Harry Styles’ Sunglasses Inspo

Harry Styles’ Sunglasses Inspo You Need for Summer

Aurora Gould

Aurora is a Digital Marketing Specialist for SmartBuyGlasses. She’s enthusiastic about supporting the marketing efforts across multiple channels. Her goal is to create riveting content that is also educational by bringing to you all the latest eyewear trends.

Let’s combine your passion for music and fashion with one-of-a-kind Harry Styles’ sunglasses inspo to enjoy the highly-anticipated release of his new album on May 20!

With summer around the corner, it’s time to upgrade your look with funky sunnies or trendy, full coverage eyewear to smile or let your emotions loose as you sing along to Harry Styles’ new songs.

Let’s pay homage to some of Harry Style’s iconic outfits and heart-touching songs through outstanding eyewear.

Watermelon, Summer & Gucci

Who doesn’t love a refreshing poolside moment with a glass of lemonade and a juicy slice of watermelon? Even if it’s by your inflatable pool in the garden, you can live life like you’re at a 5-star resort.

Watermelon Sugar is a chill summer vibe that you can enjoy all season long with these Gucci GG0875S 003 transparent burgundy frames. The oversized sunglasses are never too big if you want to rock a casual yet sophisticated style.

Want to find a blue pair like Harry Styles’ sunglasses in the music video? Explore a range of blue frames and use our Virtual Try-On tool to have fun trying them on!

So be extra as you pair your red swimsuit, and red Gucci sunnies and get ready for a watermelon sugar high.

You’re so Golden

Get your yellow hats and white shirts ready! And what better way to combine your funky look than with a pair of easy-going Tom Ford MACKENZIE-02?

The gold frames are delicate and don’t overpower your face. Pilot sunglasses are an excellent pair for oval and heart face shapes since they complement and smoothen your facial features.

Don’t be scared to jump into a convertible and drive through beautiful landscapes with your new trendy sunnies.

As it Was With Retro Styles

You can find what you love even with classic frames, thanks to various frame designs. And retro cat-eye sunglasses are a timeless style anyone can rock year after year.

Our stylish and unique LMNT collection offers you this pair of LMNT Slade C3 in a classic tortoiseshell frame that any face shape can style.

LMNT Slade is perfect for a casual or formal occasion and, for sure, a fabulous pair to match one of Harry Style’s best outfits.

Love & Adore You

You can walk through paradise with your strawberry lipstick and this pair of Guess GF 6116 66B. This unisex eyewear is a great pair to shield your eyes from the sun with quality UV protection, whether on a dock or at the beach.

You can now match Harry Styles’ heart glasses with the Guess heart shape frame to get ready for a dance party with friends or to go to his upcoming concert!

Turn heads and get people to lose themselves in your new trendy sunnies.

Cover Up the Happy Tears

Only time will tell, but we’ve got the perfect pair to help cover up your watery eyes when listening to Sign of the Times.

Mr. Boho has a range of stylish and durable prescription sunglasses that stand the test of time! Our sunglasses inspiration from one of Harry Styles’ best looks is this pair of Mr. Boho Arroios ALG1-08!

The oval frame would look great on an angular face shape, such as square faces, and can be styled with vintage outfits and a long blue coat.

You’ve just got to give it a try!

New Look for the New Album

Playlist, headphones, and tissues ready! We’re all set to sing along to Harry Styles’ songs with fashionable sunglasses!

Find your new everyday eyewear for less, wear them and match your favourite Harry Styles sunglasses inspo with SmartBuyGlasses.

Our fast shipping will get you ready to groove with a few simple clicks. Listening to Harry Styles will never be As it Was before with your new style.

What frames will you choose? Follow us @smartbuyglasses & tag us in your favourite look!

Harry Styles’ Sunglasses Inspo You Need for Summer

Aurora Gould

Let’s combine your passion for music and fashion with one-of-a-kind Harry Styles’ sunglasses inspo to enjoy the highly-anticipated release of his new album on May 20!

With summer around the corner, it’s time to upgrade your look with funky sunnies or trendy, full coverage eyewear to smile or let your emotions loose as you sing along to Harry Styles’ new songs.

Let’s pay homage to some of Harry Style’s iconic outfits and heart-touching songs through outstanding eyewear.

Watermelons, Summer & Gucci

Want to find a blue pair like Harry Styles’ sunglasses in the music video? Explore a range of blue frames and use our Virtual Try-On tool to have fun trying them on!

So be extra as you pair your red swimsuit, and red Gucci sunnies and get ready for a watermelon sugar high.

You’re so Golden

Get your yellow hats and white shirts ready! And what better way to combine your funky look than with a pair of easy-going Tom Ford MACKENZIE-02?

The gold frames are delicate and don’t overpower your face. Pilot sunglasses are an excellent pair for oval and heart face shapes since they complement and smoothen your facial features.

Don’t be scared to jump into a convertible and drive through beautiful landscapes with your new trendy sunnies.

As it Was With Retro Styles

You can find what you love even with classic frames, thanks to various frame designs. And retro cat-eye sunglasses are a timeless style anyone can rock year after year.

Our stylish and unique LMNT collection offers you this pair of LMNT Slade C3 in a classic tortoiseshell frame that any face shape can style.

LMNT Slade is perfect for a casual or formal occasion and, for sure, a fabulous pair to match one of Harry Style’s best outfits.

Love & Adore You

You can now match Harry Styles’ heart glasses with the Guess heart shape frame to get ready for a dance party with friends or to go to his upcoming concert!

Turn heads and get people to lose themselves in your new trendy sunnies.

Cover Up the Happy Tears

Only time will tell, but we’ve got the perfect pair to help cover up your watery eyes when listening to Sign of the Times.

The oval frame would look great on an angular face shape, such as square faces, and can be styled with vintage outfits and a long blue coat.

You’ve just got to give it a try!

New Looks for the New Album

Playlist, headphones, and tissues ready! We’re all set to sing along to Harry Styles’ songs with fashionable sunglasses!

Find your new everyday eyewear for less, wear them and match your favourite Harry Styles sunglasses inspo with SmartBuyGlasses.

Our fast shipping will get you ready to groove with a few simple clicks. Listening to Harry Styles will never be As it Was before with your new style.

What frames will you choose? Follow us @smartbuyglasses & tag us in your favourite look!

Parts of Glasses: All You Need to Know

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Parts Of Glasses: All You Need To Know

What are the parts of glasses called? | Frame | Rim | Bridge | Top bar or brow bar or sweat bar | Nose pads | Pad arms | End pieces | Hinges | Screws | Temples or arms

How many of the 11 different parts that makeup glasses can you name? By the end of this article, you'll know them all.

Did you know that glasses are not just lenses and frames? Many other subparts make up the structure of spectacles, and they all have a name and a specific function.

Vision is an aspect of our life that we often take for granted. For many of us, it’s only when we are told that we require vision correction that we realize how much vision improves our quality of life every day.

Seeing that they are such fragile objects, we need to know the parts of eyeglasses so that if ever the need be, we are empowered to explain our requirements to an optical professional, or we can look for replacement glasses parts by ourselves at a store.

What are the parts of glasses called?

Essentially, any pair of eyeglasses has three parts: the front of the frame and the two arms, known as temples. Each of these has its subparts depending on the design and materials used. The subparts are all indicated in the labeled picture here and then explained in the list below.

DID YOU KNOW?

Half rim andrimless glasses often have a nylon rope that holds thelenses in place.

Frame

By frame, it’s meant everything that surrounds the lenses. It is the structure of the glasses. Frames can be made of many materials, such as plastic, acetate, metal, wood, and other eco-friendly materials. They can also have different shapes and features, and they have many separate parts with specific names.

Rim

Glasses can have full-rim, semi-rim, or rimless frames. The rim is the front part of the frame, which holds the lenses. It is the part of the glasses that gives them their characteristic style.

Bridge

It bridges the two lenses over your nose and holds most of the weight of your glasses. It’s a determining factor for how well the glasses will fit your face. Indeed, bridges vary by style to suit different face shapes.

Top bar or brow bar or sweat bar

Some glasses have a top bar placed just above the bridge between the lenses. Its purpose is either to make the frame more sturdy or to add a fashion detail. For example, most pilot models have a top bar. This piece can also be known as a double bridge.

Nose pads

These refer to the small oval pads that rest on your nose for a perfect fit and to prevent the glasses from slipping down. Nose pads can be set up in two ways:

Full-rim nose pads: in this case, the nose pads are sculpted as part of the frame front. They’re polished to not be rough on your nose. Acetate or Plastic frames most often have sculpted nose pads which are a part of the frame front.
Push-in nose pads: in this case, the nose pads are attached to the rim. They are usually made of soft clear plastic. The bigger the pad, the more visible it is, and the lesser it is likely to “dig” into the skin. Metal frames have small bars that hold soft plastic nose pads that are adjustable. You can opt for adjustable nose pads for the best comfort.

Pad arms

These small pieces (“arms”) attach the nose pads to the rim. They can be adjustable so you can find the best fit, and they are mainly built on metal frames.

End pieces

The end pieces are found at the top outer corners of the rim. They connect the hinges to the temples and can be decorated to insert fashion details into the frame.

Hinges

The hinges are the metal joints of your glasses, held together by screws or sometimes by intricate metal joins. They connect the end pieces (or frame front, as not all frames have end pieces) to the temples.

Thanks to the hinges, you can easily fold and move the temples. There’s a variety of hinges available which are secured in different ways, such as spring hinges.

Screws

The screws are the parts of glasses that are easier to replace if broken or lost. They hold together the two halves of a hinge and can be tightened or loosened with a little screwdriver. Most glasses repair kits include screws and a screwdriver specifically made for them.

Temples or arms

Temples are the “arms” of your frames and are located on the sides of your head, sitting on your ears. Their core function is to keep your glasses secure as you go through the day wearing them. Temples can be of the following types:

Paddle or blade or straight temple: it’s a temple without a bend to it and is, therefore, completely straight.
Curl sides: also known as cable temples and typically found in metal frames, the part of the temple close to the ear curls at the ends for a comfortable fit.
Drop or hockey end or swan neck: it is the most common design found in modern eyeglass frames. These frames bend downward to create a secure fit behind your ears.

Temple tips

The temple tips are placed at the end of the temples. They are made from a different and more comfortable material because they aim to protect the skin behind your ear from irritation.

Lenses

Lenses are the most crucial part of your prescription glasses. They’re chosen according to the prescription details from your optometrist for correcting your vision problems (like astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia).

Lenses can be made of various materials and then customized with many different coatings, such as anti-scratch, anti-fog, and anti-glare, and add-ons like transitions, polarization, zFORT® blue block, tinting, and mirror.

According to your prescription and needs, your optician will point you in the right direction regarding which lenses to choose.

Understanding Glasses Measurements

It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online. This useful guide explains the significance of the numbers...

How to Adjust Glasses

Not only is it uncomfortable when your glasses don’t fit, but it also affects your quality of vision.

Understanding Glasses Measurements

It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online. This useful guide explains the significance of the numbers...

How to Adjust Glasses

Not only is it uncomfortable when your glasses don’t fit, but it also affects your quality of vision.

Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Night Driving?

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Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Night Driving?

It’s no secret that low light conditions make night driving more difficult, but can blue light glasses help to improve visibility at night?

Blue light glasses have become quite popular for those who use technology daily, which is likely most of us as we are living in a multi-screen era.

They help filter out the harmful blue light rays emitted from digital screens, offering protection from their negative effects

While we understand how they work to protect against screens and minimize blue light exposure, we have begun to question the other benefits of blue light glasses beyond the digital screen.

Driving at night can sometimes be stressful, with low levels of natural light combined with glare from high powered LED headlights.

It may be even more difficult for people who wear prescription glasses or suffer from vision issues – it’s no wonder why some people tend to stay off the road at night.

With increased exposure to blue light on the road with LED headlights and street lamps, what if the blue light glasses we reach for at our computer screens could also help us drive at night?

What are blue light glasses?

Blue light-blocking glasses are exactly what they sound like; they’re glasses that have special lenses with a blue light filter that help with preventing blue light coming from digital screens from passing through the lens.

This reduction in exposure to blue light allows us to concentrate further reducing eye fatigue or digital eye strain.

Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum that produces short and high-energy waves, and can be seen by the human eye.

Although our eyes can see blue light, they cannot effectively filter it, allowing more light to pass through.

Some blue light filters result in slightly yellow tinted lenses, which block the harmful blue light rays from passing through the lens and into the eye.

Blue light blocking glasses have become quite popular among those who use technology daily, which is most of us.

Blue light blocking lenses help filter the harmful artificial blue light rays emitted from digital screens and digital devices.

While we understand how they work to protect against screens, we’ve begun to question the other benefits of wearing these glasses.

Blue light glasses and night blindness

Clear visibility is an integral part of safe driving for all involved: drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

With the low levels of natural light in the evenings, we have to compensate with car headlights, street lamps and other bright lights in order to see.

However, with the use of these artificial light sources comes an increase in glare, which greatly impacts our visibility while on the road.

People with night blindness (nyctalopia) have difficulty seeing at night, including nighttime driving.

Nyctalopia makes it difficult for the eye to adjust to low-light environments causing blurred vision, cloudy vision, sensitivity to bright light or difficulty seeing into the distance.

Night blindness is not a condition itself, but a result of existing eye conditions, which presents differently depending on the underlying issue. Some common causes of night vision problems include:

Glaucoma
Cataracts
Nearsightedness (myopia)
Vitamin A deficiency

Similar to how blue light glasses filter light, night driving glasses have yellow-tinted lenses intended to block blue light coming from artificial light sources, reduce headlight glare and to improve visibility in low light conditions while on the road.

For those who experience night blindness, blurry vision, digital eye strain or other vision impairments, these lenses might not completely restore the ability to drive safely under certain circumstances.

Blue-light blocking glasses can help reduce eye strain and fatigue when driving at night, allowing for a more comfortable journey.

Although they may offer some relief from uncomfortable symptoms like headaches caused by prolonged exposure to bright lights after dark, you should consult your doctor to discuss what may be causing you to experience these symptoms.

Do blue light glasses work for night driving?

Car headlights and most street lights are now made with LED lights which emit high levels of blue light.

This can make driving at night challenging because of the blue light glare these bulbs cause, and when combined with existing vision issues, can make driving at night dangerous.

Simple blue light glasses may reduce glare and filter blue light from these LED lights.

Although many who wear blue light glasses claim that they have reported seeing positive effects on their overall health, there is no direct link showing that wearing blue light glasses or night driving glasses work to improve low-light visibility.

What type of glasses help with nighttime driving?

Although clear blue light glasses or yellow lenses may not be the best option for night driving, there are still other options to help improve our vision at night.

A great option might be to add an anti glare coating, or anti-reflective (AR) coating, to your next pair of prescription glasses.

