Hazel Eyes

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Hazel Eyes

By Claire Capuano

Reviewed by

Updated On May 05, 2023

Hazel eyes are rare and beautiful, with only 5% of the population having these unique eyes. Read on to find out what causes hazel eyes.

One of the first things you may notice about someone is their eyes. Their colour and expression can be quite prominent, revealing a lot about an individual.

The human eye can reflect someone’s personality and ancestry, show the amount of melanin in the iris and even give a glimpse into one’s current health condition.

Hazel-coloured eyes, while considered rare, are also thought to be one of the most beautiful.

According to researchers at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (2017), around 10,000 years ago, everyone had brown eyes.

Today, approximately 70-80% of the world’s population have brown eyes, making brown the most common eye colour. While not the rarest colour, only 5% of the population have hazel eyes.

How is eye colour determined?

The eye’s iris, the pigmented area surrounding the pupil, gives eyes their colour. Melanin is the pigment responsible for both eye and skin colour.

Hazel eyes are in the brown family, but they feature other colour hues like green and amber in addition to brown.

There is a complex network of genes that determine eye colour in humans. Most of these genes play a role in producing, transporting and storing melanin pigment.

The more melanin you have in your iris, the darker your eyes are. Therefore, people with brown eyes have the most melanin. People with the least melanin have blue, grey, or green eyes. Hazel eyes have more melanin than blue but less than brown.

Babies are not born with the total amount of melanin in their irises. More melanin may accumulate in the iris in the first few years of life, causing a child’s eyes to change or darken.

Blue eyes that change to brown develop significant amounts of melanin, while those that turn green or hazel produce slightly less.

How does light affect different eye colours?

Have you ever noticed that eyes change colour in different environments? This is because of how particular light and sunlight hit and scatter within the iris. Melanin in the iris absorbs different wavelengths of light.

Eyes with a higher concentration of melanin (darker eyes) absorb more light and reflect less from the iris.

The opposite occurs in eyes with lower concentrations of melanin (light-coloured eyes); less light is absorbed, and more is reflected off the iris.

What causes hazel eyes?

Hazel eyes have been called the chameleon of eye colours, changing colour based on their surrounding environment. Are they green, gold, brown or a mix of all?

Hazel eyes are complex, and while what exactly determines hazel eye colour is still up for debate, researchers have narrowed it down to the amount of melanin present, scattering of light and perception.

Hazel eyes have a lower concentration of melanin, causing more light reflection off the iris. This higher level of reflection is why we tend to see changes in hazel, blue, or green eyes.

The distribution of melanin can differ in parts of the iris, causing hazel eyes to appear light brown near the pupil and greener at the edge of the iris.

DID YOU KNOW?

Our eyes can change colour after birth as more melanin is produced, causing lighter eyes to darken.

What's the difference between hazel and green eyes?

The main difference between green eyes and hazel eyes is how melanin spreads in the iris. As mentioned, the melanin in hazel eyes may vary in different parts of the iris, causing different eye colours to appear.

As light is reflected off hazel eyes, it produces other eye colours like green, brown or gold. The melanin in green eyes is more evenly dispersed, causing light to scatter so they appear as one colour: green.

Are hazel eyes rare?

Only about 5% of the world’s population have hazel eyes, making them rare. While anyone can have hazel eyes, they are most commonly found among those of Middle Eastern, Brazilian, Spanish, or North African descent.

The rarest eye colour is green, with only 2% of the population having them. Even rarer than green eyes is heterochromia, a condition where a person has two different coloured eyes. Less than 1% of the world’s population has this condition.

Are people with hazel eyes more at risk for eye problems?

There are some links between eye colour and health factors. People with light-coloured eyes are more prone to ocular melanoma, also known as eye cancer.

This is because those with very light eyes have less melanin, a natural eye protectant.

Wearing sunglasses is a great way to shield your eyes from UV rays. Not only do they help you see clearer when outdoors, they protect against eye cancer and macular degeneration.

Sunglasses are beneficial when spending time outside even on a cloudy day as UV rays are still present.

Changing your eye colour with contacts

For those who are unhappy with their natural eye colour or want to try a different eye colour, coloured contacts may be an option.

Contacts come in various styles, allowing you to experiment with anything from grey eyes to dark brown eyes.

Colour contact lenses require a prescription. If you don’t have one, you can see your eye doctor for an eye exam. An eye doctor can help you choose the best contact lenses for your lifestyle needs.

It is crucial to read the instructions to ensure you have the correct contact lenses and know how to use them.

If worn improperly, they can cause eye irritation, infection, or even sight loss. Always speak with an eye care professional before wearing contacts.

What makes hazel eyes unique?

Hazel-coloured eyes reflect light in a way that makes them change colour. Considered unique because they feature a combination of various colours like brown, green and amber, they are often divided into hazel brown or hazel green eyes.

To enhance your eye colour even further, try wearing different shades that bring out and complement your hazel eyes.

Eye colour is a distinctive and beautiful trait that reflects a lot about someone. It is essential to remember that no matter what your eye colour is, you must take care of your eyes.

Seeing an eye doctor, wearing prescription eyewear if necessary and protecting them from UV rays are a few ways to get started.

Head to our Optical Centre to read more about eye health or to speak with one of our in-house opticians.

Reference list

American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2017, April 7). Why Are Brown Eyes Most Common? Retrieved May 3rd, 2023, from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-brown-eyes-most-common

How to tell if my glasses are blue light – Duplicate – [#12406]

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Lots of glasses incorporate blue light-blocking technology nowadays. Here is how you can check if your glasses have that feature.

When looking at this image with your blue light glasses, the blue circle should be very dark, if not black. Read more about this test and everything you need to know about what are blue light glasses.

The blue sky test

Wait for a clear day, then point your glasses at the sky. The lenses appear clear when worn normally, but they have a little yellow tint when they filter blue light.

You can observe the light being filtered when looking through the lenses at a bright blue sky. Computer glasses, for example, often have a faint yellow tint in the lenses and usually block out 30% of blue light.

Yellow tinted lenses

Depending on the types of glasses and use, there are various types of lens tints and levels of blue light blocking.

Gaming glasses, for example, can come with yellow or amber tints which filter blue light to help enhance your vision and gaming performance. Be sure to read all about what gaming glasses are and see if you need them. But why exactly are the lenses yellow?

Why are my blue light glasses yellow?

Our eyes can’t properly filter out blue light, and we are surrounded by it in and out of our homes. That’s why we use blue light lenses. Blue light is filtered out by the yellow lenses and changes the kind of light that reaches your eyes.

Not all blue light blocking glasses have a yellow tint, but the darker the tint, the more efficient the glasses are. The yellow tint helps filter the harsh blue light while letting other light pass through.

However, keep in mind that the technology used for blue light varies by manufacturer, so these tests do not guarantee that your glasses are blue light blockers! It’s always best to check the packaging, and directly contact the place you purchased the glasses.

Why are my blue light glasses so reflective?

Blue light glasses can be reflective due to the coating on the lenses that reflect the wavelength of light. If your blue light glasses are reflective, they filter blue light, which means they work.

Your blue light lenses will have different layers, each reflecting a specific range of light that helps reduce glare on the lens surface.

