Children Need Sunglasses Too

As adults, we are all aware of the damage the sun can do to our eyes so most of us will wear sunglasses. When searching for sunglasses, most people will look for sunglasses with UV protection. However, many parents will forget that their children need sunglasses to wear all year long. If they do remember, they will buy cheap novelty sunglasses from bargain stores. It is important to protect children's eyes by buying them quality sunglasses that have UV protection. Even infants need sun protection that includes sunglasses. If kids do not wear sunglasses, they can suffer damage to the eyes.

Fortunately, there are many types of sunglasses available for children that are not only quality sunglasses but also contain the proper UV filtration. These sunglasses are available in a wide variety of cool, trendy, and cute styles and designs. When your children see you wearing sunglasses they will want to wear them to, especially if they pick out a pair that they really like. When your children pick out their own sunglasses, it important to make sure you get the sunglasses that have proper UV protection.

The reason it is essential to protect children's eyes from UV rays is that children are quite susceptible to the sun's rays. They tend to burn faster and can develop wrinkles earlier. This is because the body is still developing at a quicker rate. For this reason, children at a high risk of UV rays and the damage it can do. Fortunately, you can protect your children's eyes with UV protection sunglasses like you do when you put on UV protecting sunscreen on their skin. You can teach your kids from an early age about safeguarding their eyes by wearing UV protecting sunglasses.

There are so many types of sunglasses available so your children will be able to find the exact pair of sunglasses that they will want to wear. The best place to browse a wide selection of children's sunglasses is to shop on an online eyeglasses retailer. When you shop on a professional and established online eyeglasses retailer's website, with have a vast array of sunglasses to choose from. They are available in a wide variety of designs, patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes so you and your children can browse the selection from the comfort of your home computer.

The best part of shopping online for sunglasses is you can get quality brand name sunglasses at greatly discounted prices, often up to 70% discount eyeglasses compared to the traditional eye wear retailer. You will save a bundle of money and your child will get the exact pair of sunglasses they want. You may even want to get a couple of pair. As well as saving money, you will get the required UV protection that they need to protect them from the harmful sun's rays. You can even get prescription sunglasses. You will just need a valid prescription from an optician.

It is important to make shopping for sunglasses fun for children so they will be excited and want to wear then as soon as they arrive. Choose fun and colorful styles. Make sure you get them sunglasses with frames that fit their face, are comfortable, and durable. The sun's UV rays are hazardous adults and to children so properly protect your children by getting them quality sunglasses.

Looking for the perfect discount eyeglasses? Find what you need, for any style or budget.

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Protective Eye Wear For Computer Users

Protective Treatment For Computer Users
If you spend long hours on the computer you may experience dry eyes, eye strain, headaches and blurred vision. These symptoms are known as computer vision syndrome and result in various vision problems if some type of protective treatment is not used. The most common type of protective treatment for computer users are computer glasses. Computer glasses are special glasses designed for making working on computers safer and more comfortable and they protect your eyes in a variety of ways.

Protection From Your Computers UV Rays
Although the UV rays from your computer are not nearly as strong as those from the sun, your eyes still need protected from these rays to help prevent cataracts and other eye problems. This is why many computer glasses are made from Polycarbonate plastic which is both light weight and blocks the harmful UV rays from your computer.

Protection From The Computers Glare
The glare from the computer screen can cause your eyes to dry out, result in blurry vision, and even severe headaches in some people. Having your computer glasses treated with an anti reflective coating will reduce the glare from your computer screen and make those long hours spent working on the computer far more comfortable.

Scratch Resistance
Working on and off the computer during the course of the day can result in your putting on and taking off your glasses countless times. This can result in scratches that causes eye strain when trying to view your computer screen. By getting your glasses treated to be scratch resistant you reduce the chances of your glasses becoming scratched with just normal use.

Keep in mind if you wear prescription glasses that your normal glasses are not going to provide the protection you need when doing computer work. In addition, your normal glasses are not designed to allow you to view the computer screen properly as the distance between you and a computer screen is different than your normal reading distance. So getting a pair of glasses specially designed for working on the computer will allow you to see and read the words on the computer easier.

