A Look at Eyeglasses

By Frankie Goh

ARE you reading this with the aid of eyeglasses? Well, you are by no means alone.

Wearing glasses has thus become so commonplace that if your friends make any comment on them, it is probably because you have changed your style of frames or have decided not to wear them at all. Most of us get so accustomed to our spectacles that we put them on and take them off with hardly a thought-unless they start slipping down our noses or steaming up.

Most eyeglass wearers, though, would probably prefer 20/20 vision to stylish frames. Eyeglasses can be a nuisance. Nevertheless, people with poor eyesight have never had it so good.

Early Vision Aids

Roman emperor Nero, in order to see the gladiatorial games better, is said to have had a lens made from emerald-a rather expensive and inefficient way of improving failing eyesight. In ancient times lenses were similarly made from crystal glass, quartz, amethyst, beryl, and topaz. However, about the year 1268, English monk Roger Bacon described how a segment of a glass sphere could be used as a reading aid. About this same time, the first eyeglasses-frames with crude lenses fitted in them-started to appear.

Who invented them first-the Italians or the Chinese? This is a matter of dispute, as the device appeared to emerge in both lands almost simultaneously. On the one hand, a tomb in Florence, Italy, bears this epitaph: "Here lies Salvino d'Armato of the Armati of Florence. The inventor of spectacles. God forgive him his sins." No one is sure when he died-1285, 1317, or 1340. On the other hand, the great Italian explorer Marco Polo recalled seeing many people in China wearing eyeglasses when he first arrived there in the late 13th century. Indeed, legend has it that eyeglasses were worn in China from as early as 500 C.E.

At any rate, by the 16th century, the optical trade was flourishing in Venice, as well as Nuremberg and other European centers. Eyeglasses became sought-after ornaments, sold in many cities by street peddlers. But alas, the vendors offered no vision test with their wares. So the buyer may have had his looks improved but not necessarily his sight!

Spectacles Today

Eyeglasses steadily improved. They were attached to the ears by ribbons or to the nose by means of a spring clip. By the early 18th century, someone came up with the idea of supporting eyeglasses by means of rigid earpieces. This is still the most popular method.

Lens manufacture also improved dramatically. High-grade optical glass eventually replaced transparent crystalline substances. Sir Isaac Newton's 17th-century experiments with prisms led to an understanding of light refraction. Precision lenses could thus be made with scientific accuracy.

In 1784, American statesman Benjamin Franklin invented an ingenious solution to a problem he had with his eyeglasses. His reading glasses interfered with his distant vision, and those he had for distant vision were not suitable for him to read with. So instead of continually switching two different pairs of eyeglasses, he reasoned, why not combine the two sorts of lenses in one pair of eyeglasses? Thus bifocals were born. However, it was another hundred years before an efficient means of manufacturing them was developed.

Different forms of optical glass are also available to meet specialized needs. Laminated or toughened lenses can be fitted to safety glasses so that workers' eyes are protected from flying particles. Some lenses are photosensitive: When exposed to bright sunlight, they darken, and when in the shade or indoors, they become clear again. Yet other lenses are plastic, reducing the weight of eyeglasses considerably and allowing people with thick lenses to wear them without discomfort.

'Me? Spectacles?'

Perhaps, though, you are one of the fortunate few who are endowed with perfect sight. Probably not for long.

'Are you saying that I might have to wear glasses someday?' you ask. Yes, the odds are that you probably will, even if right now the world is in sharp focus. Why? Well, for one thing, by the time you are 45 years old-or older-you will probably notice the effects of presbyopia. Now, don't be frightened by that word. All it means is that the lenses in your eyes will not shift focus from close-up to far away as efficiently as they did in your youth. Spectacles are just one of the prices paid in the aging process.

Do your parents wear glasses? Many feel that vision problems are genetic. If so, your having to wear glasses yourself one day may already have been predetermined.

In time, however, age, genes, and habits may take their toll and cause common eye ailments, such as farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), astigmatism (an imperfect curvature of the cornea), and squinting (strabismus). If you are afflicted with any of the above, a trip to an eye specialist (such as an optometrist) is in order. Then it is simply a matter of selecting a pair of frames that suits your fancy.

Caring for Your Spectacles

Eyeglasses can be quite expensive, and you may be dependent upon them to carry out your daily routine. Therefore, look after them properly. When you take them off, never put them down on the lenses. Also, make sure that you do not place them where they could be sat on or stepped on. Eyeglasses tend to get dirty quickly, so the lenses should be polished daily with a soft, dry cloth, and the frames washed in warm, soapy water from time to time. If you have young children who wear eyeglasses, you will probably find that their glasses need to be cleaned more frequently.

