If you are struggling to see clearly, it might be time to invest in a pair of prescription glasses. Eyeglasses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and other options designed to provide a stylish and durable way to improve your vision. Prescription glasses change the direction at which light enters your eyes, focusing it on the right spot on the retina in the back of the eye to produce the clearest image.
Prescription glasses are available at Carmi Eye Care in Carmi and the surrounding area. We will perform an eye exam to help determine what lenses you may need. Prescription eyeglasses help correct both short- and long-distance vision problems. For many people, this leads to a higher quality of life. Not only are prescription glasses cheaper than contact lenses and surgery, but they also require less maintenance.
Call Carmi Eye Care at 618-374-0513 if you want more information about prescription glasses and to discuss our other available health services.
There are several benefits to choosing prescription glasses. Unlike other methods of vision correction, glasses are unlikely to cause side effects. Several reasons for glasses not causing as many side effects are that they never touch the eye, can be easily changed as vision changes, and can even protect the eyes from injury. The first step toward getting prescription lenses is an eye exam.
Our optometrist will test the patient's vision by having the patient identify different letters of the alphabet printed on a chart or screen. The lines of type get smaller as one moves down the chart. We may also test the near vision using a card with letters, similar to the eye chart one reads at various distances. The patient will also look through a device that contains wheels of different lenses and judge which combination gives the sharpest, most comfortable vision.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that there are two different types of eyeglass lenses, known as single vision and multifocal. Single vision lenses are designed to correct distance vision. Multifocal lenses are designed to correct both distance vision and near vision.
Another possible option for glasses lenses are bifocals, which have a correction for reading on the bottom half of the lens. The top half of the bifocal lens is used for seeing at a distance. Trifocals have three different lens corrections — distance, intermediate, and near — in one set of eyeglasses. Progressive lenses also allow you to see at all distance ranges without the typical lens lines in bifocals and trifocals.
If the patient's vision does not need correction for seeing at a distance, then reading glasses may be necessary. Prescription glasses are different from the readers one can pick up at the drugstore. Generic reading glasses do not work well for people who have astigmatism or a different prescription in each eye. These premade reading glasses can cause eye strain and headaches. If seeing objects or reading up close is blurry, then it is crucial to schedule an appointment with our team.
After we determine the prescription a patient needs, we can help them pick out the frames. Eyeglass frames are available in a large variety of styles, shapes, and colors. Our team will help the patient narrow down the style the patient feels comfortable with. A pair of glasses should feel almost as if the patient is not wearing them. The glasses should not rub against the ears or nose or fall off easily.
Also, there are particular materials designed to help patients get the most out of their prescription glasses. Our team can apply UV protection that helps block the sun’s damaging rays. Patients can also get an anti-reflective coating that helps reduce both daytime glare and the starburst effect around lights. Scratch protection is also recommended for plastic lenses. Another option is transition lenses, which darken like sunglasses in outdoor light but act as regular eyeglasses indoors.
Some activities may call for special glasses. Long hours at a computer can cause eyestrain. Our optometrist may recommend a special pair of glasses just for the computer. Special driving sunglasses that combine the prescription with polarized lenses to help block the light are also available.
When it comes to proper glasses care, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines. While it is fairly simple, patients can damage the lenses if they do not clean them properly. A few tips for keeping clean glasses include:
We can go over where to get glasses cleaner cloths and cleaning solution.Washing the glasses at least once a day will keep the lenses sparkling. The cleaner they are, the less the eyes will have to work to see through dirt and dust.
If you are struggling to see, whether up close or far away, do not ignore the signs. Wearing prescription glasses can help improve completing day-to-day activities such as reading, writing, and driving. If you notice that your vision is changing and want to know if prescription eyeglasses are right for you, call us at 618-374-0513 to schedule an appointment today.
Can wearing prescription glasses improve my vision?
Eyeglasses only temporarily correct your vision and cannot fix any medical issues or make any changes to the structure of your eye. Prescription glasses give you better vision by allowing the eyes to process light correctly. However, glasses do not make any lasting changes to the eyes or eyesight. Only corrective surgery can make a permanent change to one's vision.
Is it okay to wear prescription glasses all the time?
It is best to follow our optometrist’s recommendations. If you are more comfortable wearing your glasses all day, then that is fine. If you only need them for reading or driving, you can wear them as needed. Not wearing the glasses as prescribed can lead to eye strain and headaches.
Will wearing glasses weaken my eyes?
Glasses correct vision, but just as they cannot improve your actual physical eye, they will not weaken it, either. Prescription eyeglasses are medical devices that improve vision. However, vision naturally declines with age and will continue to do so even as you wear eyeglasses. It may seem like your glasses are the cause, but the vision change is likely just age-related. You can cause eye strain and headaches if you wear glasses with a different prescription.
When should I avoid wearing prescription glasses?
If you are comfortable with them, there is no reason why you cannot wear your glasses all the time. There are, however, some exceptions. Try to avoid falling asleep in your glasses. Consider specialized glasses if needed while playing sports, and put your glasses away when you go swimming. If you need eye protection at work, make sure to have prescription safety goggles or glasses made.
How often will I need to change my prescription glasses?
This can vary per each patient. Depending on the patient's age, eye health, and lifestyle, they may require more changes to the prescription over time. The changes can be slight or more significant. Call us to learn more today.