Information about sunglasses

It is crucial to receive the right amount of light to have good vision, but too much exposure to the wrong type of light just might result in serious long-term problems. When our eyes are exposed to excessive amounts of ultraviolet light (UV) wavelengths can cause eye conditions including corneal burns (photokeratitis), growths on the conjunctiva (pterygium) and cataracts. UV rays are invisible, and that only makes them more harmful.

Ultraviolet radiation, more commonly referred to as “UV Rays,” is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum and is produced by the sun, tungsten lamps, welding arcs, and certain types of fluorescent lights. It consists of three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

Fortunately, UVC (190nm to 280nm) wavelengths are absorbed by the ozone layer so for now we don’t have to worry about them. However, these high-energy radiations can cause mutations in plants and animals. UVB wavelengths (280nm to 315nm) are also higher energy and can cause sunburn, skin blistering, and skin cancer. Since none of us really enjoy any of these things we wear sun block on sunny days. (Right?) The upper portion of this spectrum (from 300nm to 315nm) is where we start to see effects on the eye. UVA (315nm to 380nm) is the section of the spectrum that hurts the most because it is totally absorbed by the eye’s crystalline lens. (Ouch!)

Our corneas transmit UV wavelengths from a range from 300nm to 400nm, so it becomes important to us and especially to our eyes to filter these wavelengths out. That is where lenses come into play. Lucky for us, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has mandated that lenses be made with materials that absorb or block at least 99.8% of UVB and 70% UVA.

Ultra-violet radiation may be harmful to the human eye, but with all the lens material options available today that absorb it, patients can easily get the protection they need simply by getting a good pair of glasses or sunglasses and remembering to wear them.

Can you remember years ago when you would go to the beach with your granddad and he would have to wear his prescription glasses so he could see you but then he would clip on those hideous flip down sun shade creations over the top? As if that didn’t look bad enough, he would spend half his time with them flipped up looking like he could get half the beach population under there.

This was always embarrassing to be seen with but granddad didn’t care. After all, it’s not like he wanted to keep the sun out of his eyes so he didn’t get wrinkles now, is it. All he knew was that he needed to see but didn’t need to be blinded by the sun.

Thankfully, eye wear has come a long way since then. Prescription sunglasses are now available at all major opticians. With designer frames and prescription lenses, there is no longer a need to embarrass your friends and companions.

Prescription sunglasses also means you can do away with the need for changing glasses continually depending on the light and conditions. With varifocals set into prescription lenses you can read, watch TV, drive and sunbathe without the need for changing glasses – as long as you don’t do them all at the same time.

Driving is a particularly good time to be wearing prescription sunglasses. There’s nothing worse, particularly in the winter, when you have that brilliant, un-shaded sunlight from so low in the sky that the car visor would need a 6 inch fringe to be effective. You still need your prescription glasses to see where your driving but the low sunlight is responsible for many an accident.

If the road is wet, the sunlight also bounces off that and vision is seriously impaired. With prescription sunglasses, you can overcome both of these problems, thus making you a safer driver.

Another application for prescription sunglasses is by the pool in summer. It can get pretty boring just sitting there catching some rays and topping up your tango tan so many people choose to read. If you’re wearing your reading glasses and magnifying sunlight towards you, particularly that which bounces off the water, you end up with some serious crow’s feet from squinting.

Prescription sunglasses overcome this problem. You can see to read and your beauty is protected.

We hear all the time in the news about the problem of ozone depletion and. While we can see the effect of this on our skin through sun burn, it’s not immediately recognisable in our eyes. However, sunlight causes massive amounts of damage if we don’t protect our eyes.

This is where prescription sunglasses are a must for anyone who would normally need glasses to see, protecting you from lasting damage.

Prescription sunglasses are even available for children and with their health paramount in the minds of most parents, it is a good idea to purchase them for the kids. Most sunlight damage is done to the eyes before they make it out of their teens so for future benefits, it is best to invest in this eyewear now.

Even for contact lens wearers, prescription sunglasses are a wise investment. Not everyone wants to wear their contact lenses all the time and these glasses can give your eyes a much needed rest. With all the designer glasses on the market these days, there is no need to compromise on style either.

