Daleen Slabbert consults to the optometric industry. Her services include: new practice set-up, implementing practice systems, implementing financial check points, staff training, implementing marketing strategies, human resources management, motivating staff, etc. She has amassed an incredible library of information and has vast experience in the running of high performance optometric practices. Daleen offers an on-site service, where she will be at the fore front of implementation of her systems. She has also developed an outstanding online course for optometric staff.


We change your outfits and shoes to suit every occasion. We spend so much time on hairdo’s and make-up when attending a special event. We carefully choose a handbag and shoes to match our outfit, but only have one pair of glasses to compliment the rest of the look. How many pairs of glasses you should have is just as personal as asking how many shoes you need.

A pair for every occasion?

Having more than one pair of glasses isn’t only about having different frames to show off. There are new lens designs coming onto the market all the time: lenses for use with digital devices, lenses for working with computers, lenses for driving and self-tinting lenses that react to light and UV. But just how many pairs of glasses do you actually need?

Amidst all the technology and vision optimisation, purchasing a pair of glasses remains a very personal decision. It must feel good and reflect your attitude towards life. It should accommodate all your visual needs and enrich your life.

For most, it’s certainly easier to choose a pair of shoes than glasses. That’s why it’s important that you work closely with your optometrist and frame stylist when making your purchase. They will assist you in finding the perfect solution to all your lifestyle needs.

Everyday glasses?

Whether we’re talking about single vision or multi focal lenses, you need a pair of glasses which will provide the best functional vision. Your prescription for the golf course has to be different to the prescription required for computer work, to provide the best functional vision for each task. From selecting the lenses, to choosing the lens features, and selecting the frames, nothing should be left to chance. Just like a second skin, the frames should fit your personality, your facial features, and many, if not all, of your outfits. They should not pinch your nose, be too heavy or cause allergic reactions. With multi focal lenses, the fit of the frame must be suitable to allow for the lenses to be centered correctly. Everything needs to be perfect.

Glasses for mobile devices

It’s not just the younger generation that uses digital and mobile communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc. These common devices assist people of all ages. However, the working distances with these digital devices are even shorter than with print media. For people older than 30 years, it takes more effort for their eyes to look at something up close continuously. Tired, sometimes dry or fatigued eyes are often the result of using mobile devices for many hours per day. Special lenses can relieve your eyes and assist you when reading at short distances.

Multi Focal lenses

From around 40 years of age, our near vision begins to abate steadily. You find that you can only read a restaurant menu, book, or newspaper by holding it further away. This not only looks unusual, but it’s strenuous over the long term. This is where a pair of reading glasses can be a particular help as your primary or secondary pair. If you already wear multi focal lenses every day, it can prove worthwhile to indulge in a pair of reading glasses so that you can read comfortably lying down.

Computer glasses

Do you spend a lot of time sitting in front of the computer? Normal multi focal lenses or reading glasses are not always optimal because of the posture adopted. Non-ergonomic or even a tense posture, while sitting at your desk, often prevents optimal vision and can even damage your health. In this case, investing in computer glasses can be a great solution to satisfy your special vision needs when working at your computer.

Hobbies

These are life’s special moments: when you’re doing the thing you love or playing your favorite sport. However, your everyday glasses or sunglasses are not always perfect for your sports and hobbies. Sports glasses offer special protection against dust, dirt, sun, or small pebbles in the air in the form of wrapped frames. Sometimes you require special tints, glare protection or contrast enhancement for your favourite sport? Single and gradient tints in the colours of your choice or sunglasses with a polarisation filter will give you better vision, and may improve safety and performance when you’re playing sports.

No matter if it’s for ball games, biking, skiing, water sports, flying, hunting, handicrafts, projects around the house, your optometrist can help you maximise your performance with the right choice of eyewear.

Need invisible eyewear?

There are spectacle wearers who’d like to have a pair of “invisible glasses” – i.e., glasses which you don’t notice. A rimless frame with an anti-glare coating is a solution.

Have you tried contact lenses?

New technologies and new lens materials offer solutions to obstacles that may have stopped you from wearing contact lenses in the past. Gone are the days where dry eyes hampered you from successful contact lens wear. The new blink-activated moisture method built into contact lenses for all-day comfort allows contact lens wear in the driest climate.

Presbyopia is a complicated name for a very common eye condition: when you have trouble focusing on things up-close. As a rule contact lenses are used to correct distance vision, but multifocal lenses can enable you to see clearly at all distances. It’s worth a try!

Other challenges:

There are so many instances when our glasses don’t work that well. Reading in bed, wearing progressive lenses while trying to watch watching TV lying down, the pilot that needs various distances to focus on above eye level, the jeweller that needs a ‘peep site’, the musician’s sheet music and so many more. Problems are caused by working distance and posture, which
can easily be solved with having a pair of glasses set up for a specific task.

The question remains;

How many pairs should I have? The answer is easy. What is your lifestyle requirement? How many pairs of glasses will ensure that you have a pair suitable for every need and every occasion? And remember, if your finances do not allow you to buy that second or third pair today, there is no need to purchase everything at the same time. Plan ahead. Buy the hobby pair when needed; buy the sunglasses before going on your next holiday or the computer pair when starting that new job. Your optometrist keeps a detailed record of everything you may need for ‘next time.’

Remember; no single pair of spectacles can fulfil all visual functions.

Share this on Facebook: