Category: Eyeglasses- frames

Opticians In Training – Part 2

Heather, David and Jordan never have fun on the optician training journey

Becoming an optician is a combination of on the job training and study. Our new opticians learn about visual disorders, the physics of lenses and the variety of progressive lens designs from texts and webinars at the same time as they work with patients and apply this knowledge. The combined approach is really important and results in a lot of “a-ha!” moments. The opticians in training listen to a patient’s past experience and might be able to solve problems because of a webinar on freeform progressive lenses. It is great to watch this new crew learn on the way to becoming highly trained professional opticians!

Jordan measures the optical center height for a single-vision patient.
Jordan and David discuss lens options with a patient

Heather listens to a patient’s thoughts on frame options

We are thankful for many wonderful resources the opticians in training are using including:

ECP Advantage from Walman Optical – on demand and live webinars from the optician training department at Walman Optical.

Optician Works – training videos from Laramy K Optical Lab.

Our product partners including Lauren from Shamir, Addie from l.a. Eyeworks and Feb31st eyewear, Ciara from Lafont, and many more!

The part-time veteran opticians who provide in person training a few times each week – Jill and Margaret!

With strong attention to detail, a desire to learn, and a natural focus on problem-solving customer service – our three new opticians are in just a few months becoming amazing opticians. Becoming a licensed optician is a three year process. The requirements include 6,000 hours of job hours and passing two board certification tests, ABO and NCLE*. We’re excited to support the opticians in training in this goal as they help patients achieve the best vision in their glasses on the way!

*American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examination

Welcome to Bellingham l.a. Eyeworks!

The team at Binyon Vision Center LOVES bringing unique, fun, independent eyewear to our patients. We are so excited to introduce l.a. Eyeworks to our community!

In 1979, two women opened a storefront on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles with the goal to change the way people looked at eyewear. Over forty years and hundreds of imaginative designs later, l.a. Eyeworks is an internationally recognized brand, known for quality and originality. The original owners Barbara McReynolds & Gai Gherardi still begin each design with a pencil sketch and are heavily involved in every aspect of the design from concept to materials, manufacturing to marketing.

In 1981, the brand launched an ad campaign with over 200 celebrities and “cultural provocateurs” modeling the frames in stunning black and white images with the tagline – “A face is a work of art. It deserves a great frame.”

We could not agree more! We look forward to seeing these great frames on many works of art around Bellingham!

See more of the l.a. Eyeworks line and story at: http://www.laeyeworks.com/.

Glasses of Binyon – Michelle Grandy – Seeing with Style

“I’ve always thought that if you have to wear glasses you should go big and choose beautiful, fun, or funky ones. You can’t hide them so why not show them off,”

Meet Michelle!

anne et valentin, michelle grandy in glasses and bike, happy binyon patient

She has been a fellow four-eyed friend since the seventh grade. Her mom always made sure that she had cool glasses, so she’s been keen on stylish specs since she was a kiddo.

“I’ve always thought that if you have to wear glasses you should go big and choose beautiful, fun, or funky ones. You can’t hide them so why not show them off,” she remarks.

This sentiment is reflected in Michelle’s frames of choice at Binyon. Sporting the ever-present and spunky Anne at Valentin or her favorite cat eye Lafont frames, Michelle can be spotted receiving compliments all around town. With a prescription as strong as hers, Michelle delights in the opportunity to wear contacts as well as the prospect of corrective surgery. However, she revels in what her frames can offer her, too. As an introvert, she has been given many opportunities to meet people she otherwise would not have.

anne et valentin, michelle grandy in glasses and bike, happy binyon patient

“I get compliments about my glasses all the time from all different kinds of people. I’m introverted so don’t often go out of my way to make connections with strangers. The compliments are a sweet way to connect with a person I may not have chatted with otherwise. The compliments also make me feel like I’ve made the right choice in the frames I’ve chosen. Sometimes I second guess myself and then the first time someone tells me they like my glasses I know the choice was a good one.”

Michelle is a loyal Binyonite, and we couldn’t be happier to continue working with her. Describing her relationship with her glasses in five words or less, Michelle states, “they make me look good!”

anne et valentin, michelle grandy in glasses and bike, happy binyon patient

Thank you for choosing us, Michelle, and you look fantastic!

