Sporteyes Blog Posts
The Impact of Blue Light On Our Eyes and The Sports Glasses That Protect Them
‘Blue light’ has recently stirred significant debate among the public and medical experts alike. Although blue light is nothing new, recent discussion highlights the potentially damaging effects on our eyes and its consequences on our daily life, including sporting activity. This article will clearly explain what blue light is, how it could be affecting your health and how you can protect yourself, especially during sports participation. What Is Blue Light? In addition to invisible ultraviolet radiation, the sun emits visible light rays made from different colors and shades – including red, orange, yellow, green and blue. Each color has a different wavelength and amount of energy. Blue light has the shortest wavelength and highest energy level for visible light rays. The range of the visible spectrum is 380-780 nanometers (nm). Ultraviolet light (UV) lies below this range, and infrared light (IR) also lies below this range. Blue light is included in the range of 400-465 nm, the spectrum of the most dangerous rays is between 415-455 nm. Most of interactions with blue light occur naturally. Riding your bike, running through the local field or playing basketball with friends; your eyes will face blue light and, in moderation, that’s fine. Blue light can keep our focus sharp during sporting activity and is also an integral part of the cycle of sleep-wake. However, the rise in personal technology over the past 20 years has artificially increased our exposure to these high energy rays. High levels of blue light are emitted by digital devices with screens and LED and CFL and other lighting equipment. This includes the tablets, smartphones, computers, and LED bulbs we are constantly focused on throughout the day. Furthermore, the growing use of technology in sport could see further exposure even during our leisure activities. How Does Blue Light Affect You? Blue light is the major contributor to digital eye strain. Any sportsperson who has experienced eye strain will rightly bemoan the irritation and discomfort that it causes, leading to watery or dry eyes and a lack of focus. Prolonged exposure to blue light causes discomfort to the retina because the rays make contact with your eyes in a ‘scattered’ nature to their short and high energy wavelengths. Certain wavelengths of blue light also reportedly lead to the development of age-related macular degeneration. Furthermore, recent studies suggest blue light directly affects our circadian rhythm, which controls when we sleep and wake up. Our body’s natural mechanism uses blue light to recognize that we should be awake during the daytime and asleep once it gets dark. Throughout daylight hours, blue wavelengths are helpful for keeping us alert, increasing focus, improve mood and reaction time. However, during the night, blue light wavelengths can stop us from sleeping by inhibiting melatonin. This is the natural hormone that encourages the body to sleep. Damaging effects of blue light on eyes Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) Excessive blue light exposure is not good for our eyes, potentially leading to a gradual, life-long loss of vision. Some health experts suggest that blue light exposure also contributes to age-related macular degeneration, the permanent damage of the eye. This leads to the destruction of the cells in the center of the retina, which ultimately leads to vision loss. This condition is common in people over 60. However, some studies suggest it can also happen sooner with the increased exposure of blue light. Sleep deprivation According to various research studies, blue light has a short wavelength that restricts the production of melatonin because the body is more sensitive to blue light. Some other research studies explain that blue wavelengths suppress brainwaves delta that induces sleep and increase alpha wavelengths that create alertness. Unfortunately, less sleeps inhibits athletic performance, according to the Sleep Foundation, by increasing feelings of fatigue, low energy and chance of injury. Eyestrain Too much exposure to blue light is the most common culprit for digital eye strain. Mostly it happens when you watch too long at a monitor. Blurred vision, nausea, dry eyes, neck, and back pain, with bloodshot, can cause eye strain. Eye strain is an uncomfortable feeling that stops you from working or having fun. Suddenly catching a football or using tennis racket can become 10x harder, as you cannot help but rub your eyes to stop the discomfort. Depression Largely due to the onset of sleep deprivation, blue light can also lead to problems related to mental health, such as depression is caused by many factors. Some competitive and recreational sports competitors, who have experienced depression, report feeling a lack of motivaton, focus and enjoyment for their favorite sporting activity. Stephen Lockley, a Harvard sleep researcher, claims prolonged exposure to blue light at night – from using phones and laptops in bed - is part of the reason so many people don't get enough sleep. He, and other researchers, link short sleep to increased risk for depression, as well as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Protection of Eyes from Blue Light The following are the ways and methods you can use to reduce the exposure to blue light. Screen time: Make a habit to taking frequent breaks during work just to decrease the amount of time you spent in front of the screen. Screen Filters: You can use screen filters to protect your eyes from smartphones, computers, and tablets. These dark screen covers reduce the amount of blue light emitted from these devices that could reach our eyes ' retina. Anti-reflective lenses: These lenses increase the contrast and reduce the glare and also restrict the blue light from digital devices and blue light. Blue light filter glasses: A Sight for Sport Eyes has blue light coatings that can be added to most lenses or lenses. Also, transitions and brown-based lenses like polarized brown or brown tint have blue light protection built directly into the lenses. Blue light filter glasses are prepared from the special combination of lens material, and some distinctive coating applied to the lenses. These lenses reflect part of the blue light away from the eyes. Blue light filter glasses are sunglasses or eyeglasses that can absorb a large amount of blue light. Blue light blocking glasses can relieve digital eye strain, decrease macular degeneration risk, decrease glare, and increase visual clarity. Just be sure that your blinding glasses with blue light do not block useful blue-turquoise light. Buy your blue light-blocking sports eyewear from A Sight for Sport Eyes.
