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Presbyopia

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Presbyopia: “My Arms Aren’t Long Enough Anymore” Everyone of us living an average North American lifespan will encounter a visual condition called presbyopia. This condition occurs between the ages of 40 and 45, and consists of a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects due to the hardening of the eye’s natural lens. Presbyopia essentially means […]

The post Presbyopia appeared first on Vincent Optical.


Sunglass Lenses

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Sunglasses Lenses  With summer just around the corner, sunglasses are a must for anyone looking to protect their eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Sunglasses have an extensive history. For example, Inuit people wore flattened walrus ivory “glasses,” that contained narrow slits to look through which helped to block the damaging reflective […]

The post Sunglass Lenses appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Anti-reflective Coating

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Anti-reflective Coating   Anti-reflective coating (AR) is a type of Optical coating  applied to the surface of lenses  to reduce reflection and glare. This improves the efficiency of lenses and clarity of vision. The coating does just what the name implies: it decreases the reflection of light from the front and/or back of the lenses.Additionally, AR coatings increase […]

The post Anti-reflective Coating appeared first on Vincent Optical.

My Eyeglasses Purchased Online Are Not Working!

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Why are my eyeglasses purchased online not working? As most people know by now, the assumed ease and convenience of online shopping has hit the eye wear market. From sunglasses to single-vision prescription lenses to multifocal glasses, many patients are attempting to buy online. However, as so many of these customers have experienced, there is more to […]

The post My Eyeglasses Purchased Online Are Not Working! appeared first on Vincent Optical.

How to treat dry eye syndrome

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It is important to pay a visit to your eye specialist if you suspect you have dry eye syndrome, which can be identified in an eye test. Lack of sufficient moisture or lubrication to the eye’s surface is the cause of dry eye syndrome and the symptoms are as follows: Pain Light sensitivity Blurred vision […]

The post How to treat dry eye syndrome appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Improve your vision with anti-glare coating on prescription eyeglasses

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There’s no denying the fact that your prescription eyeglasses can be less effective if you encounter a glare. When wearing prescription eyeglasses it is expected that you will enjoy crystal clear vision, but we all know glares can change that. Glares can impair vision which is both uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Unfortunately glares can present […]

The post Improve your vision with anti-glare coating on prescription eyeglasses appeared first on Vincent Optical.

How to choose eye glasses frames that suit your face

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When you have to wear glasses, the most important part of the process is choosing the right eye glasses frames. Of course your eye specialist can help you with selecting the ideal pair, but it helps to relieve the frustration and save some time if you can narrow down your choices from the beginning. Knowing […]

The post How to choose eye glasses frames that suit your face appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Why you need prescription sunglasses

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Do you need to wear prescription sunglasses? First and foremost, if you wear prescription eye glasses then you should certainly get a pair of prescription sunglasses too. Of course you should also look at investing in a pair of prescription sunglasses if you are involved in specific outdoor activities or have an active outdoor lifestyle. […]

The post Why you need prescription sunglasses appeared first on Vincent Optical.


Why polarized sunglasses are so important – even in winter!

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What are polarized sunglasses and are they really worth your while? Polarized lenses have a unique chemical film filter that reduces the glare of the sun that would have otherwise penetrated through to your eyes when the sun reflects of solid surfaces such as the road or surfaces like water. These lenses reduce the damaging […]

The post Why polarized sunglasses are so important – even in winter! appeared first on Vincent Optical.

This Christmas, treat yourself to the gift of perfect vision

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Christmas time is the time for sharing. We would like to share with you our selection of top quality eye care. Whether you have been naughty or nice this year, we believe you deserve to have perfect vision. We know you’re an individual and your eyes are as unique as you. If you suffer from […]

The post This Christmas, treat yourself to the gift of perfect vision appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Happy New Year! Here’s how to boost your eye health in 2016

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It’s easy to talk about what our personal visions and goals are for the New Year, but what about our actual physical vision and eye health? This year is certainly seeing a trend towards more health conscious living. If you want to make the most of your overall health in 2016, start by boosting your eye health, by following these simple tips from leading eye specialist in Kitchener:

The post Happy New Year! Here’s how to boost your eye health in 2016 appeared first on Vincent Optical.

How to find the most comfortable contact lenses

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Nothing can be more frustrating than having to wear a set of contact lenses that are uncomfortable. It is certainly recommended that you book an eye-test with your local optometrist in Kitchener if your eyes don’t feel or look good when wearing your contact lenses. While there are a few tips for solving short term […]

The post How to find the most comfortable contact lenses appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Transition lenses

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Transitions lenses are optical lenses that darken on exposure to specific types of light of sufficient intensity, most commonly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the absence of activating light the lenses return to their clear state. Transitions lenses may be made of glass, poly carbonate, or another plastic. They are principally used in eyeglasses that are dark […]

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“Do you carry Ray-Ban Sunglasses?”

