Archive for May, 2011

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Driving Forward

Monday, May 30th, 2011

Our governing bodies have been hard at work this year looking at visual standards for motorists. We have a good road safety record in the UK, and obviously it’s in everyone’s interests to maintain this. The present government has however published proposals to relax vision standards for motorists.  Twelve months ago the Optical Confederation set up a working group to campaign on this subject, to ensure our continued safety on the roads.

A key part of the campaign is the problem surrounding testing the sight of drivers. The number plate test is widely regarded to be a poor indicator of standard of vision. It’s not standardised or repeatable, giving inconsistent results. Other factors such as weather conditions can create poor visibility, and can cause people to fail it on that given day. Once the driving test has been passed, our safety on the roads is reliant on drivers knowing the standard for sight, getting tested and acting on the results. Surveys have shown that most drivers are unaware of the standard, and therefore the DVLA is not notified of problems.

While the powers that be debate these important topics, what can we do to make our roads safer? Have your sight checked regularly, take note of the optician’s recommendations for driving, and always wear your up to date prescription. Visual fields testing checks are especially important, this makes sure you can see clearly all around you. If your teenagers are learning to drive, get their eyes tested before they start, and make sure they take their glasses with them!!

Keep an eye on elderly relatives or friends – while driving can be the key to independence, it’s a fact of life that there comes a time when it’s simply not safe. On the other hand, new specs may be all that’s needed to improve sight and keep them driving safely for as long as possible.

Never wear tinted lenses at night, and maintain spec lenses – broken down coatings or scratched lenses may impair sight. Add an anti-reflection coating to your lens to maximise sight for safe driving after dark.

Whatever the government ultimately decides, to a great extent our safety is in our own hands, and by looking after your own sight you’ll be doing all you can to protect yourself and other road users.

Varifocal Glasses

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The Frame Game

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

Many clients hate that moment when they stagger out of the opticians consulting room, reeling from the flashing lights and endless questions, and are then faced with the challenge of choosing a frame that will affect their sight and their appearance for some time to come. Sounds nightmarish doesn’t it? Well help is at hand, from the Internet GlassesCompany’s simple guide to the frame game…….

Step 1 – Does your prescription limit your choice? You can cut down the endless options by consulting the dispensing optician to begin with. For example – longsighted people with a higher lens power might be best to avoid rimless frames, which will not be durable with their thin lens edges. Ask first or regret later – falling in love with a frame and then being told it won’t work for you is heart-breaking!

Step 2 – Plastic or metal? This basic question of look and fit is a perfect place to start. Plastic frames are chunky, bold, have fewer bits to go wrong and sit all around the bridge of your nose. Good for sensitive allergic types, as you won’t react to them, high fashion types who like something groovy, and short sighted people who want to cover the edges of their lenses. Metals are skinny, slick, and good for those with an asymmetric nose! The individual pads can be adjusted for the perfect fit. They are less obtrusive than plastic.

Step 3 – Large, small, round or square? Shape and size are linked – and are related to the proportions of your face. Check our website for a detailed guide! Your frame size may also be dictated by your lens power, so again, ask for help before you choose. Fashion at the moment suggests big, deep square or round frames, oversized Aviators, and deep rectangles too.

Step 3 – Colour – are you a shrinking violet or a shocking pink princess? Colour dictates how bold or subtle your frame will look, and probably the situations where you’ll wear it. Lime green lined orange with inlaid flowers might be cool for clubbing or casual wear, just a bit OTT for the office! Think about your skin tone, hair colour, everyday wardrobe, and the general look. We can help you invest in few options for all situations! – that makes the frame game easy to win!

Varifocal Glasses

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Techno – Kids

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

In this digital age and our ever changing, fast paced, shrinking world, we take it for granted that our children will watch DVDS, play on their computers, games consoles and i-phones, and take it in our stride that these advances are inevitable and perfectly safe. But do we ever stop and really think about whether this mass of multi-media is ok for kid’s eyes?

A recent survey found that in the selected group of British kids, they were watching more than 2.5 hours of telly per day, plus spending up to 2 hours online or on computer gaming. Over a year this adds up to more time than they spend at school! Over 60% of over fives have their own pc, with almost half having internet access in their rooms. The same proportion have TVs in their rooms, and a staggering 97% of over 11s have a mobile phone. 70% of five to 16 year olds have a mobile.