Even if you don't normally wear glasses specially made computer glasses are still your best choice in protecting your eyes while you are working on the computer as these glasses protects you from both the UV rays and the glare of your computer and result in less eye strain and more comfort.

Remember that you need to protect your vision since it is all you have and once your sight is gone it is gone. So investing in a pair of computer glasses can save your eyesight both now and in the future.

Buy Glasses is an online reviews website for Sunglasses, Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses.

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New Research Shows Myopia Can Be Prevented

How Common is Myopia?

Myopia is becoming more prevalent - some might even say it has become an epidemic. Myopia (nearsightedness) has increased in the US population by 66% in the last 30 years. The World Health Organization has categorized myopia with cataract, macular degeneration, infectious disease and vitamin A deficiency as among the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment in the world. Myopia is divided into two groups - low and high. The low group is up to -6.00 diopters in correction and the high (or pathological) group is greater than -6.00. The pathological group has a much higher incidence of potentially blinding conditions including macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, loss of visual acuity and color sensitivity. The prevalence of myopia varies by ethnic group reaching as high as 70-90% in Singapore. In Japan it is estimated that over a million people suffer from a vision impairment associated with high myopia that cannot be adequately corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The prevalence of pathological myopia in some population based studies is as high as 3% of the population. In addition to the visually disabling effects are the economic costs - not only for the treatment costs but also for the loss of income due to visual disability. Since no universally accepted treatments have been able to reverse the structural changes of pathological myopia (the lengthening of the eyeball and thinning of the retina) it has long been the goal of research scientists in vision and ophthalmologists and optometrists to understand the factors that lead to these devastating changes in the structure of the eyeball and to devise therapeutic strategies. The common solution of wearing glasses or contact lenses is temporary as most children will get worse each year, resulting in more blur and thicker and heavier lenses.

Although most researchers agree that there is a genetic component to the development of myopia there is a growing amount of research implicating visual experiences early in life that affect eyeball growth and the subsequent development of myopia. Studies with animals (chickens, tree shrews and others) show that early visual experience affects the growth of the eye and the eventual myopia that may result. Specifically, the mismatch between the focus of central and peripheral vision can induce myopia. A typical eyeglass or contact lens that gives sharp central focus will overcorrect the peripheral focus. This causes myopia to increase. Some medications have a biochemical effect that will slow down the progression of myopia, but they typically have undesirable side effects. The newest research shows that specially designed bifocal contact lenses can slow down or even stop the progression of myopia. The most exciting studies show that orthokeratology can stop and even reverse (during the treatment period) the myopia that has already occurred, but only up to a certain amount, typically -6.00 diopters.

What Can We Do about Myopia?

Orthokeratology is vision correction without surgery. Orthokeratology, is also known as corneal refractive therapy (CRT), vision shaping treatment (VST), corneal molding or Ortho-K. It is the gentle reshaping of the cornea to correct myopia (nearsightedness). The cornea is the eye's equivalent of a watch crystal. It is a clear, dome shaped structure that overlies the colored iris. Its tissue is very thin (about 1/50th of an inch) and very pliable. Because the cornea separates the eye from air and because it has a curvature that bends light towards the back of the eye, it is responsible for 2/3rd of the eye's corrective power and contributes to various conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. We can compensate for the eye's focus defects by reshaping the cornea.

It has been practiced for over 40 years. In the early years a series of lenses were fit on the eye, each with a progressively flatter fit, with the goal of reshaping the curvature of the eye. The techniques and success have greatly improved over the last 10 years. Now orthokeratology is accomplished by using specially designed contact lenses called reverse geometry lenses that gently flatten the cornea by pushing the central epithelial layers directly over the pupil towards the periphery of the cornea. This movement of corneal cells causes the center of the cornea to be thinner and flatter thus focusing the light closer to the retina. Orthokeratology refocuses the images on the retina in the same way as LASIK, but reversibly. Orthokeratology is FDA approved and FDA certified training is required of eye doctors to fit overnight ortho-K lenses. Only a handful of orthokeratology lenses have been approved for overnight orthokeratology by the FDA. A commonly used approved lens is the Paragon CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) Lens.

