Find Fashion And Function In Prescription Eyeglasses

Not so long ago, getting prescription eyeglasses meant you were a nerd who had strained your eyes with too much study — or you were getting really, really old! Today, however, prescription eyeglasses are proving more popular than ever as a fashion accessory as much as a function necessity.

People age 40 and older often notice that print begins to blur when they're reading. That's a clear sign of presbyopia, even if a person hasn't worn glasses before. If you have worn eyeglasses before age 40, signs of presbyopia also mean that single-vision lenses won't work for you anymore.

In addition to fashion designers coming up with fabulous lenses, one of the biggest improvements in prescription eyeglasses has been new types of lenses. Those old soda-bottle-bottom lenses are nearly extinct, thanks to new developments such as these:

* Bifocals. Their invention is attributed to America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately, in the three centuries since ol' Benjy invented them, traditional bifocals haven't changed much. They still are made with only near and far vision, with no intermediate zone. The top half of bifocals is used for distance vision and the bottom half for reading. A noticeable line separates the two lens regions.

Materials for eyeglass frames also sport innovations, such as the introduction of wood and bamboo. Because it's an easily renewable resource, bamboo in particular is becoming a popular material for those concerned about the environmental impact of the manufacture of plastic or metal frames.

* Progressive lenses. Here's the biggest improvement over either bifocals or trifocals. Progressives allow wearers of prescription eyeglasses to focus at nearly any distance. There's no line in the lens, so eyesight transition is smoother than with the other types of lenses for presbyopia.

* Reading glasses. Essentially, reading glasses are single-vision magnifiers. Their lenses will enlarge type so that it can be seen without blurring. Reading glasses can be purchased in pharmacies or discount stores without a prescription, or an optician can prescribe reading glasses.

In addition to needing vision correction for reading, people with presbyopia who are fond of sports and recreational activities may find that they need specialized prescription eyeglasses. After all, a devoted softball player wouldn't want that horsehide to get indistinct when it comes across the plate. And every golfer needs to be able to see well in order to tee up.

First, optical stores and boutiques often have sales offering "two-for-one" or "buy-one-get-one-half-off" deals. Many wearers of prescription eyeglasses find they can purchase a wardrobe of glasses for less than a new pair of shoes.

Types of lenses that aid people with presbyopia include bifocals, which sharpen near and far vision; trifocals, which sharpen near, middle and far vision; and progressive lenses, which allow the wearer to focus at any range of distance.

Third, prescription eyeglasses don't have to be only a medical device anymore. While some women might like to wear their silver frames with everything, that's not true, or even attractive, for everyone. No one wears the same outfit day after day, year in and year out, so why wear the same pair of eyeglasses?

Combine these eye care innovations with the wide range of fashion frame options available, and you have prescription eyeglasses that aren't merely functional, they're fun!

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