Vision Express

We live in an era where escaping from the “blue light” is next to impossible. Blue light is everywhere and we are exposed to it throughout – everyday. Sunlight is the main source of blue light but many manmade devices now act as a dominant source too, example indoor light, including fluorescent and LED lighting and flat-screen televisions, digital devices etc. Below activities are integral parts of life that we do without thinking twice. However, they may be silently contributing to the fatigue that you feel at the end of a day:

1.Writing 2.Reading without giving rest to eyes 3.Using digital devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets 4.Exposure to extremely bright or low-light conditions

5.Driving long distance

6.High dust and air pollution level

Any normal morning one does not wake up to any eye fatigue, headache or neck pain. Stress symptoms trigger in the course of the day when you come in exposure to the blue light emitting from different gadgets, increased pollution level and work stress. City lifestyle today is such that people end up spending a significant amount of their time driving to work, working in office buildings made of glass structures, doing a job on the computer screen, and binge-watching their favourite TV shows in the evening or reading a book on the e-reader. Even over the weekends, days start with watching the news on TV, often binge-watching a favourite series or movies and ends with partying at pubs where neon lights surround them. All this leads to exposure to blue light and UV lights, which aggravates this eye strain.

Office Environment-People are working in offices with artificial lights, air conditioning and computers, which is directly putting excess strain on the eyes. While the artificial lights and computers are emitting blue light, it is working in an air conditioned environment that is leading to dry eyes. Reading documents without the right prescription glasses or placing the laptop screen at the wrong distance is causing headaches. Besides, the glass structure of office buildings enables UV rays to pass through them, which is only further impacting their eyesight.

Movie watching is becoming a different and an exciting experiencewith 3D, VR, 4K and smart TV access on your fingertips. The new wave of technologies and easy access to the latest movies call for movie watching sessions not only in cinema hallsbut at home and out under the stars too. You can now search for your favourite movies on different applications and platforms, and treat yourself to it anytime. However, while watching movies,the right eyewear is a pre-requisite. It is essential to have a clear vision to revel in a film and to protect your eyes. Along with the dialogues, the expressions of the characters is an integral part and to appreciate the art completely you should be able to watch it clearly and strain-free. Frames & MoviesYour frames should be your companion for those movie dates. Whether you are planning a movie night at home or going to the theatre, you should not leave your prescription glasses behind. Comfortable and relaxed, they must accompany you when you plan those movie nights. Pleasedon’t succumb to a blurry movie-watching experience, instead watch it clearly without straining your eyes with prescription glasses. Moreover, wearing glasses is the new cool too. They are an extension of your personality and can make a great fashion statement. You don’t need to wear them only when you are home alone. Instead, buy a pair of glasses that blend with your personality and accentuate your looks and wear them all the time.

Contacts & Movies

Butterfly Shaped Sunglasses: Pick this type of evergreen and elegant sunglasses that always help accentuate your looks. They have been doing it for decades. Spot them with their distinct butterfly shape narrowing at the centre and balancing at the top and bottom of the lens. They are oversized and inspired by the unique butterfly shape and they never fail to add to the glamour quotient. Moreover, the generous sizing works perfectly in protecting the eyes against the sun rays.Dress charming today and always!Sunglasses are saviours across seasons! They are more than just eye protection. A properly chosen pair can uplift your look and define your signature style. Also, there are different styles that go with your different looks. How does one choose the appropriate styles? With countless styles and shapes, one is bound to get overwhelmed. There are plenty of options that can work with your face shape or your new spring wardrobe. While new designs are added every year, there are some classics that are still in trend and demand. We at Vision Express have compiled some eternal sunglasses for men and women that can help you make your next choice.

Aviator Sunglasses: They started gaining popularity around World War II and since then they have been in vogue. Giving it a modern twist are the mirrored lenses that are available in various colours. The dark, reflective lenses covering the entire eye are perfect as a style statement and for protecting your eyes as they provide the perfect coverage. Aviator sunglasses come with a wide metal frame in the front and thin light temples that never fail to impress.

A go-to classic!

Retro Sunglasses: When it comes to the retro look, the panto glasses can perfectly be considered a “blast from the past”. Featuring a high hinge and full base, these timeless frames give a wider view and are a favourite of every old and new fashion enthusiast. These sunglasses gained their popularity since the 50s with their eye-catching and well-crafted design that provides eye coverage while accentuating the looks.