HTML clipboard

U.S. Eyewear Market industry was more or less insulated from economic downturns, as eyewear was deemed a stable commodity product. That changed as eyewear grew into a fashion product and more prone to the whims of consumers and the ups and downs of economic markets. The big question is whether consumers will purchase fashionable brand name eyewear in the midst of an economic crisis as seemingly more pressing demands are at hand. Eyewear stores across the United States had already seen the effects of the economic downturn with many stores reporting significant drop offs in store traffic at the end of 2008. And by the end of first quarter 2009, some underperforming stores had been closed and manufacturing plants were idled.( http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/US-Eyewear-Market-Prescription-and-Nonprescription-Lenses-Sunglasses-Contact-Lenses-and-Frames-2nd-Edition-The.html )

Though the market for eyewear in the U.S. grew at an annual rate of eight percent between 2004 and 2008, growth in 2008 was much more subdued at less than four percent. For the eyewear industry, an ongoing consumer paradigm shift in attitudes towards more frugality and less conspicuous consumption means high-flying fashion brands may suffer at the expense of less expensive alternatives. But can the major marketers and retailers adapt?

The U.S. Eyewear Market: Prescription and Nonprescription Lenses, Sunglasses, Contact Lenses, and Frames, 2nd Edition examines these questions and others by looking at the current market, trends, major brands, and consumer preferences. The report presents concise, thought provoking analyses of various aspects of the eyewear industry and provides a forecast for the market through 2013.

Report Methodology

The information presented in this report was obtained from primary and secondary research. Primary research entailed on-site examination of eyewear products in retail stores and consultations with eyewear industry observers and executives. Secondary research involved canvassing information and articles appearing in financial, marketing, and trade publications, company literature, and independent research reports, plus reviews of websites, blogs and readers’ comments posted on these sites.

Other sources consulted for The U.S. Eyewear Market were the U.S. Census Bureau’s Economic Census (1997, 2002, and 2007), Annual Survey of Manufacturers, Advanced Monthly Sales for Retail and Foodservice and the Annual Retail Trade Survey. Other market data sources included the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

The analysis of consumer behavior and demographics is based on data from the Simmons Market Research Bureau (New York NY) Spring 2008 and Summer 2008 Study of Media and Markets, which is based on the responses of over 20,000 adults age 18 and over.

Or

Contact us at :

Bharat Book Bureau 

Tel: 91 22 27578668

Fax: 91 22 27579131

Email : info@bharatbook.com

Website: www.bharatbook.com

Blog: http://bharatbookresearch.blogspot.com

Have you ever heard a mom tell her child not to wear someone else’s glasses because it will ruin his eyes? This common belief comes from the thought that straining to see out of a wrong prescription can damage your eyes. Similarly, some believe that it is unhealthy to switch prescription glasses from day to day. Is there any truth to this thought, or is it simple an “old wives” tale?

The Truth About Your Eyes

So can a different prescription harm your eyes? The answer to this question begins with understanding what causes eye problems to begin with. Poor eyesight is caused by the shape of the eye. While prolonged exposure to certain activities, such as reading or watching TV, when the eye is developing can change its shape, in general you cannot damage the shape of your eye by one or two actions, such as wearing someone else’s glasses or changing between prescriptions from day to day.

Why Do You Need to Switch?

If you are concerned about the safety of switching between prescription glasses on a regular basis, consider the reason why you need to switch. Are you switching between reading glasses and glasses for nearsightedness? Do you need to wear safety lenses at work? Perhaps you are switching between regular prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses. Some people even feel that a weaker prescription works better for them when they are using the computer or reading, and a stronger prescription is necessary when driving or looking long distances.

Possible Alternatives

If you are concerned about constantly switching between prescriptions, you may have some alternatives. If you are switching because you need reading glasses and regular glasses, you have probably found this to be incredibly inconvenient. You have to always remember to bring your reading glasses with you, and they are very easy to forget. You also have to switch every time the need to read arises, whether to write a check at the grocery store, scan the magazines to find an interesting headline, or check the price of your purchases before putting them in your cart. An alternative to this situation is to get bifocals. Today’s bifocals are as fashionable as regular glasses, and bifocal contact lenses are also available this will eliminate the hassle of always dealing with two pairs of glasses.