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Polycarbonate & Trivex Lenses: What is Best For Sports Glasses?
Polycarbonate and trivex lenses are amongst the most common lens materials opted for when it comes to buying sports glasses. While one option is more impact-resistant, the other offers better UV protection. Know which option is better in all aspects of sports glasses and make the right choice for your eyes by reading this comprehensive blog.
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How To Pick The Right Sports Glasses Frames for Your Face Shape
Choosing the right sports glasses is not an easy task. While quality of protection is the top consideration, you still want sports eyewear that looks good and fits you well. However, face shape is vital in determining which type of glasses are suitable for you. How often have glasses looked attractive on the display, but as soon as you've put them on, you dislike how they look? Exactly. Long story short, you can’t play Russian roulette while choosing your pair of sports glasses. If you can customize lenses to fit your vision perfectly, the frames should be of equal priority. Keep reading this blog to know what frame would be the best fit for your face based on its shape. Does The Right Eyewear Frame Matter in Sports? When you are talking about sports eyewear, everything rests on two pillars; clear vision and comfortable fit. Having a wide, wrap-around lens will give you clear vision in all directions. But when you come to the latter, choosing any random frame means risking an uncomfortable fit that is either too loose, too tight, or simply not sitting right. It's crucial to wear sports eyewear that complements your face shape for both physical and psychological benefits. Choosing stylish eye frames that fit well not only enhances your appearance but also boosts comfort and confidence. Many athletes find that wearing trendy eyewear provides an additional motivation to push themselves harder in their favorite sports. When you select an eyewear, you’ve got to choose something that compliments your face shape and personality. In fact, the style of your glasses has a psychological impact too. For example, snug-fitting stylish eye frames that aesthetically improve your appearance will make you feel more comfortable and confident; whereas wearing cool eyewear gives many sportspeople the extra jolt to push harder at their favorite pursuit. Keep in mind that safety comes first, so after comparing glasses to your face shape or size, you must ensure that glasses are safe and provide protection from UV, debris, or sunlight. A Sight for Sport Eyes offers the latest range of sports eyewear to hit the market, no matter the sport, and is passionate about providing glasses and goggles that you feel proud to wear. Also, you can try out our eyewear to ensure they have the right look, style, and fit for you. Determining Your Face Shape In the end, it depends on the shape of your face and where the frames of your eyewear will sit. Sports eyewear is not a “one size fits all”. The first step to choosing the right frames for yourself is understanding what the shape of your face is. Once that is done, you can easily narrow down your choices, ensuring a perfect fit. To determine which frame suits you best, look directly into the mirror with your hair pulled back and/or clear from your face. Look closely at the contours of your head and face to get an idea of your shape. Oval face shape Notable for having higher and slightly wider cheekbones, this shape provides the most accurate and balanced proportions. Hence, it is considered ideal for choosing a variety of sports glasses. Choose sports frames wider than the broadest part of your face to maintain the natural balance of the oval face shape. An excellent choice for the oval-shaped face is walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or narrow. Heart-shaped face A heart-shaped face has a narrow bottom and a wide top. In such cases, select frames that are wider at the bottom, which minimizes the apparent width of the top of the face. Light-colored and thin frames are an excellent choice for you. Square face shape Square face shape: The square face shape has almost the same proportions- a broad forehead and a strong jaw, and the length and width of the face are almost the same. The most suitable frames are those with more width than depth and narrow ovals. Round face shape The round face has a short and wider forehead, curved lines, a rounded chin, full cheeks, and a softer jawline. Angular narrow and round frames would be the best for such a face type. However, choose frames that complement your soft features. Rectangle faces Rectangular faces generally have a longer nose, a stronger jaw, a deeper forehead, and a stronger jawline. Square-shaped glasses with a strong brow line are most suitable for this face. Base-down triangle A base-down triangle face shape has a broad chin and cheek area with a narrow forehead. The need is to emphasize the narrow upper part of the face. Hence, choose frames that are heavily accented with color to increase the width of the face. Types of Sports Eyewear Frames Based on Your Face Shape Now that you have figured out the shape of your face, you can refine your choices to these four types of frames that are suitable for different faces. Curved Sports Glasses: If you have a round or oval-shaped face, these glasses are your best. They are versatile and can complement various face shapes. The curved design often suits round and oval faces, providing a sleek and sporty look while offering ample coverage to shield the eyes. Sports Glasses