What is hyperopia?

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What is Hyperopia?

What does hyperopia mean? | What does hyperopia look like? | What causes hyperopia, and what are the symptoms? | How to correct hyperopia | Conclusion

Hyperopia is better known as farsightedness. Learn all about the condition, its causes, symptoms and treatments in this article.

At any stage in life, you can develop refractive errors that blur or distort your eyesight. One of these eye conditions is farsightedness, otherwise known as hyperopia. So, what is hyperopia exactly? 

If your eyes find it hard to focus and you do not see nearby objects clearly, you likely have hyperopia. You can use prescription eyewear to comfortably correct hyperopia and regain clarity when reading a book or taking a photo. 

Let’s have a look at what it means to have hyperopia.

What does hyperopia mean?

Hyperopia is a common eye condition where you can see distant objects clearly but may find nearby objects blurry. In short, your eyes focus on distant objects better than on nearby ones. Sometimes, hyperopia is also referred to as hypermetropia.

So, are hyperopia and farsightedness the same? Yes, you can say hyperopia to refer to someone who is farsighted rather than nearsighted.

However, do not confuse hyperopia with presbyopia, which causes blurry vision while looking at nearby objects. 

Presbyopia is the condition where nearby objects appear blurry, even with glasses. It usually develops around the age of 40 and progresses through the age of 60. To help with presbyopia,  people use reading glasses or eventually upgrade to more corrective multifocal lenses.

DID YOU KNOW?

Approximately 14 million people in the United States have hyperopia.

What does hyperopia look like?

See the image below to visualize  what it looks like to have hyperopia (farsightedness) compared to ‘normal’ vision:

This problem occurs when rays of light enter your eye and focus behind the retina rather than on it. A hyperopic patient’s eyeball is shorter than average. In fact, many children are born hyperopic but outgrow the condition as their eyeballs grow.

What causes hyperopia, and what are the symptoms?

Hyperopia stems from a refractive error that occurs when your cornea or lens isn’t evenly curved. This leads to improper refraction of light rays.

Causes of hyperopia

Your eye has two parts that focus on images.

  1. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue that forms the front of the eye. It acts as a window and allows light to enter the eye. It helps your eye process light rays to allow you to see words and images.
  2. The lens is a transparent and flexible tissue found directly behind the iris and pupil. It helps focus light and images on your retina.

In an eye without refractive error, these eye parts have flawlessly smooth curvatures. All incoming light is refracted (or bent) by the cornea and lens, which creates a tightly focused image on the retina at the rear of the eye.

Light rays aren’t correctly refracted if your cornea or lens isn’t bent evenly, which results in a refractive error. When your eye is shorter or your cornea is not curved enough, it creates hazy near vision, which is known as hyperopia or farsightedness.

For example, astigmatism is a refractive error that happens when your cornea or lens is bent more sharply in one direction. When left unchecked, this causes blurry vision.

Symptoms of hyperopia 

The initial signs of farsightedness are:

  • Nearby objects may appear blurry
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing on nearby objects, which may cause squinting
  • Eye strain or fatigue when working on something in close range. You may also feel burning eyes and aching around the eyes

When to see a doctor

Adults

Getting an eye exam every year, from the age of 40, can help prevent or determine the risk of eye conditions such as glaucoma.

If you don’t wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, and are at low risk of eye diseases or present no eye troubles, then you should still consider routine eye tests.

In general,  you should follow this exam schedule:

  • An initial exam at the age of 40
  • Between 40-54, every 2-4 years
  • Between 55-64, every 1-3 years
  • 65 onwards, every 1-2 years

If you have eye-related health conditions like diabetes or wear glasses regularly, then consult your optician or eye doctor for regular appointments.

Children

Ideally, children should be screened for eye diseases or vision correction by a pediatrician, optometrist, or trained screener with the following schedule:

  1. Starting at 6 months
  2. An eye test at 3 years
  3. Before 1st grade and every 2 years during school years

If hyperopia isn’t treated, some children may face problems such as the lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), development delays, and learning difficulties.

How to correct hyperopia

There are three main corrections to help with hyperopia:

  1. Prescription glasses
  2. Contact lenses
  3. LASIK surgery

Typically, you only need to wear prescription eyeglasses for activities with close-up objects such as reading a book or using the computer. Farsightedness prescriptions are indicated with a plus sign before the corrective value.

High-index aspheric lenses are an excellent option for stronger prescriptions. They can reduce thickness in the center of the lens, which is typical for higher hyperopic prescriptions. This will make the lenses more appealing and lighter.

For the most comfortable, clear vision, we recommend opting for high-performance Arise HD Clarity lenses. For children, we recommend polycarbonate lenses that are highly durable, lightweight, and impact resistant.

Refractive surgeries such as Lasik help correct hyperopia and reduce or eliminate the need to wear prescription eyeglasses. The surgery may implicate certain side effects, so always consult an eye doctor first.

Conclusion

If you find it difficult to see up close but the objects in the distance are crystal clear, then you may have hyperopia (farsightedness).

An activity as simple as reading a book might be difficult, as your vision finds it hard to focus on the words right in front of you. Untreated hyperopia can cause eye strain, headaches,  and eye conditions such as strabismus.

Luckily, you can easily use Prescription glasses or contact lenses to correct farsightedness with any low or high prescription. For a more permanent solution, you can also consider LASIK surgery after a consultation with your eye doctor.

