How to Find Out Your Prescription

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How to Read Your Prescription

If you’re wondering how to read your prescription, we’re here to help. You may be entirely new to wearing prescription glasses, or you’ve just received an up-to-date prescription and want to understand what it means. Understanding your glasses prescription is helpful if you want to know the severity of your visual impairment or want to shop online for your prescription glasses. Read on to discover the ins and outs of your vision.

 

How to read your eye prescription

Your prescription can be either digital or on paper, and it will probably look something like the example above. As you can see, these many abbreviations and optical terms can be intimidating. If you’re wondering what OD and OS mean and all the other words on the chart, see the list of abbreviations below. 

 

Eye prescription chart abbreviations

You might need a different prescription for each eye, so the eye prescription chart has a section for both. Note that some prescription charts might only have two different sections with no titles.

LE, L or OS: This indicates your left eye.

RE, R or OD: This indicates your right eye. 

SPH (sphere): The sphere indicates the correction needed for shortsighted or longsighted, which is spherical because it’s the same across the eye’s surface. Being longsighted is also known as hyperopia, or hypermetropia, which occurs when you struggle to see things up close while you see far away objects more clearly (even if still not crystal clear). If you are longsighted, the strength of the lenses will be marked with a plus sign in the sphere section. On the other hand, shortsighted, also known as myopia, is when you struggle to see far away. If you are nearsighted, your sphere eye prescription will be marked with a minus sign. The more difficulty you have seeing objects up close, the higher your measurement will be. On the contrary, the more you struggle to see far-away objects, the lower the measurement on your SPH section will be.

CYL (cylinder): CYL in your eye prescription indicates the amount of lens power you need to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is when an irregular curve in your eye’s lens or cornea can blur near and far objects. If your CYL section is blank, you have no astigmatism.

Axis: If your prescription includes cylinder power, it must also have an axis on your eye prescription. The axis indicates the angle between an astigmatic eye’s two sections, ranging from 1 to 180. If you have an axis on your prescription card, you have astigmatism.

Prism: This section indicates the need to add a prism to the lenses to bend light differently than regular ones. Prism is prescribed to correct double vision, which happens when the eyes don’t work together. Most prescriptions do not contain prism details. When they do, the optician will include the direction for the position of the prism “base.” Abbreviations are used for prism direction: BU = base up; BD = base down; BI = base in (toward the wearer’s nose); BO = base out (toward the wearer’s ear). It is possible to have both horizontal (BI or BO) and vertical (BU or BD) prism. 

ADD (addition): Usually located on the far right side of your eye prescription, ADD stands for addition. It indicates the additional correction you may require for reading, which is used in bifocal glasses, reading glasses, or varifocal glasses. 

PD (pupillary distance): Knowing your pupillary distance (PD) is essential when ordering prescription glasses online. The PD is the distance between the centre of one pupil to the centre of the other pupil, measured in millimetres. When you buy glasses online, you should enter your PD to ensure your prescription sits precisely where your eyes need it. The pupillary distance on your prescription is often located at the bottom of the prescription card. If there is no PD on your prescription, you can use our Virtual PD tool to get it in minutes.

 

How bad is my eye prescription?

If you think your eye prescription is bad, it might be that you just saw too many numbers and terms on your eye prescription chart, and you’re now worried about it. You need to know that there is no bad or good eye prescription. It may just be that your prescription is stronger than usual. For example, a refractive correction for nearsightedness of -5 diopters or more is often considered “high myopia,” whereas a prescription of +5.25 or more might be classified as “high hyperopia.” Whether your eye prescription is higher or lower, all you need are a pair of stylish glasses that fit your face shape!

 

How often does eye prescription change?

Your eye prescription will probably change over time. This depends on your vision’s conditions and needs. Some people’s glasses prescription changes every two years. For others, it might take longer, like three or five years, or even more. The eyes grow older just like every other part of our body, so it’s only normal that, in time, our vision may need a little help. For instance, you can expect to develop presbyopia as you get older (it typically happens to most people in their thirties or forties). To help correct this, you can get a pair of reading glasses or incorporate new progressive lenses into your regular frames.

You might also be wondering how long is an eye prescription good for. Eye prescriptions often expire in two years. Your optometrist should include the date of issue and expiration on your prescription. We recommend always checking your country’s laws regarding eye prescriptions and contacting your optician for regular check-ups.

 

Buying prescription glasses online

Now that you understand how to read your prescription, it’s time to shop for a new pair of glasses! At SmartBuyGlasses, you can browse thousands of designer brands at affordable prices and even use our Virtual Try-On tool to try your frames virtually before buying. Once you have selected your favourite pair, you can attach a photograph of your prescription or enter the details manually. Shopping for glasses online has never been easier at SmartBuyGlasses, where you can consult an online optician about eye care anytime.

Ask the Optician

ASK NOW

How to Read Your Prescription

If you’re wondering how to read your prescription, we’re here to help. You may be entirely new to wearing prescription glasses, or you’ve just received an up-to-date prescription and want to understand what it means. Understanding your glasses prescription is helpful if you want to know the severity of your visual impairment or want to shop online for your prescription glasses. Read on to discover the ins and outs of your vision.

 

How to read your eye prescription

Your prescription can be either digital or on paper, and it will probably look something like the example above. As you can see, these many abbreviations and optical terms can be intimidating. If you’re wondering what OD and OS mean and all the other words on the chart, see the list of abbreviations below. 

 

Eye prescription chart abbreviations

You might need a different prescription for each eye, so the eye prescription chart has a section for both. Note that some prescription charts might only have two different sections with no titles.

LE, L or OS: This indicates your left eye.

RE, R or OD: This indicates your right eye. 

SPH (sphere): The sphere indicates the correction needed for shortsighted or longsighted, which is spherical because it’s the same across the eye’s surface. Being longsighted is also known as hyperopia, or hypermetropia, which occurs when you struggle to see things up close while you see far away objects more clearly (even if still not crystal clear). If you are longsighted, the strength of the lenses will be marked with a plus sign in the sphere section. On the other hand, shortsighted, also known as myopia, is when you struggle to see far away. If you are nearsighted, your sphere eye prescription will be marked with a minus sign. The more difficulty you have seeing objects up close, the higher your measurement will be. On the contrary, the more you struggle to see far-away objects, the lower the measurement on your SPH section will be.

CYL (cylinder): CYL in your eye prescription indicates the amount of lens power you need to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is when an irregular curve in your eye’s lens or cornea can blur near and far objects. If your CYL section is blank, you have no astigmatism.

Axis: If your prescription includes cylinder power, it must also have an axis on your eye prescription. The axis indicates the angle between an astigmatic eye’s two sections, ranging from 1 to 180. If you have an axis on your prescription card, you have astigmatism.

Prism: This section indicates the need to add a prism to the lenses to bend light differently than regular ones. Prism is prescribed to correct double vision, which happens when the eyes don’t work together. Most prescriptions do not contain prism details. When they do, the optician will include the direction for the position of the prism “base.” Abbreviations are used for prism direction: BU = base up; BD = base down; BI = base in (toward the wearer’s nose); BO = base out (toward the wearer’s ear). It is possible to have both horizontal (BI or BO) and vertical (BU or BD) prism. 

ADD (addition): Usually located on the far right side of your eye prescription, ADD stands for addition. It indicates the additional correction you may require for reading, which is used in bifocal glasses, reading glasses, or varifocal glasses. 

