How to Shop For Quality Eyewear

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Whether you’re buying prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, quality is important. When it comes to eyeglasses, everything is not equal, so it’s essential to know what to look for when shopping for an item with a prominent place on your face. Here are some tips to bring with you the next time you purchase eyeglasses.

Shop at a Quality Outlet

The first thing to know is to avoid discount stores. Shop at a quality eyewear outlet, such as your eye doctor in Portland, OR, where you can find hundreds of quality frames at a range of price points.

Look For Brand Names

Brand names behind eyeglasses have a reputation to uphold, so you can be certain they will be of good quality. Look for names like Maui Jim, TagHeuer, Vuarnet, Versace, Ray-Ban, and others. If in doubt about a particular brand, just ask your eyewear representative for information.

Consider the Construction

When you find frames that you’re drawn to, carefully examine the construction. The arms of the eyeglasses should articulate firmly but easily as you unfold them. There should be little to no “play” up and down. The screws in the corners should be tightly in place. Quality eyewear will often have nose guards to protect the bridge of your nose against chafing. The material should be soft and smooth, with no rough edges. Any embellishments should be firmly attached, not just shiny “bling” stickers designed to attract your attention.

Evaluate Lens Quality

If you’re shopping for sunglasses, make sure they’re rated for 100% UV protection. Ask if you can get scratch-resistant coating for your sunglasses. A quality eyewear store in Portland should be able to offer this.

Weight

Good quality eyeglasses should be lightweight enough to be comfortable yet have enough heft to feel solid and durable. Hold the frames gently in the palm of your hand to feel the heft. Compare to similar, cheaper frames to see the difference.

Warranty and After-Sales Service

A good warranty can be an indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Also, consider whether the brand offers good customer service for repairs or adjustments.

When you’re in the market for quality eyeglasses in Portland, OR, visit Asterix Eyewear. Contact us to learn more.

Back to School Tips for Children Who Wear Glasses

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It’s back to school time! If your child wears glasses, then it may be time to get them to the eye doctor in Portland, OR. Making an eye appointment, getting their glasses updated or repaired and giving them the tools they need to keep their glasses safe are ways that you can help your child maintain clear, healthy vision this school year.

Make An Eye Appointment Before Going Back to School

If your child wears glasses, it’s a good idea to see the eye doctor on a regular basis. If it’s been a while since your child last saw the eye doctor, this is a good time to make an appointment.

Schedule an appointment for your child to see the eye doctor before going back to school. Your child’s eye doctor will be able to detect changes in your child’s vision. If there have been changes, the eye doctor will recommend new prescription lenses.

Getting new eyeglasses that match your child’s prescription will help your child see during class, which ultimately can help your child perform in academics and sports. Keep your child’s old glasses as a spare pair in case they lose them during the school year.

Check Your Current Glasses for Scratches, Loose Fit

Even if your child doesn’t need new glasses this school year, it’s still important to check your child’s glasses for scratches, loose fit and other damage. If your child’s glasses have a poor fit, they may need eyewear repair in Portland, OR. Getting your child’s glasses fixed before school starts again is important.

Keep An Extra Glasses Case On Hand

Your child needs a way to keep their glasses safe at school. Get your child an extra glasses case so they’ll have some protection at school in case they need to take off their glasses during an activity.

Protect Your Eyes During Sports

Do you need more information about how you can help your child have a clear, healthy vision this school year? Contact Asterix Eyewear today for answers to your eyeglasses questions.

Why Eyesight Changes as You Age  

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Your eyes and eyesight change throughout time, just as your body does. It might be unsettling and disheartening to have near vision issues beyond the age of 40 if you have never required the use of eyeglasses in Portland, OR or contact lenses to fix your distant vision. Or, you may feel as if your ability to read the newspaper or see the phone digits was suddenly taken away. However, alterations in vision are a normal consequence of aging.

Common Age-Related Eyesight Changes

More Lighting is Needed

As you get older, you need more light to see than you once did. As you age, reading and other close-up jobs will be simpler if there are brighter lighting options in your workspace or near to your reading chair.

Challenges With Close-up Focus

Because your eye’s lens gets less flexible with time, printed things may become less clear. Your eyes now have a tougher time focusing on close things than they did when you were younger.

Troubles With Excess Glare

You might also notice more glare when driving at night from headlights or during the day from the sun reflecting off the pavement or windshields. Your eyes’ lenses change as you age, causing light to enter the eye less precisely-focused on the retina and more widely dispersed. This is what intensifies the glare that you’re experiencing as you get older.

Color Perception Changes

Your lens is typically clear, but it might begin to discolor slightly with age. This makes it more difficult to perceive and tell apart different color tones, especially when they are similar.

