I have a couple pair of beautiful Costa Del Mar sunglasses that I
purchased more than 10 years ago, and I fear the day that I might have
to replace them, so I'm always on the lookout for the "next pair" to
protect my eyes.
I
spend a fair amount of time driving, and my previous commute was into
the sun both ways: into the sunrise on my way to work, and into the
sunset on my way home. Because I am short, the sun visor never provided
enough shade for me, so these two pairs of sunglasses were my constant
companions.
Why two pairs, you ask? Because I have goofy
eyeballs. I see near with one, and far with the other, and sometimes I
wear prescription eyeglasses, and sometimes I wear a contact, in just
one eye. So, depending on what's in my eye or on my face, somedays, I
need sunglasses with prescription, and somedays I don't.
I've
had two press releases for sunglasses cross my desk lately, and both of
them were so interesting, I thought it might be useful to share them
here.
First is a pair of sunglasses designed to fit over my regular prescription glasses, called "Fitovers." Designed by Jonathan Paul Eyewear,
these glasses are lightweight and feature polarized lenses that block
harmful UV rays and blue light to ensure the safety and health of your
eyes. These lenses help reduce eye strains and pains from bright glares
like the sunlight reflecting on your windshield, without requiring you
to switch glasses whenever your prescription changes. Fitovers lenses
are treated with an oleophobic treatment that prevents water and
fingerprints from adhering to the lens, and a Duo Hard Coat ensures
these your glasses can travel in your purse or luggage without getting
scratched.
Fitovers are available in a wide variety of fashionable fit sizes,
frame options, and color choices, all tailored to each person's style
and lifestyle requirements. With a suggested retail price of just under
$50, they're stylish and affordable enough that you can keep spares in
both your glovebox and purse. Choosing a pair is easy, thanks to the downloadable fit guide,
which helps users determine which of the frame designs will fit over
their own prescription glasses. The company was kind enough to send me
a sample pair in the Aurora frame style, and they wrap quite nicely
over my own Gucci prescription frames. I think they're comfortable and
wrap snugly enough that no light can sneak in between the frames and my
face, though my 15-year-old fashion-advisor son thinks they look a
little big on my face. To locate a dealer in your area, visit the
Fitovers website at www.fitovers.com
The second is a fancier pair of Night Vision glasses from Tag Heuer:
These innovative glasses correct low-light short-sightedness that
drivers endure from twilight to sunrise, claiming to optimize precision
and enhance perception of contrasts for more comfort while driving at
night. Featuring "Tag Heuer Reflex-type" flexible temples, they are
adjustable and should fit comfortably under motorcycle and racing
helmets. These glasses are specifically designed to maximize driving
performance from dusk to dawn.
The
titanium Night Vision frames are available in both Wide and Panorama,
with anti-slip elastomere arms, at a suggested retail price of about
$430. Their pale yellow lenses offer clear, sharp vision with a very
high light transmission rate and promise to contrast dark blue and
green surroundings without changing color perception. The special
ophthalmic lenses offer an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces
glare and offers more accurate sight.
Originally inspired by
and developed for the internationally renowned 24 Hours of LeMans
sports car endurance race, Tag Heuer Eyewear plans to market their
purpose-made "Night Vision" eyeglasses via real racecar drivers, so
look for them on Formula One racer Sebastien Bourdais and Indianapolis
500 driver Sarah Fisher. Authorized retailers (usually optometrist
offices) can order these glasses with a prescription, so you can get
them customized for your own vision requirements. For more information
on Tag Heuer's Eyewear full line, including authorized retailers, visit
www.tagheuer.com/eyewear.
So
there you have it: There's something here for you, regardless of
whether you want to invest in a fancy pair of glasses for performance
night driving, or just want to keep a simple pair of glasses handy to
fit over your own prescription lenses. Take your choice and stop
squinting!
By Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty.com Editor
costa del mar
