Current Trends in the Fashion and Design of Eyeglass Frames

While eyewear’s primary function is to provide clear vision to help people see the world, the fashion element of eyeglasses cannot be overlooked. The design and style of a person’s eyeglass frames says a lot about who that person is and how they want the world to see them.

Match Eyewear is a leading international manufacturer of superior quality eyewear. The company has developed popular brands of eyewear collections with style, diversity and craftsmanship.

Here are the current trends in eyeglass frame fashion and design that Match Eyewear is seeing today.

Large Styles

After years of shrinking eyewear, the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other direction.  Though it began in sun wear, the trend is now prevalent in ophthalmic frames. Cosmetically, larger frames display the entire eye area, including the eyebrows, so eyes are naturally emphasized.  Design possibilities are nearly limitless with the additional area large frames provide.  Functionally, wearers find that the fuller field of view that larger frames provide offers much less distraction and obstructed vision.  Examples of this trend are the 4188 from Helium Paris and the 1106 from Adrienne Vittadini.

4188 Helium Paris

1106 Adrienne Vittadini

Being a Geek is Cool!

Geek Chic is a style in eyeglass frames making the scene everywhere including red carpet events and fashion runways, proving all over again that it will always be hip to be square. This is particularly true for ophthalmic frames.  DG13 and DG16 from Danny Gokey Eyewear offer a retro take on the trend with shape, but keep the styling current with modern textures and colors.

DG13 Danny Gokey Eyewear

DG16 Danny Gokey Eyewear

Vivid Colors for Men

Distinct colors are all over the fashion runways for Spring and men’s eyewear is no exception. Many collections this year include splashes of color like the pop of blue on 4141 from Helium Paris.

4141 Helium Paris

Elegant Embellishment

True luxury doesn’t lie merely in the cachet of a brand name.  For eyewear, luxury means creative and innovative design, superior craftsmanship, premium components and exquisite embellishments. Meticulous and elegant details like the intricately sculpted temples and Swarovski crystal accents on 1048 and 1094 from Adrienne Vittadini are perfect examples of the collection’s refined sophistication.  4207 from Helium Paris takes luxury to a new, bold level with a sleek metal logo emblem encased in Swarovski crystals at the temple.

1048 Adrienne Vittadini

1094 Adrienne Vittadini

4207 Helium Paris

To learn more about eyeglass frame designs and fashions that match your personal style and compliment your appearance, please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Shawnee Optical’s team of eye care professionals has been providing customers with a superior level of quality and friendly service for more than 35 years!

Today’s Different Lenses for Eyeglasses and the Flexibility They Offer

Just like computers and cell phones, eyeglass lenses have evolved over time and continue to do so.  As the name implies, eyeglass lenses were once exclusively made out of glass. Now, lenses can be made from glass as well as many different types of specially formulated plastics that are matched to the vision correction needs and the choices of the person who will be wearing the eyeglasses.

Today, eyeglass lenses are thinner and more lightweight than ever. When you factor in the different coatings that can be applied to lenses, they can also be resistant to scratches, dust, smudges and fogging.  Modern-day lens options also offer more flexibility and compatibility when it comes to selecting a pair of frames that provide the appearance and functionality desired.

Here’s an overview of the types of eyeglass lenses offered today:

High Index Plastic Lenses

If you wear thick “coke bottle” lenses, high index plastic lenses may be a welcome alternative. Specifically designed for people who require strong eyeglass prescriptions, these lenses offer a much thinner, lighter and attractive option compared to the traditionally thick lenses. To learn more about high index plastic lenses, please visit the following link:

https://shawneeoptical.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/slim-nice-figure-ideal-weight-and-attractive-whats-being-described-here/

Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate lenses are an impact-resistant type of plastic lens. They are a good choice for people who work or play in environments in which their eyeglass lenses may be easily dropped or scratched.  Polycarbonate lenses also provide ultraviolet protection.

