JEMoptical.com

History of Eyeglasses Part 1 - The Beginning

2011-07-25T15:00:00.006-04:00

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

2011-07-08T13:56:00.003-04:00

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

2011-07-07T10:52:00.003-04:00

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

2011-07-07T08:31:00.001-04:00

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.

2011-06-21T07:40:00.002-04:00

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

2011-06-20T14:55:00.002-04:00

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

2011-06-16T05:38:00.002-04:00

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

2011-06-15T07:32:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-06-11T07:05:00.001-04:00

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

2011-06-09T20:10:00.001-04:00

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

2011-06-08T06:58:00.001-04:00

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

2011-06-07T13:07:00.003-04:00

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

2011-06-07T05:47:00.005-04:00

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

2011-06-06T06:48:00.000-04:00

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

Eye Health & Optometry : How Do Glasses Work?

2010-07-29T10:34:00.000-04:00

Vision Test Should be the First Exam Students Take This Year

2010-07-29T10:32:00.000-04:00

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - CHICAGO – The start of the school year is right around the corner for most kids. To give their children a head start to a successful school year, parents need to educate themselves on the importance of healthy eyesight in relation to classroom performance.

Since 80 percent of a child’s learning is visual, a child’s ability to clearly see the blackboard and the words on a page is critical. Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month in an effort to encourage parents to learn about ways they can help protect their child’s vision.

Many children do not know they have a problem because they think how they see is how everyone else sees. Unfortunately, some students who are labeled as having a learning disability or behavioral problems may simply have a vision impairment.

“Since one in four school-age children have some form of vision problem, we need to make children’s vision and eye health a priority today, before we begin to see the negative effects,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “A child should not need to start failing in school before we realize there is a problem.”

Kids do the darndest things: vodka eyeballing fad can have 'toxic' effect on eye health

2010-05-27T07:11:00.005-04:00

Here's mud in your eye, or at least vodka.

The latest ridiculous (and health-endangering) drinking stunt to gain popularity among college students is called "vodka eyeballing," where buzz-seeking partiers tip back their heads and have a shot of vodka poured directly on the eye.

WHAT HARM CAN AN INCORRECT PD CAUSE?

2010-05-09T05:38:00.002-04:00

WHAT HARM CAN AN INCORRECT PD CAUSE?
Over 90 percent of the sensory information we process is taken in through our eyes. The greatest threat of harm that we’re exposed to in our daily lives connected with vision is driving. During driving, vision is clearly the most important and essential sense that’s required to be performing at its best in order to avoid accidental harm to ourselves and others. As eyecare professionals, it is therefore our desire and mandate to deliver the best possible visual performance to each and every person who walks into our office. The health of both individuals and society is at stake. Although an improperly made PD will rarely cause permanent harm to one’s vision, it certainly can affect depth perception, judgment of distance and contrast sensitivity—all factors known to influence driving safety.

National Eye Institute Shares Tips to Promote Eye Health During Healthy Vision Month 2010

2010-05-08T07:40:00.006-04:00

An estimated 14 million Americans are visually impaired. This number is expected to grow significantly as our nation ages and age-related eye diseases become more common. Many blinding eye diseases have no warning signs or symptoms, so people may not notice anything is wrong with their vision. In fact, 11 million people in the United States have uncorrected visual impairment, such as nearsightedness, and could benefit from eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve their vision.

During Healthy Vision Month this May, the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, is encouraging Americans to make vision health a priority and schedule an eye exam to help prevent unnecessary vision loss and blindness. Early detection and timely treatment can help save your sight and ensure that you’re seeing your best.

The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, leads the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs that result in the development of sight-saving treatments. For more information, visit www.nei.nih.gov.

For vision health, keep an eye on diet

2010-05-06T06:51:00.002-04:00

From the DesMoines Register.com

You can eat your way to healthier vision. Certain foods are naturally designed to maintain eye health and may have an important role in keeping your eyes healthy and protecting them from age-related eye diseases. As we live longer, vision-related problems affecting older Americans increase. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects one in three people over age 25 and is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. Carrots are probably the first food to come to mind when thinking about foods good for your eyes. But there are other vegetables also rich in vision-enhancing nutrients, such as lutein, that top the list.