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This is the number one question we hear when a customer comes in looking for sunglasses. Ray-Ban is arguably the  best-selling brand throughout eye wear history. There is a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses to suit any face shape and every style. Suitable for prescription and non-prescription wearers, this iconic brand can be worn by everyone! […]

The post “Do you carry Ray-Ban Sunglasses?” appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Eyeglasses Material

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No matter how often you wear your eyeglasses, picking out the perfect frame is important. The frames you pick will spend many hours on your face and become part of who you are, so wearing glasses that complement your features and that are comfortable is essential. Frame material can greatly expand your options for a new […]

The post Eyeglasses Material appeared first on Vincent Optical.


How to treat dry eye syndrome

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It is important to pay a visit to your eye specialist if you suspect you have dry eye syndrome, which can be identified in an eye test. Lack of sufficient moisture or lubrication to the eye’s surface is the cause of dry eye syndrome and the symptoms are as follows: Pain Light sensitivity Blurred vision […]

The post How to treat dry eye syndrome appeared first on Vincent Optical.

Presbyopia

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Presbyopia: “My Arms Aren’t Long Enough Anymore”

Everyone of us living an average North American lifespan will encounter a visual condition called presbyopia. This condition occurs between the ages of 40 and 45, and consists of a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects due to the hardening of the eye’s natural lens. Presbyopia essentially means that the patient has developed a far-sighted prescription.

Initial Symptoms of Presbyopia:

  • Difficulty reading small print;
  • Habitually holding reading material at arm’s length;
  • Problems seeing nearly-situated objects;
  • Headaches; and
  • Eye strain

Correcting Presbyopia with Progressive Lenses:

Glasses are the easiest, safest, and most efficient corrective option for presbyopia. In their simplest form, glasses that correct presbyopia will be prescribed for the patient’s reading prescription and are known as “readers”. Your optician can calculate the right reading power based on your prescription, and your reading habits. While these are a straight-forward option, glasses such as these consist of only single power, or “single vision”, lenses with a very short focal length. Focal length corresponds to the distance our eyes can focus on a given object. When wearing reading glasses, the patient will need to remove them every time they need to look beyond 20 inches. Given their lack of practicality, several different options exist in order to correct presbyopia.

Line Bifocals:

These are the “traditional” bifocal lenses. They provide two focal lengths – one power, or prescription, for distance, and one power for reading. The inherent problem with line bifocal lenses is that they lack the intermediate power essential for computer use. Also, the physical line can make the wearer feel as though images are moving or jumping in front of them, diminishing visual clarity. Furthermore, the physical line lacks modernity and is seen as being less fashion-forward.

Progressive Lenses:

Progressive lens

What are progressive lenses? Progressive lenses or “no-line bifocals”, “invisible bifocals”, “multifocal lenses”… These type of lenses have the patient’s distance, intermediate, and reading prescriptions built into one lens without any physical line . These lenses offer a smooth, continuous transition from near-, intermediate-, and distant-focal lengths, with no lines or unsettling image jumps. Progressive lenses are made up of several powers or prescriptions, and are known as “multi-focal” lenses. Due to their inherent complexity, not all progressive lenses are created equal.

Modern progressive lenses have been around for more than 50 years. As such, vast improvements have been made. There are many different kinds of progressive lenses from the very basic to the more advanced, high-end products. Companies such as Nikon, Essilor, Seiko, and Zeiss spend millions of dollars on the research and development of better and more efficient lenses to serve patients better. Digital, technologically-advanced multi-focal lenses now offer presbyopic patients the greatest visual optimization.

Similar to luxury vehicles that offer more options and a better driving experience in comparison to a base car model, higher end progressive lenses like Nikon Seemax Master or Essilor Varilux Physio with free-form design, wave-front, and digital technology, offer wider usable area, minimum distortion, and a greater visual experience overall.

Progressive lenses do not offer a ‘one size fits all’ solution – each unique individual experiences unique visual needs. When it comes time to get your first pair of progressive lenses, seek advice from your optician.

You have only one set of eyes, without any spares; take care of your vision.

Vincent Afrouzi, R.O.

The post Presbyopia appeared first on Your Family Optometrist, Optician in Kitchener - Waterloo.

Sunglass Lenses

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With summer just around the corner, sunglasses are a must for anyone looking to protect their eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Sunglasses have an extensive history. For example, Inuit people wore flattened walrus ivory “glasses,” that contained narrow slits to look through which helped to block the damaging reflective rays of the sun.

Also, It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights through emeralds. Unfortunately, these worked similarly to mirrors and did not in fact provide any protection from glare. In 12th-century China, however, it was noted that flat panes of smoky quartz were used to protect users’ eyes from glare. These “crystal sunglasses” were said to also be used by judges in ancient Chinese courts to hide facial expressions during the questioning of witnesses.

