How to Test Blue Light Glasses

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How to Test Blue Light Glasses

By Ivana Yankova
Reviewed by Beck Jinnette​
Beck Jinnette​

Reviewed by

Beck Jinnette​
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care and holds her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
Discover the different types of blue light glasses and how to test their efficacy at-home.
man wearing blue light blocking glasses and looking at LED computer screen

In today’s world, people stare at digital screens every day, which can cause long-term damage to our eyes.

With hundreds of brands offering blue light blocking glasses, many people aren’t aware that their regular glasses may also have a blue light filter. How can we determine if they effectively block harmful blue light?

Thankfully, you don’t need to go to your local optometrist to find this out. Here we’ve gathered five different ways you can perform a blue light filter test from the comfort of your home.

What is blue light?

Before discussing the various at-home blue light tests, we need to learn what exactly blue light is.

Blue light is a type of light with a short wavelength and high energy that is emitted by digital screens, LED lights and the sun. 

Some blue light is natural and necessary for our well-being, but when blue light rays reach a wavelength between 415-455nm, they can hit the retina and have a detrimental effect on vision.

In this case, wearing blue light glasses can be an effective way to counteract the effect of this short-wavelength light, and protect your eyes in the long term. 

Different types of blue light-blocking lenses

At first sight blue light glasses can be distinguished by their lens colour. Understanding the differences between these lenses can help you choose the right ones for your needs.

Clear lenses

The most common type of blue light glasses – also known as blue light computer glasses – contain clear lenses.

These are especially useful when using your phone or laptop or while watching TV. They are perfect for daily use because they significantly relieve digital eye strain and improve sleep quality. 

Their subtle coating filters out 25-30% of all blue light while maintaining the natural colour of objects. 

woman wearing blue light blocking glasses with clear lenses

Yellow lenses

Yellow lenses are recommended for nighttime driving because of their ability to provide better contrast. 

They block 65-70% of all blue light and reduce glare from artificial light sources such as traffic lights and LED car headlights. 

woman wearing blue light glasses with yellow lenses

Orange & red lenses

Orange and red lenses offer the highest level of blue light protection. They filter out 99.5–99.9% of all blue light and can help improve sleep quality by minimising the disruption of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Using these glasses in the evening or before bedtime can reduce eye strain and fatigue, especially during prolonged periods of screen time.

In comparison with yellow lenses, blue light glasses with orange and red lenses are not suitable for nighttime driving. 

They can also cause colour distortion making objects appear slightly different in hue. This may not be ideal for tasks that require colour accuracy, such as graphic design or photo editing.

woman wearing blue light glasses with red lenses
DID YOU KNOW?

Not all coloured lenses effectively filter blue light; it’s the science behind the lens tint and coating that determines their efficacy in blocking harmful wavelengths.

Five ways to test blue light glasses

Testing blue light glasses doesn’t have to be complicated. 

With a few simple methods, you can ensure that your glasses effectively block blue light and provide the protection you need without the need of visiting the local optician.

1. Reflection test

This is a good initial test to determine your glasses’ authenticity. Hold your blue light glasses up to a light source and observe the reflection. 

If you spot a blue reflection on the lens surface, it indicates that they are effectively blocking blue light, though it doesn’t specify their level of blue light filtration. 

reflection test blue light blocking glasses screen

2. Pigment test

Hold your glasses up to a screen emitting white light, such as a computer screen with a white background. If the screen appears slightly yellow, it means that the glasses filter blue light.

pigment test blue light blocking glasses stop blue light rays

3. RGB colour chart test

Use a digital device to display an RGB colour chart. Put on your blue light glasses and observe the colours. 

If the blue light is effectively blocked, the blue section “B” should appear slightly darker or almost black and the green circle “G” should be a bit dimmed.

The image on the left represents a regular RGB colour chart, while the image on the right has been modified to simulate the results when using blue light lenses.

If you have true blue light filtering eyewear, both images will appear almost identical through your glasses.

RGB color chart test blue light blocking glasses

4. Black and blue circle test

Similar to the previous test, put on your blue light glasses and look at the black and blue circles. If the circles appear less bright and a dark grey colour, your glasses are working as they should.

black and blue circle test blue light blocking glasses

5. Spectrophotometer test

While the other methods are a great way to test your blue light blocking lenses and can be done at home, using a spectrophotometer is the best way to accurately and precisely measure how much blue light is being filtered.

The spectrophotometer test can be done in specialised labs or optical stores. The device will generate a spectrum report indicating the percentage of blue and green light blocked by your glasses, allowing you to assess their effectiveness.

spectrophotometer test spectrum report

Test not to use: blue light pen test

While there are many effective at-home tests, we advise you not to use a blue light pen to test your glasses.

The blue light test pen often accompanies blue light glasses imported from China and other local manufacturers.

This test kit typically includes a blue light pen and a small white card. The instructions claim that the pen emits blue light, and when shone on the card, it supposedly appears blue.

However, this test is fake because these pens emit violet light, not blue. Lab-grade spectrometers have confirmed that the wavelength of this light falls between 380-400nm, well within the violet light spectrum, while blue light ranges from 400nm to 500nm.

Glasses that pass the pen test filter violet light but do not block the harmful blue light emitted by LED screens.

Final thoughts

There are many blue light blocking glasses out there and before relying on them, we need to find out if they are really serving their purpose. 

By performing these simple tests, you can ensure that your blue light glasses are providing the protection you need to reduce eye strain and improve your overall eye health.

If you want to learn more about eye health, you can explore our Optical Centre and Lens Hub.

What are Plano Lenses?

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What are Plano Lenses?

By Caitlin Biwer
Reviewed by Sharlene Mckeeman
Sharlene Mckeeman

Reviewed by

Sharlene Mckeeman
Sharlene is a qualified dispensing optician with over 7 years optical experience, a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and registered with the General Optical Council.
Discover why plano lenses are great for the workplace, sports, or to provide a realistic aesthetic to your look!
woman with plano lenses
SUMMARY

Plano lenses are eyeglasses lenses that don’t offer any vision correction.

They are generally used for aesthetic, safety and eye health reasons.

Glasses have many benefits, even if you have perfect vision. In this article, we will explain plano lenses, demo lenses, and the difference between plano lenses and prescription lenses. 

Discover why plano lenses are great for the workplace, sports, or to provide a realistic aesthetic to your look!

What are Plano lenses?

Not all glasses require corrective lenses, and when this occurs, glasses can be fitted with two types of non-prescription lenses: demo or plano lenses. 

Furthermore, plano lenses are optical lenses that do not have any value power. Therefore, they do not help correct your vision. 

In the eyewear industry, plano-convex lenses are described as flat and do not refract or focus light through the lens. 

So if you have blurry vision, see double or can’t read the words right in front of you, then plano glasses are not going to help.

