Choose The Right Prescription Eyeglasses For Older Eyes

Not so long ago, getting prescription eyeglasses meant you were a nerd who had strained your eyes with too much study — or you were getting really, really old! Today, however, prescription eyeglasses are proving more popular than ever as a fashion accessory as much as a function necessity.

People age 40 and older often notice that print begins to blur when they’re reading. That’s a clear sign of presbyopia, even if a person hasn’t worn glasses before. If you have worn eyeglasses before age 40, signs of presbyopia also mean that single-vision lenses won’t work for you anymore.

There are several kinds of single-vision and multi-focal prescription eyeglasses that can correct presbyopia. These include:

Aspheric lenses are used to fix minor vision distortions sometimes found in traditional lenses. This type of lens isn’t perfectly rounded on the surface, which helps correct distortions and makes the lens lighter and thinner.

* Trifocals. This kind of lens attempts to include all three seeing distances: near, middle and far. Trifocals are a bit more adaptable than bifocals and are usually custom made for the wearer’s occupation or lifestyle.

However, plastic and metal frames haven’t been dumped on the trash heap. New plastics and metals alike form the standard components of prescription eyeglasses. Hypoallergenic metals such as titanium and stainless steel are especially important for those who suffer from skin allergies to avoid a reaction known as contact dermatitis.

Women and men alike are creating wardrobes of prescription eyeglasses to match their clothing. Women especially like having eyeglass frames in a rainbow of styles and colors, just as they have an array of shoes, handbags and other accessories. Thus we can find women with sharp, clean-looking frames for work swapping out their traditional styles for frames embedded with gems or bearing iridescent ornaments for evening wear.

Innovations that reduce eye fatigue also are popular for prescription eyeglasses. These include polarized lenses that cut back glare from reflective surfaces and a different kind of anti-reflective coating that reduces reflections on the lens. Prescription eyeglasses also can be made with scratch-resistant, ultraviolet protection, and mirror coatings.

Originally developed for professional athletes, sport sunglasses and performance prescription eyeglasses can ensure good vision for any outdoor activity. There are even designs for diving masks, swim goggles, ski goggles and shooting glasses for hunters.

Even though your need for prescription eyeglasses means you’re getting older, you don’t have to sacrifice a stylish appearance. Besides choosing the right lenses for your needs, your personal appearance and your lifestyle are the best guides to choosing the right prescription eyeglasses.

Third, prescription eyeglasses don’t have to be only a medical device anymore. While some women might like to wear their silver frames with everything, that’s not true, or even attractive, for everyone. No one wears the same outfit day after day, year in and year out, so why wear the same pair of eyeglasses?

Whatever you choose, make sure you really like the look and fit of your prescription eyeglasses. Ask your optician or optical store in advance about their return, exchange or refund policies before you buy.

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