Eyewear as a Christmas/New Year Gift? Tips for Choosing The Right One

Sunglasses and Eyewear Gift Ideas for the Holidays

When it is difficult to find a suitable Christmas or New Year gift for the person who appears to have everything, finding and choosing something unusual and special isn’t easy among your usual list of Christmas gifts. This challenge can easily be achieved successfully by looking at sunglasses as a gift or perhaps other eyewear gift ideas.

Choosing Christmas gifts can be extremely stressful, especially when you wish to choose with great care and consideration and look for the perfect present to match the particular individual.
Sunglasses always make a special gift
Certainly, sunglasses are not usually the first thought that would come to mind when you consider the best gifts for Christmas, but in reality, there is such a variation of choice between the various brands and designer labels that you can choose an awesome and stylish pair of sunglasses as a gift, knowing that you will also be providing the opportunity for friends and family to protect their eyes correctly.

Just as you can never have too many T-shirts, the same also applies to sunglasses. It is best to check whether the individual has a preference for specific brands or is open to considering alternatives, which gives you a much greater range for you to complete your Christmas gifts.

You can choose sunglasses by visiting stores in your favorite mall, or clicking through a range of online images until you find the model that is perfect, as your gift.
Do not neglect the stocking fillers
When you are looking for Christmas gifts with a smaller price tag, there are many other eyewear gift ideas that you can choose from, without breaking your bank account. You can also use the opportunity to help owners care for the glasses that they use currently, especially as many people tend to forget how to look after their glasses, just a few days after the initial purchase.

Many people purchase a single glasses case and always leave it in the wrong room when they remove their glasses. As one of the best gifts for Christmas, you could purchase spare cases so that your recipient can always store their glasses safely, in almost any room in their home.

For the people who appear to constantly wear smeared and dirty glasses, the purchase of a glass cleaning cloth can be one of the best gifts for Christmas that they will ever receive. Using the corner of a slightly soiled T-shirt is never going to provide a person’s glasses with the best clean, but with so many designs and colors available, you can easily purchase a relatively inexpensive gift that will be well received and regularly used in the year ahead.

You will know which individuals enjoy wearing their glasses on a chain or cord and if they’ve been using the same one for a number of years, this will provide you with Christmas gift ideas as you seek out local jewelry artists, who make awesome individual designs which will become your perfect gift choice.

There is a multitude of eyewear gift ideas with a complete variety of purchase prices, making your carefully thought about gift perfect for the recipient.

10 Eye Exercises You Should Do Everyday

Can you think of the number of ways in which we exert our eyes every single day? Watching TV, working on computers, texting on our mobile phones and working on our laptops or tablets all require us to tax our eyes nonstop. Not many of us realize that by overexerting our eyes, we not only weaken their strength, but also end up compromising our vision.

Exercises For Tired EyesBeing vital organs and our windows to the outside world, eyes need to be taken care of in the best way possible. One way of doing that is to use American Eyeglass Repair for any major or minor repairs needed on your eye-wear. Combine that with some effective eye exercises and you can ensure your eyes’ wellness.

Ten Eye Exercises to Perform Daily

If you are wondering how to exercise eyes, here are 10 ways you can accomplish the task easily and in no time:

1. Blinking – This is perhaps the easiest and most natural form of eye exercise because, much like breathing, your body inherently does it every couple of second. We may often ignore the urge to blink while working on computers or watching TV, which can dry our eyes out and make them feel irritable. Make it a point to blink every four seconds, no matter how busy you get during the day.

2. Open and shut – This exercise is somewhat similar to blinking, except that it requires you to close your eyes for a relatively long time. Shut your eyes tightly for three to five seconds, and then open them for the same length of time. Continue this exercise for up to eight times.

3. Massaging eyelids – This simple exercise not only helps relax your eye muscles, but also improves their blood circulation. Close your eyes for a couple of minutes and lightly massage them in circles. Before you start the massage, however, do make sure that your fingers are completely clean.

4. Eye roll – Usually an eye roll signifies skepticism, but not in the case of this exercise. First roll your eyes in the clockwise direction, and then roll them back counterclockwise. Blink as you complete one clockwise-counterclockwise set. Complete five sets.

Eye Rolling Exercise5. Follow the infinity symbol – You can also call this one a “horizontal” eight exercise. Draw the infinity symbol big enough for you to easily see from a distance of 10 feet, and then hang it at a point 10 feet away from you. Now sit in a relaxed position and make your eyes slowly roll so as to trace the horizontal eight. Do once from both directions.

6. Close and distant focusing – This exercise helps stretch your eye muscles. Concentrate your eyes on a far-off object (approximately 50 feet away) for 10-15 seconds, and then shift your gaze to a nearby object (30 feet or less away). Repeat this process five times.

7. The pencil exercise – Hold a pencil in your hand and stretch your arm as far out as you can. Focus your eyes on the pencil and then slowly start moving your arm inward, bringing the pencil closer to your eyes. Keep following the pencil with your gaze till it becomes out of focus. Continue for up to 10 times.

8. Cover your eyes – This exercise is all about knowing how to rest your eyes. Place your palms loosely on your eyes, allowing enough room to blink without trouble. Even a few minutes of this exercise will help your eyes relax.

9. Light pressure approach – Close your eyes and apply light pressure on your eyelids with three fingers of each of your hands. Make sure you do not press lightly. Do this five times, taking a couple of seconds each time.

10. Do the clockwork – Sit in front of a wall clock, concentrating on the center first. Then, look at any number on the clock without turning your head at all. Bring your gaze back to the center and repeat till you have done all 12 hour marks.

Reading Glasses

Blog Overview:

Think reading glasses are just for seniors? Think again. This guide explores the modern evolution of readers, from luxury Maui Jim sunglasses to why a professional eye exam is better than a “drugstore guess.”

Is it Time for Reading Glasses? A Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Pair

For many, the first sign is subtle: you find yourself holding your phone slightly further away, or the menu at your favorite dimly lit restaurant seems a bit blurrier than it used to. While many assume that needing “readers” is a milestone reserved strictly for the “over 40” crowd, the reality of modern eye health is changing.

Between our constant use of smartphones and the natural evolution of our vision, understanding how to choose the right reading glasses is more relevant now than ever.

Breaking the “Over 40” Stigma

According to the Vision Council of America, roughly 60% of Americans are far-sighted (hyperopia), meaning they struggle to see objects clearly up close. While age-related vision change (presbyopia) is a common factor, our high-tech lifestyles have made clear near-vision a universal necessity.

Gone are the days of the “Granny” glasses—those tiny, wire frames perched precariously on the tip of someone’s nose. Over the last few decades, the demand for reading glasses has skyrocketed, transforming them from a medical necessity into a high-end fashion accessory.

Modern Styles for Modern Lifestyles

Today, you don’t have to sacrifice your aesthetic for clarity. Reading glasses now come in every shape, size, and designer brand imaginable.

  • Luxury Readers 

Brands like Oliver Peoples and Ray-Ban offer sophisticated frames that look like standard eyewear but house high-quality reading magnification.

  • Reading Sunglasses

Leading brands like Maui Jim now offer their most popular sunglass styles with built-in readers. This is a game-changer for active outdoor enthusiasts who want to read a book at the beach or check their GPS on a bike ride without swapping frames.

Why You Shouldn’t Just “Guess” Your Power

It is tempting to walk into a drugstore and try on every pair from +1.00 to +3.00 until you find one that “works.” However, roughly 17% of adults who wear readers do so without a professional consultation, which can lead to unnecessary eye strain.

Here is why a professional eye exam is vital:

  1. Ocular Health – An eye doctor can ensure that your blurry vision isn’t a symptom of a deeper issue, such as glaucoma or cataracts.
  2. Differential Power – It is very common for your left and right eyes to require different levels of magnification. “Drugstore readers” offer the same power in both lenses, which can cause headaches if your eyes aren’t perfectly symmetrical in their needs.
  3. Astigmatism – Standard readers do not correct for astigmatism. If you have a slight “curve” to your eye, a custom-ordered reading lens will provide significantly better clarity than an off-the-shelf pair.

How All American Eyeglass Repair Can Help

If you’ve found the perfect vintage frame or a high-end designer pair that you want to turn into readers, we can help! We specialize in:

  • Custom Lens Installation – We can fit reading lenses into almost any frame you bring us.
  • Frame Restoration – If your favorite readers have a loose hinge or a snapped temple, our Laser Welding technology can fix them in a flash.