PD (pupillary distance): Knowing your pupillary distance (PD) is essential when ordering prescription glasses online. The PD is the distance between the centre of one pupil to the centre of the other pupil, measured in millimetres. When you buy glasses online, you should enter your PD to ensure your prescription sits precisely where your eyes need it. The pupillary distance on your prescription is often located at the bottom of the prescription card. If there is no PD on your prescription, you can use our Virtual PD tool to get it in minutes.

 

How bad is my eye prescription?

If you think your eye prescription is bad, it might be that you just saw too many numbers and terms on your eye prescription chart, and you’re now worried about it. You need to know that there is no bad or good eye prescription. It may just be that your prescription is stronger than usual. For example, a refractive correction for nearsightedness of -5 diopters or more is often considered “high myopia,” whereas a prescription of +5.25 or more might be classified as “high hyperopia.” Whether your eye prescription is higher or lower, all you need are a pair of stylish glasses that fit your face shape!

 

How often does eye prescription change?

Your eye prescription will probably change over time. This depends on your vision’s conditions and needs. Some people’s glasses prescription changes every two years. For others, it might take longer, like three or five years, or even more. The eyes grow older just like every other part of our body, so it’s only normal that, in time, our vision may need a little help. For instance, you can expect to develop presbyopia as you get older (it typically happens to most people in their thirties or forties). To help correct this, you can get a pair of reading glasses or incorporate new progressive lenses into your regular frames.

You might also be wondering how long is an eye prescription good for. Eye prescriptions often expire in two years. Your optometrist should include the date of issue and expiration on your prescription. We recommend always checking your country’s laws regarding eye prescriptions and contacting your optician for regular check-ups.

 

Buying prescription glasses online

Now that you understand how to read your prescription, it’s time to shop for a new pair of glasses! At SmartBuyGlasses, you can browse thousands of designer brands at affordable prices and even use our Virtual Try-On tool to try your frames virtually before buying. Once you have selected your favourite pair, you can attach a photograph of your prescription or enter the details manually. Shopping for glasses online has never been easier at SmartBuyGlasses, where you can consult an online optician about eye care anytime.

When were sunglasses invented?

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When were sunglasses invented?

The first real pair of sunglasses was produced in 1929 by Sam Foster.

Although, first records of sunglasses were way before this…

In prehistoric time, Inuit peoples wore flattened walrus ivory “glasses”, looking through narrow slits to block harmful reflected rays of the Sun.

It is also said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights using cut emeralds. These, however, appear to have worked rather like mirrors.

Sunglasses made from flat panes of smoky quartz, which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare, were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier.

James Ayscough began experimenting with tinted lenses in spectacles in the mid-18th century, around 1752. These were not “sunglasses” as that term is now used; Ayscough believed that blue or green tinted glass could correct specific vision impairments. Protection from the Sun’s rays was not a concern for him. One of the earliest surviving depictions of a person wearing sunglasses is of the scientist Antoine Lavoisier in 1772.

If you’re looking for some sunnies, look no further: check out our wide range of designer eyewear at SmartBuyGlasses.

Ask the Optician

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When were sunglasses invented?

The first real pair of sunglasses was produced in 1929 by Sam Foster.

Although, first records of sunglasses were way before this…

In prehistoric time, Inuit peoples wore flattened walrus ivory “glasses”, looking through narrow slits to block harmful reflected rays of the Sun.

It is also said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights using cut emeralds. These, however, appear to have worked rather like mirrors.

Sunglasses made from flat panes of smoky quartz, which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare, were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier.

James Ayscough began experimenting with tinted lenses in spectacles in the mid-18th century, around 1752. These were not “sunglasses” as that term is now used; Ayscough believed that blue or green tinted glass could correct specific vision impairments. Protection from the Sun’s rays was not a concern for him. One of the earliest surviving depictions of a person wearing sunglasses is of the scientist Antoine Lavoisier in 1772.

If you’re looking for some sunnies, look no further: check out our wide range of designer eyewear at SmartBuyGlasses.

What Are the Differences Between Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist vs. Optician?

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What Are the Differences Between Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist vs. Optician?

Eye-health is important and choosing the right eye doctor plays an important role in maintaining your eye health. There are two main types of eye doctors: optometrists and ophthalmologists. If you are confused about the role of each one and what they can do to help, here is our guide explaining the key differences between them.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical eye doctor (an eye MD). Compared to optometrists and opticians, ophthalmologists have the highest level of training and are highly skilled in what they can diagnose and treat. They can be specialized in a specific area, meaning they have more in-depth training and knowledge in order to cure more complex and specific conditions.

They provide the following services:

• Vision services: perform eye exams, prescribe and fit eyeglasses to correct vision problems

• Diagnose and prescribe medications to treat eye diseases such as glaucoma, iritis and chemical burns

• Perform eye surgeries for trauma, cataracts, glaucoma, etc.

• Plastic surgery

What is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is an eye doctor who gives vision care and routine eye care services. As they are licensed to practice optometry, their primary responsibility is to provide vision care services such as eye exams and vision tests as well as to detect and prescribe medications for certain eye diseases. Optometrists are not trained or licensed to perform surgical procedures to treat eye diseases.

They provide the following services:

• Vision care services: eye exams, vision tests and routine eye care

• Prescribing and fitting prescription eyeglasses as well as prescription contact lenses and other visual aids to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism

• Examine the eyes for problems and provide medical treatments

• Provide post-surgical eye care and vision therapy

​

What is an Optician?

An optician is not an eye doctor so they cannot perform eye exams. An optician is a  customer care representative in a vision care store or in an optometrist’s office. They are trained to design, verify and fit the frames and lenses of eyeglasses as well as contact lenses to correct vision problems. They are not permitted to diagnose eye conditions, give medications or perform surgeries to treat eye diseases.

They provide the following services:

• Fit and sell eyeglasses or contact lenses based on the prescription written by the optometrist/ophthalmologist

• Provide, adjust and repair glasses, frames and contact lenses

• Provide information related to types of lenses and frames to help you decide which works best for you

How to Choose an Eye Doctor?

The type of eye doctor you choose is largely based on your eye condition.

If your eyes are healthy and you do not need any prescription medications or surgical treatment, you can go to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist as they can perform routine eye checks.

If you have common eye problems such as dry eyes or eye infections, you can seek out medical treatment from an optometrist.

If your eye problems are more severe such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts, you need a highly trained and skilled eye specialist as they have the ability to monitor and treat your condition. In this case, an ophthalmologist is your ideal choice. The ophthalmologist may be required to perform surgery if needed to improve your eye condition.

Last but not least, referrals are often a good idea when you are choosing an eye doctor. You can look for recommendations from friends and family as it can help you to find a competent eye specialist who you trust.

Ask the Optician

ASK NOW

What Are the Differences Between Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist vs. Optician?

Eye-health is important and choosing the right eye doctor plays an important role in maintaining your eye health. There are two main types of eye doctors: optometrists and ophthalmologists. If you are confused about the role of each one and what they can do to help, here is our guide explaining the key differences between them.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical eye doctor (an eye MD). Compared to optometrists and opticians, ophthalmologists have the highest level of training and are highly skilled in what they can diagnose and treat. They can be specialized in a specific area, meaning they have more in-depth training and knowledge in order to cure more complex and specific conditions.

