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What are Computer Glasses

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What are Computer Glasses

What type of glasses are best for computer use? | What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses? | How do they work?

By Corina Iatisin
Reviewed by Beck Jinette
Beck Jinette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care, holding her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
Updated On Mar 21, 2023
Find out how computer glasses work and the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses.

Contents

Computer glasses, also called computer reading glasses, are prescription glasses specifically designed for computer use. These glasses are created to relieve digital eyestrain and shield from the blue light emitted by screens. If your job or lifestyle requires you to spend several hours of the day in front of the computer, it is important to understand what are computer glasses, how they work and where to get a pair if needed.

What type of glasses are best for computer use?

Extended exposure to computer screen can cause digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome. When suffering from digital eyestrain, you might find yourself experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Blurry vision
  • Tired eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Eye twitching
  • Red eyes
  • Sleep problems
  • Neck pain

Because our eyes are not used to staring at close objects for a very long period of time and are very sensitive to the potentially harmful blue light emitted by screens, wearing computer glasses can be beneficial and help relieve the discomforts listed above.

What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses?

Computer glasses are different from regular glasses or generic reading glasses because their specific purpose is to reduce the digital eyestrain associated with computer work. If you’re tempted to buy a generic pair of reading glasses off-the-rack, keep in mind these most likely won’t solve any of your problems as they do not have an anti-reflective coating or blue light-blocking coating. Additionally, computer glasses have a customized prescription, which means not everyone will be able to wear the same pair of glasses to work in front of a screen. To find which glasses are the best fit for you, taking an eye exam is the right option.

Computer glasses vs reading glasses

When working in front of a computer, you are typically positioned 20-26 inches from it which is considered the intermediate zone of vision. This is the reason computer glasses have a different power to your reading glasses: when reading, the distance from your book is usually closer to you than a computer screen, this is why they vary. We do not advise selecting the power without consulting an eye care specialist, as that might result in choosing the wrong glasses and damaging your vision.

How do computer glasses work?

As previously mentioned, the main focus of computer glasses is to reduce eye strain. If your daily routine requires working in front of the computer for extended periods of time, or you’re a gamer and spend hours in front of other digital devices, you may have noticed changes in your eye health, posture, and sleeping schedule. Not only does computer blue light cause discomfort in the eyes, but it also affects energy levels that then result in trouble falling asleep and sleep disruption. Prolonged exposure to blue light can also damage cells in the retina and cause vision problems. Another important factor to note is that our eyes are not used to staring at close objects for an extended period of time. This can result in you squinting your eyes very often and having tension in your neck.

DID YOU KNOW

Computer glasses can help digital eye strain and all the discomforts associated with computer work. 

Computer glasses not only feature lens coatings designed to block blue light but are also custom to your prescription and feature decentered pupillary distance. The prescription varies from person to person, which means buying one generic pair off the rack won’t be helpful. Instead, consult an eye care specialist.

When wearing computer glasses, all the harmful blue light is blocked by the lens coatings on your glasses, and only the beneficial blue light is able to pass through and reach your retina. It is important to remember that computer glasses or blue light glasses only block about 50% of blue light because blue light in small quantities is actually necessary for certain bodily functions and keeps your system healthy.

Who needs computer glasses?

Computer glasses are very useful for those who use technological devices daily and are prone to blue light exposure for many hours of the day. Almost all heavy users of computers and smartphones experience eye fatigue within minutes after being used. Studies show that the average person spends seven to eight hours in front of multiple electronic devices: from computers to mobile phones, gaming screens, TVs and so on. With technology being more and more present in our lives and our digital eye developing, our glasses should too. This is why computer glasses are more important than ever.

Do I need a different prescription for computer glasses?

The answer is yes; computer glasses will need a  prescription with an intermediate add, which should be discussed with your eye care specialist during your appointment. If you experience eye strain, blurry vision or any of the discomforts listed above, it is crucial to consult an eye care specialist before getting a new pair of glasses. Don’t underestimate the importance of getting your eyes checked.