Trivex Lenses

Similar to polycarbonate lenses, Trivex lenses are made from a special type of plastic that is thin, lightweight and impact-resistant.  Trivex lenses provide better vision correction than polycarbonate lenses for some people.

Photochromic Lenses

Photochromic lenses can be made from either plastic or glass. When exposed to sunlight, this type of eyeglass lens changes from clear to tinted eliminating the need for prescription sunglasses.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses are commonly found in sunglasses. These types of lenses reduce glare and the light reflected from water, snow or a flat surface.

Regardless of the type of lens, the purpose remains the same. They all are made to focus light correctly on the retina in order to provide clear vision.

Learn more about the options and features available for eyeglasses from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for eye care and eye wear for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Anti-Reflective Coating: Enhancing How You See the World and How the World Sees You

Anti-reflective coating (also known as anti-glare or AR) is a special treatment for eyeglasses where a very thin coating is applied to both sides of the lenses. Anti-reflective coating enhances both clear vision and the appearance of eyeglasses by eliminating reflections of light from the front and back surfaces of lenses.

Enhancing How You See the World   

Removing reflections from the surface of lenses reduces glare which makes it easier see while driving at night. In addition to reducing glare, AR allows more light to reach the eyes instead of being reflected away. This enhances comfort and visual clarity when using such things as a smart phone, a tablet, a computer or simply reading a book.

Enhancing How the World Sees You

Anti-reflective coating also improves the appearance of eyeglasses. Lenses without AR coating create reflections that   obscure the eyes of a person wearing glasses. Anti-reflective coating enables the lenses in a pair of eyeglasses to appear almost invisible.

Anti-reflective coating can be a great choice that allows a pair of eyeglasses to perform and look their best. Talk to your eye care and eye wear professional about anti-reflective coating for your eyeglasses.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Oxygen Permeability of Silicon Hydrogel Contact Lenses

The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the pupil and the iris.  It is a unique part of the human body in that it does not receive its supply of life-giving oxygen from arteries carrying oxygen-enriched blood. Rather, the cornea receives its supply of oxygen directly from the air.

It’s imperative the cornea receive a sufficient amount of daily oxygen to stay healthy. Equally important is the removal of carbon dioxide from the cornea. Unlike other parts of the body where the bloodstream carries away carbon dioxide waste, the carbon dioxide from the cornea is simply diffused into the air.

A contact lens covering the cornea will inhibit the supply of oxygen the cornea receives. If a conventional contact lens remains in the eye for extended periods of time, it will deprive the cornea of sufficient amounts of oxygen and may lead to problems. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to remove conventional contact lenses from the eyes daily.

Hypoxia

If the oxygen supply to the cornea is significantly reduced by something like a contact lens, it’s a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to a number of eye problems including eye discomfort, blurred vision, red eyes, corneal swelling and eye infections.

Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are an alternative to conventional contact lenses. These types of contact lenses allow increased amounts of oxygen to pass through the lens and reach the cornea. In fact, silicone hydrogel contact lenses allow up to five times more oxygen to reach the cornea than conventional contact lenses. This ability gives a person wearing silicone hydrogel contact lenses with more options in terms of how long lenses can stay in the eyes and they are generally more comfortable.

Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Special Types of Eye Conditions  

The increased oxygen permeability of silicone hydrogel contact lenses also makes them a great fit for contact lens designs for special types of eye conditions including:

• Toric contact lenses for astigmatism.
• Bifocal contact lenses.

 Talk to Your Eye Doctor about Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

If you are a contact lens wearer or would like to utilize contact lenses for your vision correction needs, discuss silicone hydrogel contact lenses with your eye doctor. He or she will be able to tell you if they are a good fit for your lifestyle and your vision.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Slim, Nice Figure, Ideal Weight and Attractive. What’s Being Described Here?

If you answered eyeglass lenses, you are correct!

Hi-index lenses offer people who wear eyeglasses with lens choices that are thin, light and attractive.

