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Your First Pair of Glasses
If you’re coming to this blog for the first time, chances are you might also be looking for a first pair of glasses—either for yourself or for a loved one. There are two major categories of first time eyeglasses wearers: children and adults over the age of 40. Regardless of your age group, getting that first pair of glasses can be a difficult transition. At Metrovision Optical Boutique, we’re here to help through that process because we have decades of experience doing just that.
In part one of our beginner’s guide to a first pair of glasses, we’re going to focus on the kids. If you’re an adult looking for information about your first pair of glasses check back in next week. We’ve got you covered!
The biggest issue with children and glasses—other than breaking or losing them often enough—is the issue of vanity. Most children would rather not wear glasses. They can be perceived as both physically uncomfortable and emotionally jarring. Being called “Four Eyes” (if it was still the 1950s) or even worse can certainly be traumatizing to a child. Some children, however, embrace glasses. They enjoy them as accessory. It makes them feel special as it becomes part of their personality. It even gives them some measure of responsibility in maintaining them on a daily basis (much easier than any pet!).
The prescription aspect of a new pair of glasses is not usually an issue. Children adapt easily to these first time prescriptions. Being able to see clearly for the first time can be exhilarating and enlightening moment for them. “Wow everything is so clear.” This improved vision could certainly lead to improved concentration and grades in the classroom. And if they’re into sports, you might want to double up with a pair of protective glasses as well.
Younger children are, in a way, easier to get on board with a new pair of glasses. Teens, on the other hand, might present a slightly different sent of difficulties and attitudes. We had a teenager come to the store the other day who was about to start high school in a couple of weeks. Her examination revealed some nearsightedness. She was so apprehensive, she didn’t even want to try on frames. Her mother was easing her into the process. Our advice was, just go for it. If you hate everything, then try a rimless frame pick a custom color that will match your skin tone this will camouflage to the point that it will not even look like you are wearing eyeglasses. We have so many options at Metrovision Optical Boutique. And most importantly, you’re not the only one with glasses.
Check back next week for part two and if you feel your child is in need of a new pair of glasses, schedule an appointment with us today!
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Designer Profile: Martin & Martin
At Metrovision Optical Boutique we pride ourselves on our vast selection of not only top name brands but also new, underrated or upcoming brands that you might not be familiar with…yet. While we realize name recognition carries a certain amount of cultural cache we also want to educate you about some names that are often better and more original than the ones that everyone else is wearing.
What you’ll discover when you try on a pair of Martin & Martin frames is that same sense of German design found in their automobiles and their architecture. They feel modern but not in a way that will quickly date itself. Their first collection debuted in 2000 and started simple enough—only black, white and transparent materials were used in their construction. One of their most popular models of all time is simply named “Paul.” Almost all of their frames are given a first name. It may sound odd to humanize an inanimate object in such a way, but think about it. Glasses improve the way we see the world around us. They draw attention to our faces, our eyes. That’s where we make our most meaningful human connections. We name cars. We name boats. So why not a pair of glasses?
Along with their charismatic design, Martin & Martin are also known for their extremely high, overall quality. That’s why they are exclusive to only the finer optical locations. You won’t be find these sold at at LensCrafters or Sears Opticals. What we particularly like about them, at Metrovision Optical, is their durability. There are also no logos found on the frames. So while you’re going to be paying a higher price for a pair, you’re not paying for just a name. Those who have good taste in eyewear will know them immediately. Those who don’t will most likely ask you, “What brand of frames are those?”
While Martin & Martin caters mostly to men, we do carry unisex models as well as styles tailored specifically to women. Wearers of the brand tend to be sophisticated 40-year-old, professionals. Again, these are frames for the serious eyewear connoisseur. Some of the models, however, do show bright colors for the people who like their frames to enhance their personality. So you can certainly obtain a look that’s bold but never overbearing.
If you’re seriously interested in trying on some Martin & Martin frames, then schedule an appointment at Metrovision Optical Boutique today. Or just stop on by and mention you heard about Martin & Martin here on our blog.
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5 Signs You Need a New Pair of Glasses
The quality of your vision–much the like quality of the rest of your body–declines with age and, unfortunately, there’s only so much you can to maintain it. Every set of eyes is different, that’s why some people need glasses as children and some can go decades into their lives before donning their first pair. But no matter the age, the tell-tale signs of deteriorating vision are easy to spot (no pun intended, well, maybe just a bit). If you’re experiencing any of the following issues on a semi-regular basis, then we highly encourage you to stop by Metrovision Optical Boutique for a check-up with our on-site optometry specialists.
1. Squinting
We’re not talking about the kind of squinting that occurs when you forget to wear your sunglasses. If you’re forced to squint your eyes when you need to read text that’s not excessively small or even signage that’s not too far away, then you’ve got a tell-tale sign that you may need glasses.
2. Headaches
Not the kind caused by a bad day at work or the kids driving you up the wall; we’re talking about headaches that are caused directly by straining your eyes too much. If the act of seeing or viewing has you reaching for aspirin all of the time then you need to see an optometrist ASAP.
3. Eye Fatigue
This is not the same kind of fatigue as the one you feel from physical activity or labor. It’s about how quickly it takes for your eyes to feel strained, weak or tired. Staring at a screen for too long will cause fatigue in the healthiest set of eyes, but we’re talking about your eyes feeling tired from performing simple tasks like reading a newspaper article. Make sure to note when you feel eye fatigue and what causes it.
4. Night Driving Difficulty
Driving when it’s dark out can present challenges for just about anyone, especially old drivers. Ever had another car’s high beams flash you directly in the eyes? Street lighting is inconsistent and driving local roads versus the highways presents a different set of challenges. But you should be able to adjust quickly. If not then you’ve got a serious issue that can not only hurts your eyes but could put other drivers and pedestrians in danger.
5. Trouble Focusing on Far Away Objects
Whenever you’re forced to move reading objects further away in order to get into focus, then your eyes are definitely in need of a check up and most likes a new pair of glasses. Anytime you have to make an extra effort to see something is a small warning that your eyes might be failing you. But luckily at Metrovision Optical Boutique we can diagnose the issue and take the steps to correct it immediately. If you’re experiencing any of these issues then please make an appointment to stop in today!
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Know Your Face Shape!
We have a saying at Metrovision Optical Boutique that you might have heard if you’ve been reading our blog. “Nobody looks bad in glasses…if they pick the correct frames!” There are so many things to factor into frame selection, from color to style. But the single most important piece of information is the shape of your face. It’s something that you may have never even thought of. After all, you’ve seen your face every day or your life and probably never even thought about its shape. But that’s why you’ve got us to lend our professional expertise in helping you find your face shape and then the ideal pair of frames that fit perfectly.
Face shapes can be generally broken down in to these six different types…
1. Round
A round face is consistent in length and width, just like a circle. Wide cheeks and lots of facial curves are offset with a pair of angled or rectangular frames.
2. Square
We can make it hip to be square when it comes to your face. A broad forehead and jaw line requires a pair of thin, rounded frames.
3. Oblong/Long
In order to offset the elongated length of your chin and cheeks, you’ll want a pair of glasses that tapers to the chin. Narrow, round frames are a good bet for men while a cat-eye style will work best for women.
4. Diamond
This is the least common face type. It’s angular and bony, wide at the temples and emphasizes the cheekbones. For this face we highly recommend a rectangular-style of frames.
5. Triangle/Heart
This type of face tapers strongly toward the chin, which can be narrow and pointy. You most likely also have high cheekbones. So attempt to broaden your jaw with a pair of classic aviators. Having a brow bar at the top of frames helps a great deal.
6. Oval
If you have an oval-type face than you can thank your genetics for that. The proportions of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are symmetrical. What does that mean? Luck has shined upon you once again because most frames work for you face. Any type will do!
So take some time to study your face in the mirror to determine what your type is. And if that’s not working then you can always schedule an appointment to stop by Metrovision Optical Boutique for a professional consultation. We hope to see you soon!
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Then & Now: Classic Bold Frames
At Metrovision Optical Boutique we see trends in eyewear come and go and often come again. And while we’ll always offer a wide selection of what’s in right now, we often stress that some of our favorite classic frames never go out of style.
So what’s in at the moment? Bold is today!
Think of the iconic frames worn by the likes of Buddy Holly and James Dean. Think of Clark Kent, who’s not even a real person, but looks pretty super and unassuming in his frames. These frames evoke a sense of seriousness mixed with fun, intelligence with a sense style. They’re brave enough to say, “I’m a little bit nerdy and proud of it.” Now that’s a bold statement!
One current brand that we carry at Metrovision Optical Boutique is Celine (not to be confused in any way, shape or form with Dion). She’s a designer, not a singer. Her line is very bold. They advertise, “I like to wear eyeglasses.” A who’s who of Hollywood stars have all been photographed wearing Celine Eyeglass frames. You’ve probably seen them and haven’t even known it!
