Football fans can now keep their eye on the ball through a pair of designer glasses from their own team.

SelectSpecs.com and SelectSpecs Opticians in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent are now looking out for our football mad customers (or soccer supporters if you're from across the pond) by stocking officially licensed glasses and sunglasses for the top UK Premier League teams.

When it comes to football merchandise almost everything has been branded but this is the first time supporters have been able to buy designer prescription glasses and sunglasses from Premier League teams.

SelectSpecs Opticians in Westgate-on-Sea is one of the first opticians in the country to stock the prescription spectacles, as well listing them on our website for those who can't make it to our store.

The glasses look set to be a winner with fans and particularly children who may be nervous about wearing glasses because they don’t think they are “cool”.

At SelectSpecs, we think these glasses are so cool, that children will be begging their parents for a pair of glasses from their favourite team, even if they don't need to wear glasses at all… Well, at least there are kid's sunglasses too, and at very reasonable prices (around £15).

The fashionable frames come in six styles – four for adults and two for children. There is a choice of unisex designs so female fans can get in on the action too.

The prescription frames have spring hinges and are made to the highest standards.  They come with a hard case and micro-fibre cloth, which are also branded with your team's name and stamp.  They are made by Hull-based company Fan Frames.

Fan Frames is the official supplier of spectacle frames and sunglasses for the following football clubs: -

• Manchester United
• Manchester City
• Liverpool FC
• Everton FC
• Chelsea FC
• Arsenal FC
• Newcastle United
• Nottingham Forest
• Hull City AFC
• Glasgow Rangers FC
• Celtic FC

No doubt we will be seeing more football clubs added to this list over time.

Paul Gibson, director of Fan Frames, said: “Everyone we have spoken to loves the business concept and is amazed it has never been done before. It’s a simple idea and we expect it to be a winner with fans.”

You can see our full collection of adult Fan Frames here, or Adult Sunglasses here.

Our Children's Fan Frames Sunglasses can found here, or visit us in-store to view our Children's Prescription Glasses, or ask our in-store team to view our adult collection in the flesh.

SelectSpecs.com are proud to announce that we are now an official retailer of Adidas Performance Eyewear.

The perfect sports glasses

Developed for athletes and with athletes

Adidas eyewear are sports glasses with highly functional frames and high quality filters.

Whether bike, golf, running, outdoor or snow

According to your needs and sport type the individual features are optimally combined.

For world records and personal bests

The perfect outdoor equipment for demanding customers.

The perfect protection

Eyes need the best protection. Frames, lenses and filters from adidas eyewear combine high end materials and high tech innovations into a functional unit. The perfect combination for perfect moments.

Because every moment is valuable.

The Choice of Britain's Top Athletes

Adidas is the brand of choice for many top athletes across the world and anyone who has seen any sport at any point in their lifetime should be familiar with the adidas brand which is seen in all forms of sport, from football, running, cycling, athletics and more. 

The adidas brand was most prominent during the London 2012 Olympic Games with all our top British Athletes kitted out with the Stella McCartney designed adidas Team GB kit, including Jessica Ennis, Andy Murray, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Laura Trott, Louis Smith, Tom Daley, Phillips Idowu and David Beckham to name but a few.

You can view our adidas eyewear collection here.

Adidas Originals Eyewear

Besides the impressive sports sunglasses collection from adidas, we are also offering the adidas originals sunglasses collection, ideal more a more casual and everyday use.

Between the two sunglasses collections, there should be something for everyone with adidas.

In this post we break it down even further to show you our Top 3 Best Selling Prescription Glasses for Winter 2012-2013.

1. Ray-Ban RX5184

The New Wayfarer by Ray-Ban is still "The Daddy".  It's been our best selling frame since the day the first man walked out of Africa.  The Ray-Ban RX5184 continues to out-sell all other prescription frames at an impressive rate.  Is there any wonder though, I mean it really is a great fashion accessory that just never goes out-of-date.

People are even buying this frame who don't need glasses just because they want to look cool – just select Plano lenses if you don't need a prescription.

The black option above – colour 2000 is the overall winner, but the Havana colour – 2012 is also very popular as well as the other black options which feature the Ray-Ban logos printed on the insides of the frame.

The Ray-Ban RX5184 is our Best Selling Frame Overall for Winter 2012/13

2. Oakley Crosslink

The Oakley Crosslink has been an incredibly popular frame since we introduced it to our website in the second half of 2012.  We love this frame so much we even named the Oakley Crosslink our Glasses of the Year 2012 for it's unique sporty but fashionable style, comfort & fit, and it's main unique selling point – the easily interchangeable arms, giving you the chance to switch your style from smart to casual at a moment's notice.

Although the Oakley Crosslink was our second best selling frame during the course of the winter, it actually outsold the Ray-Ban RX5184 in the last 30 days making this frame 'one to watch'.

Since the original Crosslink was launched, Oakley have introduced a metal version of the frame with the Crosslink Pro and the new Crosslink Switch with interchangeable lenses.

3. Oakley Currency

We were blown away by the popularity of these Oakley Currency prescription glasses; they were an easy third place in our Winter Best Sellers list and actually not too far behind the second place Oakley Crosslink frame above.

The Oakley Currency is actually the lovechild of two of it's predecessors, thanks to a combination of the Oakley Muffler front and the Oakley Twin Shock sides. The combination of these two great frames into one has created a special beast that looks great and is extremely comfortable to wear all day long.

We've been looking over our sales figures and have noticed an interesting trend over the course of the Winter, which actually hit a peak in February.  Traditionally, Ray-Ban has always been our best selling designer brand, but over the Winter the gap between Ray-Ban in first place and our second place brand was beginning to close right up.

Towards the end of the month of February for first time ever, Ray-Ban was actually pushed down into second place as our best selling brand.  But who could overpower the might of the best known eyewear brand in the industry?

Oakley

Oakley became our current best selling brand in February, in a close fought "Battle of the Brands" the like's of which we have never seen before (it was very close!)  The question now is can Ray-Ban fight back to their number one spot in March? Or will Oakley tighten their grip at the top of the table and extend their lead over the next month?

I for one can't wait to see how this battle unfolds, it's like the ultimate battle of good vs good.

Well done to Oakley for achieving this impressive milestone at SelectSpecs.com

Who Do You Support?

Are you a Ray-Ban or an Oakley fan?  Can you help your favourite team to the number one spot in March?  All you have to do is buy some glasses of your favourite brand from SelectSpecs.com – You CAN make the difference

Apart from recently adding new brands like Salvatore Ferragamo to our website we are always updating all the rest of our ranges too.  There are literally updates daily throughout the site.

