Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Night Driving

Ask our opticians

Ask now

Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Night Driving?

By Elise Snedden
Reviewed by Beck Jinette
Beck Jinette

Reviewed by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are blue light glasses?

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

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

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

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

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

infographic showing how blue light filtering lens works

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

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

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

Blue light glasses and night blindness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do blue light glasses work for night driving?

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

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

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

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

What type of glasses help with nighttime driving?

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

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

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

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

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

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

How can I improve my vision while driving at night?

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

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

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

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

5 Advantages of Titanium Frames

Ask our opticians

Ask now

5 Advantages of Titanium Frames

Titanium glasses

Titanium is a transition metal that is often used in the production of eyeglass frames. Titanium metal is high strength and low density. 

While titanium frames can cost more than some materials like plastic, wood or other metals, there are some clear advantages that can make it worth the investment. 

Before purchasing your next pair of glasses, read about these 5 advantages of having titanium eyeglass frames:

Durability

Titanium metal is extremely strong and that’s what makes titanium frames last longer than others. 

Titanium eyeglasses frames can survive more than just the average wear and tear, which means your investment could be saving you money in the long run. 

If you’re somebody that is typically rougher with your glasses than others, you should consider titanium glasses frames.

Lightweight

While titanium metal is very strong, you wouldn’t know it just by feeling them. This is because titanium metal is low density, giving titanium glasses frames their lightweight quality. 

This feature also makes titanium glasses a good option for anyone with higher prescriptions.

Flexiblility

Another misleading feature of titanium frames is their flexibility. Titanium metal has a certain amount of bend and flexibility that most metals do not. 

This flexibility might make the titanium frames seem fragile, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

Their flexible quality, on the contrary, is what makes titanium glasses more suited for everyday wear-and-tear.

Corrosion Resistant

While many people prefer metal frames to plastic, metal has a rusting quality over time, especially when in contact with water. Titanium metal, on the other hand, is rust-resistant. 

With titanium glasses, you won’t have to worry about moisture corroding your frames.

Hypoallergenic

If you have sensitive skin or are bothered by most eyeglass frame materials, then titanium glasses are definitely the right choice for you. 

Titanium is hypoallergenic meaning it will not cause you any negative skin reactions. Titanium frames are often the preferred option for anyone who has sensitive skin.

Persol Technology

Ask our opticians

Ask now

Persol Technology

Persol Technology

In 1917, in Turin, Italy, Giuseppe Ratti, owner of Berry optical, created Persol’s first sunglasses and lenses for athletes and pilots. The word Persol is derived from the Italian phrase “per il sole”, which means “for the sun”. 

As one of the oldest eyewear companies in the world after 100 years of trading, Persol’s foundations are still grounded in unmatched craftsmanship and unmistakable design. 

Every pair of Persol sunglasses is proudly handmade in Italy and they appeal to a wide array of people around the world. With great attention to detail, Persol sunglasses are perfect, complex and precise.

During the 1980s, Persol focused on research and technological development. The company started to produce increasingly innovative eyewear for mountaineering expeditions, desert rallies and other extreme sport events. 

The company has constantly evolved with its cutting-edge technology.

Polarised lenses

In 1985, Persol’s research and development centre presented polarised lenses. These lenses were used by Russian astronauts and Italian mountaineers. 

Polarised lenses block light reflected off sand, roads and water, ensuring clear vision even in extreme environments.

The 1.8mm super light Persol sunglasses with polarised lenses are developed from extra-fine glass. New production techniques have been adopted to shape and temper the glass to reduce lens thickness from 2.2mm to 1.8mm. 

This also helps to reduce their weight to make them lightweight and comfortable to wear. Furthermore, a very fine film of polarising organic material is inserted between 2 crystal lenses which blocks harmful rays bouncing off water, sand and roads.

Photo polar lens

Photo Polar Lens is a combination of a polarised and a photochromic lens in a pair of Persol sunglasses. The photochromic lens is designed to automatically adapt to the surrounding light. 

When they are exposed to bright light on a sunny day, the lens reacts and darkens in order to offer protection from the sun’s radiation and to prevent eye strain. 

As light levels decrease, the molecules return to their original state and become transparent once again. 

Combining a photochromic lens with a polarised lens, Persol Photo Polar lens can adapt to any light situation. For any extreme environmental condition, Photo Polar Lens eliminates reflection, reduces eye strain and ensures complete eye comfort.

Crystal lenses

Using first-class materials, almost every pair of Persol sunglasses contains crystal lenses. Crystal is one of the most precious natural materials used in creating optical devices. 

Crystal lenses make Persol sunglasses scratch-resistant and increase their durability. They offer a high level of protection against harmful rays from the sun and they also guarantee incredible visual clarity.

Comfort

Introduced in the 30s, Meflecto is the world’s first flexible stem system. A harmonic steel core intersects two metal cylinders that are inserted into an acetate system. Meflecto allows the stem to bend easily without putting pressure on the head. 