We recommend that you have an eye test to find out if you do not require any prescription to correct your vision. 

For example, you may need a prescription from your eye doctor to correct astigmatism to improve distance vision (progressive lenses) or you may even need a prescription suitable for reading glasses

If you notice any changes in vision or have not had an eye test with your doctor in two years, we recommend booking an appointment.

What does Plano mean on eye prescription?

The word plano is Latin for ‘flat’, and if this is found in the SPH section of your prescription, it means you do not require nearsighted or farsighted correction. 

You will know if you require plano lenses if your eye prescription refers to ‘plano’, ‘PL’ or ‘0.00’, found under the sphere box (SPH) measurement section.

DID YOU KNOW?

If 0.00 is written on your eyeglass prescription, this is equivalent to plano. This indicates that there is no refractive power and no corrective power is needed. Therefore, you do not have any distance problems with your sight, astigmatism or anything to be corrected.

What are demo lenses?

Another type of non-prescription is demo lenses, and they are mainly used for demonstration purposes, such as for glasses displays in retail stores. 

Demo lenses can help you understand what prescription glasses or sunglasses look like before you purchase them.

Plano vs demo lenses

Plano and demo lenses are not the same and should not be confused. Plano lenses are often made from CR39 lens material and are thicker than demo lenses. 

In addition to this, extra protective lens coatings can be added to a plano lens that can’t be added to demo lenses, like the following:

  • Anti-scratch coating
  • Blue light filter
  • Tinted lens coatings

Demo lenses are thinner, do not have any additional lens coatings, and sometimes also have printed brand labels on the lens. They are like a simulation of what the glasses can look like.

What are Plano lenses used for?

The various reasons why you’d want or need to wear plano glasses are:

  1. Aesthetic reasons: If you’re looking to change up your look, make a fashion statement, or add the finishing touch to your outfit, you might opt for plano lenses. They can be helpful in boosting a look or helping to frame an outfit without any vision correction.
  2. Safety reasons: In many workplaces, companies have to follow protective eyewear regulations to help prevent eye-related injuries. Safety glasses can help protect from hazardous elements such as chemicals. During the working day, you can also protect your eyes from glare or blue light emitted from digital devices with blue light glasses. Once you have chosen a pair of glasses you like, you can add blue light to them.
  3. Eye health issues: If you are blind in one eye or suffer from eye health issues, you may benefit from protecting your eyes with plano lenses.
Worker wearing safety Plano glasses

Do you need Plano lenses?

If you are looking for eyewear for any of the reasons mentioned previously, then you may need plano glasses. 

You can wear any style of glasses or sunglasses with plano lenses and benefit from protective lens filters, such as UV protection. Plano lenses in glasses can also serve as protective eyewear, whether or not you need vision correction or prescription lenses.

You can even find plano contact lenses. So what does plano mean in contact lenses? Plano contact lenses are the same as plano in glasses; they do not help correct visual impairments. 

Usually, plano-coloured contact lenses fall into this category of non-prescription contacts that people wear mostly for cosmetic purposes.

Wear Plano glasses

Don’t need prescription glasses but still want to benefit from the trends, styles and protective lens coatings that eyeglasses and sunglasses provide? Plano lenses are what you are looking for.

Eyewear with plano lenses does not have any power values for vision correction and can also be used as PPE (personal protective eyewear). 

Whether you need to protect your eyes at work, on holiday or simply want to look fashionable, you can try to wear plano lenses. 

You can find a variety of eyewear with quality protective filters to help correct vision or improve your look with SmartBuyGlasses.

We recommend visiting your local optometrist for an up-to-date prescription to ensure you do not require single-vision lenses or progressive lenses with corrective power. If you need some quick advice, contact our online optician!

Is there a Difference Between Contact Lens and Glasses Prescription?

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Both glasses and contact lenses correct your vision, but you need a separate prescription for each one. In this article we go through the differences between them.
contact lens and prescription glasses

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

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

Are glasses prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions the same?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can I use my glasses prescription for contact lenses?

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

Are contact lenses or glasses better?

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

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

Where to buy contact lenses and glasses online

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

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

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

How To Get Used to Glasses

What's the best way to get used to new glasses?

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Buying a new pair of prescription glasses can help you with clearer vision, but it can also cause discomfort at first. If you are new to glasses, it is crucial to know that many factors play into adjusting to a new pair.

New prescription glasses can cause dizziness or headaches even if you’re a glasses wearer. If you want to find out why that happens and need a few tips on adjusting to new glasses, keep reading this article.

How long does it take to adjust to new glasses?

Adjusting to new glasses is different for everyone. For some, it takes a few days; for others, it takes more. Not only do your eyes muscles have to adjust to the new lenses, but your brain has to adjust too. The adjusting time frame depends on many factors; it can either be based on the complexity of your prescription or the type of lenses you choose. If you are a glasses wearer, adjusting to a new prescription can also depend on your personal sensitivity or for how long you wore your last pair of glasses. Progressive lenses, for example, tend to be the hardest to get used to.

Is it normal for new glasses to feel weird?

The short answer is yes; new glasses can feel weird. As we already said, getting used to either having a new prescription or starting to wear glasses takes some time. While some symptoms may be expected and typical, it is still essential to analyse what is happening and understand if what you’re experiencing is common and temporary or if the glasses are not right for you. 

If this is your first time wearing glasses, it is important to understand where the discomfort comes from. Is it from the lenses? Or is it from the frames? Having glasses sit on your face all day can be quite unpleasant the first few days; if the back or your ears hurt and you have severe nose marks, you may have chosen the wrong glasses size. You may also consider selecting a pair of frames made with lightweight materials like titanium.

Is it normal for glasses to be blurry at first?

Having blurry vision the first few days of wearing new prescription glasses is very common. With time passing, the blurriness should gradually begin to fade. Please consult an eyecare specialist if no improvement happens over the first few days. Your prescription may need to be corrected, and continuing to wear the glasses may cause damage to your vision.

Is it normal to feel dizzy with new glasses?

Dizziness is another common symptom during the first few days of wearing new glasses. Your brain may struggle to adapt to the new prescription, making you feel dizzy, nauseous, and lightheaded. While these symptoms are unpleasant or not what you expect when wearing glasses, they are usually short-lived and disappear in a few days. If, after a few days, the discomfort is still there, please consult an eye specialist.

Do new glasses give you a headache?

Headaches and eyestrain are commonly associated with new prescription glasses. The discomfort is more likely normal, so don’t panic. New lenses usually make your eye muscles respond differently compared to the old lenses or compared to not wearing lenses at all. Listed below, you will find four useful tips on how to help get used to new glasses.

Is there an adjustment period for new glasses?

As already mentioned, the adjusting period is different for everyone. While some may get used to the new prescription in a couple of days, others may need 5-6 days to start seeing clearly without experiencing discomfort. 