What, though, if your glasses go out of adjustment and no longer fit properly? Take them to your optician for repair rather than risk doing the job yourself.

With proper care, you will get good service out of your spectacles. Oh, they may still be a minor nuisance from time to time, but they do improve your vision-and perhaps even your looks. Certainly that's worth a little nuisance, isn't it?

Eyeglasses and Fashion

'Glasses will spoil my looks!' say many when told that they will have to wear eyeglasses. However, fashion designers have so effectively applied their talents to eyeglass design that a pair of spectacles can be a rather flattering article of adornment.

For one thing, frame manufacturers have taken advantage of new lightweight, durable plastics, making the choice of color and size almost endless. Too, by using high-refractive-index glass, it is possible to make strong-prescription lenses tolerably thin. And when coated with an antireflection film, they become almost invisible.

If you are fashion-conscious, you may choose eyeglass frames as wardrobe accessories. A brochure produced by the Optical Information Council recommends that you select frames that will match the shape of your face, accentuating the good features while minimizing those not so good. For example, would you like to slim down your face? Then, says the brochure, choose frames that have color concentrated on the bridge, fading to clear temples. Do you have close-set eyes? Then choose frames with a clear bridge and color concentrated at the outer edges. Try on different styles, and study the different effects. You may find that it helps to take along a good friend who can be relied upon to give an honest opinion.

If you find eyeglasses too bothersome, consider contact lenses. They may be comfortably worn all day by many people.

Frankie Goh is a full-time family counsellor and researcher.
He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com
He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Ultra-Herbal Products & HerbalBiz Affiliate Program.

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Lasik Surgery Can Free You Of Glasses And Contact Lenses

By J. Lloyd

For most of us who manage daily any level of compromised vision, our world is one where eyeglasses, contact lenses, pricey prescriptions, and frequent visits to the eye doctor are standard. But as Lasik surgery technology has continued to evolve and its popularity has risen exponentially, more and more people are choosing refractive eye surgery as an alternative to glasses and contacts.

Lasik surgery involves the reshaping of the cornea – the thin, transparent tissue covering the iris – or colored section – of your eye. The lens of the eye – which sits right behind the iris refracts – or bends – light rays so that they are seen by the retina – located in the back of the eye. The retina's job is to then take these light rays and covert them to messages that can be understood by our brain’s optic nerve.

If you understand this process then you can understand that if our eyes suffer refractive difficulties, the light is not bent properly to the retina and the image that our brain receives is blurry. When we wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, the light is brought closer to the lens or sent directly to the retina. Lasik surgery uses laser technology to reshape the cornea so that light is refracted clearly.

During a Lasik surgery procedure, the patient is normally first given anesthetic eye drops to help numb the eye and minimize discomfort after which a speculum is placed on the upper and lower eyelids to prevent blinking. The eye is then immobilized using a corneal suction ring. After the eye is immobilized, a thin incision is made in the top layer of the corneal tissue, making a very thin flap in the tissue. When the flap is folded over, the second layer of the cornea – the stroma – is revealed.

Laser power is then used to resurface this part of the cornea. Such resurfacing is done based on what specific issues are apparent in your particular eye; information that is normally gathered during pre-surgical visits. After the reshaping, the flap is repositioned over the eye; healing takes place naturally and often very quickly.

Lasik surgery is a relatively quick procedure – usually completed in less than 20 minutes for both eyes – and most patients report that it is virtually painless; while it can be mildly uncomfortable at times. While vision may be blurry for up to a day following surgery, most people report clear vision after this time.

Lasik surgery, while popular, is not for everyone. In fact, a pre-surgical examination is imperative to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik. Surgeons who perform Lasik normally look for at least six months of prescription stability in patients – meaning that your eyeglass or contact lenses prescription has remained the same.

In addition, refractive difficulties should fall under the appropriate guidelines for Lasik correction for the best chance of success. The doctor will also want to ensure that you are in good overall health.

http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik surgery.

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5 Things You Need to Know When Shopping for Prescription Eyeglasses

By Peter Wallander

Millions of people through out the world wear prescription eyeglasses. Thankfully for them fashion is no longer out of their reach. Several clothing designers are now catering to eyeglass wearers everywhere. For those of us who remember when eyeglass frames were made in basic black, these new frames are a wonderful addition to the showroom choices. However, with all of these great choices come some questions that need to be answered. What color, shape, style is best for you? Some answers to these important questions can be found below.

