Children & Vision – What You Need To Know

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If you are a mom or a dad, or about to be parents, we understand your worries and we will try and answer as much questions as possible, regarding your baby’s vision, and what is important for you to know from birth till adolescence.

 

We all heard the expression, “babies cannot see but they recognize shapes and patterns in a room”, and that is actually very much the truth. A newborn, is able to see, but since their brain and the eye-retina is still formatting associations and still developing, they are not able to recognize or focus on objects. This is possible only after the age of 3 months. You should not worry if you see, between birth and 2 months old, your baby’s eyes wondering at the sides or if they cross, but if you notice this continuing till the 3 months period, then we advise that this is checked by the baby’s pediatrician.

 

You will gladly notice at the 5 months of age, that your baby is very active and reaching to grab, observe objects, toys, pretty much everything in a room, and even recognize images and from afar objects. At this age you baby is seeing 3-dimensional and has now a deeper apprehension and point of view.

 

 And you have made it to the 9 months of life and you are proud parents of the smartest 9-month old baby with the most beautiful eyes ever! Indeed at the age of 9 months, your baby’s eye-color is already defined and at the final stage. Do not worry if you notice slight changes by the age of 3 years old, since minor changes is likely to happen, especially if your eyes are colored.

 

 

Infants, Youngsters:

 

In case you notice a wandering eye, meaning while the one eye is looking straight the other is not aligned but either looks upwards or downwards, and the baby is already at the 3 months of age or higher, then this is definitely a matter that you need to bring to your pediatrician’s attention. A wandering eye is a sign of strabismus, an eye-condition which, as per a study published on the Europe Pub Med Center (Europe PMC) site, in 2010, 2 – 5% European based children of preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade children are diagnosed with. Always be sure to notify the doctor about every concern you might have. It is their responsibility to run the appropriate tests and guarantee that your child is receiving the optimal treatment.

 

Children At A School Age:

 

Farsightedness is a common condition amongst children attending school. Of course not all children with farsightedness, at the age of 5-9 need glasses; on the contrary, at this age most children are able to concentrate and adjust their eye-muscles in order for them to focus and see clearly an object (or the board), whether it is at a distance or up-close. Since the eyes at a young age are still growing, farsightedness usually improves as time progresses.
On the other hand, if a child is facing a severe form of farsightedness it only makes sense that a child’s vision, can only improve through the use of glasses. Please be aware that untreated farsightedness can lead to more conditions such as strabismus. We always want to be sure that children are receiving the best treatment available, so it is significant that you do not miss any screening test and appointments with the child’s ophthalmologist or pediatrician.
Another common condition is nearsightedness and computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain). To somewhat assist your children not to develop severe forms of these conditions, we would advise to encourage them, taking their sight away from the screen (computers, television, any kind of devices with blue light radiation) or their object of concentration, every 20 minutes and advise them to concentrate instead, on an object far away from them (about 5-6 meters away) for about 20 seconds. This will take any discomfort, strain from the eyes and give your child the sense of relief.

 

Teenagers:

 

It is very important that you know that 90% of all eye-related injuries in children of the age of 14 and onwards, are injuries caused during their physical activities such as gymnastics, football, their hobbies etc. This means that if your child is wearing glasses, it is actually more dangerous performing a physical activity, without appropriate protective equipment, such as goggles.
Normal prescription glasses, during their sports related activity, can either break, or shatter upon impact which could result to a very dangerous type of an eye-injury. It is recommended that protective equipment is used according to the sports activity a child engages with, such as polycarbonate lenses when playing football or basketball, full face helmets when playing hockey, full face masks when playing paintball, goggles for swimming etc.
One may think that wearing contact lenses should protect a child from injuries, but let’s not forget, that contact lenses if not properly maintained, or if the child has sensitivities to dust or has seasonal allergies, then the lenses can be the cause of many unwanted eye-infections

 

 


Some Advice From The Experts:

 

As per the American Academy of Ophthalmology there are some signs that if noticed they need to be taken into consideration:
  • Your child loses interest relatively quickly in activities, games or new learning experiences when these are related to extensive use of their eyes.
  • Your child is not following or frequently loses the position of a passage or a text, when reading.
  • Your child has to turn the head to follow their eyes, in order to see an object or someone that is relatively in close range from their sight.

