The second Starbucks whips out the Pumpkin Spice Latte, fall has begun. No more shall we abide by the Gregorian Calendar. No longer shall we be held hostage by outdated fashion rules that ban wearing white past Labor Day! Begone, September 21st! You are no longer the signifier of autumn! Fall is a season known for warm colors despite the cooler weather (something I’m sure we can all agree we’re ready for here in Reno).

Here at Downtown Vision, we give a lot of love for the four-eye world. With so many styles of frames to choose from and customizable lens options like transitions, not to mention using the latest high-tech instrumentation for eyewear, it’s no secret: we’re Reno’s go-to spot for glasses. But our passion for eyes goes much further than just glasses. We specialize in contact lens fittings and use the same high-tech methods to not only get your contacts just right, but also to have a wide selection of contact types to find that perfect look, from multifocal lenses to transition lenses.

Friends. It is OFFICIALLY back-to-school season. For kids, teenagers, and college students alike, August marks the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. It’s also coincidentally Children’s Eye Health Month, which brings us to today’s topic: children’s eye health. Having happy and healthy eyes is universal, no matter what age you are. In fact, getting in the habit of regular eye examinations and eye care can be very beneficial for your eyes later on in life.

It surrounds us; it flows through us; it binds the galaxy together… okay, maybe not that last one. And no, we’re not talking about the Force today. What this is referring to is the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS)! Yes, our good friend from our HEV article from long ago and far, far away.

They’re everywhere. Every time you step outside, if you don’t have them on, chances are you’ll see someone with them on. They’re at your favorite lunch spot and your favorite café. You’ll see them everywhere you go. And they’re here to help. Sunglasses are a part of everyday life, as widespread and common as any other part of an outfit. But they’re much more than a fashion piece or a symbol of looking cool.

One of the most common and talked about ocular disease is cataracts. Affecting millions of people each year, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness across the world. June is Cataracts Awareness Month, and as a result we’re going to deep dive into what cataracts are, how they form, how they’re treated, and how they can be prevented.

Bespoke anything is good. To have a bespoke dress or suit is to have a fashionable, customized piece is unique and valuable. Having something designed for you puts it above anything else in the wardrobe. It takes your look to the next level, to know an item is one-of-a-kind and made to fit you perfectly. And in the case of glasses, fit matters. Like our last blog already went over, face shape and brow shape, as designer Tom Davies describes, matters most when looking for a new pair of glasses.

You may have seen this coming. These past few weeks, you’ve seen us show off new frames perfectly in-line for spring fashion trends. Since the weather outside is delightful, it’s high time we go on a deep dive into the latest trends in eyewear for the season to help you look your best.

While online eyeglass retailers might mean well, a lot of inquiries are surfacing about the reliability and trustworthiness of their eyeglasses and eye “exams”. Convenient to the new age consumer who would rather stay inside and order from their computer, the convenience comes with some caveats that every consumer needs to consider before purchase.

When I first got glasses at age 7, my mom made it a point to tell me (constantly) not to wear them in front of the computer, because it would strain my eyes. On top of the classic “moms-know-best” tactic, she’s a nurse, so I took her advice seriously. 18 years later, and I still find myself habitually taking off my glasses before I sit down at my desk.

Not surprisingly, many of our patients are confused about their medical and vision benefits. Not only are health plans complicated and hard to understand, but customer service representatives and brokers have been known to provide incomplete or bad information about benefits. The two most used vision plans are Eyemed and VSP. Eyemed is accepted at both commercial and private optometry and offices. VSP is accepted only at private offices, such as Downtown Vision.

Have you ever had those moments of self-awareness, like being aware that you’re breathing or that you’re blinking? Allow us to introduce a new one to you: you are now aware that your eyes are wet. Why are eyes wet? The physical makeup of eyes may be kind of odd when you first think about them. Those little globes responsible for showing you the world around you are complex mechanisms — you have a lens system that receives and processes light, a muscle that dilates depending on how much light they take in, and they are full of fluid.