While regular prescription lenses allow 92% of light to pass through the lens, anti glare coatings allow 99.5% of light to pass through, reducing the amount of reflections on the lenses.

Although they don’t filter high energy blue light, this reduction of reflections on your lenses in turn reduces the glare of oncoming headlights more effectively than yellow tinted glasses and blue light lenses.

This anti-reflective coating can also be applied to sunglasses allowing you to further reduce glare and protect your eyes from natural blue light like UV light and brightness from the sun during the day.

How can I improve my vision while driving at night?

Some ways to improve your vision while driving at night include:

Clean your glasses regularly because smudges can worsen glare.
Keep your windshield clear of all debris and streaks – dust and streaks can amplify the glare from light sources.
Try to keep your dashboard lights dim to reduce eye strain.
Utilise headlights to increase visibility, and keep them clean and fog free as this can dim their brightness.
Avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights.
Schedule regular check ups with your eye doctor to keep your prescription for your eyeglasses up-to-date, and catch any other issues that may occur.

The best solution might not be the same for everyone, and will depend on your overall eye health, needs and preferences, so it’s important to speak with your eye doctor immediately if you have trouble seeing or driving at night.

For more information, check out our Optical Centre where you can find more informative articles about wearing blue light glasses and anti-reflective lenses, or speak to one of our certified opticians.

How Can Blue Light-Blocking Glasses Improve Your Sleep?

Find out what blue light is, and learn how blue light-blocking glasses may help to improve your sleep.

Nighttime Driving Glasses

Low light and the glare of headlights and streetlights make driving at night challenging for some. Nighttime driving glasses are...

How Can Blue Light-Blocking Glasses Improve Your Sleep?

Find out what blue light is, and learn how blue light-blocking glasses may help to improve your sleep.

Nighttime Driving Glasses

Low light and the glare of headlights and streetlights make driving at night challenging for some. Nighttime driving glasses are...

5 Advantages of Titanium Frames

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5 Advantages Of Titanium Frames

Titanium has a lot of properties that make it a great, long-lasting choice of material for glasses frames.

Titanium is a transition metal that is often used in the production of eyeglass frames. Titanium metal is high strength and low density.

While titanium frames can cost more than some materials like plastic, wood, or other metals, some clear advantages can make it worth the investment.

In this article, we will explore the types of titanium available and their benefits. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to determine whether these benefits coincide with what you are looking for in your next pair of glasses.

Types of titanium frames

Regarding eyewear, titanium eyeglasses have become increasingly popular due to their durability and lightweight construction.

There are different types of titanium eye frames available, each with their own unique features. The standard titanium frame is made from pure titanium and offers excellent corrosion resistance and strength.

Beta-titanium eyeglasses, on the other hand, are made from a titanium and copper alloy and are more flexible which allows for a more snug fit.

Hightech-Titanium SPX®+ frames combine the durability of titanium with the flexibility of polymer, resulting in a highly resilient and comfortable frame.

Shop around and do your research to discover which frame will be the most comfortable for you.

What are the advantages of titanium frames?

For those who wear glasses, it can be tough finding the perfect pair. Between fashion and functionality, there’s a lot to consider. Fortunately, titanium eyewear offers the best of both worlds.

Notably, titanium is known for its superior durability, making it an excellent investment for anyone who wants glasses to last for many years.

Durability

Titanium metal is extremely strong and that’s what makes titanium eyewear last longer than others.

Titanium eyeglasses frames can withstand more wear and tear than average glasses, which means your investment could be saving you money in the long run.

If you’re somebody that is typically rougher with your glasses than others, you should consider titanium glasses frames.

DID YOU KNOW?

Titanium is also well-suited to hip replacements and tooth implants!

Lightweight

While titanium metal is very strong, you wouldn’t know it just by feeling it.

This is because titanium metal has a low density, giving titanium glasses frames their lightweight quality. This feature also makes titanium glasses a good option for anyone with higher prescriptions.

Those with higher prescriptions have thicker lenses which can be heavy and uncomfortable if paired with the wrong frame. Opting for a lightweight frame can help not to add any extra weight.

Flexiblility

Another great feature of titanium frames is their flexibility. Titanium metal has a certain amount of bend and flexibility that most metals do not.

This flexibility might make the titanium eyewear seem fragile, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Their flexible quality, on the contrary, is what makes titanium glasses more suited for everyday wear. For example, they can bend without breaking and bounce if you drop them.

Corrosion resistant

While many people prefer metal frames to plastic, metal can rust over time, especially when in contact with water.

Titanium metal, on the other hand, is rust-resistant. With titanium glasses, you won’t have to worry about moisture corroding your frames.

Hypoallergenic

If you have sensitive skin or are bothered by most eyeglass frame materials, then titanium glasses may be the right choice for you.

Titanium is hypoallergenic meaning it will not cause you any negative skin reactions.

Wearing glasses shouldn’t cause you any irritation. Consider making choices in line with your comfort when shopping for eyewear.

Why are titanium frame glasses more expensive?

Titanium frame glasses are known for their strength, durability and flexibility.

But have you ever wondered why they come with a heftier price tag than their counterparts made of other materials? The answer lies in the manufacturing process.

Creating titanium eyewear is a complex process, requiring specialised machinery and skilled craftsmanship.

This results in higher production costs that inevitably get passed down to the consumer.

However, it’s worth noting that owning a pair of titanium frame glasses is an investment in quality eyewear that will last you for years to come.

Are titanium glasses right for me?

Titanium glasses may be the perfect solution for you if you’re looking for a lightweight, durable and comfortable pair of eyeglasses.

This material is known for its strength and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for those who lead an active lifestyle.

And remember, shopping for titanium frames can also be fun – they come in a variety of stylish shapes and colours to choose from, including rimless titanium glasses.

If you determine they are right for your lifestyle, find a pair that suits your fashion sense and personal taste. You can then visit our Lens Hub for information about the right lens materials for you.

Persol Technology

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Persol Technology

Italian brand Persol is one of the oldest eyewear companies in the world, with over 100 years of experience leading to some important technological innovations in the industry.

In 1917, in Turin, Italy, Giuseppe Ratti, owner of Berry optical, created Persol’s first sunglasses and lenses for athletes and pilots. The word Persol is derived from the Italian phrase “per il sole”, which means “for the sun”.

As one of the oldest eyewear companies in the world after 100 years of trading, Persol’s foundations are still grounded in unmatched craftsmanship and unmistakable design.

Every pair of Persol sunglasses is proudly handmade in Italy and they appeal to a wide array of people around the world. With great attention to detail, Persol sunglasses are perfect, complex and precise.

During the 1980s, Persol focused on research and technological development. The company started to produce increasingly innovative eyewear for mountaineering expeditions, desert rallies and other extreme sport events. The company has constantly evolved with its cutting-edge technology.

Polarised lenses

In 1985, Persol’s research and development centre presented polarised lenses. These lenses were used by Russian astronauts and Italian mountaineers. Polarised lenses block light reflected off sand, roads and water, ensuring clear vision even in extreme environments.

The 1.8mm super light Persol sunglasses with polarised lenses are developed from extra-fine glass. New production techniques have been adopted to shape and temper the glass to reduce lens thickness from 2.2mm to 1.8mm.

This also helps to reduce their weight to make them lightweight and comfortable to wear. Furthermore, a very fine film of polarising organic material is inserted between 2 crystal lenses which blocks harmful rays bouncing off water, sand and roads.

Photo polar lens

Photo Polar Lens is a combination of a polarised and a photochromic lens in a pair of Persol sunglasses. The photochromic lens is designed to automatically adapt to the surrounding light.

