Finding The Right Frames for Your Face

It’s easy to make fun of the idea that Superman can hide his identity behind a pair of glasses.

However, anyone who wears glasses knows that they can make a major difference to the way someone’s face looks. They’re almost like a customizable facial feature! This is why it’s so important to choose the right frames for your face when you’re shopping for new glasses.

Whether you’re getting new glasses because your old pair broke, your prescription is out-of-date, or you’re simply looking to make a change, there will always be a few different factors to consider when selecting the perfect frames.

The Importance of Face Shape

Everyone is different, and that includes face shape. Most faces fit into one of four main categories, although they could be a blend of two or more.

• Square: strong jawline and forehead, similar width and length
• Round: full cheeks, rounded hairline and jawline, similar width and length
• Oval: rounded hairline and jawline, greater length than width
• “Heart-shaped”: wide cheeks and forehead, narrow chin

An easy way to figure out your face shape is to look in the mirror, close one eye, and (using a washable marker) draw the outline of your face. Whichever shape the outline most closely resembles is your face shape! If you’re still not sure, we can help you out when you come in for your next appointment.

The Main Variables in Frame Selection

The most basic principle to follow when choosing glasses is to look for frames that will balance out the shape of your face. Putting square glasses on a square face only emphasizes the shape, but glasses that are more rounded will create a softer appearance. Likewise, rectangular glasses balance out a round face.

For more tips on matching frames to face shape, check out this short video:

Please upgrade your browser  

Size matters as much as shape. If your glasses are too large or too small, they won’t be flattering. The size of the lenses should be proportionate to the size of the wearer’s face. People with smaller faces will look better in smaller glasses, where people with larger faces will look better in larger glasses. That’s why old glasses from high school don’t look as good on adults!

Last but Not Least: Style

Vintage, modern, hipster, chic—frames come not just in many shapes and sizes, but in many styles. Matching our frames to the size and shape of our faces is all very well, but most of us are more interested in making sure our frames match our sense of fashion. That’s why we give you so many to choose from at our practice!

We’ll Help You Find Frames You Love!

If you need further assistance in choosing the most flattering and stylish frames, schedule an appointment and we’ll help you find the best ones for you. We want to help you not only choose frames that you love, but frames that love you back! We can’t wait to see how you look in your new glasses!

We’re excited to help you choose your perfect frames!

 

Visit us at

http://visionsource-westview.com/vision-care-products/lenses-and-frames/

 

Protect Your Sight As You Age

Today, we’d like to go over a few of the most common age-related eye problems and offer tips on keeping your eyes healthy and strong.

Be Aware Of Common Eye Problems

Many of us will begin to need reading glasses as we age, even if we’ve never needed glasses before. This happens because the lenses in our eyes naturally lose some of their flexibility over time, making it more difficult to adjust our focus from objects that are far away to those that are nearby. Aside from this loss in flexibility, other conditions develop as we age as well—some more serious than others.

Common eye problems and diseases that come with advanced age include dry eye, glaucoma, detached retina, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Most can be treated, delayed, or reversed, especially when we catch the problem early on in its development.

Eye-Healthy Habits Can Protect Your Sight

The best time to start working on your eyes’ health is now, even if your eyesight is currently perfect, because long-term healthy habits are crucial for prevention.

 

Here are several things you can do in your daily life to reduce your risk of developing age-related vision problems:

Stay Active

An active lifestyle is good for the entire body, and that includes the eyes. Studies have shown that people who lead sedentary lives lose more vision as they age than more active people.

Eat Healthy

What you eat can reduce your risk for age-related macular degeneration and other eye problems. Bell peppers, carrots, dark leafy greens, blueberries, sweet potatoes, turkey, wild salmon, and chia seeds all contain important nutrients for maintaining healthy vision.

Protect Your Eyes From UV Rays

We all know we shouldn’t look directly at the sun, but even indirect sunlight can harm our eyes, and the effects can be cumulative over time. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to keep your eyes safe.