1- When you are in the beginning stages of choosing your next pair of glasses, it is important to first check with your insurance company's policies. You need to know the amount that they will cover and if anything is not covered under your particular plan.

2- After you have had your initial eye exam, it is time to choose your new frames. There are several types of materials to choose from, all with their own attributes. For example, titanium and aluminum frames are lightweight, durable and can be custom fit, but they are also on the expensive side. While plastic frames are also durable and lightweight, they do not offer the same fitting options, but are less expensive.

3- Another important element to choosing the right prescription eyeglasses for you is the type of lenses that you choose. A general rule is that the smaller the lens the better, this is because a smaller lens tends to be lighter weight. There are also several choices of materials from which lenses can be made; again, they all have pros and cons attached to them. Lenses made of glass are heavy, but tend to be naturally scratch resistant. While plastic (polycarbonate) lenses are lighter, they do require extra care to prevent scratching. Thankfully, there are an array of options that can be added to the lighter weight plastic lenses to make them more user friendly.

4- It is a good idea to bring a friend along with you. The doctor's office will generally have someone there to help you pick the right frames for your facial shape and coloring, but a friend will be able to help you choose the right frames to fit your personality.

5- Ask for your prescription if you do not see the right pair of frames in your doctors' showroom. You can take the prescription to other stores and choose your glasses there. This is also helpful if you want to have your eye exam performed at a local doctor, but would like to take advantage of a sale at a larger national store.

Visit http://find-eye-glasses.info or http://best-eye-glasses.info to learn more about kate spade eye glasses and eye glasses.

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The Next Best Thing: Bifocal Contact Lenses

By Carl DiNello

You’ve been wearing bifocal glasses for years, and you’re gotten sick of them. Having to wear your bifocals has stopped you from getting the fashionable sunglasses that you want for the summer. You have grown so disenchanted with bifocal glasses that you don’t bother with eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, or any other kind of eye makeup. Why bother? They’ll be almost impossible to notice behind those thick, rather unsightly frames anyway.

While you will always be grateful to Benjamin Franklin, for inventing the bifocals, and yes your life is relatively more comfortable with them, you can’t help but wish that he had made them a little more stylish.

If this is how you feel about wearing bifocals everyday, then you will be delighted to know that as a result of technology there are finally bifocal contact lenses available in the market.

As you already know, bifocals are a special kind of corrective eyeglass lens that contains two different optical powers. Bifocals are most often used by people suffering from presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, and even astigmatism.

Today most people will prefer contact lenses over the wearing of ordinary eyeglasses. For starters, a bifocal contact lens is less distracting, and unlike eyeglasses, you may even forget that you are wearing them. Also, they are more aesthetically pleasing, with no eyeglass frames getting in the way of people seeing your entire face, particularly your eyes. To a great many individuals, bifocal contact lenses are the obvious choice.

For those people who require bifocals, as the saying goes, bifocal contact lenses may be the best thing since sliced bread. After all, with bifocal contact lenses, you can enjoy all of the advantages of wearing bifocal eyeglasses without the hassle of the frames.

Before the bifocal contact lens was developed, people who required bifocals but wanted contact lenses would have to own two pairs, one for distance, and one for reading. Now, the bifocal contact lens solves the problem by answering your need to see clearly in the distance as well as close up.

Bifocal contact lenses are manufactured to two ways; they are either made from soft material – that is, gel-like substances that contain water, or rigid gas permeable material made of breathable plastic.

Replacement bifocal contact lenses are now readily available in the marketplace. Some, if this would be your preference, even allow daily replacement of your bifocal contacts. If constant replacement is inconvenient, in February 2006, bifocal contact lenses made of silicone hydrogel material also became available. These lenses allow you to wear them without removal up to thirty consecutive days.

However, heed this word of caution: beware of unapproved, unbranded, over-the-counter bifocal contact lenses. Always be sure when you purchase your bifocal contact lenses that they are FDA approved. Buying “off-label” contact lenses, whether bifocal or not, just to save a little money is not worth the risk. These bifocal contact lenses may cause serious harm to your eyesight, sometimes even resulting in blindness. Be smart, and safe, by only purchasing bifocal contact lenses that are prescribed by your doctor. Your eye doctor is legally prohibited from prescribing contact lenses that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Remember, before heading out to your neighborhood optical store, be sure to visit and consult with your eye doctor who is the best person to help you pick out the bifocal contact lenses that will meet your vision correction needs, and be perfectly safe.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet's most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit Contact Lens Resources!