When they are exposed to bright light on a sunny day, the lens reacts and darkens in order to offer protection from the sun’s radiation and to prevent eye strain.

As light levels decrease, the molecules return to their original state and become transparent once again. Combining a photochromic lens with a polarised lens, Persol Photo Polar lens can adapt to any light situation.

For any extreme environmental condition, Photo Polar Lens eliminates reflection, reduces eye strain and ensures complete eye comfort.

DID YOU KNOW?

In the 1980s, NASA began using Persol sunglasses thanks to their high quality.

Crystal lenses

Using first-class materials, almost every pair of Persol sunglasses contains crystal lenses. Crystal is one of the most precious natural materials used in creating optical devices.

Crystal lenses make Persol sunglasses scratch-resistant and increase their durability. They offer a high level of protection against harmful rays from the sun and they also guarantee incredible visual clarity.

Comfort

Introduced in the 30s, Meflecto is the world’s first flexible stem system. A harmonic steel core intersects two metal cylinders that are inserted into an acetate system. Meflecto allows the stem to bend easily without putting pressure on the head.

This allows the glasses to adapt to any face shape to provide maximum comfort. This technology is one of a kind as there is nothing similar on the market!

Persol introduced Persol Victor Flex, an application of the Meflecto concept. These Persol sunglasses are fitted with a 3-incision bridge. This creates a comfortable curve, enhances grip and increases comfort.

Furthermore, Persol sunglasses come in more than 4 sizes, have bridges with different heights and arms of different lengths to ensure that each pair fits comfortably on any face. The “Telatura” process is used to distribute weight evenly across the surface of the glass to make them as comfortable as possible.

Even though Persol’s production involves cutting-edge technology, many steps still involve handcrafting with high attention to detail. A combination of technological solutions and craftmanship gives Persol sunglasses an unbeatable quality, making them leaders in the industry.

At SmartBuyGlasses, we have Persol’s entire selection of sunglasses in our Persol sunglasses sale. We stock both the men’s and women’s Persol sunglasses collections. They come with a 24-month warranty, a hassle-free 100-day returns policy and a price match guarantee.

Shop your polarised Persol sunglasses today at SmartBuyGlasses!

What Is Anisometropia?

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What Is Anisometropia?

What are the types of Anisometropia? | Is Antimetropia rare? | Symptoms of Anisometropia | What causes Anisometropia? |Treatment | Can Anisometropia be corrected with glasses?| Does Anisometropia get worse?

Anisometropia is a condition where the refractive error differs between two eyes. Read on to learn more about what anisometropia is.

If you are wondering, ‘what is Anisometropia?’ then you have come to the right place. The definition of anisometropia, more commonly known as vision imbalance, is a condition where your eyes have varying refractive power – i.e. your ability to focus is different in each eye. Anisometropia means you have a different prescription for each eye.

Typically caused by unevenly sized or shaped eyes, anisometropia symptoms include asymmetric longsightedness or asymmetric shortsightedness. Anisometropia can result in an induced differential prism between the eyes as they move away from the centre of the correcting lens. Several studies show that only around 6% of young people have this refractive error, which generally occurs more frequently as they age.

What are the types of anisometropia?

1) Simple anisometropia

Simple anisometropia occurs when one eye has regular vision, but the other affected eye is short-sighted (myopia) or long-sighted (hyperopia). If you have one normal eye and one nearsighted eye, you have simple myopic anisometropia i.e. blurrier image in one eye.

2) Hyperopic anisometropia

Hyperopic anisometropia, also known as compound anisometropia, occurs when both eyes have the same refraction problem, but one eye is worse. If your pair of eyes are nearsighted, but one has a higher prescription than the other, you have compound myopic anisometropia.

This can cause the eyes to be unable to work together and fuse the image into one, causing double vision. Double vision, also known as diplopia, causes people to see two of the same image.

3) Simple astigmatic anisometropia

Astigmatism is when the curvature of your eye’s cornea or lens is shaped like a football, which means your vision is blurred at all distances. The shape of your eye causes light to refract unevenly, which means the light changes direction when it enters your eye at an angle.

4) Compound astigmatic anisometropia

This refractive error means you have astigmatism in both eyes, but one eye requires much more correction. For compound astigmatic anisometropia, both eyes are either farsighted or nearsighted and require refraction correction.

5) Mixed astigmatic anisometropia

If you have this type of anisometropia, you have astigmatism in both eyes. However, one eye is farsighted, and the other is nearsighted.

6) Antimetropia

Another kind of anisometropia is a rare refractive condition called antimetropia, also known as mixed anisometropia. This condition is when one eye is myopic and the other is hyperopic, which means there is a significant difference in vision between the two eyes.

Is antimetropia rare?

Antimetropia is rare, but in most cases that it occurs is in post-cataract refractive surgery patients.

Symptoms of anisometropia

‘How do I know if I have anisometropia?’ You may be asking at this point. Anisometropia has a number of noticeable symptoms. These can include:

Amblyopia (also called lazy eye)
Frequent blurred vision
Diplopia (double vision) and dizziness
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Headaches
Difficulty with 3D vision, poor depth perception and loss of balance
Lack of coordination

If you suffer from any of these or other mild vision problems, you should ask your doctor for a comprehensive eye exam and diagnosis. An eye exam will generally include various tests to check the health of your eye and distinguish any diseases or conditions. Even if you do not have any symptoms, an eye screening is recommended for adults at the age of 40 to identify vision change and any signs of various sight impairments.

What causes anisometropia?

Most people with ‘normal vision’ can experience up to a 5% difference in the refractive power of each eye. However, those with a larger difference in refractive power (5-20%) will experience uneven vision, which can cause a lack of coordination.

There is no definitive answer as to what causes refractive errors that lead to developing anisometropia. There are likely genetic and environmental risk factors for this, such as defects in the eye at birth or an uneven size of the two eyes. Other potential causes can include injury to the eye, eye trauma and refractive surgery.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Anisometromia means having a large difference in refractive power of each eye, between 5 and 20%. This causes uneven vision, which leads to lack of coordination.

Anisometropia after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is when the natural lens of an eye is replaced with an artificial one to help improve visual stimulation without wearing glasses or stopping cataract development. The majority of people will copy very well following cataract surgery. However, some people will experience symptoms of anisometropia in more severe cases.

Anisometropia in children

Anisometropia can result in anisometropic amblyopia (lazy eye) in young children. Amblyopia can occur in children because the brain tells the eyes to focus the same amount in each eye. However, if the eyes don’t have the same refractive power, one eye will produce a blurry image compared to the other eye.

Furthermore, if your child does not have a wandering or crossing eye (strabismus), it can be difficult to determine the condition. Young children often do not present outward signs of issues, as they function well using one eye, so it is more difficult to notice.

However, older children are likely to complain. We recommend booking your child an eye test to diagnose the condition and to be treated.

Treatment

There are different methods of treatment for anisometropia, which vary from person to person. It is important to consult your eye doctor to understand and seek treatment. Treatments you may be offered include:

Corrective lenses (wear glasses or contact lenses) can be worn to improve overall vision and produce a clear image.
Special filters in glasses help train the brain to use the weaker eye.
Covering the dominant eye with an eye patch (the same treatment for a lazy eye), also known as patching, helps the brain use the neglected eye.
Eye drops can blur the vision in the dominant eye, which helps force the brain to use the neglected eye.
LASIK is a common corrective surgery for treating anisometropia, depending on your prescription.

Can anisometropia be corrected with glasses?

