Eyewear Talk

Where to begin? This incredible brand not only offers amazing technology, but also fashionable frames for anyone trying to stand out at the beach or even out in a sunny day. Their versatile sunglasses with their Hawaii feel makes you want to head to the beach where the sun will feel at its’ brightest. Maui Jim is recognized for their lenses in having a PolarizedPlus 2 capability where glare of light is blocked from above, below, and behind. Their lens colors consist of Neutral Gray, which helps deliver rich and clear images without a lot of bouncing light. They can be worn to protect your eyes from bright, direct sunlight. Another color is the HCL® Bronze that is ideal for any occasion of light (except the dark of course). Maui Roseâ„¢ gives you the highest contrast level by giving you a subtle rose hue for everyday use. One of their most popular (and my favorite) is the Maui HTâ„¢ is considered a high transmission lens technology that enchances contrast and depth.

After reading a lot about the lenses these past few days I had decided to try some on. Feeling like I have an abnormally large head I decided to go with some of their larger styles. The Maui Jim Kapena Sunglasses gives off a very sleek and professional vibe which is what I would be going for during the work week. My favorite style was the Maui Jim Nalu Sunglasses these had such a nice look to them off and on my face. They covered the sides very well and they were light weight which were a bigger plus! I also feel in love with the Maui Jim Alana Sunglasses that wouldn’t fit well on me, but my mother loved them, now she refuses to leave the house without them. The summer is a gruesome time for those that chose to not have their eyes protected, but Maui Jim really does help you keep your eyes safe and fashionable.

Having the opportunity to see the second and third to last show last week was an amazing honor. Another thing that was amazing to see was all of the stars that were presented that night. These famous individuals did have something in common with the rest of us, their choice in sunglasses and eyeglasses! Many stars were wearing them; to of course hide from the press but they looked great wearing them. The United Center was packed with all this fame and their fashion sense was top of the line, not just the celebrities wanted to look famous that night, but also the audience. Many wore great models such as the Prada Sunglasses PR10MS, Prada Sunglasses PR23MS, Serengeti Bocca Sun glasses, and many more! The night ended with an awesome energy after all of the musical performances, including those done by Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder (my favorite). Prescription eyeglasses were also some of the most popular accessories after the show, for a night on the town. Ray-Ban being the top of brands I had seen that night, made their presence known as one of the top accessories complementing everyone’s outfits. Having an extensive line of Ray-Ban Prescription Eyeglasses here at OpticsPlanet with competitive pricing makes it easier for you to choose a great pair for a great price! Treat yourself to a great stylish frame of eyeglasses or sunglasses today!

It’s almost that time here in the midwest to be prepared for that summer sun! With all the excitement in the air it can be easy to not get the right pair of sunglasses. You  will want a pair to help with that harsh glare to help enjoy the view of the beach, or even while on that summer drive with the windows open or the top down on that convertible. Protection of your eyes is just as essential as the sunscreen lotion you require from the sun. My recommendation is to get lenses that have polarized filters in them. Polarized lenses work wonderfully and help with glare extremely; especially reflective glare from the water. They are popular among fishermen and even those who participate in water sports, but what most do not realize is that it can help you as well even if you’re not being involved in those situations. They also help when you are driving! That’s right! When driving it helps eliminate that glare from the shiny car in your distance causing you to squint your eyes. What fun is that? Get the full field of view by not allowing yourself to suffer from squinting. Colors also look amazing with polarized lenses. One of my favorite brands to talk about it Serengeti which offers photochromic polarized lenses. Which means they adjust to sunlight by getting darker while out in brighter conditions and still have the added ability of a polarized filter. Maui Jim, Bolle, and Ray-Ban all have the option to add polarized lenses and give you the great fit so you are comfortable in almost any situation. Allow polarized filters to assist you this summer and experience the added bonus of not having to squint your eyes at this beautiful world.

If anyone knows how hard it is to shop for those in season sunglasses or eyeglasses it would be me. It is imperative that I have the right pair for any application I am using them for. This the season for first off – a lot of rain, but also to start getting ready to get in the mood for that morning jog or run. Then to finally, after all this snow, go on a boat and enjoy some drinks out in the beating sun. It cannot get any better! Selecting the best pair of sunglasses for that sun is crucial and will ultimately help you enjoy yourself without having to wear out your eyes so much. Most if not all of the frames we carry here at OpticsPlanet are suitable for those active sports. Bolle has some great selections when it comes to those who love to run, bike, hike, and just about anything else.

