Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with glasses

Magnet on my Face

ikp — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:52:00 -0800

I've just bought a pair of Clic glasses that open at the centre of the frame, held together by a magnet. Is there any reason why I wouldn't want a Neodymium magnet on the bridge of my nose?

Headhunting Herbie Hancock's glasses

paisley henosis — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:52:26 -0800

In Possiblities, among other places, Herbie Hancock wears these slightly tinted, curved glasses, which come to a bit of a point right over his nose. My question, is where can I find a pair? These are similar, but not the same, and he also wore a second set of frames in Possibilities which was entirely different. These frames are similar, but not the same, for a further idea.

Sorry for yet another "I want famous person X's glasses/sunglasses" thread, but not sorry enough to not make it. I really wish I could find a more helpful photo, but I can't, anywhere I've looked. Help me out, MeFi! :D

Cheap internet sunglasses?

smackfu — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:23:53 -0800

Can anyone suggest an online cheap eyeglass place that has sunglass-style frames? I've always had a $250 prescription, so I've never felt it was worth it to get prescription sunglasses. A few weeks ago, I finally tried goggles4u since they have free tinting, and I'm happy with the result for $35, but in retrospect I didn't think it through and the style of the frames isn't very sunglasses. (Also 90% tint is damn dark). So I'm going to try again.

Do any of the vendors sell sunglasses as sunglasses, rather than just as eyeglasses with a tint? Has anyone found a vendor with good sunglass frames?

A glass darkly

Artw — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:21:38 -0800

When and why did it become the convention that blind people would wear dark glasses? Would the purpose be to hide the eyes or to act as a signifier of blindness? Is it something that is done less these days and what are the reasons why?

PD's nuts!

gensubuser — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:44:23 -0800

What is wrong with my nauseating (but clear) glasses which do not preserve shape throughout the field of vision? I bought a new pair of glasses online, and love the savings and the looks, but am having trouble adjusting to the new prescription, I think. It is the first time with astigmatic correction, maybe, but there are couple other things that I was mulling over as the possible cause. The nauseating part is tracking an object as I turn my head--it distorts and skews differently depending on where it is in my field of vision (though it is pretty much always in focus). In particular, towards the top things shrink vertically, the top left skews ccw, the top right skews clockwise (it's tough to tell about the bottom).

My new optometrist "forgot" to write down the Pupillary Distance measurement on the prescription, and I was disgusted enough with their salesmanship that I ended up calling my old Lenscrafters to see what was used there (it was within the Net's typical range). But actually, I seem to remember the same thing happening with my last pair, though it that case it was free to have the lenses remade. They came out thicker (about as thick as now, actually), but non-distorting. They definitely remeasured my PD at that point, but may have adjusted the new glasses slightly in person.

I've now read about the "prism effect" which I assume to be produced by a wrong PD measurement. Since I'm tied to the online shop for half-price remakes, is it more likely that:
a) the lenses are somehow inferiorily made in their edge territories, and I should break down and buy local.
b) the PD is wrong, I should be assertive and get a PD measurement from the new doc [or, I should have them measured for accuracy there]
or
c) the new cylindrical measurement, though unblurifying, is distorting in a way that isn't true to my eye at large angles?

Or... something else?

Why are my new glasses disorienting me?

griphus — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:48:18 -0800

GlassesFilter: Is this disorientation from my new glasses going to go away? YANAOptometrist, YANMOptometrist.

I last had an eye appointment during the summer of 2006. The glasses I had made after that appointment were eaten (not literally) by my girlfriend's dog two months ago. After wearing glasses daily, I stopped wearing them for two months straight. Last week I took another eye test, found out that my eyes got worse, and just yesterday I got my new glasses.

Everything seems a little strange now and I can't put my finger on it. My brain trained itself to determine distances by relative blurriness and now I feel a lot shorter when I walk with my glasses on because the ground is clearer that it should be at the distance from it I am when I walk (although these new glasses have thick rims, and I can't see my feet kick up in my peripheral lower vision when I walk, so I think that might be doing it.) My depth perception is totally off as everything is in deep focus: stepping off curbs has been a particularly annoying.

Now, I measured things, and the relative size of them with my glasses on and my glasses off is the same; it's only my perception that is doing this. I've also been getting mild headaches.

Is my prescription too strong? Am I just adjusting from noglasses->strongerthaneverglasses? Will this go away?

