Eyeglasses

Name: Overland, MO
Address: 2533 Woodson Road, St Louis, MO, 63114, US
Telephone: 314-423-3874
Price range: $000 - $300

Can You Use New Lenses for Old Frames?

Everyone drops their eyeglasses sometimes. While your frames may be able to take the abuse, the lenses could easily scratch or crack. When that happens, you may wonder whether you can put new lenses into your old frames. Is it possible and/or advisable to do lens replacement for eyeglasses?

There’s no simple, generic answer to this question. Whether you can insert replacement prescription lenses into your eyeglass frames will be determined by the condition of the frames, their shape, size and curvature, as well as by your prescription requirements. To find out what you can do, we recommend bringing your glasses to our optical store in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri, to show them to our staff; we will gladly evaluate your frames for suitability.

Does the style of frames matter?

If you’re worried about which frame designs can be fit with replacement lenses, it doesn’t make a significant difference. Nowadays, most types of Rx lenses can be crafted to fit every style of frames. However, if style and long-lasting use matter to you, then old frames can be a problem. Even if the old frames have a contemporary look, they’ll age faster and look even more dated during the life span of their new prescription lenses.

It’s also worth noting that if you wear rimless glasses and drop them, there are no frames to protect the lenses, and therefore they’ll get more easily damaged. Obviously, when this happens there are no old frames to accommodate replacement lenses, so you’ll need to purchase everything new.

How are replacement lenses for glasses fit into old frames?

Generally, the frame must be heated to remove the old lenses and then reheated to properly place the new lenses. This process comes with a high likelihood that the plastic will become stressed, making it prone to splitting, cracking or breaking sooner.

What are the benefits of buying new frames?

On the surface, the biggest benefit of purchasing new eyeglasses frames instead of putting new lenses in old frames is it gives you a chance to update your appearance. When you bought those glasses, you may have been in a different mood – and now, you’d rather express your casual and creative attitude instead of your professional, academic one. New eyewear gives you an opportunity to share the new look you want.

New frames are also more durable, because they won’t have undergone the damaging process of being fit with replacement lenses. So you’ll enjoy more years of wearing time ahead.

What are some common reasons to choose new lenses for old frames?

You’ve worn your old frames for years and love them
Your preferred eyeglasses frames are no longer available

If you feel strongly about using your old frames for your new lenses, stop in to speak with one of our optical specialists in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri. We’ll examine your old frames carefully for damage, and if it works to use replacement prescription lenses, then we’ll use high precision and a gentle touch to fit them perfectly.

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 314-423-3874 or book an appointment online to see one of our Overland eye doctors.

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Looking into Progressive Lenses for Your Next Pair of Eyeglasses?

Here’s a few things you should know when considering progressive eyeglass lenses

Let’s start with the basics. Progressive eyeglass lenses are a type of prescription eyewear that corrects vision across a range of distances. Each lens features the seamless integration of multiple prescriptions. One area helps you to see close-up, another area targets intermediate distances, and a third area helps you to focus on objects in the distance.

If you’re considering progressive eyeglasses, most likely you are over 40 and have presbyopia (“age-related farsightedness”). In days of old, bifocals would have been your only option for Rx eyewear. Many people shunned this option because of the unattractive and distracting line that runs through the middle of the lenses of bifocals, separating the prescription powers. Instead, many people chose to carry an additional pair of glasses at all times – reading glasses or readers.

Nowadays, progressive lenses offer an aesthetic, effective and convenient solution that eliminates the need for multiple pairs of glasses. To try this advanced eyewear option, consult with our optometrists in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri. We’ll check your vision, issue a precise prescription, and help you choose the perfect frames from our optical collection to fit your visual needs.

Progressives are custom-made to match your prescription

These lenses are ground in such a way as to accommodate prescriptions for near, medium, and distance vision.

As opposed to traditional Rx lenses, which bend light to a unified focal point so it falls precisely on the retina, progressives bend light to several focal points, depending on where the light enters the lens. Many people find the vision experience of progressives to be more natural.

Progressive eyeglass lenses are crafted according to your exact prescription and visual requirements. So if you spend a lot of time looking at things up-close, a wider view for that Rx power may be best. Or if you work outdoors, you may prefer a larger area of the lens made to provide clear distance vision.

Advantages & disadvantages of progressive eyeglasses

As with everything, there are pros and cons to be aware of. Our eye doctor in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri, has outlined the following:

Pros

One pair of eyeglasses can give you sharp sight across a wide range of distances

Progressive eyeglass lenses provide a seamless, comfortable transition from one Rx power to the next, with no ugly lines

Cons

Progressives can be costlier than bifocals, because the lens technology is more complex

There is usually a transition period necessary for getting used to wearing progressive lenses for the first time. Your view may be distorted initially; this can last hours or days, depending on the person.