For people who have strong prescriptions for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, hi-index lenses are a great way to avoid lenses that are thick, heavy and distort the natural appearance of your eyes.

The lenses in a pair of eyeglasses correct vision by bending or refracting light as it passes through each lens.  With conventional plastic and glass lenses, the more light that needs bent, the thicker the lenses must be.

Hi-index lenses are different.  Here’s how they work and the benefits they offer:

Increased Light Bending Abilities

Hi-index lenses are made of a special material that is able to bend or refract light much more efficiently than conventional lenses.  This means less lens material needs to be used to bend the appropriate amount of light that corrects vision.

Thin Construction

Due to the increased ability to bend light, hi-index lenses are much thinner than conventional plastic and glass lenses. Therefore, the profiles of eyeglasses are not dominated by thick lenses when hi-index lenses are used.

Comfortable Wear

Because less material is used with hi-index lenses, they do not weigh as much as conventional lenses. This makes them light weight and comfortable to wear.

Attractive

The fashions of today’s most popular frames have either very thin rims or no rims at all (rimless frames). The thickness of the lens becomes very important with these styles of eyeglass frames.  When lenses are too thick, the balance between the frames and lenses becomes disproportionate, resulting in a pair of eyeglasses that are not as cosmetically appealing as they could be with hi-index lenses.

Ask Your Eye Doctor About Hi-Index Lenses

Discuss hi-index lenses with your eye doctor to see if they are an option for you and your vision correction needs.  They may provide you with the function, comfort and appearance you desire in a pair of eyeglasses.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Three Main Types of Retinal Detachment

The retina is a thin, light-sensitive membrane covering the rear of the eye. It’s the part of the eye where images are focused by the cornea and lens. The images displayed on the retina are transmitted to the visual centers of the brain by the optic nerve. In fact, the retina is technically part of the body’s central nervous system and is considered brain tissue.

Approximately 95% of the retina is responsible for side vision or peripheral vision. The remaining 5% located in the very center of the retina is known as the macula and allows for central vision.

If the retina becomes damaged or separates from the back wall of the eye, it’s a condition known as retinal detachment.  When a retinal detachment occurs, it’s a serious condition that needs attention. A retinal detachment causes the retina to separate from its blood and nutritional supply which could lead to loss of peripheral vision, central vision or both.

There are three (3) main types of retinal detachment:

Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD)

This is the most common type of retinal detachment. The term rhegmatogenous means “arising from a rupture or a fracture”.  Rhegmatogeous retinal detachment occurs when there is a hole or a tear in the retina. The break in the retina allows the gel-like substance from the vitreous cavity of the eye to seep through the opening causing the retina to detach from the eye wall.

Tractional Retinal Detachment (TRD)

A tractional retinal detachment is a retinal detachment caused by the gel like substance within the vitreous cavity of the eye pulling on the retina which eventually causes the retina to detach from the rear eye wall.

Exudative Retinal Detachment (ERD)

An exudative retinal detachment occurs as a result of a leak under the retina which allows the gel-like vitreous substance to enter behind the retina. These types of leaks are typically caused by inflammation.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Flashing lights and eye floaters are common early symptoms associated with a retinal tear or retinal detachment.  If a dark shadow or dark curtain obscures a portion of vision, this is also an indicator of retinal detachment.  Anyone who experiences these symptoms should schedule an exam with their eye doctor immediately.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Eye Floaters

Eye floater is a term used to describe the tiny black or gray shapes that appear in your field of vision. Floaters can be especially noticeable when you are looking at something bright like a clear blue sky or a whiteboard.

For the most part, eye floaters are perfectly normal. However, floaters can also be a symptom of a serious eye condition. It’s important to understand what floaters are, how they are caused and when you need to discuss the floaters you are seeing with your eye doctor.

What are Eye Floaters

A large part of the eye is filled with a clear jelly-like substance called vitreous humor. Dispersed throughout the vitreous humor are millions of microscopic protein fibers called collagen.

