Sally Jessy Raphael did for eyeglasses what Dorothy did for shoes in The Wizard of Oz, taking the most humble element of any wardrobe and elevating it to a statement about the wearer, who we are and what we stand for.
Sally, whose tabloid TV talk show ran for 20 years beginning in 1983, is known for her oversized red-framed glasses. Her personal trademark began by accident. She had trouble reading the teleprompter during her first broadcast news job and, with five minutes to spare before air time, went to a store across the street from her studio to purchase a pair of readers. The only pair she could find was a red pair.
Just like that, fashion history was made.
The decision to wear eyeglasses or go without these days is a choice, thanks to advancements in the technology of contact lenses and corrective medical procedures, observes Dr. Lisa LaGassa, Optometrist and owner of Pointe Vision Care on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods.
“It’s a different choice for everybody,” LaGassa says, pointing out that eyeglass frames are a great fashion accessory for wearers. Gone are the days of ‘guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses,’ which is great news for anyone who needs corrective lenses to read or see the front of the classroom in school. “I’ve had eight-year-old girls cry when I told them they needed glasses, and other girls who were sad to learn after their exam that they didn’t need them,” she reports, adding the choice is deeply personal.
“Some people want a certain style, edge, size. Some of it has to do with your personality. Some people are very stoic and want to stick with the very traditional. Others are more flamboyant and want the frame to stand out on their face. Others want to blend in,” LaGassa points out.
The key, she adds, is choosing what’s best for you. “There are particular frame shapes that don’t look good on some faces. If you have a very high prescription, for example, you don’t want to do a large frame. You have to weigh those factors when choosing your frame. That is what makes ordering online tricky. You need to try the frame on your face.
“Eyeglass style is so variable. It’s different for everybody,” she points out. “Some people are perfectly happy wearing the same pair of glasses year-round, and others want to change them out to complement each season or their outfit. We have two sisters in their 60’s who order five or six pairs of glasses each whenever they come in, because they want that variety.”
So, unless you happen to get lucky like Sally Jessy Raphael, how can you choose something that says, “Hello, world!” without going so far over the top, all that’s missing is a striped clown suit and tiny tricycle from Barnum & Bailey?
Dr. LaGassa and her staff of 10 have the solution! Pointe Vision Care offers comprehensive eye care, which includes visual field testing, retinal photos, and specialized fitting of contact lenses and eyeglasses. After obtaining her degree from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, Dr. LaGassa purchased Pointe Vision Care in 2002 because she wanted to create an atmosphere where both patients and employees feel valued when making decisions about their eye health. “I really want to be able to help people by being that individual that people feel comfortable talking to.”
The focus at Pointe Vision Care is on the patient. “It is so important when a patient walks in to learn about them, learn about their lifestyle and what they want,” LaGassa points out. “Everyone has a different need. I wanted to build relationships with people, and Grosse Pointe is a great place to do that.”
Manager/Optician Beth Harvener keeps up with current trends and then works with each patient to decide what is right for them. “Metal European frames are trending right now. Minimalistic, geometric shapes such as octagonal provide a fresh look,” Harvener reports, adding that popular styles in Europe generally work their way here. The heavy, boxy frames that were big for a time are transitioning out.
“The main consideration in choosing a frame is one that is contrasting or complementary to the shape of a patient’s face, with a fit and color that matches their personal style,” she adds.
Pointe Vision Care is located at 20525 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods. Hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Saturday by appointment. Call 313-546-0600.
“The main consideration in choosing a frame is one that is contrasting or complementary to the shape of a patient’s face,”
“It’s a different choice for everybody,”