Digital Eye Strain

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How to Recognize and Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Digital eye strain is a common issue caused by using digital screens. Learn more about what it is and how to prevent it.

There’s no denying that our world is shifting to even more screen time with our access to TV, computers, and phones. As we now spend an average of 8 hours a day looking at digital screens, it’s time to focus on taking care of our eye health. Unfortunately, there is no avoiding this issue, but there are things we can do to prevent eye strain. We must take our eye health seriously, just like we do for our physical and mental health. If you’re worried about your vision or someone close to you, keep reading to learn more about digital eye strain, its symptoms, and ways to avoid it.

What is digital eye strain?

Digital eye strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, is an unfortunate eye and vision-related problem caused by prolonged computer use (American Optometric Association 2022). Over the last few decades, these issues have become more common, with 2 out of 3 people reporting symptoms (Chu, A 2023). If you use a computer or digital screen for extended periods, you most likely suffer from symptoms whether you realize it or not. Computer Vision Syndrome is common in children and adults and can lead to severe effects if left untreated.

What does a strained eye feel like?

When you suffer from strained eyes, they may feel sore, achy, or tired. You may experience light sensitivity and discomfort when moving your eyes or focusing on everyday objects. In severe cases, you might even experience headaches or blurred vision.

What causes digital eye strain?

Digital eye strain can be caused by concentrating on reading text on a computer screen or digital device, which causes more strain than reading a book. Other causes of digital eye strain include:

Screen glare
Inadequate lighting
Poor posture while using a digital device
Using a digital device too close or far from your eyes
Uncorrected/detected eye-vision problems
Less frequent blinking than usual when using a digital device
Extended exposure to blue light emitted from digital screens
Infrequent breaks from your digital devices

Unfortunately, what causes digital eye strain is not just one factor but a combination of them all. It’s important to be aware of all the factors to ensure you adjust each one that applies to you.

What causes eye strain in one eye?

It’s not uncommon to feel the symptoms of eye strain in just one eye rather than both. This can be caused by a variety of factors, like a change in your glasses prescription or an eye injury. Of course, looking at digital screens, reading in low light, or performing tasks that require intense focus can all contribute to eye strain in one eye. Other factors such as allergies, dry eyes, or eye infections can also cause a feeling of eye strain in just one eye. It’s important to identify the underlying cause of eye strain to prevent further discomfort and protect your vision.

Digital eye strain symptoms

Computer Vision Syndrome and digital eye strain can be highly uncomfortable, resulting in painful physical symptoms like eye fatigue, blurred or double vision, neck and shoulder pain, and more.

Much like the causes of digital eye strain, the symptoms you feel may be a combination of a few or all of them in worst-case scenarios. If symptoms aren’t treated, you may also suffer from extreme digital eye strain that can cause vertigo, nausea, and twitching of facial muscles like the area around your eyes.

Digital eye strain treatments

Small changes in your everyday behaviors and environment are generally enough to treat digital eye strain. But if you are frequently suffering, you may need to combine a mix of different treatments and implement them in your daily activities.

1. Update your prescription glasses

As our eyes and vision needs can continuously change over time, it’s essential to make sure you are updating your glasses or contact lenses and having yearly eye checks. Up-to-date contact lens prescription and lenses may be required to match your vision needs for computer viewing. You can also customize your corrective lenses to include coatings that improve your eyesight and comfort.

DID YOU KNOW

2 out of 3 people suffer from painful symptoms of digital eye strain, which can be prevented with small, easy changes to your everyday routine and computer setup.

2. Rest your eyes with the 20-20-20 rule

Follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a well-deserved rest. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy exercise that you can implement everywhere. Every 20 minutes, give your eyes a 20-second rest by focusing on something 20 feet away. Repeating this throughout the day will help with eye fatigue and soreness.

3. Make sure your posture and computer position is correct

If your job is computer-based or you study online, ensure you have the ideal posture and computer position to reduce your Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms. Your screen should be 4-5 inches below your eyesight and 20-28 inches away from your eyes. Sitting upright with a well-supported back is vital. Add a footrest to support your feet and back to increase comfort.