Other Glasses of Binyon stories:
Lloyd Christensen
Andy Thom
Emily Ufkes
Susan Johnston
Clark Family

Link to our frame lines:
Frames

Glasses of Binyon – Lloyd Christensen – Extreme Glasses Wearer

Lloyd Christensen – Durable is Key

Lloyd came to our office soon after he moved to Bellingham in 2011.  When we took pictures in Whatcom Falls Park this summer with Katheryn Moran photography, he laughed “It feels like you guys have watched me grow up.  The first time I came I was a kid with no idea what I wanted to do with my life!”  Now a nursing assistant at the Hospice House planning on nursing school soon after a few more prerequisites, watching Lloyd grow up has been awesome.  One thing is consistent in the last 7 years is that he pretty much lives on his mountain bike.mt biking ovvo glasses whatcom falls park binyon vision center glasses indestructible

 

In 2015 when Lloyd sat down with Sarah she reviewed some notes on his past glasses including several warranty replacements.  “I’m pretty hard on stuff” Lloyd admitted.  Sarah directed him to our Ovvo Optics display, “I think we’re going to find the perfect frame for you here.”  As we described in our last post here, Ovvo has developed a proprietary material and hinge design with unmatched strength and flexibility.  We have not seen a more durable frame design.  Lloyd picked out his first Ovvo frame and everything was going well.  Until one day he watched the glasses fly off his girlfriend’s car and get run over.  We replaced the frame and lens under warranty.

mt biking ovvo glasses whatcom falls park binyon vision center glasses indestructible

“When I would break my frames or mess up my lenses I knew I didn’t have to flip out because I had a kick butt warranty.  It seems small but for someone who is rough on his toys it meant a lot to know it was one less thing to worry about.”  Lloyd told me.

“Breaking stuff is kind of a theme in my life,” he explains.  During our photo shoot, Lloyd’s favorite bike was broken so he rode a bike he rebuilt for his dad.  Thankfully Lloyd is a skilled mechanic and resourceful!  His basement is fully outfitted to tear down and rebuilt bikes from components he finds all over Washington.

As far as resourceful, he’s made a great choice sticking with the most durable frames on earth with Ovvo Optics and an optical family who will take care of him.  mt biking ovvo glasses whatcom falls park binyon vision center glasses indestructible

“There was a period of time after I moved to Bellingham that I saw you guys more than my family.   They’re far away and also I kept finding new and exciting ways to break my glasses… The Binyon staff obviously loves what they do and I always feel that love when I come in.”

mt biking ovvo glasses whatcom falls park binyon vision center glasses indestructible

Thank you Lloyd!  We appreciate you and it was great to do this blog post and photoshoot with you and Katheryn Moran Photography.

Glasses of Binyon – Emily Ufkes

“Just wanted to let you know how great my Ovvo glasses are…”

… began an email from Emily.  “Several months ago, my toddler snatched them off my face and bent them in HALF.  Besides a small crease, the frames were unharmed and I’m wearing them daily.  But we had a long talk about  how fragile (most) glasses are.”

ovvo glasses toddler proof elizabeth park katheryn moran photography

Emily was referencing her 2nd out of 3 pairs of Ovvo Optics glasses frames.  She found her first pair in 2015, soon after her precious son Raylan was born.  Little did she know as a new mom she was making a wise investment in the most durable glasses frames.

Ovvo Optics Glasses Design and Technology

toddler wearing mom's ovvo sunglasses elizabeth park

What drew Emily to the Ovvo frames was how light and comfortable they are – plus fun shapes and colors.  These are two of Ovvo’s design goals for their frame line – the third was durability.  In seeking a material that was very lightweight and strong, the company could not find one that met their needs- so they forged their own metal, a combination of surgical stainless steel and titanium that had not been made before and is now manufactured with a patented process by Ovvo (more technical details here: https://ovvooptics.com/technology/).

This hypoallergenic material offers remarkable lightness, flex memory and strength.  From an optician’s standpoint the strong material is tough to move during an adjustment but we have confidence when we get it into position- it will stay there- preventing the relaxing that can happen with plastic frames.  I like to joke it’s the only pair of glasses I can fall asleep in and they aren’t at all crooked in the morning.

Emily’s hooked on Ovvo glasses

Back to Emily – she’s on her 3rd pair of Ovvo frames now as Raylan just passed his 3rd birthday.  Coincidence?  Probably not… toddler proof?  Definitely, as her story above shows.

ovvo glasses mom and son playing dinosaurs elizabeth park

When we sat down to pick her second pair in December of 2017- she said, definitely Ovvo.  We found one of the great pairs from the latest collection that incorporates a cut-out design, one of the latest eyewear trends.  She loved them, and when I pulled out the catalog to see the other colors, she fell deeper in love with the Sapphire color.  We ordered it in but started the lenses using the stock frame.   When the lenses came back she could choose between the two colors.  I love giving patients this option – they have two choices of frame color to pick from when they come to pick up their lenses and we can pop the completed lenses

into the favorites and they are on their way- looking amazing of course.

ovvo glasses mom playing airplanes with son elizabeth park

Don’t forget sunglasses!