This allows the glasses to adapt to any face shape to provide maximum comfort. This technology is one of a kind as there is nothing similar on the market!

Persol introduced Persol Victor Flex, an application of the Meflecto concept. These Persol sunglasses are fitted with a 3-incision bridge. This creates a comfortable curve, enhances grip and increases comfort.

Furthermore, Persol sunglasses come in more than 4 sizes, have bridges with different heights and arms of different lengths to ensure that each pair fits comfortably on any face. 

The “Telatura” process is used to distribute weight evenly across the surface of the glass to make them as comfortable as possible.

Even though Persol’s production involves cutting-edge technology, many steps still involve handcrafting with high attention to detail. 

A combination of technological solutions and craftmanship gives Persol sunglasses an unbeatable quality, making them leaders in the industry.

At SmartBuyGlasses, we have Persol’s entire selection of sunglasses in our Persol sunglasses sale. 

We stock both the men’s and women’s Persol sunglasses collections. They come with a 24-month warranty, a hassle-free 100-day returns policy and a price match guarantee.

Shop your polarised Persol sunglasses today at SmartBuyGlasses!

Do Computer Blue Light Glasses Work?

Ask our opticians

Ask now

Do Computer Blue Light Glasses Work?

computer glasses

It seems like everyone is talking about computer glasses these days – and with good reason! Whether it’s our computers, phones, or tablets, we are spending more time than ever looking at screens. 

Computer glasses are designed to protect your eyes from the harmful blue light emitted by digital screens. But do they actually work?

The short answer is yes. Computer blue light glasses help reduce your exposure to harmful blue light. But there’s a bit more to it than that. Let’s take a closer look at how computer glasses work and what you need to know to ensure they’re effective.

What are blue light computer glasses?

Reduced Digital Eye Strain (DES) is the primary goal of computer glasses. These glasses have coatings that help to lessen DES, such as an anti-glare coating or blue light filter, a slight magnification, and a decentred pupillary distance. 

An anti-glare or anti-reflective coating is necessary to reduce reflections from overhead fluorescent lights and computer screens on the front of the lens surface. A blue light filter will block out the blue light emitted from devices. 

Generally speaking, the magnifying power of computer glasses is roughly 60% of that of reading glasses. The ideal magnification, however, differs from person to person. It depends on how far away from a computer or other digital gadget you choose to sit.

The average person spends over seven hours a day staring at screens, whether it’s a computer, phone, or TV. And all that blue light exposure can be really tough on your eyes. That’s where blue light glasses and computer glasses come in.

So, what’s the difference between the two? Blue light glasses are designed to filter out harmful blue-violet light waves that can cause digital eye strain, while computer glasses are specifically tailored to help you see the screen more clearly.

If you’re looking for a pair of glasses to help reduce your screen time, we recommend checking out our selection of blue light-blocking glasses. And if you need a little extra help seeing the screen, our computer glasses will do the trick.

Do blue light glasses help with computer vision syndrome?

As we continue to spend more time looking at screens, it’s essential to be aware of the potential problems that can arise from too much screen time. One of those problems is called computer vision syndrome (CVS).

CVS is a collection of symptoms that can include the following:

  •  Dry eyes

  • Eye fatigue

  • Watery eyes

  • Burning sensation

  • Blurry vision

  • Pain in the back, neck, and shoulders

  • Headache

  • Difficulty concentrating

Conclusion

Now that you know the importance of using computer blue light glasses, you should check out our range on our website and start looking after your eyes. 

By doing this, you can help protect your vision and ensure that you can keep using your computer often without any problems. Trust us – your eyes will thank you for it!

What Is Anisometropia?

Ask our opticians

Ask now

Ask our opticians

Ask now

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?

By Emma Moletto
Reviewed by Caitlyn Gibiault
Caitlyn Gibiault

Reviewed by

Caitlyn Gibiault
Aurora is a Digital Marketing Specialist for SmartBuyGlasses. She’s enthusiastic about supporting the marketing.
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:

  1. 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.
  2. Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus, which simultaneously correct refractive errors for both distance and near vision.
  3. 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.
  4. 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?

By Caitlin Biwer
Reviewed by Beck Jinette
Beck Jinette

Reviewed by

Beck Jinette
Beck has over 17 years of experience in eye care, holding her Certificate IV in Dispensing in Australia.
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?

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

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.

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

 

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: 

  1. 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.
  2. Bifocal lenses are glasses constructed with two points of focus, which simultaneously correct refractive errors for both distance and near vision.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

How to Adjust Glasses

Ask our opticians

Ask now

How to Adjust Glasses

Adjust your glasses at home | Lenses are at different distances | Keep glasses from sliding down your nose | Adjust glasses behind your ears | Adjust crooked glasses | Tighten glasses with screwdriver | Optimal glasses adjustment

By Emma Moletto
Reviewed by Sharlene McKeeman FBDO
Sharlene is a qualified dispensing optician with over 7 years optical experience, a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and registered with the General Optical Council.
eyeglasses

If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll know that not only is it uncomfortable when your glasses don’t fit, but it also affects your quality of vision.