4. Ensure your lighting works for you

Poor lighting, brightness, and harsh glare from direct sunlight can affect what you see on your screen. Try to relocate your monitor, close your curtains or shades to fix these issues, and experiment with your screen settings. Increasing your font size and adjusting your screen to the warmer end of the color spectrum can help alleviate the effects of eye strain.

5. Try some blue light blocking lenses

Add blue light blocking lenses to your prescription glasses to stay protected from the harmful blue light rays emitted from your screen. These lenses can be added to any glasses easily and will help reduce eye strain and fatigue caused by digital devices.

How long does eye strain take to heal?

Depending on the severity of your eye strain and the cause, you can recover within a few minutes to a few days. It’s important to remember that your digital eye strain won’t heal unless you are taking active steps to relieve your symptoms.

Who is at risk of getting digital eye strain?

No matter your age, you’re at risk if you have access to screens. Anyone looking at their computer, phone, or TV for two or more hours in a row can be at risk of developing painful symptoms. Of course, anyone who works, studies or spends prolonged time on digital screens can be at a higher risk than others.

How to prevent digital eye strain?

Now that you know what causes digital eye strain and how to treat your screen fatigue at home, you should be able to adjust your regular habits to reduce strain and avoid severe symptoms. If you feel your computer screen is the biggest trigger, consider looking into computer glasses that could also prevent painful cases of eye strain. Ensure you get a regular eye exam from your eye doctor so you can stay on top of any underlining eye issues and keep your overall eye health in check. For more information and eye health tips, ask our certified online Opticians any questions you may have.

Reference list

National Center for Health Research. (2023). Digital screens can cause eye strain for children and adults. Are blue light glasses the solution?. National Center for Health Research. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://www.center4research.org/digital-screens-eye-strain-blue-light-glasses/

American Optometric Association. (2022). Computer vision syndrome. American Optometric Association. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome

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Anti-glare Glasses

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Anti-glare Glasses

Glare is a nuisance. That's why anti-glare glasses were developed. Find out about the different kinds and their benefits here.

Did you know that standard lenses transmit around 91% of light to the eye? The remaining 9% is lost to surface reflection. Anti-glare glasses help solve this problem, among others.

Many don’t know the role played by reflection when wearing prescription glasses and aren’t sure whether or not to get anti-glare glasses. It’s important to be able to make an informed decision, so we’ve gone ahead and put together this guide to explain it.

What are anti-glare glasses?

Lens coatings are vital in improving vision clarity and the durability of your eyeglass lenses. There are many types, and they can be applied to glasses regardless of whether you wear single-vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses.

One of the available lens coatings you can choose from is anti-glare coating, also called anti-reflective coating. This is a microscopic multilayered coating that’s applied to your lenses to reduce their ability to reflect lights. As a result, it helps keep your vision clear

How does anti-reflective coating work?

Thanks to their anti-glare coating, anti-glare glasses reduce the amount of light that reflects off lenses. This results in more light passing through the lens and greater visual clarity.

Not only do they help you see better, but they also help reduce the light visibly reflected by the lens, which can be annoying at times.

Anti-glare glasses benefits

There are more benefits to anti-reflective glasses than you might think; here are some of the advantages of choosing anti-glare coatings:

Adding an anti-glare coating to your night driving glasses can improve vision in low-light conditions, which results in safer driving.
Anti-glare coatings improve clarity when working in front of a screen, resulting in reduced eye strain.
Anti-glare coatings can reduce visual fatigue caused by reflections, resulting in less eye strain.
Your eyes are more visible through anti-reflective lenses, which helps keep eye contact when wearing glasses and makes for better photos if taken wearing eyewear.

If you wear glasses all day, every day, anti-reflective coating is likely a good choice for you. It will give you the most natural visual experience and place less strain on your eyes.

Disadvantages of anti-glare glasses

You may also experience a few disadvantages when wearing anti-glare glasses, including the fact that you’ll need to clean your lenses more often. This is because, due to its nature, the anti-glare lens coating can highlight dirt or dust.

Scratches will also be more visible, which means your anti-glare lenses will need to be handled with extra care. To learn more on how to properly take care of your glasses, check out our tutorial below.

DID YOU KNOW?