The light reflected off different types of coatings can be blue or even purple, depending on the manufacturer’s specific coatings. Anti-reflective quality is higher when there is a lower reflection on the lenses. You can see the reflections if you hold up your glasses in front of a light source, which is not very noticeable when wearing them.

Conclusion

You’ve read the benefits of wearing blue light glasses and have finally bought a pair, but you’re wondering how and if they work. There are various ways how to tell if your glasses are blue light and see if they are working.

Following this guide, you can comfortably test your blue light glasses at home with either the RBG color chart or the blue sky test. Blue light lenses usually have a tint and are reflective, which ensures that the blue wavelength is reduced.

So why not try it out yourself and learn all there is to know about blue light glasses and more eye care tips in our Optical Centre.

What Your Eye Color Says About Your Personality

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What Your Eye Colour Says About Your Personality

Our eye colours can tell us a lot about our genetics, but can they indicate specific personality traits as well?

Do different eye colours mean anything?

Often referred to as the window to the soul, our eyes are one of the first things people notice about us. The most important organ regarding our senses, our eyes, can be a mesmerising point of beauty thanks to the pool of colours that swirl around.

But do they mean something other than the obvious?

While the colour of our eyes is determined by a combination of pigmentation and genes, some of the world’s population and cultures play with the idea that eye colour holds a deeper meaning about a person and may literally be a window to our personalities.

What determines your eye colour?

Scientifically speaking, the colour of our eyes comes down to genetics and pigmentation.

Melanin is the pigment responsible for our eye colour that sits in the front layer of the iris (MedlinePlus 2022). Melanin comes in two main forms that contribute to dark and light-coloured eyes: eumelanin and pheomelanin.

The more eumelanin melanin you have in your iris, the darker your eyes are. Therefore, people with brown eyes have the most melanin. People with pheomelanin melanin have lighter hues like blue, grey or green eyes.

What are the 4 main eye colours?

The four most common eye colours are brown, blue, hazel and green. Brown eyes are one of the most common eye colours there is.

Nearly half the population has this eye colour. On the other end, green eyes are considered one of the most rare colours, with less than 10% of the population having this unique colour hue.

Of course, there are other eye colours that people can have, but these are less common, like grey eyes, or can stem from conditions such as albinism.

Black eyes are also another interesting colour. Technically these don’t really exist, but you may have such dark brown eyes that they seem black in some lights.

What type of person are you if you have brown eyes?

Studies have shown that brown-eyed people tend to be sociable, have a high level of self-confidence and are extremely ambitious (Chandola, R 2016, p. 124). Brown-eyed individuals are determined to achieve their goals and possess strong mental strength.

Whether you have dark or light brown eyes, people feel calm and secure in your presence. This could be due to the fact that your eye colour feels familiar and safe, considering it is the most common.

What kind of trait are blue eyes?

Known to be a child’s eye colour when they are first born, blue-eyed individuals give a sense of youthfulness to others.

Common traits for people with blue eyes are that they are cheerful, have a pleasant demeanour and are kind to everyone. This could be thanks to their younger looks.

Psychologists have also said that blue-eyed people are meant to have a high pain tolerance. Whether this is due to others underestimating them for their looks, blue-eyed people aren’t ones to be messed with just because they seem innocent.

DID YOU KNOW?

Contrary to popular belief, black eyes do not exist. This pigmentation and hue can not naturally occur in our eyes unless the appearance is altered with coloured contact lenses.

What personality type are green eyes?

Green-eyed people tend to be mysterious, all thanks to the amount of melanin that makes up their eye colour. Individuals with this eye colour have a creative outlook and are curious enough to ask tough questions.

Much like blue eyes, these light eyes are also associated with a vibrant and youthful personality.

People with green eyes have also been known to be more jealous than others, but this may also be due to the fact that they are extremely passionate, whether in their work or personal life.

What hazel eyes say about you?

Hazel eyes are like looking into a pool of warm honey and amber hues, so it’s only a given that people with hazel eyes tend to be warm and inviting. These people also enjoy taking chances and are bursting with powerful, vivacious energy.

People with hazel eyes are also courageous and determined to tackle the challenges that they face.

They possess a variety of original perspectives and methods and will almost certainly think of original answers related to any issues, making them great to have on your team.

What do black eyes say about someone?

Even if this is not a real eye colour, people with deep dark eyes are seen to be very optimistic and responsible. They are constantly alert and eager to establish their value with others but tend to keep to themselves and are frequently secretive.

People with more melanin resulting in dark brown, almost black-looking eyes, are also known to have stronger eye contact skills, which some people may find intimidating.

What do grey eyes signify about your personality traits?

Those with grey eyes are hard to come by, but they’ll leave an impact when you do. People with grey eyes are calm and organised and often make great leaders by remaining strong when faced with stressful situations.

These individuals may keep to themselves, but when given the right environment and encouragement, they will shine and show you their sharp minds and true personality of strength and determination.

Eye colour personality - does it really mean anything?

Whether or not you believe eye colour is a significant factor in personality traits or if our eye colour reveals anything about us other than our genetics, there’s no harm in seeing if it rings true.

Study participants may or may not be biased in their beliefs, but one thing is for sure, our eyes are important and can tell us a lot about someone.

Our eyes can indicate whether we are tired, stressed, sad, happy or healthy. So whatever eye colour you have, taking care of them is important. Remember to check up on your eye health and wear the correct prescription glasses you need.

If you have any other questions, speak to one of our certified online Opticians who are there to help.

Reference list

MedlinePlus. (2022). Is Eye Color Determined by Genetics?. MedlinePlus. Retrieved May 15, 2023, from https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/eyecolor

Chandola, Rupali. (2016). Eye Colour: A Physical Trait Correlates with Personality & Mental Health. The International Journal of Indian Psychology. 3. 119-125. 10.1155/2014/291882. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305221695_Eye_Colour_A_Physical_Trait_Correlates_with_Personality_Mental_Health

What are Mirrored Sunglasses?

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What are Mirrored Sunglasses?

What do mirrored sunglasses do? | Is mirrored better than polarised? | How to clean mirrored sunglasses | Where to buy mirrored sunglasses | Conclusion

Mirrored glasses shield your eyes, guarantee privacy, give you clear vision and, to top it all off, they look great!

If you are an adventure-seeker looking for a pair of sunglasses to make an effortless fashion statement without sacrificing functionality, mirrored sunglasses are the perfect choice for you! So, what are mirrored sunglasses?

Mirrored sunglasses, also known as reflective sunglasses, are one of the most popular styles of sunglasses on the market. They come in diverse colours and styles and are made with durable lenses with a reflective coating on the outside, giving them a mirrored look with major functional benefits.

What do mirrored sunglasses do?

When wearing mirrored sunglasses, you will not only look fashion-forward, but you will also experience the many benefits that the style offers, including:

1. Protection against UV Light – Too much direct UV light on your eyes can cause damage, so it is important to protect your eyes as much as possible. Mirrored sunglasses offer great protection because the reflective surface on mirrored lenses has 10-60% higher sunlight reflection compared to normal tinted variations and can often be found with 100% UV protection.

2. Reduced Glare – The glare from the sun can cause headaches for those with sensitive eyes, and for those doing water and snow sports, the glare can make performance much more difficult. Luckily, reflective sunglasses can reduce glares for a more comfortable outdoor experience, making the style a go-to for many athletes. They are also often used for snow goggles!