It is crucial to note that although experiencing headaches, eye strain, dizziness, and blurry vision is expected, if the symptoms are severe and no improvement is visible after the first few days, you must consult an eye care specialist. Wearing the glasses for an extended period while experiencing these discomforts is not advised, as it may damage your vision.

Best way to adjust to new glasses

If you’re new to wearing glasses and are looking for tips on what to do to ease the adjusting process, here are some tips for you: 

  1. Wear the glasses as much as your eye doctor advised: do not avoid wearing your glasses or go back to your old ones. Your eyes need to adjust to the new prescription, so wear them as much as advised.
  2. Give your eyes some rest. When experiencing eye strain, it is essential to give your eyes some rest. Remove the glasses, close your eyes, and take some time with your eyes closed to give them a break.
  3. Make sure you move your head: first-time glasses wearers tend to avoid moving their heads because of the new feeling of having them on their heads. Move your head as usual; the glasses will not fall off your face; if they do, you might need to check the size. 
  4. Clean your glasses regularly. Even the smallest amount of dirt can increase discomfort for new glasses wearers, so make sure you clean the glasses regularly using a microfiber cloth and an optical spray. Remember to store the glasses in their case when not wearing them to avoid scratches. 

If you have more questions regarding prescription glasses, you can head to our Optical Centre and ask our certified opticians for help.

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How To Get Used to Glasses

Buying a new pair of prescription glasses can help you with clearer vision, but it can also cause discomfort at first. If you are new to glasses, it is crucial to know that many factors play into adjusting to a new pair.

New prescription glasses can cause dizziness or headaches even if you’re a glasses wearer. If you want to find out why that happens and need a few tips on adjusting to new glasses, keep reading this article.

How long does it take to adjust to new glasses?

Adjusting to new glasses is different for everyone. For some, it takes a few days; for others, it takes more. Not only do your eyes muscles have to adjust to the new lenses, but your brain has to adjust too. The adjusting time frame depends on many factors; it can either be based on the complexity of your prescription or the type of lenses you choose. If you are a glasses wearer, adjusting to a new prescription can also depend on your personal sensitivity or for how long you wore your last pair of glasses. Progressive lenses, for example, tend to be the hardest to get used to. 

Is it normal for new glasses to feel weird?

The short answer is yes; new glasses can feel weird. As we already said, getting used to either having a new prescription or starting to wear glasses takes some time. While some symptoms may be expected and typical, it is still essential to analyse what is happening and understand if what you’re experiencing is common and temporary or if the glasses are not right for you. 

If this is your first time wearing glasses, it is important to understand where the discomfort comes from. Is it from the lenses? Or is it from the frames? Having glasses sit on your face all day can be quite unpleasant the first few days; if the back or your ears hurt and you have severe nose marks, you may have chosen the wrong glasses size. You may also consider selecting a pair of frames made with lightweight materials like titanium

Is it normal for glasses to be blurry at first?

Having blurry vision the first few days of wearing new prescription glasses is very common. With time passing, the blurriness should gradually begin to fade. Please consult an eyecare specialist if no improvement happens over the first few days. Your prescription may need to be corrected, and continuing to wear the glasses may cause damage to your vision.

Is it normal to feel dizzy with new glasses?

Dizziness is another common symptom during the first few days of wearing new glasses. Your brain may struggle to adapt to the new prescription, making you feel dizzy, nauseous, and lightheaded. While these symptoms are unpleasant or not what you expect when wearing glasses, they are usually short-lived and disappear in a few days. If, after a few days, the discomfort is still there, please consult an eye specialist.

Do new glasses give you a headache?

Headaches and eyestrain are commonly associated with new prescription glasses. The discomfort is more likely normal, so don’t panic. New lenses usually make your eye muscles respond differently compared to the old lenses or compared to not wearing lenses at all. Listed below, you will find four useful tips on how to help get used to new glasses.

Is there an adjustment period for new glasses?

As already mentioned, the adjusting period is different for everyone. While some may get used to the new prescription in a couple of days, others may need 5-6 days to start seeing clearly without experiencing discomfort. 

It is crucial to note that although experiencing headaches, eye strain, dizziness, and blurry vision is expected, if the symptoms are severe and no improvement is visible after the first few days, you must consult an eye care specialist. Wearing the glasses for an extended period while experiencing these discomforts is not advised, as it may damage your vision.

Best way to adjust to new glasses

If you’re new to wearing glasses and are looking for tips on what to do to ease the adjusting process, here are some tips for you: 

  1. Wear the glasses as much as your eye doctor advised: do not avoid wearing your glasses or go back to your old ones. Your eyes need to adjust to the new prescription, so wear them as much as advised.
  2. Give your eyes some rest. When experiencing eye strain, it is essential to give your eyes some rest. Remove the glasses, close your eyes, and take some time with your eyes closed to give them a break.
  3. Make sure you move your head: first-time glasses wearers tend to avoid moving their heads because of the new feeling of having them on their heads. Move your head as usual; the glasses will not fall off your face; if they do, you might need to check the size. 
  4. Clean your glasses regularly. Even the smallest amount of dirt can increase discomfort for new glasses wearers, so make sure you clean the glasses regularly using a microfiber cloth and an optical spray. Remember to store the glasses in their case when not wearing them to avoid scratches. 

If you have more questions regarding prescription glasses, you can head to our Optical Centre and ask our certified opticians for help.

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Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Night Driving

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Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Night Driving?

By Elise Snedden
Reviewed by Beck Jinette
Beck Jinette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eyecare and holds her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
It’s no secret that low light conditions make night driving more difficult, but can blue light glasses help to improve visibility at night?
man driving a car wearing driving glasses

Blue light glasses have become quite popular for those who use technology daily, which is likely most of us as we are living in a multi-screen era.

They help filter out the harmful blue light rays emitted from digital screens, offering protection from their negative effects

While we understand how they work to protect against screens and minimise blue light exposure, we have begun to question the other benefits of blue light glasses beyond the digital screen.

Driving at night can sometimes be stressful, with low levels of natural light combined with glare from high powered LED headlights.

It may be even more difficult for people who wear prescription glasses or suffer from vision issues – it’s no wonder why some people tend to stay off the road at night. 

With increased exposure to blue light on the road with LED headlights and street lamps, what if the blue light glasses we reach for at our computer screens could also help us drive at night?

What are blue light glasses?

Blue light-blocking glasses are exactly what they sound like; they’re glasses that have special lenses with a blue light filter that help with preventing blue light coming from digital screens from passing through the lens.

This reduction in exposure to blue light allows us to concentrate further reducing eye fatigue or digital eye strain.

Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum that produces short and high-energy waves, and can be seen by the human eye.

Although our eyes can see blue light, they cannot effectively filter it, allowing more light to pass through. 