 


What We Advise:

 

Opticsfit advises without a doubt, to always consult your child’s pediatrician for any concerns, and book appointments with a child-ophthalmologist in case it is required, in order for your child to have a guaranteed eye-care and treatment. Every child is different, unique and perfect, and requires the best attention possible and for this, no article online can provide tailored answers, rather than guidelines, and recommendations.
You should never skip regular vision screenings and appointments and it is better that you express your worries to the experts that know how to treat each symptom and condition, and ensure your child’s physical development.

 

Sunlight Radiation & Your Eyes

We all have heard the following phrases: “don’t expose yourself to sunlight for long time”, “wear your sunglasses during daytime to protect your eyes from the sun” or “these sunglasses provide 100% UV protection”, but most of us don’t quite understand the meaning behind these phrases.

Sunlight, with all the beneficiary elements that can provide us with, unfortunately can also be the source of many health and eye-related issues that we may be called to face. Natural sunlight is filtered by the atmosphere, but still the UV radiation that reaches earth, 95% of those rays is the longer wavelengths of UVA rays and the remaining 5% is the shorter wavelengths of UVB rays, that if we don’t keep our eyes protected from we may be placing our vision at risk.

UVA & UVB Rays:

UVA radiation that we should be concerned about, is the UVA and UVB radiation. UVA rays are the ones that are absorbed by the deeper layers of the skin, and they are responsible for the aging of tissue, sunspots, even the loosing of skin. UVB radiation is also aggressive, since it is absorbed by the top layers of the skin and it is one of the main causes of skin cancer.

Taking into consideration that eyes are extremely sensitive muscles, and are exposed to direct contact with sunlight, unless protected, they face the biggest danger of immediate or chronic damage from UV rays.

A prolonged exposure to UV radiation can be the cause of developing cataracts (an eye disease, in which the lenses of the eyes develop patches that are cloudy, blur and if not treated can result to blindness), or even macular degeneration (an eye disease on which the macular of the retina deteriorates and evidently results to blindness).

Even exposure to UV radiation for a brief amount of time, but to a lavishing amount of that radiation, can result to eye-related issues, such as photo keratitis, a painful condition, similar to sunburn but of the eyes. Red and itchy eyes, or / and extreme sensitivity to light, are only some of the symptoms of photo keratitis, and thankfully do not last for long, nor does this condition result to permanent damages of the eyes.

Keep Your Eyes Protected

What you need to pay attention to, in order to keep your eyes protected:

  • Choose sunglasses that provide protection of at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation.
  • Your shades should not be scratches as to filter completely the harmful rays.
  • Ideally, shades should have a darker color in order to sunscreen the sunlight.
  • Shades should block at least the 75% of visible light (portion of the electromagnetic field that is visible to the human eye).

It is advised that you keep your eyes protected, throughout the year, whether it is summer (higher risk) or winter, since the harmful radiation, can be reflected on surfaces, such as glass, water or snow. It is better that you invest on purchasing a pair of quality sunglasses in order to preserve a healthy vision. As we always say: Investing on your glasses, is like investing on your eyes present and future health.

Persona Through Optics

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When you go back in time, and refer to the times that we were just children you might recall that wearing eyeglasses was a Taboo, something that others could make fun of. Nowadays wearing glasses is common and even sometimes a style factor.

Celebrities and VIP people from around the globe use glasses as fashion accessories since the early 90’s. From Johnny Depp to Brad Pitt to Curt Cobain, glasses were used to show one’s personality and as fashion statement in the world’s biggest events.

