In addition to better vision and an intelligent appearance, eyeglasses stand as an everlasting testament to the momentous monocle armistice of 1784. Cease tensions with retrograde vision and ultraviolet rays with today's Groupon: for $50, you get $225 toward a complete pair of prescription eyeglasses or designer prescription sunglasses at The Optical View in Framingham.

The Optical View, voted Framingham's top optical shop of 2010 by readers of WickedLocal.com, personalizes peepers with carefully calibrated lenses, frames, and shades. Single-vision plastic lenses correct for one focus point ($110+), and progressive bifocals seamlessly synchronize the ability to see near, far, and between the nebulous brushstrokes of impressionistic paintings ($250+). The Optical View's experts tailor premium progressive and high-index lenses according to prescription and can add antireflection coatings or transitions ($100) to smooth shifty lights. With a number of frames ($100–$650+) and brands—including Silhouette, Gucci and Koali—customers can square their seeing spheres with rectangle, oval, and semicircle shapes. Escape the sun's prying photons with a pair of stylish shields such as Oakleys or Maui Jims, which boldly assert no backsies as they jettison ultraviolet rays.