This week alone we have updated the following ranges on our site: -

• Police Optical Glasses
• Police Sunglasses
• Police Kids Sunglasses
  
• Lanvin Paris Optical
  
• Lanvin Paris Sunglasses
  
• Oakley Optical
  
• Oakley Women Optical
  
• Bolle Sunglasses
  
• Bolle Kids Sunglasses
  
• Cebe Sunglasses
  
• Cebe Junior Sunglasses
  
• Serengeti Sunglasses
  

Get Up To 15% OFF for a Limited Time

Police Eyewear in particular has received a major update to its optical and sunglasses collections.  As a result we would like to offer our customers a significant discount of Up To 15% OFF our normal prices on Police eyewear for a limited time only.

Don't worry, you don't have to enter any tricky codes or select the right combination of frames or lenses – we have already applied the discount to all Police frames on our site, so the price you see is the price you pay… just pick the frames or sunglasses you like and it's all taken care of for you.  Easy-peasy.

SelectSpecs are proud to announce that we are now licensed to sell Salvatore Ferragamo Eyewear.  The luxury Italian brand established in the 1920's fits perfectly in line with some of our existing mid to top-end designer brands such as Roberto Cavalli, Dior, Valentino or Chopard.

As you can see in the image above – Salvatore Ferragamo prescription eyewear is a stunning new addition to our high-street optical store in Westgate-on-Sea.

Salvatore Ferragamo offers a smashing variety of plastic or metal frames for both men and women, such as these Men's SF2625 Prescription Glasses: -

Or these lovely SF2621 ladies prescription glasses in a fetching Blue Petrol colour.  These are similar to the highly desired cat's eye style frames that are all-the-rage at the moment, but just toned-down enough to make them more practical to the every-woman.

You can see our full Salvatore Ferragamo Optical collection here.

Or the full Sunglasses collection here.

We have just added some great new lens options for SelectSpecs customers:

XTRActive Transitions®

We are now offering an impressive selection of XTRActive Transitions® including the following Lens choices: -

Single Vision

• Standard – 1.49 Index – XTRActive Transitions® Grey
• Super Thin – 1.61 Index – XTRActive Transitions® VI Grey
• Ultra Super Thin – 1.67 Index – XTRActive Transitions® VI Grey

Freeform Varifocals

• 1.49 Index – XTRActive Transitions® Grey
• Super Thin – 1.61 Index – XTRActive Transitions Grey
• Super Thin – 1.67 Index – XTRActive Transitions
• UltraX Super Thin – 1.74 Index – XTRActive Transitions Grey

Transitions® XTRActive lenses will not replace our current Transitions® VI lenses since they are a different type of photochromic lens that will appeal to a certain kind of person more than the standard Transitions® VI lenses as you can see in the video above.  These new Transitions® XTRActive lenses, along with Transitions VI lenses, represent an additional choice in everyday lenses for our customers.

Transitions® XTRActive lenses are recommended for patients who want the darkest everyday Transitions® lenses outdoors, due to their active lifestyle, but who also prefer a slight tint indoors. Unlike other photochromic lenses, the Transitions® XTRActive also react behind the windscreen of a car.

The Ultra Super Thin 1.74 Transitions® and XTRActive Transitions® lenses should be especially useful for people with higher powered prescriptions with a demand for a darker photochromic lens that would remove the need to carry an extra pair of sunglasses around during the day. 

Clearly, different customers have different requirements from their lenses.  These XTRActive Transitions® are a very new lens on the market so take the time to consider if these lenses are the perfect partner for your new glasses with the help of the video above and this chart: -

Other New Lenses Added to SelectSpecs

Besides our new XTRActive Transitions® lenses, we have also just added the following Super Thin & UltraX Super Thin Lens options: -

Freeform Varifocals

• Super Thin – 1.67 Index – Polarised Grey
• Super Thin – 1.67 Index – Polarised Brown

Transitions® Lenses

• Single Vision – UltraX Super Thin – 1.74 Index – Transitions® Grey
• Freeform Varifocals – UltraX Super Thin – 1.74 Index – Transitions® Grey

More Lenses Coming Soon to SelectSpecs

As if we don't give our customers enough choice already, we will be adding more lens options in the near future including the the following: -

• C28 Curve Top Bifocal – Super Thin – 1.61 Index – Clear
• C28 Curve Top Bifocal – Super Thin – 1.67 Index – Clear
• Standard Degressive Office Lens – 1.49 Index – Clear

Transitions® Lens Family

See more about the Transitions® Lens Family in this video: -

According to CBS News there are currently more than 149 million adults who wear eyeglasses. Most non-eyeglass wearers assume that this means people usually have one pair of prescription glasses, but this isn't necessarily so. Actually, as many as 50 million people needing prescriptive eyewear carry multiple pairs of glasses: one for reading, another for driving, for sun protection and still another for performing everyday tasks.

Usually this need for multiple eyewear prescriptions is the result of a condition known as presbyopia, which occurs to people over 40. This condition starts when you slowly lose your ability to see up-close and then you hit 40 and you can't see farther away either – or vice-versa. The usual solution has been to carry more than one pair of glasses strapped around your neck or placed conveniently on a coffee table. Of course, you can always get bifocals too. But now all-in-one eyewear technology is on the horizon.

Superfocus Glasses

This is the real sci-fi of the eyeglass industry; an innovation that hit the market last year. This is a product where the user can change the strength of their lenses through the switching of a tiny adjustable lever located on the eyeglass frames. Superfocus models have been on the market for a year now. However, consumer response to the superfocus glasses has been somewhat lukewarm; users love the functionality but believe the style is a little too sci-fi, making the wearer look like a modern-day hobbit. Even so, innovation isn't going to stop with the superfocus glasses.

What will Other new Trends be?

This year, eyewear will get even more innovative with the new empower dynamic lenses that can auto-focus on objects or areas off in the distance. This brings the augmented reality of the high-tech gaming industry to real life, and will change the way we actually 'see' things over the next five years.

This is big news to professionals in the industry, as these type of products will solve many different vision issues. For instance, the new empower glasses function when a little electrical impulse is sent to a certain area of the lens, allowing it to change focus. This multifocal electrical charge is activated with the touch of a hand, the tilt of your head or other small gesture. The tiny power supply is built into the eyewear frame and the battery charge is meant to last for a couple of days.

Style

The style of new eyewear is also changing. New augmented reality lenses can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes, giving wearers better styling options.

The Lighter Weight of The New Legacie

Besides functionality, consumers are also looking for lighter weight. Some people don't wear glasses even when they need them because they find them too heavy and uncomfortable. This is where companies like Legacie come onto the scene. Legacie in its determination to find the solution to long-lasting durable eyewear that is also light, has decided to use a new alloy called Xandium to fabricate their eyewear frames. These new frames are so light that consumers say it's like having lenses floating over your face; you can barely feel the eyeglasses.

Cost

These new innovations are priced a little higher than standard eyewear, as much as 30 percent higher. Even so, for many consumers these new trends are well worth the extra cost, as they offer comfort and functionality previously unknown, and in the end, prevent the need to buy several different styles and types of prescriptive eyewear.

