Do you have dry eyes?
Blog
Introducing Avulux Lenses – Revolutionary Relief for Migraine Sufferers
Migraine headaches can be debilitating, affecting millions worldwide with intense pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms. For those who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief is a constant pursuit. Enter Avulux lenses—a breakthrough in migraine management that offers a non-invasive, drug-free option to reduce the impact of these painful episodes.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Theo Eyewear
In the world of eyewear, there are few brands that manage to capture the essence of both style and innovation as flawlessly as Theo Eyewear, and we are so excited to welcome this collection to Sphere. Known for its bold designs, vibrant colors, and avant-garde approach, Theo Eyewear stands out as a beacon of creativity in a market often dominated by conventional designs.
A Guide to Healthy Skin Care with Monique Bryson
Sphere’s newest team member, medical aesthetician Monique Bryson, brings a wealth of knowledge about skin care to our space, and has helped us to merge the worlds of advanced dry eye management and facial aesthetics. Here, Monique shares her insights about all things healthy skin care because we all know how overwhelming and intimidating it can be to choose your skincare with all the endless products and information available. Keep reading to hear Monique share her top recommendations, tell us what ingredients to avoid, and explain which skin care product lineup is best!
Spotlight on Medical Esthetician Monique Bryson
Sphere recently welcomed medical aesthetician, Monique Bryson, to the team and we couldn’t be happier to have her join us! Monique comes to us with an extensive career in traditional healthcare that has spanned over 25 years. Beginning in emergency medicine, clinical work, and now medical aesthetics, Monique brings a well-rounded and experienced approach that has helped us to further marry the worlds of ocular and whole body health in general, and to increase our offering of advanced treatment options for dry eye disease.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Blake Kuwahara Eyewear
At Sphere, we pride ourselves on sourcing independent eyewear brands that highlight innovation and quality and bringing them to our space. Blake Kuwahara’s eponymous collection brings us unique, forward-thinking designs that we’re so excited to share.
Healthy Diet, Healthy Eyes
A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start on healthy habits or routines. Although our main focus is optimal eye health, we love to incorporate whole body wellness into our approach. You don’t often hear much about the eyes when it comes to information about healthy food, so we want to dive into this for you by breaking down how a well-balanced diet contributes to maintaining great eye health all year and for a lifetime!
Frame Your Features
Although your eye health is our top priority at Sphere, we also delight in helping with all facets of your eye care journey - like helping you select the perfect pair of glasses to enhance your features. With endless frame styles and shapes to choose from, it’s important to consider not only your personal style but also your face shape to ensure that your glasses and sunglasses best highlight your features.
Sphere Staff Local Love Gift Guide
It’s that festive time of year again and we are excited to help you get started on your Holiday shopping. At Sphere, we love to support Calgary small businesses by investing in locally made products. We are truly lucky to live in a city with countless amazing boutiques, and among makers and artists and curators of all kinds, making it easy to shop and support small this holiday season.
Morpheus8 For Amazing Skin Benefits and Dry Eye Solutions
Your friends at Sphere are excited to bring you another innovative treatment as part of our Sphere Wellness offering - Morpheus8. Morpheus8 is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that combines micro-needling and radiofrequency technology to stimulate collagen production and remodel the skin thus improving the appearance and to reducing irregularities. This system was designed to address textural skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, enlarged pores, and loose skin.
Benefits of Radiofrequency for Dry Eyes and Skin Health
At Sphere, we care deeply about your eye health and your whole-body wellness, and consequently we are incredibly excited about one of our more recent offerings that has been moving so many of our patients toward their best eye and physical help. We are thrilled to offer an advanced treatment called Forma (and Forma I for use around the eye), that targets the root of dry eye disease and, also, highly benefits your skin using radiofrequency therapy. This increasingly popular treatment has shown promising results in promoting better eye and skin health and is an amazing non-surgical option for both. Let’s explore more about the benefits of radiofrequency for dry eyes and overall skin wellness!
Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Eye Creams – Protecting the Sensitive Skin Around the Eyes
At Sphere, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve optimal eye health, and as part of that care we want to make sure you are also protecting the skin around your eyes. The skin around the eyes is delicate and often shows signs of damage or aging early, so let’s dive into a few simple ways you can protect and nourish those sensitive areas.
Spotlight on Sunscreen and Sun Care from AlumierMD
At Sphere, we’re all about guiding our community toward their best health and wellness, and with summer here, sun care is top of mind. This summer we are here to guide you to make informed decisions about what goes on your skin and, of course, share our favourite picks for high quality, advanced skincare products that your skin will love!
Skin Care Products for Rosacea and Redness-Prone Skin
Finding the right skincare products for your skin can be a perennial challenge. For those with rosacea or redness-prone skin, finding a skincare product that will reduce those symptoms can be even more tricky. Luckily, at Sphere, we’ve partnered with AlumierMD, a physician-run medical-grade skincare company that provides advanced skin care options and solutions for a variety of skin types and concerns.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction + Rosacea
Dry eye disease and the associated ocular discomfort is incredibly common in a city as dry as Calgary and especially for those who wear contact lenses. But it might surprise you to know that although dry eyes may be exacerbated by the climate, excessive screen time, or our contact lenses, it can also be caused by another related condition - rosacea.
FEATURE: AlumierMD
At Sphere, we’re so excited to be partnering with AlumierMD to offer beautifully advanced skin care products as part of our Sphere Wellness initiative. Our team is so invested in your health and wellbeing, and we want to ensure we offer only the highest quality, life-enhancing products from companies whose values are in alignment with our own. There are countless reasons why we love the suite of offerings from AlumierMD - read below to learn more!
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Thierry Lasry
We’re excited to announce that we have a new independent eyewear designer at Sphere! Thierry Lasry, a brand worn by Beyonce, Rhianna, Madonna (need we say more…) is at the height of fashion featuring clear lines, geometrical shapes, and unexpected colour. Read below to learn more about this new French collection.
Why are We Adding Wellness to Our Brand? A Q+A with Dr. Danielle Gordon
In a Q+A with Dr. Danielle Gordon learn why Sphere is adding aesthetics to our already wide range of services and how she feels wellness is part of the Sphere brand.
Introducing New Wellness Treatments at Sphere
At Sphere, our hearts have always been in ocular wellness, independent handcrafted eyewear, serving our community, and overall health and wellness, which is why we’re excited to be offering new technology for the advanced treatment of dry eye disease and optimization of skin health. Our medical team has happily spent many months researching emerging technologies and selecting the most appropriate services to introduce to our patients at Sphere. Read on to learn more!
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: SALT.
At Sphere, we love to highlight independent eyewear brands and showcase craftsmanship from around the world. SALT. Optics (or SALT. for short) is one of our long-time favourite brands, and we love that their designs are brought to us through meticulous attention to detail and Japanese craftsmanship. Read below to learn where the SALT. brand came from and why they are a staple in the Sphere Optometry shop.
Spiced Pumpkin Soup + Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
We always talk about the importance of a well-rounded nutritious diet, and that's why we love this recipe so much! Full of eye-healthy antioxidants and a beautiful and hearty flavour, this Spiced Pumpkin Soup is perfect to curl up with on a cold winter's day, or to be the perfect addition to your holiday meal!
InMode Forma Radiofrequency Treatment for Dry Eyes
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is one of the most common eye conditions, and it occurs when either not enough tears are produced to properly moisturize the eyes, or the tears that are produced are of poor quality. DES is especially common in Alberta due to our extremely dry climate, particularly in the winter. For anyone who has experienced dry eyes, you know they often come with undesirable signs and symptoms like redness, stinging, burning, grittiness, and extreme discomfort. Don’t let that discomfort have any space in your life this winter, because we have a new solution for you.
