Thursday, January 27, 2011

What I like about Nike 8065




Not everyone is into Geek Chic, nor feminine styles – especially athletic guys who are sports minded. Not to worry! Check out the Nike 8065 by Marchon. A combination frame with a metal front and injected plastic temples, this frame has rugged good looks with clean, crisp styling. The front is a slightly modified rectangle with an enhanced faceform angle that gives it the appearance of a wrap frame, a definite sporty styling cue. It has slightly upswept angles, which suggests movement and speed.

The upswept angle also helps the frame to flow up to the thicker, beveled end piece, and carries forward along the length of the temple, reducing the massiveness, and giving it a chiseled look. The also works well with the color combination, a rich opaque brown on the outside, and a transparent dark apple green on the top, bottom, and inside of the temple. This adds a ton of visual interest as the frame is worn and catches light from different angles. The temples are designed to be a tension fit instead of wrapping around the ears, echoing many sports-style sunglasses.

So, if you are looking for a clean-cut, sports-oriented frame, check out the Nike 8065. It’s game on, and YOU will score the points wearing this style. And that’s what I like about the Nike 8065. 


Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved
 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Can your glasses appearance impact your job prospects or performance?

A person who needed to present a certain appearance to enhance their perfomance asked an Image Consultant if rimless frames made them look older in this article.


The person asked the columnist a great question, which wasn't really answered. The answer should have included the following: Yes, rimless or semi-rimless frames often make people look older. 


HOWEVER, the most important thing for someone in sales is to appear open to whom they are selling. Legs not crossed, arms not crossed, and eyes accessible, not only with more open frames such as rimless, but also with an excellent anti-reflective coating. 


If you are in management or academia, you will want almost the opposite - black denotes power and authority. Are you in the arts or fashion industry? You need a new, fashsion-forward look. 


Looking for a job? This is a tough market, and you've got a few precious seconds to make that terrific first impression. Make sure your glasses don't sell you short!


If YOU have questions about how glasses can enhance your job performance, please leave a comment here, or better yet, leave me a message on my Facebook page (link below) or, just come on in to a Licensed Dispensing Optician and ask! 


Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved
 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Thinking About Ordering Glasses Online?

Over the past couple of years, I have had people tell me that they ordered their glasses online. And why not? They are REALLY cheap, and some even offer designer names. Well, there are several reasons why you might want to give this a second thought, but the best reason I'll save for last - an article from the NY Times that is truly frightening about what some people encountered when they ordered their glasses online.


The first reason to order from a good optician is accuracy. This starts with measuring pupillary distance, segment or major reference point heights, prescription entry and verification. Many sites encourage you to take these measurements yourself, which are skewed by vertex, parallax, and head angles. They certainly won't take into consideration examining doctors recommendations or opticians insights gleaned by patient interview and observations.


The second reason, short and to the point - verification. When the glasses we order for you arrive from our laboratory, regardless of how great they are and how good their quality is, we check each one for prescription accuracy, optical centers, major reference points, completeness of order (AR coats, tints, etc), and general appearance. We reject those that do not meet our standards of quality, and have them remade to our specifications. 


There is more, but the last point I will address is after sale care. Glasses bought online will never be fitted for you (unless you take unfair advantage of "brick and mortar" optical providers), nor will there be unlimited no-charge adjustments as long as you own the glasses. Equally as important is the care you get if the performance of your new glasses does not meet your expectations. I have developed a system to work with the patient and evaluate their glasses to identify the reason for their concern that works very well. Not something available online, I can guarantee you.


I use online ordering myself - books, music, jewelry for my wife - but there are some things that I want to evaluate live and in-person. And when it comes to something as customized and personalized as vision correction, with my eyes at stake, I'm going to go with a vendor with a great reputation, and a staff person I have developed a working relationship with whom I trust. And I thank you for doing the same.  We are proud to give exceptional service at Skagit Regional Clinics Eye Care Services.


All the same, read the article - it's like a car wreck, almost impossible not to stare at when you go by. This link takes you to a Vision Monday article that has a synopsis of the NT Times article, along with a link embedded in the article to the original that seems to work one time.
Click here for scary online article about online glasses ordering.


Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved
 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Update on the MyStyle Progressive Lens by Hoya

Here is a copy of my most recent post on a highly rated optical website about issues I found while ordering MyStyle lenses. While it is oriented to optometrists and opticians, the information is relevant to my previous posts here. I'm excited to try this proposed solution and see the results!


Latest information on MyStyle ordering process - try this!
Submitted by WRG_LDO on 01.14.11 - 3:30 pm


I have gotten some new information in my latest conversation with Hoya about ordering MyStyle lenses with their online tool. It would appear that the one single factor in determining corridor length (either 11 or 14 mm as I understand it) may turn out to be the type of lens the patient is wearing, and their satisfaction with it!


I had hoped to put this theory to the test this week, but ... didn't. If YOU get a chance, and you want a longer corridor, put in Varilux Comfort and "Likes" previous lens style (regardless of what they actually wore), and see if you are rewarded with a longer corridor design. Make sure to preview the preferences page before ordering.


One other oversight has apparently been corrected. While the initial printout showed the preference buttons selected, they did not show how highly they were rated, from one to five stars. The latest revision in their software adds that function.


Based on this new information, give this lens a shot - it could be an amazing addition to your stable of lenses to offer patients. Let me know your input as well, OK?


For more information on my first experience ordering the lenses, go to: http://www.billgregoryoptician.com/2010/12/ordering-hoyas-mystyle-lenses...


To see my initial reactions to wearing the MyStyle lens, check out: http://www.billgregoryoptician.com/2010/12/best-progressive-lens-yet-new...


I hope to re-order my lenses soon trying this strategy, and will keep you posted.

Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved
 

Thursday, January 13, 2011

What I Like about Hoya Tact Lenses


Most of my recent reviews of lenses have centered on new digital lens designs, but a couple of recent comments on my blog prompt me to review the Tact lens by Hoya.

First, this lens is not a typical progressive, made to wear on a regular basis. This no-line lens is maximized for intermediate vision – primarily computer/monitor distance. Approximately the entire middle third of the lens is set for comfortably viewing a monitor without having to lift your head to get to the portion of a standard progressive to focus at that distance. If you spend most of your work day, or over two hours at a time on the computer, this lens will probably pay for itself in one year in savings on chiropractor visits or pain-relieving medications!

The bottom third of the lens has a reading zone that is significantly larger than a standard progressive, and many of my patients also use it as a reading pair of glasses. Again, the advantage here is that single vision, computer specific glasses work great on the computer, but if you also work with documents, you won’t be able to see them clearly. They also have an advantage over a pair of lined bifocals set for the monitor and near in that there is no line to get in the way, and …

… the top third of the lens has a small button set for about 8’ – 12’, which allows you to walk around your office without having to remove your glasses, and possibly put your standard progressive lenses on. This is a major advantage, and one not generally found in other office-style lens designs. A moderate hyperope, I have actually driven home with my Tact lenses on, wondering why the speed limit signs on the freeway were blurry! Not recommended, but it does demonstrate the versatility of this lens.

I’ve focused on the computer aspects of this lens, but it has many other applications. Most artists work with their media at arms length, and that is the distance at which this lens excels. It also works well for many musicians, allowing them to see the music on their stand clearly, while also being able to take direction from the conductor. Mechanics who really struggle to get their reading zone high enough when they are working on a vehicle overhead have also appreciated this design.

Finally, it is available in two configurations – one for standard monitor distance, and another for viewing another 8” – 10” further out. We use and recommend this lens, and have had excellent results with this lens – and that’s what I love about the Tact lens! Stop in at any Hoya dealer for more information!


Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved
 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Here's Why YOU Need a GREAT Optician!

I recently wrote about a great advance in lens design, where the lens is both personalized and customized for you, in the frame you select, factoring in your previous prescription (and if you liked it or not), and your lifestyle preferences. I also noted that MY new lenses weren't quite working out as I had hoped, but attributed that to a learning curve on inputting patient preferences.


However, we recently went to order a set of these lenses for the optometrist I work with, and made SURE to not repeat the process the same way I did for my lenses. I was really interested to see what the outcome would be - and I was shocked! His lens recommendation was exactly the same as mine. We quickly pulled all the other MyStyle lens orders we had placed, and found every one had the same recommendation. So much for personalization and customization!


I contacted the laboratory, and they put me into contact with their corporate headquarters, where I explained what had happened, and my guess that the algorithms that should select the exact right lens were not functioning as they should.


I got a call today from Hoya headquarters, confirming that the algorithm is indeed flawed. They have their software engineers working on the issue, and hope to come up with a solution before too long.


My point? These lenses have been on the market in America for awhile, and I was the first to notice the problem, analyze it, report it, and have my hypothesis validated. Establishments that hire and recognize the worth of Licensed Dispensing Opticians who have a long and proven track record bring value to the patients they serve. I thank YOU for recognizing that cost and price are closely related to performance and ultimate satisfaction with the investment you make in eye wear, and allowing me to fill your eyewear needs.

Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved
 

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

What I like about the Prodesign 5130


And now for something completely different – the Prodesign 5130. No retro styling, no heavy plastic temples, no eclectic color combination's, but this frame is a winner! Designed in Denmark, these frames are for the woman who maybe dresses a bit less casually than others, who loves the feminine look and mystique.

The temples are what initially grabs your attention here – an impeccably done ajoure design (I was going to say filigree, but there are technical differences in construction) that makes me think of a vine with leaves and flowers. Some are solid, some are open, and some have a muted gold-tone cloisonne accent. What is great about this is that this design motif is found in many modern fabrics, so it goes great with a stylish wardrobe. It also allows a great design without physically taking over the whole face – and allows unobstructed peripheral vision for safer driving.

The front is relatively unadorned, and designed to let the eyes be the star of the show. The frame utilizes sheet stainless steel for a bit more of a presence, and is nicely shaped to follow the eyebrow curve. The shape itself is nice and soft, and will work well with most face shapes, with a nice lift at the outside edge. The semi-rimless design opens up the face, and directs awareness to the eyes, which everyone knows are our most important feature!

All in all, a beautifully executed feminine design with a flair – and that’s what I like about the Prodesign 5130. Stop in today and try one on at any ProDesign authorized dealer.


Follow me on Twitter at @BillGregoryLDO
Check out my Facebook page at Bill Gregory Optician
Copyright © 2011 All Rights Reserved