#STAYSAFE: Why digital protection for your eyes is a must during home quarantine

With the enhanced community quarantine currently in full effect and the COVID-19 pandemic continually posing a threat to lives not only here in the Philippines but all over the world, many find themselves holed up at home trying to make the most of the current situation. Regardless of whether you find yourself falling into the virtual black holes that are Netflix and Tiktok or continue to do work within the confines of your home, if you’re privileged enough to even have the option to stay home, then there’s one other health issue you might want to pay attention to while you’re at it. With all the time you’re spending in front of your mobile phone, computer, or TV screen, it’s highly likely your eyes are not getting the care they need. 
 
Even with the common knowledge that digital devices can impair vision, most people tend to ignore this fact and continue to overexpose their eyes to the harmful blue light that these devices emit. The health issues this can bring about include headaches, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, sleep disorders, dry eyes, and of course, the inevitable eye strain. And while there are quick fixes such as the 20-20-20 rule (that is, looking at something about 20 feet away from you for about 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of screen time) or adjusting your devices’ display settings, actual protection is still better than attempts at prevention. Because while our eyes have lutein, a naturally-occurring antioxidant that protects the eyes from harmful blue light, it depletes as we age and, just like any other body part, requires proper care for it to be able to keep serving its purpose. 
 
This is where eyewear comes in. With our day-to-day activities becoming more and more contingent on technology and devices, and our eyes, therefore, becoming more and more susceptible to damage, it’s important to invest in lenses that work extra hard to protect them. Think long term and opt for lenses that both filter out blue light and protect the lutein in your eyes. This way, you not only prevent eye strain, body pain, or headaches, but you also get to safeguard your eyes from more permanent damage such as cataract, mascular degeneration (i.e. the leading cause of severe, permanent loss of vision), or blindness. And while all of this may seem alarming, the good news is that this particular eye care solution is available exclusively at Vision Express, the country’s premier optical store. 
 
As we all unite to fight the pandemic, take care of who and what matters most— yourself included. And once you get the chance, get yourself blue light-filtering, lutein- protecting lenses that will help you do exactly that. For now, remember to stay vigilant, stay home, and above all, stay safe. 
 
For more details and eye care tips, check out visionexpress.ph and follow @VisionExpressPH on Facebook and Instagram. 

Form & Function - Get Practical with Two Pairs of Sunglasses

Let's admit something that nobody talks about out in the open: getting the right kind of eyeglasses can be a pain in the a**, and quite appropriately, a pain in your eyes. It’s never as simple as just going to a store and buying a pair that you see on the rack or on the display window. You have to have an eye checkup, find the right frame, the right lenses, and have a fitting session.

And we’re just talking about reading glasses at this point. Eye health experts are now recommending a simple solution to your eyewear woes. Now, more than ever, it’s actually more practical to have multiple pairs of eyeglasses. Here’s a guide to some of the basic and essential kinds of eyewear and why you need them: Sunglasses are your first line of defense against harsh rays from the sun. Some people use sunglasses with side shields to prevent the wind from harming their eyes. These are for activities like cycling or driving with your windows down. Reading glasses are generally for people approaching old age. But if you’re having difficulty reading at a normal distance even at a young age, you should have your eyes checked immediately. Computer glasses provide protection against “digital eye strain.” If the nature of your work requires you to be in front of a computer screen for 8-10 hours a day, or if you are used to playing long hours of online games, you need lenses that filter out high-energy blue light that can be harmful to your eyes. Sports glasses include safety glasses and goggles designed for ultimate impact, resistance, and durability. If you are into into extreme sports or action-packed adventures, sports glasses are considered essential. Fashion eyewear is a statement and personal branding in one. If you are the type of person who loves to impress, you have to have edgy frames that tell people who’s coming from a mile away. Nowadays, fashion eyewear can also serve as your signature look. But of course, you can mix it up according to your taste and fancy. When it comes to pairs that cater to your every eye need, you don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount. We recommend owning two eyeglasses with either the same function (to prevent overuse), or two pairs with different functions.

Instead of looking at it as a luxury, consider it a form of practicality. Vision Express’ Buy One, Get One deal allows you to take home 2 pairs of eyewear for the price of one. Vision Express also provides the most advanced and the most comprehensive 7-Step Eye Exam administered by our in-store eye experts. This is to ensure that you’re getting the right eyewear custom-built according to your needs. You may choose from a list of international brands for both prescription eyewear and sunglasses. Next time you need a pair of glasses, be practical by adding another pair and go to Vision Express for all your optical needs. For more details, check out visionexpress.ph, and follow @VisionExpressPH on Facebook and Instagram.