Spinach: One of the best food sources for lutein is spinach. Lutein and zeaxanthin may slow the progression of and possibly improve AMD and the development of cataracts. Lutein in cooked spinach is absorbed more easily than in raw spinach. Dark leafy green and gold foods, including spinach, kale, corn, collard greens, broccoli, squash and eggs, contain lutein and zeaxanthin.

Kale: Along with being a rich source of vitamin A and lutein, kale provides several other sight-saving nutrients, including vitamins C and B6. Kale is an excellent source of vitamin C, which has been shown to reduce the risk of cataracts and AMD. New studies also have found B vitamins, include B6, may help lower the risk of AMD.

Squash: Another super food for your eyes is winter squash, such as butternut squash. One serving (1 cup) of squash provides 300 percent of the daily value for vitamin A. Vitamin A has been found to help lessen the risk of AMD and cataracts. One study reported up to a 43 percent lower risk for AMD in people who consumed a high intake of vitamin A. Try frozen squash, found in the frozen vegetable section, when squash is not in season.

Sweet potatoes: If you eat sweet potatoes only at Thanksgiving, you might want to consider adding this eye-healthy food to your diet year-round. Sweet potato is one the best foods you can eat to obtain vitamin A. One serving (medium-size sweet potato), gives you 360 percent of the daily value for vitamin A. When sweet potatoes are not an option, try sweet potato fries. Sweet potato fries are available in the frozen food section, and one serving of these tasty fries gives you 100 percent of your daily need for vitamin A.

Eye Health is Impacted by Your Body Health

2010-04-08T06:01:00.003-04:00

In our retail practice, yes we really do see patients on a daily basis, we constantly preach the importance of overall health in relationship to our vision. Dr. Daemon Jones has an excellent article on just that relationship - check it out it is a great read. Just click on the title above to be linked to her article or click here: http://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2010/04/06/eye-health-impacted-your-body-health

Special Discount for Blog Readers

2010-04-07T07:19:00.001-04:00

This is a special discount for our Blog readers. Use coupon code "BLOG512JEM" at checkout and you will receive 15% off your total purchase.

How do you determine the placement of multifocals?

2010-04-06T06:55:00.000-04:00

SureFIT© assures accurate fitting of multifocal lenses ordered on the internet.

Joseph Motta LDO our founder has developed a proprietary algorithm to determine the vertical placement of the reading section of multifocal lenses.

This algorithm incorporates multiple frame measurements and the patients RX information and pupillary information.

By using the SureFIT© algorithm the patient no longer needs to be measured in each and every frame they desire. After extensive testing in our day-to-day Optical Practice we have found this algorithm to be as accurate, and in many cases, more accurate than conventional multifocal placement as it has eliminated the 'human error" factor.

SureFIT© has been utilized in our online store since 2007 with amazing patient satisfaction.

Ordering your Progressive and Bifocal lenses online has never been easier or more accurate.

So no matter where you are with SureFIT© your measurements will be just as accurate as if we had measured you ourselves in our store

Protect Your Eyes From The Sunny Skies

2010-04-03T07:57:00.001-04:00

Protect Your Eyes From The Sunny Skies

Exposure to ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun happens every day. Most of the time you don't even realize it because UV rays are invisible to the eye. It is important to remember that as the sun can damage your skin, it can be just as harmful to your eyes.

UV rays from the sun can burn the eyes, and may contribute to the development of sight-threatening eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and melanoma.

Everyone is at risk for UV damage to the eyes. Some people are at an even higher risk including: senior citizens, contact lens wearers and those taking certain medications, such as birth control and antibiotics. Children are also at an increased risk as they spend more time outdoors and their developing eyes let in more UV rays.

Tips for UV Protection

Be choosy with your eyewear. Choose sun wear with 100 percent UV protection.

Pick sunglasses that cover the whole eye.

Investigate photochromic lenses which change from clear to dark as you move from indoors to outdoors and block 100 percent of harmful UV Rays.

