Want perfect vision and then some? Word is this new lens is capable of giving you the eyesight of a superhero—for life.

As someone who’s been near-sighted since elementary school, I can say firsthand that not having perfect vision is awkward—especially when someone waves at you but you can’t see who it is, and you’re left with that split-second decision of waving back or pretending you didn’t notice them. You know what I’m talking about.

Luckily, you might not have to deal with the awkwardness for much longer. Word is an optometrist from British Columbia has invented the ultimate corrective lens that doesn’t just give you perfect vision, but lets you see three times better than 20/20 vision. (No, that’s not a typo.) What’s even more incredible is you’ll have better-than-perfect vision, no contacts or glasses necessary—for life.

Dr. Garth Webb, founder and CEO of Ocumetics Technology Corp., a company dedicated to the extinction of glasses and contact lenses, along with a team of visual scientists, have invented the Ocumetics Bionic Lens—a tiny, button-esque lens that could change the face of eye care as we know it.

“Perfect eyesight should be a human right,” Webb told CBC News. (To which I say, indubitably!)

According to the Octumetics’ website, the Bionic Lens is implanted painlessly, and in only eight minutes. It’s similar to cataract surgery, where the defective lens inside your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial one. It’s folded and placed in the eye using a syringe filled with a saline solution. About 10 seconds later, the lens unravels over your eye and bam—your sight is corrected. It’s an outpatient procedure that doesn’t involve anesthesia or an overnight stay.

“If you can just barely see the clock at 10 feet, when you get the Bionic Lens, you can see the clock at 30 feet away,” said Webb.

And with the Bionic Lens, you’ll never have to worry about getting cataracts, since only your eye’s natural lenses are prone to decay. It’s also way safer than laser surgery, which can result in icky complications like problems with glare and nighttime driving. The quality of your vision will always stay better than perfect.

In April, Webb presented the lens to 14 top ophthalmologists in San Diego just before an annual conference dedicated to cataracts and refractive surgery, and the surgeons were impressed, to say the least.

“There’s a lot of excitement about the Bionic Lens from very experienced surgeons who perhaps had some cynicism about this because they’ve seen things not work in the past,” Dr. Vincent DeLuise, ophthalmologist and teacher at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, told CBC News. “They think that this might actually work and they’re eager enough that they all wish to be on the medical advisory board to help him on his journey.”

Pending clinical trials on animals and then blind human eyes, the Bionic Lens could be available in as little as two years, depending on the approval process in various countries.

So not only will you be able to see whether it’s a bird or a plane, you’ll be able to see who’s on board and about to get frisky in the bathroom. (Kidding. Sort of.)

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Image: Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press

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Earth-conscious eyewear brand, Eco, is changing the way we view glasses one pair of frames (and a tree) at a time. Who said glasses were only for nerds? Pshhh, whoever said that has got it all wrong. Eyewear that makes the best use of recycled materials is where it’s at.

The eyewear world is a major and profitable market with so many of us relying on some extra assistance to maximize our vision. Unfortunately, most of us never got that much coveted 20/20 vision gene. It’s a bummer for some, but I actually don’t envy anyone who lucked out with perfect, crystal clear eyesight. I’m positive you must be thinking I’m a bit loony, but hear me out.

Think about how many people you see wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses have become less of a necessity and more of a fashion statement. Trying to choose which pair of sunglasses complements my hairstyle or outfit that day is almost more stressful than deciding which freaking pair of shoes match better. Damn near puts me into a sweat-frenzy. All perspiring aside, I appreciate my poor vision because it’s my excuse to flaunt some sweet specs.