Stop Smoking

Just as staying active is good for both your eyes and overall health, smoking is bad for your eyes and overall health. It greatly increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration as well as the well-publicized risks of heart disease and lung cancer.

Avoid Digital Eye Strain

Take regular breaks from looking at electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. Staring at screens for hours often leads to digital eye strain, but if you follow the 20-20-20 rule and spend twenty seconds looking at something twenty feet away every twenty minutes, your eyes won’t tire as quickly.

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

We’ll be able to catch signs of eye problems and make sure everything’s working the way it should, but we can only do that if you’re coming to see us on a regular basis.

See Us Immediately If…

While many age-related eye conditions develop over time, some can crop up seemingly out of nowhere. Come see us right away if you experience any of these symptoms: sudden blurriness or loss of vision, increase in the number of “floaters” you see, flashes of light, eye pain, double vision, or redness or swelling of your eye or eyelid.

Early Detection Is Key

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to catch age-related eye problems early. If it’s been a while since your last appointment, we’d love to see you and make sure your eyes are in great shape, because we want you to be able to continue doing all of the vision-related things you love!

 

REQUEST APPOINTMENT

You can schedule your next eye exam with us online!

GIVE US A CALL
(832) 317-6665

or visit http://visionsource-westview.com/patients/

Cosmetics And Our Eye Health

Nobody likes accidentally jabbing themselves in the eye with a mascara applicator, but that isn’t the only eye health concern when it comes to cosmetics.

Makeup and certain cosmetic products can sometimes trigger allergic reactions, so it’s always a good idea to be careful when trying a new one for the first time. Equally serious is the risk of infection, which is what we’ll be focusing on today.

What Are We Putting In Or Near Our Eyes?

They say that beauty is pain, but those probably shouldn’t be words to live by, especially when it comes to the health of our eyes. The three most risky types of cosmetics that come close to our eyes are waterline eyeliner, false eyelashes, and colored contact lenses.

Eyeliner On The Waterline

In recent years, it has become fairly popular to apply eyeliner inside on the rim of the eyelid, also called the water line. This can produce striking results, but it isn’t without risks. Studies have shown that far more eyeliner particles migrate into the tear film over the cornea from waterline eyeliner than other makeup. This increases the chance of infection and irritation.

False Eyelashes And Eyelash Extensions

The most common problem with false eyelashes is an allergy to the glue, but even if you have no such allergy, false eyelashes are still risky. They can have a negative impact on the health of the natural eyelashes, damaging their roots and sometimes causing them to fall out. They’re also breeding grounds for germs that could cause eye infections.

 

Color Contacts

Technically, contact lenses are not cosmetics, they are medical devices. We still wanted to discuss them because they are often used for cosmetic purposes and come with considerable risks.

One factor many people fail to consider with color contacts, especially when they are not prescription contacts, is that all eyeballs are not the same size. Poorly fitted contacts can lead to serious complications, including infection, inflammation, trauma, and even damage to the cornea and eyelids. Over-the-counter color contacts or ones purchased online might also not have been kept clean, which adds to the risk of corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis (pink-eye).

The best way to avoid these problems is to only buy color contacts from retailers who require a prescription. In fact, it’s illegal to sell them in the United States without requiring a prescription. You should also make sure you’ve been fitted for contacts by your optometrist before you buy colored lenses. Once you have them, always follow the proper care and safety instructions.

General Tips For Avoiding Eye Infections

As long as you exercise caution, there’s no reason you can’t still use these types of products. Here are a few general guidelines you can follow to keep your eyes safe.

Wash your hands before doing anything near your eyes
Pay attention to expiration dates on makeup
Don’t share eye makeup, and definitely don’t share contact lenses
Come To Us With Your Eye Health Concerns!

Come to us if you have other questions about cosmetics and eye health or have had any complications from using these types of products. We’re here to address any of your concerns and ensure that you have healthy vision for life!