Bottom Line

Eyewear technology is advancing as fast as technology in general. These new trends are certainly giving consumers more options as to their eye-care preferences, where once, surgery may have been the only alternative to wearing two or three different pairs of eyeglasses for comfort and functionality.

About the Author:
Jennifer Moore is an 8 year experienced health care, and education writer. When Jennifer isn't contributing to college resource site DegreeJungle.com, she covers new trends and technologies within the healthcare industry, which is a fascinating area of interest.

Article References:
CBS News – "Superfocus" Other Eyeglasses Debuting
Refractive Eyecare
Trendhunter.com – Auto Adjusting Glasses

SelectSpecs.com are proud to announce the Oakley Crosslink as our choice for the inaugural SelectSpecs.com Glasses of the Year Award.

2012 was a fantastic year for innovation in the eyewear sector, but we selected this frame as our winning glasses of the last 12 months for a number of reasons.

The Oakley Crosslink is the first optical frame produced by Oakley to fit into their Active category – ideal for those with a demanding and active lifestyle, these prescription glasses are great for people who want, or need to wear glasses while playing sport or just working out in the gym.  The frame has a 3-point fit that is super comfortable and thanks to Oakley's trademark Unobtainium sides the frame actually increases grip as you become more active so you'll always have a secure fit.

Apart from looking the business, these frames actually have a cool and pretty unique feature that makes them suitable for both the gym and the office.  The interchangeable sides can be easily switched out to match your mood or circumstance – Bright and colourful for the evening or weekend, or switch to the more subdued colour sides for that important meeting or interview.

The frame has been immensely popular since it's release in 2012 and even Oakley have struggled to keep up with demand.  It has been one of the best selling frames on SelectSpecs.com and people seem to love it.

For those reasons, we have selected Oakley's Crosslink as SelectSpecs.com's Glasses of the Year.

Congratulations Oakley, we can't wait to see what you come up with in 2013.

SelectSpecs.com are proud to announce Tom Ford Marko (FT0144) as our choice for the inaugural SelectSpecs.com Sunglasses of the Year Award.

The sunglasses category was a fiercely fought battle with so many great brands and models fighting it out, but we chose the Tom Ford Marko as our eventual winner of the SelectSpecs.com Sunglasses of the Year thanks to its stylish and well-built aviator design and the general feel of quality you get from this sunglasses frame when you hold it in your hands or wear it. 

Not to mention, it was the Sunglasses of choice for 007 himself – James Bond – played by Daniel Craig in Skyfall (2012).  How can you argue with Bond?  These sunglasses have been flying off the shelf since the release of the latest Bond adventure, so he clearly knows something about fashion.

Congratulations Tom Ford.

It's true, it's the End of the World today… I know it's gone mid-day now, so we've lasted longer than we expected, but it could happen at any time, and they're still 12 hours behind us on the other side of the world, so we're making the most of these extra few minutes or hours that we're still alive for with our End of the World SALE…

And if the world doesn't end today like it's supposed to, we can just rub that bit of text out and call it our Christmas and New Years SALE – Either way, everyone's a winner since the bargains are there to be had for all… although we can't promise that you will receive your order before the World actually does end (assuming it is today of course).

My head hurts.

End of Year Sale – Up To 50% OFF

We are giving up to 50% OFF our own brand budget glasses – discounts have already been applied on the website so there is no need to enter fiddly discount codes or make sure you've selected the right lens options to qualify. Just follow the links below and the discounts can be clearly seen on each product.

• 50% OFF Platinum Collection
• 40% OFF Gold Collection
• 30% OFF Silver Collection
• 20% OFF Bronze Collection

Anyone who knows SelectSpecs, will know that we hardly ever give discounts like this – because our prices are already rock bottom, so you should definitely take advantage of this now before the offer ends on the 6th January as who knows when we'll be doing discounts like this again?

Other Discounts

But wait, that's not all – For a limited time, we are also doing discounts on a selection of Designer Brands, such as: -

• 30% OFF Emporio Armani
  
• 30% OFF Giorgio Armani
  
• 20% OFF Dior
  
• 15% OFF Police
  
• 15% OFF Carrera
  
• 15% OFF Marc by Marc Jacobs
  
• 10% OFF BOSS Hugo Boss
  
• 10% OFF Boss Orange
  
• 10% OFF Marc Jacobs
  
• 10% OFF Givenchy
  
• 10% OFF Balenciaga
  
• 10% OFF Bottega Veneta
  

These discounts are for a limited time and only while stocks last, so get in quick to take advantage of these deals.

Lenny Kravitz was out Christmas shopping in New York this week, wearing a hat, sunglasses and scarf and looking all fashionable and what-not. Who says you can't wear sunglasses in Winter, when the sun is low in the sky?

Lenny Kravitz was wearing Aviator Sunglasses, one of his favourite styles (based on previous sightings).  But its hard not to notice that MASSIVE carpet off-cut he seems to be wearing for a scarf.  That's probably a field-full of sheep that has gone into producing that fashion accessory… The thing must weigh an absolute tonne.  Whatever way you look at it, that scarf is chiffin' massive!

Lenny's Aviator Sunglasses

It's a little tricky to positively ID the aviator sunglasses that Lenny Kravitz is wearing here.  Although they look similar to the Ray-Ban RB3025, it's hard to see the Ray-Ban logo on the top of the lens which is usually a dead giveaway.

It's possible that the lenses have been replaced with prescription sunglasses lenses, or they could be a different brand altogether such as Oliver Peoples, Tom Ford or Mosley Tribes.

If you can help identify these sunglasses, then please let us know in the comments below.

Here are some more pictures of that MASSIVE Scarf!

Hope that brightened up your day

Follow some of these tips to having healthier eyes.

1. The first tip is to make sure you get nutrients with the foods that you eat. Taking vitamins C and E and some nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc or lutein can help you ward off cataracts as you get older. Try to eat greens, spinach, tuna, salmon, eggs and nuts, oranges and beans; these foods will help you to have good eye health. When you eat healthy you’ll also keep up a good weight, which will decrease your risk of diabetes. Diabetes can cause blindness if we don’t take proper care from the initial stages.

2. The next tip is to stop smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of optic nerve damage and cataracts so try to stop smoking; it’s not only good for your eyes; it’s also good for your lungs and overall health.

3. The third tip is to always remember to wear sunglasses when you go outside in the sun. If you have too much exposure to sun’s rays, you will damage your eyes and the risk of cataracts increases. Try to find wraparound sunglasses as they can protect your eyes from the sides as well. It is also possible to buy UV protecting contact lenses for any contact wearers but you can also go for some wraparound glasses to protect your eyes while outside, even when you are wearing your contacts.