If you’re asking, ‘can anisometropia be corrected?’, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are treatment options. One kind of treatment for anisometropia is corrective lenses. While you are correcting short-sightedness in both eyes using prescription glasses that are the same over each eye, anisometropia requires a different kind of lens to correct it.

When deciding which route to take when it comes to eyewear, consider the wide range of options available:

Prescription glasses with bifocal or progressive addition lenses (PALs) are a common option for treating anisometropia symptoms and are often the first step. You can get an up-to-date spectacle prescription from your optician or use our Lens Scanner to reveal your current prescription.
Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus, which simultaneously correct refractive errors for both distance and near vision.
Progressive lenses are similar to bifocal lenses but offer a gradual transition between the two prescription lenses, so there is no visible line on your prescription spectacles.
Reading glasses are another option for anisometropia symptoms. You can have these glasses fitted with your unique prescription so you can wear these glasses while you read or work. There are also non-prescription reading glasses that you can typically try out and purchase in high-street shops.

Severe Anisometropia

A patient with severe anisometropia is not generally not recommended to wear glasses. Glasses have a magnification effect that can cause a large difference in the image size seen by each eye. Therefore, wearing glasses with severe anisometropia can prevent exceptional binocular vision. Therefore, those with severe anisometropia are generally advised to wear contact lenses instead, as they ensure optimal vision in both eyes.

Anisometropia treatment: contact lenses

Additionally, there is a range of contact lenses available to treat anisometropia symptoms. Multifocal are available in both gas-permeable and soft lens material, depending on your preference. Another possibility is monovision contact lenses, where you use a distance vision lens for one eye and a different contact lens for close-up usage in the other. The type a patient chooses depends on the type of anisometropia and the spectacle prescription.

How serious is anisometropia?

The severity of anisometropia varies in adults and children. It is essential to treat anisometropia as soon as it is diagnosed and not ignore it. If anisometropia is left untreated, the brain can select the better eye that presents a clearer image, thus ignoring the other eye. This can then lead to dependence on the stronger eye over exam time.

Eventually, the weaker eye will progressively worsen, so it’s important to get an appointment with your ophthalmologist before the refractive error becomes acute. At your appointment, your eye doctor will recommend the best eye treatment going forward.

Does anisometropia get worse?

In some cases, anisometropia can worsen. Anisometropia shows an exponential increase in prevalence with increasing age in life. Furthermore, if you do not treat your anisometropia, this can worsen the condition. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you seek the correct treatment from your eye doctor before the condition can develop or lead to complications.

What Is Anisometropia?

What are the types of Anisometropia? | Is Antimetropia rare? | Symptoms of Anisometropia | What causes Anisometropia? |Treatment | Can Anisometropia be corrected with glasses?| Does Anisometropia get worse?

Anisometropia is a condition where the refractive error differs between two eyes. Read on to learn more about what Anisometropia is.

Anisometropia means you have a different prescription for each eye.

Typically caused by unevenly sized or shaped eyes, anisometropia symptoms include asymmetric longsightedness or asymmetric shortsightedness.

Anisometropia can result in an induced differential prism between the eyes as they move away from the centre of the correcting lens. Several studies show that only around 6% of young people have this refractive error, which generally occurs more frequently as they age.

What are the types of anisometropia?

There are different types of anisometropia, with patients being affected differently by each of them. However, most types of anisometropia share the same symptoms.

1) Simple anisometropia

Simple anisometropia occurs when one eye has regular vision, but the other affected eye is short-sighted (myopia) or long-sighted (hyperopia).

If you have one normal eye and one nearsighted eye, you have simple myopic anisometropia i.e. blurrier image in one eye.

2) Hyperopic anisometropia

Hyperopic anisometropia, also known as compound anisometropia, occurs when both eyes have the same refraction problem, but one eye is worse.

If your pair of eyes are nearsighted, but one has a higher prescription than the other, you have compound myopic anisometropia.

This can cause the eyes to be unable to work together and fuse the image into one, causing double vision. Double vision, also known as diplopia, causes people to see two of the same image.

4) Simple astigmatic anisometropia

Astigmatism is when the curvature of your eye’s cornea or lens is shaped like a football, which means your vision is blurred at all distances.

The shape of your eye causes light to refract unevenly, which means the light changes direction when it enters your eye at an angle.

5) Compound astigmatic anisometropia

6) Mixed astigmatic anisometropia

If you have this type of anisometropia, you have astigmatism in both eyes. However, one eye is farsighted, and the other is nearsighted.

7) Antimetropia

Another kind of anisometropia is a rare refractive condition called antimetropia, also known as mixed anisometropia.

This condition is when one eye is myopic and the other is hyperopic, which means there is a significant difference in vision between the two eyes.

Is antimetropia rare?

Antimetropia is rare, but in most cases that it occurs is in post-cataract refractive surgery patients.

Symptoms of anisometropia

‘How do I know if I have anisometropia?’ You may be asking at this point. Anisometropia has a number of noticeable symptoms. These can include:

Amblyopia (also called lazy eye)
Frequent blurred vision
Diplopia (double vision) and dizziness
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Headaches
Difficulty with 3D vision, poor depth perception and loss of balance
Lack of coordination

What causes anisometropia?

Most people with ‘normal vision’ can experience up to a 5% difference in the refractive power of each eye.

However, those with a larger difference in refractive power (5-20%) will experience uneven vision, which can cause a lack of coordination.

Other potential causes can include injury to the eye, eye trauma and refractive surgery.

DID YOU KNOW?

Anisometromia means having a large difference in refractive power of each eye, between 5 and 20%. This causes uneven vision, which leads to lack of coordination.

Anisometropia after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is when the natural lens of an eye is replaced with an artificial one to help improve visual stimulation without wearing glasses or stopping cataract development.

The majority of people will copy very well following cataract surgery. However, some people will experience symptoms of anisometropia in more severe cases.

Anisometropia in children

However, older children are likely to complain. We recommend booking your child an eye test to diagnose the condition and to be treated.

Treatment

Corrective lenses (wear glasses or contact lenses) can be worn to improve overall vision and produce a clear image.
Special filters in glasses help train the brain to use the weaker eye.
Covering the dominant eye with an eye patch (the same treatment for a lazy eye), also known as patching, helps the brain use the neglected eye.
Eye drops can blur the vision in the dominant eye, which helps force the brain to use the neglected eye.
LASIK is a common corrective surgery for treating anisometropia, depending on your prescription.

Can anisometropia be corrected with glasses?

When deciding which route to take when it comes to eyewear, consider the wide range of options available:

Prescription glasses with bifocal or progressive addition lenses (PALs) are a common option for treating anisometropia symptoms and are often the first step. You can get an up-to-date spectacle prescription from your optician or use our Lens Scanner to reveal your current prescription.
Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus, which simultaneously correct refractive errors for both distance and near vision.
Progressive lenses are similar to bifocal lenses but offer a gradual transition between the two prescription lenses, so there is no visible line on your prescription spectacles.
Reading glasses are another option for anisometropia symptoms. You can have these glasses fitted with your unique prescription so you can wear these glasses while you read or work. There are also non-prescription reading glasses that you can typically try out and purchase in high-street shops.

Severe anisometropia

A patient with severe anisometropia is not generally not recommended to wear glasses. Glasses have a magnification effect that can cause a large difference in the image size seen by each eye.

Therefore, wearing glasses with severe anisometropia can prevent exceptional binocular vision. Therefore, those with severe anisometropia are generally advised to wear contact lenses instead, as they ensure optimal vision in both eyes.