FEATURE: Classically Cait
Health and wellness are core to our beliefs and goals at Sphere, so finding local women entrepreneurs who are making a difference in our community toward the health and wellness of others warms our hearts, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Local blogger, Caitlin Catto, is using her blog, Classically Cait, to help those on the quest for a vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle take the leap. Her helpful tips, tricks, and “chic advice,” can guide anyone in search of a more stylish approach to veganism. Read on to learn more about Caitlin.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: l.a.Eyeworks
l.a.Eyeworks is an exciting brand for us to carry because it embodies everything we, at Sphere, hold dear in a brand: independence, individuality, and inclusivity. Read more below to learn about how l.a.Eyeworks truly embodies all L.A. has to offer and why they are one of our faves!
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: AHLEM
At Sphere, our search for the most stylish independent eyewear brands is ongoing and we delight in finding new looks and designers to bring light to and share with our valued friends, patients, and customers. It is for these reasons we were so delighted to bring the new line from AHLEM into the shop. With the perfect combination of French class and LA style, AHLEM is an eyewear designer that everyone can be excited about! Read on to learn all about AHLEM.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: KREWE
At Sphere, finding the perfect eyewear style(s) for everyone who walks through our doors is so important to us, so we are always looking for new independent brands that offer new unique styles. Which is why we have brought in the newest line from KREWE. Read below to learn more about KREWE and why we are so excited to offer this brand at Sphere.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: VERY FRENCH GANGSTERS
In choosing eyewear for kids at Sphere, we know how important it is to ensure that there are options to fit every child’s personality and preference, with quality and style in equal measure. One of our favourite designers for childrens eyewear is VERY FRENCH GANGSTERS. With a name like that, there must be a story, so read below for why they are one of our favourite collections.
Body by Chai
At Sphere, we are excited to be a part of a community that emphasizes inclusivity. One of our favourite Calgary businesses, that lives and breathes inclusivity is Body by Chai, a locally owned lingerie boutique that is dedicated to supporting all in the search for the perfect lingerie fit openly and intimately. Learn a little more about Body by Chai below.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: KALEOS
Shopping small is something we hold dear to our hearts at Sphere. We prize small independent eyewear designers because of their creativity, attention to detail, and unique style. KALEOS is one of our favourite small brands, and we love to support the innovation and style they bring to eyewear. Read on to learn more about KALEOS.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: CUTLER AND GROSS
At Sphere, we love independent designers who understand the importance of eyewear as integral element to fashion. Cutler and Gross is one such brand, and that’s why it is recognized in multiple corners of the fashion world. Learn more about why they stand out and what we love about their collections.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: ANDY WOLF
At Sphere, we have a deep love for beautiful hand-crafted, independent eyewear, and Andy Wolf is definitely one of our favourite collections. We love their contemporary designs, and their constant provision of new looks and trends to take us into every season. Read on to learn more about ANDY WOLF!
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: MOSCOT
At Sphere, we only house collections of independent, handcrafted eyewear, and MOSCOT is one of our most popular brands. We believe in their superior craftsmanship and quality and appreciate their experience and timeless designs. Continue reading to learn a bit more about where this New York City brand started, and how their eyewear has a will stand the test of time.
Are the Sunglasses You’re Wearing Safe?
Recently, Dr. Danielle Gordon helped out on a CBC article about what you need to look for in a pair of sunglasses to give you full protection from the sun. Read the article to hear all of her takes on what you need to know about your sunglasses.
Eye Makeup and Ingredients to Avoid
Have you ever thought about the ingredients in your eye makeup and how they might be affecting your eyes? I think we’ve all thought to ourselves at least once, “If it’s made to be put on my eyes, it must not be hurting them.” Well, unfortunately, that isn’t so. While makeup companies are not trying to directly hurt us, they are more focused on ensuring their products perform in new and marketable ways.
How to Build Your Personal Style – Part 2
Welcome to part 2 of our How to Build Your Personal Style series. I'm excited to share with you last three pieces of advice for enhancing, streamlining, or building your own personal style.