4. The fourth tip is to remember if you are on the computer for a long time, make sure you don’t keep staring at the screen all the while. Turn your eyes away from the screen for a bit or close them to rest. You can get eyestrain from staring at one spot all day, blurry vision is known to happen and you won’t be able to focus your eyes while looking in the distance. You will likely get headaches, dry eyes and you could also experience neck, back and shoulder pain. Take fifteen-minute breaks every two hours so you are not staring at the screen all the while to help protect your eyes.

5. The fifth tip is to make sure you go to your eye doctor for your regular eye exam to make sure you are seeing out of your eyes as best you can. The eye doctor will check for glaucoma, cataracts and macula degeneration. Make sure they give you a complete examination to look for any other eye problems that might be occurring. These are your eyes, and you only get one set for your whole life, so do take care of them the best you can.

About the Author
This guest post is contributed by Zara – a financial guest blogger. At present she is focusing on ppi claims. Catch her @financeport

Just about everything we do now days has something to do with technology. Whether it's checking your shopping list on your smartphone, playing the latest video game, watching your favorite show, or simply doing your job, you use technology. This can take a toll on our eyes since they weren't designed to focus on 2-deminsional objects, like computer screens and TVs, for hours on end. Because of this, we can develop eye strain or Computer Vision Syndrome. According to a recent study, people who use computers constantly have a higher risk for developing glaucoma than those who limit their usage. There are a few things you can do to prevent hurting your eyes while using different technology.

Take a break

One of the easiest ways to prevent eye strain is to give your eyes a rest. A general rule of thumb is for every hour you spend looking at the computer, you should take at least 5 minutes to either look at something else in the room or to close your eyes. Giving your eyes a quick break can help reduce your chances of getting eye strain or even an accommodative spasm. Accommodative spasm is when your eyes have focused on something close, like a book or computer, long enough that when you look away you have troubles focusing on further away objects. This can lead to several different issues, such as eyestrain, headaches, troubles concentrating, and poor comprehension when reading. With eye strains, you can get headaches, dry or watery eyes, blurry vision, sore neck or back, shoulder pain, and sensitivity to light.

Set reminders

For both eye strain and accommodative spasm, looking away and trying to focus on something else can help reduce the chances of getting these or reducing the symptoms. Some people even suggest getting up and walking around for a few minutes as well. If you find it difficult to remember to take a break, there are plenty of programs such as EVO. EVO is a simple desktop notification system that runs through your web browser to remind you to take a break from your computer.

Change your settings

Changing your settings on your phone or computer can also help protect your eyes. You should change the brightness on your screen depending on the time of day and the light surrounding you so it is easier on your eyes. This means if you are using your phone outside at the brightest time of day, your screen should also be bright. If you are on your laptop at home with only a few lights on, you want the screen to be darker than it would be if the room was fully lit. A lot of laptops can be set to change the screen brightness automatically depending on the surrounding light. For iPhone users, you can also set the screen to change depending on the light around you. You can do this by going to the brightness and wallpaper settings and turning the Auto-Brightness option on. Our eyes already have a hard time focusing on small objects and that includes images and text on phones and even computers. You can ease the stress on your eyes by making the font a little larger.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Image Source: ExplainingComputers.com

If you work with computers all day, make sure you have your computer in the proper position and that you are sitting correctly. The top of the monitor should be at eye level and be tilted slightly upwards. This will make your eyes look slightly down instead of straight on. Looking slightly down means that more of your eye is covered by your eye lid and it will allow you to unconsciously blink more often. You should also position yourself about 20 inches away from your computer screen, or at arm's length. With your screen at the proper distance, you should be able to see everything without needing to move your head too much. If you have a laptop, you may want to put it on an adjustable stand so you can put it at the proper height. You should also try to always sit up straight, with your arms and legs at a 90 degree angle. For some people who work in offices that have windows, reducing the glare on your computer screen can also help protect your eyes. You can reduce glare by simply moving it in a place where the window won't reflect on it, or by buying an anti-glare screen protector.

Lifestyle

Protecting your eyes is very important since you use them for just about any and every activity you do on a daily basis. There are plenty of ways that you can take care of your eyes. A couple of ways you can are eating right, living a healthy lifestyle, and getting your annual checkups. Some doctors also encourage patients to eat raw carrots because they contain vitamin A which is helpful for your eyesight. Some researchers even believe that drinking red wine can help protect your eyes along with other things such as your heart.

Remember to take breaks when using technology, whether it's watching TV, using the computer, or even using your smart phone.

Nicky Elkins is a freelance writer from Pensacola, Florida. She attended the University of West Florida and earned her Graduate degree in Creative Writing. Nicky now uses her gift for writing and her love of all things technology to help others enjoy and understand consumer electronics, social media, and the coolest new gadgets.

Before running either on a treadmill or out and about, it is wise to make sure that you have all of the right equipment. Some of this equipment can help you to perform at a higher level, and some of it will allow you to work out without the fear of an injury.

You will need:

• Good running shoes
• Athletic clothing that allows your skin to breath and keep cool, as well as allowing you to be easily seen if running near traffic
• A water bottle to keep hydrated
• An MP3 player if you want to listen to motivational music while you work out (or maybe you prefer audiobooks if you want to catch up on some reading)
• And don't forget – the right type of eyewear – be it prescription glasses if you need them to see properly, or sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays

Below are a number of tips that you can use when picking out your eyewear. Remember that although the price may be part of the equation, it should not fully drive your decision. Look for something that gives you what you really need.

A Durable Frame

First of all, you'll need a pair of glasses with a durable frame. A metal frame usually offers the most durability, and you can get sleek new designs from Oakley, Bolle, and many other companies. The frames may be constructed of solid metal – usually stainless steel or titanium, with rubber tabs over the earpieces for extended comfort and grip.

You may also want to consider composite frames that are designed to be flexible. In the unlikely event that they fall off your face while running, they will simply bounce on the floor or the treadmill, and absorb the impact without breaking. The advantage of these frames is that they will bend back to their original shapes, something that standard metal frames cannot promise if they do get bent.

That said, any good glasses that are designed for running should never fall from your face in the first place thanks to their design and snug fit. These days, many frames designed for sport tend to be made from tough plastic or acetate – or in the case of Oakley – their own form of plastic called Omatter.

Comfort While Running

Next, you need to consider your own comfort. Rubber earpieces and nose-pieces give you the best comfort, even when you are bouncing and moving as you run. Metal doesn't usually offer you this comfort and could even scratch your face, so if choosing a metal frame you will need to check that it has rubber/padded protection in key areas around the frame. Some Oakley glasses, such as the new Oakley Crosslink model come with wide nose-pieces that are built right into the frame.

Oakley glasses or sunglasses feature a rubber-like material which they call Unobtainium on the ear pieces and sometimes on the nose-pads. This material becomes tacky as you begin to sweat meaning that the glasses will stay firmly in place as you run.