A versatile vintage piece, a must in every wardrobe!

Green tea is renowned as a “super beverage” in the health industry. Loaded with anti-oxidants and nutrients- it is known (as per various studies) for boosting immunity, facilitating weight loss and improving brains function. However, did you know that this super beverage can benefit your eye health too. Before knowing about its eye care properties, let us have an insight about this super tea.

Green Tea:

Green Tea is known for medicinal properties in China and India for over centuries, this healthy beverage has now attained global recognition for its benefits. All tea is brewed from the dried variety of Camellia sinensis bush. But what sets apart the green variant from others is its anti-oxidants level. Green tea is made from the un-oxidised leaves and is less processed. So, it contains a high level of antioxidants and polyphenols.

Time and again, several research and studies indicate that green tea extract comes with catechin and natural oxidants that are found in the eye tissue. It also comes with Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which does wonders to eye health.

Antioxidants &Glaucoma Prevention - Green Tea Green tea has high levels of antioxidants, which are vital for eye health. A human eye has various small structures like optic nerve, muscles, retina, macula and more. These are called microscopic tissues and are vulnerable. Slight damage to these tissues can impact the vision. These tissues are open to danger due to several free radicals, which get produced due to the natural oxidation process. They are the by-products of your stress, smoking habits, poor diet and exercise regime. However, when your body is equipped with antioxidants, it can fight with these free radicals and protect your eyes against retinal occlusion, glaucoma, macular degeneration and more.

Catechin& Retina Protection - Green Tea Featuring large quantities of a type of polyphenols – catechin, by consuming green tea in optimal quantities, you can protect your retina against oxidation, i.e. from the hydrogen peroxide damage and the ultraviolet B-light.

Meibomian Glands &Dry Eyes Prevention - Green Tea The Meibomian Glands are responsible for the right functioning of the tear gland. It is this tiny gland that releases oil and prevents tear evaporation. When you consume green tea or apply its extract, the Meibomian Gland functions better and prevents dry eye.

Start brewing few cups of green tea every day and take care of one of the most delicate human organs – the eyes. It can safeguard your eyes against oxidative stress, UV damage, cataract formation, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Cosmetics are products used to enhance the appearance or texture of the face or the fragrances of the body. Cosmetics applied to the face is generally termed as makeup. It is mostly believed to be the perfect means of highlighting the facial features. However, when applying makeup near the eyes, especially when wearing contact lenses, one should exercise a certain degree of caution as it can lead to manyeye health concerns. An eye infection, injury or allergic reactions are some of the unpleasant consequences of not using makeup appropriately near the eyes. Besides, developing an infection or getting a red or puffy eye is the last thing you will want. To avoid eye problems such as infections and injuries follow the below rules and make them a part of your makeup routine.

Don’t Use Expired Products:

Follow the manufacturer recommendations when it comes to using cosmetics. You should carefully review the expiry date on the packaging and discard the expired products immediately. When it comes to mascara, you should try to follow the three months recommendation.

Follow Basic Hygiene:

There are some hygiene practices that one must observe when using cosmetics near the eyes. You should clean the brushes and other applicators regularly as it will help to remove dust and pathogens. The infection-causing bacteria tend to grow in creamy and liquid eye makeup. Besides, if you had an eye infection, then discard the eye makeup immediately. This will prevent re-infection.

Avoid Sharing Eye Makeup:

Be cautious when trying tester products at stores. This is a common cause of eye infection like conjunctivitis. Instead, you should use disposable applicators that reduce the risk of transmission of such infections. Still, there can be a risk as fungi and bacteria can be there in the cosmetic product’s container if it is not cleaned properly.

Know your Allergies:

If spectacle-wearers had a club, then they would definitely have regular meetings about all the dumb things that people say to them about their eyeglasses. Although we understand that the comments are made casually, it does get pretty annoying for the bespectacled population, who keep on hearing them on a daily basis. Let's take a look!

 “Can I try them on?”

These requests come way too often. And generally, we don't have much of a choice but to oblige. The problem with encouraging such behavior is the toll it takes on the poor glasses that get thumbed all over by grubby fingers and stretched out beyond their capacity on those generously sized heads.