Before going to your healthcare provider, make sure you make a list of all of the symptoms you’re experiencing. If you spend long hours in front of your computer, you’re going to want to measure the distance you usually have from your computer while working or studying. That may be an important detail for the optician to have when filling in your prescription.

Do computer glasses really work?

The real effectiveness of blue light glasses has always been up for debate. Even though their effectiveness has never been scientifically proven, research suggests that the benefits of blue light glasses can include less eye strain, fewer sleep disturbances, and a decrease in headaches. When it comes to computer glasses, these not only provide protection against blue light but have a custom prescription and decentered pupillary distance. This means that by using computer glasses during work, you will be able to see clearly and avoid leaning forward to your screens, keeping a better posture and not squinting your eyes.

Benefits of computer glasses

To sum up, using glasses for computer use comes with many benefits, such as:

  • Reduced computer vision syndrome
  • Good posture
  • Minimized glare
  • Protection from blue light

Where to Find the Perfect Pair of computer reading glasses

If you’re suffering from computer vision syndrome and find yourself exhausted after working or studying in front of a computer, head to your eye care specialist and make sure you get your eyes checked. With your prescription up to date, you will then be able to buy the right pair of computer glasses for you with blue light-blocking lenses. You can head to SmartBuyGlasses and find many quality glasses with affordable options, as well as hundreds of lens types, frame colours, and materials.

You don’t have to decide on single-vision computer glasses – if the glasses are to serve you not only at the computer but also during other activities related to distance vision, consider using progressive lenses in your blue light-blocking glasses.

Remember it is essential for your eyes to rest, so after getting a good pair of computer glasses, make sure you also take breaks from the screens during your working and studying hours, and limit screen use when possible. Your eye health is important.

If you want to read more about digital eye strain and blue light glasses, head to our Optical Centre; you will find numerous informative articles thoroughly reviewed by our certified opticians

What are Computer Glasses

What type of glasses are best for computer use? | What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses? | How do they work?

By Corina Iatisin
Reviewed by Beck Jinette
Beck Jinette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care, holding her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
Updated On Mar 09, 2023
Find out how computer glasses work and the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses.

 

Computer glasses, also called computer reading glasses, are prescription glasses specifically designed for computer use. These glasses are created to relieve digital eyestrain and shield from the blue light emitted by screens. If your job or lifestyle requires you to spend several hours of the day in front of the computer, it is important to understand what are computer glasses, how they work and where to get a pair if needed.

What type of glasses are best for computer use?

Extended exposure to computer screen can cause digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome. When suffering from digital eyestrain, you might find yourself experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Blurry vision
  • Tired eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Eye twitching
  • Red eyes
  • Sleep problems
  • Neck pain

Because our eyes are not used to staring at close objects for a very long period of time and are very sensitive to the potentially harmful blue light emitted by screens, wearing computer glasses can be beneficial and help relieve the discomforts listed above.

What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses?

Computer glasses are different from regular glasses or generic reading glasses because their specific purpose is to reduce the digital eyestrain associated with computer work. If you’re tempted to buy a generic pair of reading glasses off-the-rack, keep in mind these most likely won’t solve any of your problems as they do not have an anti-reflective coating or blue light-blocking coating. Additionally, computer glasses have a customized prescription, which means not everyone will be able to wear the same pair of glasses to work in front of a screen. To find which glasses are the best fit for you, taking an eye exam is the right option.

Computer glasses vs reading glasses

When working in front of a computer, you are typically positioned 20-26 inches from it which is considered the intermediate zone of vision. This is the reason computer glasses have a different power to your reading glasses: when reading, the distance from your book is usually closer to you than a computer screen, this is why they vary. We do not advise selecting the power without consulting an eye care specialist, as that might result in choosing the wrong glasses and damaging your vision.

