Archive for May, 2011

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Fashion Forward for Summer

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

After the excitement of our optical trade fairs in the spring, the new trends for 2011 are now on the shelves and gracing the faces of the fashion forward amongst us. A change is as good as a rest, and a new look for your specs can be the kick start you need to experiment with new hair, make up or clothes. So what is fashion forward for summer?

Retro is very much the look of the moment, but as ever with fashion, subtle twists on the original theme bring the look bang up to date. Seventies over sized and over-the -top glamour is beautifully combined with Sixties iconic shapes like the cat’s eye and large round shapes. For men too the retro theme is carried through. Size really does matter here – big is bold, beautiful and very very trendy. Frames are wider and deeper then we have seen for some time – so if you have a high prescription you can choose them as long as you plump for thin material lenses.

Colour is everywhere, and in line with the clashing colour block trend of clothes, there are some wild and wacky combinations on eye wear too. Acid yellow, bright orange, vivid pink and hot lime are fabulous for the brave amongst you, softer blue and tortoiseshell are chic for the introverted! There are more translucent plastics this year, so you can have colour in a softer form. For men there are the bold choices of blue and coloured linings to frames, and lots of warm olive greens, which can be flattering on boys with warm complexions.

Bling is gradually creeping back in, after a rest from all things diamante in the last year. Are we bored with austerity and looking for some fun again? A dash of crystal or a scattering of sparkling stones would make the glummest amongst us shine this summer!

Varifocal Glasses

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Ready to Read

Friday, May 13th, 2011

For the second time this year Ready Readers have been making headlines – sadly for their shortcomings rather than their advantages. The Daily Mail has run a second check on the standards and accuracy of these useful little specs. Ready Readers are handy to keep as a spare pair in your work bag, in the drawer by the phone for jotting things down, or in an extra strength for particular jobs or hobbies. For most patients they will not suffice as reading glasses for long periods of close work, but they are useful for little jobs around the home or office.

Ready readers are made with the same power in both eyes, and with the optical centres of the lenses set at an average distance to suit the average head. If you’re lucky enough to have symmetrical vision and an average head they therefore work as well as the bespoke reading glasses that we would make up for you – but sadly how many of us conform to this perfect ideal! But even in our imperfect state, they still do the job – if they’re correctly made that is.

Unfortunately the Daily Mail investigation revealed that many ready readers are poorly made, and not up to standard in the accuracy of the stated power. This could cause headaches and eye strain. Many were incorrect, or simply of poor quality materials that give rise to distorted vision. The optical centres of glasses should be placed in front of the pupil of the wearer, which is why we ask you to give us this measurement when you order specs. If you can’t supply it we look at your age and chosen spec size and decide on a suitable average measurement. If this doesn’t work we refund you for the glasses. Many Ready Readers were found to have poorly placed Optical Centres, in positions too large for most women and too small for most men.

Saving the cost of reading glasses is a false economy if the specs are so badly made that you cannot wear them. Internet specs suppliers such as ourselves will make you an inexpensive pair of glasses to your correct power and your given measurements. A couple of pairs will make sure you’re ready to read whenever you need too!

Varifocal Glasses

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Celeb Watch Easter 2011

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

What joy Celeb watchers – Easter is upon us, the perfect excuse to gorge on chocs and shop ready for summer, simply heaven! With the boring old economy still not too perky the least we can do is help out in our own little way by pouring some cash into the tills of our favourite retail outlets. If the summer look is to be perfect, a touch of sunnie magic will be the perfect accessory. A spot of celeb inspiration will help us on the way, and this week it’s all going round………

Katie Holmes – She may like her husbands on the petite side but the same is not true of her specs…..rocking a seriously big pair of bug eye shades in the cute new round shape.

Elizabeth Hurley – A change of focus from her usual favourite pair of accessories, another bug-eye curvy sunnie but a relaxed vibe thanks to laid back graduated lenses.

Sarah Jessica Parker – everyone’s fave yummy mummy chic and luxurious in the look of the week with a slim side and a discreet touch of logo. Always on trend SJP….

Kate Moss – Finally ditching the RayBan for a soft aviator which is just veering towards round, a nice variation on the obvious trend.

Thanks for the inspiration then celebs, all looking good for the sunny season. Must have list is a dash of colour block clothing, a spritz of Saint Tropez, and a star worthy sunnie, where round is clearly the new black. Must be the influence of all those Easter eggs….

Varifocal Glasses

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Old Age Worries

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

We all know things fall apart a bit as we age, giving us creaky joints, a need to turn the volume up a bit, and then worries about deteriorating sight. Many older patients put up with problems or even give up a hobby because they don’t ask for help in the form of new specs or a different lens option. If you’re in this position, or are a carer for an elderly person, why not delve a little deeper into how quality of life can be improved.

Driving is important to most of us in our day to day lives, but for older people it can be a vital lifeline to enable them to retain their independence. For the safety of everyone on the road, make sure eye exams are regularly attended and glasses kept up to date. An anti-reflection coating will help with night driving, something older people worry about. Tinted lenses should not be worn after dark, even if a light tint, as this can reduce the standard of vision for some patients.

Clearly labelling specs so the patient knows which are the newest pair and which are for close or far distance is a simple way to help too. Hide previous specs away when you take delivery of the new ones, and choose a different frame for close and far vision, or varifocals so you don’t have to search for the pair you need.

The health of the eyes can obviously affect the standard of vision, but sometimes when the Optician suggests referral for treatment, such as a Cataract operation, the patient will not want to go ahead. Glaucoma and cataract can involve surgery but these are simple procedures that will dramatically improve vision in the vast majority of cases. If a day or two of discomfort leads to better sight and years of improved sight, then surely that’s worth coping with? Speak to your Optician or GP for reassurance and the projected outcome of treatment.

More specific lens types may be needed to let patients carry on with their hobbies. For example, specially magnified lenses may help with sewing, so speak to your Optician if you’re struggling with anything, from reading music to tying flies for fishing we can supply specs to help you.

Don’t be afraid to seek help and admit that some things aren’t as easy as they used to be. With the assistance of your Optician you’ll have one less problem to deal with, we’re just sorry we can’t help with your creaking joints too!

Varifocal Glasses

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