At SmartyBuyGlasses, you can find a range of prescription glasses and contact lenses that can meet any prescription, from single vision to progressive lenses. We are here to help you correct hyperopia through quality eyeglasses and sunglasses with endless styles and colours.

Parts of Glasses: All You Need to Know

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Parts Of Glasses: All You Need To Know

What are the parts of glasses called? | Frame | Rim | Bridge | Top bar or brow bar or sweat bar | Nose pads | Pad arms | End pieces | Hinges | Screws | Temples or arms

How many of the 11 different parts that makeup glasses can you name? By the end of this article, you'll know them all.

Did you know that glasses are not just lenses and frames? Many other subparts make up the structure of spectacles, and they all have a name and a specific function.

Vision is an aspect of our life that we often take for granted. For many of us, it’s only when we are told that we require vision correction that we realize how much vision improves our quality of life every day.

Seeing that they are such fragile objects, we need to know the parts of eyeglasses so that if ever the need be, we are empowered to explain our requirements to an optical professional, or we can look for replacement glasses parts by ourselves at a store.

What are the parts of glasses called?

Essentially, any pair of eyeglasses has three parts: the front of the frame and the two arms,  known as temples. Each of these has its subparts depending on the design and materials used. The subparts are all indicated in the labeled picture here and then explained in the list below.

DID YOU KNOW?

Half rim andrimless glasses often have a nylon rope that holds thelenses in place.

  • Frame

By frame, it’s meant everything that surrounds the lenses. It is the structure of the glasses. Frames can be made of many materials, such as plastic, acetate, metal, wood, and other eco-friendly materials. They can also have different shapes and features, and they have many separate parts with specific names.

  • Rim

Glasses can have full-rim, semi-rim, or rimless frames. The rim is the front part of the frame, which holds the lenses. It is the part of the glasses that gives them their characteristic style.

  • Bridge

It bridges the two lenses over your nose and holds most of the weight of your glasses. It’s a determining factor for how well the glasses will fit your face. Indeed, bridges vary by style to suit different face shapes.

  • Top bar or brow bar or sweat bar

Some glasses have a top bar placed just above the bridge between the lenses. Its purpose is either to make the frame more sturdy or to add a fashion detail. For example, most pilot models have a top bar. This piece can also be known as a double bridge.

  • Nose pads

These refer to the small oval pads that rest on your nose for a perfect fit and to prevent the glasses from slipping down. Nose pads can be set up in two ways:

Full-rim nose pads: in this case, the nose pads are sculpted as part of the frame front. They’re polished to not be rough on your nose. Acetate or Plastic frames most often have sculpted nose pads which are a part of the frame front.

Push-in nose pads: in this case, the nose pads are attached to the rim. They are usually made of soft clear plastic. The bigger the pad, the more visible it is, and the lesser it is likely to “dig” into the skin. Metal frames have small bars that hold soft plastic nose pads that are adjustable. You can opt for adjustable nose pads for the best comfort.

  • Pad arms

These small pieces (“arms”) attach the nose pads to the rim. They can be adjustable so you can find the best fit, and they are mainly built on metal frames.

  • End pieces

The end pieces are found at the top outer corners of the rim. They connect the hinges to the temples and can be decorated to insert fashion details into the frame.

  • Hinges

The hinges are the metal joints of your glasses, held together by screws or sometimes by intricate metal joins. They connect the end pieces (or frame front, as not all frames have end pieces) to the temples. Thanks to the hinges, you can easily fold and move the temples. There’s a variety of hinges available which are secured in different ways, such as spring hinges.

  • Screws

The screws are the parts of glasses that are easier to replace if broken or lost. They hold together the two halves of a hinge and can be tightened or loosened with a little screwdriver. Most glasses repair kits include screws and a screwdriver specifically made for them.

  • Temples or arms

Temples are the “arms” of your frames and are located on the sides of your head, sitting on your ears. Their core function is to keep your glasses secure as you go through the day wearing them. Temples can be of the following types:

Paddle or blade or straight temple: it’s a temple without a bend to it and is, therefore, completely straight.

Curl sides: also known as cable temples and typically found in metal frames, the part of the temple close to the ear curls at the ends for a comfortable fit.

Drop or hockey end or swan neck: it is the most common design found in modern eyeglass frames. These frames bend downward to create a secure fit behind your ears.

  • Temple tips

The temple tips are placed at the end of the temples. They are made from a different and more comfortable material because they aim to protect the skin behind your ear from irritation.

  • Lenses

Lenses are the most crucial part of your prescription glasses. They’re chosen according to the prescription details from your optometrist for correcting your vision problems (like astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia).

Lenses can be made of various materials and then customized with many different coatings, such as anti-scratch, anti-fog, and anti-glare, and add-ons like transitions, polarization,  zFORT® blue block, tinting, and mirror.

According to your prescription and needs, your optician will point you in the right direction regarding which lenses to choose.

5 Advantages of Titanium Frames

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5 Advantages Of Titanium Frames

1. Durability | 2. Lightweight | 3. Flexiblility | 4. Corrosion Resistant | 5. Hypoallergenic

Titanium has a lot of properties that make it a great, long-lasting choice of material for glasses frames.