In addition to reducing glare and lens reflections, anti-glare coating also reduces your exposure to blue light.

Do I need anti-glare on my glasses?

Anti-glare coating is not strictly necessary, however we recommend it as it will improve everyday comfort and the overall performance of your lenses. It can be applied to almost all types of glasses, including sunglasses.

Can you add anti-glare to glasses after purchase?

No, unfortunately anti-glare coating cannot be added to your lenses after purchase. However, there are many affordable frame options you can get with anti-glare coating that won’t break the bank.

Are anti-glare and blue-light glasses the same?

No, anti-glare and blue light glasses are not the same. Blue light block and anti-glare are two different types of coatings, designed for different purposes.

As the name implies, blue-light block coating blocks the wavelengths of blue light from reaching your eyes. Anti-glare coating doesn’t block light, instead, it reduces reflection.

Blue light block coating can be added as an additional coating to your lenses when purchasing your glasses – that way you’ll experience the benefits of both these coatings.

How to care for glasses with anti-glare coating

As mentioned above, anti-glare glasses might need to be handled with more care than regular glasses. To make sure your glasses are always cared for properly, remember to:

Store the glasses in their protective case when you’re not wearing them.
Always use a microfiber cloth when wiping off their lenses.
Use an optical spray to keep them extra clean.

Remember to avoid cleaning your glasses with shirts or chemical cleaners, as this might damage your glasses.

What’s the best coating for me

For more information on the different types of lens coatings available, you can read this article here. Ultimately, the best lens coatings for you will depend on your lifestyle and vision needs.

If you have questions on lens coatings and which to choose feel free to reach out, our opticians will be happy to help you find the best solution.

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Home /

Ask our opticians

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Anti-glare Glasses

Glare is a nuisance. That's why anti-glare glasses were developed. Find out about the different kinds and their benefits here.

Did you know that standard lenses transmit around 91% of light to the eye? The remaining 9% is lost to surface reflection. Anti-glare glasses help solve this problem, among others.

What are anti-glare glasses?

How does anti-reflective coating work?

Thanks to their anti-glare coating, anti-glare glasses reduce the amount of light that reflects off lenses. This results in more light passing through the lens and greater visual clarity.

Not only do they help you see better, but they also help reduce the light visibly reflected by the lens, which can be annoying at times.

Anti-glare glasses benefits

There are more benefits to anti-reflective glasses than you might think; here are some of the advantages of choosing anti-glare coatings:

Adding an anti-glare coating to your night driving glasses can improve vision in low-light conditions, which results in safer driving.
Anti-glare coatings improve clarity when working in front of a screen, resulting in reduced eye strain.
Anti-glare coatings can reduce visual fatigue caused by reflections, resulting in less eye strain.
Your eyes are more visible through anti-reflective lenses, which helps keep eye contact when wearing glasses and makes for better photos if taken wearing eyewear.

If you wear glasses all day, every day, anti-reflective coating is likely a good choice for you. It will give you the most natural visual experience and place less strain on your eyes.

Disadvantages of anti-glare glasses

DID YOU KNOW?

In addition to reducing glare and lens reflections, anti-glare coating also reduces your exposure to blue light.

Do I need anti-glare on my glasses?

Can you add anti-glare to glasses after purchase?

No, unfortunately anti-glare coating cannot be added to your lenses after purchase. However, there are many affordable frame options you can get with anti-glare coating that won’t break the bank.

Are anti-glare and blue-light glasses the same?

No, anti-glare and blue light glasses are not the same. Blue light block and anti-glare are two different types of coatings, designed for different purposes.

As the name implies, blue-light block coating blocks the wavelengths of blue light from reaching your eyes. Anti-glare coating doesn’t block light, instead, it reduces reflection.

Blue light block coating can be added as an additional coating to your lenses when purchasing your glasses – that way you’ll experience the benefits of both these coatings.

How to care for glasses with anti-glare coating

As mentioned above, anti-glare glasses might need to be handled with more care than regular glasses. To make sure your glasses are always cared for properly, remember to:

Store the glasses in their protective case when you’re not wearing them.
Always use a microfiber cloth when wiping off their lenses.
Use an optical spray to keep them extra clean.