Healthy eyes are beautiful eyes!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

 

WE BELIEVE LIFE IS ALL ABOUT YOUR VISION
How clear is your vision? Vision Source Westview is the leading provider of optometry services and vision care products in the Houston community, and we want to help you achieve and maintain a clear vision for years to come.

GIVE US A CALL
(832) 317-6665

or visit http://visionsource-westview.com/

A Back-to-School Contact Lens Guide For Teens

As you rush around getting new school clothes and school supplies, don’t forget to schedule your student’s back-to-school eye exam. This is an essential step for school readiness because poor vision can be a barrier to learning. Which might be why August is Back to School Eye Health Month.

What if my child wants contact lenses?

Wearing contact lenses can help teenagers feel more confident in their appearance. Contact lenses are also a great option for sports. These are advantages during this self-conscious age.

How do I know when my child is ready for contact lenses?

There’s no “right age” to begin wearing contact lenses — almost anyone of any age can wear them. But it involves a level of responsibility and ability to follow a wear-and-care routine. If you feel your child can responsibly care for lenses, then talk to their eye care professional to discuss options.

What’s a good lens for a first-time teen wearer?

Many eye care professionals recommend starting with a lens that’s worn for one day, such as Biotrue® ONEday daily disposable contact lenses. They are worn once, then thrown away. This makes them great for teens and other first-time wearers, and for your peace of mind.

But it really depends on what’s best for your child’s eye care needs. Be sure to ask your eye care professional for a prescription that is best for your child, whether it be a lens that is worn for one day, for two weeks of daily wear, or one that’s designed for one month of daily wear. As long as your child follows a proper wear and care regimen, they will likely have success.

What, exactly, is a proper wear and care regimen?

A proper wear and care regimen is critical for contact lens success. The wear and care instructions are based on the lens and wearing cycle your doctor recommends. So follow your doctor’s recommendations for proper lens disinfection, and how often to replace them.

Regardless of what kind of lens your doctor recommends, everyone wearing contact lenses should always wash their hands before touching them, or their eyes.

Please upgrade your browser

Four tips every parent should share.

1. New quarter, new case. It’s important contact lens cases be replaced at least every three months.
2. Just say no to H20. Water from the tap might be clean enough to drink or bathe in, but it’s a major bacteria-carrying no-no when it comes to rinsing and soaking contact lenses or cases. Never swim, shower or go in a hot tub wearing contact lenses either.
3. Think twice before snoozing. Unless the contact lenses are prescribed by your doctor for 24-hour wear, it is not a good idea to sleep in them.
4. It’s too late if you wait. If you see any symptoms of eye infection, such as redness, pain or light sensitivity, see your eye doctor as soon as possible. Don’t take chances with vision.

We hope this answered all your questions regarding your teenager wearing contact lenses. If you still need help determining whether your child is ready for contact lenses, talk to your eye care professional.

 

Four tips every parent should share.

1. New quarter, new case. It’s important contact lens cases be replaced at least every three months.
2. Just say no to H20. Water from the tap might be clean enough to drink or bathe in, but it’s a major bacteria-carrying no-no when it comes to rinsing and soaking contact lenses or cases. Never swim, shower or go in a hot tub wearing contact lenses either.
3. Think twice before snoozing. Unless the contact lenses are prescribed by your doctor for 24-hour wear, it is not a good idea to sleep in them.
4. It’s too late if you wait. If you see any symptoms of eye infection, such as redness, pain or light sensitivity, see your eye doctor as soon as possible. Don’t take chances with vision.

We hope this answered all your questions regarding your teenager wearing contact lenses. If you still need help determining whether your child is ready for contact lenses, talk to your eye care professional.

How clear is your vision? Vision Source Westview is the leading provider of optometry services and vision care products in the Houston community, and we want to help you achieve and maintain a clear vision for years to come. Visit us at http://visionsource-westview.com/