July 2022

The History of Eyeglasses

The first vision aid was invented around 1000 AD. It was called a reading stone – a small glass sphere that was placed on top of small letters and texts to magnify them for easy reading. Most historians believe that the first form of eyeglasses was produced in Italy by monks or craftsmen in Pisa, or perhaps Venice, around 1285-1289. These magnifying lenses for reading were shaped like two small magnifying glasses and set into bone, metal, or leather mountings that could be balanced on the bridge of nose.

The first known artistic representation of the use of eyeglasses was Tommaso da Modena's painting in 1352. His painting depicts monks reading and writing manuscripts. One monk uses a magnifying glass while another wears glasses perched on his nose.

Over time, glasses have gone through many design phases. These have included lenses set into frames with a metal “headband,” glasses that hinged in the center and perched on the nose like spectacles and glasses held in place with leather or material straps that secured at the back of the head. There are also images, mostly from Renaissance art paintings, of men wearing glasses perched on the nose but secured by an extended handle the wearer could hold on to, looking a lot like the opera glasses.

By the 1700’s, most glasses were worn without any handheld devices necessary. They became “hands-free,” and the lenses continued to get thinner and thinner, and the frames got thinner, too, as glass and metalwork innovation improved over time. The “first optometrists” provided clients with rudimentary vision tests and then worked with glassblowers to customize the shape of lenses to accommodate their patients’ vision issues.

In 1785 Benjamin Franklin invented the first pair of “bifocals,” which allowed the wearer to see far distances and have the ability to read or look at things at a close distance without having to remove their glasses. In the beginning, Franklin did this by cutting two different lenses in half and then replacing them in a frame.  Over time, opticians (those who make eyeglasses) developed the ability to create that effect in a single lens. These innovations are impressive when you consider that Benjamin Franklin’s bifocal improvements of the 1700s are still used in 21st-century eyeglass technology. 

Eyeglasses continued to be a luxury for the rich all the way into and beyond the 19th century. Fortunately, the industrial revolution made large-scale production possible. With the ease of production came an emphasis on style. In the late-19th and early 20th centuries, eyeglass manufacturers began focusing on style as much as functional improvements. As a result, what was once a “one style fits all,” more or less, became available with differently shaped frames that came in a variety of colors and patterns. Eyeglasses also became more readily available for children, which had largely been left out of the glasses equation unless they were born to wealthy families.  

Your glasses are the result of centuries of innovative technology. Are you overdue for your next comprehensive eye exam and an updated eyeglass prescription? Make an appointment with your eye doctor today!

Check out our new video series about our volunteers and their experiences at the clinic called Volunteer Diaries Series.

Episode 1 – Dear Diary, it’s me…David Ayan

David wants to be an ophthalmologist and he has gained vast knowledge by volunteering here at our office. He has dedicated his time off from school to volunteer and we're very fortunate to have him. 

David has learned the components of pretesting, Vision Acuity check, the beginnings of a refraction, has helped with translation, and much more. 

We thank David for his dedication and all-around great attitude and devotion to the clinic and patients. 

We are Happy to Announce...

FLLEC Welcomes

Miranda Escobar

Miranda Escobar has joined the Florida Lions Eye Clinic as the new Director of Development & Marketing. Her attentive customer care and proven ability to take on challenges with dedication and enthusiasm will be a great asset to our team. She prides herself on having a keen eye for detail and specializes in marketing and design. She has worn many hats over the years, including owning and operating a restaurant and an international fitness franchise, being a VP of Marketing for an insurance agency, and a Practice Manager at a health center overseeing five specialty departments.

Miranda spent many years volunteering for non-profit organizations and held several board positions. She becomes well-connected and actively involved in any community she calls home. Though a foodie at heart, you will also find her with a camera in hand capturing special moments and sharing her passion of photography with others. After moving to SWFL last summer, she’s enjoyed spending more time at the beach, and you’ll find her and her husband watching their daughter play softball most weekends. Miranda is excited to bring her skills to the Florida Eye Clinic and can’t wait to “share the vision” with everyone! 

Eye Allergies or Allergic Conjunctivitis

Contributed by by Lucia Spinelli- UCF Graduate

& Student Volunteer Since 2020

Eye allergies are very common among the general population. An allergen can enter the eye causing irritation.

A hormone, called histamine is produced by the mast cells of the eye to fight off the allergen. Therefore, the eye can become red, swollen, and itchy. It is not uncommon for someone with eye allergies to simultaneously have nasal allergies as well.

An allergen can be from dust, mold, pollen, smoke, or perfumes. 

As the need for the services the Florida Lions Eye Clinic provides to the community continues to grow, so does our need for volunteers. We welcome anyone in the community who would like to volunteer their time to help us at the clinic and at events in the community. We are also looking for volunteer physicians in the area who are willing to donate their time and services at the clinic or at their practices. If you are interested in helping us meet the needs of those most vulnerable in Southwest Florida, or if you know someone who might be willing to help, please visit our website or give us a call at (239) 498-3937 for more information on how you can be part of our cause.

FLLEC celebrates at the Independence Day parade with the Bonita Springs Lions Club!

We hope everyone had wonderful

4th of July celebrations this year!

Food for Sight Lutein and Zeaxanthin

When it comes to protecting your vision, what you eat may affect what you see. Certain vitamins and minerals found in food may play a role in preventing two common causes of vision problems: cataracts—cloudy areas in the lens of the eye—and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While there is no definite proof, some studies suggest that eating a diet rich in certain nutrients may help.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids, which are pigments produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables a yellow to reddish hue. Both are potent antioxidants and offer a range of health benefits. However, lutein and zeaxanthin are best known for protecting your eyes. A number of studies have found that lutein and zeaxanthin either help prevent AMD or may slow progression of the disease.

Amazon Smile is a simple way for you to support the Florida Lions Eye Clinic every time you shop, at no cost to you. It's easy, just enter smile.amazon.com, and Amazon will ask you to select a charity of your choice.

You’ll find the exact same low prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic. Amazon Smile is also available on the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.

Click here to get started!