Why Eyesight Changes as You Age

Since you were a little kid, your eyes were subtly changing over time. Now, your eyes no longer have the focusing ability that they once had to enable you to see well for close-up work like reading. Presbyopia, a condition in which one loses the capacity to focus on close-up objects, results from the lens within the eye becoming less flexible.

Many individuals may begin to have issues with their ability to see well up close starting in their early to mid-40s. This struggle is particularly problematic while reading and using a computer. This is one of the most prevalent issues that individuals between the ages of 41 and 60 experience. Your eye doctor in Portland, OR can prescribe lenses that address the vision changes you incur as you age. Contact us now to book an appointment.

 

Why Eyeglasses May Be a Better Choice Than Contact Lenses

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Eyeglasses are a wonderful solution for correcting your vision. Not only can you find trendy, attractive frames that flatter your face, but eyeglasses are usually an easier, more affordable option than contact lenses. Youroptician in Portland, OR, can tell you all you need to know about why eyeglasses may be the better solution for you.

What’s Wrong With Contact Lenses? 

When it comes to eyeglasses versus contact lenses, there may be no right or wrong choice. Both will correct vision, and both are popular options in eyewear. However, when it comes to convenience and durability, contact lenses rank second on the list. Still, for patients who don’t want to be encumbered by frames or who don’t want others to know they’re using corrective lenses, contacts are a fine solution. For most people, it simply comes down to personal preference.

Why Should I Choose Eyeglasses over Contacts? 

While both solutions are sound, eyeglasses may simply be a better choice for many patients. This is especially true for younger children and teens who may not be ready for a complicated care routine like that required by contact lenses. Eyeglasses have many benefits, including:

Price

You may wish to choose eyeglasses over contact lenses if you’re working within a budget. Eyeglasses may be more expensive in the beginning, but they’ll last for years with conscientious care. Contacts, conversely, must be replaced on a daily, biweekly, or monthly basis.

Ease of Maintenance

An occasional spritz with lens cleaner and a quick wipe with a soft cloth are all that’s needed to keep eyeglasses clean and shining. However, contact lenses require a special sanitizing solution and must be stored wet to preserve them.

Risk of Eye Infection

Eyeglasses pose no risk of eye infection, but contact lenses do. This is especially true for those who don’t clean them enough, who wear them too long between cleanings, or who wear their contacts past the expiration date.

Protection from UV Rays

Most contact lenses offer little-to-no protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, you can easily have a protective UV coating applied to eyeglasses. You can even opt for eyeglasses that darken for use as sunglasses when you enter the bright, outdoor light.

To browse abeautiful selection of in-stock and special-order eyeglass frames in Portland, OR, stop by Asterisk Eyewear today.

Why Are the Whites of My Eyes Dull?

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The eyes are highly expressive and can communicate inner feelings without words. The eyes are also communicative in a medical sense. They can impart information about the health of the eyes and the rest of the body under the process of an eye exam.

In fact, some signs exuded by the eyes regarding health are so obvious that even a non-medical person can notice. This is the case when the whites of the eyes are discolored. Remember, the eyes are vulnerable organs of the body, and they need protection to keep them healthy and functional. One of the best ways to protect eyes is to wear sunglasses in Portland, OR to shield eyes from UV rays. Sunglasses can help to avoid any issues with discolored whites of the eyes in some cases.

Understanding the Whites of the Eyes

What laypersons call the whites of the eyes is actually termed the “sclera.” This is a protective layer over the eyes, covering more than 80% of the eyeball. The sclera is supposed to appear white when it is healthy. If it is any other color, that is a strong indicator that something is amiss, either with the eye itself or with the body.

You’ve likely seen something like this for yourself. After a long day at work looking at a computer screen or even after too many hours spent doing something that strains the eyes, you may find that your eyes appear bloodshot, with redness overtaking the whites of the eyes. This is a temporary condition that will resolve itself after adequate rest.

Causes of Discolored Sclera

Because there can be many different reasons for discolored sclera, you should book an appointment for an eye exam if you notice any discoloration. Common causes include:

  • Allergic reaction to new eye drops
  • Side effect of prescription medication, especially antibiotics
  • Underlying condition, such as liver disease or liver failure
  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage
  • Inadequate sun protection via sunglasses in Portland, OR
  • Primary acquired melanosis (precancerous condition)

As you can tell, discolored sclera is often a serious sign that something needs to be addressed. If the whites of your eyes are dull or discolored in any way, be sure to schedule a visit for an eye exam right away. Do not attempt to brush off the discoloration as benign, or try to diagnose your own condition.

A Look at the Most Vulnerable Points in Your Prescription Eyeglasses

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When you rely on your glasses to help you see, they become a permanent accessory that you pretty much wear everywhere. While you can get used to wearing glasses every day, this everyday wear can also mean your prescription eyeglasses can be prone to damage and may need optical repair in Portland, OR.

