History of Eyeglasses Part 1 - The Beginning

How did people see before eyeglasses were invented? Probably not very well. Of course, several thousand years ago, most people didn't need 20/20 vision. They were farmers, shepherds, and laborers. They didn't drive down busy freeways or read the daily newspaper. In fact, most people could't read and write at all.

In places such as ancient Greece and Rome, messengers announced the news out loud in city streets. Noblemen sometimes hired scholars to read books to them. But there weren't many books to read anyway. Printing presses didn't exist. Scholars had to copy books by hand.

Even presbyopia, the failing eyesight of old age, didn't bother all that many people thousands of years ago. Medical knowledge was limited, and most people didn't live much past age 45.

Seneca, a first-century Roman leader and author, knew how to read, but he didn't have good eyesight. So he came up with a trick. He read books while looking through a glass jar filled with water. The jar of water acted like a magnifying lens, enlarging words on the page. Seneca didn't know that a lens made of clear crystal or glass, if cut to the right shape and thickness , would magnify images the same way.

Part 2. Experiments and Observations

Frame of the Day

Check out our frame of the day - the MX926 Titanium Unisex Semi-Rimless Frame. This is a great unisex frame that provides high fashion, light weight and the strength of Titanium. Fully RXable in your prescription. Room for Single Vision, lined bifocals or even a Progressive lens to give you clear vision at all distances. Click (here) for more information. Comes in Brown 54/19 with 140 temples.

Frame of the day

Check out our frame of the day - the ST121 Sunglass Frame. This is a great women's sunglass frame that provides full protection from the sun. Fully RXable in your prescription and available both as a polarized or non polarized lens. Room for Single Vision, lined bifocals or even a Progressive lens to give you clear vision at all distances. Click (here) for more information.

Fashionable and RXable Sun Wear

The bright days of summer are here. Don't forget to protect your eyes with fashionable sun wear. Full UV protection and fully RXable in your prescription.

8 simple steps in maintaining eye health.

We need to protect our eyes from harmful effects of the environment by maintaining eye health. The eyes damage effects occurs when the eyes excessively exposed to wind, dust, sunlight, and other factors. There are 8 simple steps in maintaining eye health. Click link above for the rest of the story.

Millions are put off eye care because of cost

Six million people are risking sight loss by cutting corners to save cash, according to YouGuv research to mark National Eye Health Week (NEHW), which started on Monday. Click link above for full story... Eye wear affordable for everyone at JEMoptical.com Frames as low as $9.95

Check out our new frame styles - over 50 styles added starting at just $9.95

Wow! Check out our new frames styles just added. Over 50 styles just added starting at just $9.95. Click (here) to see new styles.

Don't be blind to the sun's effects on eyes

If you've heeded the health messages to protect your skin by covering up and slathering on the sunblock, you're taking important steps to playing it safe in the sun. But you'll come up short if you don't wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, health experts say... (click here) for the rest of the report.

Screen addicts are asked to look away now!

Goggle-eyed office workers are being encouraged to take a break during National Eye Health Week (13 – 19 June 2011) after a poll – commissioned by the Eyecare Trust and Simply health – reveals just one in five employees takes regular breaks from their computer, as recommended by eye health professionals... Read full story (here)

Optometrists urging eye exams for children as young as 6 months old

Optometrists say vision development is most dramatic in children between 6 and 12 months old. Regular eye exams are vital to anyone's health, particularly children.

Many optometrists believe eye exams should begin even before a child can read the chart on the wall. Vision has a large impact on a child's health and learning abilities... Click (here) for full story.

Eye implant could benefit diabetes patients

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidelines recommending a drug-infused eye implant for some patients that suffer from vision loss caused by macular oedema. The findings, which were praised by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), could benefit patients who have problems with diabetic retinopathy and central retinal vein occlusion....

Click (here) for the complete story.

Don't forget to ask your Dr. for your PD

Don't forget to ask your Dr. for your PD (pupil distance) when getting your eye exam. You will need it when you place your order online. Details on your PD and how to measure it yourself can be found (here)

Protecting Your Eyes From The Summer Sun

Summer is here and eye protection from the harmful rays of the summer sun are just as important as sun screen. We offer a full line of great sunwear styles that are fully RXable with your prescription. Check out the sunwear styles at JEMoptical.com (click here)

For more information about protecting your eyes from the sun and the dangers of exposure check out this article from The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary: (click here)

Annual Eye Exams

Don't forget eye health. Annual eye exams protect your sight.