Perhaps you are wishing to wear sunglasses but want to avoid the look of clip-ons. One option for you would be to purchase special lenses that darken when you are in the sun. Otherwise, keep your prescription sunglasses in the car, and switch when you are driving. There is no danger in doing this, although it is a slight hassle.

Another option for some people may be to have laser surgery to eliminate the need for glasses. This is not always ideal, due in part to the cost and also to the risks associated with laser eye surgery. Be sure to discuss all of the potential risks before you sign up for this procedure.

So Is There Any Danger?

Research has shown that switching between prescription glasses from day to day does not cause permanent damage, so if it works for you, go ahead and do it. However, some people experience headaches when they switch from one pair of glasses to another as their eyes attempt to adjust to the new prescription. Also, eyestrain is a common problem associated with switching from one prescription to another. These issues do not cause permanent damage, but they can be uncomfortable. However, if you do not suffer from eyestrain or headaches, and switching makes life more convenient, then continue to do it without worry!

Drug and substance abuse among teenagers, is substantial. According to a national survey, amongst youth age 12 to 17, about 1.1 million meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs in the United States. Different substances/drugs lend themselves to different groups of symptoms. The most glaring symptom in all cases is a change, sometimes a radical one, in behavior.

10 Things:

1. If you wish to identify a potential drug abuser in your home, the first area that you should look for is sudden personality change that includes abrupt changes in work or school attendance, quality of work, work output, grades, discipline etc.

2. Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper, sudden jitteriness, nervousness, or aggression are a major denotation of drug addiction or abuse.

3. Persistent drug abuse may also lead to withdrawal from responsibility & loss of interest in what were once favorite hobbies and pursuits. This may come packaged with an unusual laziness.

4. Changes in friends and reluctance to have friends visit or talk about them and/or association with known substance abusers should also be taken seriously.

5. Some drugs may lead to redness in eyes which the abuser tends to hide away by wearing sunglasses. So wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times is a potential giveaway.

6. Continual wearing of long-sleeved garments particularly in hot weather or reluctance to wear short-sleeved attire may be an attempt to conceal the rashes on the skin, which are common side effects of drug abuse, or needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet.

7. Now drugs don’t come free! If you find your kids borrowing money from friends, co-workers or from you unusually frequently, you should better be argus-eyed because this may get your near and dear ones in some serious trouble.

8. An unusual increased secretiveness or secretive behavior regarding actions and possessions is a certain indication that something fishy is going on.

9. Some physical signs of substance abuse include slurred speech, memory impairment, and lack of concentration & impairment of attention along with slowed or staggering walk due to poor physical coordination. This may also lead to tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head and an irregular heartbeat.

10. If you have a doggy nose, try smelling his/her breath & clothes! There may be a smell of substance/drug on breath, body or clothes of the abuser.

Sometimes, in lack of conclusive evidence, it becomes difficult to arrive at a ratiocination of substance abuse diagnosis. There are a number of practical and empirical methods to determine drug abuse, among them being urine, blood or hair follicle testing & subsequent detection by GC/MS/ELISA.

There are many things a person can to do look after the health of their eyes. As with most things, prevention is always going to be better than cure and as such, a healthy diet will cure more ailments than you ever thought you could possibly get in one lifetime. Add to this the protection a decent pair of sunglasses offers and with regular check-ups you will be doing all you can to protect your eyes.

If an eye problem is detected there are things that can either cure or at least help the condition. Myopia, or short sightedness, can sometimes be corrected with laser treatment but is not suitable for everyone. For those people a new procedure is being piloted in Harley Street, London to implant corrective contact lenses within the eyes. Contact lenses are normally a good alternative to glasses but not everyone is suitable.

The procedure involves the eye being cut and a corrective lens being placed over the natural one. The lens will never need replacing and the operation is carried out under local anaesthetic on one eye at a time to reduce the risk of infection. The results have been startling and make the life of the short-sighted person much more manageable. It also means they are able to buy store sunglasses as opposed to prescription sunglasses.