Titanium is a transition metal that is often used in the production of eyeglass frames. Titanium metal is high strength and low density. While titanium frames can cost more than some materials like plastic, wood or other metals, there are some clear advantages that can make it worth the investment.

Before purchasing your next pair of glasses, read about these 5 advantages of having titanium eyeglass frames:

1. Durability

Titanium metal is extremely strong and that’s what makes titanium frames last longer than others. Titanium eyeglasses frames can survive more than just the average wear and tear, which means your investment could be saving you money in the long run.

If you’re somebody that is typically rougher with your glasses than others, you should consider titanium glasses frames.

DID YOU KNOW?

Titanium is also well-suited to hip replacements and tooth implants!

2. Lightweight

While titanium metal is very strong, you wouldn’t know it just by feeling them. This is because titanium metal is low density, giving titanium glasses frames their lightweight quality. This feature also makes titanium glasses a good option for anyone with higher prescriptions. 

3. Flexiblility

Another misleading feature of titanium frames is their flexibility. Titanium metal has a certain amount of bend and flexibility that most metals do not.

This flexibility might make the titanium frames seem fragile, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Their flexible quality, on the contrary, is what makes titanium glasses more suited for everyday wear-and-tear. 

4. Corrosion Resistant

While many people prefer metal frames to plastic, metal has a rusting quality over time, especially when in contact with water. Titanium metal, on the other hand, is rust-resistant. With titanium glasses, you won’t have to worry about moisture corroding your frames.

5. Hypoallergenic

If you have sensitive skin or are bothered by most eyeglass frame materials, then titanium glasses are definitely the right choice for you. Titanium is hypoallergenic meaning it will not cause you any negative skin reactions. Titanium frames are often the preferred option for anyone who has sensitive skin.

You can read about titanium rimless glasses or click here for information about the right lens materials for you. Interested in purchasing titanium frames? Shop the best range of titanium glasses frames here.

Do Computer Glasses Work?

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Do Computer Glasses Work?

What are computer glasses? | How do they work? | What is CVS? | What is blue light? | Computer glasses vs. blue light glasses | Do you need a prescription? | Are they worth it?

With more time being spent behind digital screens, it’s important to understand your options when it comes to computer glasses.

We are spending more time than ever in front of digital screens, and this amount will likely continue to increase. We have all been there, staring, or possibly squinting, at a phone or computer screen for long hours. Our necks are aching and our eyes burning, but the work must be done! 

Don’t freight! Thanks to evolving lens technology, opticians are working hard to ensure our eyes can keep up with the digital changes we are facing. You’ve likely heard of computer glasses and their benefits, but do they work?

What are computer glasses?

Computer glasses are designed to ease digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome (CVS) caused by prolonged screen use. There are several varieties of computer glasses, including anti-glare lenses, blue light filters, and computer progressive lenses. 

Designed to help you work on devices without worrying about eye strain or headaches, computer glasses can be an excellent solution for those who suffer from common symptoms.  

How do computer glasses work?

Computer glasses are designed to reduce eye strain caused by spending too much time in front of our digital devices. There are several types of computer glasses and they all work differently.

  • Anti-glare coatings help to reduce the glare given off by our devices. Fewer reflections and glare allow more light to enter the eye, giving you clearer vision. 
  • Blue light filters minimize blue light exposure and the amount of it entering the eye. 
  • Computer progressive lenses optimize your vision to see clearly from computer distance. They differ from standard progressive lenses as they are only made to provide intermediate and near vision correction.
DID YOU KNOW?
Computer glasses may be an effective way to protect our eyes and reduce digital eye strain.

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), or digital eye strain, is a temporary vision condition caused by staring at a screen for long periods. The most common symptoms include eye fatigue, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck or shoulder pain. If your symptoms do not improve and your eye strain worsens, or you notice changes in your vision, it is crucial to visit your optometrist.

In addition to wearing computer glasses, additional tips to reduce symptoms and protect your eyes include:

  • Taking breaks from viewing devices
  • Blinking more
  • Increasing the font size on your device
  • Positioning your screens correctly
  • Doing  eye exercises, like the 20/20/20 rule

The 20/20/20 rule includes taking a break every 20 minutes and looking 20 meters away for 20 seconds to help the eye muscles relax.

What is blue light?

Blue light, also known as high energy visible (HEV) light, is a colour in the visible light spectrum that human eyes can see. Although the eyes can see blue light, they cannot effectively filter it, allowing more to pass through the front (cornea and lens) to the back of the eye (retina).

The wavelength of visible light is between 380-780 nanometers (nm). Generally, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy. Blue light is within the 380-500 nm range, giving it the shortest wavelength and the highest energy.

What is the difference between computer glasses and blue light glasses?

Blue light-blocking glasses are considered a type of computer glasses. Blue light glasses are only designed to block out and reduce the possible harm of extended blue light exposure. They have lenses with a special lens add-on or tinted glass designed to reflect or block blue light from reaching your eyes. 

Generally, the best computer glasses will feature some kind of blue light filter. Depending on the wearer’s use and needs, they may include an anti-glare coating or progressive or prescription lens.

Do you need a prescription for computer glasses?

Most computer glasses do not require a prescription if they only feature anti-reflective coatings or blue light filters. If you require computer reading glasses or computer progressive lenses, you will need an eye exam and up-to-date prescription from your optometrist.