When your optician or eye doctor gives you measurements, such as your pupillary distance, it’s based on your glasses fitting correctly. Keep reading to learn how to adjust glasses to improve fit for comfort and the best vision.

Can I adjust my glasses at home?

Sometimes new glasses, or glasses you wear often, can be misaligned for different reasons. Before bringing them to an optician, you can learn easy ways to make small adjustments and fix the most common issues.

The first thing to consider when learning to adjust glasses is the frame material you are working with. Metal frames and plastic frames will need to be handled differently. For instance, most plastic frame glasses do not have adjustable nose pads. However, many plastic frames nowadays have pads on arms for a more comfortable fit.

To tell whether or not it’s necessary to adjust glasses, set the glasses upside down on a flat surface with the sides open, the sides should both be sitting flat on the table and not rock. If they do, they might need some small adjustments.

How to adjust glasses if the lenses are different distances from your eyes?

To adjust glasses when your left lens is closer to your eye, you can gently bend in on the left temple of the arm and out on the right temple simultaneously. Bend the opposite way if your right lens is the one closest to your eye. Be careful not to apply excessive force.

how to adjust glasses that have different lenses distance

How do I keep my glasses from sliding down my nose?

If your glasses slide off your nose, the first thing to do is tighten them behind your ears. 

how to adjust glasses to avoid sliding

On metal frames, you can also adjust the nose pads to raise or lower the lenses to adjust the fit. If you have adjustable nose pads, simply push the nose pads closer together with your fingers until they sit comfortably on your nose without leaving marks. If your nose pads leave marks, make the opposite motion with the nose pads or temples. 

How do you adjust glasses around your ears?

If your glasses are too tight around your ears, bend the tips out and up. For wire frames, this might be easier to do. If your glasses don’t bend easily (usually if they are made of acetate or plastic), you can always heat them where you intend to bend them.

Make sure the heat source does not touch the lenses, as it might ruin the coatings and cause damage.

how to adjust glasses arms

How to adjust crooked glasses

Again, for lenses of different heights, you’ll need to adjust the glasses’ arms. If the left lens is higher than the right, you’ll want to bend up the temple at the arm’s hinge on the right side. Do the opposite if the right lens is higher than the left one. 

how to adjust crooked glasses

How to tighten glasses with a screwdriver

All types of eyeglasses have hinges held together by tiny screws. These screws are usually the first things that might need adjustments in your glasses. It’s important to check regularly if the screws are loose to avoid losing them. If they are, you might need to use a screwdriver to adjust them. 

Most glasses repair kits include screws and a small screwdriver specifically made for glasses. With the help of the screwdriver, carefully tighten the screws at the corners of the temples. Tighten them as much as possible, then loosen them by a half turn to ensure no strain is put on the sides. 

Avoid fixing your glasses yourself if a screw comes out or an arm separates. Instead, get your spectacles properly adjusted by an optician.

DID YOU KNOW?
If the screws of your glasses are a bit loose, you can use a small screwdriver to adjust them. Tighten them as much as you can, but be sure not to apply too much force.

Ask an optician for optimal glasses adjustments

If you’re unsure about adjusting glasses yourself, the best thing to do is to go to an optician for help. Some types of eyeglasses, such as rimless and semi-rimless ones, usually need more care and experience as they are more fragile than fully-rimmed eyeglass frames. Opticians are also the best option for adjusting metal frames better, especially if you need to adjust one nose pad arm or both of them.

If you need help with what to do with your current or new pair of glasses, you can contact one of our certified online opticians. They can advise you on what is best to do in your situation.

You can also check out our Optical Center, an extensive information platform where you can find answers and explanations of all things related to eye care and glasses.

How to Adjust Glasses

Adjust your glasses at home | Lenses are at different distances | Keep glasses from sliding down your nose | Adjust glasses behind your ears | Adjust crooked glasses | Tighten glasses with screwdriver | Optimal glasses adjustment

By Emma Moletto
Reviewed by Sharlene McKeeman FBDO
Sharlene is a qualified dispensing optician with over 7 years optical experience, a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and registered with the General Optical Council.

If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll know that not only is it uncomfortable when your glasses don’t fit, but it also affects your quality of vision. 

When your optician or eye doctor gives you measurements, such as your pupillary distance, it’s based on your glasses fitting correctly. 

Keep reading to learn how to adjust glasses to improve fit for comfort and the best vision.

Can I adjust my glasses at home?

Sometimes new glasses, or glasses you wear often, can be misaligned for different reasons. Before bringing them to an optician, you can learn easy ways to make small adjustments and fix the most common issues.

The first thing to consider when learning to adjust glasses is the frame material you are working with. Metal frames and plastic frames will need to be handled differently. For instance, most plastic frame glasses do not have adjustable nose pads. 

However, many plastic frames nowadays have pads on arms for a more comfortable fit.