Corneal Molding has evolved into a method where many patients achieve success with the first lens. Good results typically take less than a week. The process is accomplished while you sleep using a computer designed reverse geometry contact lens. The lenses are inserted at bedtime and removed in the morning. The lenses, also known as vision retainers, safely and gently reshape the cornea changing the eye's focus. Most patients will have good vision throughout the day. Some patients may only need to wear their lenses on two or three nights a week to maintain good vision. Ortho-K can produce results in a surprisingly short period of time. The length of treatment to achieve your goals can vary from patient to patient. Factors which can affect the speed of treatment include your initial degree of myopia, the rigidity of your cornea, the exact topography (shape) of your cornea, your tear quality and your expectations. Children are especially good candidates because their corneas are more pliable and because any intervention at an early age will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Patients interested in orthokeratology start with an eye exam and a free orthokeratology screening. After a comprehensive eye exam, including an orthokeratology consultation, corneal topography is done. These are topographical maps of the cornea. Everyone's topographical map is different, much like our fingerprints. Corneal topography shows irregularities in the cornea and is essential to designing contact lenses that will mold your cornea. Corneal topography also allows us to diagnose corneal diseases such as keratoconus. Specular microscopy is also performed which allows us to see that the endothelial corneal cells are healthy and fulfilling their function of keeping the cornea from becoming waterlogged and from losing its transparency.

Research also shows that the amount of time that children spend outdoors in the daylight also slows down the progression of myopia. There is still much for us to learn in combating nearsightedness, but we now have the tools to at least make a significant impact in controlling myopia.

Dr. David Littlefield

www.littlefieldoptometry.com

Dr. David Littlefield is a 4th generation optometrist and a 2nd generation orthokeratologist. He practices in Leawood, Ks in the Kansas City metro area. He has had experience in slowing down and even reversing myopia with bifocal contact lenses and with orthokeratology lenses. He also believes that nutrition and exposure to outdoor daylight are beneficial influences.

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Finding Success With Laser Eye Treatment

Perfect vision, for most folks, is the capacity to see "twenty-twenty" (20/20).

For the all the curious people out there, what exactly does having 20/20 vision mean? And will laser eye treatment result in this visual acuity?

This is a conventional measurement of optical acuity (or how well you see in the distance). The initial 20 from the 20/20 vision is the measurement (in feet) of the testing distance because the letter chart is normally 20ft away while the second 20 is how faraway the "normal" person can view that size letter at. Therefore, if someone can perceive the "20" (2nd 20) sized letter at 20 feet, their vision is 20/20.

For example, if you get a vision of 20/40, it means that the testing distance is measured at 20 feet for the letter size of 40 while a "normal" person can make out this at 40 feet which is twice the testing distance. However, you can merely make out from 20 feet away, so 20/40 is not quite as satisfactory as 20/20.

Even so, one of the major criteria for passing your usual driving license exam is optic acuity and the standard is 20/40 or better, with both eyes open. Commercial or heavy vehicles require a stricter standard as the visual acuity calls for a vision of 20/40 with both eyes open. Those who need to wear glasses to satisfy this criteria should frequently wear them when on the road driving.

Another example would be commercial pilots, who must experience an optical acuity of 20/20 amongst other things.

If you plan to convert 20/20 to metric units, it would be equal to 6/6. That is, the testing distance is 6 meters.

For most people, success with this kind of treatment means having 20/20 vision after the surgery. Roughly 94% of folks accomplish 20/20 vision or better after refractive procedure and virtually 100% of those can see the 20/30 line of letters, as released by Wagoner, M.D. et. al. in their most recent studies. What this means is that there is a big percentage of people who can now carefully drive without having to wear spectacles after the operation.

This also means that if your sight before surgery is 20/20, you may not get that amount of sight without spectacles after laser eye procedure. This is usually brought about by either an under correction or over correction which leaves patients with a residual Rx. if the expectations are not met during the initial operation, a second treatment can also be performed to improve the vision.

Aside from all these, there are still other criteria that should be considered when assessing the success of refractive operation. Night time haloes, dry eyes, and other optical anomalies can also lessen satisfaction, particularly if they endure for a long time resulting to continuing issues. Assessment of the quality of life and patient satisfaction (not success) rate is said to be at 95% for current laser eye techniques, according to BM Bieler's "Quality of Life After LASIK: The Picture Remains Hazy."

