Comprehensive Eye Exams Matter
A regular, comprehensive eye exam is an important part of maintaining your ocular health. Those of us who have a refractive error in the form of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), or astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea), also visit the optometrist to make sure we have the correct prescription for the best vision possible. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common options for correcting refractive error; laser refractive surgery is another option this is becoming common.
Eyewear: Glasses
Corrective eyeglasses were first made in the 13th century, and were far less sophisticated and fashionable than they are now. Frames now come in a wide variety of styles and brands to fit both your visual needs and your fashion sense.
Selecting & Fitting Eyeglasses
There are a few steps involved in selecting and fitting eyeglasses:
- Frame size, lens size, bridge width, temple length, shape, wrap, material, and overall fit are important parts of choosing frames.
- Measurements will be taken by the person who is fitting you for glasses to determine your pupillary distance (PD) and optical centres (OC). These measurements are taken as part of the eyeglass fitting process and are not part of the prescription provided by your optometrist.
- Other measurements including face form, eye size, and temple length may also be required to get a perfect fit.
- Lenses, tints, and coatings will be decided based on your individual needs/wants, your prescription, lifestyle, and work demands.
After your lenses have been made and placed in the frames, the person fitting your glasses will confirm that they have been properly manufactured within acceptable tolerance, and will adjust the frames to your face, making sure they are sitting properly. Periodic adjustments will likely be necessary to maintain the correct fit of your glasses. Poorly fitting eyeglasses can cause eyestrain, a pulling sensation, headaches, nausea, and blurry vision.