Remember to avoid cleaning your glasses with shirts or chemical cleaners, as this might damage your glasses.

What’s the best coating for me

For more information on the different types of lens coatings available, you can read this article here. Ultimately, the best lens coatings for you will depend on your lifestyle and vision needs.

If you have questions on lens coatings and which to choose feel free to reach out, our opticians will be happy to help you find the best solution.

Glasses: Myths and Misconceptions

Discover the truth behind common myths and misunderstandings surrounding corrective eyewear.

Anti-fog lenses

Explore the first signs and causes of deteriorating eyesight and learn practical tips to maintain and protect your vision.

Astigmatism

Explore the first signs and causes of deteriorating eyesight and learn practical tips to maintain and protect your vision.

Glasses: Myths and Misconceptions

Discover the truth behind common myths and misunderstandings surrounding corrective eyewear.

Anti-fog lenses

Explore the first signs and causes of deteriorating eyesight and learn practical tips to maintain and protect your vision.

Astigmatism

Explore the first signs and causes of deteriorating eyesight and learn practical tips to maintain and protect your vision.

Prescription Safety Glasses Buying Guide

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Prescription Safety Glasses Buying Guide

How do safety glasses work? | Prescription safety glasses for work | Prescription safety glasses for sport | Prescription safety glasses: COVID-19 | Safety glasses and face coverings from smartbuyglasses: Best prescription safety glasses

If you've got imperfect vision and you also need to wear protective safety glasses for work or sport, you can combine your safety glasses with prescription lenses.

With lockdowns being lifted around the world, millions of prescription glasses wearers will be eager to spend more time outside in the coming weeks. As well as wearing masks, prescription safety glasses are a brilliant way of protecting yourself and your virus-vulnerable eyes on the go.

We’ve compiled a guide to the ins and outs of prescription safety glasses, as well as given a couple of pointers for where to buy them.

How do safety glasses work?

Safety glasses are built on a fairly simple concept: protecting the eyes as much as possible. This is generally done by covering or sealing the areas surrounding your eyes (like with wraparound prescription safety glasses or prescription safety glasses with side shields).

Usually made from polycarbonate or other durable plastics, safety glasses are a brilliant way to defend your eyes from irritants like chemicals or sawdust.

While they’re usually seen in laboratories or factories, the recent pandemic has created a new level of demand, allowing for a more diverse, competitive range of safety glasses on the market, e.g. prescription bifocal safety glasses.

Prescription safety glasses for work

Different jobs have different requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE). Some activities may require side shields, goggles or even full face protection. In every country, there will be regulations in place to help determine which type of safety eyewear is most appropriate.

As a rule of thumb, jobs like carpentry, plumbing or machine work will require face protection; if you need a prescription anyway, purchasing prescription safety glasses is really important for your own (and your colleagues’) health and safety.

DID YOU KNOW?

Safety glasses are commonly used in sports like racquetball and fishing.

Prescription safety glasses for sport

If you’re a prescription glasses wearer and you regularly take to the field, you should really consider prescription safety glasses like these from Progear. Having your full vision available could be key to winning a match or event – plus, there’s no risk of them falling off and breaking; the vast majority have elasticated head straps.

If they were good enough for professional sportsmen like Edgar Davids, you can bet they’ll help you out in games.

Prescription safety glasses: COVID-19

Since the start of 2020, people have rightfully been paying more attention to protective gear in casual or public settings. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the prevailing advice is to cover your ‘mucus membranes’ – i.e. your mouth and nose – with a face mask.

However, your eyes are still a very accessible point of entry for coronavirus. By switching from regular prescription glasses to prescription safety glasses (or even just using safety glasses that fit over prescription glasses like these), you can further take measures to protect yourself in high-risk settings.

Safety glasses and face coverings from SmartBuyGlasses: Best prescription safety glasses

Now that you’ve read about the necessity of safety glasses for different purposes, it’s important to know where to get prescription safety glasses online.

At SmartBuyGlasses, we sell a range of cheap prescription safety glasses and face masks – you can see if there’s anything you like by clicking here – we recommend these Salice safety glasses.