Many folks are very optimistic with the results of laser eye treatment. You really ought to weigh the options and realize the risks. There are risks and there are benefits, but if the benefits outweigh the risk, then refractive operation is for you.

Find out more about Laser Eye Treatment HQ - your source of the latest news and technologies on laser eye treatment, eye surgery, and more.

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Can You Read The Small Print?

According to Fulton John Sheen "What the large print giveth, the small print taketh away..." and although situations arise where one simply ignores the small print or opts not to read it one would still like the option of making this choice rather than having it taken away because reading the small print is simply not physically possible.

This can occur in situations where ones eyesight falls into the range where support is required form an early age due to various factors or in the case as with most of us where age related degeneration occurs and we are forced to face the fact that living without glasses or contact lenses is no longer an option. Certainly in the advancing age category consumers can tend to be hesitant to make the transition to being dependent on visual aids. In the pre-internet era there was simply no option but to visit a location where glasses were sold and try on several pairs until a suitable match was found and this needed to take place at a time that these stores were open and one had to allow sufficient time to make the appropriate and sometimes hair-raising selection.

However with the arrival of the internet there is the added convenience of buying glasses online where you are able to browse at your convenience and take your time to select glasses that you will feel comfortable with. Given however that selecting a pair of glasses is as much about being able to read the fine print as making an appropriate aesthetic impression one would think that buying glasses online would not meet both criteria. Remarkably now the technology exists where one can make use of 'virtual mirrors' to make a selection online. Not only are there standardised options to select a facial shape but you can upload your own photo to obtain a preview of what your new look would be.

If you buy your glasses online through a reputable company you can avoid the need to pay a special visit to an optometrist but also avoid rushing your personal selection.

Online glasses direct can also provide a means to try out a set of glasses for a specified period to ensure that you are entirely satisfied with your purchase. So you can test them on your favourite reading material, and check whether you can read the fine print all in the comfort of your own home. Your nearest and dearest would also have the opportunity to give you feedback on your look before you venture out into the world at large.

For more information on glasses online visit our website for Glasses Frames and Lenses

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A Great Eye Exam Is More Than Just a Test!

As an Optometrist I need to know that I am providing a great eye exam for all of my patients. However, most people have no idea what constitutes a great eye exam and so settle for an inferior test without even knowing it! To the average consumer, one eye exam is pretty much the same as another, but as a practitioner I can assure you there is a radical difference between what some practitioners do and a comprehensive eye exam and vision test.

The Basic Eye Exam

Most eye care professionals can adequately provide a basic eye exam. This involves the measurement of your sight, which we called visual acuity, an assessment of your eye health (retina and eye pressures) as well as the prescription for your glasses. This can be done fairly quickly if necessary, so Optometrists in commercial situations, whose income is directly dependent on the number of eye examinations they perform in a day, tend to stop at this point because they simply do not have the time to go further.

For me as a practitioner, this constitutes the bottom rung on the eye care ladder, and the minimum requirement that any professional can offer.

Eye Health Checks in the Eye Exam

It should also be pointed out that not all eye health checks are the same either! A 10 second look at each retina with an Ophthalmoscope and a quick puff tonometry is all some eye practitioners provide, but I believe that in order to take care of our eyes and visual systems effectively for many years to come, we need to have more than this!

In our practice we not only examine the retinae, but we also photograph the patient's retinae and optic disks, sometimes in 3D. We check the front of the eye (lids, cornea, lens and iris), examining angles and structures to make sure that everything is healthy. We can also measure macular pigment density for macular degeneration, as well as eye pressure for glaucoma and visual fields, to make sure vision is not being compromised in any area.

Many people do not realise that most eyes disease remains completely unnoticed by the patient until it is too late, so it is important that we run comprehensive and careful eye exams on every patient be they old or young.

The Missing Element of the Eye Exam

One element of an eye exam often overlooked by patients involves the Optometrist interpreting the figures and measurements taken to offer the best visual strategies and solutions going forward. It is not enough to simply churn out what your instruments have measured, because each person's visual requirements are unique and need to be thoroughly investigated.

