Skip to main content

Auto-Darkening Lenses and Why Our Patients Love Them

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in Asheville, Eye Care & Eye Health, Lens.

If you’ve ever stepped outside and found yourself squinting in the sunlight, then you’ll understand why auto-darkening lenses (also known by their brand name, Transitions®) are a fan favorite here at Envision.

Our doctors recommend these lenses with every pair of glasses to deliver clarity, comfort, protection, and convenience especially for those moments when you don’t have your full sunglasses handy.

Think about sun protection for your eyes the way you think about sunscreen for your skin. If you know you’re going to be outside for a long time, you’ll reach for the SPF 50 (and your sunnies). Auto-darkening lenses are like your everyday sun protection. Perfect for on-the-go transitions between indoors and outdoors.

☀️ A quick note from our doctors:
Auto-darkening lenses are designed to supplement, not replace, your dedicated sunglasses. While they provide excellent UV and blue-light protection, full sunglasses still offer superior coverage and polarization for extended outdoor wear and intense sunlight.

️ Here’s what our patients are saying:

“I don’t have to remember to bring sunglasses or struggle with when to switch. Transition lenses just make life easier. I adore them!” — Rita

“I don’t even notice the change occur and simultaneously my eyes feel so relaxed.” — Christine

“I love this feature of my glasses, knowing my eyes are easily protected. I’ll never go back.” — Micha

“They give me a sense of comfort and preparedness to go about an uncertain day and weather conditions.” — Benjamin

“They have a blue-light filter built into the lens so my eyes are less fatigued from screen time!” — Katie

“I love my transition lenses because they are functional and stylish; they help me see clearly and give me a ruby red layer of UV protection!” — Juan

✨ Why patients (and our team!) love them:

  • Instantly adapt to changing light, darkening outdoors and going fully clear indoors

  • Block UVA and UVB rays, plus offer built-in blue light protection to help support eye health and reduce fatigue

  • Reduce glare and improve comfort for screen use, driving, and outdoor time

  • Available in seven stylish tint colors to match your look and lifestyle

  • With the latest Transitions® GEN S technology, these lenses change faster than ever for seamless vision without the wait

Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, walking to work, or running errands on a cloudy day, these lenses adjust with you offering protection, comfort, and peace of mind.

Want to see the difference for yourself? Ask for a demo at your next visit or stop by to try them on in our optical boutique. Let’s help you see better, live easier, and protect your eyes every step of the way.

Call 828.254.6757 to schedule your personalized fitting.
Or click below to book your next exam:

BOOK EXAM

TOP reasons to buy your next pair of glasses with Envision Eyecare

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Cost, Education, Eye Care & Eye Health, Eyewear, Frame, Lens, Uncategorized.

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
TOP REASONS TO BUY YOUR NEXT PAIR OF GLASSES WITH ENVISION EYECARE!

  • QUALITY- Unlike items purchased throughout the year, it can be difficult for you to judge quality in a pair of glasses. That’s why it’s important to purchase your eye wear through a doctor’s office you can trust. At Envision Eye Care, we use only the finest materials, so your glasses will be dependable and attractive long after they’ve been purchased. We also work with one of the finest, state-of-the-art optical labs in the nation. We have chosen to partner with this lab to custom craft your eye wear because of their quality workmanship and our access to the very best advancements in lens designs.
  • SELECTION- Regardless of your budget or insurance allowance, everyone deserves to look fabulous! That’s why our optical boutiques offer a wide range of eye wear options and styles at various price points – from exclusive, high-end designer frames to fashionable values for the entire family.
  • VALUE PROMISE- We promise to provide you the best value – quality eye wear at a fair price. We do not carry cheaply made frames that easily break, outdated designer styles, and inferior lens products that can distort vision so we can offer you a cheap price. Nor do we advertise low prices so we can “up sell” you once you arrive at our optical boutique. Our fees reflect the quality of our workmanship – and when comparing glasses of similar quality – are often lower than many “one-hour” stores and  (online) optical chains.
  • TEAM OF EXPERTS- Our knowledgeable and courteous optical team will expertly help you select the frame and lens package that’s right for your lifestyle and budget, and support you to understand your lens options, frame materials, warranties, etc. We want to ensure you are completely happy with your new pair of glasses.
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEE- When you purchase a pair of frames and lenses from the optical boutique at Envision Eyecare, you have our commitment to your satisfaction. We guarantee our workmanship and the accuracy of your prescription lenses, and offer free adjustments, minor repairs, and cleanings for the life of your eye wear.

