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The history of Sunglasses Hut

August 16th, 2010 by Mark Burns No comments »

Sunglasses Hut is the world reputable retail name of sunglasses with about 2000 store mainly in North America and other parts of the world. Sunglasses Hut has witnessed quick expansion since its founding due to its excellent quality and 100% satisfaction guaranteed customer service.

Sunglasses Hut began its business in 1971 by an optometrist in Miami called Sanford Ziff by opening a kiosk in the aisle of Miami’s Dadeland mall. Early businesses seemed successful as Ziff, with entrepreneurial insights, saw the trend of fashion function of sunglasses above its protection purposes. In the later years, directed by Ziff’s son Dean, the Sunglasses Hut grew to the scale of 100 stores in USA by 1986, and the revenue in that year reached $24 million.

In 1988, in order for further and quicker expansion of Sunglasses Hut, Ziff decided to sell 75% of the company share to Kidd Kamm and Co., and to use the money to open more Sunglasses Hut stores. By 1991, 450 Sun glasses Hut stores were operated in total and annual revenue exceeded a landmark of $100 million. Around this time, the founder Ziff sold out all the remaining 25% interests and totally stepped out of Sun glasses Hut business.

1993 was the year of another fantastic milestone for Sunglasses Hut. In this year, Sun glasses Hut was listed public. Using the money from the exchange market, Sun glasses Hut experienced an even quicker expansion. By 1996, the sales reached $500 million, and nearly 1700 stores were opened in total.

The performance of Sunglasses Hut caught the eyes of the world’s largest player of eyewear industry Luxottica, and in 2001 this Milan optical giant successfully acquired Sunglasses Hut, and now integrated as a part of Luxottica Retail.

Currently Sun glasses Hut sells its premium sunglasses in its store locations, via mail-order and through it website Sunglasshut com. Sunglasshut com offers an alternative and easier way of hunting for a piece of fashion jewelry. Any unsatisfied customer may return the sunglasses bought online via Sunglasshut com to any nearby Sunglasses Hut store.

Quality and service makes Sun glasses Hut stands out in this fiercely competitive eyewear business.

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From nerd eyeglasses to retro eyeglasses

August 16th, 2010 by Mark Burns No comments »

Since the emergence of first pair of eyeglasses, both lens and frame industries have experienced tremendous changes. The dominant role maintained by single-vision lenses has been greatly challenged by multifocal lenses. Traditional plastic and glass lenses have been largely replaced by lenses made of superior materials like high index plastics and polycarbonate. Today, even prescription lenses can be tinted without offsetting their normal capability of vision correction. Eyeglass lenses are usually transparent and there is nearly no change in their appearance. The majority of lens changes are associated with functionality. However, the situation is completely different in the eyewear frame industry. Eyeglass frames have changed a lot in appearance along eyewear industry. And there are some interesting phenomena in this process. One is the interaction between nerd eyeglasses and retro eyeglasses.

In modern eyewear users’ mind, eyeglass frames decades ago would really be nerd and far from attractive. It is true that there was a time when many people especially teenagers refused to wear eyeglasses even if there was a vision problem. The reason was that eyeglasses at that time were quite disappointing in terms of appearance. Nerd eyeglasses could hardly gain wide acceptance among average folks. Prescription eyeglasses gain public acceptance gradually along with the process of eyewear style improvement. Today, there are even many people take eyeglasses and sunglasses solely as accessories. During this progression, it is a general trend that modern eyewear styles are more attractive than those old-fashioned ones. But there have been some classic styles playing a nerdy and retro role interactively from time to time.

Horn-rimmed eyeglasses are the best example. First becoming popular in U.S. in 1910s and 1920s, they were later considered as nerd eyeglasses in the 1940s. Then they regained popular as a retro style in the 1950s. Renaissance like this occurred several times in its history. And today, these glasses are typically representing a retro style. The implication of this example is that a typical frame style may experience changes in popularity in different times. An ever nerd model may become later as a retro one.

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Helpful coatings for regular lens eyeglasses

August 15th, 2010 by Stephen Simon No comments »

While shopping for a pair of prescription eyeglasses at a local store or over the Internet, most people would firstly remind the optician of precise lens fitting according to the submitted prescription. This is generally the most important task since Rx eyeglasses are firstly expected to offer proper vision aid. But after having this point checked, there are some extra tasks that should be done. For instance, every patient would be asked to select a favorable frame in specific size, shape and color. These are nearly all parameters of the frame. It seems like that the lenses are completely beyond control, except for the determined power or powers. Today, most customers will buy complete pairs of lens eyeglasses with a frame and two lenses. Yet the fact is that there are also some optional points about the lenses. It is possible for regular eyewear users to get extra benefit from two generic types of lens coatings.