Some blue light filters result in slightly yellow tinted lenses, which block the harmful blue light rays from passing through the lens and into the eye. 

infographic showing how blue light filtering lens works

Blue light blocking glasses have become quite popular among those who use technology daily, which is most of us.

Blue light blocking lenses help filter the harmful artificial blue light rays emitted from digital screens and digital devices. 

While we understand how they work to protect against screens, we’ve begun to question the other benefits of wearing these glasses.

Blue light glasses and night blindness

Clear visibility is an integral part of safe driving for all involved: drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

With the low levels of natural light in the evenings, we have to compensate with car headlights, street lamps and other bright lights in order to see.

However, with the use of these artificial light sources comes an increase in glare, which greatly impacts our visibility while on the road. 

People with night blindness (nyctalopia) have difficulty seeing at night, including nighttime driving.

Nyctalopia makes it difficult for the eye to adjust to low-light environments causing blurred vision, cloudy vision, sensitivity to bright light or difficulty seeing into the distance.

Night blindness is not a condition itself, but a result of existing eye conditions, which presents differently depending on the underlying issue. Some common causes of night vision problems include:

  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Nearsightedness (myopia)
  • Vitamin A deficiency

Similar to how blue light glasses filter light, night driving glasses have yellow-tinted lenses intended to block blue light coming from artificial light sources, reduce headlight glare and to improve visibility in low light conditions while on the road.

For those who experience night blindness, blurry vision, digital eye strain or other vision impairments, these lenses might not completely restore the ability to drive safely under certain circumstances.

Blue-light blocking glasses can help reduce eye strain and fatigue when driving at night, allowing for a more comfortable journey.

Although they may offer some relief from uncomfortable symptoms like headaches caused by prolonged exposure to bright lights after dark, you should consult your doctor to discuss what may be causing you to experience these symptoms.

Do blue light glasses work for night driving?

Car headlights and most street lights are now made with LED lights which emit high levels of blue light.

This can make driving at night challenging because of the blue light glare these bulbs cause, and when combined with existing vision issues, can make driving at night dangerous.

Simple blue light glasses may reduce glare and filter blue light from these LED lights.

Although many who wear blue light glasses claim that they have reported seeing positive effects on their overall health, there is no direct link showing that wearing blue light glasses or night driving glasses work to improve low-light visibility.

What type of glasses help with nighttime driving?

Although clear blue light glasses or yellow lenses may not be the best option for night driving, there are still other options to help improve our vision at night.

A great option might be to add an anti glare coating, or anti-reflective (AR) coating, to your next pair of prescription glasses.

While regular prescription lenses allow 92% of light to pass through the lens, anti glare coatings allow 99.5% of light to pass through, reducing the amount of reflections on the lenses.

image showing difference in vision while wearing regular lenses vs. anti-reflective lenses

Although they don’t filter high energy blue light, this reduction of reflections on your lenses in turn reduces the glare of oncoming headlights more effectively than yellow tinted glasses and blue light lenses.

This anti-reflective coating can also be applied to sunglasses allowing you to further reduce glare and protect your eyes from natural blue light like UV light and brightness from the sun during the day.

How can I improve my vision while driving at night?

Some ways to improve your vision while driving at night include:

  • Clean your glasses regularly because smudges can worsen glare.
  • Keep your windshield clear of all debris and streaks – dust and streaks can amplify the glare from light sources.
  • Try to keep your dashboard lights dim to reduce eye strain.
  • Utilise headlights to increase visibility, and keep them clean and fog free as this can dim their brightness.
  • Avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights.
  • Schedule regular check ups with your eye doctor to keep your prescription for your eyeglasses up-to-date, and catch any other issues that may occur.

The best solution might not be the same for everyone, and will depend on your overall eye health, needs and preferences, so it’s important to speak with your eye doctor immediately if you have trouble seeing or driving at night.

For more information, check out our Optical Centre where you can find more informative articles about wearing blue light glasses and anti-reflective lenses, or speak to one of our certified opticians.

Glasses Measurements: Everything You Need To Know

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It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online. This useful guide explains the significance of the numbers printed on your glasses and how to take the measurements yourself.
Eyeglasses measurements

In the past, shopping for eyeglasses involved tedious trips to eyewear stores, fitting frames, and perusing a few shelves of glasses. That’s not so much the case anymore; online retailers like SmartBuyGlasses have been established for years, and, as a result, there is a near-unlimited amount of colours, sizes, and eyewear designs on sale.

When buying online, knowing your glasses’ measurements is crucial. That is why we’ll explain what glasses measurements are and how to find them.

Eyeglass size explained

You may have noticed all glasses have three numbers engraved on the temples. They represent the glasses’ measurements: the lens width, bridge size, and temple arm length, respectively. Dots, dashes, or vertical bars usually separate these numbers. Some frames may have a fourth number, which refers to the height of the frames.

In some cases, acetate frames will have the eye size and bridge size on the nose pads on a plastic frame. All these glasses measurements are measured in millimeters (mm).

Eyeglasses frame dimensions
DID YOU KNOW?

Pupillary distance is the distance between your pupils. To have the clearest vision, the distance between the center of the left lens and the right lens should be the same as the distance between your pupils.

Eyeglass frame measurements

The frame width is the horizontal measurement of the frames, including hinges or designs that stick out at the sides. To measure the width of the frames, take a measuring tape or a ruler and measure the entire horizontal front of the frame from the further extended point to the other.

Eyeglass lens measurements

Lenses can be measured both in height and width. The lens height is the vertical measurement of the eyeglass lenses. This is important for bifocal lenses and progressive lenses. Lens width refers to the width of the lenses, which must be measured horizontally.

This typically ranges from 40 mm to 60 mm. To take these measurements, place the measuring tape on the lenses, first vertically, then horizontally, and only measure from one side of the lens to the other, ensuring no part of the frames is included.

How to measure your bridge size for glasses

The bridge size is the distance between the two rims or lenses of the eyeglasses where the nose pads are located. It typically ranges from 14mm to 24mm. Place the measuring tape right between the two lenses to measure the bridge and see how many millimeters are between the nearest points. 

How to measure your temple length for glasses

This refers to how long the temple is. Measure your temples from the hinge to the tip, and you’ll come up with the temple length. Usually, it’s between 120mm and 150mm.  

How to find out PD for glasses

The pupillary distance is another crucial measurement when ordering glasses online. To find out your pupillary distance, you can either use our online tool or do it manually with the help of a ruler.

Step 1: Standing in front of a mirror, hold the ruler up to the bridge of your nose or against your eyebrows.

Step 2: Close your right eye. While looking in the mirror, align the ruler’s zero with your left pupil.

Step 3: Keeping the ruler still, close your left eye and open your right eye.

Step 4: Read the number aligned with your right pupil’s center. This number is your pupillary distance.

Step 5: Repeat the process to ensure you get the most accurate result.

