Welcome to 1stchoiceoptical Australia

Studies show that over 65% of people across the world need glasses. This is because of the various conditions that affect the eyes and may cause impairment to the vision. Of course, not everyone gets glasses, some people go about their daily activities oblivious to the fact that they can improve the quality of their vision without spending too much cash.

At 1stchoiceoptical Australia, we offer a variety of glasses that range from prescription to polarized and sports goggles. The best part is that you can browse through our huge online catalogue, select the most appropriate materials and have our team customize the glasses to fit your needs. Additionally, we offer delivery options so you can receive your pair of glasses in the comfort of your own home or office.

Who Needs Glasses?

Understanding how glasses work can be key to appreciating who exactly needs to get a pair or two.

Older people

As people grow old their eyesight tends to deteriorate. Macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy are among some of the conditions that affect eyesight. To avoid having to deal with compromised vision, getting a pair of prescription glasses may be all it takes to ensure improved vision even as you grow older.

People with health problems

Individuals that have certain health problems may have to get themselves a pair or two of prescription glasses to correct their vision. Some examples of conditions that may lead to refractive errors and compromise vision include nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism. There are specific lenses that are used to correct each of the problems noted. It is therefore important to realize that the right glasses for one condition may not work for the other condition.

Accident survivors

If you have gone through an unfortunate incident or accident that caused damage to any part of your eyes, the best solution to compromised vision may be the use of eyeglasses.

Professionals and students

There are hundreds of professionals who spend most of the day staring at the screen of their computer. These individuals are unknowingly exposing their naked eyes to blue light which may cause damage. Some students read or write their notes on smart gadgets such as laptops and tablets. To protect such individuals, it may be prudent to get a pair of blue light glasses.

Sportsperson

Certain types of sports require individuals to wear protective glasses. Skiing goggles help keep ice particles from getting in the eyes while swimming goggles ensure proper vision and eye protection even when underwater. Other sports that may require participants to wear glasses include squash, shooting, cycling, archery and pickleball.

Active workers

Individuals who engage in high-activity occupations may also need to wear protective eyeglasses. Those who engage in construction may wear protective glasses to protect their eyes from debris and other particles. Welders also have special glasses to shield their eyes from sparks and the bright light produced during the activity.

Ordinary people

Even if you have the perfect vision, you must protect your eyes to ensure you enjoy their benefits over the long term. Spending a lot of time staring at the screen of your computer, smartphone or television can easily compromise your vision. Getting special glasses to protect you from the blue light emitted from such devices is key to enjoying good vision. Additionally, walking outside in the glaring sunlight can lead to damage to your eyes which is why it may be prudent to get protective sunglasses.

How to Choose the Best Glasses

Ever looked at your favourite celebrity wearing sunglasses and wished you could have the same type of glasses? Well, that may not be the best way to select the ideal glasses.

Indeed there are hundreds of glasses on the market today and a casual look at most of them can easily fool you into thinking they are the best fit for you. The truth is that what works for your favourite celebrity may not be right for you. Here are some of the details you need to know before selecting any eyeglasses.

The frame materials

Frames can be designed using a variety of materials including metal, plastic, wood, bone and solid silver.

Metal frames can be quite thin and lightweight which is one of their main advantages. Even if you accidentally sit on the frame it can bend but easily go back to its original shape. They are also less hypoallergenic.

Plastic frames are resistant to chemical erosion and can come in a variety of colours and designs. This makes them the ideal pick for people who want to use glasses for cosmetic purposes. They offer exceptional protection in sports and can be designed with different textures and patterns.

Wood, horn and bone frames are not very common but can sometimes be available on request. Though they may be rigid and much harder to maintain, their unique beauty makes them quite appealing. Individuals who own glasses with such frame materials claim they feel nice on the skin and are durable.

Some frames feature additional materials for beauty and other purposes. For instance, some frames feature nickel for beauty. Gold plating techniques can also give the frames an outstanding appearance.

The shape of the glasses

The frame shape and the shape of the lenses can also play a role in the way the glasses look on you. To determine the best fit, optometrists often consider the shape of your head. For instance, a round face often matches well with rectangular or square-shaped glasses.

Geometric, wrap or rectangular glasses can be the perfect fit for a heart-shaped face while an oval-shaped face can match just about any type of glasses. To make things easier, 1stchoiceoptical Australia allows you to upload a picture of your face and try on different types of glasses virtually. This allows you to determine the most ideal fit in terms of frame and lens shape.

The type of lenses used

If you are looking for eyeglasses for cosmetic purposes, you will not need to worry too much about the type of lens used. Instead, you may want to pay attention to the colour of the lenses. There are a variety of colours to choose from including brown, grey, yellow, turquoise, blue and yellow. Each colour has its advantages and disadvantages which is why you should be a bit keen on that.

If you are looking for prescription glasses, then your optician will most likely give recommendations on the best type of lens to use. Below are just a few lens types that may be used in making different glasses.

Aspheric lenses - these are usually quite slim and attractive. They tend to offer a sharper peripheral vision when compared to their conventional counterparts.

High-index plastic lenses -these are also thin and light in weight. They tend to offer excellent protection against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

Wavefront technology lenses - These types of lenses are usually fabricated to produce vision clarity depending on how light travels into an individual's eye. These lenses are among the best when it comes to correcting problems caused by light refraction in the retina.

Photochromic lenses - These are quite impressive because they can block out ultraviolet light and thus provide maximum protection. They even darken automatically in places with a bright light to ensure you get the best possible vision.

Polarized lenses - These are usually designed to protect against glare from flat or reflective surfaces such as water. They are also known to help reduce eye fatigue.

Polycarbonate and trivex - these lenses are thinner and lighter than conventional lenses. They are known to be almost 10 times more impact resistant than plastic lenses. These properties make them the ideal choice for safety in workplaces, sports, children and any other active individuals.

The size

There is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to glasses. The size and shape of your head can help optometrists know what size of frame and lens to use in making the perfect product for you. Remember a slightly large frame may end up slipping down your nose while one that fits too tightly may cause discomfort.

The purpose of the glasses

Some glasses are used for correcting vision while others may be used to protect against harmful light and other particles in the workplace. Some glasses are best suited for cosmetic purposes. The best part is that you do not have to only buy one type of glasses. You can get a pair of sunglasses or shades, a pair of safety glasses for sports and a pair to protect you from the dangers of blue light.