They provide the following services:

• Vision services: perform eye exams, prescribe and fit eyeglasses to correct vision problems

• Diagnose and prescribe medications to treat eye diseases such as glaucoma, iritis and chemical burns

• Perform eye surgeries for trauma, cataracts, glaucoma, etc.

• Plastic surgery

What is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is an eye doctor who gives vision care and routine eye care services. As they are licensed to practice optometry, their primary responsibility is to provide vision care services such as eye exams and vision tests as well as to detect and prescribe medications for certain eye diseases. Optometrists are not trained or licensed to perform surgical procedures to treat eye diseases.

They provide the following services:

• Vision care services: eye exams, vision tests and routine eye care

• Prescribing and fitting prescription eyeglasses as well as prescription contact lenses and other visual aids to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism

• Examine the eyes for problems and provide medical treatments

• Provide post-surgical eye care and vision therapy

​

What is an Optician?

An optician is not an eye doctor so they cannot perform eye exams. An optician is a  customer care representative in a vision care store or in an optometrist’s office. They are trained to design, verify and fit the frames and lenses of eyeglasses as well as contact lenses to correct vision problems. They are not permitted to diagnose eye conditions, give medications or perform surgeries to treat eye diseases.

They provide the following services:

• Fit and sell eyeglasses or contact lenses based on the prescription written by the optometrist/ophthalmologist

• Provide, adjust and repair glasses, frames and contact lenses

• Provide information related to types of lenses and frames to help you decide which works best for you

How to Choose an Eye Doctor?

The type of eye doctor you choose is largely based on your eye condition.

If your eyes are healthy and you do not need any prescription medications or surgical treatment, you can go to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist as they can perform routine eye checks.

If you have common eye problems such as dry eyes or eye infections, you can seek out medical treatment from an optometrist.

If your eye problems are more severe such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts, you need a highly trained and skilled eye specialist as they have the ability to monitor and treat your condition. In this case, an ophthalmologist is your ideal choice. The ophthalmologist may be required to perform surgery if needed to improve your eye condition.

Last but not least, referrals are often a good idea when you are choosing an eye doctor. You can look for recommendations from friends and family as it can help you to find a competent eye specialist who you trust.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition which usually happens to people in their 50’s and 60’s. Age-related macular degeneration causes deterioration of the central area of the retina of the eyes. This area is known as the macula and it controls our visual acuity, ensuring our ability to read, see, drive and perform other visual tasks. Macular degeneration doesn’t cause complete blindness, but it can significantly reduce our ability to see and perform daily tasks which require us to see fine details.

Dry Macular Degeneration & Wet Macular Degeneration

How long does it take to lose your vision with macular degeneration? It depends on the type of AMD you have. There are 2 types of AMD: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. You can gradually lose your vision over several years with dry AMD whereas with wet AMD, you can lose it very quickly in a matter of weeks or even days.

• Dry macular degeneration is caused by an accumulation of a fatty substance known as drusen at the back of the eye around the macula area. Dry AMD is the early stage of the disease. Even though the visual loss is not as significant as that caused by wet AMD, dry AMD can get gradually worse over several years and can eventually become severe.

• Wet macular degeneration is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels at the back of the eye. These vessels can leak blood and fluid into the macula. This damages the light-sensitive retinal cells, creating a central blind spot. In contrast to dry AMD, wet AMD can get worse much more quickly, sometimes in days or weeks. Wet AMD is a less common type of AMD and it can severely affect a person’s vision.

Age-related Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Age-related macular degeneration is usually a slow and painless process of losing vision. It does not create any change in the appearance of the eye. Early signs of vision loss from AMD include a blurred and distorted area in your vision.  Patients usually struggle to see the middle area of their field of vision.

People suffering from AMD usually see straight lines as being wavy or crooked, things look smaller than normal, colours seem less bright and they see things that aren’t there.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

The exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown however, research has shown that a combination of different factors may increase your risk of suffering from age-related macular degeneration.

• Ageing: All parts of the body change as we age so it is normal that your risk of AMD significantly increases when you turn 40. This is the most common reason why you could get AMD.

• Smoking: If you smoke, you are more likely to develop AMD as smoking kills the cells of the retina, reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the eye and damages blood vessels.

• High blood pressure: This can be another cause of macular degeneration.

• Obesity: Obesity doubles the risk of developing macular degeneration.

• Family history and genetics: Macular degeneration is more likely to be inherited from family members who suffer with the same disease.

• Sedentary lifestyle: Research has shown that people who are more active reduce their risk of developing advanced AMD compared to those who are inactive.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments

• Dry AMD: No treatment

• Wet AMD: This can be treated with regular eye injections or photodynamic therapy.

How to Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

AMD is usually linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. The following may help to reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration:

• Stop smoking: Smoking increases the risk of AMD and makes it progress faster.

• Eat a healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to provide your body with good nutrition and reduce the risk of AMD. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are thought to be important for eye health.

• Exercise regularly: Exercise to help maintain a healthy weight and normal blood pressure.

• Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and HEV radiation.

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What Is Macular Degeneration?

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition which usually happens to people in their 50’s and 60’s. Age-related macular degeneration causes deterioration of the central area of the retina of the eyes. This area is known as the macula and it controls our visual acuity, ensuring our ability to read, see, drive and perform other visual tasks. Macular degeneration doesn’t cause complete blindness, but it can significantly reduce our ability to see and perform daily tasks which require us to see fine details.

Dry Macular Degeneration & Wet Macular Degeneration

How long does it take to lose your vision with macular degeneration? It depends on the type of AMD you have. There are 2 types of AMD: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. You can gradually lose your vision over several years with dry AMD whereas with wet AMD, you can lose it very quickly in a matter of weeks or even days.

• Dry macular degeneration is caused by an accumulation of a fatty substance known as drusen at the back of the eye around the macula area. Dry AMD is the early stage of the disease. Even though the visual loss is not as significant as that caused by wet AMD, dry AMD can get gradually worse over several years and can eventually become severe.

• Wet macular degeneration is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels at the back of the eye. These vessels can leak blood and fluid into the macula. This damages the light-sensitive retinal cells, creating a central blind spot. In contrast to dry AMD, wet AMD can get worse much more quickly, sometimes in days or weeks. Wet AMD is a less common type of AMD and it can severely affect a person’s vision.

Age-related Macular Degeneration Symptoms

Age-related macular degeneration is usually a slow and painless process of losing vision. It does not create any change in the appearance of the eye. Early signs of vision loss from AMD include a blurred and distorted area in your vision.  Patients usually struggle to see the middle area of their field of vision.

People suffering from AMD usually see straight lines as being wavy or crooked, things look smaller than normal, colours seem less bright and they see things that aren’t there.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

The exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown however, research has shown that a combination of different factors may increase your risk of suffering from age-related macular degeneration.

• Ageing: All parts of the body change as we age so it is normal that your risk of AMD significantly increases when you turn 40. This is the most common reason why you could get AMD.

• Smoking: If you smoke, you are more likely to develop AMD as smoking kills the cells of the retina, reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the eye and damages blood vessels.

• High blood pressure: This can be another cause of macular degeneration.

• Obesity: Obesity doubles the risk of developing macular degeneration.

• Family history and genetics: Macular degeneration is more likely to be inherited from family members who suffer with the same disease.

• Sedentary lifestyle: Research has shown that people who are more active reduce their risk of developing advanced AMD compared to those who are inactive.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments

• Dry AMD: No treatment

• Wet AMD: This can be treated with regular eye injections or photodynamic therapy.

