Prescription Sunglasses

2 brand new models from the ic!Berlin sunglasses range have arrived in the shop. As usual, they ooze quality and style with the trademark ic!Berlin temple hinge and their unsurpassed comfort. The ladies model “Nikola” and the mens style “Kornelius” both feature top quality polarised lenses which are coated with an anti-reflection coat on the inside surface. Both can also be fitted with prescription lenses if so desired. ... read more

The new buzz word in the world of optical spectacle lenses is “Freeform“. The term “Freeform” in relation to lenses is often misinterpreted as just a new design concept for progressive added lenses. This is actually not so. Strictly speaking, the term relates to an exciting new manufacturing process for spectacle lenses that allows to create optimised and individualised lens designs taking into consideration not only the actually required prescription of the wearer (say distance and/or near power), but also, amongst others, the frame parameters and, most importantly, the user’s lifestyle and work requirements. ... read more

Everyone knows we love ic!berlin! Why? Simply because the ic!berlin design concept is so unique, simple, flexible and sturdy. It’s funny really – when I meet another ic!berlin wearer, we end up admiring each others frames. It doesn’t really matter if I had known this person before or not, a bond is formed almost instantly, be it only by way of a smile or a positive eye contact (but probably both). “So you are wearing an ic!berlin as well? Great choice! I love mine. How long have you had yours?”… and so it usually goes. ... read more

Let’s say you are shopping for prescription sunglasses. A good way to do it is to use a “normal” pair of sunglasses and replace the lenses with your prescription. Ideally you want the final product to look as close as possible to the original pair you selected when they still had non-prescription lenses in them. We have already discussed the basic requirements that prescription sunglasses should fulfill. That includes a good coverage, good glare protection and certainly good UV protection. We are very fortunate at the moment that the sunglasses fashion is big, beautiful and many of them even wrap around the face nicely. But can we fit all prescription lenses into frames like that? ... read more

When the first people come into the shop and ask if it is possible to get sunglasses made with prescription lenses, we know that summer isn’t far away. The simple answer to this question is “yes”. OK, there are a few restrictions, but in general terms it is possible to make prescription sunglasses for most glasses wearers. They can be done in single vision, bifocal and even progressive powered lenses. So what qualifies as a pair of prescription sunglasses then? I know there is some debate over this. Many consider any prescription lenses that are tinted to a degree darker than, say, 50% as being sunglass lenses. Personally I tend to disagree with this. ... read more

Summers in the Nelson region are legendary. That’s mainly why we are here, right? Just looking out the window now, I can’t see a single cloud in the sky. Although the temperatures are still a bit nippy, most people in Motueka have reverted back to summer clothing. Positive thinking! Also, since last week our new sunglass ranges have started to come in and I will introduce some of them here as they actually arrive. This morning, a variety of new models from the Marco range came in and as usual, they are all outstading. ... read more

Buddy Holly made them famous, your father may have had them, maybe even your grandfather. Now they are simply referred to as “Geek” or “Nerd” glasses, call them what you like – they have never really gone out of fashion and this time they are back in style. Even some of the names of the re-introduced styles are a reminder of the days they the coolest thing to have. “Holy Buddy” certainly has a nice ring to it. ... read more

I belong to those lucky people who can enjoy a really pleasant drive to work in the morning. OK, I would prefer to walk to work, but at 35 kilometres, it really is a little too far. So, my drive takes me along the coastal highway to Motueka, past picturesque Ruby Bay and the Motueka Inlet. Since the sun always shines in this part of New Zealand, it is probably one of the nicest drives one can imagine. Especially the stretch just past Ruby Bay along the waterfront. However, this morning the situation was extreme. The sun was still sitting very low with it’s rays being reflected not only on the water, but also on the still slightly wet road. I was so glad I was wearing my old prescription Polaroid sunglasses and was hoping that all the other drivers around me were as well. Usually I listen to the National Program’s “Morning Report” during my drive. Today I did the same. Sean Plunket usually delivers the latest in traffic warnings around 9.30am and so he did today. ... read more

You know the feeling – everybody around you has the coolest of sunglasses and you, because you wear prescription lenses, can’t. Even when you have tinted lenses in your frames, your glasses always look like “tinted prescription glasses”, never like “real sunglasses”, right? Most likely. We hear it so often, that a client had bought a pair of non-prescription sunglasses, brought them to her optometrist or optician, only to be told that the frames aren’t suitable for prescription lenses. Either the frames are too wrapped, the bevel not suitable, or the quality of the frame may have been such that there was a real risk of it breaking during the glazing process. ... read more

Today we received a large promotional pamphlet from Transitions, the world leader in colour changing self-tinting lens technology. We have discussed the benefits and performance of Transitions lenses before and if you are interested in refreshing your memory, you can do so by clicking here. This particular promotion is aimed at promoting Transitions lenses and offering them to every single customer who enters an optometry practice or optical shop. There is a grand prize of $20,000 offered for the person who purchases a pair of Transitions and wins the “Live Your Vision” photo competition during the months of June and July. But then there is also a prize for the optical practice where the client bought her/his Transition lenses. Great news? Maybe, maybe not! You see as professionals, we should only recommend what we feel is of benefit to you our client, not something that promises us to win great prizes. ... read more