To reduce the effects of fatigue-related eye strain, parents should monitor their child’s use of these devices, and encourage a range of activities in conjunction with their TV and computer habit! Playing outdoors makes the child look at far distances, to help their visual systems develop healthily. Watch their routine and suggest a five minute break at least every hour. Check their posture at the screen – and get a chair which allows them to maintain a straight back and feet flat on the floor.

The added worry is the launch of 3D, with most new children’s films in this format, and Nintendo’s 3DS game console. The latter have issued a warning that the 3D function should be turned off if your child is under 6. Short term, 3D may give rise to headaches and double vision. Your child’s sight is still developing up to age 6, and they need a sharp image from both eyes for the visual system to develop properly. The proximity of a hand held console to the eye may put the visual system under stress. If your child can’t see the 3D effect, get their eyes tested – there are several eye conditions that manifest themselves in this way.

So moderation in all things is the key, we want our kids to be techno-savvy, to prepare themselves for their future career and the exciting new developments that await us. We just want to ensure they can see them properly!

Varifocal Glasses

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Contacts Pros & Cons!

Friday, May 27th, 2011

If you’re long or short sighted and wear specs, you may at some point have toyed with the notion of contact lenses. All patients have their own fears and questions about this issue. Do they hurt? Can they slip round and get lost behind your eye? Are they expensive? This bit’s easy – the answer to all those questions in no!!

Can I wear them if I have an astigmatism? Need help for reading? Can anybody wear them? The answer to all these is yes!! Easy isn’t it? But if you need further reassurance, here’s our top ten of why you need to make contact!

1.Without resorting to surgery you’ll have clear, spec free, stable eye sight.

2.You’ll have a full field of vision, even at the periphery, with no spec frame in the way.

3. The newest lenses and cleaning systems are easy and simple to use.

4.You have flexibility – different lens types are worn for I day, 1 week, I month……the choice is yours!

5.Sport is easier and more fun without sliding, misty specs distracting you from your performance!

6.You can look different for socialising or work, and show off your eyes for maximum impact.

7.Some eye conditions are corrected more effectively with contact lenses.

8.Contact lenses are suitable for all ages – from eight to eighty and beyond if you’re game!

9.Most people can wear them for long periods of time from day one onwards – they’re quick to adapt to and so comfortable you won’t know they’re there!

10. With IGC spec prices you can afford contacts, and lots of spare glasses for convenience and an exciting range of eye wear options.

So what are you waiting for? Get down to the Opticians for your contacts, then make contact with us for some groovy glasses – sorted for work, rest and play!

Varifocal Glasses

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Celeb Watch Late Spring 2012

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Post-Royal-Nuptials Celeb watchers, we are drained with the emotion of the past couple of weeks (Wills – why not me? Beatrice – why generally? Pippa – why do we not have a rear like you? Why why why?) Having taken down the bunting and finished off the celebratory Krug we’re eager to get back to normal and hit those shops. Pleated midi skirt – check. Colour block playsuit – check. Stunning new sunnies for June? Distress darlings!! Last months fashion simply won’t do………now which hot look can we steal from our celeb faves?

Uma Thurman – Spotted on the red carpet in a thrillingly different nude frame with smokin’ hot graduated lenses. Nicely laid back summer vibe.

Alexa Chung – The fashionista’s fashionista sporting a deliciously retro, severely cat’s eye shape in sleek black, interestingly with a slim side, a new look for this year. Always ahead of the fashion pack Alexa….

Brad Pitt – Not the best look we ever saw him in, but with Brad, even bad spec days are divine. A new twist on the wayfarer perennial look, polished plastic with a pale and interesting lens.

Sarah Jessica Parker – Our fave girl to watch in the fashion stakes sets out in the New York spring with a very chic sunnie – oversized black plastic with a neat logo, on the slim side again – Alexa you were the trend setter!!

So we’re filled with enthusiasm and ideas thanks to our inspiring celebs – and just in case it’s true that Chelsy and Harry have split, we need to get shopping fast and then work on bagging our own Prince Charming! Kate Middleton, newly crowned Duchess of Cambridge, you are every girl’s real inspiration!