How to Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

AMD is usually linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. The following may help to reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration:

• Stop smoking: Smoking increases the risk of AMD and makes it progress faster.

• Eat a healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to provide your body with good nutrition and reduce the risk of AMD. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are thought to be important for eye health.

• Exercise regularly: Exercise to help maintain a healthy weight and normal blood pressure.

• Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and HEV radiation.

Eye Exercises to Improve Vision

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Eye Exercises to Improve Vision

One effective way to decrease your chance of vision impairment with age is to exercise your eye muscles. Weak eye muscles could lead to poor vision later in life and that’s why incorporating eye exercises could be an easy way for you to keep your eye muscles strong and healthy. When your eye muscles are strong, you increase your chance of good vision. By doing eye exercises you also decrease the risk of visual impairments as you and your eyes age.

What is Vision Therapy?

While vision therapy can include eye exercises, as a whole, it is a physical therapy treatment for your eyes put in place by eyecare specialists. Vision therapy can be used to strengthen the eye muscles or deal with certain visual impairments. If your optometrist does not recommend vision therapy, there are still fast and simple eye exercises that you can implement yourself into your daily routine in order to improve your eye health.

What Eye Exercises are Good for Eye Strain?

Activities such as excessive screen time or other tasks that require you to focus your eyes on an object for a long period of time can lead to eye strain. Eye strain happens in the muscle of the eye. By producing healthier eye muscles you could avoid the risk of eye strain in the future. One such eye exercise is so obvious that it might surprise you: blinking. Blinking is one of the most important eye exercises to improve vision because it prevents you from getting dry eye, allowing your eye muscles to focus for longer periods of time.

Blinking Eye Exercise 

While it’s true that blinking is supposed to be a natural occurrence, the introduction of digital screens into our daily lives can interfere with the optical frequency and cause us to blink less than we should. One way to perform a blinking eye exercise is to set a timer for a couple of minutes. Blink every five seconds until the two minutes are up in order to complete this eye exercise to improve eyesight. Blinking is one easy eye exercise that you can practice each day to avoid eye strain and strengthen your eye muscles.

Why are Lazy Eye Exercises Important?

Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye”, is a condition where one eye has poorer vision than the other, typically caused by eye muscle underuse. Lazy eye exercises are especially helpful for Amblyopia patients as they can strengthen the weaker eye muscle that causes lazy eye. Lazy eye exercises often include covering the healthier eye so that the brain is forced to process the weaker eye’s image. This trains the weaker eye to make up for the loss of vision in the healthier one and consequently the muscle becomes stronger.

Focusing Eye Exercise

Eye exercises for lazy eye include working on puzzles or reading small print while wearing an eye patch on the stronger eye. Another quick and easy eye exercise is holding your finger out in front of you and focusing both eyes on it. Slowly move your finger to the tip of your nose keeping it in focus. Stop when things become blurry. This eye exercise will train your eyes to work together to focus on an indicated point.

Yoga Eye Exercises

Did you know there is such a thing as yoga for the eyes? Most yoga eye exercises involve shifting your eye focus. Shifting your eye focus can help engage your eye muscles in needed activity in order to build their strength. One way to shift your focus is to practice eye rolling. In order for eye rolling to be an effective eye exercise you have to start by sitting with your shoulders back and focus your eyes straight out in front of you. Begin by looking up towards the sky, then to the left, and finally down to the ground. Repeat on the other side. You should do this eye exercise ten times in a row, twice a day.

Eye exercises are a quick and simple way to strengthen your eye muscles and decrease your risk of visual impairment as you age. Just like the other muscles in your body, it is important to exercise your eyes every day to build their strength and improve your overall eye health.

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Eye Exercises to Improve Vision

One effective way to decrease your chance of vision impairment with age is to exercise your eye muscles. Weak eye muscles could lead to poor vision later in life and that’s why incorporating eye exercises could be an easy way for you to keep your eye muscles strong and healthy. When your eye muscles are strong, you increase your chance of good vision. By doing eye exercises you also decrease the risk of visual impairments as you and your eyes age.

What is Vision Therapy?

While vision therapy can include eye exercises, as a whole, it is a physical therapy treatment for your eyes put in place by eyecare specialists. Vision therapy can be used to strengthen the eye muscles or deal with certain visual impairments. If your optometrist does not recommend vision therapy, there are still fast and simple eye exercises that you can implement yourself into your daily routine in order to improve your eye health.

What Eye Exercises are Good for Eye Strain?

Activities such as excessive screen time or other tasks that require you to focus your eyes on an object for a long period of time can lead to eye strain. Eye strain happens in the muscle of the eye. By producing healthier eye muscles you could avoid the risk of eye strain in the future. One such eye exercise is so obvious that it might surprise you: blinking. Blinking is one of the most important eye exercises to improve vision because it prevents you from getting dry eye, allowing your eye muscles to focus for longer periods of time.

Blinking Eye Exercise 

While it’s true that blinking is supposed to be a natural occurrence, the introduction of digital screens into our daily lives can interfere with the optical frequency and cause us to blink less than we should. One way to perform a blinking eye exercise is to set a timer for a couple of minutes. Blink every five seconds until the two minutes are up in order to complete this eye exercise to improve eyesight. Blinking is one easy eye exercise that you can practice each day to avoid eye strain and strengthen your eye muscles.

Why are Lazy Eye Exercises Important?

Amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye”, is a condition where one eye has poorer vision than the other, typically caused by eye muscle underuse. Lazy eye exercises are especially helpful for Amblyopia patients as they can strengthen the weaker eye muscle that causes lazy eye. Lazy eye exercises often include covering the healthier eye so that the brain is forced to process the weaker eye’s image. This trains the weaker eye to make up for the loss of vision in the healthier one and consequently the muscle becomes stronger.

Focusing Eye Exercise

Eye exercises for lazy eye include working on puzzles or reading small print while wearing an eye patch on the stronger eye. Another quick and easy eye exercise is holding your finger out in front of you and focusing both eyes on it. Slowly move your finger to the tip of your nose keeping it in focus. Stop when things become blurry. This eye exercise will train your eyes to work together to focus on an indicated point.

Yoga Eye Exercises

Did you know there is such a thing as yoga for the eyes? Most yoga eye exercises involve shifting your eye focus. Shifting your eye focus can help engage your eye muscles in needed activity in order to build their strength. One way to shift your focus is to practice eye rolling. In order for eye rolling to be an effective eye exercise you have to start by sitting with your shoulders back and focus your eyes straight out in front of you. Begin by looking up towards the sky, then to the left, and finally down to the ground. Repeat on the other side. You should do this eye exercise ten times in a row, twice a day.

Eye exercises are a quick and simple way to strengthen your eye muscles and decrease your risk of visual impairment as you age. Just like the other muscles in your body, it is important to exercise your eyes every day to build their strength and improve your overall eye health.

How to Wear a Face Mask with Glasses

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How to Wear a Face Mask with Glasses

In many places of public gathering, it is now mandatory to wear a face mask to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These new regulations can come with some unexpected obstacles for those who are new to wearing PPE. Do you feel like your vision is being compromised due to foggy glasses caused by condensation from your protective face mask? Read here for tips on what to do when your glasses get foggy:

Fix the mask fit 

If condensation is building up, causing foggy eyeglasses while wearing a mask, this means your breath is escaping through the top of your mask. Proper fitting of your face mask will ensure that your breath passes through the material, not out the sides or top resulting in foggy glasses. Some face masks have a bendable metal to adjust around the bridge of your nose which will seal the mask at the top of the face, stopping your breath from moving upwards. If you are using a homemade mask, you can insert any bendable material such as a pipe cleaner to create this seal and avoid foggy eyeglasses.

Adjust the position of the mask

Proper face mask fitting will cover most of your nose and all of your mouth, wrapping around the bottom of your chin. You can adjust the mask to sit a bit lower on the nose which will stop any air escaping out of the top and creating foggy glasses. Still, always keep in mind that in order for the face mask to work properly, it should completely cover the nose and mouth.

Contrarily, you can also adjust the mask to sit higher on your face, using your glasses as an anchoring tool to seal off space where breath escapes upwards, resulting in foggy eyeglasses. Again, your mask should not be pulled up so high that it creates open space between your chin and the bottom of your mask as this can work against the effectiveness of the face mask.

Remove a layer or get a new filter 

If you’re using a homemade mask and it’s causing foggy eyeglasses, this could be a sign that there isn’t proper airflow through the material of the mask. Try removing a layer of material if you believe this is the case. Always remember that the extra layer of material could be an extra layer of protection from contracting or spreading the coronavirus, and it should only be removed if restricting proper airflow.

If you are using a mask with a filter, consider replacing the filter with one that allows for more airflow. You can also consider using a face shield or a pair of anti-fog safety goggles that protect against condensation build-up. Read here for more information about the potential benefits of face shields and the best anti-fog safety glasses.

How to clean foggy eyeglasses 

Another way to protect against foggy glasses is to wash your lenses. Washing your glasses with lotion-free and citrus-free dish soap and letting them air dry could create a layer of protection that reduces condensation build-up. Read our article on how to clean your glasses to avoid using materials or techniques that could damage your lenses.

Anti-fog coating for your glasses is another great way to avoid foggy glasses. Anti-fog glasses coatings are specifically designed to protect your lenses and not only will last longer than a soap solution but also won’t interfere with clear vision. You can read here for information about anti-fog glasses coating, anti-reflective coating, and more.

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How to Wear a Face Mask with Glasses

In many places of public gathering, it is now mandatory to wear a face mask to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These new regulations can come with some unexpected obstacles for those who are new to wearing PPE. Do you feel like your vision is being compromised due to foggy glasses caused by condensation from your protective face mask? Read here for tips on what to do when your glasses get foggy:

Fix the mask fit 

If condensation is building up, causing foggy eyeglasses while wearing a mask, this means your breath is escaping through the top of your mask. Proper fitting of your face mask will ensure that your breath passes through the material, not out the sides or top resulting in foggy glasses. Some face masks have a bendable metal to adjust around the bridge of your nose which will seal the mask at the top of the face, stopping your breath from moving upwards. If you are using a homemade mask, you can insert any bendable material such as a pipe cleaner to create this seal and avoid foggy eyeglasses.

Adjust the position of the mask

Proper face mask fitting will cover most of your nose and all of your mouth, wrapping around the bottom of your chin. You can adjust the mask to sit a bit lower on the nose which will stop any air escaping out of the top and creating foggy glasses. Still, always keep in mind that in order for the face mask to work properly, it should completely cover the nose and mouth.

Contrarily, you can also adjust the mask to sit higher on your face, using your glasses as an anchoring tool to seal off space where breath escapes upwards, resulting in foggy eyeglasses. Again, your mask should not be pulled up so high that it creates open space between your chin and the bottom of your mask as this can work against the effectiveness of the face mask.

Remove a layer or get a new filter 

If you’re using a homemade mask and it’s causing foggy eyeglasses, this could be a sign that there isn’t proper airflow through the material of the mask. Try removing a layer of material if you believe this is the case. Always remember that the extra layer of material could be an extra layer of protection from contracting or spreading the coronavirus, and it should only be removed if restricting proper airflow.

If you are using a mask with a filter, consider replacing the filter with one that allows for more airflow. You can also consider using a face shield or a pair of anti-fog safety goggles that protect against condensation build-up. Read here for more information about the potential benefits of face shields and the best anti-fog safety glasses.

How to clean foggy eyeglasses 

Another way to protect against foggy glasses is to wash your lenses. Washing your glasses with lotion-free and citrus-free dish soap and letting them air dry could create a layer of protection that reduces condensation build-up. Read our article on how to clean your glasses to avoid using materials or techniques that could damage your lenses.

Anti-fog coating for your glasses is another great way to avoid foggy glasses. Anti-fog glasses coatings are specifically designed to protect your lenses and not only will last longer than a soap solution but also won’t interfere with clear vision. You can read here for information about anti-fog glasses coating, anti-reflective coating, and more.

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How To Buy Contact Lenses Online

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How To Buy Contact Lenses Online

Buying contact lenses online is not only more convenient than heading into a store, but also it’s often cheaper! As more and more of us are self-isolating to curb the spread of coronavirus, it’s a perfect opportunity to learn how to buy your contact lenses online. In this short guide we will show you how you can easily buy contact lenses online from home. Discover daily, weekly and monthly contact lenses at SmartBuyGlasses from brands including Acuvue, Air Optix, Dailies and more.

Guide on how to order contacts online

What you need: your contact lens prescription, internet and a smartphone, tablet or desktop.

Buying contact lenses online is very easy. There are a couple of simple steps to follow:

• Go to thecontact lenses category pageon our website.

• In the filter section, you can choose the quantity of contact lenses. We have daily contact lenses, monthly contact lenses and weekly disposable contact lenses.

• Then you can filter what type of contact lenses you want and if you like, you can also filter on brand and manufacturer.

• Choose the contact lenses you want by clicking on them and fill in your contact lens prescription details. Make sure you’re using your contact lenses prescription and not your eyeglasses prescription!

• Simply add to cart and proceed to checkout!

Can I order contacts with my glasses prescription?

Your contact lens prescription and eyeglasses prescription are very different from each other. Your glasses are placed in front of your eyes, while contacts are placed right on top of your eyes. Because of the different distances, there is a difference in correction. If you don’t have a contact lens prescription, you need to make an appointment with your optometrist to obtain a contact lens prescription. In this article you can find out how to read your contact lens prescription.

Which contact lenses are right for me?

In our contact lenses collection, you can choose between daily contact lenses and monthly contact lenses. Daily disposable contacts are easy to use and you can just put a different pair in each day. If you occasionally wear contacts, or don’t have time to clean and store your contacts every night, daily contacts are the best choice for you.

Monthly contact lenses are supposed to be worn for 30 days and are the best choice for everyday wearers, but make sure to keep them clean to ensure they will last. They can often feel more comfortable than daily disposables as they are thicker.

It’s important to choose the right purpose for your contacts. If you need to buy contacts for astigmatism, you will come across the term toric contact lenses. These contacts are made to refract light in different ways to help treat astigmatism. If you’re suffering from low levels of astigmatism, aspherical contacts will be the ones you need. There is, however, a difference between multifocal contact lenses and spherical contacts. Multifocal contact lenses have different prescriptions built in, to correct different vision problems from nearsightedness to farsightedness, and any other issue in-between. Spherical contacts are either meant for nearsightedness or farsightedness. To know which ones are right for you, check your prescription or ask your optometrist.

Can I buy colored contact lenses with SmartBuyGlasses?