There are several measures to ensure a patient is suitable for the implants, mainly making sure the prescription is not likely to change in the near future. Short-sightedness can be corrected with laser treatment if the prescription is not too strong but it does involve cutting away some of the cornea. If the prescription is very strong then too much cornea has to be cut away, posing a risk to the long term sight of the patient. That is when contact lens implants are the best option.

A thin, plastic lens is placed on top of the natural one providing there is enough space. A 3D map of the eyeball will assess whether or not this is so. The lenses contain a small amount of collagen which is a naturally occurring substance and means the eye will not reject the lens. If the patient changes their mind at a later date, the lens can simply be removed.

The only bad bit of news is the fact that the operation is not available on the NHS and private clinics charge almost 2,400 pounds per eye for the implants.

Hyperopia is the term for long sightedness and this is also easily treated with laser surgery but is much cheaper than the new procedure for myopia at only 400 pounds per eye.

The fact that we should wear sunglasses to protect our eyes has long been taken with a pinch of salt by so many but those now experiencing macular degeneration due to sun exposure in their younger years are wishing they had listened. This is a debilitating illness that could have been prevented, in many cases, by simply wearing sunglasses when the sun is shining.

However, new treatments are being developed all the time. Photodynamic therapy is one such method that uses a light sensitive dye injected into the bloodstream and transported to the back of the eye. Once there, the chemical highlights the blood vessels that are growing abnormally and a low energy laser beam is then shone onto the macula, the area at the centre of the retina. Working in conjunction with the light, the chemical then reacts and destroys the leaking blood vessels without any damage to healthy tissue.

More than one treatment is often needed but it is hoped the new procedure will help up to 7,000 people a year in the UK so is definitely something worth watching. The fact that it can macular degeneration can progress rapidly is also a very good reason to keep wearing the sunglasses.

So you have decided to step up and purchase a new pair of designer sunglasses. Sounds simple right, but wait what are all these extra options or upgrades? Should you get polarized lenses? Maybe you need high contrast and what is photochromatic?

Here is a short list of available sunglass lens add-ons or upgrades.

Ultra-violet sunglass protection: The most important feature you should always make a point to have in your sunglasses is UV or ultra violet protection. Most sunglasses offer UV protection that helps protect your eyes against permanent sun damage and cataracts. Sun glasses that meet recommended standards for UV protection offer at least 60% UVA protection and at least 70% UVB protection. Many experts suggest shooting for more than 98% UV protection. Some sunglass labels may say “UV absorption up to 400nm,” which is equivalent to 100% UV protection. The Ultra Violet protective coating is applied to sunglass lenses during the manufacturing process. It is good to note that lens tint does not affect the strength of UV protection. Fortunately, UV protection isn’t tied to price tags, so designer and drugstore models can both offer complete UV protection. Keep in mind that while more expensive brands tend to come with 100% UV protection, it’s not a given. Check the label or item information before purchasing.

Polarization: Polarized sunglass lenses reduce light that comes from a reflective surface such as snow or water. We all know they are great for anyone that is out in bright sunlight conditions, but they are also great for anyone out on the water as they let you see below the surface even on overcast days. They also filter some of the diffused light scattered by our atmosphere. Once you have a pair of polarized sunglasses or eyeglasses you will not want another pair without Polarization.

Mirrored sunglass lenses: Mirrored sunglass lenses have a highly reflective surface that will filter some light, but mirrored lenses are more fashion than function. Reflective lenses come in a variety of colors to appeal to your sense of style. The bottom line is UV and Polarized lenses will block all the light waves that matter. The one thing you cannot take away from mirrored is it always cool!

Scratch-resistant sunglass lenses: Scratch-resistant plastic sunglass lenses and polycarbonate sunglass lenses have more durability than untreated lenses or plain glass lenses. Naturally scratch-resistant glass sunglass lenses can also come with a scratch-resistant coating that adds extra protection.