For example, a truck driver may require multifocals to drive and fill out forms, but these will be different than the multifocals required by a teacher who spends most of their day looking at books. A surgeon may need a specific design of multifocal, different to what a housewife and mother needs. A student who is not long or short sighted may require reading lenses to help them sustain their focus and eye coordination for long hours of study.

The oftentimes missing element of the eye exam is the optometrist talking to the patient, discovering what they use their eyes for in their day, and tailoring the exact lenses to suit their purposes. It takes a little more time on the practitioner's part, but I believe that this practice yields great fruit in many thousands of happy patients getting the very best out of their eyes and vision.

As an Optometrist who cares about his patients and takes pride in a job well done, I need to know that I have offered the very best to my patients. So if you are due for an eye examination don't compromise your eye health and don't battle with your eyes as you live each day at work or play. Visit a practitioner who will perform a great eye exam, and get the best from your eyes for years to come!

Darin Browne at Eye CU is the Sunshine Coast Optometrist who offers complete Behavioural Optometry eye exams as well as macular testing with pigment analysis, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy screening. Visit us at:
Eye CU Optometrist
3/18 Margaret St
Palmwoods QLD 4555
Australia
(07) 5457 3333

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Causes of Headaches Can Be Found With an Annual Eye Exam

You won't believe all the things you will learn about reasons of a headache when you get a complete eye exam. Headaches have several factors that contribute to it. The importance of eye exams are great since the majority of these factors affect the eyes.

Always be sure your eyes are kept healthy as possible. This is because the headaches you are suffering from can be from an eye condition. Light sensitivity is a reason for some headaches because the eyes are just plain sensitive. So it could just be from light sensitivity or that your have an eye condition.

The eyes can have nerve problems and because of that a headache can form; many people do not know that. Contrary to what others believe, the optic nerve complications and pain have nothing to do with each other. You can find out about any certain problem by having a thorough exam of the eyes. Once diagnosed, treatment will be easier and the headaches will be gone before you know it.

Medical specialists are now aware that a condition like cataracts can cause headaches. Even though it is not the actual condition of cataracts that causes headaches, it is the reactions your eyes have to it that causes them. If you strain your eyes you will put stress on them to the point that you will get frequent headaches. Your headaches will not be as often when treatment is given and it is under control.

Do not forget that eye exams are so important; get them as early as possible. If you catch some of these conditions early enough you can treat it but this is detected through eye exams. By waiting too long more complications can occur, the ability to treat the condition reduces. Exams are to be given once a year; those with an eye condition should have one more often.

A regular eye exam will educate you of problems that could arise so you can know how to treat it. These conditions that cause headaches will end quickly once the problems are addressed and treatment is provided. If you want a long healthy future with your eyes, then get an exam. Make sure to get eye exams regularly and often so you don't have conditions come up that go untreated. These conditions can cause long term, and even permanent damage not only to your eyes, but to other areas of the body as well.

Reading up on local optometrists?... complete eye exam. We've been looking at eyes for years. Eye exam...Visit the website to learn more about my local optometrist's business.

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Better Vision With Eye Training Exercises

It seems like just about everybody wears contact lenses or glasses. Some people only wear glasses when they are reading, others need them when they are looking at things that are far away, but most people use them consistently to aid their vision. Many people are just resigned to the perceived fact that their vision was never perfect, and will only get worse. There is a line of belief, however, that states that not only is the degradation of vision over time not an absolute inevitability but that people who suffer from reduced vision capabilities can use eye training exercises to improve their vision and prevent worsening.

Eye Training Exercises

It is the thought that many who feel they are dependent on vision-improving aids such as glasses or contact lenses did not need them when they were prescribed and likely still do not need them. They simply have gotten so used to using the glasses or contact lenses as crutches that their eyes no longer need to function well and therefore their vision suffers. These people could benefit from the use of eye training exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles surrounding and in the actual eyes, as well as relieving strain that causes blurred or not precise vision. It is this strain, many such as preeminent voice in this field William Bates believe, that is the real cause of reduced visual capability. Performing some simple exercises daily can help to improve your vision and prevent it from worsening over time.