How do computer glasses work?

As previously mentioned, the main focus of computer glasses is to reduce eye strain. If your daily routine requires working in front of the computer for extended periods of time, or you’re a gamer and spend hours in front of other digital devices, you may have noticed changes in your eye health, posture, and sleeping schedule. Not only does computer blue light cause discomfort in the eyes, but it also affects energy levels that then result in trouble falling asleep and sleep disruption. Prolonged exposure to blue light can also damage cells in the retina and cause vision problems. Another important factor to note is that our eyes are not used to staring at close objects for an extended period of time. This can result in you squinting your eyes very often and having tension in your neck.


DID YOU KNOW
Computer glasses can help digital eye strain and all the discomforts associated with computer work. 

Computer glasses not only feature lens coatings designed to block blue light but are also custom to your prescription and feature decentered pupillary distance. The prescription varies from person to person, which means buying one generic pair off the rack won’t be helpful. Instead, consult an eye care specialist.

When wearing computer glasses, all the harmful blue light is blocked by the lens coatings on your glasses, and only the beneficial blue light is able to pass through and reach your retina. It is important to remember that computer glasses or blue light glasses only block about 50% of blue light because blue light in small quantities is actually necessary for certain bodily functions and keeps your system healthy.

Who needs computer glasses?

Computer glasses are very useful for those who use technological devices daily and are prone to blue light exposure for many hours of the day. Almost all heavy users of computers and smartphones experience eye fatigue within minutes after being used. Studies show that the average person spends seven to eight hours in front of multiple electronic devices: from computers to mobile phones, gaming screens, TVs and so on. With technology being more and more present in our lives and our digital eye developing, our glasses should too. This is why computer glasses are more important than ever.

Do I need a different prescription for computer glasses?

The answer is yes; computer glasses will need a  prescription with an intermediate add, which should be discussed with your eye care specialist during your appointment. If you experience eye strain, blurry vision or any of the discomforts listed above, it is crucial to consult an eye care specialist before getting a new pair of glasses. Don’t underestimate the importance of getting your eyes checked.

Before going to your healthcare provider, make sure you make a list of all of the symptoms you’re experiencing. If you spend long hours in front of your computer, you’re going to want to measure the distance you usually have from your computer while working or studying. That may be an important detail for the optician to have when filling in your prescription.

Do computer glasses really work?

The real effectiveness of blue light glasses has always been up for debate. Even though their effectiveness has never been scientifically proven, research suggests that the benefits of blue light glasses can include less eye strain, fewer sleep disturbances, and a decrease in headaches. When it comes to computer glasses, these not only provide protection against blue light but have a custom prescription and decentered pupillary distance. This means that by using computer glasses during work, you will be able to see clearly and avoid leaning forward to your screens, keeping a better posture and not squinting your eyes.

Benefits of computer glasses

To sum up, using glasses for computer use comes with many benefits, such as:

  • Reduced computer vision syndrome
  • Good posture
  • Minimized glare
  • Protection from blue light

Where to find the perfect pair of computer reading glasses

If you’re suffering from computer vision syndrome and find yourself exhausted after working or studying in front of a computer, head to your eye care specialist and make sure you get your eyes checked. With your prescription up to date, you will then be able to buy the right pair of computer glasses for you with blue light-blocking lenses. You can head to SmartBuyGlasses and find many quality glasses with affordable options, as well as hundreds of lens types, frame colours, and materials.

You don’t have to decide on single-vision computer glasses – if the glasses are to serve you not only at the computer but also during other activities related to distance vision, consider using progressive lenses in your blue light-blocking glasses.

Remember it is essential for your eyes to rest, so after getting a good pair of computer glasses, make sure you also take breaks from the screens during your working and studying hours, and limit screen use when possible. Your eye health is important.

If you want to read more about digital eye strain and blue light glasses, head to our Optical Centre; you will find numerous informative articles thoroughly reviewed by our certified opticians.

The Basics of Eye Anatomy

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The Basics of Eye Anatomy

eye anatomy

The eye is a complex organ that allows us to see the world around us. There are several different parts, each with a specific function. 

Understanding eye anatomy can help us understand how our eyes work and why we need to take care of them. Whether you wear prescription glasses or not, keeping your eyes healthy is essential.

What is the anatomy of the eye?

The eye has two main parts: the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the clear, curved surface at the front of the eye. It helps to focus light onto the retina, which is the sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. 

The lens is a clear structure behind the cornea that helps to further focus light onto the retina. The retina is responsible for converting light into electrical signals that get sent to the brain. Then, the brain interprets these signals as images.

  • The choroid is a thin layer between the eye’s sclera (white outer layer) and the retina (inner light-sensitive layer). This part of the eye contains blood vessels that help bring oxygen and nutrients to the eyeball. 

  • The Ciliary Body contains muscle that focuses the lens and produces clear fluid between the Cornea and Iris.

  • The Fovea is found in the centre of the macula and provides sharp central vision.

  • The Iris is the coloured part of the eye that controls the pupil size to allow less or more light to enter the eye. 

  • The macula transforms light that enters your eye into the pictures you see, together with the rest of your retina. It controls your central vision, which enables you to see things in front of you.

  • Your eyesight relies on the optic nerve. It is a continuation of your spine and brain’s central nervous system. Your eyes send electrical signals to your brain via the optic nerve. Your brain processes sensory data for you to see.

  • The pupil is like the gateway to the eye. It admits and controls the passage of light to the retina. The pupil opens and closes to regulate the quantity of light permitted to enter the eye. This step in the process contributes to how we see pictures.

  • The retina is the layer at the very back of your eyeball. It converts the light that enters your eye into electrical impulses that your optic nerve transmits to your brain, which produces the pictures you see. It’s an essential aspect of your vision. 

  • The sclera serves as the eyeball’s retaining wall. It safeguards your eyeball from harm and helps it maintain its shape. The conjunctiva covers the sclera, which are transparent mucous membranes that lubricate (moisturise) your eye to avoid dryness.

  • Vitreous Humor makes up most of the vitreous humor, a transparent, gelatinous material. It is crucial to meet the lens’ nutritional requirements for metabolism, regulating eye development and supporting the retina.

Why are parts of the eye important?

Each part of the eye plays a vital role in helping us to see. Without any one of these parts, our vision would be affected. 

That’s why it’s crucial to understand eye anatomy and see an eye doctor regularly so you can take care of your eyes. An optician can check for any eye problems and provide you with tips for eye care. 

How to Read Your Eye Prescription

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How to Read Your Eye Prescription

How to read your prescription |
Prescription chart
abbreviations |
Examples |
Eye prescription changes |
Expiration date |
Contact
lens prescription |
Takeaways
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By Emma Moletto
Reviewed by Beck Jinnette
Beck Jinnette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinnette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care, holding her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
Updated On Jun 19, 2023
Understand your eye prescription to know the severity of your visual impairment and shop online for prescription glasses.

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 from your eye doctor and want to understand what it means.

Read on to discover the ins and outs of your vision.

Understanding your glasses prescription

Your eyeglass prescription can be either digital or on paper, and it will look something like the example below. 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 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.

PD (pupillary distance): Knowing your pupillary distance (PD) is essential when ordering prescription glasses online. The PD is the distance between the centre of your pupils, 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 pupillary distance tool to get it in minutes.

SPH (sphere): The value under SPH determines the lens power needed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, which is spherical because it’s the same across the eye’s surface.

Being farsighted is also known as hyperopia, 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 farsighted, the strength of the lenses will be marked with a plus sign in the sphere section.

On the other hand, nearsightedness, 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 things, the lower the measure on your SPH section will be.