How to Build Your Personal Style
Finding your personal style can seem daunting, especially with all the influence and recommendations that come through social media now. It can be hard to truly know what your own signature, flare, vibe and panache is. But fear not fashion folks, it’s much less scary than walking into a store to try on bathing suits.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: RAEN
RAEN is an eyewear collection that embodies the essence of Oceanside, California and was founded by brothers, Justin and Jeremy Heit, who were born and raised in Oceanside. RAEN, as a brand, is inspired by the long history of creative expression from the flourishing community of surfers, skaters, and artists who surround the Heit brothers on the daily.
Lashes
The beauty trends and technology for lashes have changed and increased so much over the last century, decade, even years. There are so many different things you can do to boost, lengthen or enhance your eyelashes, but is it all healthy for our eyes?
In Dr. Danielle Gordon’s opinion, no.
The Importance of Sleep for Eye Health
Sleep plays a vital role in our physical health and overall well-being. Sleep allows our bodies to reset and restores the ability to function for another day. Just as all of our organs and bodily functions benefit from sleep, our eyes are definitely no exception. Take a moment to think about the number of hours our eyes are open and actively working compared to our legs, arms, fingers and toes. Our eyes are generally open all day, and sleep is their only respite.
Nutrition and Eye Health
When thinking about nutrition, our eye health might be the last thing that generally comes to mind. We usually associate nutrition with weight, fitness, and internal health, but our eyes are greatly affected by the food we put in our bodies as well.
Myopia Control
As a kid, finding out you are nearsighted and need glasses can be exciting. Many little ones are thrilled to enter the world of eyewear and start to play with their personal style, but for others, it can be intimidating to try something new and potentially stand out from their peers. It’s not unusual for parents to be experiencing these feelings of excitement and concern too. But did you know that if you have concerns about your child’s nearsightedness there are some things you can do?
Back-to-School Eye Wellness
Back-to-school for many kids and families is going to look a lot different this for year. But whether your child is going back to a classroom, continuing their education online, or both, their eye health should be top of mind. Whether they will be looking at board through a sea of scattered desks or spending more hours than usual focusing on a screen, their visual demand will be heightened.
Screens, Lighting, and Our Eyes
There are so many forms of artificial lighting. From our standard LED lightbulbs to our phone screens, unnatural light sources can affect our eyes in different ways. As these artificial light sources are a staple in our daily lives, it’s important to understand how they are affecting us and what we can do about it.
Sun and Sun Protection
During the summer months, most of us love to spend as much time in the sun as we can. We all know that the sun is not always a friend to our skin, but what we might not know is that the sun can be harmful to our eyes as well (even if we aren’t staring directly at it). But don’t worry; this doesn’t mean we are destined to spend all of our warm days inside. There are many strategies available to help us to protect our eyes and enjoy the sun.
Get the Fix!
The experience of dry eyes is a common one, especially if you wear contacts or stare at a computer screen all day. But what if there was a treatment that helped alleviate dry eyes and tightened the skin around your eyes at the same time? Sign us up!
Eye Makeup and Ingredients to Avoid
Have you ever thought about the ingredients in your eye makeup and how they might be affecting your eyes? I think we’ve all thought to ourselves at least once, “If it’s made to be put on my eyes, it must not be hurting them.” Well, unfortunately, that isn’t so. While makeup companies are not trying to directly hurt us, they are more focused on ensuring their products perform in new and marketable ways.
Total Eye Wellness
In light of the current state of our world and the uncertainty of the future, at Sphere, we want you to know that we are here for you. These are incredibly unsettling times, leaving some of us with endless free time and others with the challenge of trying to save the world. No matter what your situation through this global pandemic, we want to help. So, we would like to stay in touch with a new perspective on wellness...
FEATURED: Andy Wolf
Andy Wolf owns their entire process from the initial design, to shaping acetate blocks into frames, until they land at Sphere. Once the middle part and temples have been shaped, the frames go through several stages of cleaning, grinding and polishing to guarantee maximum comfort when worn....
FEATURED: Lowercase NYC
Built out of a love for eyewear and an appreciation for true craftsmanship, Lowercase was established in 2016 with a mission to localize the trade of eyewear to the US, while creating a product that is second to none in quality and design.