3. Brighter field of vision – Since mirrored sunglasses reflect light rather than absorb it, they offer brighter vision when wearing them. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, this benefit is great because it will ensure less strain on your eyes throughout the day.

4. Durability – The mirrored coating on the lenses is one of the most durable coatings available. Many brands also include a scratch-resistant layer, which protects against the wear and tear of everyday life. If you are looking for extra protection, be sure to check that this option is available before purchasing.

5. Anonymity – Say goodbye to awkward eye contact! While mirrored lenses can certainly make you stand out in the crowd, they can also significantly increase your privacy. The reflective lenses will hide your eyes, so you can go about your day feeling a bit more under the radar.

6. Style – Mirrored sunglasses are also extremely stylish! With colours ranging from silver, pink, blue, green, gold, and more, there are limitless options to fit any personality. Brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley and Carrera offer an endless number of colour and frame combinations for an instant boost in confidence and style.

DID YOU KNOW

Mirrored sunglasses are sometimes called “cop shades”. This stems from their popularity among US police officers.

Is mirrored better than polarised?

Mirrored and polarised sunglasses have many similar benefits as well as some differences, and the preference of one over the other totally depends on what you are looking for. Both offer great UV protection, reduce glare, and are suitable for spending excessive amounts of time in bright conditions.

The most notable difference is that mirrored lenses are usually less costly and offer a more extensive array of lens colours. While polarised sunglasses often have grey, green, and amber tints, mirrored choices come in bright and bold colours.

However, before you choose, you can discover the many benefits of polarised lenses to compare them and determine the best choice for you! If you are still undecided, you can combine both options for a polarised, mirrored pair of sunglasses.

How to clean mirrored sunglasses

As with all sunglasses, it is important to clean them thoroughly to ensure they last as long as possible. Mirrored lenses can appear smudged more easily than normal tinted lenses, so you should clean them often.

While there are many methods online that explain how to remove scratches from sunglasses, we do not recommend trying this because it can ruin your lenses. Instead, it is best to get replacement lenses so your sunglasses last.

Where to buy mirrored sunglasses

Ready to try out a pair of mirrored sunglasses? At SmartBuyGlasses, we offer a vast selection of sunglasses with mirrored lenses. You are sure to find a pair that best suits you among our options from over 180 designer brands that feature bold colours, diverse frames, and unbeatable customer service.

Use our Virtual Try-On technology to make your purchase with 100% confidence. Try on an endless number of styles from the comfort of your own home. Once you choose, you can make the purchase and relax knowing we have a 100-day return policy, free shipping, and the best price guarantee.

Conclusion

Whether you are walking through the city streets, making waves during water sports, or feeling adventurous to try a new outdoor activity, mirrored sunglasses are the perfect choice to ensure style and success for any occasion.

Thick Lens Glasses

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Thick Lens Glasses

By Corina Iatisin

Reviewed by

Updated On Mar 09, 2023

Discover the reason behind thick lens glasses and why prescription lenses can vary greatly.

Prescription lenses can vary drastically for each individual, depending on their unique needs. The density of lenses may range from paper-thin to the ‘coke bottle’ effect. But why is this?

If you have thick glasses, your prescription is likely stronger than most. But what is the purpose of thick lens glasses? Prescription lenses bend the light through curved lenses as it enters your eye. Short-sighted wearers will have lenses that are thicker on the edge and thinner in the middle, while those who are long-sighted will have the opposite.

Why are my glasses lenses so thick?

To understand why you have thick glasses lenses, you need to be aware of your refractive power. The refractive power is the amount that light needs to be bent when entering your eye for you to see clearly. The more light needs to be bent, the higher the refractive power (prescription) will be; therefore the thicker your lenses will be.

Another point to think about is your glasses’ frame size and pupillary distance. Lens thickness will increase as the frame size increases due to the edge of the lens being utilized to fit the frame.

Therefore, the larger the frame, the thicker the lens. A minus RX will be thicker at the edges, while a plus RX will be thicker in the middle. Your pupillary distance may also change where the thickness occurs if the frame is too large for you.

How thick can glasses get?

How thick the glasses lens will be is determined by a few factors. The material of your lenses contributes to the thickness, as well as your prescription and personal choice. Thanks to new technology, high-index lenses were introduced to help reduce the thickness and weight of the lenses.

High-index lenses are made from a plastic material that allows better light refraction in a thin lens. Many people opt for high-index lenses because they have a more sleek look. If you’re asking yourself, “Do I need high index lenses?” you can discover our thin lenses guide to get a better understanding of what they are and whether they are right for you or not.

DID YOU KNOW?

The article explores the reason behind thick lenses, explaining why prisms make lenses thicker and what are the best frame shapes based on your prescription.

Do prisms make glasses thicker?

Some eyewear users may experience double vision (diplopia), which requires prism glasses to correct their eyesight. Prism glasses refract the light before entering your lenses rather than when it passes through.

Prism will make the lenses thicker; the higher the prism, the thicker it will be. However, experimenting with various frame styles can help hide the thickness if you feel it is too obvious or bothers you.

Why is one lens thicker than the other?

If you’re noticing that one of your lenses is thicker than the other one, the reason behind that is very simple: different strengths in your prescription.

In fact, prescriptions are usually not symetrical: you may be seeing better in one eye rather than the other. Sometimes the difference can be so slight that it is unnoticable; other times, if the difference is more drastic it becomes more noticeable.

What shape glasses are best for thick lenses?

Getting a pair of new glasses can be confusing, especially for people with strong prescriptions: certain frame types are not advised as they might affect the overall performance of the glasses. To make the process of shopping for new glasses easier, we have put together a brief guide for both myopic (minus) and nearsighted (plus) prescriptions.

Minus RX recommendations

Plus RX recommendations

Now that you have a better understanding of thick-lens glasses and know what frame is best for your prescription, shopping for glasses online won’t be so intimidating or confusing!

If you want to learn more about trick lenses or lenses in general, visit our Optical Centre. You will find many informative articles on the subject, all thoroughly reviewed by our certified opticians.

Sunglasses Lens Colour Guide

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Sunglass Lens Colour Guide

Does the colour of sunglass lenses matter? | Lens colour recommendation by weather | Lens colour recommendation by activity

By Corina Iatisin

Reviewed by

Updated On Mar 23, 2023

When buying a new pair of sunglasses and choosing the colour of your lenses, remember that different lens colours have different purposes.

Depending on weather conditions or the activities that are part of your daily routine, the colour of your lenses can enhance the overall performance of your glasses. Most people choose lens colours based on aesthetics, but did you know that different lens colours serve different purposes?

In this article, we will guide you through the different colour options, explain the difference between each lens colour and help you understand how to choose the best one to suit your needs.

Does the colour of sunglass lens matter?

Yes, colour has a noticeable effect on the sunglasses. Depending on your lifestyle, lens colour also affects your eye health during certain activities. This makes it essential for you to find a suitable lens compatible with your daily activities and needs.

What about mirrored lenses?

Mirrored sunglasses are the perfect stylish option to protect your eyes against UV rays. The fully reflective coating used for the lenses gives the mirrored look everyone loves these days. Combined with polarised lenses, they offer maximum protection against UV rays and increase clarity. Both polarised and mirrored lenses, either separate or combined, come in different colours. Below, we will be listing the most popular colours and what is the advantage of choosing each lens colour.