If you’re interested in knowing more about protective eyewear, read our guide to face shields here. Or, browse our selection of eye health content here

How to get prescription glasses online

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How to Buy Your Glasses Online

Step 1: Get your prescription | Smartbuyglasses’ revolutionary lens scanner app | Step 2: Get the right rrame | Step 3: Enter your prescription to choose lenses and coatings | Step 4: More information | Arise Collective™ Clarity prescription lenses | Zfort® blue light blocking glasses

We'll walk you through the whole process of buying glasses online, so you can easily order the perfect pair from the comfort of your home.

At SmartBuyGlasses, you can buy prescription glasses online from the comfort of your home. When it comes to your prescription eyeglasses, extra precaution matters. Follow these simple steps to buy prescription glasses online.

Step 1: Get your prescription

The process to buy prescription eyeglasses online still involves a visit to the optometrist (unless you’re looking for plano glasses or reading glasses). Your doctor is responsible for clearly identifying your vision problems, writing a prescription, explaining technical terms, and addressing your eye care needs.

For custom-made eyeglasses, you can also seek the services of opticians. They’re able to measure your pupillary distance (PD) to determine the exact placement of the center of the lenses for accuracy. Knowing your PD (and getting it verified by a professional) is a key step in getting yourself some prescription lenses that really work.

DID YOU KNOW

Buying glaasses online affords you a much wider choice than is avaialbe in physical stores.

SmartBuyGlasses’ Revolutionary lens scanner app

You can now get your pupillary distance online with SmartBuyGlasses’ Lens Scanner, available on the App Store and Google Play. This app will help you save time and money when buying a new pair of glasses.

The application allows you to get your current prescription details within minutes right from home. From the Lens Scanner you can also get your pupillary distance. This makes getting all the details you need to buy glasses online easy. Here are a few benefits of using the Lens Scanner app to get your pupillary distance:

The application is totally free.
It’s fast and hassle-free as you can get it done in only 5 to 10 minutes.
You can get your current prescription details anywhere and at any time.
It’s an FDA listed application.
You can immediately start shopping for a new pair at SmartBuyGlasses!

Step 2: Get the right frame

Frame Shape

The eyeglasses of your choice should complement your face and highlight your favorite facial attributes. Before you buy eyeglasses online, you should get to know your face shape a little better. You’ll know if your face is oval, round, square, diamond, or heart shape by simply looking in the mirror. Then, you can check out this guide – it’s packed full of our recommendations for suitable eyewear!

Frame Size

While considering eyeglasses frame sizes for fashion, it’s best to determine the correct measurements for your face. Big frames can make your face look smaller, while small frames can make your face look bigger. Too loose, your eyeglasses might slip off, while too narrow might cause improper blood flow and discomfort!

If you have an old pair of eyeglasses that suit you well, you can check the measurements engraved at the temples. It’s worth taking into account that your glasses, over time, will also ‘break in’ and become more comfortable – so don’t be discouraged if that cool new pair that you’ve just bought feels a little small.

Frame Materials

Eyeglasses frames are made of plastic, acetate, metal, wood, and titanium. Well-known brands such as Persol and Tom Ford are known for their premium materials – but that’s not the only route to consider when buying glasses online. We’re talking about SmartBuy Collection or Arise Collective. They’re also made from high-quality materials but come at a much easier price point. Check them out!

Frame Colors

Once you’ve decided on your new frames’ shape, size, brand, and materials, you can proceed to choose the best color for you. Most of the time, the designs that you know and love are available in a wide range of colors. Have a look at Ray-Ban Wayfarers, for example.

Step 3: Enter your prescription to choose lenses and coatings

Once you’ve decided on the frames, you can submit your prescription at checkout. At SmartBuyGlasses, you can do it manually each time you purchase or upload it to our system so we can quickly ship you the glasses you need without you having to worry about tracking those evasive prescriptions

down.Your prescription may mean you might be required to have single-vision or multi-vision lenses. However, you can still decide the lens materials and thickness at checkout. Check out this lens index chart to find out which one is most suitable for your vision correction needs!

Step 4: More information

At SmartBuyGlasses, there’s a whole world of designer sunglasses, designer eyeglasses, and more available from the comfort of your home. You’ve got a key part of your prescription to hand, meaning you’ll be far more informed when it comes to buying eyewear online.