High-contrast sunglass lenses: Orange sunglass lenses and yellow sunglass lenses offer contrast filtering, which aids in depth perception. They distort color, however, and might not be suitable for driving but are great for skiing and snowboarding in low light conditions

Prescription sunglasses: Prescription sunglasses enable you to enjoy outdoor activities and sports while maintaining good vision. Custom prescription sunglasses were once reserved for the rich but now are offered by many top sunglass brand retailers. Some prescription sunglasses even transition from indoor to outdoor. With a feature called Photochromatic.

Photochromatic: Photochromatic lenses will automatically darken and lighten when the light changes, although the cheaper photochromic lenses wont’ get very dark and take some time to adjust to different conditions. Some photochromatic lenses require conditioning or prolonged exposure to the sun to fully darken. This is a great feature and a good compromise allowing you to have one pair of eye glasses for inside as well as outdoors. So on first glance sunglass lens options may seem confusing but a quick review of the above guide and you now should be ready to cut through all the sunglass lens options and make an educated choice when buying designer sunglasses.

UV rays

They are a part of the invisible spectrum of light with a wave length below that of visible light. These rays are invisible and has no relation with the heat of the sun, thus the winter sun has equal amount of UV rays as the summer sun. These rays are divided into UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV A and B are known to be the harmful ones. The sunglasses should thus protect from both these rays. There is some evidence to believe that long term UV (UV-A) exposure has a role in cataract formation which is the clouding of the lens. Also UV rays have been held responsible to cause age related macular degeneration (ARMD) which is potentially blinding retinal condition due to old age. Both these conditions can lead to reduced vision. Apart from the above conditions UV exposure can also cause a pterygium which is an over growth of the conjunctiva (skin of the eye). UV rays (UV-B) are also known to cause skin cancers which often occur on the face near the eyes. All of these conditions can be delayed or even prevented by good UV protection of the eyes.

Options in sunglasses

UV protection: Glasses need to have a special coating on it to be able to block the UV rays from passing through. Glasses may have different levels of UV protection, the recommended level is the maximum i.e. 99 to 100% of UV protection of both UV-A and UV-B rays. Polarized glasses: These glasses have special lenses that reduce glare. They are usually expensive and would help reduce glare directly from the sun or reflected from the road, sand, water or snow. This is independent of UV protection. Photochromatic glasses: These lenses have the property of changing the darkness of tint depending on the amount of light exposure. They are dark in the sun and automatically become light coloured once taken indoors. This again is independent of UV protection. Gradient glasses: These glasses are dark in the upper part and become lighter in the lower half of the lens. This is useful while driving to see the dash board through the lighter part. Tints: There are a number of coloured tints available eg black, brown, grey, blue. This is a personal choice.

Myths

There are a lot of misconceptions regarding sunglasses. Doctors at Hinduja Hospital try to clarify a few.The common myths while getting a pair of sunglasses is that a darker or more expensive pair of glasses will give good protection. Darkness has nothing to do with UV protection, in fact it is more harmful to wear dark sunglasses without UV protection than not to wear sunglasses at all. This is because behind dark glasses the size of the pupil becomes larger and without UV coating allowing more harmful UV rays to enter the eye which would have otherwise been partially blocked due to a smaller pupil without any glasses. Also most people believe that sunglasses are meant only for the summer months, which is untrue since the UV rays are almost equally harmful all the year round.

Recommendations

You will find many brands & lots of stuff as in sunglasses, but the most recommended by doctors are the following.

Sunglasses should have a 99 to 100% protection from UV rays (both UV-A and UV-B). Most branded sunglasses will have this information with the product. Some brands have UV 400 written in them which means, it blocks up to 400 nm of light which includes the UV rays. In case one needs to get prescription sunglasses from the opticians then the amount of UV protection on any lens can be measured by a machine that most good opticians possess. Since UV damage is long term, starting early is recommended. Children should wear sunglasses whilst outdoors in direct sunlight whenever possible. Very few brands make sunglasses for children and since it is usually difficult to get young children to keep glasses on, a rimmed hat or a cap can usually provide substantial protection.

Step one – Vitamins

Vitamin A helps improve night vision and can be found in green leafy vegetables, carrots, spinach, eggs and cheeses. Vitamin B complex is good for reducing redness around the eyes and helps eyes that are sensitive to light. Vitamin B complexes can be found in bananas, liver, pastas, breads, milk and mushrooms. Finally, carotene, found in carrots, broccoli, cabbage and peas, can help the formation of visual purples in the eyes, which helps improve weak eyes and reduce strain.