In Summary

Needing a little extra help with fine print isn’t a sign of slowing down—it’s an opportunity to upgrade your style and protect your eye health. Don’t settle for “blurry” or “good enough.” Get a professional exam, choose a frame that fits your personality, and enjoy the world in high definition again.

Youth sports and Eyewear

Blog Overview:

Shin guards and helmets are only half the battle. Discover why specialized sports eyewear like Rec-Specs is the most important investment you can make for your child’s athletic career.

Protecting Your Young Athlete: A Guide to High-Impact Sports Eyewear

In the United States, youth sports are a rite of passage. In warmer regions, sports like baseball, soccer, and lacrosse are played year-round. While parents are quick to buy the best helmets, shin guards, and cleats, one of the most vulnerable parts of a child’s body is often left unprotected: their eyes.

Did you know that sports are the leading cause of eye injuries in children? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a significant majority of eye injuries for kids aged 11–14 occur during athletic activities. 

Why “Regular” Glasses Aren’t Enough

Many parents believe that their child’s everyday prescription glasses provide enough protection. In reality, wearing standard glasses during sports can actually be more dangerous than wearing no glasses at all. Standard fashion frames are not designed to withstand the impact of a “bad hop” ground ball or a stray elbow. If they shatter, the broken plastic or glass can cause devastating secondary injuries to the eye. True protective eyewear is made from polycarbonate, a shatter-proof material that can withstand high-velocity impact.

Top Brands for Youth Sports Protection

Fortunately, protective gear has evolved. Your child doesn’t have to sacrifice style or comfort to stay safe.

  • Liberty Eyewear (Rec-Specs) 

This is the industry gold standard. Rec-Specs are specifically engineered to meet or exceed ASTM F803 safety standards for high-impact sports. They feature wrap-around designs and padding to cushion the face upon impact.

  • Oakley Youth

Known for their “Unobtainium” grip and “O-Matter” frame material, Oakley eyeglasses offers durable, lightweight frames that stay secure during heavy movement, making them a favorite for soccer and track athletes.

  • Ray-Ban Junior

For non-contact outdoor sports like golf or tennis, Ray-Ban Junior offers high-quality UV protection in styles that kids actually want to wear.

What to Look for in Sports Eyewear

When choosing a pair for your son or daughter, look for these three essentials:

  1. Shatterproof Lenses – Always insist on polycarbonate lenses.
  2. Secure Fit – Look for frames with an elastic strap or curved temples to ensure the glasses don’t fly off mid-play.
  3. Venting – To prevent the “fogging” issue we discussed previously, many sports frames include side vents to keep air flowing during high-intensity games.

How All American Eyeglass Repair Supports Your Athlete

At All American Eyeglass Repair, we see the aftermath of sports mishaps every day. We are always relieved when a child walks in with a broken frame but uninjured eyes because they were wearing proper protection.

We can help by:

  1. Precision Adjustments – Ensuring your child’s sports goggles fit snugly so they don’t distract from the game.
  2. Fast Repairs – If a hinge snaps or a strap breaks, we can often fix it on the spot so your athlete doesn’t miss the next big game.
  3. Lens Replacement – If those polycarbonate lenses get scratched up from the dirt and turf, we can swap them out for a fresh, clear pair.

In Summary

Investing in quality sports eyewear is an investment in your child’s future. A “shock to the system” from a broken frame is a small price to pay compared to a permanent eye injury. Make sure your young athlete is fully equipped before they step onto the field.

Is your child’s gear ready for the season? Visit one of our 17 locations for a professional fitting or repair today!

Children and Eyeglasses

Why Regular Eye Exams Are Important for Your Child’s Vision

Most adults who were glasses go in to see their Doctor each year or two for an annual exam, making sure there are no changes in their prescription. You read use the computer drive and put strain on your eyes in many ways, but what about our children. Our young ones are growing and active and since they may not communicate with you problems they may or may not be experiencing it is up to us as parents to not only look for warning signs but to be proactive and have their eyes checked on a regular basis.

Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months old, according the American Optometric Association, again at three years old and one more time prior to entering kindergarten, after that an exam every two years is recommended.