Casual, sophisticated, round, square, oval, no matter what your style is, when worn wisely you can also express your inner-self through your glasses. So what do you want to say to the people? What is your personality all about? Are you trendy or conservative? Are you a businessman / woman, or a creative artist? We will try and propose the best fitted types of glasses, for each category below.

I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car, and I wore a chauffeur’s cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my master’s car. – Nelson Mandela

Glasses For The Businessman / Woman:

The aim goal here is to steal impressions at first glance. You want to establish the professionalism and seriousness that your company or you as a businessman / handles all matters with, hence in the same way you will be treating your clients and partners. What you need to accomplish here is to earn the respect. For this, you would like to prefer conventional type of frames and traditional colors.

You are able to choose among the variety of rectangle shaped frames and oval shaped frames. The colors you should be choosing are traditional colors without any extreme touches, such as black, silver and brown color. Of course one can choose an old-school type of frames: the rimless ones which are mainly made of Titanium or stainless steel.

Glasses For The Artistic Creative Personalities:

You are a creative spirit with a genuine dislike for the norms. What you need is to be expressed through vivid colors and imaginative styles that support your inner flame. Normal shapes and traditional colors are not for you.

You are able to choose from a vast selection, since your type is to have no specific type. Oval and rectangles, round, classic and modern shapes can be transformed to unique pieces as unique as the person that will be wearing them.

What we advise is that you pay close attention to the colors and the thickness of the frames. That is what will make your piece stand out. Marine blue, Fire Red, even multicolored frames are options to consider. Additionally thick frames instead of thinner ones, are mostly chosen between the artistic communities as to show the complexity of one’s character. You see, you are not an open book!

Glasses For The Golden Age Era:

Be classic but not out-of-fashion. Be classy but not old-school. Simply because you are entering the Golden age, the best years of one’s life, does not mean that you are not able to make a fashion statement yourself.

You are able to choose among the semi-rimless or rimless (stainless steel / titanium) type of frames and even thin plastic shaped glasses. These type of frames will give you elegance and style, and will bring together the age you are with the age that you actually feel that you are! Women may also choose big oval glasses with a bit more intense angles, if they’d like to give their daily look a spin.

No matter who you are, how old you are or what your job is, what your glasses show to the outside world, can be interpreted in many ways and you should be the one in charge of the message you pass through the Glasses of your choice.  So remember:

Your Optics Should Always Fit Your Personality! – Opticsfit

COVID-19 & Our Eyes

In the year 2020, humanity is called to face a challenge called SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) or COVID-19. Extreme measures are taken worldwide to limit this new virus to its maximum and scientists around the globe come together, in order to find the vaccine that will relief the global community.

Scientists have issued multiple guides and advice as to how one can protect himself, not only from this specific virus but also generally from all sorts of contagious infections. Advice to be extremely careful with our personal hygiene, to avoid crowded places, to stop all sorts of intimate contact (i.e., handshakes, kissing) and among the guidelines there is one, that attention is not paid to its maximum, which is to keep our eyes protected.

Is It Possible to Get Infected Through Our Eyes?

Yes, it is possible that you be infected with a virus, if you do not keep your eyes protected as per CDC’s guides. This is because viruses are contagious through human fluids (i.e.: saliva, sweat).

COVID-19 is a virus with symptoms very common to the flu. Symptoms like cough, high fever and breathing difficulties, along with mild to acute respiratory illness as per WHO (World Health Organization).

If for example, someone that is infected or unknowingly carries the virus, coughs, speaks or sneezes next to you, infectious droplets could enter your system through your eyes without even knowing this occurred.

Facts:
  • Wuhan city in Hubei province of China is the center of where the virus started. Medical studies that were contacted all over China, showed that an infection of the eyes, called “Conjunctivitis” or red / pink eye, might be a symptom of COVID-19, as per the publication of the results, in the “New England Journal Of Medicine”. The research revealed that 9 out of the 1099 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, also suffered with conjunctivitis.