Step two – Exercise

Naturally, exercise makes for a healthier you. In relation to healthy eyes, prolonged exercise dilates your arteries and rushes fresh blood and oxygen to your eyes. Daily exercise brings much needed nutrients, oxygen and hydration to the eyes and can help fight stress and depression, which both target your eyes.

Step three – Foods for your eyes

One of the best foods for your eyes is Blueberry. Drinking blueberry juice often helps to increase night vision and decrease damage from straining. Likewise, carrots or carrot juice helps improve weak eyes. Wiping green tea bags under your eyes helps them relax while drinking green tea helps deter cataracts.

Step four – Be wise about your eyes

When outdoors, even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses that have UV protection. This keeps your eyes from straining under harsh light and protects your retinas from damage. Similarly, avoid looking at any one object (aka- a computer screen or TV) for prolonged periods. If you have a desk job, make sure you spend at least 5 minutes an hour looking away from your screen and exercising your eyes.

Step five – Sunglasses/eyewear

Don’t skimp on eyewear. Buy glasses that fit your face comfortably and get your prescription updates yearly. Do not wear anyone else’s glasses. If you are outdoors often get prescription sunglasses.

If you think you know all about your sunglasses, think again! Here are some facts that might be of your interest.

Origin of sunglasses can be dated back to ancient times in China and Rom.The mighty Emperor of Rome, Nero, loved to watch gladiator fights through the most primitive form of sunglasses-polished gems.

Around the 1300s, the Judges in China wore smoky quartz lenses to conceal the expression on their faces. However, these glasses were pretty much rudimentary. They only managed to perhaps reduce glare but were not sophisticated enough to correct vision or provide protection from harmful UV rays.

A more advanced version of sunglasses was introduced into china by the Italians in the 1400s. Thus, remained the developments in making of sunglasses till about the 18th century. Changes occurred thanks to a man named James Ayscough. Ayscough seemed to be absolutely certain, that blue or even green tinted glasses could probably solve specific vision problems. It was him therefore, who started with the whole idea of colored lenses. Surprisingly enough, shading the eyes from the sun’s cruel rays wasn’t a part of Ayscough’s agenda!

The sunglasses as we know it came into existence round about 20th century when Sam Foster, founder of the Foster Grant Company, sold the first pair of Froster Grant sunglasses in New Jersey!

In present times, we know of some of the household names in Designer Sunglasses! There are brands like Ray Ban or Oakley which have come up in the market on their own. Then too, certain brands like Gucci, Versace etc, which had started off as subsidiary units to big Fashion House Brands, are now some of the most popular trade names!

There is not a single celebrity out there who doesn’t know what the importance of Sunglasses is! They use it for the simplest of reasons-be it to conceal the stress that shows in their eyes or the result of a night long party, or even to hide their celeb status when they are trying to mingle in with the crowd! A pair of trendy shades is simply a must have!

They say a fashion never stays for long. But you just can’t say the same for sunglasses. It’s a trendsetter that’s here to stay. Celebrities are always abreast with the latest style of fashionable eye wear. For a lot of us, observing the changing trends of our favorite celebrities is a beloved pastime. Lately it can be noticed that Sunglasses with big lenses are a big hit with the women. All thanks to Jackie O!

All renowned Fashion houses are constantly on the run to come up with the most stylish pair of shades. Over a period of years, there have been plenty of alterations, and each new fashion adds an improved, stylish look to the sunglasses. The fad that is in vogue right now is glasses that have designs on the frame. Of course, it would be wrong to be under the misconception that the designer Sunglasses give any better protection to your eyes than normal ones do. The only reason we prefer them is due to the charm of a sophisticated brand name. Better the brand, higher the price!

However, Designer shades are undoubtedly cool, chic and attractive! It is a joy to be flaunting your very stylish pair of branded shades. In a world of high flying fashion, it’s okay really to spend a huge amount and invest in a style statement-unless of course you hit upon a very artistic fake!