CYL (cylinder): CYL in your eye prescription indicates the amount of lens power you need for astigmatism correction. 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 glasses 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 need lenses to correct astigmatism.

Other eye prescription abbreviations

Prism: This section indicates the need to add a prismatic power to the lenses to bend light differently than regular ones. Prism glasses are 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 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 lens power needed for reading, which is used in multifocal lenses, reading glasses or progressive lenses.

Notes: The type of Rx glasses you need for vision correction may be noted on a glasses prescription, such as DV (Distance Vision/nearsightedness) and NV (Near Vision/reading).

Nearsighted prescription

Nearsighted prescriptions have values with a minus sign in the SPH (sphere) box for the right or left eye or both. This indicates that the eyeglass lenses will correct your myopia (distance vision)

Farsighted prescription

Farsighted prescriptions feature a number with a plus sign in the SPH box for the right or left eye or both, indicating that your eyeglass lenses should correct hyperopia (near vision).

Astigmatism prescription

If you suffer from astigmatism, your eye prescription will have a value in the CYL column indicating the lens power needed to correct astigmatism. There will also be a value in the Axis.

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.”

How often does eye prescription change?

Your eyeglass 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.

DID YOU KNOW?

Both eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions will change over time depending on your vision condition. As we grow older, we will likely develop presbyopia and need a pair of reading glasses or progressive lenses.

How long is your eyeglass prescription good for?

You might also be wondering how long an eyeglass prescription is good for. Eye prescriptions often expire in two years. Your optometrist should include the date of issue and the expiration date on your prescription.

We recommend always checking your country’s laws regarding eye prescriptions and contacting your optician for regular check-ups.

What about contact lens prescription?

Glasses prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions are different. This is because glasses lenses correct vision at about 12 millimetres away from the eyes, while contact lenses sit directly on the eye’s surface.

Contact lens prescriptions also include values for base curve and diameter. During your eye exam, your eye doctor will fill in these values and determine the best type of contact lenses for your vision needs and eye health. Read more about how to read your contact lens prescription.

How to read an eye prescription

It should now be easier for you to understand all the abbreviations and numbers on your eyeglass prescription. Those are essential pieces of information for the lens manufacturers, as they indicate exactly what your vision needs.

For contact lenses, the eye prescription chart looks a bit different, but the concept is the same. Your prescription will likely change over time, so make sure you plan regular vision checkups every couple of years!

When were sunglasses invented?

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When Were Sunglasses Invented?

eyeglasses

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 doctor

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?

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 and wet macular degeneration

  • 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?

  • 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.

How to prevent 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

eye exercise

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

eyeglasses

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.

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.

How To Buy Contact Lenses Online

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How to Buy Contact Lenses Online

contact lenses

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

  • Go to the contact lenses category page on 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.

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 coloured contact lenses with SmartBuyGlasses?

If you want to switch up your look, you can also choose some coloured contact lenses. We have different colours and different opacities to make sure you find what you’re looking for. 

You can choose between different colours like hazel, gray, green and blue and their different variations like turquoise, amethyst and honey. 

Give your eyes a different hue or completely different colour by wearing our coloured contact lenses. These lenses can come with or without prescription too, so even non prescription wearers can have some fun with them!

Is There A Difference Between Contact Lens And Glasses Prescription?

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Is There a Difference Between Contact Lens and Glasses Prescriptions?

Are glasses prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions
the same? |
Prescription for glasses vs contacts: how to
read glasses and contact lens prescriptions |
Can you
convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription? |
Can I use my
glasses prescription for contact lenses? |
Are contact lenses
or glasses better? |
Where to buy
contact lenses and glasses online
Both glasses and contact lenses correct your vision, but you need a separate prescription for each one. In this article we go through the differences between them.
contact lens and prescription glasses

If your vision needs correction, you may be prescribed a glasses prescription or contact lens prescription. Both help improve your vision, but are glasses prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions the same?

