BY AMY HILL
Are your glasses just as exhausted from the chaos of the year 2020 as you are? Maybe the arms of your glasses are starting to become a bit loose, your lenses are scratched, or you’re not seeing as clearly out of them as you once did. On the other hand, maybe your glasses are in excellent condition, but you’re simply looking for a change. As the founder of Hillcrest Vision in Winston-Salem, Juawana Hall, O.D., has the best tips for finding your perfect pair of frames to start the year 2021 in style.
When it comes to eyewear, Dr. Hall and her team at Hillcrest Vision are dedicated to ensuring that you find your ideal fit. With so many varieties of shapes, lenses, and brands, it can be hard to determine which glasses suit your needs. Not sure where to start? Dr. Hall suggests consulting a professional. Opticians at Hillcrest Vision are able to combine your prescription information with the most flattering frames for your face and features. “Oftentimes, people prefer to browse frames by themselves or feel like they’re bugging the optician if they ask for advice, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” explains Dr. Hall. “Our opticians love styling patients in frames.”
Considering contact lenses instead of glasses? While wearing contact lenses has its own advantages, Dr. Hall guarantees that eyeglasses will always provide the sharpest vision and better prevent your vision from fluctuating. In addition, glasses make a great accessory. Dr. Hall believes wearing glasses is one of the best ways to showcase your personality, especially while face masks are mandatory, and many people are working from home and are limited to expressing themselves at work from their shoulders up during video meetings. Hillcrest Vision stays on top of the latest eyewear trends and has a great selection of glasses to choose from. When asked about what she believes will be some of the newest eyewear trends for 2021, Dr. Hall is seeing an increase in demand for colorful, funky, fun frames, in addition to more comfortable, lightweight classic pieces. In the mood for a more classic look? For men in particular, Dr. Hall suggests a metal semi-rimless frame. She considers this look to be timeless while also fitting a wide variety of face shapes. If you value quality over making a fashion statement, finding a pair of sturdy, well-made glasses is essential. If you’re looking for sunwear, in Dr. Hall’s opinion, the quality of Maui Jim is unmatched. While still being stylish, Maui Jim provides the highest quality polarized lenses with double-sided, no-glare treatments.
Heard the buzz about blue light blocking glasses and wondering if they’re worth the hype? Dr. Hall believes investing in a pair of blue light blocking glasses is time and money well spent if you spend more than four hours per day in front of a screen, but only if you find a quality pair. According to Dr. Hall, blue light radiation increases the rate of cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as sleep disruptions, eyestrain, and eye fatigue. However, don’t be fooled by the low prices of blue light blocking glasses you may see online. Dr. Hall warns buyers, “You get what you pay for.” Cheaper blue light blocking glasses are cheaper for a reason – the blue light protection coating is sprayed on, causing it to wear off quickly (the same is true for UV protection in cheap sunglasses). Aside from blue light radiation alone, it is imperative to take care of your vision while spending so much time staring at a computer screen. Dr. Hall advises, “Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blink a few extra times and allow your focusing system a break before looking back at the screen.”
Invest in your vision and treat yourself to a new pair of glasses from Hillcrest Vision to start the year off on the right foot. You can read more information about Dr. Hall and her team at hillcrestvision.com; contact them by email at info@hillcrestvision.com, or call (336) 760-2020 to speak to a team member directly. You can also follow Hillcrest Vision on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on the latest company news.