To tell whether or not it’s necessary to adjust glasses, set the glasses upside down on a flat surface with the sides open, the sides should both be sitting flat on the table and not rock. If they do, they might need some small adjustments.

How to adjust glasses if the lenses are different distances from your eyes?

To adjust glasses when your left lens is closer to your eye, you can gently bend in on the left temple of the arm and out on the right temple simultaneously.

Bend the opposite way if your right lens is the one closest to your eye. Be careful not to apply excessive force.

How do I keep my glasses from sliding down my nose?

If your glasses slide off your nose, the first thing to do is tighten them behind your ears. 

On metal frames, you can also adjust the nose pads to raise or lower the lenses to adjust the fit.

If you have adjustable nose pads, simply push the nose pads closer together with your fingers until they sit comfortably on your nose without leaving marks.

If your nose pads leave marks, make the opposite motion with the nose pads or temples.

How do you adjust glasses around your ears?

If your glasses are too tight around your ears, bend the tips out and up. For wire frames, this might be easier to do. If your glasses don’t bend easily (usually if they are made of acetate or plastic), you can always heat them where you intend to bend them.

Make sure the heat source does not touch the lenses, as it might ruin the coatings and cause damage.

How to adjust crooked glasses

Again, for lenses of different heights, you’ll need to adjust the glasses’ arms. If the left lens is higher than the right, you’ll want to bend up the temple at the arm’s hinge on the right side. Do the opposite if the right lens is higher than the left one.

How to tighten glasses with a screwdriver

All types of eyeglasses have hinges held together by tiny screws. These screws are usually the first things that might need adjustments in your glasses. It’s important to check regularly if the screws are loose to avoid losing them. If they are, you might need to use a screwdriver to adjust them. 

Most glasses repair kits include screws and a small screwdriver specifically made for glasses. With the help of the screwdriver, carefully tighten the screws at the corners of the temples. Tighten them as much as possible, then loosen them by a half turn to ensure no strain is put on the sides. 

Avoid fixing your glasses yourself if a screw comes out or an arm separates. Instead, get your spectacles properly adjusted by an optician.

DID YOU KNOW?
If the screws of your glasses are a bit loose, you can use a small screwdriver to adjust them. Tighten them as much as you can, but be sure not to apply too much force.

Ask an optician for optimal glasses adjustments

If you’re unsure about adjusting glasses yourself, the best thing to do is to go to an optician for help. Some types of eyeglasses, such as rimless and semi-rimless ones, usually need more care and experience as they are more fragile than fully-rimmed eyeglass frames.

Opticians are also the best option for adjusting metal frames better, especially if you need to adjust one nose pad arm or both of them.

If you need help with what to do with your current or new pair of glasses, you can contact one of our certified online opticians. They can advise you on what is best to do in your situation.

You can also check out our Optical Center, an extensive information platform where you can find answers and explanations of all things related to eye care and glasses.

How a Pair of Glasses Could Help Migraine Headaches

Ask our opticians

Ask now
By Hannah Tinning
Reviewed by Sharlene McKeeman FBDO
Sharlene is a qualified dispensing optician with over 7 years optical experience, a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and registered with the General Optical Council.
Migraine and tension headaches are known to cause vision and eye discomfort. Luckily different lenses can help reduce these symptoms.
How a Pair of Glasses Could Help Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches cause sensory discomfort, which often affects our vision and eye comfort. It is estimated that almost half of the world’s population suffers from headaches, with 42% suffering from tension headaches and 11% from migraines.

Thanks to improving lens technology, you can relieve migraine symptoms with migraine glasses like transitional lenses, reflective sunglasses, tinted lenses and blue light-blocking glasses.

How do glasses for migraine relief work?

How do glasses for migraine relief work?

If you’re prone to light sensitivity, migraine glasses can relieve headaches by filtering out certain types of bright lights, like fluorescent lighting, that can trigger migraines or worsen symptoms. These glasses typically have special light sensitivity lenses that can block blue light and other certain wavelengths known to trigger migraines in some people. 

By reducing the amount of triggering light levels that reach the eyes, these glasses can help to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine episodes, improving your quality of life. 

If you are experiencing headaches, it is essential to research your symptoms to determine what type you have to know which glasses you need to wear for relief. Migraine glasses may not be effective for other types of headaches, such as tension or sinus headaches, which require different treatments.

What is a migraine headache, and how are they caused?

What is a migraine headache, and how are they caused?

It is believed by researchers that migraine episodes result from abnormal communication between nerves, chemicals and blood vessels in the body and brain. Migraine attacks usually start with an intense throbbing on the side of your head. They can spread all over the head and to the back of the neck as they worsen.

Migraine headaches
Migraine headaches

Eye strain is one factor that can bring on migraine attacks. When our eyes are fatigued from prolonged use, such as staring at a computer screen for long periods, the brain can become overstimulated and trigger a migraine. 

Eye strain can also cause tension in the muscles around the eyes and neck, contributing to migraines. If you’re experiencing migraines, be sure to speak to your eye doctor to rule out vision problems.