As we age, the consistency of the vitreous humor becomes more liquefied which allows the tiny collagen fibers to stick together creating small debris particles. These tiny particles block light entering the eye and cast a shadow on the retina causing you to see an eye floater.

Floaters will appear in many sizes and shapes including:

• Dots
• Rings
• Thread-like strands
• Squiggly lines
• Cobwebs

When you see a floater and try to focus on it, the floater will generally move away rapidly.

 When Floaters Are a Sign of Serious Eye Conditions

During regularly scheduled eye exams, you should discuss any eye floaters you may be seeing with your eye care professional. It’s a topic that he or she wants to know about.

Sometimes, eye floaters can be a sign of serious eye conditions such as:

• Retinal tear
• Retinal detachment
• Internal bleeding of the eye

If the frequency of eye floaters appears to increase suddenly or if eye floaters are accompanied by flashes of light, you should contact your eye doctor immediately.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Eye Color

Songs are written about it:

“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”

“Brown-Eyed Girl”

“Behind These Hazel Eyes”

It is used to describe people:

“A pretty girl with blonde hair and blue eyes”

“A charming man with deep brown eyes”

Eye color captures our attention and our interest.  So what determines the color of your eyes?

Iris

Eye color is produced by the amount of pigment contained in the iris. The iris is the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. The iris controls the size of the pupil which regulates the amount of light that is allowed to enter the eye.

As the size of the pupils change with different lighting conditions, the pigment within the iris can spread apart and contract causing variations in eye color. Pupil sizes can also change with emotions causing different eye colors when your mood changes.

Genetics

The amount of pigment in the iris and the pattern of the pigment is a product of genetics.  The DNA received from your parents was the determining factor in how much pigment is contained in the iris part of your eye and therefore, your eye color.

We all have 46 chromosomes located in the cells of our bodies which are grouped into 23 pairs. A child inherits one chromosome from each of the parents’ 23 different pairs. Once the child’s chromosomes are established, they are the blueprints for all his or her physical characteristics, including eye color.

If you are expecting a baby and would like to know what eye color your child may have, there are a variety of easy to use websites that will help you make a prediction. For example, The Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Genetics has a website with an Eye Color Calculator. This site can be visited via the following link:  www.thetech.org

Changes in Eye Color

A new-born infant’s eye color can change significantly during the first 6-9 months of life and slight changes in eye color throughout one’s life are a normal part of the aging process, as the pigment contained with the iris changes. However, if you experience a dramatic change in eye color, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem. You should contact your eye doctor for an exam.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com.

Color Blindness Considerations for the Classroom and the Workplace

When someone is color blind, they do not have the ability to see colors normally.  Color blindness (a.k.a. color vision deficiency) is the inability or the reduced ability to see and distinguish all the different colors of the spectrum.

In today’s technology-driven and color-enhanced world, color blindness can create challenges with everyday life. Here’s an overview of this eye condition and things to consider for students in the classroom and employees in the workplace:

Cause of Color Blindness 

Color blindness does not cause a loss of vision. The term simply refers to an issue with a person’s capacity to completely see and distinguish colors. The most common cause of color blindness is the development of retinal cones.

The retina is comprised of two types of very sensitive light receptors called rods and cones. Rods and cones filter and process elements of light that get transmitted to the optic nerve. Cones provide the ability to see and distinguish color.

There are different types of retinal cones that determine what specific colors will be seen. If one of these types of cones are missing or do not function properly, a person will have trouble seeing certain colors.

Most color blindness is genetically related and is far more common in males than females. In fact, about 1 in 10 males have some type of color blindness.

Color blindness can also be caused by damage to the eye, the optic nerve or certain parts of the brain.

What People with Color Blindness See

In order to understand the impact of color blindness on a person’s everyday life, it’s important to know what they see compared to a person with no vision deficiency problems. Here are examples when viewing the same set of colors:

Normal Vision (No color blindness)

Color Blindness –                Deuteranopia (A)

Color Blindness –
Protanopia (B)

Color Blindness –
Tritanopia (C)

Complete Color Blindness – Monochromacy (D)

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A) Deuteranopia – This is a type of red-green color blindness. While seeing red and green colors are the main problem, there are also other colors that cannot be distinguished well such as gray, purple and blue-green.