Scratch-resistant coating is probably the most popular lens coating and it can be beneficial to every glass user. On one hand, no glass or plastic lenses are born with the ability of scratch resistance. On the other hand, no eyewear user can ensure that the glasses will be under complete protection and be free from dropping onto the floor, or cleaning with a paper towel occasionally. Any mishap to the fragile lenses may lead to a scratch, which will certain affect the wearer’s vision. Lens eyeglasses with a built-in scratch-resistant coating can protect themselves against a scratch. It is worth reminding that it is still necessary to keep these glasses in a cushioned case, clean them with a microfiber cloth and use recommended cleaning solution.

Another beneficial coating for regular lens eyeglasses is called anti-fog coating. Regular eyeglasses will get fogged when the wearer enters an indoor, warm environment from outdoors. This will more commonly happen in a rainy day. For eyewear users living in a cold climate, such an experience will occur from time to time. Moreover, this problem may even cause a danger in police officers and other first responders. The good news is that lens coating companies have developed anti-fog coating as a perfect solution. Lenses applied with such a coating will stay clear during the transition period mentioned above.

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Decorative elements for artsy glasses

August 15th, 2010 by Stephen Simon No comments »

When wearing a pair of prescription eyeglasses is inevitable, most people will choose to get an attractive model. Maximizing the possible benefits is definitely a natural thought among Rx eyewear users. It is absolutely true that the large group of users requires a diverse set of eyewear models or styles. The reason is simple that people usually have different tastes about a certain type of product. Eyeglasses will be placed on the face and they are certainly an obvious device that will be noticed by others. Thus getting an item that helps in adding personal beauty becomes quite critical. Among customers with various tastes, some particularly like artsy glasses. Artsy means “seeming or wanting to be very artistic or interested in the arts”. According to this explanation, customers preferring these glasses usually have an arty taste.

It is a common practice for people with an unusual taste to buy products which can help them express such a taste. Artsy glasses are among those products, so that they will naturally gain a certain degree of acceptance in the market. These glasses can show an artsy effect through the overall appearance. Yet it is also possible to grant those wearers such an effect through using some decorative elements on the frame. All of us know that eyeglass frames are usually made of plastics and metals. Silver, gold and wood are also sometimes used to produce eyewear frames. But without additional decoration, frames made of even those unusual materials are hard to create an artsy look. The good news is that eyewear frame designers have made certain decorative ingredients a reality.

Customers expecting artsy glasses will usually focus on the overall appearance. This allows some delicate materials to play an important role. For instance, leather is sometimes used on temples or across frame fronts to create an artsy effect, even if it is not as durable or practical as other materials. In addition, semi-precious and precious stones and crystals are possibly used in eyewear temples. Diamonds are also rarely used to create a similar look. And customers with a tight budget can resort to rhinestones as an alternative.

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How to order eyeglasses online

August 14th, 2010 by Charles Garrana No comments »

As a type of medical device, Rx eyeglasses should be properly prescribed by eye care practitioners on a personal basis. Each patient has his or her own vision condition and needs a certain degree of vision correction. This is only about lens prescription. Getting a fit pair of eyeglasses should also pay attention to frame size and shape, making it personally suitable. Currently there are two distribution channels that offer prescription eyeglasses. Most patients who have bought one or several pairs of prescription eyeglasses are familiar with the business model of local optical stores. In a typical traditional shop, the way to order eyeglasses will be guided by an optician. The patient should get the eyes examined and then choose a favorable frame. It usually takes several days for the shop to get the glasses ready and the buyer can return to get it. The process of ordering glasses at an online eyewear shop is completely different, and requires more careful consideration.

How to order eyeglasses online is generally a more complex problem and there are fewer individuals buying eyeglasses online than at local shops. Most people who reject online eyewear purchasing are probably concerned about lens fitting which depends on a valid, exact prescription. However, the truth is that ordering glasses online involves little risk in this aspect and actually there is more convenience. Before discussing detailed steps involved in ordering glasses at a typical shop, it is important for all customers to keep in mind that choosing a notable and responsible online retailer is the first task which highly determines whether the purchase will be successful.