Lightweight Options

Comfort can also be connected to the total weight of the frame that you choose. You should aim for a lightweight frame that you can barely feel while you wear it. You can reduce the weight of your prescription eyewear further by selecting Thin & Light Lenses rather than the standard lens option. This is especially true if you are dedicated to cutting back on the weight of your shoes and your other equipment in order to get better times when you race.

Scratch-Resistant Coatings

Good running glasses should never fall from your face, but you need to be ready for any eventuality. The lenses could be scratched if you take them off to wipe your face and accidentally drop them.

Scratch-resistant coatings can help to make the lenses last much longer before they need to be replaced, but it is worth knowing that it won't make the lenses indestructible, so you will still need to take care when you take your glasses off and put them in your locker before hitting the showers.

A Firm Fit

Finally, you need the glasses to fit correctly. They should not be so tight that they cause you any discomfort, but they should fit firmly on your head. The less they move, the better you will run. Avoid buying glasses that are the wrong size.

As mentioned above – Oakley's Unobtainium material will ensure the glasses or sunglasses stay firmly in place throughout your exercise routine.

Remember These Tips

Below are the main things that you need to keep in mind while you are looking for the right eyewear for running:

• A durable frame
• Comfort
• A low total weight
• Scratch-Resistant coatings
• A firm and secure fit

With these tips, you will find the eyewear that meets your needs in the gym, on the track, or even on a treadmill at home.

About the Author:

Jack Holland has been a workout enthusiast for many years, and he has begun writing about it in order to help others work out in a safe, effective fashion. He uses his firsthand knowledge to give advice to both new and experienced runners. Since he knows the value of good equipment, he would encourage you to click here to find a great treadmill.

We get great feedback from our customers all the time, through various channels of communication, but we felt compelled to share this one in particular from Mr. Tachdjian in Tasmania, Australia who ordered some Oakley Whisker 6B Prescription Glasses from SelectSpecs.com.

Sadly, the Oakley Whisker 6B is no longer available – another reason why I thought I'd share this here, to give you all a chance to read a well-written and generally great product review from one of our customers that may not be easily visible on the main site any more.

If you have something you want to say about a product you've bought from us or even bought from somewhere else, you are more than welcome to leave your product reviews (both good and bad) on our site.  Take a look at the video at the bottom of this post to learn how to leave your product reviews.

Many thanks to Mr. Tachdjian for this review, which we have posted in full below: -

Best glasses I've ever owned

I live in Australia. Having completed my eye test, I checked the frames at the same optometrist to see if there was something I liked. I quite fancied the Oakley frames, but the cost was prohibitive. All-in (thin-ish lenses, Transitions, coatings etc) they were totally out of the question.

So after a week of grumbling, I finally remembered prescription specs could be ordered online and were often cheaper. I'd never done this before, but had seen it on tele a few years ago. There are many companies offering this in my country, however it seems if a known brand is what you're after…expect to be gouged.

I spent an afternoon checking various websites based in the US, UK, Australia and India. Each had their merits and several offered complete glasses at least 50% cheaper than buying the same thing locally. After narrowing down to three or four candidates, the next important aspect was having in place an ordering system that ensured I received the correct fit and visual clarity. Good pictures of the products was also important to make an informed decision, especially on frame colour in my case.

Of course, it's up to you to ensure all numbers are entered correctly. If you follow the guides available on Select Specs it makes it easier too. Measuring your current glasses and pupilary distance (if applicable) will also assist in ensuring you order something suitable for your face. All you need is a ruler and a minute.

After a few dry-runs to compare prescription entry systems, in the end I felt most comfortable with the Select Specs website.

I was aware it would take longer ordering glasses online, however my old glasses were still adequate in the meantime. From order to delivery took just under a month. Remember I'm on the other side of the world! I was delighted (and relieved) to see the glasses arrived in perfect condition.

A minute for comfort oriented customising (adjusting the nose pad wires) and I'm wearing my favourite glasses, 25 years after my first ever pair.

These Oakley Whiskers are seriously fine frames. My family and friends have commended me on this choice, noting they're not radically different in colour or shape to my previous frames, but are somehow more flattering.

When you compare my old Polaroid frames and the Oakleys side-by-side, it's apparent the latter are much better designed and manufactured. As an unexpected side bonus, they're also 7 grams lighter.

I cannot fault the lenses either. I ordered Transitions lenses and although you can't tell between Transitions and generic photo sensitive lenses, it's the speed with which they darken and lighten that's the main indicator. And they're faster to react than my old Hoya lenses.

If you're interested in prescription sunglasses (with photo sensitive lenses or not) these Oakley Whisker frames are absolutely ideal.

So I'm very pleased with my decision to order from Select Specs and have referred others for their next spectacles purchase.

P Tachdjian
AU
POSTED: 16th November 2012

Thanks again for your review Mr. Tachdjian, it has been our pleasure to serve you and hear such great feedback.

Great Alternatives to the Oakley Whisker 6B

Oakley Keel Blade

This lightweight metal frame by Oakley is a good alternative to the Whisker 6B, if not quite as curved.  This frame is also available in rimless as the Oakley Keel.

Oakley Chieftain

The Oakley Chieftain was inspired by the Oakley Whisker 6B making it a great alternative.

Posting Your Own Reviews

If you would like to leave a product review, this short video will show you how.  Maybe we'll even share your review like the one above

Blurry vision is a nuisance, but can also seriously impair nearly every aspect of daily life — from causing headaches and eyestrain to making it difficult and dangerous to drive.  If you are experiencing unexplained blurry vision, first and foremost, visit your doctor.  Blurred vision can stem from numerous medical problems that should be diagnosed and treated before any home remedies are attempted.

Commonly, blurred vision is caused by refractive errors, conditions wherein the retina is prevented from receiving the appropriate amount of light in order to generate nerve impulses.  Conditions caused by refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurriness at all distances), which can all be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or laser eye surgery.

However, there are more sinister medical conditions that may be the culprit. Diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, cardiovascular disease and detached retina can all cause blurred vision, and are conditions necessitating immediate medical assistance.

If serious medical conditions have been ruled out, there are some easy things you can do in your everyday life besides wearing prescription glasses to help reduce your chances of experiencing blurry vision or possibly even correct it. 

Here are three tips:

Make sure you're getting the appropriate nutrients.

Vitamin A, C, E and zinc deficiency can cause blurred vision, since these nutrients are essential to retinal health and are believed to slow the progression of advanced age-related macular degeneration.  Foods that are rich in these nutrients are carrots (vitamin A), bell peppers (vitamin C), turkey (zinc), and spinach (vitamin E).

Omega-3 fatty acids have also demonstrated an ability to slow age-related macular degeneration, as well as protect against cataracts.  Omega-3s are found in fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines.

If you eat these or other nutrient rich foods or regularly take vitamin supplements and are experiencing persistent symptoms of vitamin deficiency (dry skin, poor night vision and slow wound healing), see your doctor for medical conditions that may be inhibiting your ability to absorb these vitamins.