Regular eyeglasses and computer glasses are different. As mentioned, computer glasses are only designed to reduce and relieve digital eye strain. They may have an anti-reflective coating, filter blue light, or include progressive lenses designed for computer use.

For those who wear glasses, SmartBuyGlasses offers the option to add blue light-blocking tints or anti-glare coatings directly to your prescription lenses, giving you both clear vision and the benefits of computer glasses.

Are computer glasses worth it?

While computer glasses effectively reduce the amount of harmful blue light and reflections that enter the eyes, there is no research to suggest that they can improve or protect your eye health.

But, if you spend a lot of time on your computer or smartphone, they are a great aid in reducing glare and digital eye strain.

Should I be using computer glasses?

Computer glasses, including blue light glasses, anti-glare coatings, or computer progressive or reading glasses, may help to reduce digital eye strain. If you’re experiencing eye strain, it may benefit you to invest in a pair. 

Eye health should always be a priority. If you want to learn more about computer glasses or have any questions, head to our Optical Center to speak with one of our in-house opticians.

Digital Eye Strain

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How to Recognize and Prevent Digital Eye Strain

What is it? | Causes | Symptoms | Treatments | Prevention

Digital eye strain is a common issue caused by using digital screens. Learn more about what it is and how to prevent it.

There’s no denying that our world is shifting to even more screen time with our access to TV, computers, and phones. As we now spend an average of 8 hours a day looking at digital screens, it’s time to focus on taking care of our eye health. Unfortunately, there is no avoiding this issue, but there are things we can do to prevent eye strain. 

We must take our eye health seriously, just like we do for our physical and mental health. If you’re worried about your vision or someone close to you, keep reading to learn more about digital eye strain, its symptoms, and ways to avoid it.

What is digital eye strain?

Digital eye strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, is an unfortunate eye and vision-related problem caused by prolonged computer use (American Optometric Association 2022). Over the last few decades, these issues have become more common, with 2 out of 3 people reporting symptoms (Chu, A 2023). 

If you use a computer or digital screen for extended periods, you most likely suffer from symptoms whether you realize it or not. Computer Vision Syndrome is common in children and adults and can lead to severe effects if left untreated. 

What does a strained eye feel like?

When you suffer from strained eyes, they may feel sore, achy, or tired. You may experience light sensitivity and discomfort when moving your eyes or focusing on everyday objects. In severe cases, you might even experience headaches or blurred vision.

What causes digital eye strain?

Digital eye strain can be caused by concentrating on reading text on a computer screen or digital device, which causes more strain than reading a book. Other causes of digital eye strain include:

  • Screen glare
  • Inadequate lighting 
  • Poor posture while using a digital device
  • Using a digital device too close or far from your eyes
  • Uncorrected/detected eye-vision problems
  • Less frequent blinking than usual when using a digital device
  • Extended exposure to blue light emitted from digital screens 
  • Infrequent breaks from your digital devices

Unfortunately, what causes digital eye strain is not just one factor but a combination of them all. It’s important to be aware of all the factors to ensure you adjust each one that applies to you. 

What causes eye strain in one eye?

It’s not uncommon to feel the symptoms of eye strain in just one eye rather than both. This can be caused by a variety of factors, like a change in your glasses prescription or an eye injury. Of course, looking at digital screens, reading in low light, or performing tasks that require intense focus can all contribute to eye strain in one eye. 

Other factors such as allergies, dry eyes, or eye infections can also cause a feeling of eye strain in just one eye. It’s important to identify the underlying cause of eye strain to prevent further discomfort and protect your vision.

Digital eye strain symptoms

Computer Vision Syndrome and digital eye strain can be highly uncomfortable, resulting in painful physical symptoms like eye fatigue, blurred or double vision, neck and shoulder pain, and more.

Much like the causes of digital eye strain, the symptoms you feel may be a combination of a few or all of them in worst-case scenarios. If symptoms aren’t treated, you may also suffer from extreme digital eye strain that can cause vertigo, nausea, and twitching of facial muscles like the area around your eyes.

Digital eye strain treatments

Small changes in your everyday behaviors and environment are generally enough to treat digital eye strain. But if you are frequently suffering, you may need to combine a mix of different treatments and implement them in your daily activities.

1. Update your prescription glasses

As our eyes and vision needs can continuously change over time, it’s essential to make sure you are updating your glasses or contact lenses and having yearly eye checks. Up-to-date contact lens prescription and lenses may be required to match your vision needs for computer viewing.

You can also customize your corrective lenses to include coatings that improve your eyesight and comfort.

DID YOU KNOW?

2 out of 3 people suffer from painful symptoms of digital eye strain, which can be prevented with small, easy changes to your everyday routine and computer setup.

2. Rest your eyes with the 20-20-20 rule

Follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a well-deserved rest. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy exercise that you can implement everywhere. Every 20 minutes, give your eyes a 20-second rest by focusing on something 20 feet away. Repeating this throughout the day will help with eye fatigue and soreness.

3. Make sure your posture and computer position is correct

If your job is computer-based or you study online, ensure you have the ideal posture and computer position to reduce your Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms. Your screen should be 4-5 inches below your eyesight and 20-28 inches away from your eyes. Sitting upright with a well-supported back is vital. Add a footrest to support your feet and back to increase comfort.