We offer only top quality progressive eyeglasses in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri

The eyewear market is saturated with options for progressive eyeglass lenses. Fortunately, there’s no reason for you to wade through all the products, because our eye care team has already navigated for you!

We will perform an eye exam to determine your up-to-date prescription and discuss your lifestyle needs and preferences in order to recommend the most suitable, quality progressives. Book a consultation in our optical stores in Overland and St. Charles to get started.

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How To Prevent “Mask Fog” on Your Glasses

If you wear glasses and a face mask, you’ve probably struggled with “mask fog.” Your lenses get all misty, requiring you to wipe your eyewear throughout the day. Below are a few strategies to help you prevent your eyeglasses from fogging up when wearing a mask.

But First, Why Do Glasses Fog Up?

Quite simply, condensation forms whenever moist warm air hits a cool surface. Your specs fog up when the mask directs your warm breath upward instead of in front of you — which is great for preventing virus transmission but bad for anyone with less-than-stellar eyesight.

Is Your Mask Well Fitted?

The mask should fit securely over your nose. Ideally, you’ll want to wear a mask with a nose bridge or one that can be shaped or molded to your face. When the mask fits properly, hopefully most of your breath will go through it, not out the top or sides.

Use Your Glasses To Seal the Top of Your Mask

This method works best with large, thick eyewear frames. By pulling your mask up higher on your nose and placing the lower part of your eyeglasses on the mask, you can get a snug fit that blocks your warm breath from escaping upward toward your eyewear.

Tape Your Mask to Your Face

You can always use tape to secure your mask across the bridge of your nose and the top of your cheeks. Use easy-to-remove tape, including adhesive, medical, or athletic. Just be sure to stay away from duct tape.

Soap and Water Help Prevent Fogging

This trick is one that healthcare professionals regularly turn to. All you need for this hack is soapy water (dish soap works best) and a microfiber cloth. Stay away from soaps with lotions in them as they can leave a thick residue, making it even harder to see.

Simply rub both sides of your lenses with a drop of soap, then buff the lenses with a soft microfiber cloth. This effective trick helps prevent your lenses from fogging up as a transparent, thin film of soap acts as a barrier.

Anti-Fog Wipes and Sprays

Another option is to purchase wipes and sprays designed to tackle foggy lenses. Read the fine print, as certain anti-fog solutions may not work as well, or may even damage lenses with coatings that minimize glare and fingerprint smudges, for example.

To learn more about ways to keep your glasses from fogging while wearing a mask, contact Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland today.

How can we get you your eyeglasses on the same day?

For most people who need eyeglasses to see, going a day or even a few hours without glasses is not an option. Clear vision is necessary for almost everything you do, including work, play, and driving safely. What happens when you have an accident that breaks your glasses, and you need an emergency pair? No worries, our eye care team understands. That’s why we offer same day service for eyeglasses made on site in our optical stores in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri.

How do we make eyeglasses on the same day?

Simple; we equip our offices with a high-precision edger, so we can make your eyeglasses on site and on time for your busy lifestyle!

When the frames or lenses of your glasses break, it can be an emergency that requires an immediate solution. You don’t have time to place an order for new eyeglasses, and then wait for a few days (with blurry vision) as the optical store sends the frames out to a lab to get the lenses crafted in your prescription. At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we won’t make you wait. You’ll be on your way in no time, with crisp and clear vision.

Same day service – with no compromises

It doesn’t matter which designer frames you choose; we can shape any lens to fit smoothly into any size frames. Our Lab Team shares decades of experience in the optical field, and our opticians are ABO-certified. We offer fast service, with no compromises on quality.

Thanks to our advanced edger technology and exceptional optical staff, we can complete most emergency repairs and craft new lenses for most prescriptions, including progressives, Transitions, and no-glare lenses, on the same day.

Vision is valuable, and so is your time

Make the most of your eyesight and your time with a visit to our optical stores in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri. With our same day service, we’ll make your high quality lenses in our on-site eyeglasses workshop, so you can enjoy sharp vision as soon as possible.

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6 Signs You May Need Glasses

Many people don’t realize they have a vision problem. Perhaps they’ve gone years without glasses and haven’t noticed the gradual change in their vision. Or they’ve noticed a change, but put off a visit to an eye doctor. Regardless of whether you’re experiencing problems, make an appointment with Dr. Sara Schmitz, O.D. to maintain your eye health.