Lens colour guide

Grey and black lenses are the best option if you’re looking for a neutral lens tint. These lenses are perfect for all weather conditions and are the top choice if you want to perceive colours in their purest form, even when wearing sunglasses.

Grey lenses are great at reducing the brightest glare and are perfect for outdoor activities and sports such as surfing, cycling, golfing and driving. If you’re looking for the everyday use type of tint, this is the one.

Amber and brown tints are extremely popular as they provide excellent depth perception. These lenses have a warm, reddish tone and are perfect for reducing glare, enhancing contrast, and helping maintain visual acuity. Amber and brown lens sunglasses are perfect for sunny days and outdoor activities such as fishing, shooting, tennis, or baseball.

Green Lenses are one of the trendiest when it comes to polarized or mirrored sunglasses. They are perfect for sunny days but also in low light conditions. Whether sunny, cloudy, or anything in between, green lenses will work amazingly well, giving you excellent vision and reducing glare.

Green lens sunglasses are one of the most popular ones for outdoor activities: no matter what sport you have on your agenda, these lenses will increase contrast and visual sharpness and enhance shadow.

Yellow lenses are more efficient in low-light environments like cloudy or rainy days. One of the benefits of using yellow lenses is that when playing sports, these lenses are great for focusing on moving objects. Another advantage is that when navigating, they are perfect in hazy or low-light conditions. Yellow lenses are also very popular amongst gamers as they filter blue light from computer screens and other screen devices.

Blue lenses are not only very trendy but also well-known for enhancing clarity and defining contours. These lenses improve colour perception and do wonders in low-light conditions. They’re suited well for all water sports, snow sports, and golf.

Red and pink tints increase contrast by blocking blue light and enhancing depth perception. They are also soothing for the eyes and more comfortable than others for longer wear times. Pink and red lenses perform their best on extremely sunny days and snowy conditions.

DID YOU KNOW?

Black lenses are perfect if you’re looking for a neutral lens tint while brown lenses provide excellent depth perception. Blue lenses are suited for all water sports. For rainy days, yellow lenses are a must!

Lens colour recommendation by weather

Lens colour recommendation by activity

Benefits of lens colours and tint

Now that you’ve read the guide to coloured lenses for sunglasses, choosing the next pair won’t be so daunting. Whether you need the perfect pair for your winter sports or the bright sunlight of summer, you’ll have the right tinted sunglasses to suit all your vision needs.

How to Choose Glasses

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How to Choose Glasses

How to choose glasses: Some top tips | How to choose glasses based on face shape | How to choose reading glasses for computer | Try on glasses online

Deciding on a pair of glasses is harder than it seems, so we've put together some tips to help you make the best choice.

If you’re looking to buy some glasses, but just can’t seem to make your mind up, this guide is for you. We’ll be taking you through tips for how to choose glasses online, trying on glasses online and buying glasses online – all wrapped up in one little article!

How to choose glasses: Some top tips

Choose frames that contrast your face shape. The general rule of thumb for choosing what style of frames to go with is to choose the opposite of your face shape. For example, if you have a very angular or square face, then round frames are a good fit. If you have a round face, consider going with a pair of rectangular frames.
Choose frame size based on face shape. If you have an oval face, don’t use larger frames that will cover half of your face.
Choose frames that center your eyes. If your eyes appear too close to the inner corner of the frames, it will make you look cross-eyed. If your eyes appear too far towards the outside corners of the frames, then it will make the glasses look too small. If your eyes happen to be slightly narrow set, then you should avoid a pair of frames that are too wide.
Choose frames that fit your nose. Because you’ll be wearing your eyeglasses often, you’ll want to make sure that they are a comfortable fit. Avoid glasses that constantly slip down your nose, that leave red marks on your nose, or that cause your eyelashes to touch the lenses.
One way that you can tell if they will fit your face is by shaking your head. If the frames move as you shake your head, they are too big.

How to choose glasses based on face shape

We think that getting the right glasses for your face is the most important part of buying glasses online. If you’re still struggling with how to choose glasses, this face shape guide should really clear things up and get you started!

DID YOU KNOW?

There are four basic face shapes: square, round, oval and heart-shaped. You’l need to figure out which one you have in order to find some glasses that complement your features.

If you have a square face:

You have a well-defined face with a wide forehead, strong cheekbones, jawline and chin. Your most prominent feature is mostly likely your prominent jawline. Round glasses or thinner frames would be a great contrast to your strong features and be better suited to you.

All the curves can help soften your features and compliment your natural looks. We recommend round and oval frames, but aviators or pilot frames are worth a look too!

The best frames for square faces are:

Oval. Oval frames are the perfect accessory for pretty much any occasion. These frames give off a naturally stylish look with minimal effort required. Take it easy, and let these glasses do all the work for you.

Round. No matter how big or small your round frames are, they look exactly how you’d imagine they would – chilled and centred. After choosing this frame, you’ll soon realise that being cool, calm and collected suits you.

Pilot. Aviator glasses will always be on-trend. They look best when worn during those warmer months and add a touch of cool to any outfit.

If you have a round face:

The typical features of a round face are wide foreheads, full cheeks and rounded chins. Your face is normally nearly equal in length and width. We recommend glasses with strong details and angles to contrast your soft features.

By adding some contrast, your face can look thinner and longer. We recommend rectangular, butterfly and wayfarer frames.

The best frames for round faces are:

Wayfarer. They are simply iconic. The end. On a semi-serious note though, these glasses have become the most recognisable and most worn glasses of all time. It’s no exaggeration to say that these are a must-have pair for both men and women.

Butterfly. These are glasses for the experimental individual. With a cool fusion of round and geometric shapes, designs and silhouettes, our butterfly glasses range has unique frames for everyone.

Rectangle. These are the perfect frames for the quintessential gentleman or the professional woman. If you’re looking to revamp your look or simply make a bold statement, then shop our best looks and get your rectangle on!

If you have a oval face:

You have balanced features and high cheekbones, with a slightly narrower chin compared to your forehead. A lot of people consider this to be the most ideal face shape, with the most balanced proportions.

People with oval-shaped faces are really lucky as pretty much any pair of glasses will suit them! However, you should be careful with oversized glasses as they can detract from your naturally balanced features.

The best frames for oval faces are:

Cat Eye. If you appreciate old-school glamour, then cat-eye glasses are the shades for you. You love wearing your vintage coats in winter but would probably prefer the summer months to go on forever! You have a flair for drama and these glasses only enhance your classy vibe.

If you have a heart face:

The typical complexion of a heart shaped face is a wide forehead, high cheekbones, narrow jaw and a well-defined chin. Your face resembles a heart shape since it is widest at the top and narrowest at the bottom.

The aim when choosing glasses for heart shaped faces is to help create the illusion of a smaller forehead and a broader chin. This can be achieved by choosing glasses that are wider than your forehead. We recommend Pilot/Aviator, wraparound and wayfarer frames.

The best frames for heart-shaped faces are:

Pilot. Aviator glasses will always be on-trend. They look best when worn during those warmer months and add a touch of cool to any outfit.

Wraparound. Generally known for their sporty and practical look, wraparounds are the perfect glasses to wear whenever your adventurous side emerges. Head off to distant shores or hike up a mountain in these sporty, protective glasses.

