The Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

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 It's a bright and sunny day out there - perfect conditions for driving, right?  Wrong!  Blinding glare from sun and vehicles is a contributing factor to ocular damage and fatal vehicle accidents.

More than 90 percent of reactions made behind the wheel depend on good vision. An Essilor study found that reaction times improved by one-third of a second for drivers who wear polarized prescription lenses.  For a car traveling 80 km/h, one-third of a second allows a driver to stop seven metres sooner, or the length of an intersection. Polarized lenses improve vision clarity by 75 percent!

Besides the obvious damage you can do to your car, wearing sunglasses while you're driving (or any time you're outdoors) will help prevent ocular damage like macular degeneration, cataracts, wrinkles, and ugly yellow deposits on the white part of the eye (pinguecula).

How do they work?

Sunlight itself is not polarized – it's either absorbed or reflected.  Sunlight bouncing off a horizontal surface will strike the driver’s eyes at a similar angle and produce strong glare.

Working like a venetian blind, polarized lenses have a laminated surface with vertical stripes that allow only vertical light to enter the eyes.  Glare is eliminated because the horizontally-polarized light waves can’t bypass the polarized filter.

Trouble seeing during rush hour?

Over 60 percent of eyeglass wearers surveyed agree that glare from the sun makes it difficult to see while driving. The time of day also has a great effect. Our skin's exposure to UV light is highest between 10am-2pm. Our eyes are different! Our eyes get the most UV exposure when the sun is at an angle, typically between 8-10am and 2-4pm. 

Make your driving experience safer and easier – eye-bar always has a great selection of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses. We've stocked up for the patio days ahead, too!

eye-bar is a member of Eye Recommend, Canada's Vision Care Professionals, helping doctors help their patients since 1997. We are proud to be able to help Canadians attain optimal eye health.

*Images found here, here,and here.
Book your next eye exam in Sherwood Park with an optometrist at eye-bar optometrist, opticians & eyewear specialists

Is it safe to share eye makeup?

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Sharing eye makeup is even more dangerous than sharing lipstick and other makeup.  Besides the risk of using the wrong colour (oh no!) you have a huge risk of spreading viruses via your makeup.  The most common viral infection of the eye is conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye), which is extremely contagious.  Sharing can also lead to increased risk of warts, cold sores, styes, and bacterial infections.

 
Mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner, eyelash curlers, and even Latisse - used to stimulate eyelash growth -  can lead to a bad eye infection. Makeup cannot be cleaned of bacteria and viruses from previous use and bacteria are carried from applicators back to the product itself, so using a clean applicator does not decrease the risk.  In fact, the items can be contaminated for weeks unless they are cleaned and disinfected. This is why it's a good idea to discard items such as mascara brushes and other eye makeup if you've had infectious conjunctivitis, even if your eyes have cleared up.
 
The bottom line is: be selfish with your eye makeup! 

*Images found here and here

Book your next eye exam in Sherwood Park with an optometrist at eye-bar optometrist, opticians & eyewear specialists

Summer 2013 Sunglass Collection

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Our Summer 2013 Sunglasses Collection has arrived! 

This season, we are still seeing an influence from vintage styles, but they are modernized with interesting details. The shapes are moving from 1970s style back to the 1960s. This is just a sneak peak, we have so many stylish options to choose from!

Top: The sides of these frames have chic, slightly coloured indentations to give the frames a subtle burst of style.
Middle: Metal details across the top are a nod to the 1960s and work well with the modern shape.
Bottom: The colours in these frames will pop when the sun hits them. We love the classic shape of these frames, but the mix of colours and the unique shape along the top made them to die for!

Book your next eye exam in Sherwood Park with an optometrist at eye-bar optometrist, opticians & eyewear specialists

Save $20 on eye-bar sunglasses!

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Are you a smarty pants that wants new sunglasses? You're in luck! eye-bar has a sweet deal for the month of June!

For every question below that you answer correctly, you get $5 off your new pair of sunglasses (prescription or non-prescription)!

Question 1: What types of ocular damage can be caused by cumulative UV exposure (in addition to solar keratitis, carcinoma, and melanoma)?
 a) macular degeneration
 b) cataracts
 c) ugly, fatty, yellow deposits on the white part of the eye (pinguecula)
 d) wrinkles
 e) all of the above                

Question 2: What time of day is most critical for ocular UV protection?
 a) noon
 b) midnight
 c) rainy days
 d) happy hour
 e) between 8 - 10 am and between 2 - 4 pm when the sun is at an angle

Question 3: How much UV light can get to the eye if your sunglasses don't fit properly?
a) none. I never go outside.
b) none. I close my eyes when I go outside.
c) a wee bit
d) 10%
e) up to 45%

Question 4: Why are kids at high risk for ocular UV damage?
a) the natural sun protection of our eyes is poorly developed until after age 25
b) they tend to spend more time outdoors
c) they forget to wear sunglasses
d) their parents forget to get them sunglasses at eye-bar
e) all of the above

Study the answers, then stop in to take the test and pick out your new shades! Don't worry... if you get stuck, we can help you.

 

 

Book your next eye exam in Sherwood Park with an optometrist at eye-bar optometrist, opticians & eyewear specialists