Have you been wearing the same pair of eyeglasses every day for work, sports, hobbies, driving, reading, and/or watching TV? If so, you may not be getting all the vision help glasses can offer.
Here's where you can learn about the different types of lenses available in eyeglasses for various lifestyle activities.
How Do Eyeglasses Sharpen Vision?
Eyes with vision problems do not focus light where they should. Eyeglass lenses change the direction of light entering the eyes so that it focuses properly on a special part of the back of the eye known as the retina.
How Often Do You Need a New Prescription for Eyeglasses?
Call your eye doctor for an exam if your vision changes. But you should also expect to have eye exams regularly. This is especially important since your eye doctor also checks for eye diseases and disorders.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends the following schedule for eye exams:
- Birth to age 6: Children's eyes and vision should be checked at birth, six to 12 months later, and at age 3 by their pediatrician or an ophthalmologist.
- Ages 6 to 40: Vision should be checked every three years.
- Ages 40 to 60: People should have a complete eye exam every two years. Schedule an exam by ophthalmologist every four years to monitor for glaucoma.
People at high risk for eye problems should get screened every two years, advises the AAO. You're at high risk if you are over age 65, have diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell disease, past eye injury, or a family history of glaucoma or other eye disease. Even people with good health, good vision, and no symptoms should have an exam at age 40 to establish a baseline of their eye health. That's the age when early signs of eye disease and changes in vision begin to occur. Your ophthalmologist will use those exam results to determine your eye health, risk factors, and how often you should have your eyes screened.
The Basics of Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses may be prescribed with lenses providing:
- One vision correction for all distances (unifocal).
- Correction for both near and distant vision (multifocal: bifocals, trifocals, progressive, or no-line lenses)
- Ultraviolet (UV) light protection -- a lens coating to block the sun's damaging and invisible UV rays.
- Antireflective coating to lessen light reflection off your glasses, reducing daytime glare and the nighttime "starburst" effect around lights.
You may want to ask your eye doctor about other lens enhancements, such as:
- Photochromatic lenses, which darken in situations where you'd otherwise wear sunglasses and act as "regular" eyeglasses in normal (usually indoor) light
- Scratch protection (recommended for plastic lenses)
- Tints -- typically cosmetic but also useful for people whose eyes are sensitive to light
Eyeglass frame styles change with fashion. Frames may be made from:
- Plastic
- Plain metal
- A combination of plastic and metal
- "Specialty" metals such as titanium and carbongraphite, both highly damage resistant
Eyeglass alert! Your new eyeglasses should feel -- well, almost as if you aren't wearing them! They shouldn't rub uncomfortably against your ears or nose, fall off easily, or otherwise not feel "right." Of course, allow a reasonable amount of time for getting used to them. However, if problems persist, let your eye doctor know.
Eyeglasses for Different Activities
Some activities may call for wearing special eyeglasses. For example:
Computer work. Especially after age 40, spending long hours staring at a computer screen and focusing the eyes at specific distances may lead to eyestrain. Some eye doctors treat this problem with eyeglasses, prescribing either:
- A different prescription for a person who already wears eyeglasses, or
- A prescription for eyeglasses for someone who doesn't otherwise wear them.
When indicated, the eye doctor may also recommend treatment for dry eye syndrome. When focusing intently, people tend to blink less and eyes can dry out.
Driving. Eyeglasses for driving may be:
- Special "driving sunglasses," with polarized (partially light-blocking) lenses
- Prescription eyeglasses with both your lens prescription for distance vision and an anti-reflective coating.
Reading. Reading glasses are a good choice for people with presbyopia. This eye condition develops with aging -- usually in your 40s. You might notice that your arms aren't long enough to read up close anymore. Glasses that correct presbyopia are also good for close-up hobbies, too.
Available without a prescription, cheap, one-size-fits-all, single-distance styles can be found in pharmacies and department stores. Some people can't use these because of headaches or eyestrain. For them, prescription eyeglasses for reading are best.
Eyeglasses alert! Never buy nonprescription reading glasses as a substitute for seeing your eye doctor. Regular eye exams check more than your vision. They also check the ongoing health of your eyes.
Sports. Some 90% of sports-related injuries are preventable with use of protective eyewear. These include:
- Sports goggles with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses, commonly used for playing basketball, baseball/softball (on the field), field hockey, women's lacrosse, racquet sports, and soccer
- Polycarbonate shields (or wire face guards), used, for example, in baseball/softball (batting) and football
Eyeglasses alert! Don't wear your everyday eyeglasses when you play sports. "Regular" eyeglasses don't meet sports eyewear's higher safety standards and neither do contact lenses or safety eyewear used in industry. Ask your eye doctor's advice about sports eye protection.
At work. Eye injuries can happen at any workplace. Industries where they are most common include:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Mining
Government standards require employers to evaluate the workplace for possible eye hazards and provide equipment -- including appropriate protective eyewear -- and surroundings to ensure that any such hazards are minimized or eliminated.
To meet the government standards, all protective eyewear must have "Z87" or "Z87+" (the "+" indicates safety eyewear with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses) marked on the frame and sometimes on the lens as well.
All safety eyewear should be comfortable to wear as well as properly fitted. Types of safety eyewear may include:
- Goggles, which are more impact resistant than safety glasses
- Safety glasses with side protection/shields
- Face shields, including welding helmets
- Full-face respirators incorporating face shields
At home. Protective eyewear can help prevent eye injury from many hazards around the house. These include:
- Household chemicals
- Workshop activities
- Gardening and lawn work
- Car repair or maintenance tasks
In any situation where you injure your eye(s), get medical attention immediately.
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