Psychological resolution of vision problems?

suitcase — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:31:52 -0800

An article was published in a major publication in the last couple years which linked vision problems with mental health disorders. The article focused on a particular doctor who had great success treating patients with vision problems by addressing their underlying psychological issues, commonly depression or stress. The basis was that the muscles which focus the eye are affected by mental stress, and by addressing the mental health of the patient vision problems often are often resolved. His patients were often able to stop wearing glasses or contacts. I feel like it was a New Yorker article, but I can't find it. Does anyone remember this article, and know where to find a copy?

the cheapest lens replacement online

Juliet Banana — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:22:10 -0800

I have an existing pair of glasses frames I'd like to get fitted with prescription lenses. I've done entirely too much research, and I still have questions! I've read this question, but no one mentions any online retailers who offer lens refitting.

The only online eyeglass retailer I've found who offers lens replacement is 39dollarglasses.com, who charge $39+$5.95 shipping. I'm looking for a better price.

According to Glassy Eyes, Global Eyeglasses refits lenses for $6.99. That sounds perfect; but I can't find any information about it on their horribly designed clunk-tastic website.

Zenni, Goggles4U, and Eye Buy Direct DO NOT offer lens refitting. I can't figure out if Optical4Less
or Specs on the Net do.

I'm pretty sure every brick-and-mortar optometrist will charge more than $44.95. The two I've asked for price quotes gave me bitch glares for not wanting to buy their $300 frames and gave the exact same price of $99.

Random TMI: I know that any vintage/drugstore frames I get fitted with lenses have a good chance of breaking or not lasting as long as the super expensive rip off glasses from the optometrist. I already have a pair of "high quality" frames+glasses from a brick and mortar operation, and I think they're boring. I want candy-colored knockoff Wayfarers, and crazy catseye frames, and I don't care if they break in 6 months.

I also know that it's easy to get frames+lenses super cheap from the aforementioned websites. I already have some. I just find most of their selection boring (what's with all the black, already?). I am only interested in hearing about retailers who will allow me to ship them an exisiting pair of frames I already own.

I already have, and understand how to read, my current prescription.

I'm only interested in the cheapest and thickest plastic single vision lenses. I don't need prisms, or bifocals, or anti-scratch, or high index lenses. My prescription is -4/-4.25 and I've already been warned that these cheap lenses will be hella coke bottle. It doesn't bother me.

Please tell me someone will put prescription lenses into existing frames for less than $44.95! There are so many awesome non-prescription frames in the world, and so few brilliant frames available from optometrists.

Am I entitled to my glasses/contacts prescription in Illinois?

Joleta — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:14:26 -0800

Does Illinois have a law requiring vision professionals (optometrists in particular) to release spectacles (glasses) prescriptions to the patient? Contact lens prescriptions? I've found this and this, but still can't figure out what the rules for Illinois are. We have a new (and typically confusing) vision plan at work, but my current optometrist is not on it. I'm trying to decide if I can see my current optometrist at the going rate for an exam but require her to give me my prescriptions so I can buy my contacts and glasses elsewhere.

I'm looking for a specific style of eyeglass frames.

Robson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:27:20 -0800

Classic 50's scientist: I'm trying to find a pair of eyeglass frames just like #6 on this page. I don't care if they're vintage or new, but they have to be able to handle contemporary prescription lenses.

Adventure of a near and far sighted lady

amethysts — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:02:41 -0800

I just got reading glasses progressively bi-focaled into my regular distance glasses, for the first time ever. This was necessary according to my doctor but I can't figure out how to use them. I'm asking you all if there's a way to know if it's me or if it's the glasses. I never had a problem doing computer work for long periods of time before, but the new glasses make it alot more annoying. I've been getting progressively stronger distance glasses over the years but I've never had this much trouble getting used to them.

Nothing on the computer is as clear as it was before, and also it's that I feel like my eyes and brain have to work harder than they did and my brain is like "Nope, don't have the patience for this crap." I feel like the way older people always complain to me that they can't look at the computer screen for too long or their eyes go wonky. I never experienced this before (I'm 24).

I went to the doctor in the first place because my old glasses broke, and I told the doctor about problems I've been having with concentrating and data entry accuracy (putting in $45.64 rather than $46.46 etc.) When we were doing the eye exam with the thing you look through, the reading prescription that I tried seemed like a good idea at the time. But these glasses are just making the original problems worse. I've tried angling my head so I'm looking through the bottom half reading section but that makes everything really blurry. The top half distance section is where I have the "have to work too hard" difficulty.

When I go back to the doctor next week, I'm going to tell him about these difficulties but I don't know what I'm talking about and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced similar difficulties. What does this sound like to you?