How to choose reading glasses for computer

Computer reading glasses are reading glasses with a blue light filter, or prescription computer glasses. Blue light readers improve both your vision and eye health while using a digital screen. With blue light reading glasses, you don’t have to choose between one pair of glasses or the other.

You can now read small print on the computer while also protecting your eyes from harmful blue light rays. There are over the-the-counter options for both computer glasses and reading glasses online, making blue light blocking reading glasses an accessible option for almost anyone.

At SmartBuyGlasses, we’ve got a huge selection of computer reading glasses with blue light blocking technology – we’ve found that they’re one of the best ways out there to protect your eyes from short-wavelength light (and look great doing it).

With affordable blue light glasses from SmartBuy Collection, to high-style frames from luxury brands like Tom Ford, our range really does have something for everyone.

Try on glasses online

Our groundbreaking Virtual Try-On tool is a giant leap for buying glasses online. This forward-thinking technology lets you see how our glasses look without even having to leave your home – perfect for a socially distanced try-before-you-buy!

Just find a pair of glasses you love and click the VTO button to model designer frames and more from home!

If you’ve found this guide and informative, don’t forget to check out our interesting and educational pieces from our Optical Centre. Of course, if this has got you in the mood for buying glasses online, head on over to SmartBuyGlasses and check out thousands of pairs from the world’s leading online eyewear destination.

What Is Anisometropia?

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What Is Anisometropia?

What are the types of Anisometropia? | Is Antimetropia rare? | Symptoms of Anisometropia | What causes Anisometropia? |Treatment | Can Anisometropia be corrected with glasses?| Does Anisometropia get worse?

Anisometropia is a condition where the refractive error differs between two eyes. Read on to learn more about what anisometropia is.

If you are wondering, ‘what is Anisometropia?’ then you have come to the right place. The definition of anisometropia, more commonly known as vision imbalance, is a condition where your eyes have varying refractive power – i.e. your ability to focus is different in each eye. Anisometropia means you have a different prescription for each eye.

Typically caused by unevenly sized or shaped eyes, anisometropia symptoms include asymmetric longsightedness or asymmetric shortsightedness. Anisometropia can result in an induced differential prism between the eyes as they move away from the centre of the correcting lens. Several studies show that only around 6% of young people have this refractive error, which generally occurs more frequently as they age.

What are the types of anisometropia?

1) Simple anisometropia

Simple anisometropia occurs when one eye has regular vision, but the other affected eye is short-sighted (myopia) or long-sighted (hyperopia). If you have one normal eye and one nearsighted eye, you have simple myopic anisometropia i.e. blurrier image in one eye.

2) Hyperopic anisometropia

Hyperopic anisometropia, also known as compound anisometropia, occurs when both eyes have the same refraction problem, but one eye is worse. If your pair of eyes are nearsighted, but one has a higher prescription than the other, you have compound myopic anisometropia.

This can cause the eyes to be unable to work together and fuse the image into one, causing double vision. Double vision, also known as diplopia, causes people to see two of the same image.

3) Simple astigmatic anisometropia

Astigmatism is when the curvature of your eye’s cornea or lens is shaped like a football, which means your vision is blurred at all distances. The shape of your eye causes light to refract unevenly, which means the light changes direction when it enters your eye at an angle.

4) Compound astigmatic anisometropia

This refractive error means you have astigmatism in both eyes, but one eye requires much more correction. For compound astigmatic anisometropia, both eyes are either farsighted or nearsighted and require refraction correction.

5) Mixed astigmatic anisometropia

If you have this type of anisometropia, you have astigmatism in both eyes. However, one eye is farsighted, and the other is nearsighted.

6) Antimetropia

Another kind of anisometropia is a rare refractive condition called antimetropia, also known as mixed anisometropia. This condition is when one eye is myopic and the other is hyperopic, which means there is a significant difference in vision between the two eyes.

Is antimetropia rare?

Antimetropia is rare, but in most cases that it occurs is in post-cataract refractive surgery patients.

Symptoms of anisometropia

‘How do I know if I have anisometropia?’ You may be asking at this point. Anisometropia has a number of noticeable symptoms. These can include:

Amblyopia (also called lazy eye)
Frequent blurred vision
Diplopia (double vision) and dizziness
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Headaches
Difficulty with 3D vision, poor depth perception and loss of balance
Lack of coordination

If you suffer from any of these or other mild vision problems, you should ask your doctor for a comprehensive eye exam and diagnosis. An eye exam will generally include various tests to check the health of your eye and distinguish any diseases or conditions. Even if you do not have any symptoms, an eye screening is recommended for adults at the age of 40 to identify vision change and any signs of various sight impairments.

What causes anisometropia?

Most people with ‘normal vision’ can experience up to a 5% difference in the refractive power of each eye. However, those with a larger difference in refractive power (5-20%) will experience uneven vision, which can cause a lack of coordination.

There is no definitive answer as to what causes refractive errors that lead to developing anisometropia. There are likely genetic and environmental risk factors for this, such as defects in the eye at birth or an uneven size of the two eyes. Other potential causes can include injury to the eye, eye trauma and refractive surgery.

DID YOU KNOW?

Anisometromia means having a large difference in refractive power of each eye, between 5 and 20%. This causes uneven vision, which leads to lack of coordination.

Anisometropia after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is when the natural lens of an eye is replaced with an artificial one to help improve visual stimulation without wearing glasses or stopping cataract development. The majority of people will copy very well following cataract surgery. However, some people will experience symptoms of anisometropia in more severe cases.

Anisometropia in children

Anisometropia can result in anisometropic amblyopia (lazy eye) in young children. Amblyopia can occur in children because the brain tells the eyes to focus the same amount in each eye. However, if the eyes don’t have the same refractive power, one eye will produce a blurry image compared to the other eye.

Furthermore, if your child does not have a wandering or crossing eye (strabismus), it can be difficult to determine the condition. Young children often do not present outward signs of issues, as they function well using one eye, so it is more difficult to notice.

However, older children are likely to complain. We recommend booking your child an eye test to diagnose the condition and to be treated.

Treatment

There are different methods of treatment for anisometropia, which vary from person to person. It is important to consult your eye doctor to understand and seek treatment. Treatments you may be offered include:

Corrective lenses (wear glasses or contact lenses) can be worn to improve overall vision and produce a clear image.
Special filters in glasses help train the brain to use the weaker eye.
Covering the dominant eye with an eye patch (the same treatment for a lazy eye), also known as patching, helps the brain use the neglected eye.
Eye drops can blur the vision in the dominant eye, which helps force the brain to use the neglected eye.
LASIK is a common corrective surgery for treating anisometropia, depending on your prescription.

Can anisometropia be corrected with glasses?

If you’re asking, ‘can anisometropia be corrected?’, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are treatment options. One kind of treatment for anisometropia is corrective lenses. While you are correcting short-sightedness in both eyes using prescription glasses that are the same over each eye, anisometropia requires a different kind of lens to correct it.

When deciding which route to take when it comes to eyewear, consider the wide range of options available:

Prescription glasses with bifocal or progressive addition lenses (PALs) are a common option for treating anisometropia symptoms and are often the first step. You can get an up-to-date spectacle prescription from your optician or use our Lens Scanner to reveal your current prescription.
Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus, which simultaneously correct refractive errors for both distance and near vision.
Progressive lenses are similar to bifocal lenses but offer a gradual transition between the two prescription lenses, so there is no visible line on your prescription spectacles.
Reading glasses are another option for anisometropia symptoms. You can have these glasses fitted with your unique prescription so you can wear these glasses while you read or work. There are also non-prescription reading glasses that you can typically try out and purchase in high-street shops.