DID YOU KNOW?
While there are no glasses specifically made to combat migraine headaches, different lenses with red tints, blue light blocking filter or photochromatic add-ons can help reduce the frequency and intensity.

What is the difference between tension and migraine headaches?

What is the difference between tension and migraine headaches?

A tightening feeling around the head is often a sign that you’re suffering from a tension headache; intense throbbing indicates a migraine. Though not always the case, moderate to severe headaches can clearly show signs that you suffer from a migraine rather than a tension headache.

According to the Health Line (Health Line 2023), Scientists believe there is a spectrum of headaches, with tension headaches at one end and migraine at the other. It’s possible to have a mixed tension migraine with characteristics of both a tension headache and a migraine headache.

What are ocular migraines?

What are ocular migraines?

Ocular migraines, or retinal migraines, are a rare form of migraine that is characterised by blurry vision or even temporary vision loss in one eye. It is believed that spasms of blood vessels cause this type of chronic migraine in the retina. 

While rare, ocular migraines can cause permanent vision damage, so you must see a doctor if you believe you’re experiencing these symptoms. Ocular migraines cannot be treated with glasses alone.

Ocular migraines vs. migraine auras?

Ocular migraines vs. migraine auras?

While ocular migraines are a type of visual migraine, auras are a symptom of regular, recurring migraines. A migraine “aura” is a sensory disturbance, such as flashes of light, blurry vision or other vision problems before a migraine strikes, and can last anywhere from 5-60 minutes. 

While no glasses are developed to treat migraine auras specifically, you can significantly reduce the effects of migraine auras as you would with migraine photophobia, opting for eyewear to protect the eye from certain harmful light rays.

What is photophobia?

What is photophobia?

While there are many symptoms of migraines, one of the most painful and commonly reported migraine pains is photophobia or extreme light sensitivity. Photophobia is not a condition but a symptom of another underlying complication, such as migraine attacks. It results from the connection between the cells in your eyes that detect light and the nerves that go to your head, making it a common complaint among migraine patients.

What glasses are best for migraines?

What glasses are best for migraines?

Migraine glasses
Migraine glasses

When choosing glasses for migraines, looking for lenses that can effectively block harmful light and reduce eye strain is essential. Some of the best migraine glasses include those with FL 41 lenses, which can filter out certain wavelengths of light that are known to trigger migraines. It’s important to note that at Smartbuyglasses, these lenses are not stocked.

Other glasses you can buy at SmartBuyGlasses that may be beneficial for migraines are those with photochromatic, polarised or blue light lenses, which can reduce glare, block certain colours and improve visual clarity. Anti-reflective coatings and red-tinted glasses can also be useful for reducing glare and minimising eye strain.

How can photochromic lenses help with migraine headaches?

How can photochromic lenses help with migraine headaches?

Photochromic sunglasses can help with migraine episodes by reducing the amount of light that enters the eyes. Photochromic lenses, also known as transitional lenses, are eyeglass lenses that darken in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. They contain special molecules that react to UV light, causing the lenses to darken when exposed to sunlight or other UV light sources.

Photochromic lenses
Photochromic lenses

A migraine attack can often be triggered by bright light or glare, which can cause discomfort and pain in the eyes. By wearing glasses with photochromic lenses, you can help reduce the amount of light that enters your eyes, which can help reduce migraine frequency and intensity. You can easily turn your prescription glasses into photochromatic glasses to reduce eyestrain as well.

What other migraine sunglasses are there?

What other migraine sunglasses are there?

Reflective sunglasses are one type of migraine sunglasses that can help prevent migraine triggers by blocking bright light and glare. They are designed with a reflective coating, helping to reflect harmful UV rays and reduce glare. Wearing sunglasses with reflective lenses is also helpful for people with light sensitivity, as they help to reduce the brightness of light that enters the eyes. 

Another type of migraine sunglasses that can be beneficial is those with polarised lenses. Polarised lenses have a unique filter that blocks reflected light, reducing glare and improving visual clarity. They are particularly useful for people who suffer from migraines triggered by bright sunlight or glare. They can be combined with other lens features, such as prescription glasses, anti-reflective coatings and UV protection, to enhance their effectiveness and provide maximum eye protection.

Can blue light glasses help with migraines?

Can blue light glasses help with migraines?

Blue light exposure from digital screens has been linked to triggering migraines, so blocking blue light with specialised glasses can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. Additionally, blue light glasses can help reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality, which can be beneficial for migraine sufferers who experience these symptoms. 

Blue light glasses infographic
Blue light glasses infographic

However, it’s important to note that blue light glasses may not work for everyone and should not be used as the sole management strategy for migraines. Identifying and avoiding other migraine triggers like light sensitivity, fluorescent lighting and harsh light is still crucial. We suggest speaking with your eye doctor or seeking medical treatment if necessary.

Do migraine glasses really work?

Do migraine glasses really work?