Since I had the catalog out as we were looking at alternate colors- Emily started to look at their amazing sunglasses options.  I noticed she has an awesome insurance plan through the local credit union she works for and her insurance would be available again in January – mere weeks away.  She got a little giddy at the idea of having prescription Ovvo sunglasses.  I’d remembered seeing an awesome design at an Ovvo trunk show we had done and showed her the catalog.  “That’s the one!” she cried and we ordered it in in Shiny red!  When she came to pick up her new glasses and choose the color, the sunglasses had arrived!  We were able to make the frame measurements, wait until the calendar flipped to 2018 and order these beautiful sunglasses.

ovvo lolita sunglasses with toddler elizabeth park

Emily, Raylan and I had a marvelous photoshoot with the talented Katheryn Moran of Katheryn Moran Photography to highlight these wonderful frames.  It was fun to watch Mommy and son share such natural tender moments.  We are glad to see that these frames have become a beautiful part of her look and an indispensable tool in her mommy bag.  With all the things the Mama’s have to worry about- broken glasses can be crossed off the list with Ovvo eyewear.

ovvo glasses on a diaper bag with toddler essentials

2018 Lafont Trunk Show June 5th!

You Are Invited to the 2018 Lafont Trunk Show!

Lafont Trunk Show at Binyon Vision Center

Please join us for a special opportunity to see the entire Lafont Paris line of frames at our Lafont Trunk Show. There will be every frame, every color, and over 500 additional frames in the store!

Lafont Trunk Show at Binyon Vision Center

In addition to frames, we will have great refreshments, a photobooth, and raffle prizes from some of our favorite downtown shops.

Lafont Trunk Show at Binyon Vision Center

When? Tuesday June 5th – 10am – 4pm

Where? Binyon Vision Center 411 E. Magnolia Street

Why? Because we love Lafont and you will too!

No RSVP necessary – please come by!  We look forward to seeing you!

See the Facebook event here and say you’re going or interested to get a notification reminder on the day of the event!

Glasses of Binyon – Andy Thom

There’s a story behind every pair of glasses…

… and in Andy’s case, it’s two pairs of glasses.  As systems administrator at a local credit union, Andy spends between 10-14 hours per day in front of a computer screen.

systems administrator wearing the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi photographed by Katheryn Moran PhotographyAll Photos: Katheryn Moran Photography

Andy has worn prescription computer glasses for several years.  Before the specialized glasses, his eyes were always tired and he fought daily headaches. In contrast, Dr. McEathron’s computer prescription brings the screen into focus for Andy and relieves his eye strain.

systems administrator wearing the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi photographed by Katheryn Moran Photography

Digital Eye Strain

The Vision Council (www.visioncouncil.org) defines digital eye strain as physical discomfort that can occur after 2 hours of computer or other digital device use.  Types of physical discomfort include eye fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision and neck and back pain. So, why does digital eye strain occur?  When you work at a computer, your eyes are having to focus and refocus as you read, look at your keyboard, look around the room and back to the screen.  In addition, the screen adds constant glare, contrast and flicker – plus it emits high energy blue light.  Blue light gives screens their brightness. Likewise, that bright, high energy light that can overload the visual system and add to the eye strain.

systems administrator wearing the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi photographed by Katheryn Moran Photography

Shamir Blue Zero                                                 

Andy’s most recent lenses, computer glasses, use a new material called Shamir Blue Zero.  This material absorbs blue light, but appears clear unlike many blue-light blocking products that have a yellowish tint.  Finally, it combines excellent blue light protection with optical clarity- something that’s not available with any other similar product available on the market.  Blue Zero is available in single vision, office progressive and general progressive lenses manufactured by Shamir USA.  Contact us if you have questions on availability of this material.

Furthermore, when he’s not on the computer, Andy wears a different pair of glasses.  These are his distance prescription so they work well for driving, watching movies and hiking with his wife and dogs. He finds himself putting them on as soon as he goes away from the computer because he likes seeing the world around him more clearly.

systems administrator wearing computer glasses the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi photographed by Katheryn Moran PhotographyAndy is wearing the OGI Eyewear 4807 in grey demi.