Individuals who need to wear glasses and are fashion forward will place a pair of glasses on their face and accentuate their features. Contrary to popular belief, nobody looks bad in glasses…that is, if they pick the correct frame. For those who needs to wear glasses, choosing the correct color and frame shape will make all the difference in the world. Where do people look first and most often? Your face, of course! So you’ll want to pick a pair just like you would a suit or a great pair of jeans, they need to be almost perfect. And whatever style you’re looking for, bold or otherwise, Metrovision Optical Boutique will be able to help you find them. Schedule an appointment with us today!
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Our Most Asked Question…Answered!
At Metrovision Optical Boutique we are bombarded with questions related to the human eye. Why do we blink so much? Should I wear contacts instead of glasses? Do these frames look good on my face? It’s what we’re here for and it’s what we love to do. It’s also why we have this blog. We want to present as much pertinent information to educate you as both a customer and someone who cares a great deal about the health of their vision.
However, there is one question that we are asked more than any other question. We’re always happy to answer it but we figured putting it out there on this site might spread the word. That question is:
Will wearing eyeglasses make my eyes weaker?
The simplest answer we can give is a definitive and resounding NO! But, we understand this question and the concerns that come along with it, especially if you’re about the start wearing glasses for the first time in your life.
Allow us to explain.: Eyeglass lenses are a device that focuses light directly on the retina. They will not cause your eyes to weaken. Individuals become more dependent on their glasses because unfocused vision is undesirable. Once clear vision is established, people will desire clear focused vision constantly. So use your glasses properly and you won’t have any problems. But if you do, you need to stop by and see us so we can get to the bottom of them. Schedule an appointment with Metrovision Optical Boutique’s on-site optometrist today!
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5 Ways To Save Your Eyesight!
The human eye is a pretty self-sufficient organ but there are a handful of things you can do to ensure that they’ll stay as healthy as possible. All too often we ignore the damage we do to our eyes and just struggle through the discomfort. At Metrovision Optical Boutique we’ve got a few tips to help out your eyes no matter what condition they’re currently in.
1. Keep Your Eyes Moist
The eyes moisten themselves by blinking. The normal blinking of the eyelids moistens, cleans, and wipes away any debris dead cells that might be on the surface of the cornea. The most important thing to remember about eye health is keeping the eye moist. You can easily do that by increasing your water intake and using moisturizing drops.
2. Don’t Stare at That Screen
Studies have shown that the blink rate is greatly diminished by fixating at a computer screen. We recommend using blue light anti-reflective coatings whenever sitting in front of computer. More importantly, you should frequently refocus your gaze from your computer screen to objects far away.
3. Sun’s Out/Shades On
Wear sunglasses whenever the UV index is high. UV radiation is one of the leading causes of cataract formations. Wearing eyeglasses, especially outside, will help prevent the formation of cataracts as well as other eye surface malady, such as pinguecula or pterygium. You don’t even want to know what those are, trust us!
4. Safety First
This one is pure and simple common sense. Wear safety glasses whenever working around machinery or anything that might fly into your eye. The same holds true while playing sports or engaging in athletic activities. Be it basketball or racquetball or put on a pair of sports goggles. The pros do it so you should too!
5. Cut Down On The Contacts
If you happen to be a contact lens wearer, try to limit wearing to around five days per week. Again, moistening the eyes is key especially if you’re a dry eye sufferer.
If you’re having any issues with your eyes or your vision schedule an appointment at Metrovision Optical Boutique as soon as possible.
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The Power of Progressive Lenses
At Metrovision Optical Boutique we’re proud to offer not only a wide array of designer frames but also the right pair of lenses to go with them. People not only need to see near but far as well. But having to constantly change between two different pairs of glasses to accommodate your vision is nothing short of a pain and an annoyance. However, there is a solution. One type that we highly recommend are what we call progressive or multifocal lenses. The name is fairly self-explanatory but allow us to explain what they really do.
Throughout the decades, multi-focal designs have differed. While they have been around since the mid-to-late 1980’s, the progressive lens is the most recent design. But as the manufacturing technology has gotten better so too has the quality of the progressive lens.
Objects which are viewed through a ophthalmic lens are in clear focus. However, a different area on the multifocal lens will focus at multiple distances, both near and far. So with a downward gaze, for example, the lens will focus for reading. But when looking straight the lens will focus at distance.