What 30,000 Consumer Reports’- survey respondents had to say. A recent Consumer Reports study confirms independent eye care practices score higher for quality, frame selection, care taken to fit glasses, staff expertise, and follow-up service.

“ … you might do better getting your specs at a doctor’s office or independent optical boutique; those typically scored high marks across the board, particularly when it came to employee know-how, service, and the quality of the finished glasses. You might even spend less than you would at some high-profile chains.” Consumer Reports, December 2010

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS!
[/av_textblock]

Headed Back to School

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Contact lens, Cost, Education, Eye Care & Eye Health, Eyewear, Food, Frame, Fun and Games, In the Media, Lens, Personal Development.

Four Reasons Why Your Child Should Have an Eye Exam

A vision screening at school, church or even a pediatrician is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Serious eye health and vision concerns can be missed at a screening, certain states are mandating children have a comprehensive exam before entering school. The doctors at Envision Eyecare advise yearly eye health exams for children for the following important reasons:

  1. 80% of learning occurs through the visual system, and in order for your child to reach his/her full potential in school, it is critical that eye tracking, acuity, and focusing are functioning properly. 
  2. Most ultraviolet radiation damage to the eyes occurs in the first 2 decades of life, so it’s important your child’s eyes are protected with the sunglasses that protect against Ultraviolet and Blue light filters.
  3. Long term exposure to blue light emitted from the sun and digital devices is harmful to the eye. This may also affect sleep patterns and cause eyestrain.
  4. Vision screenings only test eye sight, not eye health, and it’s important your child’s eye health is evaluated as well.  

Unfortunately, studies show that only 31% of children, ages 6-16 have an annual eye exam, and 70% of children under the age of 6 have never had an eye exam.

As a result, 1 in 4 children will go back to school this year with an undiagnosed vision problem that could interfere with learning.

The following is a true story about a pediatric patient who would have passed a vision screening: Dr. Bryant examined a child with no complaints and 20/20 vision. The child had swollen optic nerves indicating a potential brain tumor. Fortunately, the child was quickly diagnosed and underwent urgent surgical intervention to save his life. This is an extreme example, and rare, however it illustrates why a comprehensive eye health exam is so important for all children.

Innovations in Contact Lens Technology

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Contact lens, Cost, Education, Eye Care & Eye Health, Eyewear, Featured, In the Media, Lens.

Innovations in Contact Lens Technology

 

Contact lenses are medical devices that can improve vision, add convenience to activities, and bandage an injury to improve comfort and aid healing.  It is very important to have a contact lens evaluation to make sure your eyes are healthy enough to wear them comfortably without damaging the ocular surface, and to ensure the contact fits your eye properly.  There have been many advances in contact lens technology over the last decade to enhance comfort, breathability and vision demands.  We will discuss the different types and modalities of contact lens, wear time schedules, and the benefits of utilizing new technology to expand the demographic of eligible contact lens candidates.

The majority of contact lens wearers are in soft contact lenses.  These lenses are available in daily disposable, 2 week disposable, and 1 month
disposable wear schedule regimens.  Daily disposables are the healthiest option with improved convenience and comfort.  The cost difference is negligible when the consideration of solution cost is no longer needed with daily disposables.  Also, the packaging is recyclable, except the foil.

When the eye is not completely round and has an oval curvature, it is termed astigmatism.  In order to correct astigmatism with contacts, we must use a toric contact that is larger in diameter and must be orientated properly to provide adequate vision.  Different designs of toric lenses are available for different shapes of the eye to provide the best vision and comfort.   

Hard contacts are usually indicated for irregular corneal shapes and can be initially uncomfortable.  For those who find hard lenses unbearable, a blended(soft and hard) contact or scleral contact lens can be a valuable alternative to treat corneal diseases that cause irregularity.  

As we age, the ability to see up close slowly diminishes and a different modality of contact lenses are necessary.  Three main choices are multifocals, monovision and distance vision only with readers over the contacts as needed for near vision tasks.  Multifocals are the best option to try first because it provides seamless vision from distance to near, but is pupil size dependent so these do not work perfectly for everyone.  Monovision is when we fit the dominant eye for distance and the non-dominant eye for reading.  This seems like it would create imbalance or eye strain, but works very well for the majority of people who are not comfortable with multifocals.  These two modalities can be modified and used in combination dependent on patient visual demand.  If neither of these options is adequate, correcting the distance vision with the use of readers
over the contacts is a last resort.

Ortho-keratology is the science of using hard contacts during sleeping hours to gently change the curvature of the eye overnight, so no correction is needed during the day.  The initial comfort is sometimes an issue, but improves over time.  This has been implicated in reducing the progression of nearsightedness in the adolescence.   

Newer innovations in contacts have become exciting for other demographics as well.  A brand new lenses has been released specifically geared for the avid device user to reduce computer fatigue and enhance performance.  Also, bluetooth technology incorporated in the contact is on the horizon to monitor eye pressure and blood glucose, in order to better manage glaucoma and diabetes.

“Why are my glasses so expensive?!”

Written by Envision Eyecare on . Posted in About Envision Eyecare, Asheville, Cost, Education, Eye Care & Eye Health, Eyewear, Frame, Lens.

You may be asking yourself this question after seeing online and commercial advertising. Our objective at Envision Eyecare is to educate our patients on the difference in quality and craftsmanship between our glasses and those purchased online or through a commercial vendor.  It is through education that we can convey why all glasses are not created equal.  The Envision Eyecare team takes a great deal of pride in the services and products we offer as well as the information we provide to our community.  We are unique from other providers, so we hope you find this information helpful as you decide what’s important for your best sight and eye health.

First, why wouldn’t you purchase your eyewear online or from a commercial, corporate vendor if you could save on cost?  Research shows that over 50% of online eyeglasses are returned to the consumer with incorrect prescriptions and/or materials not delivered as ordered.  Plus important measurements that ensure your best vision are generated haphazardly, which can have detrimental effects on your best vision and comfort.  Most online and commercial vendors promote cheap prices which leads to a diminished sense of sight and performance. While the immediate benefit may be cost saving, you’ll often sacrificing your visual clarity, comfort, protection and, most importantly, preservation of your sight. As with other consumer purchases, the adage “you get what you pay for” certainly holds true with eyewear.

Read on to learn how our Optical Experts use their hard-earned skills and knowledge to craft the best eye wear possible for your lifestyle, fashion, fit and protection.

Top 5 things we consider when ordering your great spectacle lenses:

  1. Lens material- (plastic vs. polycarbonate)-polycarbonate is thinner/lighter and impact resistant for improved comfort, safety and aesthetics
  2. Premium anti-reflective treatments (or AR)- this treatment reduces glare and reduces fatigue with computer use; cheaper coatings typically peel or chip after a short time.
  3. Lens surfacing (Digital vs traditional)- digital surfacing enhances visual clarity by reducing peripheral distortion and improving range of vision in progressive lenses
  4. Blue light and Ultraviolet radiation filters- protect against macular degeneration, the #1 cause of blindness over 55, as well as Cataracts and eyelid skin cancer (which accounts for 8% of all skin cancers.)  Other benefits include improved sleep and reduced eye strain from devices.
  5. No-line bifocals/progressives (premium vs standard)- premium progressives provide a wider area for reading and intermediate vision with reduced peripheral distortion leading to easier adjustment and everyday use.

Top 3 things we consider when ordering your fabulous new frame:

  1. Your exact spectacle prescription- matching your Rx to a specific frame is a critical first step in making your glasses accurately.
  2. Frame Material- hand-selecting frames that are made from quality metals, such as titanium or are hand-made (see STATE OPTICAL CO.) make for a more durable frame over time. Cheaper frames are made from poorer quality metals and injection mold plastics which lose their adjustment and break easily.
  3. Comfort and Fit- Your face and fashion sense means a lot to you! Cheaper frames are heavier, leading to daily discomfort, and can be more difficult to adjust and hold their shape. Our patients feel more confident and attractive, leading to a superior user experience for the life of their eyewear.

We stand behind what our Doctor’s prescribe for you and are able to guarantee the quality of your eye wear if they are made in our office. We ensure quality control for all glasses orders, checking that they were made properly and that frame adjustments are accurate for you, making sure you have the best for your eyes.

The list above is a guide to educate you on products that will enhance and protect your vision. We believe your eyes and your vision are worth it and we hope you do too!

Our optical team is committed to excellence and quality.  We are here to partner with you to find best fit eyewear for the demands of your everyday life. We offer a wide range of products for all budgets, plus we want you to SEE and be SEEN wonderfully!