If you struggle doing it yourself, you can ask a friend to help you with this and check out our quick and easy tutorial.

I’ve measured my glasses

Now that you have all the information on your glasses’ measurements and know how to take them, it will be way easier when shopping online. Glasses’ measurements won’t be a mystery anymore, and you will confidently be able to choose the right pair of glasses.

If you need help determining what glasses size will fit best, we have an easy guide to help with that. You will have to measure your temples from one side to the other and check out our size table to find the recommended size based on your measurements.

If you have more questions regarding your glasses size or prescription, head out to our Optical Center. Our informative articles will help answer your questions, or ask one of our certified online opticians to clarify your doubts.

What are Progressive Lenses?

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What Are Progressive Lenses?

By Patrick Conroy
Reviewed by Maria Horan FBDO
Maria Horan FBDO

Reviewed by

Maria Horan FBDO
Holding a BSc Honours in Ophthalmic Dispensing awarded at Anglia Ruskin University, Maria has over 17 years of optical experience.
Progressive lenses correct multiple vision problems by combining different prescriptions in one lens.

As the old saying goes, time waits for no man. Age catches up on all of us, and on our eyes too.  Our body goes through many changes as we age, one of which is that our eyes begin to deteriorate.

After the age of 40, most people develop presbyopia, a condition that affects our close-up vision. With presbyopia, corrective lenses are needed for activities like reading or writing. 

For those of us who already wear glasses to help with intermediate or distance vision, this can be a bit of a nuisance. Step forward progressive lenses, your three-in-one solution to the problem. 

How do progressive lenses work?

Progressive lenses, also called multifocal lenses or varifocals, contain multiple prescriptions. Each prescription caters to a different field of vision so you can easily see things at far, intermediate and near distances with just one pair of glasses.

The upper portion of the lens is adapted for distance vision. It gradually blends into the intermediate prescription in the middle portion, which corrects anything arm’s length away from you (like your computer screen). 

Finally, the lens increases in power towards the bottom section, designed for close-up tasks, like checking a price tag or using your smartphone.

Progressive lenses have no lines between the different prescriptions, so you have a smooth transition when switching between different viewing areas.

Do I need progressive lenses?

Whether or not you need progressive lenses depends on your vision requirements. If you have multiple prescriptions for a combination of vision problems like presbyopia, nearsightedness and farsightedness, then you’re a good candidate for a pair of progressives.

Presbyopia is caused by the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on near objects and is a natural part of aging. 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 lens types

We offer two different types of progressive lenses, premium and deluxe. Your choice between these two ultimately comes down to your personal preference. 

Premium progressive lenses

Premium progressive lenses are our entry level range of progressives, with four lens index options available.

The most standard progressive lenses in the collection come with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings, two features that are also found in the options higher up the scale. The “comfort” version has added UV 400 protection. 

The options on the upper end of the premium scale also have UV400, as well as superhydrophobic coating and an aspheric shape. This shape makes them thinner and lighter than other versions, with 1.67 and 1.74 index versions available.

Deluxe progressive lenses

Deluxe progressive lenses are a step up from our premium options, offering a superior visual experience. There are three options available within the deluxe range.

All three of them come with the same features of the most complete option from the premium range, but they have several additional advantages.

Impact X protection comes as standard on all three deluxe options. This impact-resistant coating reinforces the lenses, so they can handle more adventurous lifestyles and are more forgiving when the odd mishap occurs.

Deluxe progressive lenses differ from their premium counterparts the most in one key aspect. Their viewing area is 30% wider than that of premium lenses.

This provides greater comfort, especially for near and intermediate vision, as these zones are enlarged the most noticeably. 

This extra space maximises the smooth transition when switching from one viewing area to the next, and can reduce visual fatigue and peripheral distortion while wearing your glasses.

What's the difference between progressive lenses and bifocals?

Progressives and bifocals share the trait of containing more than one prescription, but there are some important differences between them. Bifocals have two separate prescription zones for near and distance vision. You’ll have your distance correction at the top, while your near vision correction is at the bottom. 

Bifocal lenses have a distinct line (called a segment line) between each value which causes an abrupt jump in your vision when the eye switches from viewing something at a far distance to a near one. At SmartBuyGlasses, we do not offer bifocals.

As already  mentioned, progressive lenses work by combining three different prescriptions in each lens. They help correct all focal points without any visible lines between viewing zones, unlike bifocals. In a progressive lens, each area transitions gradually from one prescription to another, allowing smoother vision.

DID YOU KNOW?

Several people proposed designs for progressive lenses in the first half of the 19th century, but it was French engineer Bernard Maitenaz who created the first commercially successful progressive lens. 

Benefits of progressive lenses

Progressives lenses offer a lot to wearers, in terms of vision correction, comfort and convenience. Their three prescriptions are an update on single-vision lenses and bifocals. With progressive lenses, you won’t need to carry more than one pair of glasses with you. 

No need to swap between your reading glasses and regular glasses – or even your third pair! Plus, the unique design of a progressive lens allows for a smooth transition between viewing areas. 

The cost of progressive lenses is higher than that of single vision lenses or bifocals, although they are an investment that can save you further expenses on other pairs of glasses. 

This, coupled with their convenient design and the fact that they correct vision smoothly at multiple distances, is enough to assure most wearers that the price is worth it.

Getting used to progressive lenses

It may take you a few weeks to get used to wearing progressive lenses if you’ve never had a pair before. As your eyes get used to the gradient zones of the lenses, you might notice that your vision feels unusual. 

When reading, for example, if you do not move your head and eyes at the same time, the movement of the eye will catch the peripheral zone which will cause blurred vision.

It’s important to realise that this is a normal part of the process and not a sign that something is wrong. With time, you will adapt to this head movement.

Talk to your eye doctor if you’re still having trouble adapting to your new lenses after one or two weeks, but for that initial adjustment period, here are a few tips.

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 turning your head towards an object you want to focus on instead of simply moving your eyes. A good way to do this is to point your nose to what you want to look at.

However, for near vision tasks like reading, lower your gaze, not your head, towards the bottom section of the lenses. This part of the lens is designed for close-up work, and using just your eyes to shift focus ensures you utilise the correct zone.

The middle section of the lens is for intermediate vision, so when you need to see something in that field of vision – like your computer screen – look straight ahead.

When focusing on distance vision, like watching television or driving, it’s important to look through the upper part of the lenses.

Lift your gaze slightly while keeping your head in a natural, upright position. This aligns your eyes with the top section of the lenses, which is optimised for far distances.

Finally, 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.

Once you get the hang of them, you’ll really be able to make the most of all that progressive lenses have to offer. Take a look at our Optical Centre for more informative articles on progressive lenses and other topics.

What is the Fastest Way to Heal a Scratched Eye?

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What is the Fastest Way to Heal a Scratched Eye?

