eyeglass frames

the latest in men’s eyeglass fashion

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Most men are interested in comfort, fit and durability when it comes to eyeglasses. While they also want style, men typically won’t forsake comfort and fit just to look good.

Comfort and fit

Men: Here are some key areas to check out to make sure the eyeglass frames you choose will be comfortable and fit well.

To ensure the temples (the pieces that extend to your ears) aren’t too snug on sides of your head, choose frames are wide enough for your face. The edge of the frames should protrude slightly beyond your face so the temples don’t put pressure on your head as they extend back to your ears.

Next, make sure the temples are long enough. Many frame styles are available in more than one temple length. So if you find a frame you like but the temples seem too short, ask your optician if a longer temple is available. For a comfortable fit, the curve at the end of the temple should extend over your ear without pressing down upon it.

Also, check the nosepiece for comfort and fit. Many glasses have soft, silicone nose pads that can be adjusted for a customized fit. For frames without adjustable nose pads, the frame should fit securely without pinching the bridge of your nose.

When you pick up your new eyeglasses, move your head up and down, and bend over (as if to pick up something up from the floor) to see how well your glasses stay in place. With properly adjusted nose pads and temples, your glasses should stay comfortably in place.

Durability

For extra-durable eyeglasses, consider choosing frames made from titanium, stainless steel or “memory metal.” Titanium and stainless steel are stronger and more durable than other metal frame materials, and frames made of memory metal, a titanium-based alloy, return to their original shape even if they are severely bent or twisted.

What about fashion? Five trends in men’s eyeglasses

Men’s frame styling has become more masculine in recent years, with classic shapes and sizes now re-born with a modern twist.

  1. Masculine shapes such as aviator glasses and double brow-bar styles have seen a resurgence in popularity, but in fresh colors and materials and slightly pared-down in size.
  2. Larger and bolder eyeglass frames are becoming popular again for men. Keep in mind that the biggest styles work best on men with larger body types. Smaller frames are still around, and still work well with smaller faces.
  3. Rimless and semi-rimless styles (where the eyeglass lens is held in place to the temple simply by a screw or a wire) are perfect for the man who wants a modern or minimalist look. Combine rimless frames with anti-reflective lenses and the glasses practically disappear.
  4. Titanium frames are very popular with men and rate high in both the function and fashion categories. These premium metal frames are super lightweight, non-corrosive, very durable and stylish as well.
  5. For a younger, hip or retro look, many men are turning to plastic frames. Lightweight and comfortable, plastic frames come in a wide variety of styles including bold, black ’50s-style frames and modern designs with layers of colors laminated together to create a unique effect.

Time to upgrade?

Are your glasses uncomfortable? Want a new look? Visit us today to see the latest styles comfortable, fashionable frames for men of all ages.

For more information on men’s eyeglasses, visit All About Vision®.

Article ©2008 Access Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited.

A Five-Star Warranty

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Performance Eyecare offers a warranty you won’t see anywhere else!

Yes, that pun was intended, but we do stand by our five-star warranty and are confident in what we have to offer. Our eyeglasses come with a 1-year warranty for breakage at no additional cost to you. Along with a one year warranty, you can also utilize our 14-day exchange policy. Meaning, if you do not like your frames’ shape or color like you thought you did when you walked away with them, as long as it’s within 14 days you may return them for another. However please note that if you are in need of new lenses, please note that there may be a small lab fee acquired depending on the type of lens require for your frames.

So, what do I have to do?

If your glasses break, which will happen from time to time based on situation and circumstance, simply bring them back into our Creve Coeur, MO; Alton, IL or Swansea, Illinois office and our eyeglass specialists will repair or replace the glass for you!

Performance Eyecare is the place for children’s glasses

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With the kids going back to school, it’s time to bring them in for an eye exam and pick out any necessary eyewear to help him or her succeed this school year.

We understand kids can be picky about what they want to wear, but we’re confident your child will find the perfect pair of glasses at Performance Eyecare.