What’s really fun is a whole new door has opened for us, exposing an eyewear option that seems too good to be true. In 2008, boutique eyewear firm, Modo, unleashed its version of a sustainable design approach to eyewear called, Eco. The essence behind Eco is to change our world in an environmentally replenishable and proactive way while taking care of the fellow human. That is an all-around win/win. Eco is currently the only brand in the world that can say its product is made from ninety-five percent recycled materials! This brand is so legit, it has validation for its eco-friendly composition. I’m talking about Environmental Claims Validation from the Underwriters Laboratories Environment, which just so happens to be the world’s number one product evaluation organization. Phew, that’s serious stuff. When you purchase a pair of Eco glasses, you have the ultimate guarantee that you’re getting ninety-five percent recycled stainless steel and plastic and none of that phony bologna, falsely labeled “green” stuff.

Along with its steadfast, no-nonsense attitude for the good of the earth, Eco has an enormous heart. For every pair of eyewear purchased, they plant a tree! The goal is to hit 1 million in trees planted and at the moment in Cameroon, the company has planted 791,202 trees… Almost there! This brand also believes in giving back to the less fortunate. Eco is partnered up with OneSight, an organization that collects and distributes mildly used eyewear from Eco’s donation program and other retailers and independent eye doctor offices. There are about 314 million people who need glasses and don’t have the resources to see a doctor and get adequate help, so Eco’s donation program is truly a blessing.

The use of recycled materials doesn’t have to be the definition of expensive either. Eco’s eyewear ranges from $69.00 to $195.00, which is amazingly affordable and you can trust you are getting a top quality product. If you check out the EcoBonus feature, you won’t regret it, my friend! It’s a neat, little rewards program that gives you a code with each purchase that you can earn points with and redeem them for other earth-friendly purchases.

Eco deserves an A++ for its momentous vision to reach people on such a global level through means of highlighting eco-friendly standards. This is absolutely a commendable use of recycled materials. We’ve been given such an awesome (and fashionable, ahem) opportunity to be a part of the cause to initiate substantial change in the world we live in. Believe me, there is nothing cooler than making an outstanding difference and knowing you look damn good doing it.

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Images via Guise Archives

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Okay, full disclosure. I just woke up from a nine hour, nap? How’d that happen? It was nighttime when I went to sleep, and now it’s nearing high noon. And before the sleep police come after me waving their pitchforks spiked with espresso, here’s the one downside – I now have puffy eyes that look like I stuffed my face in a basket full of pollen-dipped cats. But there must be a way to get much-deserved (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) sleep without looking like an inflated version of yourself. And there must be a way to do it naturally, right?

Puffy eyes are caused by a myriad of issues. Hormones can cause water retention – yes, even around your eyes. At the same time, dehydration can also puff out your eyes, be it from a hangover or just too little liquid. Medication, heredity, and allergies are also culprits. One beauty expert advises that you should treat your eyes like you would the skin of the newborn baby. Since most of my friends have puffy eyes from lack of sleep due to a newborn baby – see how it’s all cyclical? – it won’t be hard to make this connection.

The solution?

Awhile back, I wrote about some eco-friendly and/or natural products for your eyes. Click here to peruse what’s new on the natural cosmetics market. Or check out these natural tips for deflating your eyes from fatty to fab.

1. Some suggest gently (may we emphasize the gently) tapping your eyes where the fluid seems to be. This can encourage fluid to disperse and drain more easily.
2. Drink as much water as possible. Yes, it seems counter-intuitive when you are retaining water, but hydrating will reduce puffiness. So down a glass of H2O next time your notice your eyes making like a mask.
3. Get enough sleep. (Done and done!) Too little sleep will cause puffy eyes. But too much may as well. Walk the line.
4. Use an ice pack over your eyes for as long as you can stand it. This will lessen the look of fatigue and puffiness. Chilled cucumbers may achieve the same result.
5. Create a potato eye mask. Peel one small potato. Shred it, and then place it in clean gauze. Cover your eyes for ten minutes. Rinse off with water of cold chamomile tea.
6. And for the truly creative or just fall-festive – peel and seed a slice of pumpkin. Cook it in two cups of water until it is soft, and then mush it with a teaspoon of honey. Please inside clean gauze and cover your eyes for ten minutes. Go the extra green mile and make your ingredients all organic.

Image: kaleid

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