 

  • Wang Guangfa, is the head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Beijing’s Peking University First Hospital. The Chinese doctor is considered to be, one of China’s heroes during SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2003. When visited Wuhan, in beginning of January 2020, he came down with the virus himself, most probably as he said, due to the lack of protective eye equipment.

 

  • AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) acknowledges the scenario of COVID-19 transmission when eyes are exposed without protection, to the virus. Specifically, they inform through their online site, the following (and we quote):

– Several reports suggest the virus can cause conjunctivitis and possibly be transmitted by aerosol contact with conjunctiva.

– Patients who go to ophthalmologists with conjunctivitis symptoms and also have fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and / or shortness of breath, and have recently traveled internationally, particularly to areas with known outbreaks (China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, or to hotspots within the United States), or with family members recently back from one of these areas, should be considered as of extremely high risk for COVID-19.

– The Academy and federal officials recommend protection for the mouth, nose and eyes when caring for patients potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2.

How Can We Protect Ourselves?

Given all the above, scientists advise that we protect and care for our eyes, the same way we take other precautions such as frequent wash of our hands, or sneezing in the inside part of our elbow if at the time we don’t have a tissue.

Eyeglasses, sunglasses and goggles are ways of protecting your eyes from a significant amount of splatters or droplets entering your system through your eyes. It is recommended both by AAO and by CDC, that you use glasses that will cover the external corners of the eyes. Safety goggles, Ski goggles even shield sunglasses are very good choices in case you do not have access to proper medical eyewear.

Additionally, it is advised that in case you wear contact lenses, you switch to wearing eyeglasses for a short period, since contact lenses, do not cover the entire surface of the eyes, thus you remain exposed to COVID-19 and other infections.

We cannot deny the fact that we are all experiencing the effects of this pandemic, some even more than others, and that our daily routine has changed dramatically. What we need to point out though, is that humanity always finds the way to pull through and adjust to new data. Personal hygiene and other safety measures such as masks and protective eyeglasses are guidelines that are given by the experts, as means to protect ourselves from all sorts of viruses, including COVID-19 and such advice should always be taken into great consideration.

Pupillary Distance (PD) & How To Measure It

This is a question that many are concerned about, since it is well known that you cannot order your prescription eyeglasses online, if you don’t know your “PD”. So what is “PD” in eyesight and how can one find it without paying (!) an optometrist doctor to get it.

Think back at the time you entered a local eye store and just for fun, you tried on a pair of Eyeglasses. Remember that sharp strain and discomfort you felt? This is exactly how you would feel if the “PD” – Pupillary distance of your eyes, is not measured correctly and it is mistakenly applied on the prescription of your order.

Pupillary Distance – AKA “PD” – is always measured in millimeters and it is defined as the distance from the center of the one pupil to the center of the other pupil, of one’s eyes.

Of course there is an average which you may consider, regarding the pupillary distance, but this is something we strongly advise that you will only take as a reference and you will not rely your orders upon.

For example, the average pupillary distance for a male adult is about 64 mm, for a female adult is about 61.7 mm and for children about 53 mm. Once again these measurements are given only as a reference and not as a guide.

Measurement Methods:

What you need to know is that there two fundamental ways to measure your “PD”:

Single PD: A single PD (or binocular PD) is the measurement of distance, in millimeters, from the center of one pupil to the center of the other pupil.

Dual PD: Dual PD (or monocular PD) is the measurement of distance, in millimeters, of the center of each pupil, to the center of the bridge of your nose.

From the two measurement methods, Dual PD is thought-out to be the most precise measurement method because the distance between one’s pupils to the center of the bridge of their nose, is unique for each person.

PD is extremely important, especially when trying to acquire glasses with progressive lenses, which it is a requirement to have an exact lens-to-pupil adjustment to confirm the best possible vision at all distances.

How to Measure your PD:

Do you have a millimeter ruler and a mirror at home? Then you are more than capable to measure your PD all by yourself!