Anisometropia treatment: contact lenses

Additionally, there is a range of contact lenses available to treat anisometropia symptoms. Multifocal are available in both gas-permeable and soft lens material, depending on your preference.

Another possibility is monovision contact lenses, where you use a distance vision lens for one eye and a different contact lens for close-up usage in the other. The type a patient chooses depends on the type of anisometropia and the spectacle prescription.

How serious is anisometropia?

The severity of anisometropia varies in adults and children. It is essential to treat anisometropia as soon as it is diagnosed and not ignore it.

If anisometropia is left untreated, the brain can select the better eye that presents a clearer image, thus ignoring the other eye. This can then lead to dependence on the stronger eye over exam time.

Eventually, the weaker eye will progressively worsen, so it’s important to get an appointment with your ophthalmologist before the refractive error becomes acute.

At your appointment, your eye doctor will recommend the best eye treatment going forward.

Does anisometropia get worse?

In some cases, anisometropia can worsen. Anisometropia shows an exponential increase in prevalence with increasing age in life.

Furthermore, if you do not treat your anisometropia, this can worsen the condition.

Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you seek the correct treatment from your eye doctor before the condition can develop or lead to complications.

How to Adjust Glasses

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How to Adjust Glasses

If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll know that not only is it uncomfortable when your glasses don’t fit, but it also affects your quality of vision.

When getting prescription glasses, knowing specific measurements, such as Pupillary Distance (PD) can be essential to find the frames that will fit you the best.

However, with time, parts of your eyewear can often loosen and if you wear glasses regularly, you know how uncomfortable that can be.

Luckily, there are a few ways to adjust them to improve fit for comfort and the better vision.

How to adjust your glasses at home

New glasses, or glasses you wear often, can be misaligned for different reasons. Before bringing them to an optician, there are easy ways you can adjust your glasses yourself and fix the most common issues.

The first thing to consider when learning to adjust glasses is the frame material. Metal frames and plastic frames will need to be handled differently.

For instance, most plastic frame glasses do not have adjustable nose pads. However, nowadays, many plastic frames do have fixed pad bridges for a more comfortable fit.

To tell whether or not it’s necessary to adjust glasses, set the glasses upside down on a flat surface with the sides open, the sides should both be sitting flat on the table and not rock. If they do, they might need some small adjustments.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that adjusting glasses frames depends on the material: metal frames can be bent for a snug fit, but acetate frames need heat to become flexible. Meanwhile, titanium frames are super strong and often require professional tools to adjust properly.

How to adjust glasses if the lenses are different distances from your eyes

Problem: My lenses feel uneven.

Solution

If one lens sits closer to your eye than the other, it likely means your frame is slightly twisted.

While minor adjustments can sometimes be made at home, it’s best to visit an optician to ensure a precise fix without the risk of damaging your glasses.

How do I keep my glasses from sliding down my nose?

Problem: My glasses keep falling down my face

Solution

If the frames are made of metal, the answer can be to adjust the nose pads to raise or lower the lenses and improve the fit.

If you have adjustable nose pads, simply push the nose pads closer together with your fingers until they sit comfortably on your nose without leaving marks. If your nose pads leave marks, push them out to loosen them.

If your frames don’t have nose pads, the problem is likely due to the temple arms. We will cover this next.

How do you adjust glasses around your ears?

Problem: My glasses are too tight around my ears or sliding down.

Solution

If your glasses are too tight around your ears, bend the tips of the temple arms out and up. This might be easier for wire rim frames.

If your glasses don’t bend easily (this is usually the case with acetate or plastic glasses), you can heat them where you intend to bend them. A good way to do this is by placing the temple arm tips in a bowl of warm water for 30 seconds each before bending them.

Make sure the heat source does not touch the lenses, as it can ruin the coatings and cause damage.

How to adjust crooked glasses

Problem: My glasses feel bent

Solution

For lenses at different heights, you’ll need to adjust the glasses’ arms. If the left lens is higher than the right, you’ll want to bend the temple up at the arm’s hinge on the right side. Do the opposite if the right lens is higher than the left one.

How to tighten glasses with a screwdriver

All types of eyeglasses have hinges held together by tiny screws. These screws can come loose and their tightening is one of the most common glasses adjustments.

It’s important to check if the screws are loose regularly to avoid losing them. If they are, you might need to use a screwdriver to adjust them.

Most glasses repair kits include screws and a small screwdriver specifically made for glasses.

With the help of the screwdriver, carefully tighten the screws at the corners of the temples. Tighten them as much as possible, then loosen them half a turn to ensure no strain is put on the sides.

Avoid fixing your glasses yourself if a screw comes out or an arm separates. Instead, get your spectacles adjusted by an optician.

Ask an optician for optimal glasses adjustments

If you’re unsure about adjusting glasses yourself, you can always go to an optician for help.

Some types of eyeglasses, such as rimless and semi-rimless ones, can need more care and experience as they are more fragile than full-rim eyeglass frames. Opticians are also your best option if you need to adjust metal frames, or memory plastic frames.

You may also want to go to a professional to adjust nose pads. Adjusting nose pads can be tricky so unless you have experience doing so, it’s best to entrust it to someone who knows how to avoid common mistakes.

Feel free to contact one of our certified opticians for questions on adjustments, they can advise you on what the best course of action is in your situation. You can also check out our Optical Center, where you can find everything related to eye care and glasses.

Understanding Glasses Measurements

It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online. This useful guide explains the significance of the numbers...

What Is Pupillary Distance?

Pupillary distance is the distance between your pupils. Learn how to measure PD in this article.

How to Buy Glasses Online

Buying glasses online is fast and easy. Follow these simple steps to find your perfect pair of glasses online.

Understanding Glasses Measurements

It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online. This useful guide explains the significance of the numbers...

What Is Pupillary Distance?

Pupillary distance is the distance between your pupils. Learn how to measure PD in this article.

How to Buy Glasses Online

Buying glasses online is fast and easy. Follow these simple steps to find your perfect pair of glasses online.

How a Pair of Glasses Could Help Migraine Headaches

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How a Pair of Glasses Could Help Migraine Headaches

By Hannah Tinning

Reviewed by

Updated On Apr 10, 2023

Migraine and tension headaches are known to cause vision and eye discomfort. Luckily different lenses can help reduce these symptoms.

Migraine headaches cause sensory discomfort, which often affects our vision and eye comfort. It is estimated that almost half of the world’s population suffers from headaches, with 42% suffering from tension headaches and 11% from migraines.

Thanks to improving lens technology, you can relieve migraine symptoms with migraine glasses like transitional lenses, reflective sunglasses, tinted lenses and blue light-blocking glasses.

How do glasses for migraine relief work?

If you’re prone to light sensitivity, migraine glasses can relieve headaches by filtering out certain types of bright lights, like fluorescent lighting, that can trigger migraines or worsen symptoms. These glasses typically have special light sensitivity lenses that can block blue light and other certain wavelengths known to trigger migraines in some people.

By reducing the amount of triggering light levels that reach the eyes, these glasses can help to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine episodes, improving your quality of life.

If you are experiencing headaches, it is essential to research your symptoms to determine what type you have to know which glasses you need to wear for relief. Migraine glasses may not be effective for other types of headaches, such as tension or sinus headaches, which require different treatments.

What is a migraine headache, and how are they caused?

It is believed by researchers that migraine episodes result from abnormal communication between nerves, chemicals and blood vessels in the body and brain. Migraine attacks usually start with an intense throbbing on the side of your head. They can spread all over the head and to the back of the neck as they worsen.