with Wrap-around Straps: Perfect for fast-paced sports, these glasses include straps that keep them securely in place on your face. They're great for round faces or faces with sharp jawlines, providing stability and preventing slippage during intense activities. Sports Glasses with Inner Clips: These nifty glasses offer flexibility for different face shapes. By allowing interchangeable lenses or additional clips, they adapt to various sporting needs and face contours. They're fantastic for those with square faces, as the adjustable features can enhance both style and functionality. Prescription Spectacles with Deep Wrap: Tailored for those needing prescription glasses during sports, these deep wrap frames cater to various face shapes. They're excellent for rectangular faces or faces with angular features, providing the necessary prescription while ensuring a secure fit and enhanced peripheral vision. Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing a Frame For Your Eyewear Now that we have addressed the elephant in the room, it is time to look at other features of the eyewear frames to ensure that they give you a snug fit. Keep the following tips in mind while choosing a frame based on the shape of your face. The frame must be secure, pleasant, and comfortable to wear by the shape of your face. A soft nose bridge is essential. Earpieces should match the sport and be adjustable. It enables you to get the best fit and grip for your face. Therefore, when your earpieces fall out of alignment, you don’t have to take them to an optical shop. These are best for most ball sports and jogging. For cycling and skating, straight earpieces are suggested as they easily fit under a helmet. Temples should also have non-slip rubber that grips the head when you sweat. An elastic sports band at the back of the head provides maximum protection for a better fit. Always choose impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses. Select anti-fog and anti-glare lenses, which protect during outdoor sports and UV blocking. Regular glasses do not provide effective results for sports, motion, and athletic activities. Regular glasses are not meant for these purposes. Special sports glasses are necessary for such purposes that offer protection and ease of wearing with a better focus on the activity. Moreover, they increase your performance and comfort level. Get Frames That Fit Like Second Skin Whether it is curved sunglasses, straps that wrap around, frames with inner clips, or prescription spectacles with deep wraps, there's a perfect sports eyewear match waiting for you. The goal? Not just to protect your eyes but also to amplify your performance and confidence in the game. Now, who's ready to take on the field, court, or track in style? The best part is that you are one click away from choosing the right frame for your face, that will fit you like a second skin. Trust us, you won’t even know it is there (yup, our frames are THAT comfortable). SportEyes boasts a wide range of frames, and you will find a pair you’ll fall in love with!
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Everything You Need To Know About Your Eye Exam
Before spending $100+ of your hard-earned cash on prescription sports eyewear, it’s smart to have an eye checkup to ensure you get the right glasses and that your health is in check. The Snellen Chart test is a key part of regular eye exams For most of us, going to the eye doctor can seem like a chore, especially if it’s not an emergency. But just as it is important for us to visit our general doctor and dentist as part of a healthy routine, seeing our eye doctor – or ophthalmologist or optometrist – ensures our eyes are as sharp as possible, so that we can dominate on the sporting field. Regular eye examinations are necessary to keep your vision strong and if you like to enjoy recreational sport, such as cycling or running, then you will be amazed to know your vision plays an important role in your sports performance. Cycling sunglasses can give athletes the visual edge to win races From hand-eye coordination to spatial awareness to concentration, our vision centers our sporting experiences and decisions, often making the split difference between finishing 1st, 2nd or last place. During the eye examination process, you are required to pass a series of tests that aid in checking for eye diseases and evaluate your vision. With each test, an unique aspect of your eye health is analyzed. How Often Should You Have An Eye Examination? Well, there is no one-size-fits-all number. The frequency of eye exams can depend on age and medical history. For example, if you are an elderly person who has suffered several eyesight issues in the past 5 years, it’s likely you will need to attend an eye exam more often than a sprightly and healthy teenager with no known eye issues. Nonetheless, medical professionals typically advise all people to get their eyes tested at least once every two years. Importance of Eye Examination Regular eye examinations are essential to detect any vision changes as early as possible and prevent any negative impacts on your day-to-day activities. Additionally, a comprehensive eye examination with pupil dilation enables you to identify other serious eye diseases before their symptoms start showing their existence. These include: Macular Degeneration: It is an eye disease that causes irreversible loss of vision by damaging the retina. Glaucoma: A progressive, chronic eye condition that causes severe damage to the optic nerve of the eye. Cataracts: These are cloudy areas in your eye’s lens that lead to blindness. What To Expect At An