4. Ensure your lighting works for you

Poor lighting, brightness, and harsh glare from direct sunlight can affect what you see on your screen. Try to relocate your monitor, close your curtains or shades to fix these issues, and experiment with your screen settings. Increasing your font size and adjusting your screen to the warmer end of the colour spectrum can help alleviate the effects of eye strain.

5. Try some blue light blocking lenses

Add blue light blocking lenses to your prescription glasses to stay protected from the harmful blue light rays emitted from your screen. These lenses can be added to any glasses easily and will help reduce eye strain and fatigue caused by digital devices.

How long does eye strain take to heal?

Depending on the severity of your eye strain and the cause, you can recover within a few minutes to a few days. It’s important to remember that your digital eye strain won’t heal unless you are taking active steps to relieve your symptoms. 

Who is at risk of getting digital eye strain?

No matter your age, you’re at risk if you have access to screens. Anyone looking at their computer, phone, or TV for two or more hours in a row can be at risk of developing painful symptoms. Of course, anyone who works, studies or spends prolonged time on digital screens can be at a higher risk than others.

How to prevent digital eye strain?

Now that you know what causes digital eye strain and how to treat your screen fatigue at home, you should be able to adjust your regular habits to reduce strain and avoid severe symptoms. If you feel your computer screen is the biggest trigger, consider looking into computer glasses that could also prevent painful cases of eye strain.

Ensure you get a regular eye exam from your eye doctor so you can stay on top of any underlining eye issues and keep your overall eye health in check.

Reference list

National Center for Health Research. (2023). Digital screens can cause eye strain for children and adults. Are blue light glasses the solution?. National Center for Health Research. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://www.center4research.org/digital-screens-eye-strain-blue-light-glasses/

American Optometric Association. (2022). Computer vision syndrome. American Optometric Association. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from  https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome

How Do Glasses Work?

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How Do Glasses Work?

How do glasses correct vision? | What types of glasses are there? | How do prism glasses work? | How do progressive glasses work?

You might wear them every day, but do you know how your glasses actually work? Wonder no more.

Prescription glasses are an everyday necessity for over 60% of our population. The history of these seemingly simple objects is hazy. Some say the earliest pairs of glasses were founded in the 13th century in Italy. Some say that an English Friar designed them. Nonetheless, prescription glasses are an everyday staple that have come a long way in design, trends, and comfort. But what are prescription glasses, and what do glasses do to correct our vision?

How do glasses correct vision?

Prescription glasses work by bending the light as it enters your eye. This allows your eyes to focus light on the correct spot of your retina. The retina is a layer of cells in the rear of the eye that reacts to light.

This reaction gets sent to the brain, which converts the cell’s actions into pictures. Put simply, glasses work by bending light through the curved lenses and, with the right prescription, manipulate it to reach the correct spot on your retina. The result is a clear, crisp image.

DID YOU KNOW?

Although the exact origin and date of invention is unknown, there are indications that glasses were invented in Italy in the 13th century.

What types of glasses are there?

Of course, not everyone has the same eyesight issues. Depending on your prescription, you need lenses tailored to your specific needs. Images you see don’t focus on the right place of the retina when you have nearsightedness or farsightedness. Nearsightedness causes the image to focus at the front of the retina. Whereas farsightedness causes the image to focus behind the retina.

Other issues, such as astigmatism, occur when the cornea is unevenly shaped, which bends light in different directions. Another common issue is presbyopia which is the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. When getting an eye exam, you’ll learn exactly which type of glasses you need to fit your prescription. But how do glasses differ from each other to correct your vision?

How do prism glasses work?

If you suffer from double vision, prism glasses help align your eyes, allowing you to perceive only one clear picture. The prism in your spectacles bends the light before it reaches your eye. The light is then diverted to the correct location on each eye’s retina. In effect, your brain combines the two pictures to form a single, distinct image.

How do progressive glasses work?

Three prescriptions are combined into one pair of progressive glasses, which help with presbyopia. You can conduct close-up work (like reading a book), middle-distance work (like browsing a website on a computer), and distant viewing (like driving) without changing your glasses. To focus on the different sections of the lens, you simply adjust your head position.

Prism and progressive lenses aren’t the only prescription glasses type. If you want to learn more about how glasses work and the different prescription lenses offered, check out our Optical Center. Glasses can be a complex topic, and understanding the exact science can take a lot of reading. But by now, you should know the basics of how glasses work and feel more confident when buying your next pair.

For all your prescription glasses needs, shop from our range of designer and affordable glasses. For any questions you might still have, our opticians are ready and available to help with just a few clicks.

Everything You Need to Know About What Causes Bloodshot Eyes

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What Causes Bloodshot Eyes

What do bloodshot eyes look like? | What causes bloodshot eyes? | How to get rid of bloodshot eyes | How long does it take for bloodshot eyes to go away? | Can bloodshot eyes be serious? | Conclusion

Bloodshot eyes can be a symptom of some quite serious eye conditions, or just a mild irritation. Find out what's responsible in your case and how you can remedy it.

Do you have sore, irritated, red eyes? Bloodshot eyes, also known as red eyes, can often look worse than they feel and usually go away on their own.

The redness occurs when tiny blood vessels under the eye get larger or become inflamed from something irritating your eye. Read on to learn more about this common reaction and the main symptoms, causes, and best solutions to help treat bloodshot eyes.

What do bloodshot eyes look like?