There are many clues that your eyesight needs correcting, such as struggling to read up close, or having trouble seeing street signs, or barely deciphering faces while watching a film. If you’re still not sure you need glasses, consider these 6 questions.

Are You Frequently Squinting and/or Experiencing Headaches?

Unless it’s unusually bright, there’s no reason to be squinting if your vision is clear. Although squinting may briefly enhance your eyes’ ability to focus, if done for too long it can tax your eyes and surrounding muscles, which can result in frequent headaches.

If you have to squint while working on your computer or using digital devices, you may be experiencing not only headaches but also digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. The cure is often a pair of computer glasses, or blue light glasses, which are designed to block out or filter blue light. This can reduce headaches and squinting when using your digital devices.

Are You Struggling to See Up Close?

If the texts on your phone or restaurant menu look blurry, you may be farsighted. While reading glasses are a great option for near tasks, you’ll need to take them off for other activities. Consider getting progressive lenses, which change gradually from point to point on the lens, providing the exact lens power needed for seeing objects clearly at any distance. Progressive lenses help you comfortably see near, far, and in-between all day long.

Do You Struggle to See Things at a Distance?

If you’re having difficulty seeing objects at a distance, you may be myopic (nearsighted). Myopia is the most common cause of impaired vision in children and young adults. Consider a pair of glasses with high-index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than other lenses, along with anti-reflective coating.

Do You Have Blurred Vision at Night?

Are objects or signs more blurry at night? Do you experience halos or glare around lights while driving at night? These may be symptoms of a vision issue, such as myopia — though they can also be attributed to more serious ocular conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma. To know the cause, get your eyes properly evaluated by Dr. Sara Schmitz, O.D..

If determined that it is indeed myopia, consider getting prescription glasses with anti-glare or anti-reflective (AR) coating, as they allow more light in and also cut down on glare. This can dramatically improve night vision and help you see more clearly when driving at night.

Are You Experiencing Double Vision?

If you’ve been experiencing double vision, contact Dr. Sara Schmitz, O.D., who will get to the root of the problem and provide you with a diagnosis. Double vision may be due to crossed eyes (strabismus), or a corneal irregularity, such as keratoconus, or another medical condition.

If you are diagnosed with any of these, you’ll likely need a pair of glasses with a prism correction that helps correct alignment issues. Special lenses prevent you from seeing double by combining two images into a single one.

However, note that if you experience sudden double vision, it may be a medical emergency that should be checked by an eye doctor immediately.

Are You Losing Your Place or Using Your Finger When Reading?

If you’re frequently losing your spot or skipping lines when reading, you may have a vision problem. This could be due to strabismus, lazy eye, or astigmatism.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it is essential to have a highly qualified optometrist examine your eyes to assess your vision and check for any eye diseases — and to do so as soon as possible. This is the only way to determine whether you need glasses or if something else is causing the problem.

Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, it’s important to routinely get your eyes checked. Many eye diseases can be effectively treated before you notice major problems, so regular eye exams are important to maintain eye health. Contact Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland to make an appointment with Dr. Sara Schmitz, O.D.. The sooner you get your vision checked, the faster you’ll be able to see clearly and enjoy a higher quality of life.

What’s the Best Way to Clean Your Eyeglasses?

Did you know that about 50% of all Americans wear corrective glasses? With eyeglasses being so popular, you might assume people would know how to take care of their optical lenses properly, right? Wrong! When surveyed, most eyeglasses wearers respond that they clean their lenses by exhaling onto them and wiping the fog off with their shirt.

Unfortunately, this all-too-common practice can actually damage your eyeglasses. Our experts at Overland Optical Family Eye Care, with optical stores in , St. Charles, Maryland Heights, and the entire city of St. Louis, , Missouri, share the following tips on the best way to clean your glasses.

Eyesight is precious. So are your eyeglasses.

Everyone appreciates the value of clear vision and the importance of doing everything possible to keep your vision safe and healthy. If you think of your eyeglasses as an investment towards your sharp vision, you’ll treat them with the care they deserve.

In addition to purchasing frames for your prescription eyeglasses, you may have chosen to coat the lenses with anti-glare, UV protection, and anti-scratch features. While these coatings are generally durable, they aren’t 100% damage-proof. Cleaning your lenses improperly can cause minor scratches.

What’s the worst way to clean eyeglasses?

The following cleaning solutions or methods rank as the absolute worst ways to treat your eyeglasses, because they can strip the lenses of their coatings and leave fine marks that can create a visual haze.