If you want to switch up your look, you can also choose some colored contact lenses. We have different colors and different opacities to make sure you find what you’re looking for. You can choose between different colors like hazel, gray, green and blue and their different variations like turquoise, amethyst and honey. Give your eyes a different hue or completely different color by wearing our colored contact lenses. These lenses can come with or without prescription too, so even non prescription wearers can have some fun with them!

Discover great contact lens brands at SmartBuyGlasses, like the number 1 contact lenses brand Acuvue Oasys and Freshlook Colorblends for some nice colored eye contacts. You can also choose from the Air Optix and Dailies contacts. Discover our full collection of contact lenses here.

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How To Buy Contact Lenses Online

Buying contact lenses online is not only more convenient than heading into a store, but also it’s often cheaper! As more and more of us are self-isolating to curb the spread of coronavirus, it’s a perfect opportunity to learn how to buy your contact lenses online. In this short guide we will show you how you can easily buy contact lenses online from home. Discover daily, weekly and monthly contact lenses at SmartBuyGlasses from brands including Acuvue, Air Optix, Dailies and more.

Guide on how to order contacts online

What you need: your contact lens prescription, internet and a smartphone, tablet or desktop.

Buying contact lenses online is very easy. There are a couple of simple steps to follow:

• Go to thecontact lenses category pageon our website.

• In the filter section, you can choose the quantity of contact lenses. We have daily contact lenses, monthly contact lenses and weekly disposable contact lenses.

• Then you can filter what type of contact lenses you want and if you like, you can also filter on brand and manufacturer.

• Choose the contact lenses you want by clicking on them and fill in your contact lens prescription details. Make sure you’re using your contact lenses prescription and not your eyeglasses prescription!

• Simply add to cart and proceed to checkout!

Can I order contacts with my glasses prescription?

Your contact lens prescription and eyeglasses prescription are very different from each other. Your glasses are placed in front of your eyes, while contacts are placed right on top of your eyes. Because of the different distances, there is a difference in correction. If you don’t have a contact lens prescription, you need to make an appointment with your optometrist to obtain a contact lens prescription. In this article you can find out how to read your contact lens prescription.

Which contact lenses are right for me?

In our contact lenses collection, you can choose between daily contact lenses and monthly contact lenses. Daily disposable contacts are easy to use and you can just put a different pair in each day. If you occasionally wear contacts, or don’t have time to clean and store your contacts every night, daily contacts are the best choice for you.

Monthly contact lenses are supposed to be worn for 30 days and are the best choice for everyday wearers, but make sure to keep them clean to ensure they will last. They can often feel more comfortable than daily disposables as they are thicker.

It’s important to choose the right purpose for your contacts. If you need to buy contacts for astigmatism, you will come across the term toric contact lenses. These contacts are made to refract light in different ways to help treat astigmatism. If you’re suffering from low levels of astigmatism, aspherical contacts will be the ones you need. There is, however, a difference between multifocal contact lenses and spherical contacts. Multifocal contact lenses have different prescriptions built in, to correct different vision problems from nearsightedness to farsightedness, and any other issue in-between. Spherical contacts are either meant for nearsightedness or farsightedness. To know which ones are right for you, check your prescription or ask your optometrist.

Can I buy colored contact lenses with SmartBuyGlasses?

If you want to switch up your look, you can also choose some colored contact lenses. We have different colors and different opacities to make sure you find what you’re looking for. You can choose between different colors like hazel, gray, green and blue and their different variations like turquoise, amethyst and honey. Give your eyes a different hue or completely different color by wearing our colored contact lenses. These lenses can come with or without prescription too, so even non prescription wearers can have some fun with them!

Discover great contact lens brands at SmartBuyGlasses, like the number 1 contact lenses brand Acuvue Oasys and Freshlook Colorblends for some nice colored eye contacts. You can also choose from the Air Optix and Dailies contacts. Discover our full collection of contact lenses here.

What’s the Difference between Contact Lens and Eyeglass Prescriptions?

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What’s the Difference between Contact Lens and Eyeglass Prescriptions?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether a glasses prescription is the same as a contact lens prescription. They are not, and the main reason for this is that prescription glasses are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes whereas contact lenses sit directly on your eyes. You can compare this to holding a magnifying glass at different distances. If you hold the lens at an arm’s length and focus on an object, what you see is very different to when you hold it right up to your eye.

Glasses prescriptions

During an eye exam for prescription glasses, the optician will determine your glasses prescription with lenses that sit at a specific distance from your eyes and under the assumption that your glasses lenses will also sit at the same distance. A range of information is assessed, including your lens power (known as ‘SP’), which is required to correct an eye refractive error. This is the cause of nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). The amount of correction required to correct a refractive error is measured in diopters (often abbreviated to ‘D’).

For specific eye conditions such as astigmatism, the AXIS is required – this is a measurement of the cylindricity of the lenses, which will compensate for a non-spherical cornea – the cause of astigmatism. For specific types of lenses, such as bifocal lenses, your glasses prescription will also include an ‘ADDITION’ and ‘DOMINANT’ (also known as ADD) measurement which refers to the magnifying power needed to correct presbyopia. Presbyopia is a very common condition which develops as you get older and it affects the ability of your eyes to adjust in order to see objects clearly at different distances. Some glasses prescriptions also include a ‘PRISM’ measurement which is required to correct eye alignment problems.

The following picture will healp you understand more about how to read glasses prescription. It is necessary to understand glass prescription numbers because they are important to buy prescription glasses that fit your eye sights.

The “PD” on your prescription stands for your pupillary distance. Click here to learn more about pupillary distance and how to find it yourself.

Contact lens prescriptions

With an eye exam for contact lenses, all of this information is still needed, but a contact lens prescription will contain additional information such as the base curve of contact lenses(the curvature of the lenses in millimeters), the diameter of the lenses in millimeters, the lens brand and the expiration date. When your glasses are not for visual correction (i.e. for aesthetic purposes), you don’t necessarily need a glasses prescription. This is not the case for contact lenses. You must have a contacts prescription even if you are buying lenses which offer no visual correction, such as colored contacts for special effects. Therefore, just convert glasses prescription to contact lenses is not enough. Contact lenses are a medical device and they are not suitable for everyone, so be sure to speak with a specialist to assess which option – and prescription – will be better suited for you.

It is worth noting that the lens power for your glasses and contact lens prescription may differ, but this is more likely to be the case when you have a prescription of under -4.00D, which means it does not apply to everyone. Following an eye exam, your optician is legally required to provide a copy of your glasses or contact lens prescription. If you are aged between 18 and 60, we would recommend a thorough eye exam every two years and once a year if you are over 60.

Check out our guide for more information on your eye prescription and also how to read the results. You can also ask one of our expert opticians for more information!

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What’s the Difference between Contact Lens and Eyeglass Prescriptions?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether a glasses prescription is the same as a contact lens prescription. They are not, and the main reason for this is that prescription glasses are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes whereas contact lenses sit directly on your eyes. You can compare this to holding a magnifying glass at different distances. If you hold the lens at an arm’s length and focus on an object, what you see is very different to when you hold it right up to your eye.

Glasses prescriptions

During an eye exam for prescription glasses, the optician will determine your glasses prescription with lenses that sit at a specific distance from your eyes and under the assumption that your glasses lenses will also sit at the same distance. A range of information is assessed, including your lens power (known as ‘SP’), which is required to correct an eye refractive error. This is the cause of nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). The amount of correction required to correct a refractive error is measured in diopters (often abbreviated to ‘D’).