The following symptoms indicate that you have bloodshot eyes:

  • Bright red area in the white of your eye – caused by a burst blood vessel (subconjunctival hemorrhage)
  • Gritty or burning feeling, sticky eyes – caused by conjunctivitis
  • Sore, blurry, or watery eyes – caused by dry eyes
  • Itchy, painful, or red eyelids – caused by Blepharitis
  • Feel like there’s something in your eye – caused by an ingrown eyelash or something in your eye causing the irritation
  • Swollen, drooping or twitching eyelid, or a lump on your eyelid – caused by eyelid issues

Each of these symptoms can give you an idea of what is causing your eye to be red, which we’ll discuss in the next section.

What causes bloodshot eyes?

Red-eye has many different causes. Sometimes it might be that you have left your contact lenses in too long, lack of sleep or have bloodshot eyes from computer usage. Other primary causes of bloodshot eyes are allergies, Blepharitis (inflamed eyelid), conjunctivitis (pink eye), dry eye or glaucoma.

A more severe cause of bloodshot eyes is high blood pressure, but typically there is simply something external irritating your eye.

Other causes are inflammation in the middle part of your eye or a blood vessel in your eye that can break from rubbing your eyes too hard. Finally, you may also have an eye injury, corneal ulcers, angle-closure glaucoma, or eyelid stye

Read below to find out how to treat bloodshot eyes depending on the cause.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bloodshot eyes alone are usually nothing to worry about. If combined with pain, light sensitivity,mucus or other factors, it’s best to consult an eye doctor.

How to get rid of bloodshot eyes:

Once you have determined the cause of your bloodshot eyes, you can often treat your bloodshot eyes from home or with over-the-counter treatments.

Bloodshot eyes from allergies

Pollen, certain foods, dust, and other foreign substances can cause bloodshot eyes and an itchy sensation. If you think your eyes are red due to allergies, you can take antihistamine eye drops from your local pharmacy.

Cool compresses or washcloths on your closed eyes can also provide some relief. We also recommend washing your hands frequently to prevent these allergens from entering your eye if you rub them.

Bloodshot eyes from computer

If you spend a significant amount of time staring at digital screens, then investing in some blue light glasses can help. Wearing these frames while using electronics will help reduce eye irritability, strain, headaches, and sleep issues by blocking the harmful blue light.

Bloodshot eyes from dry eye

When your tears don’t lubricate your eyes correctly, they become dry, leading to red and irritated eyes. This can happen when the eyes don’t make enough tears so your eye is not lubricated or nourished, causing dryness.

To soothe dry eyes, try over-the-counter eye drops designed to lubricate them. If this does not help, we advise contacting your doctor or optician for alternative treatment.

Bloodshot eyes from contact lenses

If your contact lenses are irritating your eyes and causing inflammation, you need to give your eyes a break from wearing contacts. However, if the issue persists, we recommend switching contact lens brands or wearing glasses more often.

This is because you may react to the contact lens material itself or the solution used to clean the lenses. SmartBuyGlasses has a range of prescription glasses for you to choose from if you need a new pair of glasses. In the meantime, you can also try some anti-inflammatory eye drops to ease the irritation.

Bloodshot eyes from Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an eyelid inflammation and a common cause of sore red eyelids or crusty eyelashes. The most effective treatment is over-the-counter lid scrubs.

Bloodshot eyes from Uveitis

If you have inflammation in the middle of your eye, which can lead to eye redness, you may have Uveitis. Other symptoms can include blurred vision, eye pain, eye floaters, and sensitivity to light. You must seek medical help to get treatment if you have these symptoms.

Bloodshot eyes from Corneal ulcers 

Corneal ulcers are ulcers, or sores, that affect the outer part of your eye, called the cornea. Along with bloodshot eyes, you may feel like there is something in your eye, pus discharge, sensitivity to light, increased tearing, and severe eye pain. If this is the case, you must seek timely medical attention as ulcers can permanently damage your eye.

Other bloodshot eye treatments

  • You can also try using decongestants to reduce the redness in your eyes. Do not use these drops for more than three days, as long-term use can worsen the redness.
  • Dehumidifiers can help absorb the excess moisture in your home, that may irritate your eyes.
  • Use clean bedding and towels daily.
  • If you suspect you have conjunctivitis, it’s essential to get a diagnosis from a doctor because treatments differ based on the kind of infection.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma is when the pressure in your eye increases due to the eye producing more fluid than the average rate. If you have intense pain in your eye, see rainbow-colored rings, or decreased vision, seek medical attention immediately.

How long does it take for bloodshot eyes to go away?

The severity and cause of bloodshot eyes can impact the duration. A burst blood vessel typically lasts only seven to ten days, but if the redness persists, you must seek medical attention.

If you continue to be exposed to an allergen or keep wearing your contact lenses, your bloodshot eyes will stay longer. This is why it is crucial to identify the cause.

Can bloodshot eyes be serious?

Often, bloodshot eyes is nothing to worry about and there is likely something irritating your eye. However, sometimes bloodshot eyes can indicate a more serious medical condition, especially if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • If your eyes are seeping or crusty, yellow, green, or brown mucus, this could be a sign of an eye infection.
  • Pain around your eyes
  • Unusual sensitivity to light combined with bloodshot eyes
  • A fever or sickness combined with bloodshot eyes
  • Redness or discomfort that lasts for more than a week and doesn’t respond to home remedies discussed above

If you have any of the above symptoms, we recommend contacting your doctor as soon as possible to avoid worsening the condition.