Getting to a reputable eyewear website, there are several steps that can be followed to order eyeglasses. The first step is to select a favorable frame style and color by browsing all possible options. Frame shape, size and color all should be evaluated. The second step is to input the prescription given by an eye doctor or an optician. Please be sure that the prescription is valid and updated. After clicking the button “Add to Cart”, most websites will present a summary of the order for the customer’s checkup. Finally, it is needed to go to checkout.

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Occupational eyeglasses eyewear

August 12th, 2010 by Connie Robertson No comments »

The industry of eyeglasses eyewear has been largely expanded and currently there are single-vision glasses and multifocal glasses for different groups of people. The average life span among individuals in developed and thriving countries stays on the rise. There is a big group who are still working after 50 or even 60 years old. It is quite understandable that some people want to work as long as possible. However, some of the elderly folks may find that their vision condition is a big obstacle even if they have still enough body energy. Like young people who rely on myopia glasses or hyperopia glasses during work or entertainment, the senior group possibly has to resort to Rx eyeglasses for help. For this special group, regular single-vision glasses are no longer competent due to the existence of presbyopia. Caused by the eye’s natural aging, this condition will affect almost all elderly people.

Multifocal glasses like bifocals, trifocals and progressives are the suitable items for the senior. These devices help deal with two or three vision problems that are equally bothersome. But for those who still work on a regular basis, normal types of multifocal glasses are not helpful enough. Eyewear designers have in turn developed occupational eyeglasses eyewear for specific jobs. These are actually variations of bifocals or trifocals. In the following part, we introduce some of these examples.

An auto mechanic suffering from presbyopia may find a pair of bifocal glasses with Double-D lenses especially helpful. As widely known, such a worker needs to look down to read and look overhead to view the undercarriage of a car on a lift. As a result, it is necessary to gain clear up-close vision in both of the directions. Double-D bifocal lenses are thus the perfect solution. Librarians and mail clerks are also good candidates to this form of occupational eyewear.

Another form of occupational eyeglasses eyewear uses E-D lenses. Such a lens has a distance correction in the top half and an intermediate correction in the bottom half. There is still a D-shaped segment offering near correction in the lower half of the lens. This lens design provides a wide field for intermediate vision and also enables wearers to see close-up and in the distance. Television production people are target users of these glasses.

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Funky glasses made of unusual materials

August 12th, 2010 by Connie Robertson No comments »

Customers with little experience of buying eyeglasses may get surprised at the diverse and colorful options at a large optical shop. Reputable online eyewear sites of a large scale will probably bring a more exciting experience to traditional customers. Well, modern eyeglass users do have a large number of options. Suffering from a vision problem never means the necessity to wear a pair of geek or nerd prescription eyeglasses. Instead, modernistic Rx eyeglasses can always help in enhancing personal facial beauty. After the past decade’s fast development, the eyewear industry has greatly expanded and to some extent been mature. Some customers with special tastes may find it is disappointing that many brands are providing similar frame styles, not to say the standard functions. For this group of people, funky glasses may be the right choice. Funky eyeglasses refer to those items that are unusual and fashionable.

In the near future, it is difficult for eyewear designers to create innovative frame structures, shapes or colors. Lots of eyewear users have to make a choice among frameless, full-frame and semi-rimless styles, as well as several usual shapes. But for users who want to get a pair of funky glasses, turning attention to frame material is likely a good idea. It is true that the eyewear market in the past decades has been dominated by frames made of plastics and metals. And another fact is that new materials like memory plastic and memory metal continue to emerge. But these are usual and widely used materials, being inadequate to bring an unusual look or facial effect.

Frame materials that are suitable for developing funky glasses should be those unusual ones, such as wood, bone, buffalo horn and leather. Have you imagined that these materials are feasible to make or decorate eyewear frames? Compared with regular plastics and metals, these special ingredients will definitely bring a funky experience. In particular, eyeglass frames made completely of wood, bone or buffalo horn are usually handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. They are perfect for customers with a distinctive taste.

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Target users of bendable sunglasses

August 11th, 2010 by Jean Caster No comments »

Sunglasses are an important accessory during an outdoor activity, sport or just a regular entertainment. Regardless of the detailed usage circumstances, one point is undeniable that sunwear products usually function in outdoor environments. Another associated point is that active individuals like professional athletes and sports amateurs are more likely to use a pair of sunshades. Of course, people wandering around the streets may also take sunglasses as an accessory. But for people who spend much time in doing outdoor activities or sports, sunglasses mean a lot in terms of eye protection provisioning. Yet it is also important to make sure the sunwear can last long even under regular usage. This reasonable requirement makes bendable sunglasses a natural choice. Today, bendable sunwear is very popularly because of its unusual flexibility.

