We get asked questions all of the time, such as, “Can you improve eyesight naturally without glasses?” or “Is staring at a computer for too long bad for your vision?” There is a slew of eyesight beliefs and many just aren’t correct. We’ll address seven common eyesight myths to separate fact from fiction. 1. MYTH: THERE ARE NATURAL WAYS TO IMPROVE EYESIGHT WITHOUT CONTACT LENSES OR GLASSES. False. When debunking eyesight myths, this one usually comes first on the list. So many of us wish for a way to stop eyes from getting worse or to improve eyesight naturally. The truth is,…

You walk into Footlocker for a pair of Nike running shoes and the price tag is too good to be true. You take a shoe out of the box and realize it doesn’t have laces or insoles, in fact the technology that makes it a Nike shoe is being sold separately. The sales associate informs you that you’ll have to pay for those extras. You think it sounds crazy because you buy Nikes not just for the look but also for the features that helps you perform better. What is true about footwear is true about eyewear. Great eyewear needs to…

Everyone's face has a slightly different shape, but in general face, the shapes fall into four main categories. Depending on your face shape, certain glasses shapes will look better than others. We've come up with this handy info graphic to help you decide: Glasses Shapes for Face Types - An infographic by the team at Glasses Shapes for Face Types Finding glasses to suit your face is a must, as your frames play a big role in your overall look. Different glasses shapes highlight or downplay certain features. When searching for a new pair of spectacles, the vast array of choices can…

Anyone who’s had the misfortune of wearing an ill-fitting pair of glasses knows how annoying it can be. Finding glasses that fit and look good are like finding the perfect pair of jeans and just like jeans, it’s not one-size-fits-all. When we help our customers find glasses in Vancouver, we take multiple measurements and factors into account, such as the nose bridge measurement. Bridge width is the distance between the lenses from inside of the rim across the frame. Since incorrect bridge fit is a common issue (ahem online optical retailers!), The Spectacle Shoppe is here to delve into it…

Getting your child to wear glasses can be like getting them to eat broccoli, brush their teeth, or do pretty much anything that’s good for them. However, while it may be challenging, it doesn’t have to turn into a constant battle and it’s certainly not impossible. Kids are curious and they want to see clearly so when they realize glasses help them to do just that, they often overcome their reluctance. It tends to be a matter of getting a child used to wearing their glasses and heaping on the positive reinforcement. Based on our experience as Vancouver opticians, we’ve…

Learn how Transition Lenses can help you see things the way they were meant to be seen. If you have poor vision and opt for glasses, you know the danger inherent in taking them off. Your poor specs end up lost or you’re walking into walls. When the sun is shining, this can be a problem. You’re either blinded by the light or constantly switching between glasses and prescription sunglasses. To combat this conundrum, many people opt for photochromic lenses, also known as Transitions lenses. The lenses adjust to changes in light to optimize eyesight. When you’re exposed to ultraviolet light,…

Sunglasses aren’t just a summer staple. In fact, optometrists recommend wearing sunglasses year-round for optimal eye health. Tom Cruise and Audrey Hepburn were on to something. Not all lenses are created equal, however. Polarized lenses offer a host of advantages that should be considered when purchasing eyewear. WHAT ARE POLARIZED LENSES? When sunlight is reflected off of water, snow, windshields, passing cars, and other bright surfaces, it causes visual noise or that pesky glare. Light travels in all directions and standard sunglasses filter light equally, yet polarized lenses filter the light selectively and absorb light waves from various angles, while also protecting…

Hello, my bespectacled friends. A lot of people visit our store wondering why their glasses pinch, sit crooked on their face, slide off, or even feel off-center. These are all symptoms of the dreaded improperly fitted glasses. But don’t reach for the tape or try to bend your glasses into shape just yet. We are going to solve five common issues associated with improperly fitted glasses. PROBLEM 1: SLIP AND SLIDE SPECTACLES One minute you’re lost in your daily newspaper and the next minute everything is a blur. This frustrating issue is typically caused by the temples not sufficiently curving behind the…

As a Licensed Optician I love interacting one-on-one with clients. One of the most common complaints that I hear about is dry eyes from contact lens wear. I've got a few handy tips to help with this problem, but in order to get there, I need to first tell you about the composition of tears and the role tears play in eye health. TEAR DUCTS Tears are made up of 3 layers: lipid, aqueous, and mucin. These 3 layers each have a part to play in preventing dry eye. The lipid (fatty) layer prevents evaporation. The aqueous or lacrimal layer makes up most…

One of the top questions that I get at The Spectacle Shoppe is, "What is Astigmatism"? In short, Astigmatism is a common type of refractive error. It is a condition in which the eye does not focus light evenly onto the retina -- the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Instead of creating one focus point, the rugby ball-shaped cornea creates multiple focus points (see diagram). To help illustrate further, I've sourced The National Eye Institutes' explanation of the facts on astigmatism. WHAT IS REFRACTION? Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through one object to another. Vision…