When your vision is not crystal-clear, prescription eyewear can help. Long-sighted people can see objects in the distance clearly, but objects that are close to the person appear blurred. Short-sightedness is the opposite, with objects in the distance looking blurry but objects that are close appearing clear. Both conditions are easily corrected with eyeglasses.
Prescription eyewear works the same way whether you're near-sighted or long-sighted. The lenses of your eyeglasses are curved and bend the light rays as they approach the eye in order to aim these directly at your retina. When you are near-sighted or long-sighted, the light rays fall in front of or behind your retina. Your retina is a layer of cells that react to the light. This information is sent to the brain, where is translated into an image.
If your vision is blurry, it is important to consult a trained optometrist, who might prescribe eyewear to correct this.
There are three elements to prescription eyewear. These are the frame, the lenses and the coating.
Frames
Prescription eyeglasses frames come in many colours, shapes and styles, and they are generally made of plastic, metal, stainless steel or titanium. The wearer should consider which material and style best suits their budget, skin sensitivity and prescription.
Lenses
These are the magic-makers which actually correct the individual's vision defect. These, too, are made from several different materials. However, the choice of which material best suits you should be discussed with a qualified optometrist, as different prescriptions work better with certain materials.
Standard plastic lenses are the most common lenses, and they are the most cost-effective option. However, if not coated properly, these lenses can become easily scratched and chipped. More complex prescriptions may not be suitable for plastic lenses.
Polycarbonate lenses are stronger and able to withstand impact better, but they are not the best choice for reading. These lenses make a good option for safety eyewear, children and sport players.
High-index lenses are made with stronger plastic that can withstand impact more. These lenses are ideal for strong prescriptions and give good UV protection.
Coating
It is important to consider the coating of your chosen lenses. Choices include anti-scratch, anti-reflective and UV eye protection.
Many people need eyeglasses. If things start to look a little blurry, it might be worth seeing an optometrist about prescription eyewear, and when you reach for your eyeglasses, know that you're in good company!
When I found out my toddler needed glasses, I wondered how I would ever get him to keep them on, and my fears were validated when my son decided they belonged in his dress-up box. A lot of trial and error and creative thinking were required to finally get to the point where my son would happily wear his glasses all day, and I felt relieved his eye health was being supported. I started this blog to share my tips with other parents whose child struggles to understand the importance of wearing glasses that have been prescribed for them. I hope you find my blog useful.