Eye Exam? When you go for an eye examination, there are many things you can expect before, during and afterwards. Pre-exam, your doctor may ask questions related to your vision history and existing issues. This is a good point in the process for you to mention any worrying differences in your eyesight during play, on the field, track or court. After this, a few tests are performed to examine the function of all parts of your eyes and to check your vision. Finally, your doctor will inform you regarding the results of the eye exam, the potential risk of eye disease and, also, reveal several preventive measures that are important to protect your optics. The Different Eye Exam Tests 1. Testing Visual Field Manually Visual field is defined as the extent to which your eyes can see sideways without eye movement. This is also known as peripheral vision. Using a visual field screener (also known as an auto-perimeter), your ophthalmologist will ask you to focus your eyes straight ahead at a light spot. Meanwhile, another light spot flashes either side of your eyes to test how they respond to peripheral objects. As well as being a crucial examination for detecting glaucoma, the results of your visual field test may have consequences on your sports performance. A strong ability to evaluate objects moving freely beside and behind you is a competitive advantage. It allows you to quickly spot other teammates or opponents on the field in football, basketball and soccer, etc – making it easier to apply your skills under pressure. In football, spatial awareness is crucial to fending off opponents and scoring touchdowns 2. Test of Visual Acuity This tactic determines the clarity of your vision. This is where you will be confronted by the famous Snellen chart – a white board consisting of different-sized black letters arranged across several rows and columns. Here you are asked to recognize and read out loud the alphabets visible on the Snellen chart, from at least 14 yards away, with one of your eyes covered. Both the eyes are tested individually, and this test is finished when the patient is unable to distinguish any more letters (usually the smallest ones). Following the same process, your doctor can test your near vision as well with the help of a sheet with alphabets, which is held inches away from your face. 3. Eye Muscle Test Doctors recommend this test to evaluate the movement of eyes through the strength of eye muscles - its control and coordination. Often sitting up straight, your eye doctor will monitor you carefully as your eyes are fixed on a clear object close-up, typically a pen or a light. Held inches from your face, the object will be moved up and down, left and right, as the doctor assesses how well your eye muscles react to moving entities. The eye muscle test is also important for ball sports, especially tennis and other racket sports. In tennis, even, amateur players are forced to react quickly to 50mph+ serves from opponents, and healthy eye muscles ensure they can respond with perfectly timed shots. Table-Tennis, also known as Ping-Pong, is similar. With the balls traveling at high speeds and reaction times essential, even a millisecond delay can led your bat to skew the ball well wide of your target. Table Tennis Bat and Ball – A Sport requiring high-level hand-eye coordination 4. Refraction Assessment Refractive error occurs when light waves entering through your cornea and lenses fail to focus properly behind your eye. Refractive error indicates that your eyes require some assistance like contact lenses, glasses or a refractive operation, so you can see everything clearly and comfortably. Precise vision will affect your reaction time. With fast-moving balls, every fraction of a second counts. If you have perfect vision, you’ll be able to see a ball a fraction of a second earlier which will improve your overall reaction time on the ball. A computerized refractor is often used for estimating prescription for your contact lenses or glasses. Another technique used for this purpose is retinoscopy. 5. Slit-Lamp Test The physical structure of the eye is under the spotlight in this test. You will be asked to look at a slit lamp, whilst your chin and forehead are rested on the support. Meanwhile, your doctor will be looking deeply at eyelids, cornea, lashes, lens, iris and the fluid chamber surrounded by your iris and cornea to spot any abnormalities. If the doctor is struggling to see into the eye, he or she may apply a small drop of a safe dye called fluorescein to dilate your pupil for further examination. The rough-and-tumble associated with any contact or fast-paced sport often leads to competitors clashing, with consequential bumps and bruises to the eyes very common. The Slit-Lamp is, therefore, helps doctors see if, beneath the cosmetic damage, there is any deeper, severe eye problems. Adult Man’s Eye: Assessing its physical condition 6. Color Vision Testing Patients who find difficulty in differentiating various colors undergo a color vision test where numerous multicolored dotted patterns are shown. If the patient has no color deficiency, he/she chooses shapes and numbers easily from the dotted patterns. Color blindness is more common than many think. Internationally, 8% of men and 1 in 200 women are reportedly diagnosed as color blind. The impact on sporting performance cannot be underestimated. Those who play sport regularly often find difficulty seeing certain balls because they are color deficient. Likewise, the contrast sensitivity of a ball moving through the surrounding background - from grass to clay - can seem blurry making it harder for a color