Sometimes called memory metal sunglasses, these products can be twisted, bended like a pretzel but they will go back to the original shape. Contributed by this advanced feature, these glasses are less likely to break or bend up, leading hardly to any adjustments. Of course, bendable sunglasses take a little longer time to make the original adjustment during production. After forming the original shape, bendable sunglasses can maintain the shape for a much longer time than frames made of other materials. This flexibility makes memory metal sunglasses quite durable and more resistant to accidental bending or twisting. However, it is unadvisable to just twist bendable frames only for fun, because they can be definitely broken. Moreover, some models use plastic temples or semi-rimless styles.

The above precious capability makes these bendable sunglasses particularly suitable for active children and sports enthusiasts. Where does this capability come from? In fact, the frames are made of a shape memory alloy, which can remember its original, cold-forged shape. This material is now widely used by several eyewear manufacturers like Marchon and Nike in their products. Furthermore, this alloy contains a famous ingredient called titanium, bringing additional features like lightweight, hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant.

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Reader eyeglasses for presbyopic patients

August 11th, 2010 by Jean Caster No comments »

Reader eyeglasses, reading glasses and simply readers actually refer to the same product. They are regular eyeglasses for presbyopia correction. Name variations are not the key point. The key point lies in the help they can offer. And before discussing in depth the functionality of reading glasses, it is necessary to detail the reason, symptoms and signs of presbyopia that is the source causing the use of reading eyewear. This condition usually occurs at about 40 and will bother a vast majority of people over this age. Most people can not escape this eyesight problem because they are caused by the eye’s natural aging process, an irreversible process. In some cases, presbyopia is called an age-related condition and differs from these eye refractive errors including astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. These refractive errors are linked with generic and environmental factors which lead to irregularly shaped eyeballs. Exactly, presbyopia stem from a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the eye’s natural lens.

It is usually a necessity for presbyopic patients to ask reader eyeglasses for help because there are consequently bothersome symptoms. One phenomenon that can be found among presbyopic patients is that they usually hold books, magazines and even menus at arm’s length, in which distance they can focus properly. Otherwise, everything close-up is blurry. And some serious conditions like headaches, eye strain and fatigue may follow. Using a pair of reading glasses can help prevent nearly all these symptoms. With readers on the face, it is no longer needed to hold reading materials as far as possible intentionally.

Today, there are custom-made and pre-made reading glasses, both of which are widely used. Some brands even offer multifocal reading glasses that can deal with other vision problems at the same time. These glasses take a same principle in correcting presbyopia. As the target buyers of reader eyeglasses, patients who develop presbyopia may find it is helpful to know that there are still some other solutions to this condition. Contacts lenses in multifocal form are also widely used for presbyopic correction. And for a relatively permanent treatment, it is possible to replace the aging lenses with artificial multifocal lenses through an eye surgery.

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Round glasses for square faces

August 10th, 2010 by William Krause No comments »

Round glasses should go with square or oblong face shape. The selection criterion of round eyeglass is different with that of frame colors. If you have dark hair such as black or brown, dark glasses frames are suitable. For people who have light hair or like light colored clothes, light glasses frame is the right choice. This principle is also applied to eyebrow color and eye color. Nevertheless, the frames shape performs in a nearly opposite way: round glasses for square face, rectangular eyeglass for round face etc… This is some kind of a compromise. Most of the round glasses fans obey this rule, including Ghandi. This writing introduces both round glasses and rectangular glasses, which represent the two extremes.

A round face has the same width and length. Rectangular or geometric glasses are needed to create some angles of a round face. If you choose round eyeglass, the curvilinear lines will be magnified. As a result, the round glasses will surely make the round face extremely round. Of course, most of the people do not need this effect. Round glasses should also be avoided on near round faces such as oval and heart faces. Round eyeglass will never balance their smooth lines.

A square face has an obvious jaw line and a broad forehead. Round glasses are perfect to break the same proportion between the width and length of this face shape. Round eyeglass can make square face look longer. Since square faces have strong angles, round glasses do help in softening them. Round glasses also fit oblong faces. Just remember that round eyeglass matches the opposite face shapes. Besides round eyeglass, narrow frame styles and frames with more width than length play a similar role.

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