A common query is if it’s possible to convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription. Read on to discover the answer to these intriguing questions regarding your prescription.

Are glasses prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions the same?

Even though the prescription for glasses vs contact lens prescription may look similar, they are quite different.

Contact lenses and glasses correct refractive errors, such as myopia (finding it difficult to see objects far away), hyperopia (finding it difficult to see objects closeup), astigmatism (when your cornea or lens has a different shape than usual), and presbyopia (a refractive error that makes it hard for older adults to see things up close).

Since prescription glasses rest slightly in front of your eyes, around 12 millimeters away, and contact lenses sit directly on them, you need two separate tests to determine their unique measurements. This means that the parameters specified on your glasses prescription may often differ from your contact lens prescription.

Prescription for glasses vs contacts and how to read glasses and contact lens prescriptions

After your eye test, you will receive a prescription card determining your specific prescription. Your glasses prescription and contact lens prescription will be provided on two different cards. Once you have these prescriptions, you can shop for your glasses or contact lenses online or in-store.

Prescription for glasses vs contacts
Prescription for glasses vs contacts
DID YOU KNOW?

There is no way to convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription, and vice versa.

The key differences between a contact lens and a glasses prescription are shown in the image above. Contact lens prescriptions include certain specifications that are not on your glasses prescription, including:

Base Curve (BC): This measures the curvature of your lens and is based on your eye shape, measured in millimeters.

Diameter (DIA): This specifies the size of the lens and how the lens fits on your actual eye in terms of width, measured in millimeters.

Lens material: This includes the material of your contact lens, which can be either hydrogel or silicone.

Brand manufacturer: There are thousands of contact lens brands out there, so placing the name of the contact lens brand helps with reordering in the future. The ‘brand’ section specifies the measurements and material.

The power/sph (sphere) indicates the lens power, which can be found on both glasses and contact lens prescriptions.

On glasses prescriptions specifically, you can also find the cylinder (Cyl), which indicates the strength of astigmatism, and the axis, which represents the orientation of the cylinder.  If you have multifocal lenses, an ‘ADD’ means the additional positive power required for the eyes to focus.

The ‘prism’ section helps correct people with double vision, aiding in aligning two images so that only one image can be seen, which can only be found on glasses prescriptions. Furthermore, your contact lens prescription may also include an axis and cylinder if it is a lens for astigmatism or multifocal purposes.

Can you convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription?

No, it is impossible to convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription directly. Furthermore, you cannot convert a contact lens prescription to a glasses prescription. Doctors can prescribe your contact lens prescription after you have completed a contact lens exam.

Can I use my glasses prescription for contact lenses?

As well as not being able to convert your prescriptions, you cannot use your glasses prescription to work out your contact lens prescription. It is important to note that only some people who wear glasses can also wear contact lenses. Therefore, it is recommended you get an eye test for both prescriptions. 

Are contact lenses or glasses better?

When choosing between contact lenses or glasses, we recommend you consider your lifestyle, comfort, and price. For example, eyeglasses require little cleaning and maintenance, as well as not having to physically touch your eyes, helping to avoid the risk of eye infections.

However, contact lenses do not fog up, which is useful when playing sports, but they can be more expensive than glasses. We recommend trying glasses and contact lenses to see which suits your lifestyle better.

Where to buy contact lenses and glasses online

You can find affordable glasses or contact lenses online or in-store at your local opticians as long as you have an up-to-date prescription. You can use our online Lens Scanner to reveal your current glasses prescription in minutes.

However, if you haven’t had an eye exam in the last two years, we recommend booking an appointment to ensure your prescription is accurate. You will need a separate eye test to determine your contact lens prescription, but often you can get your contact lens exam performed at the same time as your eye exam.

So, whether you prefer to wear contact lenses or glasses, you need to book an up-to-date eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy. Furthermore, remember that you cannot use the same prescription for your glasses and contact lenses and require two separate tests.