blind individual to properly track the ball. In some sports, such as soccer and cricket, organizers have made greater efforts to support those with color vision issues, by using distinctively designed balls and avoid choosing team kits with colors and styles that clash. If you like to play sports in your leisure time, then it is crucial to make sure that your vision is at its absolute best. This is because perfect vision is very important for good sports performance. If you lack vision skills, sports glasses help in correcting your vision. A Sight for Sport Eyes can help by providing you with the best protective prescription eyewear in sports. Some of the major visual skills that can impact your sports performance include depth perception, eye focusing, eye tracking, Peripheral vision and Dynamic visual acuity. Marathon Runners – Competing in Glasses The Importance Of Wearing Sports Glasses According to Prevent Blindness America, every year, more than 40,000 eye injuries occur in the US due to sports. Therefore, it is necessary to protect your eyes against all dangerous factors during sports. A Sight for Sport Eyes offers sports eyewear, such as swimming and skiing goggles or cycling and running glasses which provide great protection against sport related eye injuries, as well as help in improving sports performance. If you are looking for the best sport glasses, then visit our website sporteyes.com now. You can also sign up for email newsletters to get the latest updates. We love speaking with people. So feel free to contact us with any questions or your thoughts in the comments below, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Image Credit: Pexels and Unsplash
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5 Effective Ways to Stop Your Glasses and Goggles from Fogging
Humid days, alpine winds, and rainy days - do you know what they have in common? They are every bespectacled person’s nightmare. Fogging can be a pain and not every DIY trick works. So, here are some actual solutions that may help you stop your glasses and goggles from fogging. Read now.
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Football and Fall
As September approaches, the weather begins to cool, the leaves begin to change color, and football kicks into high gear. Every Fall thousands of players begin a new season from Pee Wee to the NFL and every level in between. Being a high contact sport, football is rated at a moderate level for eye injuries. Yet only a very small percentage of players wear eye protection. Why? Most sport goggles are not designed for use while wearing a helmet. At Sight for Sports Eyes, we have the answer. We many options to choose from that are helmet compatible, durable, and ASTM Rated. 2 of our best options are: Hilco Leader ASTM Rated Sports Goggles Protection from eye injuries Helmet compatible 5- Star Customer Reviews Liberty Sport F8 Helmet Spex ASTM Sports Glasses Meets or exceeds ASTM F803 Impact Resistance 6 base lens curve for wider range of prescription lenses Helmet compatible Get the protection you need for this season today!
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The Ultimate Guide To Actually Understanding Your Eye Prescription
You will be able to buy your favorite glasses and googles with utmost confidence after reading this thorough breakdown of all the technical terms on your eye prescription. Reading Time: 10 minutes If you’re in a rush, click one of the titles below now to get the exact information that you need: What is a Prescription? What are OD and OS? What is a Pupillary Distance (PD)? What is a Sphere (SPH)? What are Cylinder (CYL) & Axis? What is Prism? Let’s start with the basics… ? Example of a standard eye prescription. Eye prescriptions reflect the eyes measurements needed to build bespoke corrective lenses to fit your vision. Lens manufacturers use your eye prescription, written by eye doctors, to make lenses that correct deficiencies in your eyesight. You’ll struggle to see through a friend’s prescription glasses – especially, if they have very bad eyesight – because it was made for them, not you. 1A. WHERE DOES THE EYE PRESCRIPTION COME FROM? The measurements displayed on an eye prescription are taken from a prior eye examination operated by your eye doctor (also called an orthoptist, optometrist, optician or an ophthalmologist) Standard eye examinations consist of numerous tests made by your ophthalmologist to gain a general assessment of your vision and the health of your eyes. Everyone is encouraged to have regular eye exams to help avoid eye diseases and vision loss. Eye exams can test your visual acuity, pupil function, extraocular muscle motility, visual fields, intraocular pressure and ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil. Only half of the estimated 61 million American adults deemed at high risk for vision loss have visited an eye doctor in the past 12 months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ? The O.D. and O.S. categories are highlighted in yellow. O.D. is your right eye and O.S. is your left eye. Both are Latin abbreviations, O.D. means ‘Oculus Dexter’ and O.S. stands for ‘Oculus Sinister’. Usually, O.D. and O.S. will appear on all your eye prescriptions, whether it be for glasses, goggles, contact lenses or medication. Recently, some doctors have started to issue prescriptions with ‘R’ and ‘L’ or ‘RE’ and ‘LE’, meaning right eye and left in plain English. O.D. will be mentioned first on your prescription followed by the O.S., as standard practice. This is because, during eye examinations, your eye doctors will check your right eye (from their left