By Patrick Conroy
Reviewed by Beck Jinnette
Beck Jinnette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinnette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care, holding her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
A scratched cornea is a small but painful injury. Learn how to deal with one and ensure it heals as quickly as possible.
scratch eye

Disclaimer:  We at SmartBuyGlasses are not medical doctors. This article contains general advice. If your scratched eye is weeping or extremely painful, consult your doctor or an eye care professional for treatment.

What is a scratched cornea?

A scratched eye is quite a common injury that, thankfully, usually heals itself. The specific part of the eye concerned is the cornea.

The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil. It allows light to enter and helps the eye to focus. 

It is the most protrusive and exposed part of the eyeball, so it can become damaged or scratched relatively easily in a number of ways.

A scratched cornea is also known as a corneal abrasion. Although corneal abrasions are generally minor eye injuries, they can still cause significant pain. 

If left untreated, an eye infection or corneal ulcer can develop, so it’s important to know how to deal with one.

Corneal abrasion causes & risk factors

Corneal abrasions can occur quite easily through a combination of your own hands and foreign objects coming into contact with the eyeball. 

Accidental poking with a pen, makeup brush, or fingernail is a common cause, as are small particles like sand, dust, or ash entering the eye.

We often instinctively rub our eyes when this happens, which can create friction between the small particles and the cornea, causing an abrasion. 

Even without the presence of corneal foreign bodies, rubbing your eyes too hard can scratch the cornea. Overuse of contact lenses or improper contact lens hygiene is another risk factor.

Playing sports or engaging in other physical activities without proper protective eyewear leaves you open to the possibility of a scratched cornea, while they can also stem from certain types of eye infections. 

Even eye surgery can be responsible for a corneal abrasion if sufficient eye protection is not used.

DID YOU KNOW?

Vitamin C boosts your immune system, helping your body to fight off infections and heal wounds quickly.

Corneal abrasion symptoms

It’s possible to scratch your cornea without immediately realising that it has happened. You will likely feel the effects of it, although they too can take some time to set in. 

The first symptom is usually pain when opening or closing the eye, or the feeling that there is something stuck in it.

Some of the following symptoms will also likely be present in the case of a corneal abrasion:

  • Watery eyes or excessive tearing
  • Redness in the eye
  • Sudden sensitivity to light
  • Swelling of the eyelids
  • Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision
  • Eye twitching
  • Nausea
  • Dull headache
corneal abrasion diagram
corneal abrasion diagram

How to deal with a suspected corneal abrasion

Experiencing some of the above symptoms is not a surefire indicator that your cornea is scratched, as they can also be symptoms of other, unrelated eye problems. 

However, a combination of them after exposure to some of the risk factors cited in this article means there’s a good chance that you have indeed scratched your eye.

If you suspect that you may have a corneal abrasion, here are some steps you can take to prevent the situation from worsening:

  • Consult an eye doctor
  • Flush the eye out with water or saline solution, without rubbing it (but no more than once or twice)
  • Wear sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity
  • Use a cold compress to relieve swelling, pain, and discomfort
  • Keep your face and eyelids clean
  • Rest your eyes and avoid straining them

You may be tempted to try and take action to minimise your pain or discomfort, but you could end up doing more harm than good. 

If you suspect your cornea is scratched, make sure you go see your doctor and avoid doing the following:

  • Don’t rub your eye
  • Don’t try to remove anything from your eye with tweezers or any other instruments
  • Don’t apply an eye patch unless instructed to do so by an eye doctor
  • Don’t wear eye makeup
  • Don’t wear contact lenses until your eye doctor tells you it’s ok
  • Don’t try to flush out your eye with anything other than clean water or sterile saline solution
tips for dealing with a scratched cornea
tips for dealing with a scratched cornea

How to treat a scratched cornea

The steps above are to be followed as soon as you suspect you may have a corneal abrasion and should help relieve irritation. 

As they’re often mild to moderate, most corneal abrasions heal by themselves, so medical intervention is not always strictly necessary. 

But we recommend seeing your doctor if it doesn’t begin to subside within a day or two.

If there is continued eye pain, a change in vision, or light sensitivity after the scratch or eyeball trauma, seek emergency care. 

A foreign object lodged in the eye, a loss of vision, or a high-force impact on the eye may require a visit to the emergency room.

Medical treatment

An eye doctor will be able to remove any small object that may be lodged in the eye, and also examine it for damage and check your vision. 

If they need to remove an object, they’ll apply topical anesthesia on the eye so it won’t hurt, and use an appropriate instrument to extract the particle.

They may then prescribe you antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent infection, or pain relievers. 

Ciprofloxacin or moxifloxacin eye drops are common choices for this. In some cases, the doctor may apply a bandage contact lens or therapeutic contact lens.

 They protect the cornea, relieve pain associated with blinking, and aid the cornea’s healing process.

woman with chamomile teabags on her eyes
woman with chamomile teabags on her eyes

Recovery time

The saying goes that time heals all wounds, and with most eye scratches, that rings true. 

In the majority of cases, there is only a minor scratch, so generally, the eye heals in 24-48 hours. Following the guidelines laid out in this article should help the injury subside in this timeframe.

If you’ve suffered a scratched eye and are still experiencing symptoms after 48 hours, consult an eye doctor, and they will examine your eye and treat the injury accordingly.

Prevention is better than a cure

While there are best practices you can follow when you have a scratched eye, there is no immediate fix. 

The best way to avoid the pain and discomfort that come with a corneal abrasion is to take appropriate precautions to prevent one from happening in the first place. 

In outdoor or work situations where there is a risk of foreign matter like metal particles or sand entering the eye, wear safety glasses. 

The same applies to playing sports with an elevated risk of something coming into contact with the eyes.

In the event that something does enter your eye, resist the urge to rub it. Instead, blink several times or gently pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid. 

Rinsing with water or saline solution can flush the object out before it has time to do any damage.

A small scratch on your eye may heal relatively quickly, but if you can avoid one altogether, you’ll save yourself some pain.

Eye Shapes

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Eye Shapes

By Patrick Conroy
Reviewed by Beck Jinnette
Beck Jinnette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinnette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care, holding her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
You may never have consciously noticed it, but eye shape can have quite an impact on how someone looks. Learn all about the different shapes in this article.
Eye Shapes 1

If you were asked to describe what someone looks like, what features would you include in your description? 

For many, eye colour would be one of the first things mentioned. It is a very noticeable aspect of a person’s look, and can often be the first thing that strikes us when meeting someone new. 

Although it receives less attention, there is another ocular trait that impacts physical appearance and natural beauty; eye shape. 

Maybe you’ve occasionally remarked that someone has particularly wide, deep-set, or narrow eyes, but did you know there are actually ten distinct eye shapes that categorise this facial feature?

The 10 different eye shapes

As opposed to face shapes (which are very loosely divided into four different options), different eye shapes are defined in more detail, as evidenced by the larger number of categories. 