You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.

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Contact Lens & Eyeglasses Exams - New Advances

By Dhavid Cooper

Contact lens and eyeglasses exams are getting easier and easier. New advances in eye examination procedures provide the doctor with a starting point on the eyeglass prescription and a detailed analysis on the shape of the front of the eye. One such instrument is the autorefractor, a computer that estimates the prescription of the eye within a few seconds.

The glaucoma test is often done using an instrument that blows a puff of air in your eye to determine your eye's internal pressure. The test is helpful in detecting glaucoma but is not conclusive in ruling it out. Eye pressures can fluctuate during the course of a day and ideally pressures should be measured in the morning and again in the afternoon when there is concern about high pressure.

Dilation of the eye is a procedure that allows the doctor to temporarily open the pupil in order to view the back of the eye. This procedure is helpful in evaluating for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, retinal detachment and many other diseases.

Visual Field testing is a sophisticated computerized instrument which allows the doctor to test the sensitivity of the retina and optic nerve. This is valuable in assisting the early detection of many eye diseases including glaucoma, optic neuritis, macular degeneration and some neurologic lesions.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EYE EXAM You need to do more than just make an appointment for an eye exam. You also need to gather information that will help your optometrist assess your eye health and vision, and provide you with good vision for your varied lifestyle. Write down your answers to these questions and give the information to your optometrist when you go for your exam.

1. What chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or allergies do you or any close family members have? Your eyes can be affected by your general health.
2. What eye health problems, like glaucoma, run in your family?
3. What prescription and non-prescription medications are you taking? Drugs sometimes can affect your eyes and vision.
4. How do you use your eyes for work? Make note of the tasks that you do, how long and how often you do them, the distance between your eyes and each task, and details about your work environment. Such information helps the optometrist determine the exact prescription and any special lens design needed to give you sharp, comfortable vision on the job.
5. What are your hobbies and sports? Your optometrist can help you decide whether or not you need a special pair of eyeglasses or safety glasses for your hobby or sport.
6. What problems are you having with your eyes? Some symptoms are blurred vision, difficulty changing focus from far to near and visa versa, squinting, double vision, seeing floaters or flashes of light, headaches, difficult seeing at night or in dim light, burning or itching or tired eyes.

If you would like to publish this information on your website, include the following information with a direct link to http://www.framesdirect.com

Dr. Dhavid Cooper and Dr. Guy Hodgson are the founders of FramesDirect.com which has been recognized for outstanding customer service and satisfaction. FramesDirect.com is fast becoming the global leader of prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and sun glasses sales online.

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Prescription Eyeglasses Or Contact Lenses Which is Better ?

By Martin Smith

Many means have been used over time to correct vision. The monocle and eyeglass on a stick came before prescription eyeglasses that had first had limited styles. As technology improved, lenses for glasses were getting smaller.

A lot of people were looking for eyeglasses to wear that they didn't have to worry about being lost or getting broken. Contact lenses were great but expensive when they came along. You would have to get new lenses if you lost them or dropped them.

Someone I knew lost a contact lens and developed an eye infection. The doctor found on examination that the lens had slipped out of place. Rigid contact lenses took some getting used to. People wanted softer lenses that were flexible, and easy to put in.

People wanted lenses they could wear all the time because the softer lenses had to be removed and cleaned every night. As more people were able to afford contacts because of the lower prices they got sick and tired of cleaning them and the expense of all the cleaning solutions needed.

It would be wonderful if contact lenses could be disposed of at night and people could get rid of the cleaning solutions. Disposable lenses came out in 1987 and were designed to be worn for a certain period of time before you needed to dispose of them.

There are terms and explanations that will help you understand disposable contact lenses. Contact lenses that can be worn for up to two weeks, discarded and replaced are called disposable lenses. Frequent Replacement lenses are replaced anytime from one to three months.

Every six months traditional/reusable lenses are replaced if not before. You can wear Extended Wear lenses for up to two weeks even while you sleep. The need for cleaning solutions is eliminated with daily disposables because they are removed and discarded every night.

Together with your doctor the right replacement schedule for you will be decided on. How you wear your contacts will help determine how often your will need to remove, replace, and/or discard them. Day and night Contact Lenses - You wear these lenses day and night for up to 30 days.