Speaking of being more informed, check out our Optical Center. We’ve got hundreds of articles, ranging from contact lens queries to eye care tips- all at your fingertips. We also have a wonderful “Ask The Optician” section where you can ask any burning questions you may have. You can get expert-led advice about a range of topics from our in-house optician team.

Read up on the facts? Good. It’s time to pick up some unreal deals from SmartBuyGlasses. We thought we’d introduce you to a couple of our favorite ranges below.

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 aging 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

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How to Clean Glasses

The best way to clean glasses lenses | Step 1 – Wash and dry your hands | Step 2 – Spray with optical cleaner | Step 3 – Clean with a microfiber cloth | Step 4 – Store them in a protective case | The best way to clean your glasses frame | The worst way to clean your glasses | Don’t use tissue paper and clothing | Don’t use saltwater | Don’t use dish soap, window cleaner, or saliva | More tips to clean your glasses | How to clean blue light glasses | How to clean eyeglasses cloth |

Dirty and smudged glasses make it harder to see. Learn how to clean them properly for crystal clear vision and less chance of scratches.

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 realize 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. Here are four easy steps to clean glasses lenses the right way and avoid causing any damage

Step 1 – Wash and dry your hands

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.

Step 2 – Spray with optical cleaner

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.

Step 3 – Clean with a microfiber cloth

After you apply the optical cleaner, you can then use a microfiber, 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.

Step 4 – Store them in a protective case

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

It might be convenient, but cleaning your glasses with your t shirt or other items of clothing can actually damage th elenses. This is due to the small fibers and uneven surfaces that can create tiny scratches over time,

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.

When searching on the internet, most sources show how to use dish soap when cleaning eyewear lenses. However, if you’re glasses have special lens coatings like anti-reflective, UV protection, or blue light blocker, this is a big no!

Having any of these coatings and then using dish soap will, over time, strip and break down the lens coating. By striping coatings off, the lenses are more subjectable to other forms of damage.

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.

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Do Sunglasses Lenses Deteriorate With Time?

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Do Sunglasses Lenses Deteriorate With Time?

Sunglasses lens deterioration: The science | How to ensure your glasses have uv protection | I’m a uv protection whiz and I’m looking for some new sunglasses. What now? | Virtual Try-On | Arise Collective™ Clarity prescription lenses | Zfort® blue light blocking glasses

Sunglasses lenses may or may not deterioate naturally over time, as their are expert opinions behind each side of the argument. Here is some useful info on making sure you get the protection you need from your shades.

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sunglasses are most likely to lose some of their protective qualities when the lens coatings become scratched.

I’m a UV protection whiz and I’m looking for some new sunglasses. What now?

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 brands, value 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.

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: 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

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 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.

What Are Pinhole Glasses?

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What Are Pinhole Glasses?

Pinhole glasses are designed to reduce the amount of light that enters the eye.

As the name suggests, pinhole glasses, or stenopeic glasses, have tiny holes poked through an opaque sheet of plastic in place of lenses.

They are designed to limit the amount of light that enters the eye. The function of pinhole glasses is quite different to standard glasses or contact lenses.

Whereas contacts or prescription glasses redirect and focus light correctly, pinhole glasses reduce the light that comes in.

While some believe pinhole glasses can help certain vision issues like myopia or astigmatism, it is important to note that pinhole glasses are not designed to correct vision.

They are generally used only in a clinical setting by eye doctors to identify specific vision issues.

How do pinhole glasses work?

Pinhole glasses help shield the eye from indirect rays of light. The tiny pinhole-sized perforations restrict the amount of light that enters your pupils.

Less light eliminates diverging rays and reduces what doctors call the ‘blur circle’ on the back of your retina (the layer in the back of the eye that senses light), giving you extra clarity when wearing the glasses.

When a person wears pinhole glasses, the effect on the wearer is similar to that of squinting.

Since only a narrow beam of light enters the eye, it prevents vision distortion, resulting in a clearer image.

Can pinhole glasses improve eyesight?

The short answer is no. Wearing pinhole glasses is not a solution for improving vision.