Exercise your eyes.

Eye exercises are great for managing conditions such as amblyopia (also known colloquially as lazy eye) and crossed eyes.  However, if you regularly experience headaches and eyestrain after reading or working on the computer, or sensitivity to bright light, you might benefit from regular eye exercises, as well.

Eye exercises are often prescribed by doctors and are tailored specifically to address the patient’s eye condition.  Common eye exercises include slowly alternating focus between objects that are far and objects that are near, covering one eye and following a visual pattern with the uncovered eye or focusing on slowly moving objects in and out of the periphery.

Wear sunglasses.

We all know that sun exposure can damage the skin, causing burning, premature aging and even melanoma.  However, we don’t always realize that the sun can damage the eyes, too.  Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration and even cancer in the long term, and blurry vision in the short. A pair of sunglasses that filter out 99 to 100 percent of ultraviolet rays can help protect eyes from sun damage, but make sure that the glasses disclose the amount of sun protection they provide.  “UV absorption up to 400 nanometers” means the lenses block 100 percent of ultraviolet rays.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alicia Surge has been with the Medical Eye Industry since 1993 and is now working as an administrative coordinator at Sugarland Eye & Laser Center – www.sugarlandeyes.com – Her goal is to inform people of laser vision correction and how it helps in achieving a lifestyle they desire.

Sitting in front of the computer for 8 to 12 hours can take its toll on your body. One of the most common discomforts suffered by many is eye strain. By regularly performing simple yoga exercises, you could effectively reduce the discomfort that comes with prolonged use of the computer.

Medical Study

A study conducted at a software development company in India asked almost 300 participants to enroll in the wellness program. 50% of the participants were required to include yoga practice in their daily work routine, while the remaining 50% were put on a wait list, as the control group. For the next two months, the yoga group was asked to spend 1 hour per day to attend yoga sessions for 5 days a week. On the other hand, the control group was allowed to pursue other recreational activities for the same amount of time allotted to the yoga group.

During the start of the study, all participants were asked to rate their eye strain discomfort levels. At the end of the study, the yoga groups were found to experience significantly reduced eye-strain related discomforts while the control group reported no significant changes in their eye problem. The yoga group noted improvements from the following symptoms:

• Irritation
• Eyestrain
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Redness

Researchers reported that the significant improvement from eye strain among the yoga group was brought about by enhanced relaxation. When the human body is in a relaxed state, the eyes will instinctively blink more often, thereby reducing eyestrain.

Incorporating Yoga

If you are contemplating on performing simple yoga exercises to reduce eye strain, the study required the participants to perform the following:

• 10 minutes of regulated breathing
• 15 minutes yoga postures
• 10 minutes visual exercises
• 10 minutes joint exercises
• 15 minutes guided relaxation

You can choose to perform a shortened version of these yoga exercises during lunch breaks, before you start work or anytime you feel the need to.

Yoga Eye Exercises

Below are the specific visual exercises that have been proven highly effective in reducing eye strain:

Shifting Gaze

Sit still and start moving your eyes by shifting your gaze to 8 different directions. Use your thumb to direct your gaze, following these directions:

• up, down
• up-left
• down-left
• up-right
• down-right
• rotation counter-clockwise
• rotation clockwise

Flame Gaze

You will need a candle for this exercise. To perform, position a lighted candle at eye level. Start by focusing your eyes on the flame, without blinking. After a minute, continue gazing at the candle but start defocusing from the flame. Perform the exercise several times.

Eye Warming

While sitting on a chair, rub your hands together in order to heat up your palms. As your hands starts to warm up, close your eyes and cup both hands over the eyes. This will block out external light sources and allows the eyes to absorb the warmth from your hand. Take 10 deep, relaxing breaths and repeat the procedure as necessary.

Author’s Bio: Mahindra Raj teaches Yoga for Beginners in Kuala Lumpur and is very passionate about practicing Yoga for everyday applications.

Article Sources: -

• Effect of yoga on self-rated visual discomfort in computer users
• Yoga Aids Computer Users
• Yoga might reduce eyestrain

Diesel are bringing 35 years of Denim experience to their new Diesel Denimize Collection.

Inspired by the cult casualwear brand's denim expertise, the new range of Diesel Denimze Eyewear incorporates unique Denim inserts into the frame construction.

But this is no ordinary Denim… The fabric is sourced in Europe and each insert is selected from the richest, most tactile section of the fabric before being manually inserted into the temples.  The result is that each pair of glasses is subtly different, just as each pair of jeans is never the same shade or tone.  This artisanal approach is unique in the eyewear marketplace.

The Diesel Denimize Collection features three optical frames and two sunglasses, with blue or grey Denim inserts.

The packaging also reflects the Diesel DNA: Both sunglasses and optical frames are presented in custom made Denim cases, designed and produced specifically for this collection.

Diesel Denimize Optical Collection

Other colour options available, click the frame images below for more information.

Diesel DL5030 Prescription Glasses with Denim temples.

Diesel DL5031 Prescription Glasses with Denim temples.

Diesel DL5032 Prescription Glasses with Denim temples.

Diesel Denimize Sunglasses Collection

Other colour options available, click the frame images below for more information.

Diesel DL0050 Sunglasses with Denim temples.

Diesel DL0051 Sunglasses with Denim temples.

Diesel – Fit Your Attitude Video

Image Source: ExplainingComputers.com

When considering the physical demands of various careers it may seem like fire-fighters and ditch-diggers experience the most strain. While there’s no doubt that that hard labour, lifting and continuous movement will result in bodily fatigue, the effects of sitting stationary at a desk and working on a computer can also be highly damaging.

We’ve all been there before; hunching over a computer leaves us with tired eyes and a stiff neck at the end of a long workday. These uncomfortable symptoms can even affect our enjoyment at home, when we’re meant to be relaxing and unwinding.

While sitting for long periods of time may be inevitable at the office, there are several important guidelines to follow in order to keep eye and neck strain to a minimum. Keeping a few physical and optical considerations in mind can save you a load of discomfort.

Sit up Straight

Your mother may have told you, and it’s true. Adjust your desk chair so that you can sit with your shoulders back and your chin up. If your chair doesn’t allow for this, you may need a new one. Although office furniture can be costly, you shouldn’t have to make do with a chair that doesn’t offer proper support. You may also want to consider using a small pillow to sustain your lower back.

Adjust Monitor Height

Whenever possible, your monitor should be at eye level. This will help to avoid slouching. If you find yourself leaning forward to see your screen, be sure to have your eyes tested. You may require prescription glasses and not even know it. Having proper eyewear may result in immediate relief from eyestrain at the office.

Move your Keyboard

The letter J on your keyboard should be at least 12 centimetres from the edge of your desk. When typing, your forearms should be either parallel to the floor or slanted a bit upwards. Be sure to use a chair with armrests to help with proper arm positioning. Try to make sure your office equipment and supplies are within grasp, to reduce bending or straining to reach them.