The Lens Supports

The frames around the lenses are commonly damaged, even those frames that seem to be made out of heavy-duty materials. Many types of lens supports can be repaired. For example, if you have metal frames and the area around a lens breaks, this point can potentially be welded to give the lenses back the proper support to stay seated.

The Pad Arms and Nose Pads

The pad arms support the small nose pads that keep your glasses comfortable on the bridge of your nose. The pad arms are small metal units that are either directly adhered to or screwed to the tiny pads, and both can sustain damage. It is not uncommon for the nose pads to get dislodged or broken, and some materials can even grow discolored with age. The pad arms can break with too much force, especially those made out of more brittle, less-flexible metals or plastics.

Hinges and End Pieces

Hinges and end pieces are the parts of eyeglasses that allow the arms to fold inward for logical storage. The tiny end pieces conceal the hinges so they are not visible on most frames. However, these ends can be prone to breakage because they slightly protrude outward from the frame. The hinges themselves can also sustain stress and break or you may lose a screw pin that holds the hinge together. Thankfully, these vulnerable areas do usually allow for simple repairs, so you can continue using your glasses.

Looking for Eyeglasses Repair in Portland, OR?

Prescription glasses can be expensive, and you definitely need to keep your frames functional for as long as possible. Therefore, opting for eyeglass repair in Portland, OR instead of replacement may be the most viable option. If you need help getting your frames repaired, reach out to us to find out how we can help at Asterix Eyewear.

Are UV Ratings Really That Important?

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While you’ve heard of ultraviolet rays and how harmful they can be to your skin, you may not realize how harmful they can be to your eyes. However, if you are in the market for prescription or non-prescription sunglasses in Portland, you will notice they have UV ratings. If you’re not paying attention to these ratings, you are putting your eyes at risk. As to why UV ratings are important, here are some facts about them and the damage UV rays can cause to your eyes.

Your Eyes Can Get Sunburned

Surprisingly to many, your eyes can get a type of sunburn. Known as photokeratitis, this involves short-term exposure to UV rays that occurs when they are reflected off water, sand, snow, or ice. As a result, you’ll experience blurry vision and sensitivity to bright light at least temporarily. If it happens frequently, the condition can lead to long-term damage. This is one reason why you should always choose sunglasses in Portland that have a satisfactory UV rating.

Developing Eye Diseases

If you subject your eyes to prolonged exposure to UV rays, you increase your chances of developing severe eye diseases in the years ahead, with the most likely being cataracts, macular degeneration, and even a form of eye cancer known as ocular melanoma.

UV 400 Ratings

Now that you know the many problems that can result from exposing your eyes to UV rays, it’s crucial that you know how to interpret UV ratings that come with prescription and non-prescription sunglasses. If you want the very best protection against UV rays, you should look for sunglasses at your Portland eyewear shop that have a at least a UV 400 rating. In doing so, this means they block rays of light up to 400 nanometers. In simpler terms, this means your sunglasses will block 99-100 percent of UV rays.

Additional Protection

To give your eyes even more protection, you can take additional steps that can partner with UV protection. These include getting sunglasses with anti-reflective lenses or mirrored coatings, both of which have been shown to keep UV rays away from eyes.

Since your eyesight is so important, do all you can to protect it. By paying closer attention to UV ratings and understanding why they are so important, you’ll be able to enjoy sunshine knowing you’ve got maximum protection for your eyes. Visit your Portland eyewear shop today to learn more.

 

From Practical to Fun and Funky: Awesome Stocking Stuffer Accessories for Glasses Wearers

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By all rights, a person’s eyeglasses are a huge part of their everyday life. If you have someone on your holiday shopping list that wears glasses, you may need a few stocking stuffer ideas to provide something they could use. From really useful to just downright fun, here are a few awesome stocking stuffer ideas for the people who wear glasses in your life.

Temple Cushions

Temple cushions slip over the arms of a pair of glasses to hold them more sturdily in place. However, these small cushions, which are usually made of silicone or foam, can also be good for people who are athletic or constantly needing to adjust their glasses.

Eyeglasses Cleaners

Anyone who wears glasses will tell you how disturbing it is to see just how many smudges you can collect in a day’s time. Who really knows where all this grime comes from, but getting rid of it safely is not always easy. If you know someone constantly cleaning their spectacles, pick them up some convenient eyeglass cleaning pads.

Funky Glasses Cases

Keeping your prescription glasses and sunglasses protected is ever-important, so a good case for glasses is always a nice offering for someone who wears glasses. If you want to add a more personalized element to this ordinary and useful gift, opt for a unique or funky design. You could go for a bedazzled version decked out with rhinestones or something with a nice funny sentiment written across the top.