Severe Anisometropia

A patient with severe anisometropia is not generally not recommended to wear glasses. Glasses have a magnification effect that can cause a large difference in the image size seen by each eye. Therefore, wearing glasses with severe anisometropia can prevent exceptional binocular vision. Therefore, those with severe anisometropia are generally advised to wear contact lenses instead, as they ensure optimal vision in both eyes.

Anisometropia treatment: contact lenses

Additionally, there is a range of contact lenses available to treat anisometropia symptoms. Multifocal are available in both gas-permeable and soft lens material, depending on your preference. Another possibility is monovision contact lenses, where you use a distance vision lens for one eye and a different contact lens for close-up usage in the other. The type a patient chooses depends on the type of anisometropia and the spectacle prescription.

How serious is anisometropia?

The severity of anisometropia varies in adults and children. It is essential to treat anisometropia as soon as it is diagnosed and not ignore it. If anisometropia is left untreated, the brain can select the better eye that presents a clearer image, thus ignoring the other eye. This can then lead to dependence on the stronger eye over exam time.

Eventually, the weaker eye will progressively worsen, so it’s important to get an appointment with your ophthalmologist before the refractive error becomes acute. At your appointment, your eye doctor will recommend the best eye treatment going forward.

Does anisometropia get worse?

In some cases, anisometropia can worsen. Anisometropia shows an exponential increase in prevalence with increasing age in life. Furthermore, if you do not treat your anisometropia, this can worsen the condition. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you seek the correct treatment from your eye doctor before the condition can develop or lead to complications.

What Is Anisometropia?

What are the types of Anisometropia? | Is Antimetropia rare? | Symptoms of Anisometropia | What causes Anisometropia? |Treatment | Can Anisometropia be corrected with glasses?| Does Anisometropia get worse?

Anisometropia is a condition where the refractive error differs between two eyes. Read on to learn more about what Anisometropia is.

Anisometropia means you have a different prescription for each eye.

Typically caused by unevenly sized or shaped eyes, anisometropia symptoms include asymmetric longsightedness or asymmetric shortsightedness.

Anisometropia can result in an induced differential prism between the eyes as they move away from the centre of the correcting lens. Several studies show that only around 6% of young people have this refractive error, which generally occurs more frequently as they age.

What are the types of anisometropia?

There are different types of anisometropia, with patients being affected differently by each of them. However, most types of anisometropia share the same symptoms.

1) Simple anisometropia

Simple anisometropia occurs when one eye has regular vision, but the other affected eye is short-sighted (myopia) or long-sighted (hyperopia).

If you have one normal eye and one nearsighted eye, you have simple myopic anisometropia i.e. blurrier image in one eye.

2) Hyperopic anisometropia

Hyperopic anisometropia, also known as compound anisometropia, occurs when both eyes have the same refraction problem, but one eye is worse.

If your pair of eyes are nearsighted, but one has a higher prescription than the other, you have compound myopic anisometropia.

This can cause the eyes to be unable to work together and fuse the image into one, causing double vision. Double vision, also known as diplopia, causes people to see two of the same image.

4) Simple astigmatic anisometropia

Astigmatism is when the curvature of your eye’s cornea or lens is shaped like a football, which means your vision is blurred at all distances.

The shape of your eye causes light to refract unevenly, which means the light changes direction when it enters your eye at an angle.

5) Compound astigmatic anisometropia

6) Mixed astigmatic anisometropia

If you have this type of anisometropia, you have astigmatism in both eyes. However, one eye is farsighted, and the other is nearsighted.

7) Antimetropia

Another kind of anisometropia is a rare refractive condition called antimetropia, also known as mixed anisometropia.

This condition is when one eye is myopic and the other is hyperopic, which means there is a significant difference in vision between the two eyes.

Is antimetropia rare?

Antimetropia is rare, but in most cases that it occurs is in post-cataract refractive surgery patients.

Symptoms of anisometropia

‘How do I know if I have anisometropia?’ You may be asking at this point. Anisometropia has a number of noticeable symptoms. These can include:

Amblyopia (also called lazy eye)
Frequent blurred vision
Diplopia (double vision) and dizziness
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Headaches
Difficulty with 3D vision, poor depth perception and loss of balance
Lack of coordination

What causes anisometropia?

Most people with ‘normal vision’ can experience up to a 5% difference in the refractive power of each eye.

However, those with a larger difference in refractive power (5-20%) will experience uneven vision, which can cause a lack of coordination.

Other potential causes can include injury to the eye, eye trauma and refractive surgery.

DID YOU KNOW?

Anisometromia means having a large difference in refractive power of each eye, between 5 and 20%. This causes uneven vision, which leads to lack of coordination.

Anisometropia after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is when the natural lens of an eye is replaced with an artificial one to help improve visual stimulation without wearing glasses or stopping cataract development.

The majority of people will copy very well following cataract surgery. However, some people will experience symptoms of anisometropia in more severe cases.

Anisometropia in children

However, older children are likely to complain. We recommend booking your child an eye test to diagnose the condition and to be treated.

Treatment

Corrective lenses (wear glasses or contact lenses) can be worn to improve overall vision and produce a clear image.
Special filters in glasses help train the brain to use the weaker eye.
Covering the dominant eye with an eye patch (the same treatment for a lazy eye), also known as patching, helps the brain use the neglected eye.
Eye drops can blur the vision in the dominant eye, which helps force the brain to use the neglected eye.
LASIK is a common corrective surgery for treating anisometropia, depending on your prescription.

Can anisometropia be corrected with glasses?

When deciding which route to take when it comes to eyewear, consider the wide range of options available:

Prescription glasses with bifocal or progressive addition lenses (PALs) are a common option for treating anisometropia symptoms and are often the first step. You can get an up-to-date spectacle prescription from your optician or use our Lens Scanner to reveal your current prescription.
Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus, which simultaneously correct refractive errors for both distance and near vision.
Progressive lenses are similar to bifocal lenses but offer a gradual transition between the two prescription lenses, so there is no visible line on your prescription spectacles.
Reading glasses are another option for anisometropia symptoms. You can have these glasses fitted with your unique prescription so you can wear these glasses while you read or work. There are also non-prescription reading glasses that you can typically try out and purchase in high-street shops.

Severe anisometropia

A patient with severe anisometropia is not generally not recommended to wear glasses. Glasses have a magnification effect that can cause a large difference in the image size seen by each eye.

Therefore, wearing glasses with severe anisometropia can prevent exceptional binocular vision. Therefore, those with severe anisometropia are generally advised to wear contact lenses instead, as they ensure optimal vision in both eyes.

Anisometropia treatment: contact lenses

Additionally, there is a range of contact lenses available to treat anisometropia symptoms. Multifocal are available in both gas-permeable and soft lens material, depending on your preference.

Another possibility is monovision contact lenses, where you use a distance vision lens for one eye and a different contact lens for close-up usage in the other. The type a patient chooses depends on the type of anisometropia and the spectacle prescription.

How serious is anisometropia?

The severity of anisometropia varies in adults and children. It is essential to treat anisometropia as soon as it is diagnosed and not ignore it.