Eye strain is one factor that can bring on migraine attacks. When our eyes are fatigued from prolonged use, such as staring at a computer screen for long periods, the brain can become overstimulated and trigger a migraine.

Eye strain can also cause tension in the muscles around the eyes and neck, contributing to migraines. If you’re experiencing migraines, be sure to speak to your eye doctor to rule out vision problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

While there are no glasses specifically made to combat migraine headaches, different lenses with red tints, blue light blocking filter or photochromatic add-ons can help reduce the frequency and intensity.

What is the difference between tension and migraine headaches?

A tightening feeling around the head is often a sign that you’re suffering from a tension headache; intense throbbing indicates a migraine. Though not always the case, moderate to severe headaches can clearly show signs that you suffer from a migraine rather than a tension headache.

According to the Health Line (Health Line 2023), Scientists believe there is a spectrum of headaches, with tension headaches at one end and migraine at the other. It’s possible to have a mixed tension migraine with characteristics of both a tension headache and a migraine headache.

What are ocular migraines?

Ocular migraines, or retinal migraines, are a rare form of migraine that is characterised by blurry vision or even temporary vision loss in one eye. It is believed that spasms of blood vessels cause this type of chronic migraine in the retina.

While rare, ocular migraines can cause permanent vision damage, so you must see a doctor if you believe you’re experiencing these symptoms. Ocular migraines cannot be treated with glasses alone.

Ocular migraines vs. migraine auras?

While ocular migraines are a type of visual migraine, auras are a symptom of regular, recurring migraines. A migraine “aura” is a sensory disturbance, such as flashes of light, blurry vision or other vision problems before a migraine strikes, and can last anywhere from 5-60 minutes.

While no glasses are developed to treat migraine auras specifically, you can significantly reduce the effects of migraine auras as you would with migraine photophobia, opting for eyewear to protect the eye from certain harmful light rays.

What is photophobia?

While there are many symptoms of migraines, one of the most painful and commonly reported migraine pains is photophobia or extreme light sensitivity. Photophobia is not a condition but a symptom of another underlying complication, such as migraine attacks. It results from the connection between the cells in your eyes that detect light and the nerves that go to your head, making it a common complaint among migraine patients.

What glasses are best for migraines?

When choosing glasses for migraines, looking for lenses that can effectively block harmful light and reduce eye strain is essential. Some of the best migraine glasses include those with FL 41 lenses, which can filter out certain wavelengths of light that are known to trigger migraines. It’s important to note that at Smartbuyglasses, these lenses are not stocked.

Other glasses you can buy at SmartBuyGlasses that may be beneficial for migraines are those with photochromatic, polarised or blue light lenses, which can reduce glare, block certain colours and improve visual clarity. Anti-reflective coatings and red-tinted glasses can also be useful for reducing glare and minimising eye strain.

How can photochromic lenses help with migraine headaches?

Photochromic sunglasses can help with migraine episodes by reducing the amount of light that enters the eyes. Photochromic lenses, also known as transitional lenses, are eyeglass lenses that darken in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. They contain special molecules that react to UV light, causing the lenses to darken when exposed to sunlight or other UV light sources.

A migraine attack can often be triggered by bright light or glare, which can cause discomfort and pain in the eyes. By wearing glasses with photochromic lenses, you can help reduce the amount of light that enters your eyes, which can help reduce migraine frequency and intensity. You can easily turn your prescription glasses into photochromatic glasses to reduce eyestrain as well.

What other migraine sunglasses are there?

Reflective sunglasses are one type of migraine sunglasses that can help prevent migraine triggers by blocking bright light and glare. They are designed with a reflective coating, helping to reflect harmful UV rays and reduce glare. Wearing sunglasses with reflective lenses is also helpful for people with light sensitivity, as they help to reduce the brightness of light that enters the eyes.

Another type of migraine sunglasses that can be beneficial is those with polarised lenses. Polarised lenses have a unique filter that blocks reflected light, reducing glare and improving visual clarity. They are particularly useful for people who suffer from migraines triggered by bright sunlight or glare. They can be combined with other lens features, such as prescription glasses, anti-reflective coatings andUV protection, to enhance their effectiveness and provide maximum eye protection.

Can blue light glasses help with migraines?

Blue light exposure from digital screens has been linked to triggering migraines, so blocking blue light with specialised glasses can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. Additionally, blue light glasses can help reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality, which can be beneficial for migraine sufferers who experience these symptoms.

However, it’s important to note that blue light glasses may not work for everyone and should not be used as the sole management strategy for migraines. Identifying and avoiding other migraine triggers like light sensitivity, fluorescent lighting and harsh light is still crucial. We suggest speaking with your eye doctor or seeking medical treatment if necessary.

Do migraine glasses really work?

While there is no cure for migraines, glasses with specialised lenses can help with light sensitivity and reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes and ease photophobia symptoms. Transitional lenses, reflective sunglasses, tinted lenses, blue light-blocking glasses and polarised lenses are just a few types of prescription lenses and glasses that can benefit migraine sufferers. Speak to one of our online optician to see which lens type will be best for you.

Reference list

Health Line. (2018, September 3). Mixed Tension Migraine. Health Line. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/mixed-tension-migraine

What Are Pinhole Glasses?

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Ask our opticians

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What Are Pinhole Glasses?

Pinhole glasses are designed to reduce the amount of light that enters the eye.

As the name suggests, pinhole glasses, or stenopeic glasses, have tiny holes poked through an opaque sheet of plastic in place of lenses.

They are designed to limit the amount of light that enters the eye. The function of pinhole glasses is quite different to standard glasses or contact lenses.

Whereas contacts or prescription glasses redirect and focus light correctly, pinhole glasses reduce the light that comes in.

While some believe pinhole glasses can help certain vision issues like myopia or astigmatism, it is important to note that pinhole glasses are not designed to correct vision.

They are generally used only in a clinical setting by eye doctors to identify specific vision issues.

How do pinhole glasses work?

Pinhole glasses help shield the eye from indirect rays of light. The tiny pinhole-sized perforations restrict the amount of light that enters your pupils.

Less light eliminates diverging rays and reduces what doctors call the ‘blur circle’ on the back of your retina (the layer in the back of the eye that senses light), giving you extra clarity when wearing the glasses.

When a person wears pinhole glasses, the effect on the wearer is similar to that of squinting.

Since only a narrow beam of light enters the eye, it prevents vision distortion, resulting in a clearer image.

Can pinhole glasses improve eyesight?

The short answer is no. Wearing pinhole glasses is not a solution for improving vision.

Some people claim that pinhole glasses work for treating certain conditions, but there is little scientific evidence to support it.

Pinhole glasses may improve vision while they are being worn, but they are not practical for everyday use, and can even lead to other vision impairments.

As discussed, since pinhole glasses work to block part of your direct vision, they may shrink your visual field, reduce depth perception and limit peripheral vision.

They may also cause images to appear dim or darker than usual. As a result, you cannot wear pinhole glasses while doing certain activities like driving or operating machinery.

If you are experiencing refractive errors, consulting an eye doctor who can monitor and manage your eye health is essential.

Eye doctors may use pinhole glasses as a diagnostic tool, but they will be able to prescribe you a much more suitable and effective method of vision correction.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pinhole glasses have been around for decades and were invented by Franz Heilborn in 1896.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pinhole glasses have been around for decades and were invented by Franz Heilborn in 1896.

Do pinhole glasses reduce eye strain?

There is no evidence that pinhole glasses can decrease eye strain.

Some clinical trials and studies have shown that instead of leading to clearer vision, wearing pinhole glasses while doing certain activities like reading can actually worsen eye strain.

