Buying prescription eyeglasses or wanting the best sunglasses, here are tips to make the most of your purchase. If you are willing to invest in your eyes, which I recommend everybody does, here are 7 top things to consider.
From sunglasses to prescription glasses. Here are points to help make the best purchase.
First, some background on my glasses wearing. I’m a new prescription glasses wearer, having only purchased my first reading glasses about a year and half ago, and my first progressive glasses last month. On the other hand I’ve had sunglasses for a long time, since college days, sticking almost exclusively to Ray-Ban, Oakley and Gucci. I’ve had quite a few versions of photochromic and polaroid glasses. So I’m no expert but I’ve learned a bit and want to share it. Also, I’ve started to wear reading glasses only at 53, which opthalmologists keep telling me is already good. They say most start on reading glasses in their 40’s, but I’ve managed to hold them off by doing eye-exercises to maintain strenth in my eye muscles, allowing them to focus better. Oh yes, every opthalmologist I’ve asked said eye exercises don’t work, but in my experience and that of some I know, it does. Besides, doesn’t it make sense that if the eye muscles flex the irises into shape to focus on objects then having stronger muscles will also help? And yes, I’ve taken various eye vitamin supplements, and agree these are good but can’t vouch for their impact. Now if you already need to after all these preventions - then it’s better to wear glasses rather than get to a physical accident because of not recognizing a hazard, or an accident from misreading things (like sending off an email or chat with a mistakenly offensive message, or misunderstanding important written instructions or labels on medicines, etc.). So if like me you have come to that conclusion, or want to protect your eyes through a good pair of shades, then read on!
Progressive glasses offer the most flexibility, but also require getting used to.
1. Progressive glasses are best for flexibility. With progressive glasses, the grade of the glasses shifts from the bottom to the top, alowing you to see both near and far objects. This is specially helpful if you need glasses both for reading and distance, and if the grade of your eyes are different between left and right. On the other hand you may be “simply" near-sighted or far-sighted. Most people who see clearly for near or distance would survive with single-grade glasses, and then look over their glasses (like a steriotypical old man) to see clearly or to talk to someone. But many activities would benefit from having progressive glasses e.g. in the Philippines where people are required to wear face shields due to COVID 19 and to avoid repeatedly taking glasses on and off while writing things; or waiting in line in a drive through for a Covid swab test and filling a form while repeatedly looking up to see if the car in front has advanced; or driving specially at night and wanting to see clearly the modern high-tech dashboards with many readouts while also clearly seeing cars in the distance; or simply walking outside and glancing at your expensive watch complication to see the micro miniature detailing or to appreciate the 5 tips of your Rolex crown in crisp contrast!
There is a very broad range of lens types and lens technologies, as well as frames. From very basic to very expensive. The choice is yours, but the best is to make intelligent decisions.
2. Progressive glasses need getting used to! You may think wearing glasses is easy and natural. Yes it is for me when using reading glasses and am on my computer, but the moment I stand up to do something else or look at someone, I need to take off my reading glasses. Based on this - it would seem that progressive glasses would be more natural, and you wouldn’t need to take off your glasses anymore. But it’s not the same because the field of sharp vision falls into zones, and you need to get used to looking through the right zones on your glasses. This applies both vertically and horizontally. So with progressive glasses, you would need to look at things more frontally, and at the correct angle. This will take some getting used to, specially when walking for the first time. And it’s not recommended to immediately start driving upon getting progressive glasses for the first time.
Lens types will vary significantly. Make sure you know what you’re getting. Clarify with the optical shop! Essilor offers exciting technologies and innovations. Make sure you are getting an authentic pair or a “house brand”, depending on the price you’re willing to pay. Compare among different optical shops.
3. There are great varieties in grades and types of progressive glasses. And lens prices will vary drastically! Plus the brands and types of frames will also be different. The solution? Ask at least 5 different optical shops. In Singapore, a basic frame with progressive and photochromic lenses will cost about SGD 700, about P25,000. In the Philippines, in the south of Metro Manila, I have asked many shops around Alabang Town Center and Evia Mall. Some stores like Sarabia Optical quoted P18,000 for “progressive transitions”, and some have even quoted more, without the price of the frame! The frame itself can cost anywhere from P1,500 to upwards of P30,000 depending on the brand and the model. Make sure to clarify what they are offering. They could be quoting a “house brand” or “generic” progressive and photochromic glasses, like Executive Optical does for about P8,000 excluding the frame, or Ideal Vision that quoted about P3,500 (~S$100) for their generic version. Note also that “transition” glasses have become a generic descriptor of changeabe or photochomic glasses that darken in the presence of sunlight (having UV rays). But Transitions is actually a brand name of Essilor, and an authorized outlet will specify Transitions Gen 8. Also, generic and house brand photochromic lenses will be limited to gray color, while the Essilor Transitions can provide a wide range of colors to suit individual preferences, including signature brown and graphite green, to vibrant sapphire and amethyst. There’s even the option for variable polarization lenses! I enjoy highly technical, well-designed and well-crafted products, and you will clearly see this from the links to the Essilor website, provided here.