If anisometropia is left untreated, the brain can select the better eye that presents a clearer image, thus ignoring the other eye. This can then lead to dependence on the stronger eye over exam time.

Eventually, the weaker eye will progressively worsen, so it’s important to get an appointment with your ophthalmologist before the refractive error becomes acute.

At your appointment, your eye doctor will recommend the best eye treatment going forward.

Does anisometropia get worse?

In some cases, anisometropia can worsen. Anisometropia shows an exponential increase in prevalence with increasing age in life.

Furthermore, if you do not treat your anisometropia, this can worsen the condition.

Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you seek the correct treatment from your eye doctor before the condition can develop or lead to complications.

Crazed Lenses

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Crazed Lenses

What are crazed lenses? | What causes it? | Can Transitions craze? Heat damage and crazing | How to spot it | How to prevent it | How to fix it

Find out what crazed lenses are and how to prevent them from getting in the way of clear vision.

If you notice tiny cracks on your glasses’ lenses, the anti-reflective coating (AR coating) has probably begun to craze. Crazing is a web of tiny cracks that can appear on the lenses of eyeglasses which have an anti-reflective coating. When crazing or lens cloudiness occurs, your glasses become less effective as your field of vision may appear blurry.

What is crazing on my eyeglasses lenses?

Lens crazing is the spider web of fine cracks that can occur when your glasses’ special lens coatings are damaged by improper care or exposure to extreme temperatures. Anti-reflective lenses and polarised lenses have a lot of benefits. These coated lenses block glare and reflections, ease eye strain and improve vision. It is important to note that while these lenses are an excellent option for many, the coatings are susceptible to crazing, requiring proper care to prevent it.

What causes crazing on lenses?

There are multiple factors that can cause lenses to craze. An unavoidable cause is the improper application of an anti-reflective coating in the lab. In addition, cleaning your eyeglasses with rubbing alcohol, window cleaner, or another harsh cleaner may lead to crazing. As with any pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, it is essential to clean your glasses properly.

Extreme or quick temperature changes may cause the coated lenses to expand and contract leading to crazed lenses. Wearing your glasses while doing activities near high temperatures, such as grilling, tending a fire, or welding may have the same effect. Crazing or lens cloudiness may also appear with no apparent cause. In this situation, the crazing may be the result of a manufacturing defect.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lens crazing are fine cracks that can occur when your glasses' special lens coatings are damaged. It's easy to prevent if you take proper care of them and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.

Is it possible for Transitions® lenses to craze?

Transitions® glasses and other brands of photochromic lenses can become crazed if they are coated with an anti-reflective coating. Crazing on Transitions® lenses is often caused by exposure to high heat. This doesn’t mean you should avoid wearing your glasses, but be mindful of how and where you wear them. Avoid leaving glasses sitting outside on a sunny day or wearing them around extreme heat.

How can heat damage eyeglass lenses?

High heat exposure can damage glasses and lenses in several ways. First, heat can cause the anti-glare coating and lenses to expand at different rates. These contractions create eyeglass crazing. Heat can also damage glasses by softening and warping plastic frames and lenses and damaging the film on polarised sunglasses.

Heat is not something we can always avoid. But to protect your glasses from heat damage, do not leave your glasses in a hot car and avoid wearing glasses near extreme heat. If your optician plans to use a frame warmer to adjust your glasses to better fit your face, speak to them about the possibility of crazing.

How to spot crazing

If you suddenly notice your vision is not as great in your relatively new glasses, crazing may be the cause. Check the lenses for hairline cracks, and contact the eye doctor or optical store where you purchased the glasses to find a solution and restore your vision.

How to prevent crazing on eyeglasses

It is important to take proper care of your glasses. By doing so, you can prevent crazing and surface scratching. When your glasses are dirty, do not use hot, heavily soapy water, but instead rinse them with lukewarm water to remove any dirt or debris. A microfiber or lint-free cotton towel and a lens spray designed specifically for cleaning eyeglasses are also good solutions. Remember to be careful and avoid high heat, as this creates crazing.

How can I fix crazed lenses?

Some eye care professionals and optical laboratories have access to stripping solutions that can be used to strip the anti-reflective coating from the lenses and remove crazing. SmartBuyGlasses does not offer this service and it is only sometimes an option, so speak to your optician to see if this is a solution for you. Results will vary based on the lens and coating used and it may not be possible for the AR coating to be stripped from polycarbonate lenses or high-index lenses.

Check to see if your lenses are still under warranty; some warranties cover crazing caused by a manufacturing defect. Your warranty will not cover crazing caused by mistake; for example, leaving glasses in a hot car. At SmartBuyGlasses, all eyewear comes with a 24-month warranty. If your crazing is caused by a manufacturer’s defect, it will likely appear within the first six months. Head to our FAQ to read more about what’s covered under warranty.

Some eye care professionals and optical laboratories have access to stripping solutions that can be used to strip the anti-reflective coating from the lenses and remove crazing.

SmartBuyGlasses does not offer this service and it is only sometimes an option, so speak to your optician to see if this is a solution for you. Results will vary based on the lens and coating used and it may not be possible for the AR coating to be stripped from polycarbonate lenses or high-index lenses.

At SmartBuyGlasses, all eyewear comes with a 24-month warranty. If your crazing is caused by a manufacturer’s defect, it will likely appear within the first six months. Head to our FAQ to read more about what’s covered under warranty.

Lens crazing

Don’t avoid an anti-reflective coating because of crazed lens potential. An anti-reflective coating has many benefits. To avoid crazing, keep your eyeglass lenses safe, avoid wearing your glasses near high heat, don’t leave glasses in a hot car and remove dirt and debris correctly.

While crazed lenses may result from a manufacturer error, more commonly, it is human error. Don’t let crazing happen; pay attention to your eyeglass lenses and always take special care of them.

What are Computer Glasses

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What are Computer Glasses

What type of glasses are best for computer use? | What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses? | How do they work?

Find out how computer glasses work and the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses.

Computer glasses, also called computer reading glasses, are prescription glasses specifically designed for computer use. These glasses are created to relieve digital eyestrain and shield from the blue light emitted by screens. If your job or lifestyle requires you to spend several hours of the day in front of the computer, it is important to understand what are computer glasses, how they work and where to get a pair if needed.

What type of glasses are best for computer use?

Extended exposure to computer screen can cause digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome. When suffering from digital eyestrain, you might find yourself experiencing the following symptoms:

Headaches
Blurry vision
Tired eyes
Dry eyes
Eye twitching
Red eyes
Sleep problems
Neck pain

Because our eyes are not used to staring at close objects for a very long period of time and are very sensitive to the potentially harmful blue light emitted by screens, wearing computer glasses can be beneficial and help relieve the discomforts listed above.

What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses?

Computer glasses are different from regular glasses or generic reading glasses because their specific purpose is to reduce the digital eyestrain associated with computer work. If you’re tempted to buy a generic pair of reading glasses off-the-rack, keep in mind these most likely won’t solve any of your problems as they do not have an anti-reflective coating or blue light-blocking coating. Additionally, computer glasses have a customized prescription, which means not everyone will be able to wear the same pair of glasses to work in front of a screen. To find which glasses are the best fit for you, taking an eye exam is the right option.