Here are the five trends in children’s eyewear:

  1. Designers have taken cool and classic designs that work for adults and scaled them down for kids. Don’t be surprised if your child wants eyeglasses that look a lot like yours.
  2. Branded or licensed eyewear lines grab a child’s attention. Fisher-Price, Hush Puppies, Stride Rite, Disney and Marvel Comics appeal to kids of all ages, but especially to very young children. Lines related to extreme sports (X-Games), basketball (Nike, Converse) and other sports are very popular with slightly older kids.
  3. Spring hinges, strong and flexible frame materials and impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses all help protect your child’s eyes — as well as your financial investment in his or her eyewear.
  4. Don’t forget about sunglasses for kids. Protecting your child’s eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays may lower the risk of adult eye problems like cataracts later in life.
  5. Photochromic lenses made of impact-resistant polycarbonate are an excellent choice for kids who spend a lot of time outdoors. Clip-on sunglasses (or newer versions that magnetically attach to eyeglasses) also are good choices.
  6. For the child who is fast becoming a teenager, eyewear fashion is increasingly important. Designer eyeglass frames from Guess?, Calvin Klein and others are very appealing to “tweens.” Also popular are frames branded with apparel and accessories names such as Esprit, Nine West and Banana Republic, as well as celebrity brands like Hilary Duff and Thalia eyewear collections.

Visit Performance Eyecare for eye exams

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Did you know August is National Eye Exam month? It’s a nice reminder as we get ready to send the kids back to school that eye health is important learning for children, and even for adults.

The Vision Council of America states that 12.2 million Americans need vision correction, but don’t use any. Also, almost 50 percent of parents with children under 12 years old have never taken their children to an eye care professional.

Here are five reasons why you should have an eye exam this month:

1. Save a headache

You might need to visit an eye care doctor if you have unexplained and constant headaches. The stress you’re putting your eyes through could be the cause.

2. Perform well in school

This is vital as one out of four children is believed to have vision problems, which could explain why your child’s grades are slipping. Children won’t always speak up so it’s on you to do the right thing and take your child to get his or her eyes examined.

3. Determine prescription

Like everything, your eyes change. Visiting an eye care professional such as the one you’ll find at Perfomance Eyecare, you can change your prescription so you can see better.

4. Detect eye conditions

An eye doctor is able to spot early onset signs of various health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma and high cholesterol.

5. Prevent conditions

As if the previous four reasons weren’t enough, you can stop eye conditions. Many eye diseases, such as macular degeneration or cataracts, don’t have symptoms. Early detection is extremely important to prevent serious damage.

At Performance Eyecare, we test for glaucoma without the dreaded air puff. Your eye doctor instills an eye drop and determines your eye pressure while looking with the microscope. There is no pain and this method is much more accurate than blowing air into your eye.

Eyeglass Fashion For Teens

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portrait of a teenage girl wearing eyeglasses

We understand that teenagers can have extremely picky taste when it comes to anything, but especially when it involves fashion.

Here are five tips to help you look fabulous in your new eyeglasses:

Tip 1: Eyeglass frames should complement your face shape, features and coloring

If your face is angular or square, round and oval frames look best. The opposite is also true: if your face is round or oval, you’ll look good in square and angular frames. Also, if the top of your face is wider than the bottom (often called heart-shaped), select a frame with a dramatic (wider, heavier, etc.) bottom edge to even out your face. Of course, if your face is wider on the bottom, choose a frame with a dramatic top edge.

The frame color should complement your coloring, including skin tone (warm or cool), skin color (ranging from fair to dark) and hair color.

Still not sure? Take a look at your veins (they’re easy to see in your wrists and feet, usually): if they seem mostly greenish, you have warm skin, while mostly blue veins mean you have cool skin.

Colors that look nice with warm skin include browns, most metals and colors like turquoise.

Those who are light in skin and hair coloring (ivory skin and blonde hair, for example) look nice with faint-colored frames. Those with medium coloring look nice with light-colored metals and browns. Those with dark coloring look nice is most metallic frames.

Tip 2: Frames must fit you properly to work right and look good

Frames that are too large can cause visual distortion and glare. If it’s too small, you limit your peripheral vision.

Frames shouldn’t be wider than the widest part of your face, with the exception of frames for oval faces. The top of the frames should not be above the eyebrow line and the bottom shouldn’t touch your cheeks. They should also be comfortable around your ears.

Tip 3: They should match your lifestyle

Take into account your life. That means your life on Saturday night, your life at church, your life at grandma’s house and more. What is your overall style? Choose something that pairs well with your typical style whether it’s dressy of jeans and T-shirts.

Tip 4: Certain prescriptions work better with certain frames

Eyeglass lenses that correct nearsightedness are thicker along the edges than in the middle. The opposite is true for farsightedness. Some frames are incompatible with lens edges that are particularly thick or thin.

Tip 5: Construction varies

Generally you can choose eyeglass frames in plastic, metal or a combination of both. Metal frame usually last longer and most have adjustable nose pads, which work well for those with noses too small or large for plastic frames.

You should take into account the kind of jewelry you like to wear as well. If you wear a lot of gold, you might not want silver frames.

At Performance Eyecare, we carry over 700 pairs of high quality and designer eyeglasses and sunglasses. We have eyeglasses of all price ranges, including high end fashion frames made from the latest materials.

We have designer frames!

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Find Designer Frames at Performance Eyecare!

At Performance Eyecare not only do we guarantee quality eyeglass frames, but we also offer top of the line designers and several hundred options to choose from. Our qualified & specially trained opticians are here to not only help you find the frame that perfectly fits your face shape, but that also fits your budget while keep you in fashion with our options in designer frames.

Some of the name brands we are proud to carry include, but are not limited to are: Adidas, Converse, Jack Spade, Kate Spade & many more! Believe it or not, the quality at Performance Eyecare doesn’t stop with top of the line eye exams and designer frames. It is also important to note that when you choose Performance Eyecare you will also receive specialty in-office crafted eye glass lenses. We don’t use the basic, standard equipment for our customers; we go above and beyond using state of the art equipment to ensure you leave our office feeling confident, comfortable and with clear vision.

Not to mention, we offer a five-star warranty on our eyeglasses! Schedule an appointment with your local Performance Eyecare office to see the difference we bring.

Stylish frames to look younger!

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Getting older doesn’t mean you have to settle for the grandma look when it comes to glasses. Take a look at these tips to consider the next time you pair a new set of frames.

As noted by Julyne Derrick of Beauty.About.com, there are many frames and styles that will help you achieve a more youthful look.

Black frames are a classy look that show sophistication and a sense of style. These frames can be oversized but they will still appear flattering. It’s recommended you steer away from excessive jewelry and other accessories to pull off the black frame look.

Want a subtle look when wearing glasses? Try a frameless pair that won’t bring attention to your glasses. They will blend into the face better, as will thin frames. Frameless glasses also let off a sophisticated look.

There’s three things you should consider when you choose glasses. Most of us think about our face shape, but it’s also about hair color and personality. Square frames can balance out a longer face shape and black frames can complement a lighter hair color.

Don’t go alone when you’re shopping for eyeglasses. Always bring a friend who knows your style and can be honest with you. No one wants to buy a pair of frames and later find out they don’t look as flattering as they previously thought.

At Performance Eyecare, we offer designer frames of the highest quality and also affordable name brands such as Lafont, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Davies, OGA, Tom Ford, Maui Jim, OGI and many others.

Choosing glasses for style & personality!

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Let your choice in eye wear express who you are and showcase your unique individual style.

Performance Eyecare has the perfect glasses to fit your style and personality

We all have different tastes, especially when it comes to style. That’s why it’s important to decide what you want your eyeglasses to say about you first.

As noted by Erinn Morgan of AllAboutVision.com, the first step is to consider the aspects of your life. We all have different aspects to our life, such as work and play, so sometimes it’s best to buy a couple pairs of glasses to suit each aspect.

Eyeglasses for Serious Business

It’s best to wear conservative frame shapes and colors in the business setting. Doing so will help instill trust and confidence with your clients and colleagues.

Some of the best choices are classic shapes such as ovals, rectangles and almonds. You should also choose a traditional color like gold, silver, brown, gray and black. If you choose to wear plastic glasses, stay away from bright colors or unusual shapes.

Eyeglasses That Showcase Your Creativity and Fashion Savvy

Those wanting to show their fashionable and creative tastes should choose modern shapes when picking out their eyeglasses. You have a lot more options than in the business setting so choosing prints, such as animal or flower, can also be an option to accentuate your style.

Eyeglasses for the Modern Baby Boomer or Senior

Many older people tend to choose for a conservative look, but they don’t have to stick with the same outdated one forever.