Consider sun wear options for your lifestyle - impact resistant lenses for sports, polarized lenses for driving or water sports. All are available in prescription.

Fact

82% of people know the sun can damage your skin but only 9% know it can damage your eyes.

Cleaning Your Lenses.

2010-04-03T07:55:00.000-04:00

Cleaning Your Lenses.

Always rinse off your lenses with water before wiping or cleaning. Even tiny particles can be abrasive when rubbed across the lens surface.

Clean your lenses by using eyeglass spray, liquid cleaner, or just warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Gently cleanse the lens surface and rinse off or wipe off any residue. Never use chemicals not specifically designed for lenses.

Always use a soft, clean tissue to wipe the lens surface after rinsing or cleaning. Never use paper towels - paper towels have wood fibers imbedded in them and will scratch your lenses. Never use worn clothing that may have embedded dirt.

Never lay your glasses face down. Keeping the lens surface face up prevents them from coming in contact with things that can scratch the lenses.

Store your eyeglasses in their case when you're not using them. It keeps dust and particles off and prevents them from being inadvertently crushed or damaged if something falls or gets dropped on them.

A word about fit

2010-04-03T07:48:00.001-04:00

Your new eyeglasses have been sent to you adjusted by our Opticians to a standard fit. They have been adjusted to fit the average face—but they may need a slight adjustment to meet your particular face.

Too tight or loose? Temple pieces can be bent in or out.

Temples too long or short? The curve behind the ear can be adjusted up or down, in or out.

Too high or low? Nose pads can go in or out, up or down.

You can make most of these adjustments carefully yourself or just take your new eyeglasses to most any nearby optical shop and the skilled Optician there will make them for you—in most cases at no or a minimal charge.

Don’t forget to stop by our learning center where we answer many questions about your new eyeglasses—we even have videos explaining many of the adjustments and repairs you can make yourself. http://www.jemoptical.com/learningcenter/learnctr.htm

Lens Designs

2009-06-14T05:38:00.005-04:00

Single Vision – this all-purpose lens is available in all materials, and can be used for either distance or near vision correction.

No-line progressives – correct for far (driving a vehicle), intermediate (viewing the dashboard), and near (reading a map) vision all in one lens. Because there is no visible line, progressives have the appearance of single-vision lenses and are, therefore, the most cosmetically desirable multifocal. Progressives are available in all lens materials.

Bifocals – provide both far (driving) and near (reading a map) correction in one lens. Unless otherwise specified at ordering the bifocal height will be set 3mm below the center of the lens. The standard bifocal width is 28mm, other sizes are available at additional cost.

Trifocals – Three segmented lens The majority of the lens is for distance viewing, while the center portion is divided into intermediate and the bottom area for near viewing.

Stop by our online store at http://www.jemoptical.com/store for more information or to order your next pair of eyeglasses today.

Reading your prescription

2009-06-14T05:34:00.003-04:00

If your eye doctor determines you need corrective lenses he or she will write an eyeglasses prescription for you at the end of your exam. This prescription specifies the lens powers required to correct your vision.

A prescription for eyeglasses cannot be used to purchase contact lenses or vice-a-versa. Contact lens prescriptions contain additional information that can only be determined during a contact lens fitting.

At a minimum, your eyeglasses prescription will contain the following information: your name, the prescribing doctor's name, the date of the exam, and the sphere power, cylinder power, cylinder axis, prism power and orientation, and add power of the lenses.

Your prescription may contain the abbreviations OD (oculus dextrus) and OS (oculus sinister) to specify lens values for your right eye (OD) and left eye (OS).

The numbers on your RX form may be written as -1.50 or as -150 they are the same just some Doctors use a shorthand and do not use the decimal point.

Sample Eyeglasses Prescription Form

Sphere Power: The sphere power indicates the lens power prescribed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Eyeglass lenses are normally prescribed and manufactured in one-quarter diopter (0.25 D) increments.

If a sphere power has a minus sign (-) preceding the diopter value, the lens is a concave lens for the correction of nearsightedness. Concave lenses (also called minus lenses) are thicker at the edge of the lens and thinner at the center.