Can LensCrafters adjust frames with progressive lenses?

lockedroomguy — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:18:07 -0800

Glasses filter. I bought my frames at Lenscrafters, but had the prescription filled, and the lenses put in the frames, by a doctor in my hometown. The lenses are the progressive type. My doctor mailed the finished glasses back, and left the markings on the lenses which help with adjusting and fitting the lenses the first time. After the first time fitting you erase the markings with acetone. Can I trust Lenscrafters to fit and adjust these? My doctor did do an initial fitting and measurement of the glasses (without lenses) while I was wearing them. But he recommended that someone do a final fitting now that I have the glasses, and that they use the lines that he drew on the lenses as a guide. Apparently this is important with progressive lenses.

I called Lenscrafters and this is a free service since I bought the frames from them. I imagine they can fit regular glasses no problem. But is this progressive lens thing too tricky for LensCrafters, or is it old hat?

I ask because I have the markings on the lenses now, but after they are erased they are obviously irretrievable.

I want to go to LensCrafters because it's free and convenient. I'm looking for answers that say. "Yes, LensCrafters does this all the time!" I called them, but got a perky person who just kept saying, "Yes the fitting is included if you bought the frames from us, without addressing my question."

Thanks

Durable Anti-scratch Coatings?

coffeefilter — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:38:58 -0800

[Eyeglasses] Anti-scratch coatings deteriorate after a couple of years. Anyone found durable coatings? Has anyone found durable anti-scratch coatings for eyeglasses? Durable meaning good for 5-10 years, for example.

And fairly tough, i.e., able to withstand regular 100 degree temperature changes. And while we're at it, why not anti-reflective, and anti-fog coatings, too.

And x-ray lenses ... (But seriously, if durable coatings don't really exist, then I figure I should be thinking of eyeglass lenses as a disposable item to be obtained from the internet. Must swear off Lens Crafters, too.)

I think I need computer glasses

modernhypatia — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:48:06 -0800

I suspect I need computer glasses, but want to solve a few problems from the last time. Me: 32, heavy computer user, female (and in Minneapolis).

I had computer glasses 4 years ago (one eye's slightly nearsighted with an astigmatism). I stopped using them after a while (and my eyes did not object, and they were lost sometime in 3 subsequent moves) but recently, I've had problems again (headache, blurriness, etc.) that suggest a new exam would be a good move.

Question 1: How to get more info out of the exam.
I'm an info geek: I feel much happier when I can get more details and information about what's going on. The last time I had an eye exam (yes, 4 years ago), I felt brushed off several times, and got hurried through parts of it. I don't think the exam was badly done, but I'd really like to have a better conversation about it this time.

How do I best make that clear at the start of the appointment? I do this fine with doctors, but the same methods haven't worked on eye exams (one previous bout in college, too) so I'm wondering if there's some phrasing I'm missing.

Question 2: Actual frame/lens choices
I want to get the prescription from the clinic eye doctor (for various reasons, so it's also part of my medical files) but shop for frames elsewhere (partly so friends can join me and help with choices.) Last time, they gave me a fairly hard sell about this. Any good phrasings to avoid this?

Also, given this (computer use, probably a lot of up and down action), what lens treatments do I really care about that will make a big difference to comfort/ease of use? (Budget's a concern, so I want things that really help, not just are cool.)

Question 3: The practical stuff.
I'm a librarian, so there's a lot of computer work, but also a lot of getting up and looking at a shelf, or talking to someone. My last prescription made people slightly blurry at 'across the desk' distance. I had a bad choice between leaving the glasses on (blurry people) and taking them off (but risking scratches or damage) as my desk is in the main high school library area and people are often by my desk.

Do I want a glasses chain? Any recommendations? I don't care hugely about appearance (beyond 'simple', 'secure', and 'comes in black or blue if there are colors involved') but a lot more about practical issues (Are they secure? Will I have issues if I'm also wearing a necklace or earrings?)

Also, general tips on this kind of use, and what makes life easier for you would be quite welcome. I'm the kind of person where wearing them all the time would actually be quite a bit easier for me, but I don't know if that's a practical prescription.

Are there things I don't know to ask?

What is reflected in Vice President Cheney's glasses?

East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:18:02 -0800

What is reflected in Vice President Cheney's glasses?

desperately seeking square stemware

jenlyn1123 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:23:49 -0800

Where can I find square-shaped champagne flutes? Ever since seeing them featured prominently in 2001's 'The Anniversary Party', I've been obsessed with square champagne flutes. Has anyone a.) seen this movie and b.) know where I can get them?

How to stop my glasses from fogging up when I ski?

stilly — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:45:49 -0800

Eyeglasses (worn under goggles) fogging up during skiing. Any suggestions/tips? I started wearing glasses while skiing a year or two ago, and it has really helped me skiing (I can finally see the ski slope clearly!). Unfortunately, the glasses tend to fog up sometimes... particularly if I'm skiing more aggressively and then stop for a moment. It then takes quite a while for them to unfog... far from ideal.

To clarify-- the goggles are never fogging up... just my glasses underneath.

Does anyone have tips on ways I could fix this? Should I buy new goggles? Is there a specifc certain kind of goggles maybe? I've never been able to wear contacts, so that option is out.

Wolf's paw?

lundman — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:35:31 -0800

Jaeger glasses breaking, looking for parts...(and vocabulary) I have a pair of Jaeger glasses, Mod.212 52[]17 C.62 printed on the left "arm"? Current problem is the left "arm"'s "hinge" is breaking. Nearly 80% through, so it won't take much.

Can I buy a new left arm? (left, meaning the bit that goes behind my left ear?) If so, I can just screw it on myself.

I tried to go into a local shop, but with my limited Japanese, I think they said it would take a week to fix.

Says "pure titanium" but it still broke! :)

reading glasses?

flummox — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:05:26 -0800

Where do you get your cheap or inexpensive reading glasses? The ones with a scratch resistant lens that are priced so you can buy a half dozen pairs and leave them laying around your life? The cheapos from the hardware store 3.99 or so are good for price but they always scratch right in the center of the lens rendering them useless except for emergencys. The frame can be pretty weak too. This thread had good answers for scratch resistance but no sources for purchase either on line or off.

Sunlight, sunlight, sunlight hurts my eyes

subbes — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:19:53 -0800

Can I get a pair of prescription glasses converted to prescription sunglasses, without buying new lenses? In the interests of reusing rather than buying new:

I have an older pair of glasses with prescription lenses that I would like converted to prescription sunglasses. Since the lenses are already in my prescription, is there any way I can get them coated to make them into sunglasses, rather than buying new lenses? Could I do this myself? For example, buy a plastic coating and coat them myself, akin to car window tinting?

I live in Tallahassee, FL and my older pair of glasses are from 39dollarglasses.
(If I can't reuse them I will likely buy a new pair of prescription sunglasses and donate the old frameset.)

What's so special about the hot sand?

Caviar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:48:10 -0800

What's so special about the hot sand that opticians use? Do I need this to make adjustments to my glasses frames? Okay, so I bought some cheap frames from Zenni. I like them a lot, and the fit is pretty good, but not exact. Every time I've had glasses adjusted at the opticians, they've always dipped them in the hot sand pit first. Do I need that? Can I just bend them (they're regular metal frames, not titanium)? Should I not try to do this myself?

...In the past, with my granddad, in a warm kitchen, with ginger ale...

oflinkey — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:40:07 -0800

Help me find a certain juice glass... My granddad had juice glasses that I want to locate and buy. No need for them to be vintage-- if they still are made or repos are made, I will buy those.

The glass set were clear, fairly straight up-and-down (this shape, roughly), and multi-striped. The stripes are similar in width to the linked example, but unlike the linked example, were continuous down the glass.

Cracker Barrel had the juice glasses some years ago, but when I went back to get them, they were out. No one at Cracker Barrel can tell me what they are called or where they come from.

Curse my gigantic head!

joshuaconner — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:33:28 -0800

I love these glasses, except that they're too narrow for my face! Any sources for larger versions of that frame? Or failing that, does this style of frame have a more specific name than "plastic half-rim"? Here are some other* examples that are sort of the basic style, except not half-rim. Half-rim is what I'm really looking for.

And here's a picture of me in my current glasses (55mm eye width, 39mm eye height, 21mm bridge) but sans beard.

*Yes, that's mefi's own Popesquatter, Sportsfilterer and all-around class act rcade.

Help me find fun plates and cups.

melodykramer — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:49:58 -0800

I want to buy funky plates and cups (different for each place setting) The more eclectic and weird, the better. Do you have a favorite plates/cup that you got online that are cheap, funny, and safe for human consumption?(no traces of any chemicals that may cause blindness, irritability, etc..)

Specs....

dentata — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:46:17 -0800

Where can I get great glasses frames in LA? I’m looking for a kick-ass pair of men's frames… maybe even a nice 50’s vintage pair. Something nice and chunky. Anyone have a favorite spot in LA?