The eyelids, openness and angle of the eyes, and other factors are involved in the classification of eye shapes. 

These small details are perhaps not something you consciously recognise, but they definitely have an effect on our overall perception of people’s faces. 

Read up on the characteristics of each eye shape below, and you’ll soon be unwittingly using your newfound knowledge to identify the shape of every pair of eyes you see!

Almond shaped eyes

As the name suggests, almond eyes have an elongated, oval/almond shape and taper off significantly toward the corners. 

The defining feature of almond shaped eyes is that the iris touches both the top and bottom eyelid. This means that the sclera (the white part of the eye) is not visible directly above or directly below the iris.

Almond shaped eyes
Almond shaped eyes

Round eyes

With round eyes, the white of the eye is visible both above and below the iris, which can make them stand out more as a facial feature. 

The inner and outer corners have a less prominent taper than those of almond eyes. Round eyes also have a visible crease in the skin of the upper eyelid.

Protruding eyes

Some people’s eyeballs are naturally set further forward in the eye socket. The result of this is protruding eyes. The shape of the eyeball itself is more prominent, making the eyes look rounder. 

With protruding eyes, a large proportion of the white of the eye is visible, as the eyelids typically do not reach the iris.

Monolid eyes

The eyelids are the determining factor here, as they have no crease or fold. This sets the monolid eye shape apart from other eye shapes and gives them a very distinct appearance.

Monolid eyes
Monolid eyes

Monolid eyes appear flat as the smooth eyelid does not cling tightly to the eyeball. It is common for people of Asian descent to have monolid eyes. They are also called epicanthal folds.

Downturned eyes

The main characteristic of downturned eyes is the outer corners of the eyes. With most eye shapes, the outer corner is slightly higher than the inner corner. 

With downturned eyes, it is level with, or slightly lower than the inner corner.

The outer edge of the upper eyelid usually also slopes downwards more steeply than with other eye shapes.

DID YOU KNOW?

The rarest eye shape differs depending on where you are in the world, as some eye shapes are more commonly found in certain populations than others.

Upturned eyes

Unsurprisingly, upturned eyes are the opposite of downturned eyes. In this case, the outer corner is positioned higher than the inner corner. 

The overall shape is similar to almond eyes, but with the added lift in the outer corner.

Upturned eyes are sometimes referred to as “cat-eyes”, and there is a clear resemblance between this eye shape and cat-eye glasses frames.

Close-set eyes

Rather than the shape or angle of the various parts of the eye, close-set eyes are defined by their position in relation to one another. 

Eyes are generally considered to be close-set if the distance between the inner corners (from one tear duct to the other) is less than one eyeball width.

Your eyes may be close-set while also having a round, almond, or any other shape.

Wide-set eyes

Once again, it’s all in the name. If the distance between your eyes is greater than one eyeball width, your eyes are considered to be wide-set. 

Although particularly wide-set eyes can be a trait attached to certain medical conditions, some people’s eyes are simply further apart than others.

Wide-set eyes
Wide-set eyes

Deep-set eyes

With deep-set eyes, the eyeball sits further back in the socket, creating the opposite of the bulging appearance associated with protruding eyes. 

As the eyes are further back in the skull, the brow bone has a more prominent, even protrusive look.

Hooded eyes

Hooded eyes occur when there is an overhang of skin on the upper eyelid. 

This conceals the crease in the eyelid, with the excess fold of skin sometimes extending past the edge of the upper lash line, hence the name “hooded eyes”.

How do I find my eye shape?

Now that you’re up to speed on the different variations, you can determine your eye shape very easily by observing your eyes in the mirror. 

Look straight ahead and also from different angles to take note of your eyes’ characteristics.

Do not attempt to open them wider or flex any muscles to alter their shape. Otherwise, you will not be able to determine your eye shape correctly.

Here is a brief run-through of the some different combinations of characteristics, and what eye shapes they indicate:

  • No visible eyelid crease – monolid eyes
  • Crease in eyelid, white visible above and below the iris – round eyes
  • Outer corners level with (or lower than) inner corners – downturned eyes
  • Flap of skin hiding the inward crease in the eyelid – hooded eyes
  • Top and bottom eyelids touching the iris, visible crease – almond eyes
  • Outer corners higher than inner corners with an upwards flick – upturned eyes
  • Prominent brow bone, round eyes with a lot of white visible – protruding eyes
  • Distance between eyes greater than the width of one eye – wide-set eyes
  • Distance between eyes less than the width of one eye – close-set eyes

Can eye shape affect vision?

The eye shapes detailed in this article refer to the appearance of the eyes and how they are positioned on the face. 

Your eye shape is a genetic trait that has an aesthetic effect on your appearance, but generally does not affect vision. The shape of the eyeball itself, on the other hand, is the cause of some common vision problems.

Eye Shapes 1
Eye Shapes 1

Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism

An elongated eyeball is responsible for myopia (shortsightedness), causing blurry distance vision. 

Conversely, if the eyeball is shorter than usual, it results in hyperopia (farsightedness), blurring objects in your near field of vision.

Both conditions are refractive errors, direct results of the shape of the eyeball. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or the lens is irregularly shaped.

Exophthalmos

Exophthalmos is a condition that causes one or both of the eyes to bulge, and is often an indicator of hyperthyroidism, a serious condition with wider effects on overall health and quality of life.

Protruding eyes can be a natural aesthetic trait caused by the position of the eyeballs in the skull. 

However, if you don’t have naturally protruding eyes and you notice that they appear to be bulging, see an eye doctor immediately.

Ptosis

Hooded eyes are a hereditary trait, but eyelids also tend to droop with age, sometimes leading to a condition called ptosis. 

Ptosis occurs when the eyelid remains in a semi-closed position, or a flap of skin from the eyelid hangs over the upper lash line, obscuring vision.

Ptosis
Ptosis

If severe and left untreated, it can lead to vision problems like astigmatism or amblyopia. Ptosis can be surgically corrected, either for cosmetic reasons, or to prevent further vision obstruction or loss.

Can I change my eye shape?

In the vast majority of cases, there is no need to surgically alter your eye shape, although some people seek cosmetic procedures to achieve their desired aesthetic.

Applying mascara, dark eyeshadow, or other eye makeup is a much less drastic alternative for those who would like to try out a different look, but you’ll have to consult a different source if you’re looking for more detailed makeup tips.

Choosing glasses frames for your eye shape

When choosing a new pair of glasses, you should always take your face shape into consideration in order to get the most harmonious aesthetic results. 

Eye shape has less significance in this regard, but there are certain frame styles that may complement your particular eye shape a little more than others.

If you have close-set eyes, a frame with a thin bridge will is a flattering option. If you’re on the other end of the scale with wide-set eyes, a chunkier frame would suit you well, and bright colours can draw attention away from the gap.