Varifocal Glasses

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Who’s Who

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

Visiting the optical practice can be a bewildering, scary, and possibly expensive experience! It’s essential however for the sake of your sight and eye health to make sure you have regular eye examinations, and our professional advice is to see your optician every two years. They may want to see you more often if they are monitoring a specific problem, or you have a general health condition such as Diabetes. So how do you choose where to go, who will you see there, and what do they do?

Firstly, do your research. Word of mouth is an excellent way to choose an Optician, as this is a fairly personal, intimate service, and the chances are that like minded friends will be able to suggest someone you would like too! Take a look at their websites – are they friendly, techie, independent or multiple? The multiples are quick, no nonsense, and may have special offers. You won’t however get the same continuity of care that an independent practice will give. Do you need a downstairs consulting room, or someone who is expert in a particular field? Ask around and phone before you go to get these little details straight.

On arrival you will see a receptionist, who may simply direct you around the practice and deal with your paperwork. Or your receptionist may be an Optical Assistant too, who will pre-screen you and answer technical questions about glasses or contact lenses. Bigger practices will have both on their team.

The Optometrist or Optician is fully qualified to test eyes, fit contact lenses, dispense low visual aids, and refer you for further investigation to a consultant. They will check your eye health and your vision, and may be able to diagnose some general health problems too.

If you need new specs or maintenance of your present specs, you’ll see a Dispensing Optician. They are qualified in all technical aspects of specs themselves, and may also be a qualified contact lens fitter. Or the Optical Assistant may be trained to deal with your glasses.

If you’re curious about who’s who here at the Internet Glasses Company, all of our staff are part time in practice, and are qualified Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Technicians. This means they have ongoing knowledge of flesh and blood patients in the real world, as well as our online clients in cyber space!

Varifocal Glasses

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Kid’s Stuff

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

We all know that specs are a trendy accessory nowadays, and plenty of fashionistas even wear frames with clear lenses to complete their look. For children however, the stigma of being different can make life difficult if they suddenly have prescribed spectacles. While most kids happily embrace their new glasses, there are those who find it stressful or even totally traumatic to learn that they need visual correction.

Recent research showed that nearly twenty percent of children who need specs don’t wear them. So even if you send your child to school with their glasses, are they keeping them on? Short term this may lead to eye strain and headaches, long term it could affect their performance in all aspects of school life. If your child is under the age of eight you can help by allowing them to pick frames they enjoy wearing, shopping for a groovy spec case, and choosing thin, light weight lenses, and monitoring the fit of the glasses so they are always comfortable. Even if you feel upset that they need specs, never show it!!

Once they get to age eight, you could ask your Optician about contact lenses. This has been shown to improve children’s confidence at school, and have a positive effect on how they feel they look. It also improves their ability to fully take part in sports and other activities such as stage productions. If you and your child are motivated to wear lenses, then age is not a barrier to success. Parents have reported a remarkable change in children when they start wearing contact lenses – shy, reserved children are suddenly the bouncy and bubbly ones!

So if you are in doubt about your child, speak to your optician about you’re their suitability for contact lens wear. As our Optometrist said – “It’s clients like these that make our day. Seeing the grin on a child’s face when they see the world through contacts is a magic moment!”

Varifocal Glasses

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Square Eyes!

Friday, May 20th, 2011

The trend for bigger and deeper frames has created a huge shift in fashion eye wear this year. Most of the new collections for late 2011 to 2012 are moving away from the shallow rectangular shape we’ve all been wearing the last few years, to a more wearable deeper proportion. Round is creeping in, but for the present, it’s seriously hip to be square…….

Square means a deep frame with an angular eye shape, which is flattering, funky, and actually pretty practical! Finally we can see to go downstairs again, as a little more lens means a lot more sight. This is an evolution onwards and upwards from the traditional Dr Who geek shape, which is based on the old NHS plastic frame – and it is time to move on as that frame was discontinued by the NHS in 1988!

