Opto-Réseau Advice

Our professionals propose in this section a variety of tips that inform you adequately. Consult it regularly because our tips will be added frequently.

Contact lens technology has changed significantly in recent years and 1 day lenses today are increasingly popular due to their convenience. Replacing these lenses every day ensures better comfort and also reduces the risk of complications from infection.

1 day lenses are ideal for active people like athletes and frequent travellers since they require no maintenance. No need to always carry around your solutions and your case. We also know that sports and glasses do not always mix. For example, during contact sports, risk of breakage is high, not to mention the discomfort caused by your glasses slipping on your nose. In addition, it will be easier to wear certain protective equipment, such as a helmet or visor, if you wear contact lenses.

So 1 day lenses have several advantages, especially if you're a casual wearer. They are also available for almost all visual corrections. Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism or presbyopia, talk to your Opto-Réseau eye care professional.

Frames are more than ever fashion accessories that can enhance your look. It is therefore important to choose a frame that will respect the balance and lines of your face. Even if faces generally appear oval, seven different shapes exist.

Round Face

Like Cameron Diaz and Christina Ricci, your face is round with rounded cheeks and chin where the height and width of your face are balanced? You should opt for a frame with sharp angles and geometric shapes that contrast with the curves of your face. Rectangular frames will refine your face and make it look longer.

You should especially avoid large round frames that accentuate the roundness of your face and make it appear smaller. This type of frame will give you a juvenile air. 

Square Face

Your face is rather square like Demi Moore, Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt? The square shape is defined by a balance between the height and width of your face, angular shapes, a square chin, a broad forehead and a pronounced jaw. In this case, a slim frame with an oval, round or butterfly shape is advised.

A frame with geometric forms should be avoided since it would accentuate the angularity of your face and draw attention to the chin, giving you an air of severity. 

Oval Face

If you have an oval face, you represent 80% of people, as well as Julia Roberts and Beyonce Knowles. The oval faces have balanced proportions with a chin slightly narrower than the forehead and higher cheekbones. You are lucky because most frame shapes will fit you, especially square and rectangular ones. Angles will highlight the curves of your face, but avoid frames that are too large.

Rectangular Face

Like Sarah Jessica Parker and Denzel Washington, your face is rectangular? This means that it is longer than wide with angular shapes, high cheekbones, a relatively long nose and a relatively high forehead.

You should opt for an oval frame that is relatively large. Also, choosing a frame with rounded and fine edges can soften your face.

You should especially avoid frames with geometric shapes and right angles as they accentuate the severe aspect of your face. Small frames are not recommended, because the height of your face will be even more evident.

Diamond Face

Your face is diamond-shaped like Madonna, Scarlett Johansson and Reese Whitherspoon? So you have a face that is narrow at the eyes, with a fine forehead and chin, angular forms and rounded cheekbones.

We recommend that you focus on frames that will balance your face. In this case, oval, frameless (pierced) or butterfly-shaped glasses will achieve this result through their raised ends. In addition, your cheekbones will be highlighted. For more extroverted people, extravagant frames whose focus is on the upper-side of the branches may also be suitable.

However, you should avoid wearing frames that are too narrow, since they would draw attention to the eye line.

Triangular face

A triangle-shaped face will have a wider forehead than its chin, which will be narrower, like Keira Knightley or at the opposite, a wider jaw and a narrow forehead, like the beautiful Jennifer Aniston.

In both cases, the goal is to soften the part of the face that is wider and bring attention to the narrowest part. To give the impression of a wider chin, choose a thin frame that does not clutter the upper face and avoid frames that are too wide. This is why rimless frames can be a good choice for you. However, to soften your chin, opt for a colorful frame or with a lot of details that draw attention to the upper part of your face.

Heart-shaped face

A heart-shaped face features a slightly wider forehead and cheekbones and a chin that is narrower than the upper face. We can see this shape on the faces of Katie Holmes, Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio. This type of shape is similar to oval faces, so you can prioritize square or rectangular frames that will mitigate the curves of your face. You should obviously avoid round or oval frames in order to keep a balance. Most colors are a good choice for you, but be sure to choose a color that blends well with your skin tone and hair.

We have known for a long time that ultraviolet rays are harmful to health. One wears a hat or cap and regularly applies sunscreen to protect from the sun, but what about our eyes? 

The effects of ultraviolet rays on your eyes

Sun protection is increasingly important these days and protecting your eyes is also paramount. Ultraviolet light is invisible to the eye but not without danger. Overexposure to ultraviolet rays can therefore cause serious eye problems such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and lesions of the retina that can lead to blindness.

It is obvious that everyone should protect their eyes, but children need special attention. Before age 10, the lens is still transparent and does not block UV rays as would that of an adult. This is why it is important that children, from an early age, wear good sunglasses. Do not hesitate to go to an Opto-Reseau clinic with your child. There are several models of sunglasses that will fit the face of the child and their personality. The elderly are also more likely to be affected by ultraviolet rays especially if they have already been operated for cataracts.

Choosing the right sunglasses

Here are some important tips for choosing sunglasses with maximum protection: 

• Make sure your sunglasses have 100% UV protection, against both UVA and UVB rays.
• For sports, go for polycarbonate lenses for their lightness and shock resistance.
• Try polarized lenses. They have the ability to reduce glare caused by reflection. They are by far the best choice for driving and outdoor activities such as fishing, cycling, jogging or boating.
• Choose a design that you like and that will be comfortable for a long time. Do not hesitate to have your sunglasses adjusted by your Opto-Reseau eyecare professiona. A well-adjusted frame will always be more comfortable so you will not tend to remove it after a while.
• Dare to try frames with large lenses or larger branches. They will protect you better from ultraviolet rays than smaller frames.
• Different shades of sun lenses are available. Choose the color that will provide better protection according to your activities and your lifestyle. Do you work on the road? Are you a golf, cycling or gardening enthusiast? Talk to your Opto-Reseau eyecare professional, he will advise you according to your needs.
• Your eye care professional is the best person to advise you when the time comes to buy sunglasses. This will ensure they have the necessary level of protection and that your glasses are of good quality.

Sunglasses are for many of us symbols of summer, beach and heat. Despite this idea, they should not be set aside in the winter!

In fact, the main purpose of sunglasses is to protect eyes from the sun and you should know that UV rays don’t take a break during the winter. Rather, they are harmful and active throughout the year, even when the sky is cloudy or temperatures are below 0. An estimated 42% of UV rays reach our eyes when we are not in direct sunlight, especially when the weather is cloudy.

In winter, sunlight is reflected primarily on snow and water, which creates glare. If you plan to practice winter sports, it is even more important to wear good sunglasses. The reason is simple: UV rays increases by 10% for every 1000 meters of altitude and pure snow and can reflect up to 85% of UV rays. Surfaces such as sand and water have a lower potential for reflection and thus create less glare.

You now have several good reasons not to leave your sunglasses behind for the winter season. With so many styles of sunglasses available, take the time to select the frame that you like and that will fit your personality. Thus, you will not hesitate to wear your sunglasses and you can protect your eyes at the same time.

Sources : Info-lunettes, Naître et grandir et Santé Canada

Informational Videos

To learn more about vision and ocular health, please view the videos below. Once you have selected a video to watch, you can select the languague by clicking on "Language" in the upper right corner of the viewer.