Author:

Oliver Torres

I’m an ABO Certified Optician, and I’ve been working in the eye care industry for over 15 years. I have a degree from City College of San Francisco, and I’ve worked for LensCrafters, Wilby Optical Lab, and Peninsula Eye Physicians. My books, videos, and articles touch on subjects such as eye care, good tech habits, motivation, and leadership. I’m the founder of Eye Influence, and I live in California.

High Index vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: 5 Factors to Consider

Written By Oliver Torres

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Getting new eyeglasses? The frames you select are what everyone will notice, but of course the lenses are responsible for correcting your vision.

You’re bound to be offered multiple options for lens materials, most commonly, high index and polycarbonate. If you’re like most, you probably put a lot more thought into selecting your frames than your lens material. Most customers base their decision on the price.

However, you should understand your choice will affect durability, visual clarity, and more. So we’ll examine the two most common lens materials here and present the advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of.

Tips for Selecting Eyeglasses Frames for Kids

Written By Oliver Torres

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Kids are active, carefree little humans that let nothing get in the way of having a good time. Unfortunately, blurry vision can be a major frustration. A 2016 study by the CDC shows that 15% of kids ages 6 to 9 need glasses. The number jumps to around 50% by the time they are 17.

It’s not a new revelation that vision is an important factor in learning and social development, which is why parents have never been more concerned about getting the best set of glasses for their kids with vision needs.

This article presents helpful tips to select eyeglasses frames for your child.

Can You Sleep With Contacts? What to Know

Written By Oliver Torres

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Can you sleep with contacts in? It’s a question many ask. And in fact, half of all contact lens wearers in the U.S. have reported sleeping with their contacts in. (Source)

That’s a bad idea, in most cases.

New innovations in contact lens materials and the growing popularity of daily and two-week disposable lenses have reduced the amount of lens-related infections. However, unlike prescription glasses, contact lenses require you to adhere to specific care instructions to avoid harming your eyes.

There are many contact lenses designed for extended wear (continual wear for up to 7 days), but considering only 5% of all contact lens wearers in the U.S. are prescribed extended wear lenses, it can be assumed that most people are risking their eye health by sleeping with their contacts.

The reason few people are prescribed extended wear lenses is that eye doctors are aware of the higher risk of infections and corneal injury. Wearing daily disposable soft contacts, where a fresh lens is used each day, virtually eliminates the chances of protein build-up and the reuse of non-sterile saline solution.

The vast majority of contact lens-related complications are self-inflicted, brought on by overwearing. So, can you sleep with contacts? That’s the question we’ll be answering. If you consistently sleep in your contacts, and they aren’t intended for that use, consider the following:

The Pros and Cons of Progressive Lenses

Written By Oliver Torres

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Progressive lenses are a wonderful innovation in eyewear. But they’re not for everybody.

Progressive lenses are not bifocals (or trifocals)

Progressives give you line-free multifocal glasses.

The goal is to get a seamless progression from your lenses that deliver magnifying power for near and intermediate vision. Each lens changes gradually from point to point on the surface to provide the correct lens power for seeing clearly at various distances.

They differ from bifocals, which have only two lens powers—one for distant objects and one in the lower half of the lens—for vision correction at a specified reading distance. With bifocals, the different power zones have a clearly visible line across the center of the lens.

Progressive lenses don’t have this line. In fact, they’re sometimes called “no-line bifocals.” The truth is, progressive lenses offer a more advanced multifocal design than bifocals—or trifocals.

Getting Contacts for the First Time: What to Know

Written By Oliver Torres

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Contact lenses are an amazing product of innovation. It still amazes me that something so small and delicate can bring a person’s world into focus. Contacts may seem like an obvious choice for anyone who wears glasses, but there are a few things everyone should consider first. Here’s what to know when getting contacts for the first time.