• Blinking is a behavior that happens without thought. This action lubricates the eyes as well as removing any foreign bodies and temporarily allows your eyes to rest. Performing this action many times in a short period is exactly the same as doing reps of conditioning or muscle-building exercises on any other part of the body. Blinking repeatedly strengthens the muscles in and around the eyes which allows them to function better.

• William Bates believed that strain was the main culprit behind poor vision. He advised patients to engage in "palming" several times daily. This action consists of closing your eyes and cupping your palms over them. Your hands should not put any pressure on the eyeballs but should prevent any light from getting to the eyes. This action allows your eyes and your mind to relax. This relieves the strain on your eyes, allowing them to focus and function better.

• Imagine a shape, such as a figure eight or a simple house, in the air in front of you. Without moving your neck or head, trace the shape with your eyes. Follow it first one way and then back the other.

• Focus on something several feet ahead of you. Without blinking, change your focus to something ten to twenty feet past that object. Change your focus several times until you feel your eye muscles working.

• Hold your hand in front of you and focus on it. Slowly move your hand toward you, maintaining the focus, until your palm touches your nose. Pause, still focusing, for a moment and then gradually pull your hand away. Do not allow the focus to break at any point. Do this several times throughout the day to improve muscles.

• Exercises to improve hand eye coordination can also help improve your vision as well. These include games such as sports-related video games that teach your eyes to cooperate with your brain.

For more information about eye training exercises and to improve hand eye coordination visit our website restoreeyesight.com

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Benefits of Titanium Eyeglasses

Today, there are many types of frames to choose from when purchasing eyeglasses. There are also many different materials used in frames, allowing consumers to get the frames they need and match their personal fashion tastes. One type of eyeglasses that are very popular is titanium eyeglasses.

Titanium frames are made of a titanium alloy. More people are choosing titanium eyeglasses due to the benefits these eyeglass frames offer. Wearers of titanium eyeglasses like these eyeglasses because they are strong, durable, easily manipulated, and lightweight. Because of titanium's consistency, it cannot be used a pure source for frames. Rather, when used in making eyeglasses frames, the frames consist of approximately 75% titanium. This composition of titanium allows it to preserve the majority of its properties making it very strong and bendable.

Because titanium is so lightweight, many wearers report that they feel they are not even wearing eyeglasses. In addition, titanium eyeglasses are very comfortable to wear. The strength of titanium is almost equal to the strength of steel, but it weighs much less. When compared to aluminum, it is just a bit heavier, but much stronger and more durable.

Titanium offers other important benefits when used in eyeglasses. Titanium is a hypoallergenic metal which means it is ideal for people who are allergic to certain metals and experience skin irritations when they come into contact with the material. Titanium is also resistant to corrosion which means they will not rust when exposed to moisture such as perspiration or if left in a humid bathroom. In addition, they are heat resistant, so they will not get damaged if left in a hot car or in the sun.

Titanium eyeglasses are ideal for people with strong prescriptions, as the frames can be very thick to accommodate the thick lens that comes with a strong prescription. They are also beneficial people who want thin wire like frames as they are strong and durable. They can handle wear and tear very well. For the fashion conscious person, you can get titanium in different colors. Titanium frames are very chic and trendy and can really enhance an outfit.

The benefits of Titanium are numerous with convenience, strength, and adaptability as key benefits. Today more people are choosing titanium eyeglasses because of their many advantages. You can get the thick frames, the thin frames, or rimless eyeglasses, the choice up to you. Titanium will meet most people's needs, which is why they are growing in popularity. Also, these chic eyeglasses require minimal maintenance.

Even though titanium frames cost a bit more than those made from other materials, there is one way to get these eyeglasses at discounted prices. Shopping online is a great way to get titanium eyeglasses cheap, including top brand name titanium frames. When you shop at a reputable online eyeglasses retailer, you benefit from prices that are far less than traditional eye wear retailers. When you shop online for quality titanium eyeglasses, you will benefit from cost savings and quality eyeglasses that are strong and look great. There are titanium frames for everyone!

Find the right eyeglasses and vision care products from a variety of brands in a range of styles and colors at discount prices. http://www.coastalcontacts.com/

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