Certain colors can make you look younger, such as deep browns and burgundy for men and lighter, shinier hues for women.

Eyeglasses for Students

Unusual shapes, bright colors, larger sizes and interesting details are popular among students who are trying to create their own identity and style.

Students shouldn’t be afraid to express themselves in any variety of glasses.

Eyeglasses for the Busy Mom and Dad

Ovals, upswept rectangles and soft cat-eye shapes are functional and look great for the busy mom or dad.  You could choose to amplify the fashion effect of a basic shape with details such as jewelry-like metal accents or recognizable designer logos depending on your style.

Interesting colors such as plum deep red, soft green and black can add a fashion edge to a basic frame.

Adult Sunglasses at Performance Eyecare

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Performance Eyecare St. Louis

While summer is winding down, it’s important to continue to protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses, such as ones that you can find at Performance Eyecare.

As noted by GetEyeSmart.org, we often spend more time in the sun during the summer which increases our chances of developing cataracts and growths in the eye, including cancer. This risk also applies to those who go to tanning beds for their bronze look.

Do you remember that brightness when the sun reflected off a fresh snowfall six months ago? Well, that can cause photokeratitis, which is responsible for snow blindness. This same effect can happen when you’re at the beach or a pool as the sun reflects off the sand or water. This is why it’s always important to wear UV-blocking glasses when you’re out in the sun.

A survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), only about half of people who wear sunglasses say they check the UV rating before picking out their pair. The AAO recommends the following:

1. Wear sunglasses labeled as 100% UV protection.

It’s important to wear glasses that protect both UV-A and UV-B rays and are labeled either as UV400 or 100% UV protection.

2. Wear a hat along with your glasses

This is self-explanatory as a hat can help keep the sun away from your eyes. Clouds don’t block UV light, so sunglasses are important to wear even on cloudy days.  And remember that sun rays are strong. So strong they can pass through haze and clouds. Remember: sun damage can happen at any time of year.

3. Stay inside during UV-intense times

The sun’s light is strongest mid-day to early afternoon, at higher altitudes, and when reflected off of water, ice or snow. It’s important to remember this when you leave the house.

As Performance Eyecare, we offer designer frame sunglasses that will not only look stylish on you, but more importantly protect your vision from the sun’s harmful rays.

Eyeglass Styles For Men

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Style is important in every setting, which is why it’s important to choose frames that not only feel good, but also look good.

Picking out the perfect pair of eyeglasses can be tough for anyone. While getting the correct prescription is the most important thing for eyeglass wearers, you shouldn’t settle for bland looking glasses that don’t fit your personality and style.

According to Antonio Centeno, the founder of Real Men Real Style, men need to consider at least five things when choosing their next pair of glasses: should they be noticeable, face shape, color, sizing and materials.

1. Should a man’s glasses be noticeable?

The traditional thought is that glasses should be unobtrusive, which is impossible to achieve even with the thinnest wire frames.

The thin-wire frame look may not be the best look for your face, but it’s also important not to let whichever pair you buy define your style. Glasses are meant to complement your style and a fashionable pair can become a part of your visual identity.

Don’t let the old tradition of thin-wire glasses be your style if it isn’t. Choose a pair of glasses that enhance your style even if it is the traditional thin-wire glasses.

At Performance Eyecare, we offer designer frames of the highest quality and also affordable name brands such as Lafont, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Davies, OGA, Tom Ford, Maui Jim, OGI and many others.

2. Face shape

It’s important to keep your style in mind when choosing glasses, but don’t forget your face shape. Keeping your face shape in consideration will determine which frame shape is best for you.

Glasses for round faces

A “round” face is considered to be the same width and height with a curving chin and cheeks. Centeno suggests something angular and slimming for people with a round face.

Rectangular glasses will make your face appear longer and thinner. The corners of the glasses should be squared off and the frames should lean toward thin more than thick.

Glasses for square faces

A “square” face is similar to a round face in that it’s equal in width and height, but its features are more angled with a broad chin and strong jaw. Men who want to soften their impression can wear rounded lenses. Those who want a stronger profile and don’t want the glasses to look imposing can still wear squared-off lenses, but need to be sure the lenses are large and even in width and height.

Glasses for oval faces

“Oval” faces work well with most styles as long as you don’t go too extreme. An oval face is taller than it is wide with a rounded chin and high cheekbones. Oval faces can wear both squared-off and curving frames, narrow or wide.

The thing to look out for is if the frames are too square or circular. A thicker frame can add definition, but make sure it doesn’t overpower your features.

Glasses for heart-shaped faces

“Heart-shaped” faces have narrow cheekbones and a small chin. If you want to take away from your narrow chin, then choose wider frames at the top than the bottom. It’s also important to stay away from too block or squared-off because of the curves in your face’s shape.

3. Choosing the color

Most people wear the same glasses for years, so you better get used to the color. Men who wear suits and ties have a limited dress code which also narrows down the color selection for frames. Base metallic colors (gold and silver tones) or a fine black are acceptable. Suit-and-tie men should avoid thick, plastic-looking or brightly colored frames.

Casual dressers have a greater number of options to add colors, either as the solid base of the frames or as detailing. Thinner frames are best for men looking to add color.

4. Frame sizing

The rule of thumb here is that thinner frames will generally sit more comfortably and allow a closer fit. Large, heavy frames may need to be sized looser than normal.

Eyeglass frames are sized with three numbers representing in order: size of the lens, size of the bridge across the nose, and the length of the temples (the hooks that go over your ears). These measurements don’t take into account the shape of the wires or the thickness which means one set of frames may not be as comfortable as another with the identical measurement.

5. Frame materials

Plastics and nylon-based composites are usually used for brightly colored glasses. Higher-end sports glasses are made from more flexible nylon materials.

Titanium and titanium alloys are popular for their flexibility and the lighter weight. People with sensitive skin need to be more cautious with cheaper metals because some include nickel, which some have a contact allergy.

Aluminum frames are cheap, but not durable.

Eyeglasses for the busy lifestyle

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Man sitting at desk holding documents, side view

Do you use the same pair of glasses for everything you do, or do you own a pair of specialty eyeglasses designed for specific tasks?

“One size fits all” is true in some situations, but it’s unlikely that one pair of eyeglasses is suitable in every situation, such as when you’re sitting at the computer or driving a vehicle.

The most important reasons for purchasing specialty eyewear, according to a survey by The Vision Council, include:

  • For a specific activity such as computer use, work, hobbies, sports or driving.
  • To see better in general.
  • For safety reasons to protect the eyes from harm while playing sports.
  • For cosmetic reasons.

Computer Glasses

You are at an increased risk of developing eye strain and other symptoms with the more time you spend sitting at a computer. This is the result of focusing on a very specific area for a long period of time. The computer screen can tire the eyes more quickly than reading a book or newspaper.

Computer glasses are designed for intermediate and close-up distances and will help you avoid eye strain.

Work and Hobbies

If you wear bifocals, you may realize that you have to tip your head back to use the reading zone in the bottom of the glasses. That is unless what you’re reading is in your lap.

You can purchase special work glasses that have the reading segment placed higher in the lenses. Special bifocals and trifocals for work-related tasks are called occupational lenses.

A separate pair of reading glasses might be helpful if some of your hobbies include beading, needlepoint, crafting or anything that requires intense focus at close distances.

Then there is safety glasses that can protect your eyes while working with hand and power tools.

Sports Eyewear

You can improve your visual acuity on the golf course or tennis court by changing the lens tint of sunglasses. Sport-specific eyewear can enhance performance by improving visual clarity while protecting your eyes from injury.

Driving Glasses

There are two categories when it comes to driving glasses: sunglasses designed for driving and prescription eyeglasses.

Sunglasses for driving have polarized lenses that reduce glare and make it easier to see in bright light.

Prescription eyewear for driving includes an appropriate distance prescription and lenses with an anti-reflective coating. This coating reduces glare from light off the front and back of your lenses and allows more light to enter your eyes for better vision when driving at night.

Safety Eyewear

Many people buy specialty eyewear for increased safety, such as safety glasses, sports goggles or shooting glasses.

Safety eyewear is made of ultra-durable materials and provides more coverage than regular glasses.

You can get the latest fashionable specialty eyeglasses at Performance Eyecare. Our team will work with you to discover which prescription works best and looks best so you can see safely in your everyday tasks.