Some people claim that pinhole glasses work for treating certain conditions, but there is little scientific evidence to support it.

Pinhole glasses may improve vision while they are being worn, but they are not practical for everyday use, and can even lead to other vision impairments.

As discussed, since pinhole glasses work to block part of your direct vision, they may shrink your visual field, reduce depth perception, and limit peripheral vision.

They may also cause images to appear dim or darker than usual. As a result, you cannot wear pinhole glasses while doing certain activities like driving or operating machinery.

If you are experiencing refractive errors, consulting an eye doctor who can monitor and manage your eye health is essential.

Eye doctors may use pinhole glasses as a diagnostic tool, but they will be able to prescribe you a much more suitable and effective method of vision correction.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pinhole glasses have been around for decades and were invented by Franz Heilborn in 1896.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pinhole glasses have been around for decades and were invented by Franz Heilborn in 1896.

Do pinhole glasses reduce eye strain?

There is no evidence that pinhole glasses can decrease eye strain.

Some clinical trials and studies have shown that instead of leading to clearer vision, wearing pinhole glasses while doing certain activities like reading can actually worsen eye strain.

Other ocular problems were reported in the same study, including:

Discomfort
Difficulty focusing
Blurred and double vision
Trouble concentrating

If you are experiencing eye strain from too much time behind a digital screen, try wearing computer glasses or doing eye exercises like the 20/20/20 rule.

Benefits of pinhole glasses

Pinhole glasses are helpful for eye doctors who use them as a diagnostic tool to find the source of certain eye conditions.

They may use pinhole glasses with an instrument called an occluder, which doctors use to cover one eye at a time as you read an eye chart.

If pinhole glasses temporarily reduce any discomfort or allow you to see a more precise or sharper image, that could provide an eye doctor with information about what is causing any vision issues.

If a person is seeing the same with or without pinhole glasses, this could be a sign of amblyopia (lazy eye).

Pinhole glasses can also help determine whether a person may have myopia (nearsightedness). When someone sees more clearly using the glasses, myopia may be the cause.

If their vision gets worse while using the glasses, however, that could mean they have a macular disease or cataracts.

If you suspect you have nearsightedness or other refractive errors, do not test your vision with pinhole glasses yourself.

There are many factors that determine eye health, so it is always best to speak with an eye care professional.

How effective are pinhole glasses?

While some believe pinhole glasses may aid in treating certain vision issues, there is no evidence to support this.

According to the American Optometric Association, almost 30% of Americans live with some form of myopia, so it is no wonder people are eager to try pinhole glasses for vision correction.

Pinhole glasses should be used under the supervision of an eye doctor in clinical settings.

Should your doctor recommend them for temporary use at home, following guidelines issued by them is crucial.

Should I try pinhole glasses?

If you are experiencing vision problems and are looking to improve your sight, it is recommended to speak with an optometrist.

Pinhole glasses have not been proven to improve eyesight permanently.

Prescription eyewear like glasses or contact lenses is still the most effective way to correct vision.

If you have any questions about pinhole glasses or eye health in general, head to our Optical Center to speak with one of our certified opticians today.

Reference list

Kim, W. S., Park, I. K., Park, Y. K., & Chun, Y. S. (2017), Comparison of Objective and Subjective Changes Induced by Multiple-Pinhole Glasses and Single-Pinhole Glasses, Journal of Korean medical science,
https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2017.32.5.850

Facing the myopia epidemic (2021), American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/facing-the-myopia-epidemic

How a Pair of Glasses Could Help Migraine Headaches

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How a Pair of Glasses Could Help Migraine Headaches

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By Hannah Tinning

Reviewed by

Updated On Apr 10, 2023

Migraine and tension headaches are known to cause vision and eye discomfort. Luckily different lenses can help reduce these symptoms.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

Ocular migraines, or retinal migraines, are a rare form of migraine that is characterized 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 are a type of visual migraine, while 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.

Although 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?

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?

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, polarized, or blue light lenses, which can reduce glare, block certain colors, and improve visual clarity. Anti-reflective coatings and red-tinted glasses can also be useful for reducing glare and minimizing eye strain.

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.

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?

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 polarized lenses. Polarized 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?