For specific eye conditions such as astigmatism, the AXIS is required – this is a measurement of the cylindricity of the lenses, which will compensate for a non-spherical cornea – the cause of astigmatism. For specific types of lenses, such as bifocal lenses, your glasses prescription will also include an ‘ADDITION’ and ‘DOMINANT’ (also known as ADD) measurement which refers to the magnifying power needed to correct presbyopia. Presbyopia is a very common condition which develops as you get older and it affects the ability of your eyes to adjust in order to see objects clearly at different distances. Some glasses prescriptions also include a ‘PRISM’ measurement which is required to correct eye alignment problems.

The following picture will healp you understand more about how to read glasses prescription. It is necessary to understand glass prescription numbers because they are important to buy prescription glasses that fit your eye sights.

The “PD” on your prescription stands for your pupillary distance. Click here to learn more about pupillary distance and how to find it yourself.

Contact lens prescriptions

With an eye exam for contact lenses, all of this information is still needed, but a contact lens prescription will contain additional information such as the base curve of contact lenses(the curvature of the lenses in millimeters), the diameter of the lenses in millimeters, the lens brand and the expiration date. When your glasses are not for visual correction (i.e. for aesthetic purposes), you don’t necessarily need a glasses prescription. This is not the case for contact lenses. You must have a contacts prescription even if you are buying lenses which offer no visual correction, such as colored contacts for special effects. Therefore, just convert glasses prescription to contact lenses is not enough. Contact lenses are a medical device and they are not suitable for everyone, so be sure to speak with a specialist to assess which option – and prescription – will be better suited for you.

It is worth noting that the lens power for your glasses and contact lens prescription may differ, but this is more likely to be the case when you have a prescription of under -4.00D, which means it does not apply to everyone. Following an eye exam, your optician is legally required to provide a copy of your glasses or contact lens prescription. If you are aged between 18 and 60, we would recommend a thorough eye exam every two years and once a year if you are over 60.

Check out our guide for more information on your eye prescription and also how to read the results. You can also ask one of our expert opticians for more information!

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Ray-Ban Sunglasses Lenses

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Ray-Ban Sunglasses Lenses

Ray-Ban has a rich history dating back to 1936. As the best-selling designer sunglasses brand worldwide, Ray-Ban continues to innovate with revolutionary eyewear while staying true to its Ray-ban classic designs. The brand’s iconic status is likely due to the high quality, superior performance and comfort of its glasses.

Ray-ban sunglasses offer a wide variety of lenses, with each one having its own unique characteristics and purpose. Our guide will lead you through the different types of Ray-Ban lenses to help you get a better idea of which lens is right for you.

Solid Color Lenses

As the name implies, this type of Ray-Ban sunglasses lens comes in a solid colour. They are also non-mirrored and non-polarized.

• Green classic G-15: Similar to the story of Ray-ban Aviator sunglasses, the Classic Ray-Ban G-15 lens was originally developed for military pilots in 1937. It has a solid green colour and operates in low light to sunny conditions. These sunglasses offer a high level of clarity, comfort, protection and more accurate vision as they absorb 85% of visible light and filter out most blue light. They also achieve an outstanding colour contrast.

• Brown Classic B-15: As the twin to the Ray-Ban G-15 lenses, it offers the same high performance with a high level of clarity, comfort and protection. However, brown Ray-Ban lenses provide greater contrast in low light conditions and perform better on cloudy days.

Gradient Lenses 

The tint in Ray-Ban gradient sunglasses recedes from top to bottom, so Ray-Ban lenses are darkest at the top and gradually recede until there is no tint at the bottom. Ray-Ban lenses offer complete clarity of vision and protection from harmful UV rays. These features make gradient lenses a great option for driving.

Thanks to a precise chemical immersion process, the plastic Ray-Ban lenses attain a receding transition from a dark to light shade. In contrast, high vacuum processes make the crystal lens tinted on the back, allowing for smooth colour transitions.

Polarized Lenses

Ray-ban polarized sunglasses have lenses that are fantastic for those who do a lot of sporting activities such as daytime fishing, skiing, mountaineering, hiking in snowy areas or even sunny highway driving, as they help to reduce glare. Ray-Ban Polarized sunglasses only allow light to enter the lens vertically and block any light that reflects from a horizontal surface such as light bouncing off water or a field of snow. These Ray-Ban lenses are easily identifiable as they have a “P” following the lens logo.

Chromance lenses

Ray-ban Chromance is a revolutionary new lens technology for those who love colour. All Ray-Ban Chromance lenses intensify colour and recognition, which gives the perception of brighter and more vibrant colour.

Ray-Ban lenses enhance contrasts, filter harmful UV rays and eliminate glare as well as reflections. As a result, Ray-Ban Chromance lenses can sharpen your visual field, optimize vision and improve your experience. They meet the demand of a fast-paced urban lifestyle and are perfect for challenges faced in a sporting environment.

Mirror Lenses

The mirror coating applied to this lens makes your Ray-Ban sunglasses look like small mirrors, a feature that not only looks great but also has major functional benefits. The Ray-ban mirrored sunglasses

coating is made by fusing superheated metal oxides to the lens at a molecular level to ensure a uniform layer. Reflective Ray-Ban lenses block sun glare while providing a strong colour contrast in order to help your vision remain clear and crisp. Additionally, the mirror coating hides your eyes so that they are not visible through any reflective lenses, giving you a unique look.

Shop at SmartBuyGlasses today! You will find all the Ray-Ban sunglasses at an incredible price with the latest lens technology. They will come with a 24-month warranty, a hassle-free 100-day returns policy and a price match guarantee.

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Ray-Ban Sunglasses Lenses

Ray-Ban has a rich history dating back to 1936. As the best-selling designer sunglasses brand worldwide, Ray-Ban continues to innovate with revolutionary eyewear while staying true to its Ray-ban classic designs. The brand’s iconic status is likely due to the high quality, superior performance and comfort of its glasses.

Ray-ban sunglasses offer a wide variety of lenses, with each one having its own unique characteristics and purpose. Our guide will lead you through the different types of Ray-Ban lenses to help you get a better idea of which lens is right for you.

Solid Color Lenses

As the name implies, this type of Ray-Ban sunglasses lens comes in a solid colour. They are also non-mirrored and non-polarized.

  • • Green classic G-15: Similar to the story of Ray-ban Aviator sunglasses, the Classic Ray-Ban G-15 lens was originally developed for military pilots in 1937. It has a solid green colour and operates in low light to sunny conditions. These sunglasses offer a high level of clarity, comfort, protection and more accurate vision as they absorb 85% of visible light and filter out most blue light. They also achieve an outstanding colour contrast.
  • • Brown Classic B-15: As the twin to the Ray-Ban G-15 lenses, it offers the same high performance with a high level of clarity, comfort and protection. However, brown Ray-Ban lenses provide greater contrast in low light conditions and perform better on cloudy days.

Gradient Lenses 

The tint in Ray-Ban gradient sunglasses recedes from top to bottom, so Ray-Ban lenses are darkest at the top and gradually recede until there is no tint at the bottom. Ray-Ban lenses offer complete clarity of vision and protection from harmful UV rays. These features make gradient lenses a great option for driving.

Thanks to a precise chemical immersion process, the plastic Ray-Ban lenses attain a receding transition from a dark to light shade. In contrast, high vacuum processes make the crystal lens tinted on the back, allowing for smooth colour transitions.