side) first. O.D means right eye and O.S. refers to the left eye Sometimes, you may instead see O.U., which means ‘both eyes’ and is an abbreviation of ‘Oculus Uterque’. In other words, the measurement given applies to both eyes equally. The Pupillary Distance (PD) is highlighted in yellow. The pupillary distance, also known as the PD, concerns your pupils – the black, rounded center of each eye. The PD is the exact distance measured in millimeters between the center of the pupil in your left and right eye. This is also known as the Binocular Pupillary Distance or ‘Binocular PD’ and is represented by one number. In the example above, the PD is 58mm. If your PD column includes two numbers then your eye doctor has measured your Monocular Pupillary Distance (also known as Monocular PD). Ideal for fitting eyewear to asymmetric faces, this measures from the pupil’s center to your nose’s bridge. Getting your PD measurement right is essential for selecting the correct prescription eyewear. The wrong PD can lead to an uncomfortable and disorientating viewing experience, and headaches. From a sporting point of view, it can make reacting to a ball in tennis and basketball very difficult, and in heavy-contact sports such as rugby and football, it can have dangerous consequences. Therefore, measuring your pupillary distance should always be done by a professional optometrist. Comparison – Binocular Pupillary Distance versus Monocular Pupillary Distance A guideline on how to read the PD value on your eye prescription A guideline on how to read the PD value on your eye prescription WHAT PD NUMBERS MEAN? (EXAMPLE) 68 - Single Number – You have a binocular measurement of 68 millimeters 34/34 – Two Equal Numbers – The monocular distance for both eyes are identical. 34/32 – Two Different (Low) Numbers – One eye is slightly further away from the centre of the nose than the other, which is very common. 65/62 – Two Different (High) Numbers - The first number is your Distance PD and the second number is your Near CD (explained below). 3A. HOW DO MY PUPILS IMPACT MY EYESIGHT? Prescription eyewear is made to ensure the lens center is perfectly aligned with the center of the pupil to give the most precise vision. As you move away from pupil’s center, the prescription worsens. Therefore, if the PD isn’t 100% accurate, and you have a high prescription, it will feel like you’re looking through the wrong prescription because the lens center is not focused on the right part of the eye. The pupil passes light through to the retina, enabling us to see. The extent to which our pupil widens (dilating) or narrows (constricting) is largely controlled by the iris, the eye muscle surrounding the pupil. In dark conditions, our pupils dilate to allow more light to enter the eye to help us see more clearly. By contrast, during a sunny day, the pupil doesn’t open as wide because it is already receiving ample light to see correctly. 3B. DOES YOUR PUPILLARY DISTANCE ALWAYS STAY THE SAME? The pupillary distance will change, depending on whether you're focusing on an object that's close to your face or far away. Your prescription may show ‘Dist PD’, or distance PD, the pupillary distance measured when you are looking at an object from a long distance. The ‘Near PD’ is the PD value when you’re focusing on something in front of you. Typically, the distance PD is 3 to 4 mm greater than Near CD. For example, (55/52) values show the distance PD to be 55mm and the Near CD to be 52mm. 3C. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OPTICAL CENTER (OC) FOR SPORTS EYEWEAR The Optical Center (OC) highlights the importance of wearing specialized prescription eyewear for each given sport. Compared to the pupillary distance, which locates the lens center by measuring horizontally across the face, the optical center measures from the top of the pupil to the bottom on each eye. A Sight for Sport Eyes usually only require an OC measurement on very high prescriptions or for progressive bifocals. But if people get their glasses and it is blurry, it is usually an OC problem because they are looking through the wrong part of the lens. Unfortunately, you only find that out once you’ve tried on the frames, as it also depends on how the glasses fit on their nose and ears. A Sight for Sport Eyes makes the OC the center of the frame. But someone with a larger or thinner nose or “high” or “low” ears may experience the frame sitting high or low on the face thus causing the pupils to be more above or below that center line. For sports use, this presents a problem. For cyclists for instance, they sit on their bike and look through the top of the lens - no longer looking at the center. However, if we adjust the OC to help them cycle, a similar issue will occur when they use the same glasses for other pursuits such as driving or reading books. Therefore, it is essential customers invest in appropriate eyewear for each sport and activity. The Sphere (SPH) category is highlighted in yellow. On your prescription, the Sphere or ‘SPH’ is the measurement of how long sighted (hyperopic) or short sighted (myopic) you are. This is the main part of your prescription and most of your power lies here. Diopters or ‘D’is the measurement unit and the number is a two-point decimal such as 2.50 or 4.00 with either minus (-) or a plus (+) sign as its prefix. If you are short sighted, your SPH value will have a minus (-) sign before it, and a plus(+) If you are long sighted. The PI or infinity symbol indicates you are neither long nor short sighted. The associated numbers signify the strength of lens you require to achieve good vision. Most values range