Our children are around social media devices, cell phones and video games which require the use of the eyes in a more strenuous way than decades ago, take the time and make sure you help catch any potential problems before they occur.

The Cost Of Repairing Prescription Eyeglasses

Affordable Repair Services for Titanium and Coated Lenses

The average cost of new lenses (without frame and eye exam) was over $225.00 in 2012. If your frames are titanium frames the final cost will be even higher. There is a good chance that the cost of your repair will be a fraction of the cost of new frame/lens.

Most lenses sold today will have added coatings which add to the final cost of the product. Scratch coating, anti-reflective coating and higher quality lenses can add up. This is why you should consider having your frames repaired by ALL American Eyeglass Repair who is accepting mail-in repairs from around the world and has convenient eyeglass frame service centers.

How We Repair Eyeglasses

Step-by-Step Tips to Fix Common Eyeglass Problems

Imagine buying a pair of nice frames for your daily prescription wear, or a pair of sunglasses, and accidentally breaking them! You’ll probably panic right away and want a solution almost immediately. You spent your time and money looking for the ideal eyewear to suit your wardrobe, style, and workplace needs. Before you grab that glue gun and start fixing your glasses, here are some ways you can repair your frames so you can avoid more damage to your eyewear.
Glue Broken Frames
If your frames have broken apart and you need a quick fix, a glue of high quality can hold them together before everything breaks into smaller pieces! Nowadays, you don’t have to worry about the glue drying into a white, unattractive, color. There are super glues out there that dry clear with less mess. What you need to do first is clean your frame of any dirt or residue before you attempt the glue process. Nail polish remover works wonders in being able to remove the residue around your frame. Avoid using pure acetone on your frames (especially wooden ones) as it can be very rough and drying to plastic or wooden frames. All you need to do is apply the super glue lightly and hold the broken pieces together for at least one minute to ensure the proper adhesion.


Repairing Hinges
Sometimes a hinge is stretched out or it’s loose. In order to repair this part of your eyewear, you’ll need some pliers. In order to avoid scratching your frame, cover the tips of the pliers prior to using them to bend the hinges in a gentle manner. In the covering process, you can use a cutout soft cloth or tissue – this also helps prevent scratched lenses. To complete the repair, you will also need a small rubber ring, or rubber band, to secure the loose hinge into place. If you’re wondering where to get these small rubber bands, most eyeglass repair tool kits will carry them. The hinge area is a delicate area and it holds most of the eyewear branding in place. For instance, if you look at a lot of designer frames, you will see logos, bling or any special décor around this area. If you have any bling coming loose around this area, you can also use super glue to place the décor back on and finish by applying clear nail polish to ensure they stay in place.


Loose Screw
Screws get loose all the time and sometimes, they come completely apart and the entire frame crumbles. A great tool to have in your eyewear repair kit is a mini screwdriver. It can make the difference between your eyeglass having a minor break or a big one. If you broke your sunglasses or daily glasses, you need something to hold them together. Take your screwdriver with you and use it to tighten your frames to secure any loose ends. If you also need that extra hold, apply some clear nail polish around the screws prior to wearing your glasses. What if you lost the screw? Now what? You can either go buy an eyeglass repair kit and find a new screw within or, you can use safety pins. These safety pins have to be miniature and able to slip into the screw hole with minimal force. If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it. Forcing anything into the screw hole will lead to more breakage.
Broken Bridge
Repairing a broken bridge is doable with the right tools. All you need: paper and glue. Try to use a color of paper that matches your frame. Again, it’s important to clean your frame of any residue prior to starting and make sure your hands are clean – the idea is to have a temporal fix that has minimal manipulation. First, use the super glue to bring the pieces together then tear the paper into strips that can be wrapped around your frame. Hold your frame for a few minutes until it dries prior to using the strips to wrap around the bridge area.

With these temporal eyeglass repairs, you can hold your frames and lenses together until you’re able to get them into the hands of an expert for a more permanent repair.

The Popularity Of Sunglasses

Why Investing in Quality Sunglasses and Repairs Matters

For decades, sunglasses were often viewed as a disposable summer accessory—something to be picked up at a gas station and replaced every few months. However, the last 20 years have seen a massive shift in how we understand eye health and optical engineering. Today, investing in a high-quality pair of sunglasses is no longer about vanity; it is about long-term vision preservation and the value of superior craftsmanship.