Square or round frames look great on round eyes, and for almond eyes, try to find a frame that’s similar to the eye shape itself.

Most importantly, remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no matter what shape that eye may be! 

To really get the best results, choose a pair of glasses that are comfortable and that you feel confident wearing, even if that means going against the grain.

Anti-glare Glasses

Anti-glare Glasses

Did you know that standard lenses transmit around 91% of light to the eye? The rest is lost due to surface reflections. Anti-glare glasses help solve that problem. If you didn’t know the role played by reflection when wearing prescription glasses and are not sure whether or not to get anti-glare glasses, this article will help you understand better.

What are anti-glare glasses?

Lens coatings are significant because they are vital in providing durable and long-lasting lenses for your eyeglasses. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the different types of lens coatings you can choose from; or worse, some don’t even know such protective layers exist.

Lens coatings enhance the lens performance of your glasses whether you wear single-vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses. 

One of the lens coatings you can choose from is anti-glare coatings, also called anti-reflective coating. These lenses are provided with a microscopic multilayered coating that eliminates glare and reflections from the back and front of your eyeglass lenses. As a result, it helps with clearer vision.

What does anti-glare do on glasses?

Thanks to the coating, anti-glare glasses reduce the light reflecting off the lenses, resulting in more light passing through and having more clarity. Not only will you be able to see better, but the glasses will also help with surface reflections and give you greater visual performance

Anti-glare glasses benefits

There are more benefits to anti-reflective glasses than you might think; here are some of the advantages of choosing anti-glare coatings: 

  1. Improved vision while driving at night, which results in being more aware and in control while driving.
  2. Better clarity when working in front of a screen.
  3. Less visual fatigue caused by reflections. 
  4. Your eyes are more visible, which helps with eye contact and looking better in photos. 
  5. If you wear glasses all day every day, anti-reflective coating gives the most natural visual experience and places less strain on your eyes.

Disadvantages of anti-glare glasses

There are also a few disadvantages when getting anti-glare glasses, including the increased need for cleaning. After getting your pair of anti-glare glasses, you might want to clean them more often because anti-glare glasses highlight dirt or dust. This also happens with scratches, which means glasses must be handled with extra care. To learn more on how to properly take care of your glasses, check out our tutorial below.

Do I need anti-glare on my glasses?

Anti-glare coating is not mandatory, but it is advised as it enhances the overall performance of your glasses. Not only will you have clearer vision, but you will also look better and struggle less while doing your everyday activities.

Can you add anti-glare to glasses after purchase?

No, anti-glare cannot be added to your lenses after the purchase. If you need to decide whether or not to add anti-glare coatings to your glasses because of the price, remember there are many affordable online options that let you add an anti-glare coating to your lenses without breaking the bank.

Are anti-glare and blue light glasses the same

No, anti-glare and blue light glasses are not the same, as they are two types of coatings and are designed for different purposes. AG coatings are designed to increase the amount of light passing through the lenses, while blue light glasses are designed to block the blue light coming off screens. Blue light block can be added as an additional coating to your lenses when purchasing your glasses.

How to care for glasses with anti-glare coating

As mentioned above, anti-glare glasses might need to be handled with more care than regular glasses. To make sure your glasses are always cared for properly, remember to: 

  • Store the glasses in their protective case when you’re not wearing them.
  • Always use a microfiber cloth during the cleaning process.
  • You also might want to use an optical spray. 


Remember to avoid cleaning your glasses with shirts or chemical cleaners, as this might be damaging to your glasses. If you want to read more about lens coatings, we have an informative article right here.

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 414064. Please check and use correct values.

Anti-glare Glasses

Did you know that standard lenses transmit around 91% of light to the eye? The rest is lost due to surface reflections. Anti-glare glasses help solve that problem. If you didn’t know the role played by reflection when wearing prescription glasses and are not sure whether or not to get anti-glare glasses, this article will help you understand better.

What are anti-glare glasses?

Lens coatings are significant because they are vital in providing durable and long-lasting lenses for your eyeglasses. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the different types of lens coatings you can choose from; or worse, some don’t even know such protective layers exist.

Lens coatings enhance the lens performance of your glasses whether you wear single-vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses.  

One of the lens coatings you can choose from is anti-glare coatings, also called anti-reflective coating.

These lenses are provided with a microscopic multilayered coating that eliminates glare and reflections from the back and front of your eyeglass lenses. As a result, it helps with clearer vision.

What does anti-glare do on glasses?

Thanks to the coating, anti-glare glasses reduce the light reflecting off the lenses, resulting in more light passing through and having more clarity. Not only will you be able to see better, but the glasses will also help with surface reflections and give you greater visual performance.

Anti-glare glasses benefits

There are more benefits to anti-reflective glasses than you might think; here are some of the advantages of choosing anti-glare coatings: 

  1. Improved vision while driving at night, which results in being more aware and in control while driving.
  2. Better clarity when working in front of a screen.
  3. Less visual fatigue caused by reflections. 
  4. Your eyes are more visible, which helps with eye contact and looking better in photos. 
  5. If you wear glasses all day every day, anti-reflective coating gives the most natural visual experience and places less strain on your eyes.

Disadvantages of anti-glare glasses

There are also a few disadvantages when getting anti-glare glasses, including the increased need for cleaning. After getting your pair of anti-glare glasses, you might want to clean them more often because anti-glare glasses highlight dirt or dust. This also happens with scratches, which means glasses must be handled with extra care. To learn more on how to properly take care of your glasses, check out our tutorial below. 

Do I need anti-glare on my glasses?

Anti-glare coating is not mandatory, but it is advised as it enhances the overall performance of your glasses. Not only will you have clearer vision, but you will also look better and struggle less while doing your everyday activities.

Can you add anti-glare to glasses after purchase?

No, anti-glare cannot be added to your lenses after the purchase. If you need to decide whether or not to add anti-glare coatings to your glasses because of the price, remember there are many affordable online options that let you add an anti-glare coating to your lenses without breaking the bank. 

Are anti-glare and blue light glasses the same

No, anti-glare and blue light glasses are not the same, as they are two types of coatings and are designed for different purposes. AG coatings are designed to increase the amount of light passing through the lenses, while blue light glasses are designed to block the blue light coming off screens. Blue light block can be added as an additional coating to your lenses when purchasing your glasses.

How to care for glasses with anti-glare coating

As mentioned above, anti-glare glasses might need to be handled with more care than regular glasses. To make sure your glasses are always cared for properly, remember to: 

  • Store the glasses in their protective case when you’re not wearing them.
  • Always use a microfiber cloth during the cleaning process.
  • You also might want to use an optical spray. 

Remember to avoid cleaning your glasses with shirts or chemical cleaners, as this might be damaging to your glasses. If you want to read more about lens coatings, we have an informative article right

here.

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