Blue light exposure from digital screens has been linked to triggering migraines, so blocking blue light with specialized 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.

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?

While there is no cure for migraines, glasses with specialized 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 polarized lenses are just a few types of prescription lenses and glasses that can benefit migraine sufferers. Speak to one of our online optician to see which lens type will be best for you.

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

How to Adjust Glasses

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How to Adjust Glasses

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 getting prescription glasses, knowing specific measurements, such as Pupillary Distance (PD) can be essential to find the frames that will fit you the best.

However, with time, parts of your eyewear can often loosen and if you wear glasses regularly, you know how uncomfortable that can be.

Luckily, there are a few ways to adjust them to improve fit for comfort and the better vision.

How to adjust your glasses at home

New glasses, or glasses you wear often, can be misaligned for different reasons. Before bringing them to an optician, there are easy ways you can adjust your glasses yourself and fix the most common issues.

The first thing to consider when learning to adjust glasses is the frame material. Metal frames and plastic frames will need to be handled differently.

For instance, most plastic frame glasses do not have adjustable nose pads. However, nowadays, many plastic frames do have fixed pad bridges 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.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that adjusting glasses frames depends on the material: metal frames can be bent for a snug fit, but acetate frames need heat to become flexible. Meanwhile, titanium frames are super strong and often require professional tools to adjust properly.

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

Problem: My lenses feel uneven.

Solution

If one lens sits closer to your eye than the other, it likely means your frame is slightly twisted.

While minor adjustments can sometimes be made at home, it’s best to visit an optician to ensure a precise fix without the risk of damaging your glasses.

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

Problem: My glasses keep falling down my face

Solution

If the frames are made of metal, the answer can be to adjust the nose pads to raise or lower the lenses and improve 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, push them out to loosen them.

If your frames don’t have nose pads, the problem is likely due to the temple arms. We will cover this next.

How do you adjust glasses around your ears?

Problem: My glasses are too tight around my ears or sliding down.

Solution

If your glasses are too tight around your ears, bend the tips of the temple arms out and up. This might be easier for wire rim frames.

If your glasses don’t bend easily (this is usually the case with acetate or plastic glasses), you can heat them where you intend to bend them. A good way to do this is by placing the temple arm tips in a bowl of warm water for 30 seconds each before bending them.

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

How to adjust crooked glasses

Problem: My glasses feel bent

Solution

For lenses at different heights, you’ll need to adjust the glasses’ arms. If the left lens is higher than the right, you’ll want to bend the temple up 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 can come loose and their tightening is one of the most common glasses adjustments.

It’s important to check if the screws are loose regularly 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 half a 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 adjusted by an optician.

Ask an optician for optimal glasses adjustments

If you’re unsure about adjusting glasses yourself, you can always go to an optician for help.

Some types of eyeglasses, such as rimless and semi-rimless ones, can need more care and experience as they are more fragile than full-rim eyeglass frames. Opticians are also your best option if you need to adjust metal frames, or memory plastic frames.

You may also want to go to a professional to adjust nose pads. Adjusting nose pads can be tricky so unless you have experience doing so, it’s best to entrust it to someone who knows how to avoid common mistakes.

Feel free to contact one of our certified opticians for questions on adjustments, they can advise you on what the best course of action is in your situation. You can also check out our Optical Center, where you can find everything related to eye care and glasses.

Understanding Glasses Measurements

It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online.

How to Buy Glasses Online

Buying glasses online is fast and easy. Follow these simple steps to find your perfect pair of glasses online.

What Is Pupillary Distance?

Pupillary distance is the distance between your pupils. Learn how to measure PD in this article.

Understanding Glasses Measurements

It's important to know your glasses measurements when buying eyewear online.

How to Buy Glasses Online

Buying glasses online is fast and easy. Follow these simple steps to find your perfect pair of glasses online.

What Is Pupillary Distance?

Pupillary distance is the distance between your pupils. Learn how to measure PD in this article.

What Is Anisometropia?

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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?

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 center 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:

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

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 center 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

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

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?

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

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.

However, older children are likely to complain. We recommend booking your child an eye test to diagnose the condition and to be treated.

Treatment

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:

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

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.

Does anisometropia get worse?

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.

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