After they are removed you get rid of them. The best idea in my opinion is the use of Day and Night Contact Lenses if you can tolerate them. Think about what you can do with the extra time you will have since you won't be cleaning your lenses every night.

You eyes will be healthier the more often you replace your lenses. Your eyes could be come very uncomfortable and you could become prone to eye infections because over time lipids, proteins, and calcium could build up on them.

Some reasons to wear disposable lenses are for theatrical purposes and color changer lenses are often used. Among the wide variety of contact lenses available are animal eye lenses and those with company logos. What are the benefits, if there are any of disposable contact lenses?

Lenses are sterile and there is a lower risk of infections. There is little time for calcium, proteins, and lipids to build up on them. You will have clearer vision with them. They are not to be used with any cleaning solutions.

Storing cleaning solutions and having them is no longer necessary. The ideal lens for people with allergies is the daily disposable lenses especially during allergy seasons. If you only wear contacts a few times a week, these are great. If you wear contacts only a few times during the week, these are cheaper.

If your lose them or you rip your lenses simply throw them out and open a new package. There are greater benefits to disposable contacts than there are to eyeglasses. Many carry glasses just in case something happens to their contacts. Discuss the use of any contact lenses including disposables with your eye care professional.

He should perform a thorough examination of your eyes as well. You can get a free trial period of wear for up to a week from some manufacturers, if you do the research. You can get disposable contact lenses from online and from traditional eye care/wear places.

You need a prescription for contact lenses no matter where you get them. You should know that not everyone can wear contacts, only you and your doctor can make that decision. Make sure you will be able to afford them.

Contact manufacturers for special offers and/or free trial periods. Check out what lenses are available for your personal prescription. You need to do what is best for you.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Bifocal Contact Lenses and Contact Lenses, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

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Are You Short-Changing Your Vision By Not Using Cheap Contact Lenses?

By Bob Simons

Contact lens, as we all know, are not just a corrective lens that gives better vision to those of us with eyesight problems. These special lenses, which are normally placed on the eyes’ cornea, are extremely lightweight and usually appear virtually invisible. Likewise, they can come in a range of colors that can create a new look for your facial appearance.

Because of these reasons, many perceive contact lenses to be a far better option when compared to eyeglasses. Hence, some people believe this option also comes with an expensive price tag - but that is totally wrong. There are many top quality yet cheap contact lenses available today.

If you want to save some money when purchasing your contact lens then you should know the best places where you can get a cheap price for contact lenses. Besides being just practical, you should also be clever in your search for cheap contact lenses. Hence, you should also know the key things that you should consider before you buy a pair.

Today, there have been huge volumes of products sold every month after month over the Internet - so if you are planning on purchasing contact lens, you should try looking at online retailers. You’ll find that there are numerous cheap contact lenses sources online available today.

You should know that you can easily get the proper vision you really need even when you purchase cheap contact lenses online.

There are some people who own eyeglasses, but they only keep them in its case, simply because they dislike the idea of looking like an older person who wears glasses. It’s impractical and inconvenient to have a vision problem when there are readily available means to quickly correct it. And cheap contact lenses are an ideal alternative to using eyeglasses; their cost is virtually the same price, which can be quite affordable.

For some people, finding cheap contact lenses is somewhat difficult. But because of the Internet it is really easy these days. Plus there are many online retailers that offer discounts on their contact lenses. Because of this you can really save money through using this approach.

There are certain e-retailers that are immensely popular simply because they sell contact lenses at a very low-cost price level.

The main advantage of purchasing cheap contact lens online is simple; you will have more selections when compared to local stores. There are various manufacturers as well as brands offered by online retailers which may not be found at your local contact lens retailer.

The process of buying from online stores only requires you to give them your prescription. Then they will use your prescription to verify with your ophthalmologist whether it is recent or not. . This information will serve as your record for them. So the next time that you order from them, it will be quick and trouble-free for both of you. Plus ordering via the Internet will usually get you free shipping if you find the right retailer.

Most online stores will also help you save some money on your follow-up eye exam. Most of them also provide updates regarding medical information concerning your eyes, like information on preventing eye diseases and about your key eye functions.

However, when buying cheap contact lenses online, you should not just look for the best places where you can buy them at the lowest price. That's because it’s more important to know the best contact lens that will ideally fit your eyes.

For more valuable and helpful information on discount contact lenses, simply visit JustYourContactLens.com where you will find more information about cheap contact lenses, soft contacts, Acuvue contact lenses, Freshlook Colorblends contacts and night and day contacts.

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