Transitions is a brand of Essilor. Photochromic lenses are available from other manufacturers. Both generally work well and transform from clear to dark and back fast. But Essilor Transitions has the advantage of faster response, and a palette of colors to choose from. Check out their website for more info.
4. I personally recommend the Essilor Varulix progressive lenses from Ideal Vision. They gave the best price for Essilor Varilux lenses, at P10,000 exluding the frame. They also explained the different lens options very clearly. Of course from reading this blog you can intelligently ask the optical shop and determine exactly what they are offering. I also purchased an expensive “house brand” from another optical shop, and I can confidently say in my experience that the Essilor lenses live up to their claims and offer lenses with sharper, crisper visibility, and with a wider zone of sharpness! Read about the technologies that go into the lenses for greater appreciation. I also opted for the brown color to be different from my other photochromic progressive glasses. So they are anti-glare, non-reflective, computer protective, UV protective, progressive Transitions glasses. There is also a card of authenticity for the Essilor lenses. Now if you wanted to, you could purchase even higher grades of Essilor lenses like the Varilux X series, though these sell for P28,000 without the frame. Probably the Varilx X series shouldn’t be your choice for a first time purchase, but it is worth considering once you are comfortable with progressive glasses.
W.A.V.E. Technology is one very many technologies highlighted in the Essilor website. They claim the lens provide "sharp details, even at night; an advanced lens technology that eliminates the blurriness and low-light issues or ordinary progressive lenses. It provides sharper vision at every distance, even in dim lighting”. And based on a new pair of Essilor Varilux and house brand progressive glasses made for me, I do see the higher level of clarity with the Essilor lenses.
5. Comments on frame selection. If you are investing in expensive lenses, you should get a frame that is sturdy, not just a design that suits your fashion. Frame prices can also vary dramatically, from the most basic that come almost free, to high-end luxury brand frames from famous designer houses. Many of the luxury frames do look well built, so the higher prices do come with the benefit of sturdiness. If you have existing shades like Ray-Ban, or Oakley and want to have the lenses replaced with prescription ones, check with the optical shop. Some lens designs for shades are too large or too curved to be replaced. So it’s always best to ask and purchase your frame from the shop you want to get the lenses from. Now the best care for your glasses and frames is - good old care. Simple frames can last long when cared for properly!
Low-cost single-grade “reading” glasses are available at bookstores and thrift stores, and can be very good alternatives in certain situations, specially when working from home! They can also be used to extend the life of your precious progressive glasses, by reserving these for when you are away from home on an active day.
6. More options: If your left and right eyes have the same grade, you can consider ready-made glasses instead of going to an optical shop for very precise eye grade measurements. Reading glasses from Value Dollar in Singapore are only $1.50! I bought a bunch, and I use them for everyday working-from-home. They’re very comfortable, and offer quite good clarity. If you’re indoors for the day, you don’t need Transitions photochromic glasses. Of course - no personalization on style, shape, frame material construction, bling, etc. But if you’re indoors, you don’t need them. Ready-made reading glasses from book stores or optical shop will cost anywhere from $15 to $100, or P700 to P3,000. If you’ll be on a Zoom or other video meeting however, do change to glasses from an optical shop that offer anti-glare lenses so your eyes are seen, for a more professional appearance. But alternating with inexpensive reading glasses for working from home will extend the life of your expensive pairs of glasses.
7. If you're going for nice sunglasses without the need for prescription grades - I recommend to go with either a house brand photochromic lenses or better - go for the Transitions from Essilor. If these were available from when I was younger - I would have gotten these! They go from clear and transparent, to very dark! Much darker than my Ray-Bans and Oakley photochromic glasses could! And you can have a very wide range of frames, from sports frames to formal ones. The benefit is that you can always be wearing them and not keep taking them off when lighting changes. This way, there is more consistent protection for your eyes. And for the ladies, this can also prevent early appearance of crow’s feet.
That’s it for now. I hope this article helps you to be more equipped as you go into an optical shop and make a better decision. Having great vision is such a precious gift from God, so it’s best to care well for your eyes.
If you have other tips, let me know and I could incorporate the info, so just add a comment. Take care!
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