Eyeglasses and Fashion

We were at a going away celebration of a mutually good friend and we started talking about how times have changed. Dr.Truchot spoke in his usual humorous french way about braces. Apparently many years ago most people especially children abhorred braces. Braces were a no-no!{{more}} Nowadays because of the change in design and because more and more celebrities wear braces, it is seen as a fashion accessory. Young people are now approaching him for braces!

The same thing is happening in the eye industry. People are slowly changing their habits regarding eyewear. Wearing glasses was seen in a negative light. You often hear words like “urkel” “geek” “weirdo”. Some even just plainly associate eye glasses with blindness.

Nowadays glasses are seen in a new light. They have become fashion accessories. Companies like Rayban, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Versace, D&G, Vogue and Prada among many others are making a huge effort to design their eyewear in such a way that people want to buy them to compliment their looks and clothing.

Glasses have become a major part of personal image and expression. Take Elton John for example. He had a pair for every mood.

Some celebrities use glasses as part of their identity. Take comedian Drew Carey as another example, even though he had corrective laser eye surgery on both eyes he still opted to wear glasses because that is how he was best known.

The modern and elegant designs encourage people to wear glasses whether they have an eye problem or not. People who wear glasses are now perceived as smart and sophisticated.

Studies show that most women are interested in how their eyewear looks, while most men are preoccupied with how comfortable their eye wear is. Lets face it, the frame is going to be on your face every single day, so it might as well not only look good but should be durable.

Eye wear is today more than a medical device. It speaks volumes about who we are and what we are about.

Some questions to ask yourself when you visit your eye care practitioner are:

1. How durable is the frame?

2. Think about the type of frame you want: retro or modern, delicate or bold , conservative or “out there”?

3. Do you intend to wear this frame all the time, only at work or just when you go out?

4. Do you prefer a no name brand or would you like a designer label?

5. Colours. Which ones to go for? How should they match to your hair and skin colour.

6. Are there any current fashion trends you really like?

Dr Kenneth Onu is a resident Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Beachmont Eye Institute/Eyes R Us Send questions to: Beachmont@gmail.com

Tel: 784 456-1210