Handcrafted Eyeglass Chains

Eyeglass chains are like jewelry for your glasses. You can find all kinds of fun and fancy chains available from creative jewelry makers, which can be a good way to support a local artisan. But, if you don’t have any luck shopping locally for a nice eyeglass chain, many optics centers have glasses chains available as well and you can always find some nice options on sites like Etsy.

Plush-Lined Glasses Holder

Glasses should go in a case for apt protection when not worn, but they often don’t make it that far. Glasses are commonly found on the bathroom vanity, on the nightstand beside the bed, or even on the kitchen counter. If you know someone with this habit, pick them out a super-plush glasses holder. These holders are not a case; they are simply a stand where the glasses can be perched when not in use. Just the same, they keep the lenses up and off of surfaces and less likely to sustain damage.

Looking for Quality Eyewear in Portland, OR?

With all your stocking stuffer ideas in place for those wearing glasses in your life, you may have remembered that you could use a new set of frames yourself. Reach out to us at Asterix Eyewear for help finding your next pair of glasses.

What Type of Eyeglasses Are Most Durable?

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When you count on your glasses every day to help you see, you likely won’t leave the house without them. This everyday wear and use can mean eyeglasses are prone to breaking down pretty quickly without the proper care. And, even with the proper care, some glasses seem to break down relatively quickly. When you want to make sure your glasses last for as long as possible, scoping out the many styles to find which ones have the most durable features is important. Here are a few good tips to keep in mind as you look for the most durable eyeglasses possible.

Look for Eyeglasses Made by Good Brands

You can get eyeglasses from any number of good brands. From Carrera and Nike to Eight to Eighty and Lacoste, there are a number of good names to pick from. While durability is not always wrapped up in the brand of glasses you choose, what you can count on is quality. The quality f the materials used can have a big impact on how well your glasses hold up over the years.

Check Out a Number of Frames to Find Those Most Comfortable

A comfortable pair of eyeglasses is going to stay seated on your nose and ears well. The frames won’t shift, move around, or leave you reaching to pull them off on a regular basis. Therefore, glasses that offer the best fit are bound to last you for far longer. The frames are less likely to be handled, less likely to fall off of your face, and less likely to get damaged over the years of use.

Trust an Eyewear Professional in Portland for Help

Picking glasses is kind of a big deal for a multitude of reasons. Working with an eyewear professional as you sift through the many frame styles can be a huge help, especially when you are looking for the most durable designs. Eyewear professionals have a plethora of knowledge about different brands, the materials they are crafted from, and how often the frames are brought in for repairs. If you want assistance picking out the most durable frames, reach out to us at Asterix Eyewear for help.

 

Will Taking Supplements Help My Vision?

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Some anecdotal evidence has suggested that certain nutrients may be capable of preventing or delaying eye diseases and problems. Some researchers also claim that some of these nutrients can be found in over-the-counter (OTC) supplements. Your eye doctor should always be involved in any decision regarding taking supplements to improve vision. Also, remember that supplements cannot substitute for regular vision checkups and professional treatment. Always contact your eye doctor before taking any supplements. Here is what you should know about vision supplements.

Some Multivitamins Contain Vision Supporting Ingredients

Before requesting your doctor to recommend vision supplements, you should look at your multivitamins. You may establish that you are already taking some nutrients that are essential for healthy eyes. Some of the nutrients include:

  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin C
  • Beta-carotene
  • Zeaxanthin
  • Zinc
  • Calcium
  • Omega-3 essential fatty acids
  • Thiamin
  • Lutein

Each nutrient above has a dietary recommendation for different categories of people. Ensure that you take yours based on your doctor’s advice. If your multivitamins do not contain most or all of the above essential nutrients, you can always get them individually.

Read the Labels on the Vision Supplements

Supplements can only be useful if you are getting what your body requires. Before buying the vision supplements, you should:

  • Find a trustworthy manufacturer because quality varies.
  • Check expiration dates to ensure that you are buying fresh supplements.
  • Only buy sealed bottles.
  • Consider buying organic vision supplements. Although you might pay more, they are usually of better quality.
  • Avoid purchasing vision supplements that contain fillers and bulking agents.

Will High Dosages of Vision Supplements Help?

If you have eye conditions or think you may be at risk of getting them, high doses of vision supplements might help. Studies done by the National Eye Institute indicated that high dosages of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and zinc reduced the likelihood of vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the supplements were not beneficial to everyone with the disease. They only helped patients with intermediary AMD or an advanced one affecting only one eye. Consult your doctor to establish whether you are in any of the two categories before taking the supplements.

If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not take any supplements before consulting your doctor. Ensure that you are taking all the doses as recommended by your eye doctor. Additionally, remember that supplements cannot substitute for eating a balanced diet. Eat a balanced diet if you want to reap the maximum benefits of any vision supplements you choose to take. As always, your eye doctor should be the final word on whether or not certain supplements might be useful for your vision issues.