5 Tips For Caring For Sunglasses in Summer

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Summer is high season for wearing sunglasses in Portland, OR. Whether you wear prescription sunglasses or not, you’ll want to make sure that you take good care of your sunglasses in summer. Since you’re probably going to be more active than usual, it pays to be a little bit more diligent about keeping them safe from damage.

1. Keep Sunglasses Away From Sand

When visiting the beaches in Portland and other areas, avoid laying your sunglasses down on the sand. Sand will scratch up your sunglasses very quickly, and you may not even notice it until you’re driving home. Bring an eyeglasses case to the beach with you, plus a lanyard for wearing the sunglasses around your neck. These two tips will help you avoid having to lay them down anywhere unsafe.

2. Avoid Excess Heat

Don’t lay your sunglasses in the window, or on your vehicle’s dashboard. Both places can get super hot in the summer. If your frames are plastic, they could warp in the heat. If they’re metal, they’ll become uncomfortably hot when you try to wear them. If you’re eating outside, rest your sunglasses in some shady spot on the table.

3. Avoid Chlorine

Chlorine in swimming pools isn’t good for your sunglasses, either. Chlorine can pit the lenses and distort your vision. It can also damage the lens coating. If you must wear sunglasses in the pool, be sure to rinse thoroughly when you get out. Even better, wear a substitute pair that isn’t such a big investment.

4. Avoid Putting Them on Your Head

When you’re active in summer, it may be convenient to put your sunglasses on your head. But over time, this can stretch out the frames. Instead, use a lanyard or fold them over the neck opening in your shirt.

5. Avoid Sunscreen

Sunscreen is great for your skin, but not so great for your sunglasses. The chemicals in sunscreen are too harsh for the sensitive coating on sunglass lenses. Wash hands thoroughly after applying sunscreen and before handling sunglasses to avoid this potential damage.

Are you ready for a new pair of sunglasses? Visit your sunglass shop in Portland, OR for a wide range of brand name options that will make you look as great on the outside as you feel on the inside! Contact us today to book an appointment.

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.

What Are The Latest Trends in Eyewear?

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When you wear a pair of eyeglasses in Portland, OR, they can say plenty about your personality, not to mention have you looking great as well. If you’re like most people, you of course want to be wearing glasses that are part of the latest trends. As 2023 approaches, here are some of the latest trends in eyewear.

Retro Frames and Lenses

In 2023, what was old will be new and trendy once again. Retro frames from the 1960s and 1970s, both square and large round frames, will be extremely popular. Also look for tinted lenses in all types of colors, which of course was a classic ’60s look.

Computer Glasses

In the upcoming year, you can expect more and more people to have glasses that they wear out to social events and ones they wear only to work or when doing work on a computer. Thus, computer glasses with lenses that can block blue light will be very popular, especially with teens and young adults who spend lots of time staring at computer screens or smartphones.

Cat-Eye Glasses

A frame shape that has always been timeless and trendy, cat-eye glasses will make quite a comeback in 2023. Very popular because their frame shape is able to fit virtually any face shape and flatter it in numerous ways, cat-eye glasses can give you an aura of mystery that will make everyone want to get to know you better.

Clear and Wire Frames

Many people who wear glasses want to look as if they are not. Thus, clear and wire frames will be trendy in 2023. Very complimentary to face shapes and complexions, look for clear frames as well as wire frames that have a light golden or metallic color to be big hits.

Eco-friendly Eyeglasses

Finally, eyeglass frames in Portland, OR that are made using recycled or other types of bio-materials will be wildly popular in 2023. Just as stylish as other types of glasses, eco-friendly glasses will be big with the younger generation who wants to help protect their planet.

No matter which of these trends most appeals to you, you’re sure to start out 2023 as an eyewear trendsetter who will garner plenty of attention. Contact us for more information.

3 Tips to Make Your Eyewear More Comfortable

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Those who have worn prescription eyeglasses in Portland, OR for a number of years eventually don’t even notice they’re wearing them. At first, you may notice that you’re wearing eyewear. Over time, it shouldn’t be obvious to you that you’re wearing an eyeglasses on your face. But sometimes, eyeglasses can become increasingly uncomfortable. When or if this happens, here are three tips to make your eyewear more comfortable.

1. Apply Nose Pads

Have you ever worn your eyeglasses all day long and begun to feel a kind of pressure on the bridge of your nose? You’ve probably seen people remove eyeglasses and hold and massage the bridge of their nose. Even plastic eyeglasses can feel “heavy” after a long day’s use. To alleviate this sensation, apply cushioned nose pads. These small pieces of adhesive foam can do wonders to make your plastic or metal lenses more comfortable. They do have a tendency to come off over time, so invest in several. They are very inexpensive and readily available.

2. Get Eyeglasses Adjusted

Your eyeglasses in Portland, OR should feel relatively comfortable. If they aren’t—if they “poke” the sides of your head or ears, or if the bottoms of the lenses are hitting your cheeks—chances are they need to be adjusted. Bring them into your eyewear shop in Portland, OR to have them adjusted. Even if you didn’t originally buy them at Asterix Eyewear, we can still make the adjustment for you on prescription eyewear and sunglasses.

3. Store Eyeglasses in Case

You can keep your eyewear more comfortable by simply storing them inside their case when not in use. The most common cause of eyewear getting out of shape is due to mishandling. It’s also very common for people to accidentally sit on stray eyeglasses left behind on sofas, chairs or even the floor. Professionals recommend that you keep several eyeglass cases in various locations around your home and office so you don’t have to go around looking for a case when you want to remove your eyeglasses.This will make it more likely that you’ll use the case to begin with.