While there is no cure for migraines, glasses with specialised lenses can help with light sensitivity and reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes and ease photophobia symptoms. Transitional lenses, reflective sunglasses, tinted lenses, blue light-blocking glasses and polarised lenses are just a few types of prescription lenses and glasses that can benefit migraine sufferers. Speak to one of our online opticians to see which lens type will be best for you.

Reference list

Reference list

Health Line. (2018, September 3). Mixed Tension Migraine. Health Line. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/mixed-tension-migraine

An Introduction to Pinhole Glasses

Ask our opticians

Ask now

An Introduction to Pinhole Glasses

pinhole glasses

Wondering what pinhole glasses are? Here is a guide to the essentials. Find out what they are, how they work, who uses them and how to make your own!

Pinhole glasses: what are they?

Have you ever seen a pair of glasses, where instead of clear lenses, there are pieces of black plastic, with lots of tiny holes in them? If so, you have come across pinhole glasses.

They are also known as stenopeic glasses, and are essentially made up of hundreds of small holes in a grid formation. The idea is that the glasses reduce the indirect rays of light landing on your eyes, and therefore help them focus more clearly.

How do pinhole glasses work?

First consider how glasses and contact lenses work. If someone has a vision impairment, the likelihood is that the rays of light that enter the eye converge either behind or in front of the retina. 

Glasses lenses therefore refract the rays to make them converge on the centre of the retina. Once this is achieved, the person’s clarity of vision will be vastly improved.

Pinhole glasses work very differently to this. Instead of maneuvering the rays of light, pinhole spectacles simply reduce the number of rays that penetrate the eye. 

This eliminates the unfocused rays of light that normally hit the eye and cause blurriness. This technique is similar to the effect created by squinting. It is known as the pinhole effect, which is the same concept that pinhole cameras are based on.

 According to opticians, limiting the amount of light that enters the pupils reduces the field of the “blur circle” at the rear of the retina. As a result, visual clarity can be improved when less light is allowed in.

When are pinhole glasses used?

Funnily enough, these glasses are rarely used by people with vision impairments. Ironically, the most common users of pinhole glasses are opticians. 

This is because pinhole glasses can be used to efficiently determine if a patient is suffering from certain problems with their sight.

The most effective way for opticians to spot a vision impairment with pinhole glasses is to cover one lens completely. This is known as an occluder. Then the patient will describe how clearly they can see through the pinhole lenses in each individual eye.

 This exercise can also be carried out without the occluder, and can teach the optician what symptoms the patient is feeling, which could be related to various infections or optical damage.

Do pinhole glasses work?

There are people out there that believe pinhole glasses prove useful outside the opticians office. They claim that the glasses can help people that suffer with nearsightedness, farsightedness or be used as glasses for astigmatism. 

It is true that while wearing the glasses, someone with these impairments will be able to see more clearly. This is especially the case with astigmatism, which is diagnosed when the rays of light that enter the eye are unable to meet in the right place. 

So when pinhole glasses reduce the amount of light coming in, the clarity of vision improves. 

However, the image may appear dimmer than usual. Pinhole lenses also block part of your direct and peripheral vision, rendering them impractical for everyday use, and very unsafe for activities like driving. 

It is therefore hard to justify the theory that pinhole eyeglasses can act as “astigmatism glasses”, and act as a solution to vision impairments. 

There is also a distinct lack of evidence to suggest that pinhole glasses can “cure” issues with vision, as the problems will return the second the pinhole specs are removed.

 Essentially, pinhole glasses can only act as a very temporary solution, which is what makes them ideal for use by opticians.

Others believe that combining eye exercises with the regular wearing of pinhole glasses can permanently improve eyesight. Admittedly, there are a couple of rare sight conditions that can be improved with eye exercises. 

Nevertheless, there is no evidence to suggest that routine eye care problems like near or farsightedness can be reduced with exercises. It is merely a myth created by companies trying to sell pinhole frames.

Yet another extreme case of wishful thinking is the theory that wearing pinhole glasses for a certain period of time each day can improve overall vision over time. Unfortunately for near or farsighted people, this is not true. 

There is no conclusive evidence, not even a clinical trial, that proves this idea to be true. Your best bet is therefore to stick with prescription contact lenses or glasses.

Make your own pinhole glasses

If you are looking for an easy activity to do with the kids during the holidays, or are curious to see what wearing pinhole specs is like, you can make your own. Just follow these simple steps to learn how to make pinhole glasses.

Grab an old pair of glasses frames and wrap them with aluminium foil. You can then use a sewing needle or pin to poke holes in the material. (Be sure not to make the holes while wearing the glasses!)

And ta-da! The best pinhole glasses, made by you!

The key points to remember:

  • Pinhole glasses reduce the amount of light hitting your eye in order to bring objects into focus.
  • They are mostly used by opticians to decipher whether or not a patient is suffering from a visual impairment.
  • Pinhole specs should not be used for any activity where sight is an essential. They block so much of your vision, that wearing them can prove dangerous when driving, doing housework, or operating machinery.
  • It is not advisable to use pinhole glasses for focusing on intricate tasks, whether it be sewing or reading. This can increase eye strain.
  • You may find some companies recommending pinhole frames as a treatment for visual impairments, but there is no medical evidence to support this.

Shop eyewear with SmartBuyGlasses

Instead of dreaming that pinhole glasses will improve your eyesight temporarily or over time, invest in a lovely pair of glasses or contact lenses instead. SmartBuyGlasses has one of the largest collections on the market. 

You can find everything from reading glasses to polarised sunglasses, designer fashion statements to ski goggles. You can shop the biggest brands such as Ray-Ban, Tom Ford and Gucci

Or you can grab everyday glasses for the tiniest prices in our SmartBuy Collection. Whatever your budget, you will be guaranteed the best price. 

Additionally, you can customize the lenses to suit your prescription, and you can add on additional lens coatings for extra benefits like blue light protection.

As for contact lenses, there are dailies or monthlies, varifocals or coloured lenses. The options are endless!

Plus, when you shop with us, you can use our Virtual Try-On tool to try before you buy. You will also have 100 days to return if you need to, and a 2 year warranty.

Do Sunglasses Lenses Deteriorate With Time?

Ask our opticians

Ask now

Do Sunglasses Lenses Deteriorate with Time?

woman showing sunglasses

If you’re wondering whether sunglasses lenses deteriorate over time, the answer is (somewhat unhelpfully) yes and no. 

Expert opinions about this issue are rather mixed in the field of eyewear, so finding a conclusive (and unbiased) answer is difficult to say the least.

Sunglasses lens deterioration: the science

While some researchers have found that the sun’s rays damage sunglasses lenses and that lens replacement is a must, some medical professionals have voiced an opposing view: sunglasses only have to be replaced if the surface is damaged or scratched. 

The medical opinion is based on the pretence that scratched lenses offer less UV protection.

We do not endorse either viewpoint (although perhaps we could if we invested in a large-scale science and research department), but we do suggest that you change your sunglasses every two years – just to be on the safe side.

Nowadays, sunglasses are not just a tool to protect our eyes from harmful UV rays. They’re also an important statement piece for us to showcase our unique sense of style. 

Most of us have that one pair of fashionable sunglasses or cool shades that just suit our style so well that we have kept them around for years – or even decades! 

If the researchers are to be believed, it might be time to part with your beloved sunnies, up your fashion game and get yourselves a pair from our selection of tens of thousands.

How to ensure your glasses have UV protection

You might be wondering if your lenses are still up to the task of staving off harmful UV rays, but (more importantly) you should probably check whether your lenses even have this function to begin with. 

So, how do you go about finding this out? The answer is pretty easy. Simply check if your sunglasses have a CE mark to find out. 

The CE label indicates that these glasses are conforming with the appropriate international standard – i.e. compliance with European regulations – of UV protection and ensures that your eyes will be properly shielded against harmful ultraviolet rays.

So, now that you know how to identify legitimate UV protection in sunglasses, it is up to you to figure out whether you think it’s a good time for a replacement pair of sunglasses.

I’m a UV protection whiz and I’m looking for some new sunglasses

Congratulations. You’ve got the hardest steps out of the way. Now, it’s time to select a pair of sunglasses – or even glasses – that’s right for you. 

At SmartBuyGlasses we’re proud to host a whole range of luxury brandsvalue models, cutting-edge technologies and more. We stock loads of brands that offer progressive lenses – just select your new prescription on checkout. 

If you’ve seen a pair you like the look of, but aren’t sure how they’ll look ‘on-face’, why don’t you have a look at…

Virtual try-on

SmartBuyGlasses’ revolutionary Virtual Try-On tool is an advanced online solution to the problem of not being able to check out a pair of glasses in-hand. It’s simple and free! 

See what you look like wearing different designer sunglasses or eyeglasses from home in just 2 easy steps.

Record your selfie video. We’ll walk you through a simple process and show you how to use your desktop or mobile camera to record a quick, five-second selfie video.

Try on glasses online! Go to the brand page of any glasses you’d like to virtually try on. Then, filter by ‘virtual try-on’ in the special features option. 

You can see yourself wearing any of the glasses that appear! We have over 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses and 6,000 pairs of sunglasses just a few clicks away from appearing on your face!

Given the current pandemic, going to your local opticians’ or eyewear store isn’t so easy at the moment. 

Virtual Try-On eliminates the stress of making your mind up in person, the time wasted going to and from the store, and the typically high costs of visiting a brick-and-mortar shop. It really is the perfect socially distanced try-before-you-buy!

Arise Collective™ Clarity prescription lenses

SmartBuyGlasses offers groundbreaking durability, pristine clarity and perfect vision – all in the same lenses. 

Arise Collective™ Clarity prescription lenses are made for the everyday wearer, but also offer advanced protection making them suitable for any adventure.

The Arise Collective™ Clarity lens collection comes packed with protective elements to provide you with an unbeatable pair of prescription glasses. 

From scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings to UV 400 and superhydrophobic protection, these lenses are guaranteed to keep your eyes comfortable in any situation.

These lenses are also aspheric, making them thinner and lighter than many other prescription lenses. These high-performing, durable lenses feature innovative lens technology that provides optimal clarity and comfort in the urban jungle.

Simply choose any frames you like, enter your prescription and select Arise Collective™ Clarity for your lens type. Let’s get started!

zFORT® blue light blocking glasses

Blue light is a potentially harmful form of light. While it is naturally emitted by the sun, electronic devices (upon which we’re spending more and more time every day) are also high-level producers. 

Blue light rays at a wavelength between 415nm – 455nm can damage your retinal cells, which may lead to premature eye ageing and vision problems in the future.

Our exposure to these harmful light rays may also cause a range of other health problems, including poor sleep (according to a 2012 Harvard Medical School study). 

Find out more about how to protect your eyes from blue light with anti blue light glasses from zFORT®.

How To Clean Glasses

Ask our opticians

Ask now

How to Clean Glasses

smartbuyglasses eyewear

The easiest way to keep your glasses looking fantastic and prevent scratched lenses is to clean them daily. 

When it comes to how to clean glasses, it’s essential to know how to do it properly, so you don’t cause unwanted damage. Keep reading to learn the best way to clean glasses, lenses and frames. 

The best way to clean glasses lenses

Many people must realise that cleaning their lenses, if not done correctly, can actually be harmful. 

If you use everyday materials that are not safe for your glasses’ lenses, they may scratch or ruin the surface. 

The first step to having spotless glasses is ensuring your hands are clean, as you don’t want to pass grease or dirt to the cloth or lenses. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them with a lint-free towel.

Use a dedicated lens cleaning spray on each lens of your glasses. Any optical glasses spray is suitable. You can find these at most opticians, pharmacy stores and supermarkets.

After you apply the optical cleaner, you can then use a microfibre, lint-free cloth to wipe away any smudges or debris gently. If you’re wondering where to get a proper microfiber cloth, you’re in luck. SmartBuyGlasses includes a free lens cleaning cloth with each pair of glasses. 

Once your glasses are all clean, the next important step is to store them properly to ensure they stay that way. Store them in a hard, protective case with their lenses facing up. This will keep your glasses from being squished.

The best way to clean your glasses frame

You can also use the optical lens spray on your glasses’ frames since it will be gentle enough to clean general dirt. 

If you wear prescription glasses while performing strenuous activities, it’s important to clean them frequently to get rid of any dirt build-up. 

The worst way to clean your glasses

Now that you know all the steps to best clean your glasses’ lenses and frame take a look at what is important to avoid when cleaning your eyeglasses.

Don’t use tissue paper and clothing

Never use shirts, cotton tissues, napkins, paper towels or dishwashing soap. Using any of these can damage the lens coating over time and void any applicable warranty on the eyeglasses. 

Though these everyday items might seem harmless, they are made of tiny materials and have uneven surfaces that may scratch your lenses. 

These scratches will distort the way light passes through your glasses and lead to vision issues or eye irritation in the future. 

Don’t use saltwater

Saltwater significantly damages any lenses, especially when they have lens coatings. Many things rust or degrade when regularly exposed to the salty air near the beach or salt water. 

It’s important to remember that lenses should not be exposed to salt water, as they can get damaged, and it will not count as a manufacturer’s defect. Remember to keep them in a safe place and away from the ocean on your next beach day.

Don’t use dish soap, window cleaner or saliva

Avoid using saliva to wipe off smudges from your glasses. Saliva is unhygienic and may spread more dirt and germs around. Another thing to avoid on your glasses is any cleaning solution made for general surfaces or glass. 

Beware: chemicals found in many cleaning substances are dangerous to have so close to your eyes and can ruin your lenses. You should only use an optical lens spray or cloth specifically made for eyeglasses. 

More tips to clean your glasses

Knowing how to clean your glasses properly will keep them in great condition for a longer time, ensuring clear vision and fewer germs and dirt on your face and eyes. Here are some more tips about what you might be wondering.

How to clean blue light glasses

You can easily clean blue light glasses the same way you just learned how to clean your eyeglasses. Refer to the infographic and video previously shown for a quick refresher on what to do.

How to clean eyeglasses cloth

If your eyeglasses microfiber cloth has only been used a couple of times, you can clean it without water by simply shaking out the dirt and dust. However, if it’s getting too dirty, you can wash it either by hand or in the washing machine. 

In both cases, make sure you use cold water and bleach-free mild soap and avoid any fabric softener, as it can make your glasses streaky. Let the cloth air dry when done.

How to clean sunglasses

Sunglasses can be cleaned with the same procedure you use to clean your glasses. Wash and dry your hands, spray the sunglasses lenses with optical cleaner, clean them with a microfiber cloth and then store them in a protective case. 

For more information on everything eyewear, check out our Optical Center and speak to one of our professional opticians online today.