eyeglasses

the latest in men’s eyeglass fashion

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by
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!

by

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.

Makeup Tips for Ladies with Glasses

by
Performance Eyecare in Swansea, IL and St. Louis has the perfect designer eyeglass frames for your style.

It’s important to find the perfect designer eyeglass frames to fit your style. That includes your attire’s style and your makeup style. At Performance Eyecare, we understand that it can be a tough choice to pick out the perfect pair of eyeglasses which is why we carry a large selection.

Here are a few trendy tips, courtesy of AllAboutVision.com, for the next time you pick out a pair of eyeglasses:

Lighten Up

Some eyeglasses can cast dark shadows around the eyes in certain light, so blend a lighter-toned foundation under your eyes and down the center of your nose, otherwise known as contouring.

You can also fully contour your face by bronzing your cheek bones, the top of your forehead and either side of your nose.

Just Browsing

Your eyebrow styling depends on the size and shape of your eyewear, as well as the thickness and contour of your eyebrows.

You might want to avoid heavy eyebrow makeup if you wear big, bold frames. Same goes for those with naturally light hair or thinner eyebrows. You don’t want to fill in your eyebrows with a color that’s too dark or make them appear too full.

For those who wear smaller, subtle frames, fill in your eyebrows with your natural color to help draw attention to your eyes.

On the Lid

It’s not always the best choice to pair bold frames with subtle, natural-looking eye makeup. You can play up your eyes with striking cat-eye eyeliner, highly defined eyelashes and pops of eye shadow. Remember to complement the color of your frames if you choose a bright eye shadow color.

Read My Lips

If you have eye-catching eyeglasses and love dramatic eye shadow, skip the bold lip and pair your look with a colorless gloss or slightly tinted lip balm.

You can also pass up the dramatic eyes and wear thin eyeliner, mascara and a bright-colored lipstick. This look is especially cute with vintage-style glasses.

At Performance Eyecare, we have hundreds of fashionable designer eyeglasses to choose from to give you that “wow” factor you have been looking for. Schedule an appointment or stop in soon to take a look!

Choosing the right glasses for your child

by

Just the thought of buying eyeglasses for your child can make you want to pull your hair out. First, there is the initial selection to consider. Second, you must consider what your child is willing to wear. Third, which eyeglasses will be the most durable?

Then there is the pressure from your child, who is likely more worried about what the other kids might say and if their glasses look cool to others.

We’ve seen how stressful this process can be. Don’t worry, we’re here to help make it a lot smoother for everyone involved.

As noted by Liz DeFranco of AllAboutVision.com, there are other variables to this journey such as what kind of glasses are needed (near- or farsighted) and how often will they be worn.

Here are DeFranco’s 10 items to consider when buying kids’ eyewear.

1. Lens Thickness

It’s important to consult with the optician about the eyeglass prescription before looking at frames. Stronger lenses are likely going to be thick, so it is important to keep the frames as small as possible to reduce the final lens thickness.

2. Fashion

Sadly, other kids might comment with either nice compliments or unnecessary jokes about your child’s eyeglasses. It is important your child is comfortable with his/her new specs so don’t let them choose ones that you think might be a cause for concern with other kids later.

The goal is to get your child to wear the glasses.

3. Plastic or Metal

Children’s frames are made of either plastic or metal. Boys’ frames have double bridges while girls’ frames have single frames, which can also be unisex.

Plastic frames in the past were considered a better choice for children because they were more durable, less likely to be bent or broken, lighter in weight and less expensive.

Now manufacturers are creating metal frames to incorporate these features as well.

Also, ask for hypoallergenic materials if your child has shown sensitivity to certain substances, such as nickel.

4. Proper Bridge Fit

Children’s noses aren’t fully developed which makes this a tough part of the consideration process. They don’t have a bridge to prevent plastic frames from sliding down, but metal frames are usually made with adjustable nose pads to fit everyone’s bridge.

5. Temple Style

Temples that wrap all the way around the back of the ear, called “cable temples,” help keep glasses from sliding down or falling off your child’s face completely.

Another option is a strap that goes around the head.

6. Spring Hinges

A nice feature to look for is temples with spring hinges because kids aren’t always careful when they put on or take off glasses. Spring hinges can prevent the need for frequent adjustments to be made to the glasses.

7. Lens Material

Children’s lenses should be made of polycarbonate or a material called Trivex because the lightweight materials are more impact-resistant than other lens materials. They are also lighter in weight, have built-in protection from damaging UV rays, and are scratch-resistant coated by the manufacturer.

The least desirable material is glass. It must be treated for impact resistance, but it still shatters when it breaks which can be hazardous to the eye.

8. Sports Eyewear

If your kid plays sports, a proper sports goggle with polycarbonate lenses will provide the best protection against an eye injury. These goggles also must be fitted properly.

9. Warranties

If your child is a toddler or a first-time wearer, opt for a warranty if it’s offered. Not all warranty plans are the same, but it can be useful in case the eyewear needs to be replaced or fixed.

10. Backup Pair

It’s always good to have a backup pair of glasses because kids aren’t always the gentlest being to their belongings. Another pair might be best especially for those with strong prescriptions and wouldn’t be able to function without their glasses.

Ask your optician if special discounts apply for second pairs, especially if they’re purchased at the same time as the primary pair.

Stylish frames to look younger!

by

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.

Matching Eyeglass Frames To Your Face Shape!

by

We get it. You want to see, but you want to be fashionable while wearing your new glasses. So what should you look for when trying to pick out the best frame?

  1. Eyewear should repeat your personal best feature (such as a blue frame to match blue eyes).
  2. The frame shape should contrast with your face shape.
  3. The frame size should be in scale with your face size.

While most faces are a combination of shapes and angles, there are seven basic face shapes: round, oval, oblong, base-down triangle, base-up triangle, diamond and square.

Here is a further description of these face shapes and which types of frames work best for each, according to The Vision Council. A good optician can help you use these guidelines to choose your new eyeglasses.

Round

A round face has curved lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. To make a round face appear thinner and longer, try angular narrow eyeglass frames to lengthen the face, a clear bridge that widens the eyes, and frames that are wider than they are deep, such as a rectangular shape.

Oval

An oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. To keep the oval’s natural balance, look for eyeglass frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face, or walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow.

Oblong

An oblong face is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longish nose. To make an oblong face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames that have more depth than width, decorative or contrasting temples that add width to the face, or a low bridge to shorten the nose.

Base-down Triangle

A base-down triangular face has a narrow forehead and widens at the cheek and chin areas. To add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face, try frames that are heavily accented with color and detailing on the top half or cat-eye shapes.

Base-up Triangle

This face has a very wide top third and small bottom third. To minimize the width of the top of the face, try frames that are wider at the bottom, very light colors and materials and rimless frame styles (which have a light, airy effect because the lenses are simply held in place by a few screws, with no surrounding frame material).

Diamond

Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye line and jawline, and have broad cheekbones that may be high and dramatic. This is the rarest face shape. To highlight the eyes and soften the cheekbones, try frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines, or try rimless frames or oval and cat-eye shapes.

Square

A square face has a strong jaw line and a broad forehead, plus the width and length are in the same proportions. To make a square face look longer and soften the angles, try narrow frame styles, frames that have more width than depth, and narrow ovals.

No matter what your face shape is, we will help find the right pair for you. We have a variety of frames (over 700) to match your style while helping you see the world around you a lot better.

We have custom selection-process to fit your optical needs and we pick frames according to your face shape, skin tone, brow structure, and more. So schedule your Performance Eyecare appointment today!

Choosing glasses for style & personality!

by

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.