These three simple tips can help you to have the most comfortable experience possible while wearing your eyeglasses. Contact us today for a wide selection of prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses!

Reasons to Use Your Eyeglasses Case

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Your eyeglasses case is a helpful tool for protecting your glasses. There may even be ways that your eyeglasses case protects your glasses that you’re not even aware of! If you’ve got new eyeglasses in Portland OR, there are many things you can do to take care of your specs. Here’s what you need to know about using your case to protect your new frames.

Protect Your Lenses

Lenses can become scratched during the course of a normal day, especially if you have a habit of taking off your glasses when you don’t need them. Scratches can impact the quality of your vision through your glasses. By putting your glasses in a case when they’re not on your face, you can protect your lenses and thus preserve the quality of the experience of wearing your glasses.

Prevent Your Glasses from Getting Crushed

Some glasses can be easily crushed, and that can cause them to bend or break. Glasses that are in a case – especially a hard case – are less likely to be crushed or damaged in the event that someone sits on them, lays on them, sets a stack of books on them and so on.

Make Your Glasses Easy to Find

Dark-colored glasses in particular can be difficult to find because they blend in with the background. Having a large glasses case to protect your glasses makes them easier to find. If you’re prone to losing your glasses, pick a case that is bright, bold and easy to see. A glow in the dark case may even help you find your glasses with the lights off.

Extend the Life of Your Glasses

Glasses only last for so long. After a while, they can become scratched. Using a glasses case can extend the life of your glasses by preserving their form and reducing the occurrence of scratches. You’ll love your glasses for longer if you use your case!

Your eye doctor in Portland OR can give you a case that will keep your glasses safe. When you get your glasses from Asterix Eyewear, we’ll be happy to help you get the case you want. To get your new pair of glasses, make an appointment for an eye exam. Get started today.

How to Make Your Child More Comfortable Wearing Glasses

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Congratulations on identifying your child’s vision problems and having them fitted with glasses! Unfortunately, glasses won’t work unless your child actually wears them. Your child may feel embarrassed about wearing glasses. In some cases, glasses have been known to be stuffed into backpacks as soon as parents are of sight. The help of teachers has even been enlisted to remind kids to wear their glasses in the classroom. However, there’s a better way. Use these ideas to make your child more comfortable wearing glasses.

Start Them Out With Sunglasses

Your child will probably feel more comfortable wearing sunglasses since a lot of people wear them. Start your child out with wearing sunglasses, so they can get accustomed to the sensation and experience of wearing glasses. This is also a great opportunity to teach them about caring for glasses in general.

Wear Your Own Glasses

Poor eyesight often runs in the family. If you wear glasses, make sure you wear them instead of contact lenses, as much as possible. Most kids identify with their parents, so if you’re wearing eyeglasses, your child will feel better about wearing them, too.

Point Out Other Kids With Glasses

As you go about your daily errands, point out other kids who are wearing glasses. Before that, your child may not have noticed that other kids need glasses. In fact, you may want to point out that if they didn’t notice, then others won’t notice their glasses, either.

Read Books About Wearing Glasses

There may be some cute books about a child getting their first glasses. Consult with your librarian to source books like these.

Find Pictures of Famous People Wearing Glasses

Remind your child that the smartest people in the world wear glasses. Find pictures of people like Bill Gates, Einstein, Elon Musk and more.

Let Them Choose Their Own

Let your child pick out their own glasses. This gives them a sense of ownership, and they’ll be more likely to feel good about wearing them.

When your child feels more comfortable wearing their glasses, you won’t have to struggle to get them to wear them when you aren’t looking. To have your child fitted for eyeglasses, contact us today.

 

7 Tips For Keeping Eyeglasses in Good Condition

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A great pair of eyeglasses can make you feel attractive and capable. Once you find a quality pair, it only makes sense that you’d want them to last as long as possible. Here are seven tips for keeping eyeglasses in good condition.

1. Rinse Glasses Before Wiping

Rinse your eyeglasses under running water before you wipe them off. When you try to wipe a dry lens, you can inadvertently scrape them with microscopic particles of dust that are sitting on top of the eyeglass lenses.

2. Avoid Household Cleaners

Try not to use any chemicals to clean your eyeglasses. Even seemingly innocuous household cleaners such as Windex can actually eat away at the delicate lens coating over time.

3. Use a Special Lens Cloth

Avoid using materials such as napkins, tissues or paper towels on your eyeglasses. These materials are typically textured and can easily cause abrasions on your eyeglass lenses. Similarly, don’t use the tail of a T-shirt. Evening you’re wearing a cotton T-shirt, microscopic dust particles can adhere to the T-shirt and cause scratches on your eyeglasses. Special lens cloths are available at department stores and at your eye doctor’s office.

4. Always Store Eyeglasses in a Case

When you aren’t wearing your eyeglasses, always store them in an eyeglass case. This will avoid them getting scratches and even worse, someone accidentally knocking them off a table.

5. Don’t Set Glasses Down Beside You

When you remove your eyeglasses for just a minute or two, don’t put them on the seat next to you where someone could sit on them accidentally. Instead, place them in your shirt pocket or on the table next to you until you put them on again.

6. Don’t Try to Fix Eyeglasses Yourself

If your eyeglasses need to be repaired or adjusted, bring them to your eye doctor in Portland. Otherwise, you risk damaging the frame, lenses or both.

7. Get Lenses Replaced

If you love your eyeglasses, you can keep them even if you need a new prescription. Just bring in the frames and your Portland eye doctor can fit the frames with updated lenses.

These tips will help you to ensure that your eyeglasses last as long as possible. To book an appointment for an eyeglasses prescription now, please contact us.

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.