Polarized Lenses

Ray-ban polarized sunglasses have lenses that are fantastic for those who do a lot of sporting activities such as daytime fishing, skiing, mountaineering, hiking in snowy areas or even sunny highway driving, as they help to reduce glare. Ray-Ban Polarized sunglasses only allow light to enter the lens vertically and block any light that reflects from a horizontal surface such as light bouncing off water or a field of snow. These Ray-Ban lenses are easily identifiable as they have a “P” following the lens logo.

Chromance lenses

Ray-ban Chromance is a revolutionary new lens technology for those who love colour. All Ray-Ban Chromance lenses intensify colour and recognition, which gives the perception of brighter and more vibrant colour.

Ray-Ban lenses enhance contrasts, filter harmful UV rays and eliminate glare as well as reflections. As a result, Ray-Ban Chromance lenses can sharpen your visual field, optimize vision and improve your experience. They meet the demand of a fast-paced urban lifestyle and are perfect for challenges faced in a sporting environment.

Mirror Lenses

The mirror coating applied to this lens makes your Ray-Ban sunglasses look like small mirrors, a feature that not only looks great but also has major functional benefits. The Ray-ban mirrored sunglasses

coating is made by fusing superheated metal oxides to the lens at a molecular level to ensure a uniform layer. Reflective Ray-Ban lenses block sun glare while providing a strong colour contrast in order to help your vision remain clear and crisp. Additionally, the mirror coating hides your eyes so that they are not visible through any reflective lenses, giving you a unique look.

Shop at SmartBuyGlasses today! You will find all the Ray-Ban sunglasses at an incredible price with the latest lens technology. They will come with a 24-month warranty, a hassle-free 100-day returns policy and a price match guarantee.

Colour Blind Test – Online Self Test

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Color Blind Test - Online Self Test

You may have heard of color blindness but not really know exactly what it means. Find out everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, tests and treatment for color blindness.

What is Color Blindness?

Color blindness is a term for when someone is unable to see colors in a normal way. More accurately, it is a color deficiency rather than color blindness. Often, someone may not be able to distinguish between certain colors, most commonly between reds and greens and occasionally blues.

What Causes Color Blindness?

In the retina of the eye, there are two types of cells, rods and cones, that detect light. Rods detect light and dark whereas cone cells detect color. Cone cells are concentrated in the central area of the retina in the macula. There are blue, green and red cones and your brain uses input from these cone cells to determine your color perception.

Color blindness can occur when there is an abnormality in these color cone cells. This could either be because there is an absence of cone cells, some of them may not be working correctly or some may detect a different color than normal.

You usually suffer with color blindness from birth and generally males are more affected than females. However, you can also acquire it later in life as a result of trauma, diseases including metabolic and vascular diseases, toxic effects from drugs and general aging.

If you experience a significant change in color perception, you should visit an eye specialist.

Types of Color Blindness

Severe color blindness occurs when all three cone cells are absent, and this is known as achromatopsia.  In this case, you will see everything in different shades of gray! Mild color blindness is when one cone cell does not work properly, and you may see colors normally in good light but struggle in dim light.

 

Color Blind Symptoms

Symptoms can be so mild that you may not even realize that you have a color deficiency! However, they can also be severe and include:

• Difficulty seeing colors and the brightness of colors

• Difficulty or inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors

Is There a Color Blind Test I Can Take?

You can very easily do a color blind test online without having to go to an eye specialist. This test, also known as the Ishihara test, is a fast and simple way to determine whether you struggle to perceive color in a normal way. The test is made of a series of ‘plates’ of colored dots. In the center, the colored dots make up a number, and this number is surrounded by colored dots of a different color.

Have a go! See the answers at the end of the article.

1)  Firstly, make sure you have the lights on. If you wear glasses of contact lenses, you can wear them to do the test.

2)  Look at the patterns made up of multi-colored dots.

3)  If you can make out the numbers and shapes among the dots, you do not have a color deficiency.

4)  If you struggle to do this, you may have a color deficiency and it is advised that you visit an eye specialist for a more comprehensive test.

If you are not sure about this test or if you would like more accurate results, visit an eye specialist to take a color blind test administered by a trained professional using standardized testing materials under proper lighting.

For a color blind test for kids, it is advised that you book an appointment with an eye specialist.

Is There a Treatment for Color Blindness?

There is no treatment for inherited color blindness but there are special contact lenses and glasses that may help to enhance color perception.

If you have acquired color blindness, an eye specialist may be able to address the underlying condition that caused the problem.

If your eye specialist recommends that you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, Vision Direct has you covered!

Answers from top left to bottom right: B, 26, 2, 14, 6, G

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Color Blind Test - Online Self Test

You may have heard of color blindness but not really know exactly what it means. Find out everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, tests and treatment for color blindness.

What is Color Blindness?

Color blindness is a term for when someone is unable to see colors in a normal way. More accurately, it is a color deficiency rather than color blindness. Often, someone may not be able to distinguish between certain colors, most commonly between reds and greens and occasionally blues.

What Causes Color Blindness?

In the retina of the eye, there are two types of cells, rods and cones, that detect light. Rods detect light and dark whereas cone cells detect color. Cone cells are concentrated in the central area of the retina in the macula. There are blue, green and red cones and your brain uses input from these cone cells to determine your color perception.

Color blindness can occur when there is an abnormality in these color cone cells. This could either be because there is an absence of cone cells, some of them may not be working correctly or some may detect a different color than normal.

You usually suffer with color blindness from birth and generally males are more affected than females. However, you can also acquire it later in life as a result of trauma, diseases including metabolic and vascular diseases, toxic effects from drugs and general aging.

If you experience a significant change in color perception, you should visit an eye specialist.

Types of Color Blindness

Severe color blindness occurs when all three cone cells are absent, and this is known as achromatopsia.  In this case, you will see everything in different shades of gray! Mild color blindness is when one cone cell does not work properly, and you may see colors normally in good light but struggle in dim light.

 

Color Blind Symptoms

Symptoms can be so mild that you may not even realize that you have a color deficiency! However, they can also be severe and include:

• Difficulty seeing colors and the brightness of colors

• Difficulty or inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors

Is There a Color Blind Test I Can Take?

You can very easily do a color blind test online without having to go to an eye specialist. This test, also known as the Ishihara test, is a fast and simple way to determine whether you struggle to perceive color in a normal way. The test is made of a series of ‘plates’ of colored dots. In the center, the colored dots make up a number, and this number is surrounded by colored dots of a different color.  

Have a go! See the answers at the end of the article.

1)  Firstly, make sure you have the lights on. If you wear glasses of contact lenses, you can wear them to do the test.

2)  Look at the patterns made up of multi-colored dots.

3)  If you can make out the numbers and shapes among the dots, you do not have a color deficiency.

4)  If you struggle to do this, you may have a color deficiency and it is advised that you visit an eye specialist for a more comprehensive test.

If you are not sure about this test or if you would like more accurate results, visit an eye specialist to take a color blind test administered by a trained professional using standardized testing materials under proper lighting.

For a color blind test for kids, it is advised that you book an appointment with an eye specialist.

Is There a Treatment for Color Blindness?

There is no treatment for inherited color blindness but there are special contact lenses and glasses that may help to enhance color perception.

If you have acquired color blindness, an eye specialist may be able to address the underlying condition that caused the problem.

If your eye specialist recommends that you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, Vision Direct has you covered!

Answers from top left to bottom right: B, 26, 2, 14, 6, G

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