Window/glass cleaner
Ammonia
Bleach
Vinegar or lemon juice
Toothpaste
Tissues or napkins
Paper towels
Exhaling onto the lenses
Your shirt

What are the best ways to clean eyeglasses?

Keeping your lenses clean and clear is an essential part of optimizing your vision! The best cleansers to use include water, rubbing alcohol, dishwashing liquid, microfiber cloth, and special optical wipes.

Once you’re armed with the right substances, follow these guidelines:

Run your glasses under lukewarm water (NOT hot water).
Using a small drop of dish soap on your fingertips, rub both sides of the lenses and nose pads gently.
Rinse the eyeglasses with warm water and dry gently with a clean microfiber cloth. Because microfiber doesn’t leave lint behind, your lenses should be sparkling clean.
Keep individually-wrapped optical wipes handy so you can clean your eyeglasses throughout the day, as needed. Alternatively, spritz glasses cleaner or even rubbing alcohol from a spray bottle onto the lenses and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

We offer a full line of optical products

Need to stock up on wipes or a spray bottle of solution made especially for cleaning your glasses? Stop by our vision care centers in Overland, St. Charles, Maryland Heights, and the entire city of St. Louis, , Missouri, to make sure you have all the quality eyewear products and accessories you need!

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Coronavirus and Your Eyeglasses

Did you know that our glasses (this includes the lenses and the frame) can potentially transfer viruses, such as COVID-19, to our eyes, nose, and mouth? This is because viruses — as well as bacteria — are easily transferred from our surroundings to our hands and then from our hands to our glasses.

The good news is that disinfecting your glasses is easy! Let’s delve into ways you should and should not disinfect your lenses at home.

What NOT to Use to Cleanse Your Glasses

Many of us may have rubbing-alcohol at home, and although it may seem like a perfectly good idea to use it to disinfect your specs, we discourage you from doing so. It may be too harsh for your eyeglasses, especially if you have any special coatings on your lenses.

Other products you should stay away from include ammonia, bleach, or anything with high concentrations of acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, which can damage lens coatings and some eyewear materials.

How to Safely Disinfect Your Glasses

Now that we’ve eliminated the substances and chemicals that should not be used on your lenses, let’s see what is safe to use to clean eyewear.

Dish Soap and Water

The absolute easiest and most efficient way to disinfect and clean your lenses is to use lukewarm water with a gentle dish soap. Massage the soap onto each lens, rinse, and dry using a microfiber cloth (not paper towels, as the fibers can easily scratch lenses). While you’re at it, don’t forget to include your frame’s nose pads and earpieces.

So, In Summary:

Do not use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your glasses.
Avoid using household cleaners or products with high concentrations of acid.
Clean your glasses with a gentle dish soap and lukewarm water.
Dry your glasses with a microfiber cloth to prevent smudging and scratching.

Disinfecting your glasses shouldn’t be stressful or worrisome. Just follow the easy steps above to protect your lenses and your health.

On behalf of everyone at Overland Optical Family Eye Care in St. Charles and St. Louis, Missouri, we sincerely hope you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe during this uncertain time.

Do Your Glasses Always Fog Up in Winter?

9 Tips for Preventing Fog On Your Eyeglasses

Foggy eyeglasses are a part of life for many people. Sports sunglasses and snowboard goggles often fill with condensation in response to frigid air, and even regular prescription lenses can fog up just because you’re sipping a hot drink in the cold outdoors. Why does this happen? Our opticians in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri, explain what’s going on – and provide helpful tips and tricks on how to prevent humidity white out in optics or laymen’s terms: keep your eyeglasses from fogging up.

Condensation is the cause

When moist heat, such as your breath or humidity in the atmosphere lands on a cold surface, such as your chilled eyeglasses lenses, it cools and transforms into tiny drops of liquid. These droplets, called condensation, create the film that you see as fog.