Stand away from your mirror about 203 mm (or 8 inches distance) and place the ruler’s zero, exactly to the center of your left eye and horizontal to your eyebrow. Without moving the ruler, and keeping it at a straight line, find the center of your right pupil.

And that’s about it. You have now found the distance between the centers of your pupils which corresponds to the single pupillary distance. Just for you to be safe, we advise that you repeat this process a couple of times, to be as accurate as possible.

Quick Fit Tip 1.: Many find it a bit challenging to do this themselves, so if you have a friend that will assist you in this process, everything will be much easier.

Quick Fit Tip 2.: If you are looking to purchase reading glasses online, then from the Pupillary distance you have acquired yourself, you will need to subtract 3 mm from the measurement.

Prescription Lenses

All of us make decisions daily on what to wear, how our hair style should be, which colors to combine to show off that new pair of boots. Likewise, we have the ability to make the decision on what color our new pair of eyeglasses will be, based on our personal taste on the color palette and frame material. On the most important part of the eyeglasses though, is on what we have no control over, whatsoever: The lenses.The type of lenses each of us might need, depends solely with the problems that ones’ sight might be facing. For this you need the assistance of an optometrist or ophthalmologist, as only they can provide you with your prescription. The fact though that you are not able to choose your own type of lenses, it does not mean that you don’t have every right to know what you are purchasing.

Listed below are the most common types of lenses you can find on a prescription and the types of lenses that are mostly used in the eyeglasses industry.

  • Single Vision Lenses

Single vision lenses are one of the most common types of lenses you will encounter when dealing with prescription glasses. As its name suggests this lens has a single field of version ideal for correcting either nearsightedness also known as myopia or farsightedness known as hyperopia.

  • Bifocals

Bifocals are the best of both worlds, where single vision lenses correct either near or farsightedness, due to bifocals having two corrective sections they are able to do both. This allows them to help with a wider range of more severe vision disorders.

  • Trifocals

By now you may have guessed it, trifocals have a third region for those needing intermediate vision correction. Trifocals are predominantly used by people with advanced presbyopia.

  • Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses are the 2.0 of bifocals and trifocals, by that we mean they accomplish the same job as the bifocals and trifocals, while providing a better experience for the wearer.

By allowing seamless transitions between the viewing areas, there is no visible line in the lenses unlike the bifocals and trifocals.

  • Screen Or Computer Lenses / Photochromic

We have included computer lenses to this list as although they are technically not a “prescription lens” with our electronic devices becoming part of us these days, we believe they are as important as all the rest. Computer or photochromic lenses are able to filter out the blue light emitted by our computers or smart phones, greatly decreasing headaches and eye strains.

We trust that the above list has given you an insight on the type of lenses in the market and that now you will be purchasing your ideal pair knowing exactly what it is you are buying. Your perfect fit is out there and you are equipped with the knowledge of what your prescription lenses are all about.

Size Does Matter

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You have browsed through hundreds of frames of different shapes and styles, you’ve spent hours and hours simply to choose that perfect pair and once decided and tried them on, you instantly knew you have chosen the wrong one. If this sounds familiar, then yes, you are in the right place.Picking out the correct glasses can be an exhausting experience if you are going by it blindly, so let’s takes things from the top. It is a fact that there are several head types and sizes so we will refer to the basics which we have divided into three categories: Small, medium and large sized heads.

Large Sized Heads

Trying on glasses can be difficult regardless of the shape of your head, but people with larger heads may encounter more difficulties. For starters, making sure your frames aren’t pressing against the temple is a must. When looking at typical features of a larger head, you will find rounder chins with softer features. As far as style wise, you are aiming to create angles, giving the effect of a longer and thinner look by using geometrical frames. Additionally, for the larger head, round frames are the enemy. They will focus attention on any roundness of the face while spotlighting the wideness.

Medium Sized Heads

If you find yourself in the middle of the field with a medium size head, you will have the best of all worlds.  Meaning you can get away with wearing rectangle, oval or square frames. The thickness of the frame won’t have as much of an effect either. Meaning the range of options, you have, are endless. For tips on how to choose your frames by the shape of your face, check out our latest guide here.