If a sphere power has a plus sign (+) preceding the diopter value, the lens is a convex lens for the correction of farsightedness. Convex lenses (also called plus lenses) are thicker at the center and thinner at the edge. Convex lenses are also used in reading glasses and are added to the bottom portion of bifocal, trifocal, and Progressive lenses to correct Presbyopia.

Cylinder Power: The cylinder power indicates the lens power prescribed to correct astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, your eye is shaped like a football rather than a baseball.

Like sphere power, cylinder power is measured in diopters (D), in 0.25 D steps. Cylinder power is usually specified in minus-power format, but may be written in plus-power format as well.

If you have no astigmatism, the cylinder power and cylinder axis columns of your prescription will be left blank.

Why are some prescriptions written with + cylinder and others in - cylinder? Some ophthalmologists and a few older optometrists write prescriptions in plus cylinder form. Many years ago, refracting instruments and spectacle lenses were ground with the cylinder correction on the convex, front surface and hence the rationale for plus cylinder notation. During the last 20 years or so, most refracting instruments and nearly all spectacle lenses have been ground with the cylinder correction on the concave, rear surface.

You may enter your cylinder power as plus or minus cylinder as written by your Doctor. Be assured your glasses will be fabricated for the proper prescrition.

Cylinder Axis: Most eye doctors use three digits to describe all meridian locations (e.g. "001" instead of "1"; "090" instead of "90").

The range for Cylinder Axis will be 1 to 180. If you do not have a cylinder power you will not have a cylinder axis

Prism: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe prism power to help your eyes work more efficiently as a team an/or stay in proper alignment.

Prism is added to an eyeglass lens prescription only if a problem with eye teaming or eye alignment is detected.

Unlike the diopter units used for sphere power and cylinder power, prism diopters are usually expressed in fractions (i.e.1 1/2) rather than in decimal units.

If prism power is prescribed, a second value called the prism base (or simply, base) is included to indicate the direction (in, out, up or down) of the prism in the lens.

Add Power: If you have presbyopia or other near focusing problems, your doctor may write an eyeglasses prescription that includes an add power. The add power is extra magnifying power added to the lower part of your lenses so you can see near objects more clearly.

Lenses used for add powers are always plus-power lenses, typically within the range of +1.00 to +3.00 D. Add powers are nearly always equal for both eyes.

Lens prescriptions that include an add power can be used for bifocals, trifocals, and progressive ("no-line bifocal") lenses.

Stop by our online store at http://www.jemoptical.com/store for more information or to order your next pair of eyeglasses today.

Getting Your Prescription

2009-06-14T05:30:00.002-04:00

Before you order, you need to have a copy of your prescription. You may already have a copy from a previous eye test and providing it is less than five years old you may use that one to order from us.

Otherwise, you will need to go to your a local Doctor and have your eyes tested. Following the eye test your Doctor is required to give you a copy of your prescription and you shouldn't feel under pressure to purchase glasses from that Optical Store.

Stop by our online store at http://www.jemoptical.com/store for more information or to order your next pair of eyeglasses today.

Pupillary Measurements (PD)

2009-06-14T05:09:00.006-04:00

Pupillary Measurements (PD)

This measurement is used to determine where the center of the lens is to be positioned in front of your pupil when your prescription glasses are made.

It is recommended you ask your optician or Doctor for your pupillary distance measurement. Nevertheless it is a simple measurement which can be taken yourself but for best results we suggest asking a friend to assist.

Simple steps to taking your PD (pupillary distance) measurement

First remove your glasses!
Then have your friend sit directly opposite you positioned at eye level.
Remaining still, have your friend cover their right eye and position a millimeter ruler on the edge of your right pupil.
Next, have them cover their left eye and record your pupillary distance measurement by measuring to the same edge on your left pupil.
REPEAT the above steps to double check
This is your pupillary measurement (PD)

the PD in the above example is 56mm.

By supplying us with your most accurate P.D. measurement will ensure the most accurate prescription glasses are supplied to you.

Stop by our online store at http://www.jemoptical.com/store for more information or to order your next pair of eyeglasses today.