As of recent industry research, nearly 89% of men and 83% of women now wear some form of sunglass protection. This shift is driven by a deeper public understanding of the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation. At All American Eyeglass Repair, we’ve seen this evolution firsthand, adapting our expertise to support the sophisticated engineering found in brands like Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, Silhouette, Serengeti, and Bolle.

sunglasses-repairs-services-frames

The Engineering Behind the Investment

When you invest in a premium pair of sunglasses from a brand like Oakley or Nike, you aren’t just paying for a logo. You are paying for years of research and development.

  • Optical Clarity – Lower-end lenses often have slight “waves” or imperfections that cause subtle eye strain and headaches over long periods of wear. Quality lenses are ground to precise tolerances to ensure a zero-distortion view.
  • Material Integrity – High-end frames utilize advanced materials like Monel, Titanium, and hand-carved Acetate. These materials are designed to be adjusted and, more importantly, repaired.
  • Specialized Coatings – Whether it is the color-enhancing technology of Serengeti or the salt-water resistance of Maui Jim, these treatments are investments in how you experience the world.

With the average cost of quality sunglasses now exceeding $120.00—and many specialized models reaching $300 or more—these frames have become a legitimate asset. Discarding them over a minor mechanical failure is like trading in a car because of a flat tire.

The “Hard Life” of a Performance Frame

It is a paradox of eyewear: we are significantly rougher on our sunglasses than we are on our standard prescription glasses. Because sunglasses are synonymous with an active lifestyle, they endure stresses that “office” glasses never face.

Consider the physical toll of a typical weekend:

The “Headband” Tension 

Pushing glasses onto the top of your head or over a ball cap is the most common cause of frame failure. It creates a constant outward tension that eventually “springs” the hinges or snaps the bridge.

Environmental Stress

Exposure to salt air, sand, and extreme heat (like the dashboard of a car) can cause screws to back out or nose pads to degrade.

The Amateur Athlete Factor 

We wear our shades for golf, tennis, skiing, and cycling. In these environments, accidents aren’t just possible—they are expected.

Sustainability Through Repair

In a world of “fast fashion” and disposable products, choosing to repair a high-quality frame is an act of sustainability. A well-made frame from a brand like Silhouette or Bolle is designed to be serviced.

Professional repair, such as precision laser welding, allows a broken metal frame to be fused back together with a bond that is often stronger than the original factory solder. This allows the owner to maintain the custom fit and broken-in comfort of their favorite frames while saving a significant amount of money compared to buying a replacement pair.

In Summary

Investing in quality sunglasses is a commitment to your long-term eye health and a preference for better craftsmanship. Because these frames are built to a higher standard, they deserve a higher standard of care. Before you consider discarding a pair of sunglasses you’ve invested in, remember that true quality is always worth restoring.

Did your favorite sunglasses just break? Don’t panic! Visit our store or mail in your glasses today for a professional restoration.

What Sunglasses Are Best For You

Learn Which Sunglass Lens Colors Work Best for Your Eyes and Activities

There are several sunglass tints on the market, and a question we get nearly everyday is….”.What color lens is best”? That question really needs to be answered with a question. I know something we are taught to never do, but in the case the follow up question is warranted: What are you going to use these for????

Gray lens: The most popular tint, is great for everyday use, is a very good driving lens and is the closest lens color in keeping actual color in its truest form. This lens is also considered the best lens in bright sunny conditions, especially in areas of the country where bright sunny days with high blue skies are more frequent. These lens may sometimes have a hint of Green.

Amber or Brown: Very similar to the gray lens, this lens sometimes has a “soothing effect”, and is considered a more versatile lens by many owners.

Rose: A Rose tint on a Sunglass frame is very good in low light conditions, many customers just like the color contrast to the frame with the Rose lens, but this lens will help enhance objects on cloudy days, and are a great choice at sunrise/sunset.

Yellow: A specialty lens used by Shooters, Pilots and skiers, and motorcycle riders at night, this lens can help take away shadowy areas.

Each individual will have their own sensitivity to color and brightness and will need to try on several tints to see what works best, however the bottom line………….YOU ONLY GET ONE SET OF EYES, please take care of them and if you need repairs visit us here: Sunglasses repairs.