Small Sized Heads

If you have a smaller sized head you will naturally be looking at a more delicate frame. Ideally you will want to move towards classic cat-eye, oval or rectangular frames, while keeping away from square or round frames. Having said that square or rounded frames, on occasion may work with smaller faces. Typically, most people with smaller heads will be pulled towards a thinner frame so not to cover too much of the face. To optimize this, purchasing a metal frame is ideal as they are significantly thinner than their plastic counter parts.

Whether you have a large, a medium or a small sized head, you are able to find some amazing pairs that will suit your unique and extraordinary personality. Yes, you should always look fantastic and for this purpose size does matter, so choose the correct one.

Sports & Eyewear

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Are you in love with sports, active lifestyle and a healthy way of living? Amazing. We want to congratulate you for your discipline, your energetic and passionate personality. To always expect more of yourself, to push yourself to the limit in order to perform better each time and achieve the goals you set, is not an easy thing to do.

So what do you do to keep your vision protected, while doing what it is you love to do? There are different models and several types of sportswear eyeglasses that are intended to protect your sight and even enhance your performance in your athletic activities. As there is a variety of sports that one may be involved with, we will be categorizing sports into 3 types:

  • Low Risk Sports
  • High Risk Sports
  • Very High Risk Sports
Low Risk Sports:

Low risk sports are thought to be those that no contact with another individual is required, and those that don’t have to do with flying objects, sticks or the use of an instrument of any type.

All sorts of gymnastics and out-on-field activities, that don’t require a vehicle, such as running and swimming are considered to be of low risk. Here we would like to point out, that for swimming for example, if the water is not properly cleaned, it can cause significant problems, even dangerous infections.

High Risk Sports:

Sports of High risk are considered the ones were the use of objects is required, such as soccer (or football), tennis, basketball, baseball, even ping pong. Most of sports are of high risk even if they don’t seem to be that dangerous or extreme.

Cycling, hiking and other outdoor activities may enclose risks, such as exposure to harmful UV rating, or in case of an accident, to harmful injuries of your eyes and subsequently to your vision.

Very High Risk Sports:

In very High risk sports, unfortunately the use of protective eye gear is not possible. Boxing, martial arts and wrestling are sports were athletes come into extreme contact and are vulnerable to severe injuries.

Finding the correct eyewear:

In Low risk sports, the best eyewear are goggles for swimming and diving, and light aerodynamic or wraparound glasses for other on the field activities.

In High risk sports, it makes sense that suitable eyewear, depends on the sport you choose to do. Athletes of track and field activities and those who engage in outdoor sports, should use lightweight wraparound glasses with polycarbonate lenses. When fishing, golfing, hunting or skiing, you should prefer antiscratch, polarized lenses. Cyclists should use performance glasses with antiscratch coatings or polycarbonate lenses. Sports such as baseball, hockey, handball and racquetball require glasses with polycarbonate or unbreakable (shatterproof) lenses and antiscratch coatings, to ensure the best and safest performance.

In sports of very High risk, unfortunately the use of protective eyewear is not possible. In these types of sports, all athletes should be regularly visiting their ophthalmologists to have their eyes checked, from corneal abrasion or retinal detachment.

Finally, we would like to offer some advice, on what to pay close attention to, when choosing the correct eyewear for your beloved sporting activities:

  • You should not buy eyewear such as eye guards or goggles that don’t include lenses.
  • As per the AAO (American Association of Ophthalmology) you should select eyewear of which the lenses are designed in a way, that in case you find yourself in an accident, they will pop out (be separated) from the frame.
  • Polycarbonate lenses and shatterproof lenses are the most reliable types of lenses in case of an accident or impact.
  • Last, in your outdoor activities always remember to choose eyewear with 100% UV protection

Progressive VS. Bifocal – How To Choose

As the time goes by, it is given that our vision faces issues since along with our body our vision changes as well. To really answer the question, of what one should choose, progressive or bifocal, we need to understand what each type of lenses is able to do for us.