My favorite pair of the Bolle line is the Bolle Snakes Fang Sunglasses and the Bolle Snakes Anaconda Sunglasses. They do have a similar style, but the Anaconda has a bigger lens for that added wrap around protection. These are also lightweight and can hold my prescription. Yes, that’s right these are able to hold your prescription lenses making the Bolle Snakes Anaconda and the Bolle Snakes Fang even better. Since they do have such a wrap to them, sometimes folks with higher prescriptions will have trouble with getting these. For them I have an alternative – the Wiley X SG-1 Sunglasses with Rx Prescription Lenses are the next best thing!

If you still require a prescription for the night time, we have an extensive selection of Ray-Ban Prescription Eyeglasses that will work beyond your expectations. Be ready for the upcoming season and get yourself or a loved one some great new pairs of sunglasses and eyeglasses.

Enjoy the upcoming months, stay tuned to see what else derives this year! Happy tanning!

This winter is getting to me. I have heard about Seasonal Affective Disorders, Bright Light Therapy and Winter Blues. Well I think I got it, maybe all of them. The reason for my blog is not to tell you about my problems it’s to talk about my solution.

I was trying on sunglasses the other day and found a new one I just had to have. This model’s size and fit were perfect for me. I decided to order them for myself. They were the Wiley-X Zak Sunglasses. I own a few different models of sunglasses with various lenses all with separate technologies. I am a strong supporter of polarization. I appreciate the comfort one gets when wearing them. I actually wanted the Black frame with the Polarized Blue Mirror Green Lenses; thinking that this would be perfect. However I messed up and the option I received was the Black frame with the Bronze Flash mirrored lenses. I cannot believe I did that. But when I put them on….WOW. I really like them. The Bronze lens is like looking through rose colored lens. Everything is sharp and contrasted. Most hues in the warmer spectrum of the color wheel are great for highlighting. Browns, Ambers, Yellows and Vermillion all work great for bringing the detail and sharpness. However these lenses aren’t color correct. They will wash your view with their warm colors. I enjoy the flash mirror coating as well. Not only does it look cool by hiding my eyes, but it’s one more barrier for light to penetrate. That brings me to the point of my Blog today.

When I slid on my new Wiley-X Sunglasses for the first time outside I was suddenly cloaked with a happy feeling (warm-fuzzies). I was looking at a warm bright snow piles and big puffy snowflakes. I smiled before I could help myself. Okay, they may not be polarized but they have become my favorite winter sunglasses. As I have mentioned in past blogs the sun still shines in the winter. Harsh sunshine bounces off the snow causing blinding glare. It’s proven that UV strength is just as bad in the winter for your eyes then in the summer.

According to Puxatony Phil winter will be here before you know it. Well, I am not sure if I believe him, but I am ready no matter how long spring will take to get here. Get your warm lenses today, they are cheaper than pharmaceuticals.

My last Blog was about Drivewear and I want to talk more about the advantages of a lens that works for us. I recently acquired my first pair of eyeglasses with Transition Brand lenses. I just so happen found a very attractive frame that I wanted to become my 2^nd pair, for outfit changes. I was choosing my usual lens options and upgrades when suddenly my lab customer service representative Ellie encouraged me to consider the Transition clear to gray lenses. This means the lenses will be clear and in the presence of Ultraviolet rays then they will darken to gray. I thought; okay, this will be my backup pair if I do not like them. I have sold many a Photochromic lens to customers and discussed the features and benefits as you all know. I try to be the Johnnie Appleseed of light adjusting lenses. Transitions offer comfort from eyestrain, convenience and protection. Transitions lenses react to the changing intensity of natural light. Our eyes work all day trying to adjust and adapt to this changing light. This lens allows just enough light through the lenses to reach the eyes. This actually reduces glare and enhances contrast. They block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, decreasing the risk of sun damage. I inform customers that the Transition lens does not get as dark as a category 4 polarized lens but offers great protection on sunny days. They are stealthy too. The transition is so gradual and natural that you don’t notice it. Due to the protection from the windshield some transition lenses do not react while you are in the car. She convinced me. I trust her. I got them. I love them.As soon as I went outside they started to darken. Its winter and they still get dark in this Chicagoland gloom we call a season. My backup pair was automatically upgraded to my primary pair. I get so many compliments as well. I am grateful for Ellie, she is my friend.

Drivewear is an amazing technology. How many lenses can change 3 colors depending on the conditions around you? How many lenses are both Polarized and Photochromic? Drivewear can boast all of the above. First while indoors you look trough a green yellow lens, then while driving in the car the lens changes to copper. Finally when out the great outdoors in full sunlight you have a reddish brown lens. To me this is amazing!