So how do they work? Well, their hourglass design allows the majority of the lens to focus at distance. As human beings we need to see clear at distance first and foremost. As you gaze downward the lenses change the focus to a comfortable 16-inches for a clear reading distance. Every manufacturer has their own branded design progressive lens so each will differ some. Lens prescription can be customized according to each individual needs for different distances. Multifocals can also be customized for wider reading most importantly for intermediate distances such as looking at computer screens.
If you feel that a pair of progressive lens might be helpful to improving not only your vision but the quality of your life, then schedule an appointment with our on-site optometrist and let Metrovision Optical Boutique find the right lenses (and frames) for you today.
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The 3 Types of Sunglass Lenses You Need To Know About!
When you’re ready for a new pair of sunglasses for the summer (or any season for that matter!) you’re going to want to know what options are available. Style, of course, is key but even more important is the type of lens that will be helping keep the sun out of your eyes. At Metrovision Optical Boutique we want to educate you before you even set foot in the store so here’s a quick look at the three different lens types you’ll encounter when trying on your new shades.
1.Tinted Lenses
These lenses are what you’d call colored lenses and they mimic dimly lit conditions. A good tinted lens will make the weather outside look overcast. It sounds funny to buy a lens that makes an otherwise beautiful day look gloomy, but you want a lens that changes color of objects the least. Tinted grays and browns seem to do this the least But that is as subjective as the shape of the frames. So you might find that all stop signs suddenly look purple instead of red.
2. Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses are two lenses fused together. In between these lenses is a colored film. These polarized films block the reflecting glare from flat or shiny objects, like looking at a highly chromed vehicle when driving. When you look at water, you can only see the reflected glare off the surface. When wearing a polarized lens you can look into the water! The polarized lens allows you to see that fish swimming towards your bait. I am never really good at explaining polarization. Here’s a test for you. Go outside with a pair in non-polarized sunglasses and look at a car windshield. Try to make out the driver behind the wheel. You can’t! But with a pair of polarized lens you most certainly can!
3. Photosensitive Lenses
These lenses change according to the amount of radiation reaching the lens. So the lenses change from clear to tinted depending on the environment. These lenses are convenient for people that are inside and outside many time during the course of a day. That means no switching between two pairs of frames. While they are popular, we tend to shy away from them at Metrovision Optical Boutique. They are not effective in your car. Car windshields block UV rays, this protects the upholstery and leather inside your vehicle. However, it does not allow the lens to darken. They also have a life cycle. As the lens gets older they will lose their ability to become clear or dark.
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The Single Most Important Thing You Must Know About Your Sunglasses!
Summer means more time spent outdoors under a bright and powerful sun so a pair of sunglasses is a must! At Metrovision Optical Boutique we encourage our customers to wear their sunglasses all year round regardless of what season it might be or how many clouds are in the sky. Think of that overcast, gray June day when you ran out for just a few minutes and thought, “I don’t need my sunglasses or sunscreen.” But that’s the day when you get an unexpected and awful sunburn thanks to the deceptively high UV (Ultra Violet) index. The same principle holds true in the winter months when the glare from a day old snowstorm can be blinding. Ask a skier about how difficult it is to hit the slopes without their polarized sunglasses.
So when buying a new pair of shades the most important thing for the health of your eyes is to make sure the lenses are UV coated. The human eye has a built in mechanism of protecting itself. In dimly lit conditions the pupil opens wide while in brightly lit conditions, the pupil constricts. Pupil constriction can shield some of the harmful UV radiation bombardment reaching the inner eye…but not all of it. The thinning ozone layer has made UV exposure more intense. Plus the outer surfaces of the eye (cornea/conjunctiva) will only be protected as to how much you close your optical fissure (that’s a fancy way of saying “squinting”).
So placing a UV coated shield in front of the eye is the best most effective way of protecting the eye from UV radiation. Visible light reaching the eye is what enables humans to see. Any time you put a filter in front of the eye, it will, of course, decrease the amount of light reaching the eye. A tinted lens in front of the eye filters light. Sunglasses are the shield. Using a sunglasses lens that does not have this UV coating will mimic dimly lit conditions and cause the pupil to dilate (get larger) letting all those harmful, cataract-inducing UV rays to enter the inner eye. You would be better off wearing no sunglasses at all rather than a pair of non- UV-coated shades.
Luckily, most sunglasses have a UV coating, including all the models available at Metrovision Optical Boutique. Oh, one last tip. Do not wear your sunglasses at night no matter what a Corey Hart song from the 1980s tells you!
If you’re in the market for a new pair of sunglasses schedule an appointment with us and come back here next week for some expert tips on selecting your new set of shades!
