Top-Of-The-Line Eyewear

 

The doctor will provide you with a suggested choice of lens features, including the material of the lens, design and surfacing of the lens, tints, and other lens features such as scratch resistant (S/R), anti-reflection (A/R), ultraviolet protection (UV), coatings, and edge treatments.

 

Your prescription determines how thick your lenses must be, what shape they are, and how heavy they are on your face. The professional optician at Family Eye Care of Woodstock and Lake Geneva will assist you in choosing a frame that will work well with your lenses.

 

Source: Optical Laboratories Association

Buying a frame without trying it on to check whether it fits your lenses and your face might mean money misspent.

 

Most people are aware of how harmful UV radiations are to the skin. However, many may not realize that UV radiation can harm the eyes and other components of solar radiation can also affect vision.

There are three types of UV radiations. UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not present any threat. However, UV-A and UV-B radiations can have long-term and short-term negative effects on the eyes and vision.

 

If your eyes are exposed to an excessive amount of UV radiation over a short period of time, you will experience photokeratitis. Like a “sunburn of the eye," photokeratitis can be painful. Its symptoms include red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing.

Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause permanent damage to the eyes.

The longer the eyes are exposed to solar radiation, the greater the risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration later in life. It is not clear how much exposure to solar radiation will cause damage. 

Therefore, whenever you spend time outdoors, wear quality sunglasses that offer UV protection and a hat or cap with a wide brim. Also, certain contact lenses can provide additional UV protection.

To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should:

 

If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, consider wearing wraparound frames for additional protection from the harmful solar radiation.

 

Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

 

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum. Some types of blue light can be beneficial, helping us regulate our bodies' internal biological clocks.

 

However, blue-violet light can be harmful to the eyes, specifically the retina. It is a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration, a deterioration of the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision.

 

A recent study found that Americans spend almost 2 ½ hours on their tablets and smartphones every day. In addition, most offices and stores use fluorescent light bulbs and LED lights are becoming increasingly popular.

 

Lenses that absorb harmful blue light but allow beneficial blue light through your lenses are entering the marketplace. You could also apply a special clear coating to traditional lenses to enhance their ability to block these harmful rays while you use computers and smartphones.

See your doctor of optometry at Family Eye Care of Woodstock and Lake Geneva every year for a comprehensive eye examination.