have no problem in seeing objects that are far from your eyes. Then will only have problem in focusing on things that is close to their eyes. Therefore people with presbyopia need glasses to read a newspaper, or they need to put the newspaper in a bit far place to read them if the characters is big enough to see.

If you are one of patient with presbyopia, you need of a pair of specs. There are three kinds of reading glasses, corrective lenses, progressive lenses and multifocals. Corrective lenses can totally fixed your vision power measured in diopoters. And multifocals have two or three levels of horizontal viewing region for different situations, from near objects, intermediate objects to far objects.

Besides, reading glasses can be full frames and half frames. The traditional full frames are commonly used by people who need to look at close thing for a long time, when half frames is preferred by patients who have to look at far objects as well.

Folding specs are very popular and very convenient. Any types of reading glasses that mentioned above can be foldable. You can use it according to your requirements and fold it and put it in its box that is usually small enough to be easily put into your purse or handbag. Besides, these boxes are usually in number of colors that makes them more fashionable and polymer coating are used so that the specs are quite sturdy and you don’t worry about breaking them.

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