Conclusion

Bloodshot eyes are a widespread eye problem that is caused by many factors and should go away within a week. If your red eye persists, book an appointment with your doctor to get your eyes checked, as it is likely an eye infection.

When in doubt, always contact your optician or doctor to receive the best advice on how to maintain eye health.

How to Read Your Eye Prescription

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How to Read Your Eye Prescription

How to read your prescription | Eye prescription chart abbreviations | Examples | Eye prescription changes | Expiration date | Contact lens prescription | Takeaways

Learn how to read your eye prescription with examples and a list of abbreviations explained. All about the ins and outs of your vision.

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 center of your pupils, measured in millimeters.

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 progressives.

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 millimeters 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.

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!

What are Progressive Lenses?

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What Are Progressive Lenses?

Do I need progressive lenses? | Progressive lenses vs. bifocals | Bifocal lenses and trifocals | Progressive lenses | Is it worth getting progressive lenses? | How to get used to progressive lenses? | Tips for getting used to progressive lenses and enjoying clear vision | What are the best progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses correct multiple vision problems by combining different prescriptions in one lens.

If you’ve heard people talking about multi-lens glasses and wondered what are progressive lenses, these insights will answer your question.

As we naturally age, our body goes through many changes, one of which is that our eyes can deteriorate and slowly lose the ability to see clearly. Usually, over the age of 40, eye aging is very common and will lead to eye fatigue and the need for corrective lenses for near tasks.

In most cases, if there is more than one vision issue, such as the need for single-vision lenses and reading glasses or different types of single-vision lenses, it might be best to opt for progressive lenses for your prescription glasses.

Progressive lenses are a type of multifocal lens. Multifocal lenses have multiple prescriptions built into one lens to correct distances, so you can easily see far, intermediate, and near distances with just one pair of glasses.

Progressive lenses have no lines between the different prescriptions, so you can easily change between different vision distances with a smooth transition.

For a deeper dive into progressive lenses, watch our video below for further insights.

Do I need progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses are a type of eyeglass lens that can help improve vision for people with presbyopia, a vision condition caused by aging. It is caused by the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on near objects. Without progressive lenses, many individuals experience difficulty seeing both near and far objects clearly.

Progressives may be the best option if you are experiencing eye strain when focusing on text or other details at multiple distances. Your eye care professional can perform an eye exam to determine if progressive lenses will help improve your vision and overall visual clarity and comfort at all distances.

Progressive lenses vs. bifocals

Consider your lifestyle and personal preferences when deciding which lens is best appropriate for you.

DID YOU KNOW?

Progressive lenses offer a smooth visul transition from one part of the lens to another, whereas bifocals and trifocals have distinct boundaries when passing from one view to another.

Buying prescription glasses online

Bifocals have separate prescription zones for near and far vision. You’ll have your distance correction at the top, while your near vision correction is at the bottom. This lens has a distinct line (called a bifocal line) between each value which causes an image jump when the eye moves from a far distance to a near one.

Trifocal lenses work the same way as bifocal but have three instead of two distinct sections, so three prescriptions. With a trifocal lens, you’ll be able to point to the three zones for near, intermediate, and distance vision.

These lenses are less recommended than bifocals or progressives because people might experience image jumps and visual distortions too often while wearing them.

Progressive lenses

Progressive glasses help correct all focal points without visible lines, unlike single-vision eyeglasses, bifocals, or trifocals. In a progressive lens, each area transitions from one visual correction to another, allowing smoother vision. The upper portion of the lens is adapted for distance vision.

It gradually increases into the intermediate prescription in the middle portion, which corrects anything at an arm’s length away (like looking at computer screens). Finally, a progressive lens increases in power towards the bottom portion of the lens, designed for other “close-up” tasks, like checking a price tag or using your smartphone.

Is it worth getting progressive lenses?

Progressive lenses are an update on bifocal and trifocal lenses. With progressive lenses, you won’t need to have more than one pair of glasses with you. No need to swap between your reading and regular glasses. Plus, the unique design of a progressive lens allows for no issues of image jumps for different distances.

The only downside is that progressive lenses cost is higher than single vision lenses or bifocals. Still, given their convenient design and the fact that they correct vision smoothly at multiple distances, most wearers find the price to be worth it.

How to get used to progressive lenses?

If you’re planning on getting your first pair of progressive lenses, it may take you a few weeks to get used to them. Take into account this learning period and read our tips below. Talk to your eye doctor if you’re still having trouble adapting to your new lenses after one or two weeks.

Tips for getting used to progressive lenses and enjoying clear vision

Move your head. Moving your head more is one of the first and most essential steps to adapting to your new progressive lenses. You should use your lenses by moving your head towards an object you want to focus on instead of simply moving your eyes. For example, a good way to do this is to point your nose to what you want to look at.

Looking down through the bottom of the lens is meant for looking at nearby objects, while looking straight ahead is for distance viewing. Looking slightly lower than straight ahead is for intermediate viewing, like a computer screen. Remember that all of your prescriptions are built into the lenses.

Don’t switch between single-vision prescription glasses. Aim only to use your new pair of progressive glasses, which will help you learn how to use them the correct way quickly.

What are the best progressive lenses?