The yellow green color was chosen and designed to maximize useful light reaching the eye in low light and overcast conditions. Combined with the polarized filter it enhances visual acuity. The copper color is designed to remove excess light and to provide good traffic signal recognition; highlighting the reds and greens. Perfect for when you are behind the wheel. One of the most unique features of Drivewear is that it is the only Photochromic lens to darken behind the windshield of a car. When you are outdoors, Drivewear is activated by UV and visible light and deepens to a dark reddish-brown color. This color was designed for maximum filtration of excess light and to provide maximum protection from bright light and blinding glare. The brown color of the lens provides excellent color recognition with a special emphasis on highlighting greens. Because green is the most common color in the natural landscape, it’s a great visual experience to have these enhanced.

We are excited to offer this technology on most of our prescription sunglasses. If you do not have any vision correction needs we can still help you. Contact OpticsPlanet today and start seeing the world in the best colors possible.

I recently had an encounter with a customer that had a great question! The question was: Can all sunglasses or goggles hold a prescription adapter?

The answer is no, at least not always. Most manufacturers usually have a model in their collection which will enable customers to use a prescription adapter, also known as prescription insert, with their product if they are able to design a frame that can hold one. The reason can be that they want a slimmer more compact frame and will not be able to honor an adapter. There is nothing to worry about of course, you can still get the same lens technology if you require the use of an adapter.

Bolle is one of the most known manufacturers to produce an insert for both their sunglasses and goggles. Frames like the Vigilante and Parole have the capability of using a prescription adapter so that customers can choose to use one in their frame. If you like to play tennis you might want to get the Competivision lens, and the need for the adapter will not hurt your chances to experience the technology of that lens. Their goggles like the Bolle Quasar can also use an adapter that will enable you to use their popular lens selection in comfort and ease.

If you feel that you do not want to use an adapter to experience this you do not have to. Although the Vigilante and Parole lenses already built into the frame cannot hold a prescription you can choose a Bolle frame, for example the Bolle Anaconda, that can have your prescription made into the lenses so you can avoid the adapter.

Which ever method you choose there is a level of comfort we can suggest for you depending on your needs and expectations.

My doctor has told me it’s time for new eye glasses. So naturally my search began with the best frames for me. I have a large round face so I am thinking about rectangular lenses that compliment my head and not advertise its size. Rectangular shaped frames would be best, as I want to add angles. Narrow frames will help make my face look longer. The Polo Eyeglass Frames PH2036 is a good example of this. People need to determine their face shapes: round, oval, oblong, square, triangle, or upside-down triangle.

Oval Heads: Considered the ideal shape based on the ideal balanced proportions. You can wear any eyeglass frame style you want so have a good time.

Oblong Heads: You’ll want to make your face appear more balanced and shorter. Avoid long, narrow, rectangular frames. Choose wide, square frames, low bridge, and depth from top to bottom. Consider the Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Eyeglass Frames RX5121.

Square Heads: The trick is to soften all the angles so go for a delicate and narrow eyeglass frame. Oval shaped instead of round lenses like the Burberry Eyeglass Frames BE1169 would be great.

Triangle Heads: Narrow forehead with wider cheeks and chins. You may want to shift the eyes up so pick frames that are wider on the top. Decorated frames are ideal because they may distract the viewer. Try the Cazal Eyeglass Frames 4161.

Upside-down triangle Headed people: Counter-balance your face. Frames that are wider on the bottom or rimless styles work best for this face shape. Also, pick a frame that will disappear. I love the elegance of the D&G Eyeglass Frames DD4128.

Like prince charming with a glass slipper, I searched and searched. I finally decided on the Wiley X Deuce Ophthalmic Eye-Glasses Frames. Combined with lenses from the best lab in Illinois, I am very happy. I hope this helps.

Usually one of the most common questions that people ask when the get a great deal on sunglasses is if they are authentic. There are sometimes different ways that manufacturers will mark their sunglasses to be able to tell if they are knock-offs or the real deal.

Ray-Ban which is a widely respected brand falls victim of being a victim of identity fraud in someway. What most people should know about being able to tell if you have authentic Ray-Ban sunglasses is by seeing the Ray-Ban logo on the top corner of the right lens. Also if you look inside the left temple arm of the sunglasses you should see the letters RB followed by usually a four digit model number. It should look something like this RBXXXX than color code of the lens (usually 3 digits, followed by the size of the lenses and the distance between the lenses.

Serengeti sunglasses, another known brand, has some unique ways to distinguish their authenticity. All of the Serengeti lenses are photochromic, which means that they will darken in sunlight and get lighter indoors. Another neat feature is that most lenses that are photochromic will not darken behind your car windshield since it already has UV coatings on it, but Serengeti lenses will darken behind the windshield.

We here at OpticsPlanet Inc. take the authenticity of our sunglasses and eyeglasses very seriously and we love to assist you in finding out if your new pair are authentic. You can always contact us if you feel you want to discuss a different manufacturer.

Happy shopping!