Check your Feet

The entire soles of your feet should rest comfortably on the floor. If they do not, you’ll need to adjust your chair height in relation to your desk. You can also consider using a footrest to achieve this. A proper footrest will take the strain off your upper and lower back.

Get Up and Move

As often as possible, get up from your desk and get your blood moving. Ideally, you’ll take regular breaks in which you take a brisk walk. However, frequent stretching of your shoulders and spine can also decrease muscle strain throughout the day.

Exercise More

Even with the most ergonomic work station and properly fitted glasses, the strain of sitting at a desk will take its toll on your body. If you already have a regular fitness routine, be sure to complement it with specific exercises to decrease shoulder and neck pain. These include shoulder shrugs, one arm rows and upright rows; all with dumbbells. If you don’t currently exercise, experiencing pain from working in an office is an excellent motivator to start.

Video – More Information

Video Source: ExplainingComputers.com

This guest post was kindly submitted by Sonia Bieber on behalf of Office All Sorts.

Kimberly Wyatt was spotted wearing Guess sunglasses recently and we have been reliably informed that the former Pussycat Dolls singer and dancer will be seen wearing these very sunglasses on an episode Got To Dance coming to Sky One very soon.

Guess GU 7108 Sunglasses Worn by Kimberly Wyatt

The "Got To Dance" judge, Kimberly Wyatt has been wearing these highly detailed Guess GU 7108 sunglasses in Blue (NV-48).  Make sure you check out some of the other colour options for this frame too as they are quite unique in their styling.

Burberry's latest publicity campaign features two very sexy and fashionable frames from the Prorsum Collection. These new prescription glasses by Burberry feature genuine walnut wood inserted into the temples, then finished with a laser engraved Burberry logo and filled with black enamel for a sophisticated and refined look.

The men's and ladies glasses featured in the Burberry Imagery above are: -

Burberry Men's BE2115

This rounded Burberry BE 2115 frame in colour 3002 is stylish and elegant in dark havana, with spring hinges. They look just like something Johnny Depp would wear.

Burberry Ladies BE2121

The Burberry BE 2121 – 3002 is a high-class, squared-off ladies frame also in dark havana colour.  It just oozes sex-appeal – no doubt about it, any well-dressed woman wearing these glasses would be highly desired by any man worthy of your affection.

Hollywood movie star Mila Kunis and current face of Dior was voted the Sexiest Woman Alive 2012 by Esquire. We must admit, its hard to disagree; there is something about the pint-sized star of Friends with Benefits. She even says so herself "If I wanted to charm the pants off you, I could". All I can say is "be my guest".

Mila Kunis has been the face of Dior's advertising campaigns since the Spring/Summer 2012 campaign. In the photo (above) she is classy and elegant wearing Dior sunglasses.

Mila Kunis Wearing Dior – SummerSet Sunglasses

The Dior model worn by Mila Kunis in this Dior campaign photo shoot is the DiorSummerSet1 in colour T70 (Q8) from the Dior SummerSet collection.

Dior describe this acetate model as a rounded shape inspired by 50s styling, designed in exclusive colours. The temples are adorned with the 'Dior' logo and the 'Zeiss' graded lenses ensure 100% UV protection, all packaged up and delivered in their very own Dior case.

Other Dior SummerSet Variations

The Dior SummerSet Sunglasses worn by Mila Kunis are also available in a slightly smaller variation such as the SummerSet2 (above).

There are also optical versions of the frame available in CD3244 and CD3245 for those that would like to wear these glasses with their own prescription lenses.

New Mila Kunis Dior Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Campaign

Mila Kunis continues to be the face of Dior for the Autumn/Winter 2012-2013 campaign including this brand new photo shoot (above) where she wears a new model of Dior Sunglasses from the Autumn/Winter (Fall/Winter) collection – The Dior DIORTAFFETAS1 Sunglasses.

Recent new additions to Oakley Prescription Glasses include some very interesting ideas from the top eyewear brand. One of our favourites are these super cool Oakley Crosslink glasses as worn by World Number 1 Golfer Rory McIlroy in Oakley's publicity images such as the one above.

Rory is not the only sports star that has taken a liking to this new model by Oakley…

Snowboarder Kevin Pearce Wearing Oakley Crosslink

Winter Sports star and former Olympic medalist Kevin Pearce loves how this new Oakley frame can be easily modified to match his mood thanks to it's unique design.

Oakley Crosslink Eyewear

The new Crosslink is the first optical frame by Oakley to fit into the Active category, which features an innovative blend of performance and comfort, designed to perform in any situation.

The main feature of the Oakley Crosslink is the frame's ability to easily crossover from a working frame suitable for the office with it's more subdued colours to a playful, coloured design for every day life, thanks to the easily changeable sides included with every frame. If sport and fitness is part of your busy working week, this frame is perfect for you.

The great styling of this frame with it's sporty edge means the frame is more than just a standard optical frame. It is just as suitable as a sunglass frame if you want to add tinted lenses into the mix.  Or why not go for the Photochromic option and have the best of both worlds, allowing the glasses to darken as you go out into the sun.

The Crosslink includes Oakley's innovative Unobtainium sides and nose pads that increases grip as you become more active giving you a secure fit at all times.

Frame Details:

• Constructed of light weight, durable O Matter material
• Rugged O Matter temples
• Adjustable temple with wire core
• Second set of temples included
• Compatible with Sun leash
• Unobtainium nosepads and ear socks
• Collection specific case included

Other Oakley Crosslink Colours Available

This great pair of prescription glasses from Oakley is available from SelectSpecs in a number of various colour options including the following.

This Satin Black option with Sky Blue sides (OO802701) is my personal favourite.

Twilight star Dakota Fanning may still be only 18 years old but the young actress isn't afraid to be a bit brave when it comes to fashion. She has been regularly seen wearing the same Prada Sunglasses as Katy Perry – albeit in a different colour.

The Prada sunglasses worn by Dakota Fanning here are available in a rich colour palette of options with metal detailing recalling the American 50's Vintage Cadillac designs. Dakota has chosen a frame here in soft pink with silver and green highlights. The young movie star has even painted her nails the same colour as the green highlights on the sunglasses. Now that's attention to detail.

Dakota Fanning's Sunglasses for any Outfit

Same Sunglasses, different clothes – Dakota Fanning obviously loves her Prada sunnies; most other celebrities including Katy Perry refuse to be seen more than once wearing the same pair of sunglasses, but Dakota is more than happy to wear hers with any outfit… and why not.

Okay, some of her outfits are a bit hit-and-miss, but these Prada Sunglasses are a scene stealer – much like Dakota Fanning's incredible breakthrough performance in I Am Sam at only 7 years old.