Modern sunglasses became popular in North America and Europe in the early 20th-century. Although often reserved for wealthier classes, and highly popular among movie stars, more affordable sunglass options became available around 1930. The invention of polarized lenses by Edwin H. Land in 1936 changed the sunglass landscape, making them not only fashionable, but also practical and a modern-day necessity.

Shopping for Sunglasses

The majority of sunglasses lenses today are made from a material called ‘polycarbonate’. Polycarbonate lenses, sometimes referred to as “poly” or “poly-carb”, naturally block the ultraviolet rays of the sun. They are, however, more susceptible to scratches. As a result, many companies have turned to higher-end material, such as glass, which offers superior optical quality and is naturally scratch-resistant.

Just like ophthalmic lenses, the quality of sunglass lenses is a very important factor. When wearing a pair of dark-tinted sunglasses, the pupils of our eyes dilate and essentially open up the eye, increasing the risk of UV-ray absorption. High quality sunglass lenses, such as Ray-Ban’s “G15 lenses”, have the capacity to reduce the harm caused from the sun’s rays, be it through better material, or polarized filters within the lenses. Poor quality sunglasses are not regulated, leaving the wearer vulnerable to damage within the eye caused by ultraviolet light.

Polarization

The sun’s light vibrates and radiates outward in all directions. When the light is reflected off of a flat surface, such as a road or body of water, this light generally travels in a horizontal pattern. This is known as horizontal polarization. Polarization occurs both naturally and artificially. We see an example of natural polarization every time we look at a lake. The reflected glare off the surface is the light that does not make it through the “filter” of the water, and is the reason why we often cannot see anything below the surface, even when the water is very clear. This creates a visual obstacle and sometimes dangerous concentration of light which we experience as glare.

Polarized lenses will reduce glare from flat surfaces such as waterways and roads, decreasing glare and increasing visual clarity. While they have always been popular with water motorists and those who like to fish, the popularity of polarized lenses, such as those made by Oakley, has caught on with the broader public as they are ideal for almost all outdoor activities and every lifestyle.

Oakley sunglasses

Gradient Lenses

Gradient lenses are a popular sunglass tint option. Gradient lenses are recognized by the change, or graduation, of tint from the top to bottom of the lens. They begin with a darker tint at the top of the lens and gradually lighten towards the bottom. This style provides a more fashionable appearance and can also make reading while wearing sunglasses easier as the lower portion of the lens transmits more light.

UV Protection

Protection from ultraviolet, or “UV”, rays of the sun is one of the main reasons to wear sunglasses. The colour and cost of sunglasses does not determine the ability to block UV light. UV-blocking attributes can be found by choosing the right material, such as polycarbonate, glass, or hi-index lenses, which offer a denser material and naturally block UV rays, or by adding a UV-blocking chemical during manufacturing or through the addition of certain lens coatings.

The shape and fit of sunglasses can further aid protection from the sun. Sunglasses that offer a wraparound fit and sit closer to the wearer’s face can prevent UV-light from entering through the sides of the frame. Protective lenses are inhibited when the frame does not offer a proper fit.

The next time you’re in the market for a new pair of shades, be aware of your options and seek advice from your eye care professional. Inexpensive, poor quality sunglasses with labels wrongfully claiming to provide protection are not the best choice.

You have only one set of eyes, without any spares; take care of your vision.

Vincent Afrouzi, R.O.

The post Sunglass Lenses appeared first on Your Family Optometrist, Optician in Kitchener - Waterloo.

My Eyeglasses Purchased Online Are Not Working!

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Why are my eyeglasses purchased online not working?

As most people know by now, the assumed ease and convenience of online shopping has hit the eye wear market. From sunglasses to single-vision prescription lenses to multifocal glasses, many patients are attempting to buy online. However, as so many of these customers have experienced, there is more to buying online than meets the eye. The following is a conversation pertaining to progressive lenses, also known as multifocal lenses, which we have had on more than one occasion with patients who are unhappy with their online eyewear purchase.

Patient: My glasses with progressive lenses are not working!

Optician: How old are your glasses? Did you try to take them back?

Patient: They are 2-months old. I bought them from an online retailer and have sent them back twice but they are still not working for me.

Optician: What kind of problems are you experiencing?

Patient: I get headaches while wearing them, and when I try to read with my glasses on, I have to lift my chin up which causes neck pain. My previous glasses were fine. I feel like I’m better off not wearing my glasses at all rather than wearing this pair!

Optician: Who made you previous glasses?

Patient: My optician with a prescription from my optometrist.

Optician: Why didn’t you go back to your optician for your new pair?

Patient: I found these from a website online – I saved $90.00!

Optician: Okay; may I see your see your prescription and glasses?