Other ocular problems were reported in the same study, including:

Discomfort
Difficulty focusing
Blurred and double vision
Trouble concentrating

If you are experiencing eye strain from too much time behind a digital screen, try wearing computer glasses or doing eye exercises like the 20/20/20 rule.

Benefits of pinhole glasses

Pinhole glasses are helpful for eye doctors who use them as a diagnostic tool to find the source of certain eye conditions.

They may use pinhole glasses with an instrument called an occluder, which doctors use to cover one eye at a time as you read an eye chart.

If pinhole glasses temporarily reduce any discomfort or allow you to see a more precise or sharper image, that could provide an eye doctor with information about what is causing any vision issues.

If a person is seeing the same with or without pinhole glasses, this could be a sign of amblyopia (lazy eye).

Pinhole glasses can also help determine whether a person may have myopia (nearsightedness). When someone sees more clearly using the glasses, myopia may be the cause.

If their vision gets worse while using the glasses, however, that could mean they have a macular disease or cataracts.

If you suspect you have nearsightedness or other refractive errors, do not test your vision with pinhole glasses yourself.

There are many factors that determine eye health, so it is always best to speak with an eye care professional.

How effective are pinhole glasses?

While some believe pinhole glasses may aid in treating certain vision issues, there is no evidence to support this.

According to the American Optometric Association, almost 30% of Americans live with some form of myopia, so it is no wonder people are eager to try pinhole glasses for vision correction.

Pinhole glasses should be used under the supervision of an eye doctor in clinical settings.

Should your doctor recommend them for temporary use at home, following guidelines issued by them is crucial.

Should I try pinhole glasses?

If you are experiencing vision problems and are looking to improve your sight, it is recommended to speak with an optometrist.

Pinhole glasses have not been proven to improve eyesight permanently.

Prescription eyewear like glasses or contact lenses is still the most effective way to correct vision.

If you have any questions about pinhole glasses or eye health in general, head to our Optical Center to speak with one of our certified opticians today.

Reference list

Kim, W. S., Park, I. K., Park, Y. K., & Chun, Y. S. (2017), Comparison of Objective and Subjective Changes Induced by Multiple-Pinhole Glasses and Single-Pinhole Glasses, Journal of Korean medical science,
https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2017.32.5.850

Facing the myopia epidemic (2021), American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/facing-the-myopia-epidemic

Do Sunglasses Lenses Deteriorate With Time?

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Do Sunglasses Lenses Deteriorate With Time?

Sunglasses lenses may or may not deterioate naturally over time, as their are expert opinions behind each side of the argument. Here is some useful info on making sure you get the protection you need from your shades.

If you’re wondering whether sunglasses lenses deteriorate over time, the answer is (somewhat unhelpfully) yes and no. Expert opinions about this issue are rather mixed in the field of eyewear, so finding a conclusive (and unbiased) answer is difficult to say the least.

Sunglasses lens deterioration: the science

While some researchers have found that the sun’s rays damage sunglasses lenses and that lens replacement is a must, some medical professionals have voiced an opposing view: sunglasses only have to be replaced if the surface is damaged or scratched.

The medical opinion is based on the pretence that scratched lenses offer less UV protection.

We do not endorse either viewpoint (although perhaps we could if we invested in a large-scale science and research department), but we do suggest that you change your sunglasses every two years – just to be on the safe side.

Nowadays, sunglasses are not just a tool to protect our eyes from harmful UV rays. They’re also an important statement piece for us to showcase our unique sense of style.

Most of us have that one pair of fashionable sunglasses or cool shades that just suit our style so well that we have kept them around for years – or even decades! If the researchers are to be believed, it might be time to part with your beloved sunnies, up your fashion game and get yourselves a pair from our selection of tens of thousands.

How to ensure your glasses have UV protection

You might be wondering if your lenses are still up to the task of staving off harmful UV rays, but (more importantly) you should probably check whether your lenses even have this function to begin with.

So, how do you go about finding this out? The answer is pretty easy. Simply check if your sunglasses have a CE mark to find out.

The CE label indicates that these glasses are conforming with the appropriate international standard – i.e. compliance with European regulations – of UV protection and ensures that your eyes will be properly shielded against harmful ultraviolet rays.

So, now that you know how to identify legitimate UV protection in sunglasses, it is up to you to figure out whether you think it’s a good time for a replacement pair of sunglasses.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sunglasses are most likely to lose some of their protective qualities when the lens coatings become scratched.

I’m a UV protection whiz and I’m looking for some new sunglasses. What now?

Congratulations. You’ve got the hardest steps out of the way. Now, it’s time to select a pair of sunglasses – or even glasses – that’s right for you. At SmartBuyGlasses we’re proud to host a whole range of luxury brands, value models, cutting-edge technologies and more.

We stock loads of brands that offer progressive lenses – just select your new prescription on checkout. If you’ve seen a pair you like the look of, but aren’t sure how they’ll look ‘on-face’, why don’t you have a look at…

Virtual Try-On

SmartBuyGlasses’ revolutionary Virtual Try-On tool is an advanced online solution to the problem of not being able to check out a pair of glasses in-hand. It’s simple and free! See what you look like wearing different designer sunglasses or eyeglasses from home in just 2 easy steps.

Step 1: record your selfie video. We’ll walk you through a simple process and show you how to use your desktop or mobile camera to record a quick, five-second selfie video.

Step 2: try on glasses online! Go to the brand page of any glasses you’d like to virtually try on. Then, filter by ‘Virtual Try-On’ in the special features option. You can see yourself wearing any of the glasses that appear! We have over 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses and 6,000 pairs of sunglasses just a few clicks away from appearing on your face!

Given the current pandemic, going to your local opticians’ or eyewear store isn’t so easy at the moment. Virtual Try-On eliminates the stress of making your mind up in person, the time wasted going to and from the store, and the typically high costs of visiting a brick-and-mortar shop. It really is the perfect socially distanced try-before-you-buy!

Arise Collective™ Clarity prescription lenses

SmartBuyGlasses offers groundbreaking durability, pristine clarity and perfect vision – all in the same lenses. Arise Collective™ Clarity prescription lenses are made for the everyday wearer, but also offer advanced protection making them suitable for any adventure.

The Arise Collective™ Clarity lens collection comes packed with protective elements to provide you with an unbeatable pair of prescription glasses. From scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings to UV 400 and superhydrophobic protection, these lenses are guaranteed to keep your eyes comfortable in any situation.

These lenses are also aspheric, making them thinner and lighter than many other prescription lenses. These high-performing, durable lenses feature innovative lens technology that provides optimal clarity and comfort in the urban jungle.

Simply choose any frames you like, enter your prescription and select Arise Collective™ Clarity for your lens type. Let’s get started!

zFORT® blue light blocking glasses

Blue light is a potentially harmful form of light. While it is naturally emitted by the sun, electronic devices (upon which we’re spending more and more time every day) are also high-level producers.

Blue light rays at a wavelength between 415nm – 455nm can damage your retinal cells, which may lead to premature eye ageing and vision problems in the future.

Our exposure to these harmful light rays may also cause a range of other health problems, including poor sleep (according to a 2012 Harvard Medical School study). Find out more about how to protect your eyes from blue light with anti blue light glasses from zFORT®.

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Are titanium glasses right for me?

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What are the types of anisometropia?

1) Simple anisometropia

2) Hyperopic anisometropia

3) Simple astigmatic anisometropia

4) Compound astigmatic anisometropia

5) Mixed astigmatic anisometropia

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Is antimetropia rare?