There are different lens options for progressive lenses. The latest generation of progressive lenses, known as “free-form” lenses, are made with a computer-aided manufacturing process to reduce aberrations.

Each lens is customized precisely to the position of the wearer’s eye, taking into account your pupillary distance and the surface of the lens when looking in different directions. This manufacturing process provides the sharpest, crispest image possible and enhances peripheral vision.

Check out our other articles for more eye health advice, or ask our certified online opticians for any doubts or questions you may have.

Everything That You Need To Know About Presbyopia

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Everything That You Need To Know About Presbyopia

What is presbyopia? | Presbyopia symptoms | What causes presbyopia? | Presbyopia treatment: eyewear | Presbyopia treatment: contact lenses | Presbyopia treatment: surgery

Presbyopia affects your close-range vision, makin obkjects appear blurry. Learn all about it symptoms, causes and possible treatments.

Presbyopia defined as the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. It has historically been an age-related condition with symptoms usually beginning at around age 40, however, more and more young people from even 25 years old, are needing progressive lenses to help with near tasks.

You may notice that it is harder to focus when reading, writing or working at the computer because you cannot see close objects clearly. The reason it is generally age related, is because as the crystaline lens in the eye ages, it produces more cells without disgarding old ones and eventually it becomes more rigid and not able to flex to see close-up work.

Presbyopia should not be confused with other common eye conditions, such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness.

These conditions are related to the shape of the eyeball and are enhanced by genetic and environmental factors. However, near vision loss associated with presbyopia is caused by a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the natural lens inside your eye.

Presbyopia is a very common eye condition. Worldwide, 1 in 7 people are considered presbyopic and experience near vision loss to some degree because of these age-related symptoms.

People who have this eye condition find they need to hold books, newspapers, menus and other reading materials at arm’s length in order for their eyes to focus properly

Presbyopia symptoms

How do I know if I have Presbyopia? That is a common question when growing older and realising that the eye sight isn’t what it used to be. The symptoms are usually related to the ability to see objects at a close range as well as difficulties reading small print. Other symptoms of presbyopia include:

  • Squinting, especially when looking at close range
  • Having difficulties reading small print text
  • Headache and eye strain after reading
  • Adjusting the reading material and holding it at arm’s length
  • Wanting brighter conditions to read or work in
  • Eye fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should ask your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. An eye exam will typically include various tests to check the health of your eye and distinguish any diseases or conditions.

Even if you do not have any symptoms, an eye screening is recommended for adults at the age of 40 to identify vision change and any signs of various sight impairment.

 

What causes presbyopia?

The lens of the eye is flexible and elastic and can change it’s length or shape relatively easy. The eye is surrounded by muscles that help shape the lens and helps adjust it to be able to register both close and distant objects accordingly.

Why do most people develop presbyopia as they age? Your lens and muscles fibers gradually lose some of their flexibility and elasticity with age.

The hardening of the lens affects how the muscles can shape and adjust the lens but also how the lens focuses light directly onto the retina. This natural condition therefore affects the ability to focus on close images becomes limited.

DID YOU KNOW?

The increase in people developing presbyopia in their 20s is due in part to the large amount of time many people now spend looking at screens.

Presbyopia treatment: eyewear

Treating presbyopia is very straightforward and there are a number of different presbyopia treatment options available. Prescription glasses with bifocal or progressive addition lenses (PALs) are the most common options for presbyopia symptoms.

Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus. The centre and the main part of the spectacle lens contains a prescription for distance vision, while the bottom portion of the lens is made for enhancing near vision, for when you are reading a menu or doing some desk work.

Progressive lenses are similar to bifocal lenses but they offer a gradual transition between the two prescription lenses, so there is no visible line on your eyeglasses.

Reading glasses are also another option for presbyopia symptoms. You can have these glasses fitted with your unique presbyopia prescription so you can wear these glasses while you read or work. There are also non prescription reading glasses that you can typically try out and purchase at drug stores and other retail stores.

Presbyopia treatment: contact lenses

In addition, there are also multifocal contact lenses available to treat presbyopia symptoms. Multifocal contact lenses are available in both gas permeable and soft lens material.

Bifocal contact lenses offer the same visual correction as bifocal glasses.

Another possibility is monovision contact lenses where you use a distance vision lens for one eye and a different contact lens for close work or reading in your other eye. You can also get modified monovision contact lenses where one eye uses a bifocal contact lens and the other one uses as distance vision lens.

Both eyes will then be used for seeing far away and one is used for reading. Your brain will adjust as needed and process the image but it takes some getting used to.

Presbyopia treatment: surgery

There are a few surgical options to treat presbyopia symptoms as well.

PresbyLASIK is a new presbyopia-correcting surgery that is now undergoing clinical trials in the U.S. This new procedure uses an excimer laser to create a multifocal ablation directly on the eye’s clear front surface. Presbyopia LASIK eye surgery helps regain vision at multiple distances.

LASIK can also be used to create monovision, where one eye is corrected for near vision and the other eye is stronger for distance vision.

Some other experimental treatments are being tried as well. One study involves injecting an elastic gel into the capsular bag, which is the structure in the eye that contains the natural lens. In theory, the gel would replace the natural lens and serve as a new, more elastic lens.

In addition, some people undergoing cataract surgery may be able to achieve clear vision at all distances if they choose to use presbyopia-correcting intraocular glasses.