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For some people, choosing new glasses is an exciting opportunity to change a look, or be able to accessorize. For others, it is a daunting and overwhelming task. There are many things to consider when you are looking at glasses.
Choosing Glasses: Be Bold, or Blend?
One of the easiest questions to consider first is do you want your glasses to stand out, or blend in? Most people have a pretty strong opinion either way. The easiest way to get a bolder look is a thicker, more colorful frame. Plastic frames accomplish this easiest, though some metal frames can also have a bold look depending on color and any pattern. A rimless or semi-rimless frame (open all the way around or just at the bottom) tends to blend the most.
Choosing Glasses: Metal or Plastic?
Again, many people seem to have a strong preference for one or the other. Most metal frames come with nosepads, which can allow for easier adjustments to fit the bridge of the nose. There are lightweight options in both metal and plastic. A plastic frame is best for someone with a highly nearsighted prescription- it will hide the thickness of the edge more easily than a metal frame.
Choosing Glasses: Prescription Considerations
Different prescriptions will be best suited to different frames. A highly nearsighted prescription, as mentioned above, will do well in a plastic frame. Choose a frame with smaller lenses to further limit the reduce the thickness of the edge of the lens. A person who needs a profressive lens (no line bifocal) will want a lens that is a bit taller vertically to allow room for the bifocal section. If the lens is too small, the bifocal section of the lens may be cut off.
Choosing Glasses: Color
Just as when chooosing clothing, you should consider your best colors to find the most flattering frame. Almost everyone favors either warm or cool shades of colors. For women, sometimes the jewelry you like can be a big clue. If you tend to prefer silver, you are more likely to look best in cool shades. If you wear more gold, warm might do better for you. Another way to determine your coloring is to look at the veins in your wrist. If your veins are more blue/purple- you have cool undertones. If they are more green, you are warm. And yes, it is possible to be neutral! If you sunburn easily you are likely cool-toned, and if you tan you are likely warm-toned. Jewel-toned blues, purples, and emerald greens fall in the cool category. Earth tones like reds, oranges, yellows, and olive greens are more warm. There are warm and cool shades of every color- so nothing is necessarily off limits!
Choosing Glasses: Fit
Once you pick the fun parts of style and color, the most important consideration is fit. Glasses that don't fit well can affect how you are seeing (seriously!), can slide down your face, and even cause you discomfort.
In a frame with no nosepads, the bridge of the frame must rest well on the wearer's nose as it cannot be adjusted. Too wide and the frame will slide down. Too small and the frame will sit too high on the wearer's face.
The temples must fit close to the head without pushing. This is often the first area of the frame kids outgrow! Too wide and again, the frame will fall down. Too tight and it can also fall down, or cause discomfort. Too long or short, and they also won't stay in place.
As you can see, it is important to try glasses on with the aid of a skilled optician to ensure the best possible fit and comfort.
Most importantly- have fun! Don't let choosing glasses be a daunting task. Look to see what styles you think you might like, and communicate with your optician about what you like or dislike about each frame.
Want to look at our options before your appointment? View our online Frame Gallery!
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January is National Glaucoma Awarness Month. This is an important opportunity to talk about glaucoma, a sight-threatening disease.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is group of eye diseases that irreversibly and gradually steal sight without any warning signs. There is almost never any pain associated with the disease. Damage to the optic nerve occurs, typically from increased fluid (aqueous fluid) pressure within the eye. The optic nerve carries vision signals from the eye to the brain, so when damage occurs those signals no longer get through. Vision loss happens peripherally first, which is why many people do not realize they have the disease until it is far too late.
The most common form of glaucoma affects middle-age and elderly people, however it can happen at any age.
Untreated glaucoma can progressively worsen over time. There is no cure for glaucoma, but there are several treatment options including drops to lower the pressure in the eyes, and even surgeries. The best treatment will be determined by the type of glaucoma present. The best outcomes happen with early detection. A comprehensive eye examination screens for glaucoma in several ways- including measuring the eye pressure and evaluating the optic nerves.
Types of glaucoma
As mentioned above, there are different types of glaucoma. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is the most common and occurs where the fluid pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) raises to the point that nerve damage is occuring. This can come from too much fluid production and/or not fast enough fluid drainage. Angle Closure Glaucoma also results from increased IOP, but this is due to the fluid drainage area in the front of the eye anatomically shutting off the ability for the aqueous to escape.
Secondary glaucomas occur from trauma, diabetes, and more. These typically affect the ability of the aqueous fluid to drain, resulting in high IOP.
It is also possible to have optic nerve damage without elevated IOP- this is called Normal Tension Glaucoma.
How common is glaucoma?
According to glaucoma.org, more than 3 million people in the United States, and 60 million worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don't know that they have it. The National Eye Institute projects the number of affected individuals to increase by 58% in 2030.
Comprehensive eye examinations can detect glaucoma. As we have discussed, there are no warning signs, so making sure you continue routine care with your eye care professional even if you are seeing well is vital. Once vision loss is noticed, it cannot be recovered.
How do you check for glaucoma?
Several factors are evaluated in glaucoma. These include IOP, visual fields (a measure of peripheral vision), corneal thickness, an inspection of the drainage area in the front of the eye (gonioscopy), and a scan of the optic nerve to determine any damage. Your doctor will repeat these tests at routine intervals to diagnose and follow glaucoma.
What are risk factors for glaucoma?
Those with a positive family history, and people of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent are more at risk. Diabetics can also have an increased risk. Regular comprehensive eye care is especially important for these groups.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