from 0.00 to +/- 20.00 and go up by 0.25. The associated numbers signify the strength of lens you require to achieve good vision. Most values range from 0.00 to +/- 20.00 and go up by 0.25. HOW STRONG ARE YOUR LENSES? (-/+) 0-3.00D SPH VALUE - A Mild Prescription (-/+) 3.00 to 6.00D SPH VALUE – A Moderate Prescription (-/+) 6.00D and above SPH Value - A High Prescription For buying sports eyewear, these sphere values will largely influence what strength lenses you need for your googles and glasses. Some sports lenses like prescription swim goggles are made in half diopter steps (0.50) only, so you may need to round up or down to find right strength to fit both eyes. A guideline on how to read the PD value on your eye prescription 4A. WHAT DOES ADD MEAN? This is the additional magnifying power needed for your corrective lenses. The ADD values inform the lens manufacturer how much extra magnifying power should be added to the bottom part of the lenses to correct presbyopia – a difficulty seeing small print clearly. Therefore, this is most commonly used for reading glasses, as well as progressive and bifocal lenses. The ADD numbers are also always the same for each eye and are a "plus" power, even if it is not preceded by a plus sign. Typically, ADD powers range between +0.75 to +3.00 D. The Cylinder (Cyl) and Axis are highlighted in yellow. Cylinder (Cyl) and Axis are like ‘bread and butter’, you cannot have one without the other. Their presence means you have an astigmatism – a common condition that causes blurred vision and discomfort. The Cylinder measures the severity of the astigmatism and the Axis shows its location on the eye. Astigmatism is caused by the irregular shaping of either your cornea, the eye’s front cover, or the eye lens. A person with astigmatism typically has an eye shaped more like a football than a round (like a basketball). You can still see objects, but they will seem very hazy at any distance. This is because an egg-shaped eye restricts light from focusing properly on the retina, preventing a sharp view. The higher the astigmatism, the more halo affect you will have around objects. Measured in diopters, the Cylinder parameters can be in either plus (+) or minus (-) form and function to counter-act the blur caused by the astigmatism. The Axis tells us the exact angle of the eye the cylinder power needs to be applied. It’s measured on a range from 0-180 degrees, like a protractor. How does this relate to sports-specific glasses? A Sight for Sport Eyes consider minor astigmatism anything below 1.00. Minor astigmatism is usually not corrected in contact lenses, and thus for step diopter sports goggle purchases, it would not need to be corrected either. When you order your glasses, we will combine each eye’s sphere value with half of the respective Cylinder value to produce your "effective" power number. In the example above, the O.D.’s (right eye) SPH value is -2.50 and it’s Cyl is +1.75. Therefore, -2.50 + 1.75 = -0.75 (the effective power number). If you’re unsure, simply copy the prescription into the comments or contact us and we will make the determination for you. If your second number (CYL) is larger than -1.00, A Sight for Sport Eyes suggest you go into a custom-made product instead of a step diopter product for the best vision. The Prism and Base are highlighted in yellow. The Prism describes an adjustment made to corrective lenses to solve double vision. People with double vision – also known as diplopia – see two separate images of one object. The addition of the prism power to lenses aligns the two images into one by redirecting the incoming light into the right area of the eye. Double vision can be caused by numerous severe health issues such as eye muscle problems, head injuries, strokes and nerve issues. Measured in diopters and written in decimal form, the direction of the prism is indicated by noting the relative position of its "base" (the thickest edge of the lens). Four abbreviations are used for prism direction: BU = base up; BD = base down; BI = base in (toward your nose); BO = base out (toward your ear). Now you have an understanding of your eyes (and your prescription), find the perfect specialized prescription and non-prescription lenses for you at A Sight for Sport Eyes.
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Back to School Needs
The weather may still be hot but make no mistake Summer is ending and the Back to School needs are plentiful. With Back to School purchases that get used up in a heartbeat. Don’t let your child’s frames be one of them. The Liberty Sport Z8/X8 series and the Wiley-X Youth Force Active Eyewear :. Both designs are virtually indestructible and ready to take on this school year and more to come. Liberty Z8/X8 Series Engineered to be indestructible. Nylo- FlexTM material designed for ruggedness and flexibility. Made for prescription lenses. (Sold separately) Wiley- X Youth Force Active Eyewear Frames are from TriloidTM Nylon material Comes with lenses that meet ANSI Z87.1 Standards Flexible Spring hinges are more resilient to rough wear and tear Is your child playing football this Fall and needs to wear glasses, but can’t because of the helmet? Introducing the Hilco Jam’n Helmet Sports Goggles found here: One of choices of sport goggles that a Sight for Sport Eyes offers that are specifically made for helmets. Hilco Jam’n Helmet Sports Goggles Meets ASTM impact standards for ball sports Helmet compatible with included helmet adapter strap Maximum airflow reduces fogging The school year is demanding. Make sure your child has the eyewear to meet the demands by ordering yours today.