Progressive Lenses:

Progressive lenses are in fact multi-focal lenses, engineered to offer three prescription powers (for near, far and immediate distance) without the diving line between the levels.

If you need a pair of glasses that will be serving multiple of services, for example you face a problem with nearsightedness or farsightedness and you additionally need a pair of glasses for reading, but you are worried that this type of lenses will be out-of-fashion due to a separating line between the two, then you have met your ideal partner.

Progressive lenses is specifically designed to combine the magnifying levels and the prescriptions given by your eye-doctor in a single lens, without a visible dividing line (separator) between the levels. This gives you the freedom you need to choose the appropriate frame and shape, and look amazing all day, without having to swap between pairs. These lenses are highly preferred between the ages of 35 and higher.

Quick FiTip: All who choose to go with the progressive lenses option, are required to go through an adjustment period, since the transition between the levels takes some time (around 14 days) getting used to.

Define Your Style & Nurture Your Vision – Elysha Lenkin

Bifocal Lenses:

Bifocal lenses are engineered to combine 2 prescription powers (for near and far distance), and they have that indicative dividing line in between the levels.

The mentality behind these lenses is to assist people with nearsightedness problems (presbyopia), to see clearly at all distances. The lower part of the lens is dedicated to assist the eyes in viewing objects at a closer range (about 18 inches from the eyes) and the rest part of the lens to the clear vision of objects in a greater distance.

Bifocal lenses are usually prescribed to people of the age of 40 and above. It is a classic choice within the optical community and even though the diving line can be considered as a fashion limitation, many consider it as the indicative of a classic fashion statement.

In conclusion:

Concluding and summarizing the above, whether you choose to go with the all-in-one type of lenses such as the progressive ones, or you choose the classics, the bifocals, all that is important is that you feel and look good with what you decide to wear. We, at Opticsfit, support your choices and follow the demands of the market, and for this you will find a wide range of products that are perfect for your needs and personality.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Protective Eyewear

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It is true that the work environment is where we spend most of our time. It is also true that occupations such as metal work (including the production of electrical and electronic appliances), construction work, and even agriculture, are more likely to be vulnerable to eye-related injuries.

A study of the European PubMed Central (Europe PMC) indicates that a 3% of all work related accidents in Europe, are eye-related injuries, identifying that a 4% of them are facing a second (relative or irrelative) injury within the same year. In addition the study revealed that 10 to 20% of the eye-related injuries in Europe, are severe and can result to partial or even permanent blindness.

The European community issued the legislation EN 166 which is the standard covering the specifications for protective eyewear at (but not limited to) the work space. It actually specifies that protective eyewear should and must be used, whenever and wherever there is a potential risk of an eye injury.

Since the occupational hazards vary, so do the requirements of the manufacturing of the protective eyewear. For example, protective eyewear must protect the eyes from impact, flying materials even particles such as dust and provide UV filtration (UV rays can cause prolonged damage in case of continuous exposure to sunlight).  The requirements are consistent and strict depending on the profession, since a farmer needs a different type of protective eyewear than someone who works in the construction sector. In general, protective eyewear is separated into 4 categories, which are a) goggles, b) face shields (i.e. visors), c) safety spectacles and d) sunglasses.

For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind – Eleanor Everet

Last, it is important to note that the European commission, following COVID-19 continuous updates, have already issued guidelines to their manufacturing partners to adjust their products with new requirements, and even increase production to fulfill the needs of the European workers (such as doctors and front line workers during the pandemic). These guidelines are being updated frequently to match the guidelines of specialists and WHO.

Within the European union, employers are required to provide those means that employee needs in order to perform their work safely, but in cases that the employer is also the employee (i.e. self-employed) we come to the conclusion that being responsible and always take safe precaution means, via protective eyewear, is extremely important.