Patient RX:

OD: -3.75 -1.75 x 96     Add: +1.75

OS: -4.00 -0.75 x 100  Add: +1.75

Optician: Who measured your pupillary distance and the segment height?

Patient: I picked a number from the drop down menu for my pupillary distance, I think it was 62. For the other measurement you mentioned, I was not given an option and there was no mention of it.

 

After analyzing the patient’s glasses and taking proper measurements, the results are:

 

Patient RX:                                                     Pupillary Distance       Segment Height

OD -3.75 -1.75 x 96      Add: +1.75                   34mm                          19mm

OS -4.00 -0.75 x 100    Add: +1.75                  33mm                          19mm

 

Lens RX from Online Retailer                     Pupillary Distance       Segment Height

OD -3.75 -1.50 x 100    Add +1.75                     30mm                          15mm

OS -4.00 -0.75 x 100    Add +1.75                     30mm                          15mm

 

 

Optician: These glasses are not technically made for you. Let me explain:

  • Your right eye RX (prescription) is not within the tolerance chart. (Tolerance chart is the guideline provided by College of Opticians of Ontario to eye care professionals for accurate dispensing of eye glasses and contact lenses.)
  • One of the causes for the headaches you experience is the wrong pupillary distance. This is giving you an unwanted prism (unwanted prism can cause discomfort and visual problems including blur, headaches, nausea, and even double vision. If the pupillary distance measurement is off, the result is unwanted horizontal prism.) Not everyone has the same distance between pupils: some of us have monocular pupillary distance (different pupillary distance for each eye), while some have binocular pupillary distance (same distance for each eye). In the case of your lenses, the pupillary distance measurement is off by 7mm!
  • The segment height, where your true intermediate/reading prescription begins, is very low resulting in you having to lift your chin up in order to receive the right amount of power within your lens, which enables you to read. In order to properly measure the segment height of your glasses, the optician must adjust your eye glasses frame to suit correctly in order to obtain accurate results. You need to be present with your frame in order for this to be done properly.

eyeglasses purchase online

Segment hieght

This is a conversation we have had with several people experiencing, at times, severe problems with their online-purchased progressive lenses. From our experience, when a patient or customer purchases prescription eyewear online, many different problems occur. As evidenced above, these problems are magnified when it comes to making and purchasing multifocal or progressive lenses online. The introduction of a patient to progressive lenses is not a simple process. There are numerous aspects of the lenses to consider, many of which the patient has never thought of. This is why opticians are so important. It is not as simple as putting on a pair of distance glasses or reading glasses. Being made aware of the lens design and potential adaptation period results in a more informed, and therefore happier, patient. While there are cost savings to be found by purchasing your eye wear online, the product is not guaranteed to suit you.

At Vincent Optical we believe in providing you with the right information about your prescription and your lenses, which aids you in making an informed decision about your eye wear purchase and results in a better glasses experience!

 

You have only one set of eyes, without any spares; take care of your vision.

The post My Eyeglasses Purchased Online Are Not Working! appeared first on Your Family Optometrist, Optician in Kitchener - Waterloo.

How to treat dry eye syndrome

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It is important to pay a visit to your eye specialist if you suspect you have dry eye syndrome, which can be identified in an eye test. Lack of sufficient moisture or lubrication to the eye’s surface is the cause of dry eye syndrome and the symptoms are as follows:

  • Pain
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurred vision
  • Itching and scratching feeling
  • Redness

The meibomian glands in the eye are responsible for tear production. Tears contain essential oils and elements which stop them from evaporating. When the meibomian glands dysfunction or the lacrimal glands don’t produce enough tears, the eyes can become dry.

The following can cause dry eye syndrome:

  • Natural aging process
  • Menopause
  • Side effect of medications such as antihistamines, anti-depressants, blood pressure controllers and so on.
  • Dry and windy climates
  • Long term use of contact lenses

Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

Treating dry eye syndrome is largely focused on treating the uncomfortable effects such as itching, scratchy feeling, light sensitivity and so on. Some treatment options include:

  • Eye drops or artificial tears provided by your eye specialist.
  • Lacrisert – this is an insert filled with lubricant which is placed just inside the lower eye lid. Throughout the day it will continuously release lubrication for the eye.
  • Contact re-wetting solutions.

Visit Vincent Optical in Kitchener to Effectively Diagnose and Treat Dry Eye Syndrome

At Vincent Optical in Kitchener, we offer professional eye tests to detect dry eye syndrome. Our eye specialists can then advise a suitable dry eye syndrome treatment specifically suited to your particular situation.

To book an eye test or to learn more about dry eye syndrome and how to treat it, contact us at Vincent Optical today.

The post How to treat dry eye syndrome appeared first on Your Family Optometrist, Optician in Kitchener - Waterloo.

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