Thank you to Andy for participating in this photoshoot and your feedback on your computer glasses.
Grattitude to Camber Coffee for allowing us to use your beautiful location.
Much appreciation to the very talented Katheryn Moran of Katheryn Moran Photography.

Face a Face Trunk Show

February 15th ♥ 10am – 4pm ♥ Face a Face Trunk Show

Please join us for the 2018 Face a Face Trunk Show!  Hard to say if there are any frames COOLER than Face à Face… you have to keep some of these styles on ice!face a face hello trunk show katheryn moran photography

 

 

The breadth of collection covers a day at the coffee shop…

face a face yokko trunk show katheryn moran photography

or a night out on the town…

face a face hello trunk show katheryn moran photography

We will be delighted if you join us to see the entire collection for our Valentine’s Theme trunk show on February 15th.  In addition to hundreds of beautiful frames, there will be sweet treats, lovely gifts and show specials.  Please be our guest. Prepare to fall in love at first sight with a beautiful pair of Face à Face frames!

face a face trunk show katheryn moran photography

 

See a preview of the full collection: www.faceaface-paris.com

Facebook Event – Click going or interested for day of reminder HERE

Anne et Valentin Trunk Show

November 14th ♥ 10am – 4pm

Anne et Valentin eyewear show Anne et Valentin eyewear show Anne et Valentin eyewear show Anne et Valentin eyewear show

Join us and fall in love with your new frames.  The most stunning, thoughtful, provoking eyewear collection you will ever see.  A masterful designer influenced by Pop Art, the Beat generation and Art Deco married an optician with an exceptional attention to detail and passion for quality and the result is Anne et Valentin eyewear.  It’s a true love story and we can’t wait to share the passion behind this beautiful, handmade eyewear.

For a preview – please visit Anne et Valentin.

Tuesday, November 14th – 10am – 4pm.

To RSVP and have a day-of reminder – click “Going” or “Interested” on the Facebook event site HERE.

Lucy’s First Glasses

Survey says! Parents talk about back-to-school eyecare

VSP (Vision Service Plan) Vision Care released the results of a survey (see full article here) sent to 1,000 US parents on the topic of children’s eye exams this month with interesting results:

  • 80% of parents say “back to school eye exams are important for my kids” … yet only 50% of parents actually do it
  • One third of parents think that annual eye exams are unnecessary
  • Half of parents don’t know that 1 out of 4 kids have some kind of vision problem
  • 83% of parents take their kids to the dentist every year, but only 56% of parents take their kids to the optometrist every year

When as much as 80% of a child’s learning is visual- we would love to see these survey numbers grow to show a more proactive approach to children’s vision and eye health in Whatcom County.

I told our friend Lucy’s mom Carly about these survey results and she was kind enough to share her story about Lucy’s experience with getting her first pair of glasses at five years old:

Lucy’s First Glasses

“I knew something was up. She was always saying that she could see just fine, but it was in the little things, like inching closer to the tv and complaining about bright lights. The thing was, it didn’t stop my feisty five-year-old from turning cartwheels, hitting baseballs or even reading. And even when I brought up my concern at her yearly checkup, it wasn’t clear if Lucy’s vision was  impaired or if it was just her age. And so I put it off.

children's first glasses photographed by Carly Navarette
But after getting a recommendation from Lucy’s kindergarten class, I finally made an appointment to see an optometrist. My suspicions were right and actually much worse than I would’ve guess. She’s near-sighted, far-sighted and her vision was warped from astigmatism. As I understood it, if she were an adult, this would make her legally blind. BUT since we caught this early enough, we are working towards improving and reversing this.
The fun part was picking out new frames. We headed over to see Caitlin at Binyon Vision. She and the staff were incredibly helpful and patient. Likewise, they helped us find and fit the perfect pair for Lucy. She loves her red frames!
children's first glasses photographed by Carly Navarette
I remember when she first put them on how she started pointing to her brothers moles on his face that she had never seen before. She was silent (a rarity) the whole way home while looking out the car window. It’s opened up a new world of clarity and detail.
children's first glasses photographed by Carly Navarette
Her steadily improving vision is the best part about getting started with glasses now. Over these past nine months, her prescriptions have incrementally corrected her eyesight. They have helped her eyes develop and become stronger on their own.
80% of learning is visual for kids, and 50% of parents choose to skip annual eye exams. I hope Lucy’s story encourages other parents to have their kids’ eyesight tested early and regularly.”
children's first glasses photographed by Carly Navarette
photographer: Carly Navarette (lifestyle photographer in the Pacific Northwest – learn more here)