This is a trend that transcends age, gender and budget. For men, women, young and old, in the right colour and finish it suits everyone. Bigger and bolder is better in this case, and is another nail in the coffin of the metal frame fashion story. Where a year or two ago our biggest sellers were always metal, they are now a rare breed! Plastic is less likely to break, more comfortable thanks to the moulded bridge, and have less bits to fall off or go wrong!

Bring your eyewear bang up to date with this shape and bright colour combinations. In line with the colour block trend for clothes, we’re lusting after hot colour combos like clashing lime fronts and pink sides, tortoise brown and purple, turquoise and orange. So for a practical fashion fix find the mix that flatters your complexion and enjoy going wild by being square!

Varifocal Glasses

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Eye-Exercise

Monday, May 16th, 2011

We all lead busy lives nowadays, we’re time-poor and trying to cram as much multi-tasking as possible into every minute of the day. Tired bodies and minds are one thing, but of course our eyes have to keep up the pace from the first second we awake to last thing at night. How can you prevent strain and keep those peepers daisy fresh through a long and eventful day?

What you eat and drink can affect your eyes and your sight just as it can affect the rest of your body. Plenty of water and a sensible attitude to alcohol consumption benefits the eyes, and staying hydrated can help to prevent headaches and dry eyes. Eating a varied diet with plenty of different coloured fruit and veg provides nutrients and anti-oxidants that maintain eye health. Omega 3, protein and dairy products give you everything your eyes need for long term health.

Smoking has a detrimental affect on the eyes, it’s a factor in the development of cataract and macular degeneration, as well as being damaging to the delicate skin around the eyes. Exercise will improve oxygen flow to the eyes as well as the rest of the body.

If you feel tired and have been concentrating on close work or the VDU screen for long periods, try a little eye specific relaxation – blink and look into the distance, blink again. Sit back and close your eyes, breathing slowly and evenly. Rub your hands together if they’re cold, and when hands are warm gently cup them over your eyelids. After a minute or two, slowly move them away, keeping your eyes shut for a minute. Repeat and then open eyes slowly. Blink to re-moisten. Taking a second or two to look away from the computer and blinking at regular intervals will keep the eyes moist and fresher throughout the day.

Comfortable, healthy eyes will prevent fatigue and make your busy day easier to deal with. Regular eye checks and wearing up to date glasses are the finishing touch that will put your mind at rest as well as your eyes!

Varifocal Glasses

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Spec Solutions

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

If are the proud owner of a pair of reading glasses you will know how jolly useful the little treasures are. Want to check the calorie content of your fave choccie treat? Examine the scary side effects of your medication? Or even properly note the news? Before reaching for the paper you’ll have to locate the ever elusive reading glasses from wherever you threw them last time you needed to do anything other than see close too. And herein lies the tricky side of reading glasses. You can see fine detail at a near distance, but you can’t see anything else in them! So they get taken on and off, they work loose, they get sat on, lost and chewed by eager puppies, and they’re never where you want them…….are you losing your patience as well as your specs?

You could purchase the ever stylish Granny spec chain. These suspend your specs to dangle around your chest, so at least you know where they are. Unfortunately, Grannies nowadays are more likely to be windsurfing, rock climbing or white water rafting, and are generally too busy having fun to find the time to find their glasses. And they would not be seen dead in anything Grannyish. Your glasses will also get squashed, splattered with crumbs, and tangled in necklaces.

You can wear them on your head, which will keep your hair back and look groovy. Only advisable if you have spring loaded spec hinges and an aversion to sticky hair products. But at least you know where they are and are likely to notice if the dog starts chewing them.

Or you can buy at least ten pairs, to keep by the phone, the desk, your comfy chair, your make up mirror etc etc. Other people will of course pinch them, and they’ll still never be exactly where you need them, but at least you’ll make your optician happy.

So what is the perfect solution? You could invest in varifocals, which have no prescription at the top, so you can wear them all the time, pretending you are not old enough to need reading glasses. You can have any one of a number of contact lens options, from bifocals and varifocals to the cunning plan of one reading contact lens that does half the work while your brain does the rest. I was sticking to the headband option, although it’s getting a bit embarrassing when I’m searching for specs that the whole world can see are perched on my head……..maybe it’s time to take my own advice and find a new spec solution for me!

Varifocals Glasses

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