A national survey, reported in Consumer Report Magazine showed that optometrists were consistently lower in price than optical stores, large chains and even many discount stores. When polled on the value of their eyewear purchases, patients who got their glasses from a private office gave significantly higher ratings of “value” than those who purchased from an optical store or chain. Optometrists typically do not have the burden of expensive retail rental space, nor do they support costly advertising campaigns. The dispensing services are not the only source of income, allowing the markup of frames and lenses to be less than most retailers. At VisionArts, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality and best value eyewear services available anywhere. We provide a uniform, and reasonable pricing policy, without sales or gimmicks – when your glasses need replacing, few of us have the luxury of waiting for a “sale”.
As well as an extensive range of oculo-visual diagnostic services, optometrists provide a broad array of treatment services – based on their diagnostic findings. This system, called unified service is the most efficient and effective for providing total vision care. The concept of unified service is not unique to the profession of optometry and is the most reliable method of delivering services. The same practitioner is responsible, from beginning to end, for all phases of care provided to you. The comprehensive nature of the service allows the patient to rely on a qualified professional to provide a diagnosis, and where necessary, to follow through and provide treatment services and assess the effectiveness of that treatment. For example, your dentist will diagnose a patient with tooth pain as having a cavity, then proceeding to fill it. A surgeon might recommend surgery as the best treatment for a condition, then provide that service to the patient.
If metal frames cause a reaction, nickel is the culprit. Most metal frames are made of a nickel alloy. Other metals used include aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, zinc, copper, beryllium, gold and silver. Stainless, titanium, gold and silver are usually hypoallergenic.Some people can also be allergic to the nose pads on metal frames. Most are made of silicone or acetate, but they can also be made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nickel, titanium or rubber. Silicone is tricky. Certain silicones are hypoallergenic (such as medical silicone), but others can trigger allergic reactions. Both PVC and titanium are usually hypoallergenic. Most plastic eyeglass frames are made of zyl (also called zylonite, acetate and cellulose acetate) or propionate. Other materials used in plastic frames include: polyamide, nylon, polycarbonate, carbon and Optyl (a brand of epoxy resin). Propionate, polyamide, nylon and Optyl frames are all considered hypoallergenic.
The most common use of bifocals is for the treatment of presbyopia in individuals aged 40 and over. Whether or not a person has needed vision correction when younger, by the early to mid-forties, the ability to accommodate or focus the eyes has diminished.Bifocals allow the wearer to see clearly both at distance and near despite the reduced focusing ability. Bifocals may also be used to help align the eyes if a person tends to over-cross his or her eyes at near. If you are over 40 or have any difficulty performing tasks at near, ask us whether bifocals or progressive lenses could be right for you.
There can be many causes for this condition. However, many times this problem can be alleviated, or even dismissed, with the use of “AR” (Anti Reflective) Lenses. First and foremost, however, annual or semi annual eye exams are the ONLY avenue to your eye health and the ONLY resource to ascertain the correct reason or cause for any eye ailment! That being said and once any medical or physical condition is removed as a possibility of cause, then the perfect solution for glare on computer screens, or glare from night driving would be AR (Anti Reflective) Lenses.
With all modesty aside, we are. We are fortunate to be staffed with fashion experts. They not only will assist you in your desire to get the “look” that is most flattering to your features and taste, but they will ensure that your new fashionable eyewear will function nicely with your needs and lifestyle as well. This is easier said than done. That is why we have a very knowledgeable staff dedicated specifically with you in mind.
This is a personal concern that can address many issues. You should change your eyeglasses when you feel that your existing eyeglasses no longer are supporting your needs, lifestyle, or taste.In any case a visit to your doctor should not be only considered when you feel it is time for new glasses. You should visit your eye doctor at least once every year, unless otherwise instructed by your eyecare provider.
A popular lens in plastics are called Transitions® Lenses. When they’re exposed to ultraviolet light, they become darker or change to a different color. However most brands are not as effective in a car or in any vehicle with the “blue or gray Stripe” on a windshield. Because of the ultraviolet blocking nature of the windshields, lenses will remain pretty light when you’re driving. The ultimate sunglass experience can be enjoyed with “Polarized” lenses as these lenses offer the most protection comfort to the eye so strain and fatigue can become a thing of the past. Transitions is a registered trademark of Transitions Optical.
We cannot stress this enough…YES!You know how the sun’s UV rays can harm your skin-wrinkles; premature aging and skin cancer are some of the dangers of unprotected sun exposure. The same rays that age and damage your skin can and will hurt your eyes as well. Strong sunlight, and artificial light from sources like welding arcs or tanning lamps can burn the surface of the eye, much like sunburn on the skin.Reflected sunlight (from the water, for example) is particularly dangerous.
Your prescription, your personal measurements, and the size of your frame are the three key factors that will determine final lens thickness. If you are farsighted your lenses will be thicker at their center, in contrast, if you are nearsighted your lenses will be thicker at their edges. New innovative technology in lens designs, and materials, have allowed us to reduce overall lens thickness by as much as 60% in many cases. Our staff will guide you toward the best possible results in helping you choose the best frame-lens combination for your ocular and fashion needs.
Absolutely! Newer, thinner lens materials are being developed all the time, and we pride ourselves in constantly being up-to-date with the latest developments and materials in the optical community. This, along with the proper grinding and appropriate frame selection could make your new fashion eyeglasses distinctly thinner. Ask one of our doctors or staff about the newest innovations in lenses today.
Yes. Progressive lenses will allow you to use smaller frames while maintaining terrific vision at all distances. The visual channel that progresses from distance vision to near vision is wider, and more accurate for that ‘Tween’ vision necessary for clarity in the area too far for close, and to close for far. It is a wonderful lens for desktop and computer use as well. Please note, that in a few of the especially small frames, not all frames can be a successful candidate for a progressive lens. With this in mind, our opticians will help you with a proper fit.
[spoiler show="Show Answer" hide="Close Answer"]If your eyes are subjected to intense glare during the day, they will “defend themselves” by trying to adapt. This natural built-in defense mechanism will persist for several hours after the glare is removed, resulting in reduced vision. Studies show that night vision can be reduced by as much as 50% by this exposure. Wearing sunglasses during the day dramatically improves night vision.
Plastic lenses do not protect your eyes. You need to have UV protection from UV rays, which are not inherent in a plastic lens. You can have a UV protective coating applied to a plastic lens, but polycarbonate lenses have built-in UV protection. Glass lenses protect your eyes from harmful UVB rays but not from UVA. Some experts think UVA rays might have long-term, damaging effects to your eyes and skin.
Regular eye exams are the only way to catch “silent” diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma and other conditions in their early stages, when they’re more easily managed or treated. Many conditions can be discovered in a carefully planned eye exam. Those who consider mass-produced, over the counter reading glasses are truly doing themselves a disservice, both financially and medically.One-size-fits-all reading glasses not only do not work well for most people who have a different prescription in each eye, and/or astigmatism, or whose lens and frame parameters are not measured correctly, they bypass the opportunity to have their eyes checked for early detection of many manageable diseases or conditions. For those insisting on selecting glasses not measured specifically for there eyes, headaches and eye fatigue are common symptoms.