Prada PR61OS Sunglasses from SelectSpecs.com

The model sunglasses worn by Dakota Fanning (and Katy Perry) are these stylish Prada PR 61OS sunglasses in colour 1BC1X1.  These designer sunglasses are very popular at the moment, so be sure to pick them up now while there is still good availability.

Rihanna

It seems that celebrities still can’t get enough of Wayfarer sunglasses. In town for previous London Fashion Week, Rihanna was spotted with her beloved Ray-Ban Wayfarer, en route to filming The Jonathan Ross Show.

Jessica Alba

Here’s Jessica Alba at Los Angeles airport on her way to Paris Fashion Week earlier this year. Loving the large sunnies and hat, but it's not going to hide her stunning good looks from the paparazzi.

Kristen Stewart

In Paris Fashion Week, love rat Kristen Stewart puts the skates on her vampire cred with John Lennon style glasses.

Katy Perry

Also during Paris Fashion Week, Katy Perry goes ice-blue during one of her many appearances. We love the way her sixties’ bouffant hairstyle sets off her Audrey Hepburn glasses perfectly well.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek looks fabulous in terracotta, but we are more enamoured of her sixties-inspired cat-eyed sunglasses. We might be prejudiced, but we think that she could probably get away with the librarian look with these cat-eyed sunglasses by Tom Ford.

John Rochas

From the sixties, we move on to the seventies, with John Rochas and his owlish, thick-rimmed glasses, although we're not sure if this will catch on.

Dior Homme

Proving that fashion is not just about women, Paris Men’s Fashion Week did not disappoint, with a fine range of sunglasses for men. Kris Von Assche, the designer for Dior Homme, featured military-inspired coats and glasses as seen in this video.

Prada Men

Prada did not disappoint either, with its stunning array of glasses that range from the playful to the practical. Prada’s catwalk models featured Gary Oldman, Adrien Brody and Willem Dafoe in fabulous overcoats.

Glasses for the streetwise

Talking about being fashion forward, check out our previous blog post of eyewear to make you stand out from the crowd.

Thinking of fashion statements, we anticipate a return to the 1980s with these Carrera Champion sunglasses, as spotted on Jensen Button and Nicole Scherzinger. We also think it’s great for the mullet look!

Katy Perry is a bit of a fashion icon in our eyes, she is often seen wearing many different styles of glasses or sunglasses both in her music videos and in everyday life. She's also one of those very lucky people who looks good in anything (don't you just hate those people)… Katy Perry is not afraid to try all kinds of styles of glasses including Wayfarer's and Clubmasters, but she seems to be owning the Cat's Eye styles all to herself – and why not, she looks great in them.

Lately, we've noticed a bit of an trend in a certain model of Prada sunglasses. I've spotted a few people out and about wearing this model as well as celebrity movie stars such as Dakota Fanning. Could this be a trend started by Fashion Queen Katy Perry earlier this year at the 2012 Paris Fashion Week?

During Paris Fashion Week, Katy Perry was spotted on multiple occasions, at various parties and fashion shows and every time she was wearing something different, even down to the sunglasses. Here (above) she was seen wearing a pale blue long satin coat, pleated pink dress and and striking long blue ponytail at the Miu Miu Fashion Show in April 2012. We thought her choice of Prada sunglasses here were perfect for the outfit she was wearing at the time.

Prada PR 61OS Sunglasses as Worn by Katy Perry

The model sunglasses worn by Katy Perry are these fetching Prada PR 61OS Sunglasses in colour 1BC7W1.

This seems to be a popular model of late so availability seems to be slightly temperamental at times, so if you fancy a pair of Katy Perry's sunglasses yourself, you better get your order in quick.

Rudy Project Optical RX Inserts can be snapped-in behind the sun lenses of almost any Rudy Project Sunglasses. Their 'easy-in, easy-out' system means that the optical clip-ons can be inserted or removed in a split second as and when required, making them especially useful for contact lens wearers and people who enjoy sport and want to wear sports sunglasses but also require a prescription.

Choosing the Right Optical RX Insert for your Rudy Project Sunglasses

The table below shows you clearly which Optical RX Insert is designed to fit which model or Rudy Project Sunglasses, so you can be sure to order the correct one to match the sunglasses you own.

Image source: Modified from Rudy Project UK (information correct at time of publishing – September 2012).

Unfortunately the FR790000 RX Insert is no longer available and has been replaced by the FR700000 RX Insert. 

If you already own the FR790000, you can continue to use this in the Rudy Project Sunglasses shown in the table above and we can still reglaze your item with new prescription lenses using our lens replacement service. 

Currently Available Rudy Project Optical RX Inserts

FR700000

The FR700000 Optical RX Insert is also suitable for progressive multifocal (bifocal or varifocal) lenses – great if you have a reading add in your prescription that you would like to take advantage of. This is especially useful for golfers scoring their cards or fishermen or women to bait their rods.

FR890000

The FR890000 Optical RX Insert is also suitable for progressive multifocal (bifocal or varifocal) lenses.

FR760000

FR160000

FR050000

The FR050000 Optical RX Insert is also suitable for progressive multifocal (bifocal or varifocal) lenses.

One of the main strengths of buying contact lenses is that they’re great for people who play sport. When you’re running around, playing football, rugby etc., contacts do seem to have an advantage. They can provide better peripheral vision and could potentially improve performance as a result. They also have safety benefits in these situations.

That said, contact lenses shouldn’t be worn all the time. It’s good to take a break sometimes and sport your specs. Constantly wearing contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infection, so wearing your glasses a few days a week and not wearing your contacts all day long can be great for your eyes.

Mixing Things Up a Bit

At the same time as health considerations, it’s great to mix things up a bit, and sporting your glasses for a change can offer a fresh look. With popular brands of eyewear such as Ray-Ban, Oakley or Prada, and celebrities wearing glasses in public more often, glasses aren’t just a way to see clearly. They’re now much more of a fashion accessory, and wearing glasses some days and contact lenses another is a great way of mixing things up.

A Combination of Coloured Contact Lenses & Glasses

To add an extra dimension to your look and spice things up, combining coloured contact lenses with your glasses can be a great way to go.  Coloured lenses can be bought in plano (which means they won’t correct your vision), allowing you to change your eye colour and wear your glasses.

For the fashionistas out there, this technique offers endless combinations to vary your look. There are a variety of different colours available for contact lenses, from your standard blue to more distinctive colours such as amethyst. The lenses have also been designed for a range of eye colours, either to provide a subtle or dramatic change in eye colour.

So why do contact lenses and glasses work great together? Well firstly, they both work great in different situations because they have different qualities. At the same time, it’s just good to mix things up a bit for a fresh look by wearing contact lenses some days and glasses another. To add even more variation, contact lenses can be bought in a range of colours, and you can experiment with different colours while wearing glasses.

This guest article was written by Katie Grove, who writes for Lenstore, an online retailer of contact lenses in the UK.