“You shouldn't wear eyeglasses, you look way better without them.”

These opinions shouldn't be heeded at all, because they are clearly stupid. When you have the choice between looking slightly cuter and being able to see clearly, there should be no doubt regarding the obviously correct option. In fact, a pair of the latest trend in spectacle frames can actually act as a fashion accessory to enhance your appearance and personality. Don't believe us? Check out the latest European style frame collection at Vision Express. The Vision Express range of frames for men and women is available in multiple shades, styles, and colours to meet all your fashion needs.

“How many fingers am I holding up?”

We've always wondered about these specimens of human beings who think that people who wear eyeglasses can somehow not count? So almost every time we take off our eyeglasses, we have somebody asking us this absurd query; as if we possibly can't be seeing all those pudgy fingers without our glasses on.

“Are you blind?”

There is so much difference between being blind and having a poor vision that requires glasses. You'd think that after so many years of their existence, we'd be actually aware of the exact function of glasses. But obviously, not every one of us knows about what it means to wear eyeglasses.

“Four-eyes” or some equally dumb nickname

Incessant exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is harmful to human skin. It is one of the main causes of skin cancer. In the same breath, these rays are dangerous for human eyes. Nearly one-third of the adults have symptoms of red eyes, swollen eyes and eye irritation after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, the good news is that the way sunscreen can take care of your skin against these harmful rays; similarly, normal and prescription sunglasses can shield your eyes from them.

Before understanding the precautions, let’s have an insight into UV rays and how it poses a risk to human eyes?

What is UV radiation?

The sun emits different kinds of rays. Among others, the UVA and UVB rays are the ones that don’t get absorbed fully by the atmosphere and ozone layer, posing a risk to the human eyes and skin. However, the level of risk gets determined by the geographical location, altitude and time of the day. So, the closer you live to the equator the more is the risk, the UV level is more in higher altitudes, and one is at greater risk when exposed to these rays between 10 AM and 4 PM according to the American Skin Association.

Pollution & Global Warming Increasing the Risk

Aggravating the problem is the rising pollution level in Indian cities. According to the World Health Organisation’s global air pollution database, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration levels. The national capital, New Delhi tops the database in both PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels, and the financial capital, Mumbai follows closely in the level of PM 10. These air pollutants are depleting the ozone layer. This is concern worthy as it is this ozone layer that filters the harmful UVB rays.

Along with the rising pollution levels, global warming and increasing temperatures are also depleting the ozone layer. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the past three years have been the hottest, across the globe. By 2100, studies indicate that global temperatures will increase by 2 degrees Celsius. This rise in city temperatures is directly proportional to increasing urbanization, vehicular traffic, and carbon footprint. The more the ozone layer depletes, the more human beings will get exposed to harmful UV rays.

Read on to know how it is leading to common vision problems.

Risk to the Eyes

UV rays are harmful to the human eye as it is the main cause of different eye problems. It is known to cause eye diseases like,

o    Macular Degeneration: A higher exposure to UV radiation is directly linked with early onset of age-related macular degeneration. This mainly impacts older adults and is the primary cause of blindness in adults over 60 years of age.   

o    Photokeratitis: If you thought it is the summer sun, which is more harmful to your eyes, then know that the winter sun can be twice as dangerous. This is because in snowy regions the snow is reflective and is the main reason behind Photokeratitis. It is also known as snow blindness as it leads to temporary vision loss.        

o    Cataracts: According to the report by the World Health Organisation, nearly 20% of the cataract cases are preventable and are due to UV rays.         

o    Pingueculae and Pterygia: It is a visible growth on the eye surface, which causes corneal problems and even vision distortion.

There are several fallacies doing rounds regarding Silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Among others, some people have linked it to eye allergies, redness, discomfort and itchy eyes. However, most of these issues could be due to a change in the contact lens solution or a new contact lens. Some people also suddenly start having a feeling that there is something in their eyes that is distracting them or causing discomfort. This is not a problem. Instead, it is a positive feature of silicone hydrogels. With more oxygen passing to the cornea, the cornea maintains the natural sensitivity making the lens wearer aware that they are wearing the lens. It will also work as a natural reminder to remove these lenses at bedtime.

Should you Switch to Silicone Hydrogels Contact Lenses?