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How to Choose the Best Polarized Sunglasses for Fishing
Do you love fishing? If so, then you know that having the right equipment is essential for a successful day on the water. Aside from your fishing pole, one of the most important pieces of gear is polarized sunglasses. Not all sunglasses are created equal – in fact, some can actually hinder your ability to catch fish! In this blog post, we will discuss how to choose the best polarized sunglasses for fishing. We'll cover everything from lens color to frame style, so you can choose the right pair. What Are Polarized Sunglasses? In a nutshell, polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce glare. Glare can come from a number of sources, including the sun, water, sand, asphalt, and metal surfaces such as your car hood when driving. Polarized lenses are effective at reducing this glare. When glare is reduced on the water, it allows you to see more clearly and makes it easier to spot fish. What To Look For In Polarized Sunglasses For Fishing There are 3 main things to consider when buying polarized fishing sunglasses: Material Frame style Lens color Material When choosing polarized sunglasses for fishing, it is important to consider the material of the lenses. Glass lenses are durable and provide good clarity, but they can also be heavy and can break if dropped or hit. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter weight and less likely to shatter than glass, but they may not be as optically clear. Trivex is also popular with the light weight and impact resistance of polycarbonate, but with better optical clarity. Frame Style There are three main frame styles for polarized sunglasses: wraparound, traditional, and sports. Wraparound frames offer the most coverage and are ideal for fishing in sunny conditions. Traditional frames have a more classic look and are good for all-around use. And finally, sports frames are designed for active lifestyles. They may offer a variety of wind and water shields and offer the most protection from the sun and wind. Lens Color The color of your lenses for your fishing sunglasses can also play a role in how well you can see fish. Lenses that are light green or amber work best in lower light conditions like overcast days, while darker lenses like gray, brown, or green/gray are better for fishing in bright light conditions. The type of water body you are fishing in also matters. For shallow water fishing, brown, amber, or copper based lenses are best. For deep water fishing, gray or gray green lenses are best. Our Favorites Sporteyes.com offers many fishing glasses, but here is a brief list of our top five favorites. Bolle Anaconda Bolle Anaconda glasses with polarized off-shore blue lenses The Bolle Anaconda has a nice wrap frame that hugs your face keeping the sun and wind out of your eyes. The polarized Off-Shore Blue is a gray lens with a blue flash mirror that fights glare in bright marine conditions. Great for medium to large faces. Bolle Holman Bolle Holman sunglasses with both polarized and non-polarized lenses The Bolle Holman has the more traditional sunglass frame, as opposed to a wrap around style. These sunglasses are designed to float if they fall in the water (non-prescription only). They offer standard polarized brown or gray lenses, and also offer non-polarized Photochromic lenses which change from clear to dark depending on the light. If you have a high prescription, these are a good choice due to the flatter style of lens. Ocean Aruba Aruba polarized sunglasses by Ocean Ocean’s line of floating sunglasses is made for water lovers – whether you are kite sailing, paddle boarding, or fishing in the ocean. With a nice assortment of colorful frames and polarized lenses, this is a great option for everyone. Also available in prescription. Switch Lycan Lycan polarized sunglasses by Switch Great Uni-sex frame for larger heads available in black, olive, or tortoise frame. It’s easy to swap out these magnetic lenses so you always have the right sunglasses for different conditions. Each set comes with one polarized lens (grey or amber) and one low light Amber Rose lens and is available in prescription or non-prescription. Wiley-X P-17 Wiley-x is a great company that specializes in tactical and military grade glasses. Among their offerings is the P-17 which is great for deepwater fishing with its Polarized Smoke Green lenses. It exceeds the ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity Standard so it is sure to withstand anything coming its way. Available in prescription or non-prescription. Final Thoughts Now that you know what to look for in polarized sunglasses for fishing, it's time to find the perfect pair for you! Keep these tips in mind when shopping and you'll be able to choose a pair that will help you catch more fish. Remember, always consider the conditions that you will be fishing in and the type of fishing that you are most likely to engage in. In some cases, it's a good idea to buy multiple pairs of fishing sunglasses so you have different options for different seasons or locations. You can browse a full range of the best polarized sunglasses for fishing on our website. Take a look and pick up your pair today and you'll see a huge improvement next time you are out on the water!
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