9 tips for stopping your eyeglasses from fogging up

Anti-fog wipes: this is the easiest fix. The disadvantage of this simple hack is that you have to bring your wipes with you everywhere you go. Stock up on anti-fog wipes at our optical stores in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri.
Anti-fog spray or cream: just like the wipes, anti-fog spray or cream also works well; it’s just a bit less convenient than the wipes.
Clean eyeglasses with shaving cream: apply a small amount of shaving cream on both sides of your lenses, and wipe it off gently with a soft cloth and cold water.
Spread white soap on your lenses: if you don’t have a can of shaving cream handy, white bar soap works as a good alternative. But don’t rinse the soap off with water. Instead, brush it off gently with a dry cloth until your lenses sparkle.
Wipe lenses with saliva: this may be the fastest, cheapest way to prevent fog on your lenses. However, it can also lead to visual distortions, so don’t apply this fix right during sports.
Eyeglasses that fit further from your face: some designs of frames sit further away from your face, providing better ventilation that can prevent condensation because the airborne water evaporates more quickly.
Water-repellent lens coating: purchase eyeglasses with lenses coated with a water-repellent lens coating. The drawback of this solution is that it may prevent you from adding other types of lens coatings.
Anti-fog sports eyeglasses: if you’re an avid outdoors person in the winter, you’ll benefit from buying a specialized pair of sports eyewear; check out our optical collection in Overland and St. Charles, Missouri.
Take off your scarf: depending on the material of your winter scarf, it may be deflecting your breath upwards, where the warm air gets trapped behind your eyeglasses and leads to fog.

Note: these tips are for eyeglasses only; never use wipes, saliva, shaving cream or anything other than contact solution on contact lenses.

De-fog your vision

Whether you live in a very cold climate or you spend a lot of time engaged in winter sports, we can help clear the fogginess from your view. We offer a variety of vision solutions at Overland Optical Family Eye Care, so stop by anytime to discuss the best anti-fog tips for your lifestyle.

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How to Keep Glasses from Getting Foggy

Whether you live in a cold climate or have visited one in the winter, you have probably seen someone who just walked in from the cold outdoors sporting glasses that are no longer transparent, or perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself.

Why Do Glasses Fog Up?

There are several factors that cause your glasses to fog up — one of which is ambient heat, in other words, the actual temperature in your surrounding environment. Eyelashes that touch the lens can cause fogging, as well as tight-fitting frames that touch the cheeks (many plastic frames cause this problem), which impede proper airflow. Lastly, high humidity and the sweat and moisture that accompany overexertion/ exercise can also trigger foggy lenses.

Ultimately, glasses cloud over due to moisture in the air condensing on the cold surface of your lenses.

Now that you know the most common reasons why your glasses fog up, it’s time to read about some possible solutions. Below are a few tips to help keep your lenses clear year-round.

6 Tips to Steer Clear of Cloudy Specs

1. Invest in Anti-Fog Coating

Anti-fog coating blocks out moisture that would normally stick to your lenses, by creating a surface layer that repels water and mist. An optician applies the treatment to both sides of the lens in order to prevent fogging so you can see clearly in any climate or environment.

Ask us about our proven anti-fog treatment for your glasses and be on your way to clearer vision, all the time.

2. Use Anti-Fog Wipes, Sprays, or Creams

Commercial anti-fog products are an alternative to lens coatings. These products, typically sold in either gel or spray form, are specially designed to prevent condensation and moisture from building up on your lenses. Apply the product as directed on the packaging and remove it with the supplied cloth, wipe or towelette. If a cloth wasn’t included in the box, use a scratch-free cloth.

Aside from the gel or spray, you can use anti-fog wipes. These pre-treated napkins are perfect for those who are on the go.

3. Move Your Glasses Further Away from Your Face

Eyeglasses tend to trap moisture and heat, particularly if they are positioned close to your eyes or face, which increases the buildup of fog on your lenses. Consider adjusting the position of your eyewear by pushing your glasses slightly further down your nose. It will stimulate proper air circulation, thereby reducing fog accumulation.

4. Wear Your Seasonal Accessories Wisely

If the weather cools down, try not to wear too many layers, to prevent overheating and producing sweat, which can make your glasses to fog up more. Wear only the necessary amount of clothing to stay warm. If you’re wearing a scarf, consider one with an open weave or a more breathable material to let the air pass through.

5. Avoid Abrupt Temperature Changes

Allow your eyewear to acclimate to changes in temperature. If you are moving from an environment that is cold into one which is warm and humid, try to let your glasses adjust accordingly.

For instance:

As you enter a building, stand in the doorway for a minute or two as the temperature slowly transitions from cool to warm.
When in the car, gradually adjust the heat, particularly when your hands aren’t free to simply remove your glasses and wipe off the fog.

Fogged up glasses are not only irritating but can also be dangerous, especially for those who drive, ski, or operate machinery. So make sure to take the necessary precautions, especially as the weather changes.

6. Swap Glasses for Contact Lenses

If contacts are an option for you, you might want to wear them on those cold days, to avoid foggy glasses syndrome (yeah, that’s a made-up term).

Want to keep your glasses from fogging up? Speak with Dr. Sara Schmitz, O.D.. At Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland, we can advise you about a variety of contact lenses, anti-fog treatment and other solutions to help you see clearly— any day.