News — sunglasses

How Often Should I Have My Eyes Checked?

August 22, 2014

Eye Exams Aren't Just for Those Who Wear Glasses Every Day

eye-chart-for-reading-glasses For people of all ages and in all states of health, regular eye exams represent an important part of a well-rounded wellness plan. A skilled ophthalmologist will check eyes for vision problems, as well as common health conditions affecting the eyes.

Age and health status affects how often an individual should have their eyes checked, including:

Children. Young people should receive their first eye examinations before turning three; those without identified vision problems should continue to receive them every two years into adulthood.

Adults. Although many adults believe they have perfect vision, this is often because they have not yet experienced the improved quality of life glasses can provide. From the 20s through the late 30s, adults should continue to receive eye exams on a biannual basis.

Individuals with glasses or contacts. Regardless of age, anyone who has already received an eyeglass or contact prescription should receive comprehensive eye exams at least once per year to detect further vision changes.

Individuals with eye-related symptoms. Anyone experiencing pain, excessive tearing, redness, injuries, or changes to vision should contact an eye doctor immediately.

Older adults. Past the age of 40, adults should seek comprehensive eye exams each year to ensure early identification of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Take Our Eyeglass Frames with You

I Heart Eyewear offers everything from reading glasses to bifocals with designer eyeglass frames to suit any style. Our “no power” glasses are perfect for having fit with specific eyeglass prescriptions -- simply take them to your next eye doctor appointment, and viola! Peruse our wide selection to find glasses for your unique style and vision needs!

When was the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam?

Tips for Choosing the Best Eyeglass Frames

August 08, 2014

Finding the Best Sunglasses or Readers for Your Face Shape

Maybe you're looking for quality reading glasses, because your 5-year-old granddaughter accidentally smashed your old pair while playing dress up with the family pet. Or maybe you want great looking reading glasses to catch the eye of the cute regional vice president in your office. In either case, here are some tips for choosing excellent eyeglass frames that suit your face shape.

First off, find the right frames for your face shape.

The Vision Council of America (VCA) suggests that your frame should scale with the size of your face. Choose a frame that contrasts with your shape. For instance, if you have a round face, go for narrow frames to make your face look longer. If you have an oblong face -- very long and not as wide -- choose frames with contrasting temples to shorten and balance the face. If you have a square face -- a larger forehead and a strong jawline -- soften the look with narrow frames that are wider than they are deep.

Next, do a color analysis for your reading glasses.

Per the VCA, everyone has either blue-based or yellow-based (cool or warm) coloring. 60% of the population of the U.S. has a cool skin tone (e.g. olive or pink undertones), while the other

40% has yellow or warmer undertones. Hair and eyes can also influence your color analysis. Blue eyes are typically associated with warmer shades, while brown eyes vary. If you have platinum, salt and pepper, or brown hair, you likely have a "cool" tone. If you have golden blonde hair, dirty grey, or flat black hair, that’s considered "warm."

After going through your color analysis, choose a well-suited frame.

People with a warm tone should choose reading eyewear in colors like off-white, peach, khaki, copper, and orange. If you have a cool coloring, darker colors, like jade, grey, black, magenta, and the darker ambers, are more appropriate.

Great Looking Reading Glasses are Just a Click Away

Choosing reading glasses is a delicate but ultimately vital decision, since they are typically worn on a daily basis. Friends are the best ones to ask when choosing new eyeglass frames. Ask

your best girlfriend to come over and help with this analysis: face shape, skin tone and hair color. Hold different colored tops up to your face for a better idea of which colors look best on you! Our website allows you to shop by type, shape/style and color/pattern, so you can narrow down your search and find the ones that are right for you.

The Importance of Full UVA/UVB Protection Sunglasses

July 30, 2014

Never Leave the House Without Sunglasses!

Maverick Sunglass Frames

Whether you're searching for affordable women's sunglasses because you lost your favorite pair at the beach; or you're seriously researching reading sunglasses or sun bifocals because you're worried about your eye health, here are a few things to know.

Let’s talk a little bit about the science of UVA and UVB exposure. As you probably already know, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can harm your skin and potentially lead to skin cancer from overexposure. (Too little sun exposure can also be dangerous, believe it or not!) Sun overexposure can also injure the cornea and lens in your eye and elevate your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration – both of which can lead to blindness later in life. Ideally, you want sunglasses that provide full spectrum protection against UV radiation. For instance, your sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of all UVB and UVA rays. The American National Standards Institute has also issued blocking requirements (ANSI Z80.3) – your sunglasses should meet those as well. For extra protection against the smallest UV radiation, choose UV400 protection. You should also consider Investing in polarized lenses to reduce glare useful if you plan to spend a lot of time around reflective surfaces, such as pools, lakes or snowcapped mountains. Polarized sunglasses also help you to see clearer when in the sun for those not needing reading sunglasses.

If you're a hardcore sports fanatic, consider investing in polycarbonate lenses, which provide some degree of impact protection. Other specialty lenses include: bluelight locking lenses (good for helping you see long distances), photochromic lenses (which change the available light your eyes take in), and mirror-coated lenses (which reduce the visible light that enters your eyes). All of our non-bifocal sunglasses feature polarized polycarbonate lenses and full UVA/UVB protection, so your eyes are fully protected from the sun! Our bifocal sunglasses offer full UVA/UVB protection as well, but feature AR coated polycarbonate lenses.

Affordable, Designer Inspired Sunglasses and Reading Glasses

For an easy sunglass shopping experience, visit the I Heart Eyewear website today! Our navigation allows you to search and sort by type, shape/style, and color/pattern. With all of our eyewear priced below $25, you’ll find stylish, designer-inspired eyeglass frames that fit any budget. After all, you can never have too many pairs of shades.

Why Do You Need Reading Glasses From Aging?

June 27, 2014

Why Readers are Needed as We Get Older

Perhaps you're shopping for reading glasses because you scored surprisingly low at your annual eye exam. Or maybe you're researching bifocals because you're developing eyestrain and headaches every night staring at your tablet.

Reading Glasses with Bling

In either case, you're confused about how the aging process has affected your vision. Here's the gist. Basically, as people get older, almost everyone starts to suffer from a condition known as presbyopia -- a kind of farsightedness. This is caused when the lens of your eyes starts to stiffen naturally. This lack of pliability -- combined with the natural atrophy of the ciliary muscles in your eyes -- makes it more challenging for your lens to focus on objects that are near to you. The images you look at don’t focus on the retina but rather slightly behind it. This means that objects in close range tend to blur.

There are different tests to measure this farsightedness or presbyopia. For instance, a diopter strength test measures the progress of presbyopia. Other simple “home tests” can also help you identify this condition. For instance, if you find that you're holding books far away from your eyes when you read -- to the point that your arms hurt from holding the books -- you might be developing the condition. Likewise, a poor performance on an eye exam or high score on a diopter test may indicate the initial stages of farsightedness.

I Heart Eyewear Readers Can Help

For more information about this kind of farsightedness -- as well as help developing solutions to avoid discomfort, see better and keep your eyes healthy -- schedule an eye exam with your optometrist today! If reading glasses or bifocals are all you need, check out our large selection of eyeglasses, sunglasses and bifocal sunglasses. Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to learn more about common eye health topics and eyewear fashion.