(B) Protanopia – This is also a type of red-green color blindness where there are difficulties distinguishing primarily between blue and green colors and also between red and green colors.

(C) Tritanopia – This is a type of blue-yellow color blindness and is far less common that red-green color blindness.

(D)Monochromacy – This is a rare form of color blindness where no color is seen.  

Color Blindness Considerations for Students in the Classroom

The days of teachers using blackboards and chalk are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Today, teachers use whiteboards and PowerPoint presentations full of color.

While these tools may enhance the learning process for the majority of students, they can cause challenges and frustrations for students with color blindness.

It’s important to know if a student is color blind so teachers can be informed and make appropriate adjustments in the classroom.

Color Blindness Considerations for Employees at the Workplace

Problems seeing color can also impact an employee’s ability to perform on the job.

From charts and graphs to what cable gets plugged into what port on your computer,  colors can make it easier for most employees to do their job, but when an employee is color blind, it can create difficulties with performance.

Just like in the classroom, awareness of color blindness is essential in the workplace.  For instance, there are special types of software available to help transform computer screen displays into colors that are distinguishable for employees with color blindness.

Importance of Eye Exams

Testing for color blindness is an important part of regularly schedule eye exams. Detecting color blindness as early as possible provides the information necessary to make necessary adjustments in the classroom, the workplace and every other aspect of everyday life.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com. While on the website, notice the special eyeglass frames offered just for children. Shawnee Optical’s KidSpecs program provides kids of all ages with hundreds of frames choices. After all, kids want to look good too!

Can Your Student See the Blackboard – or Rather, Whiteboard at School?

Remember when teachers used to write with chalk on blackboards? Today, those blackboards, chalk and erasers have been largely replaced with whiteboards, markers and Power Point presentations.

The question parents and teachers ask their students still remains just about the same:

“Are you having any trouble seeing the blackboard whiteboard at school?”

Parents and teachers know vision plays a vital role in a student’s ability to learn.  In today’s technology driven world, a student’s reliance on clear vision for learning is greater than ever. Research studies show a direct link between vision and a student’s performance in the classroom.

More Information Learned Visually

Various research studies conducted in educational theory show that visual learning is among the very best methods for teaching students of all ages how to learn.

According to the research, students remember information at a much higher rate when that information is presented visually.

Visual Clarity Improves Learning 

Studies also show that visual clarity of the information being studied greatly impacts the ease at which it is learned and the attitude of the student.  Students have a positive approach to the information if they can see it clearly and easily. This has huge implications on learning. A student’s feelings and perceptions about learning determine the student’s level of motivation, comprehension and retention. Crisp and clear vision is critical for optimal academic performance. If a student has a vision problem, they are likely to be frustrated with school and develop a poor attitude towards their education.

Color Vision for Whiteboards and Computer Screens

The increasing use of whiteboards and Power Point presentations in the classroom allow teachers to use a wide variety of colors in their teaching. If a student has an issue with their color vision (color blindness), they may not be able to see or distinguish important parts of the teacher’s presentation. This can have a significant impact on understanding a teaching lesson and learning. Boys are more likely to have issues with color vision than girls.

Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Academic performance is yet another reason why attending regular scheduled eye exams are so important. Talk to your eye doctor about your child’s academic performance and whether they are having trouble seeing the information presented to them in the classroom. It can be surprising how well a student’s grades improve when vision problems are corrected.

Learn more about quality eye care and eye wear from a company and a team of eye care professionals who have been providing a superior level of service for more than 35 years. Please visit www.shawneeoptical.com. While on the website, notice the special eyeglass frames offered just for children. Shawnee Optical’s KidSpecs program provides kids of all ages with hundreds of frames choices. After all, kids want to look good too!