Computer glasses vs reading glasses

When working in front of a computer, you are typically positioned 20-26 inches from it which is considered the intermediate zone of vision. This is the reason computer glasses have a different power to your reading glasses: when reading, the distance from your book is usually closer to you than a computer screen, this is why they vary. We do not advise selecting the power without consulting an eye care specialist, as that might result in choosing the wrong glasses and damaging your vision.

How do computer glasses work?

As previously mentioned, the main focus of computer glasses is to reduce eye strain. If your daily routine requires working in front of the computer for extended periods of time, or you’re a gamer and spend hours in front of other digital devices, you may have noticed changes in your eye health, posture, and sleeping schedule. Not only does computer blue light cause discomfort in the eyes, but it also affects energy levels that then result in trouble falling asleep and sleep disruption. Prolonged exposure to blue light can also damage cells in the retina and cause vision problems. Another important factor to note is that our eyes are not used to staring at close objects for an extended period of time. This can result in you squinting your eyes very often and having tension in your neck.

DID YOU KNOW

Computer glasses can help digital eye strain and all the discomforts associated with computer work.

Computer glasses not only feature lens coatings designed to block blue light but are also custom to your prescription and feature decentered pupillary distance. The prescription varies from person to person, which means buying one generic pair off the rack won’t be helpful. Instead, consult an eye care specialist.

When wearing computer glasses, all the harmful blue light is blocked by the lens coatings on your glasses, and only the beneficial blue light is able to pass through and reach your retina. It is important to remember that computer glasses or blue light glasses only block about 50% of blue light because blue light in small quantities is actually necessary for certain bodily functions and keeps your system healthy.

Who needs computer glasses?

Computer glasses are very useful for those who use technological devices daily and are prone to blue light exposure for many hours of the day. Almost all heavy users of computers and smartphones experience eye fatigue within minutes after being used. Studies show that the average person spends seven to eight hours in front of multiple electronic devices: from computers to mobile phones, gaming screens, TVs and so on. With technology being more and more present in our lives and our digital eye developing, our glasses should too. This is why computer glasses are more important than ever.

Do I need a different prescription for computer glasses?

The answer is yes, computer glasses will need a prescription with an intermediate add, which should be discussed with your eye care specialist during your appointment. If you experience eye strain, blurry vision or any of the discomforts listed above, it is crucial to consult an eye care specialist before getting a new pair of glasses. Don’t underestimate the importance of getting your eyes checked.

Before going to your healthcare provider, make sure you make a list of all of the symptoms you’re experiencing. If you spend long hours in front of your computer, you’re going to want to measure the distance you usually have from your computer while working or studying. That may be an important detail for the optician to have when filling in your prescription.

Do computer glasses really work?

The real effectiveness of blue light glasses has always been up for debate. Even though their effectiveness has never been scientifically proven, research suggests that the benefits of blue light glasses can include less eye strain, fewer sleep disturbances, and a decrease in headaches. When it comes to computer glasses, these not only provide protection against blue light but have a custom prescription and decentered pupillary distance. This means that by using computer glasses during work, you will be able to see clearly and avoid leaning forward to your screens, keeping a better posture and not squinting your eyes.

Benefits of computer glasses

To sum up, using glasses for computer use comes with many benefits, such as:

Reduced computer vision syndrome
Good posture
Minimized glare
Protection from blue light

Where to Find the Perfect Pair of computer reading glasses

If you’re suffering from computer vision syndrome and find yourself exhausted after working or studying in front of a computer, head to your eye care specialist and make sure you get your eyes checked. With your prescription up to date, you will then be able to buy the right pair of computer glasses for you with blue light-blocking lenses. You can head to SmartBuyGlasses and find many quality glasses with affordable options, as well as hundreds of lens types, frame colours, and materials.

You don’t have to decide on single-vision computer glasses – if the glasses are to serve you not only at the computer but also during other activities related to distance vision, consider using progressive lenses in your blue light-blocking glasses.

Remember it is essential for your eyes to rest, so after getting a good pair of computer glasses, make sure you also take breaks from the screens during your working and studying hours and limit screen use when possible. Your eye health is important.

If you want to read more about digital eye strain and blue light glasses, head to our Optical Centre; you will find numerous informative articles thoroughly reviewed by our certified opticians.

What are Computer Glasses

What type of glasses are best for computer use? | What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses? | How do they work?

Find out how computer glasses work and the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses.

What type of glasses are best for computer use?

Headaches
Blurry vision
Tired eyes
Dry eyes
Eye twitching
Red eyes
Sleep problems
Neck pain

What is the difference between computer glasses and regular glasses?

Computer glasses vs reading glasses

How do computer glasses work?

DID YOU KNOW

Computer glasses can help digital eye strain and all the discomforts associated with computer work.

Who needs computer glasses?

Do I need a different prescription for computer glasses?

Do computer glasses really work?

Benefits of computer glasses

To sum up, using glasses for computer use comes with many benefits, such as:

Reduced computer vision syndrome
Good posture
Minimized glare
Protection from blue light

Where to find the perfect pair of computer reading glasses

If you want to read more about digital eye strain and blue light glasses, head to our Optical Centre; you will find numerous informative articles thoroughly reviewed by our certified opticians.

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Hazel Eyes

How is eye colour determined?

How does light affect different eye colours?

What causes hazel eyes?

DID YOU KNOW?

What's the difference between hazel and green eyes?

Are hazel eyes rare?

Are people with hazel eyes more at risk for eye problems?

Changing your eye colour with contacts

What makes hazel eyes unique?

Reference list

The blue sky test

Yellow tinted lenses

Why are my blue light glasses yellow?

Why are my blue light glasses so reflective?

Conclusion

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What Your Eye Colour Says About Your Personality

Do different eye colours mean anything?

What determines your eye colour?

What are the 4 main eye colours?

What type of person are you if you have brown eyes?

What kind of trait are blue eyes?

DID YOU KNOW?

What personality type are green eyes?

What hazel eyes say about you?

What do black eyes say about someone?

What do grey eyes signify about your personality traits?

Eye colour personality - does it really mean anything?

Reference list

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What are Mirrored Sunglasses?

What do mirrored sunglasses do? | Is mirrored better than polarised? | How to clean mirrored sunglasses | Where to buy mirrored sunglasses | Conclusion

What do mirrored sunglasses do?

DID YOU KNOW

Is mirrored better than polarised?

How to clean mirrored sunglasses

Where to buy mirrored sunglasses

Conclusion

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Thick Lens Glasses

Why are my glasses lenses so thick?

How thick can glasses get?

DID YOU KNOW?

Do prisms make glasses thicker?

Why is one lens thicker than the other?

What shape glasses are best for thick lenses?

Minus RX recommendations

Plus RX recommendations

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Sunglass Lens Colour Guide

Does the colour of sunglass lenses matter? | Lens colour recommendation by weather | Lens colour recommendation by activity

Does the colour of sunglass lens matter?

What about mirrored lenses?

Lens colour guide

DID YOU KNOW?

Lens colour recommendation by weather

Lens colour recommendation by activity

Benefits of lens colours and tint

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How to Choose Glasses

How to choose glasses: Some top tips | How to choose glasses based on face shape | How to choose reading glasses for computer | Try on glasses online

How to choose glasses: Some top tips

How to choose glasses based on face shape

DID YOU KNOW?

If you have a square face: