Eye Health « The Internet Glasses Company

Archive for the ‘Eye Health’ Category

Eye Wear Solutions

Friday, August 19th, 2011

In the past the high cost of glasses and contact lenses meant that for the majority of patients they could only afford one or the other. Limited choices also meant that many people couldn’t find contact lenses that suited their eyes, jobs or hobbies or prescription. It’s all change now however, thanks to services like the Internet Glasses Company – we increasingly deal with patients who need more than just one solution to their eye care needs…..

Alison, 39, new mother – “I’m short sighted and have needed glasses since I was twelve. I switched to contact lenses in my teens, and during my career they suited me really well. Now I have a baby and need to get up in the night, I’ve switched to weekly extended wear lenses, so I can see as soon as I wake up! I leave them out all day on a Sunday to give my eyes a break, so I have some funky specs to wear then. I’ve also got non-prescription sunglasses to wear over my contacts.”

Jake 27 – IT Consultant and weekend tennis coach – “I’m short sighted enough to need specs for driving, and on the tennis court, but I don’t need them in the office. I keep a clear pair of anti-reflection coated glasses in the car for driving at night, and wear Oakley prescription glasses with a tint when I’m playing tennis. These are great for driving in the day too. I also keep a few throw away one day contacts which I wear if it’s cloudy, or sometimes I put them in to go out in the evening.”

Peter 62 – GP – I didn’t need specs until I was 43, when I started to find small print difficult. I had half frames but felt they were intimidating to my patients! I also began to find the computer tricky, so I had varifocals made up, with no distance power, just close up and computer distance. These are good in the car for the Sat Nav, so I wear them all the time, in conjunction with a dark tinted pair for the sun. I keep that original half frame pair by the laptop at home, they’re great for the screen.

So have a think about your lifestyle needs and take a browse on the Internet Glasses Company site – you can find your eye wear solutions stylishly and at low cost!

Varifocal Glasses

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: eye wear solutions
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

Low Vision Aid

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

As Opticians we pride ourselves on providing a service as well as offering the best and newest designs in frames, lenses and contact lenses. Sometimes we pass patients onto consultants for treatment of problems such as Glaucoma, Cataract or Macular Degeneration. There is also a less well known step in the process where we can look after patients suffering from low vision who need a special type of magnifier or visual aid rather than corrective treatment.

In the UK there are more than two million people registered as blind or partially sighted. We can help these patients by assessing the standard of vision they can achieve, and prescribing devices that make life easier. These may be simple hand-held magnifiers, lenses or telescopes attached to spec frames, large print books and clocks, or computer based viewing systems to enable the patient to read once more. Tinted lenses or special filters may be prescribed, or high illumination lamps. Technology plays a part too, with electronic magnifiers and e-books with an enlarged image.

If you are a carer for a relative with a visual defect that can’t be corrected, then using Low Vision services may significantly improve their quality of life, and allow them more independence. Advice on using a white stick or referring them on to Guide dog services may be a life changing experience. Different devices help patients to get around more easily, manage day to day living, or enjoy hobbies once again. If the Optician says that specs won’t help the patient any more, then ask if a referral to a Low Vision clinic would be suitable. There is often much trial and error to find the solutions that will suit each individual, and patients may need a combination of aids to help them. Annual assessment is recommended, to make sure that as sight changes the patient still has the best aids.

Varifocal Glasses

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: cataract, Glaucoma, macular degeneration, Opticians
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

Fighting Fatigue

Friday, August 12th, 2011

For many of us our working life now revolves around staring at the computer screen all day, and if you’re over forty you’ll need specs for close and middle distance rather than the far distance glasses required in the past. Baby boomers are now around age 60, and lead busy and dynamic lives, again often involving long periods of time at the computer. According to statistics over 100 million Americans spend over 50% of their working day at the VDU. Then add in mobile phones, i-pads, gaming consoles……our world is getting closer to us all the time…….

Few people wear specs made for their computer, which means they’re struggling for huge amounts of time every day with glasses not designed for purpose. This is a contributing factor to a collection of symptoms called visual fatigue syndrome, which affects up to 83% of the US population at some point in their lives. This is due to a combination of environmental, physical and physiological factors, leading to tired eyes, headaches, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain. A vague collection of problems that will fluctuate, and it takes some detective work by your GP or optician to discover your problem.

If you are a computer user over age forty, there are many products out there to give you better vision and make life more comfortable. You can have single vision glasses just for the screen, but they won’t benefit you in using laptops, tablets, or mobiles. Vocational lenses combine a wide reading area with mid-distance, like a simplified varifocal lens, and will allow you to do everything up to arms length. Some designs give a small amount of far distance vision too. For general purpose lenses and sporadic computer use, varifocals let you do everything, but you may have to adjust your screen.

Varifocal Glasses

So if the visual fatigue syndrome symptoms sound familiar to you, have a chat with your optician. Take a list of which devices you use, how long you use them for, and your working distance for your computer.

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: specs for close and middle distance, vocational lenses
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

Calculating the Cataract Risk

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Cataracts are a pesky problem that as our population ages, we’re all more likely to suffer from. They’re a change in the clear lens that sits in your eye behind the pupil, where the lens becomes more like a frosted window than a clear one, and as the cataract progresses you’ll need surgery to remove the faulty lens and replace it with an implanted artificial one. While this surgery is simple and pretty painless nowadays, it’s best all round if avoided, so what are the risk factors for cataract, and can you avoid them?

1.Age – a fact of life that as time goes by, so does your cataract risk. At age 75 you’ll have a 37% chance of it. You can reduce this likelihood by keeping to a healthy BMI, taking moderate exercise, and wearing a UV filter in your specs.

2.Diabetes – As well as everything else Diabetics have to contend with, they are also at higher risk of a particular type of cataract, and at an earlier age than the rest of the population.

3.Gender – sadly girls, due to hormonal fluctuations, cataract risk is higher for the fairer sex.

4.Genetics – as well as cursing your forebears for your knobbly knees or male pattern baldness, you can also thank them for your cataracts!

5.Geography – You’re more likely to develop cataract if you live nearer to the equator because of…………

6.Light – UV gives the highest risk, so don’t forget your sunnies, especially for children, who spend up to three times more time outside than adults.

7.Steroids – use of steroids carries an associated risk.

8.Myopia – Not only are very short sighted people at higher risk of retinal detachments, they’re also at more risk of cataracts. Life just isn’t fair!

9.Smoking – although this is dependent on other factors too, there is evidence that beside all the other problems caused by the evil weed, cataract can be added to the list.

So there you go – some factors you can do something about, others you can’t – but don’t say we didn’t warn you!!

Varifocal Glasses

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: cataracts
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

The Perfect Pupil

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

If eyes are the window to the soul, then pupils must be the vital heart of things, a dark window that allows opticians and ardent suitors the opportunity to really look deep into the eyes. The pupil is a central hole, surrounded by a ring of muscle that controls it’s size, allowing the pupil to widen or constrict, depending on light conditions and how much you like what you’re seeing!

If you’re in bright light, your pupil closes down; stopping damaging UV rays from reaching the delicate internal structures inside the eye that make up your visual system. The lens just behind your pupil may suffer from cataract at some stage of life, and one of the reasons for this is UV exposure. Macular degeneration is also partly caused by UV. Never buy a cheap pair of sunglasses without full UV filters – they will make your pupil open up, flooding the exposed eye with UV.

Pupils are usually the same size, responding equally to stimulus. A difference of up to a millimetre between the two is however common, and usually it’s just because the two eyes are slightly different. Now for the science bit – different size pupils have the cool medical name of anisocoria. If this is normal for the patient then when we dim the lights and examine the pupils we’ll see that they both react in the same way, at the same time.

If pupils remain at different sizes under different lighting conditions, then there may be an underlying problem. This could be due to a fault in nerve supply to the eye, or an anatomical problem. Medication (or recreational!) drugs may also affect pupil size. If it’s suddenly apparent that pupils are different sizes, then this should be investigated. There are several medical conditions that can give rise to this symptom, some more serious than others, so seek advice if you suddenly notice this problem.

If you gaze into the eyes of that special someone who makes your heart beat a bit faster – no not your optician! - Then your pupils will dilate, so it’s a useful indicator if you’re out on a blind date! You might want to cover up with sunglasses if you want to keep your feelings to yourself!

Varifocal Glasses

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: catarac, macular degeneration, pupils
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

Terrific Tints

Monday, June 13th, 2011

While for some tints are simply a fashion accessory (Ozzy Osbourne, you know who you are!!) for others they are a medical necessity that can change vision and therefore day to day lives. We’re referring in this instance to colours dyed into the plastic lens material, in very specific shades that filter different wavelengths of light to give the wearer a specific view. For some visual problems and lifestyle choices a tint can make a terrific difference…..

Tints for Dyslexia – For many dyslexic patients a tinted spectacle lens or a coloured plastic sheet called an overlay can make reading more comfortable and much less of a strain. We’ve even had kids learn to read for the first time thanks to these specialist tints. You need analysis by a trained Optometrist, who will help to find the most effective colour for you. The glasses can look any colour, with hues of every shade from violet, yellow, green, blue and everything in between. They cannot be replicated by just guessing the shade – they are built up of different filters to perfect the exact shade.

Tints for Migraine – Recent research has shown that precision tinted lenses can have a therapeutic effect for migraine sufferers. The specially tuned tints work by normalising brain activity – researchers noted abnormal brain activity when migraine patients saw odd visual effects and patterns. Wearing the tints calmed this down. These lenses are of a similar type to those for dyslexic patients.

Tints for Driving – While it’s illegal to drive in tinted lenses after dark, high contrast filter tints can make driving safer and more comfortable by day. These specialist tints cut glare but allow colours to show true, so you’re not dazzled by the sun but can still pick out brake lights easily. These lenses are usually a rich reddish brown colour, sometimes with a mirror layer on the front for further glare reduction.

Tints for Clarity – If you have a hobby like shooting, you’ll have seen some yellow tints worn by the professionals. These tints make vision sharper, enhancing the good sight you already have. By providing extra contrast you’ll get a better image of the target. They don’t cut sunlight glare – they actually make your day as well as your score look brighter!

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: Tints, Tints for Clarity, Tints for Driving, Tints for Dyslexia, Tints for Migraine
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

Best of Both Worlds

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

As we all get more internet savvy and take full advantage of the simplicity and economy of online shopping, specs retailers like us are happily increasing our share of the Optical market in the UK. While you’ll always need your flesh and blood optician for certain services, we believe that our professional expertise can work alongside traditional opticians to give you more choice and more eyewear options. But you still need to make regular trips into the practice for your eye examinations – and in case you’re wondering why, here’s our top ten eye test truths…..

1.Eyes don’t hurt if they’re not working properly, so you need an eye exam to spot potential problems.

2.At the moment you can’t have a new pair of eyes if yours go wrong! So look after the ones you’ve got.

3.Early detection of disease is easier to deal with than advanced symptoms, so don’t put off your test.

4.The eye test can also pick up signs of general health issues, such as high blood pressure.

5.Poor sight can be dangerous, especially for drivers. A full exam will ensure you are safe on the roads.

6.The best sight we can give you will make your life easier and more enjoyable – you may be able to take up a hobby or sport again if your sight was improved.

7.Your Optician can suggest solutions to problems in the home, workplace, or on the sports field. For instance you may need a combination of specs and contact lenses to fulfil all your needs.

8.In the young poor sight may hinder their learning and social development, but what they see is normal to them so parents often don’t know there’s a problem. Get it checked!

9.In the elderly poor sight can lead to falls, poor quality of life, and even danger – what if they can’t read their medication instructions properly?

10.Even a small change in glasses prescription can prevent headaches, eye strain and visual discomfort.

So don’t ignore those reminder letters! See your optician for help, advice and peace of mind. Then send us your prescription and we’ll do the rest!

Varifocal Glasses

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: online shopping, Optical market
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

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

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: sight of drivers, vision standards for motorists
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

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

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: eye strain, Optician
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

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

Share and Enjoy:

Tags: dry eyes, VDU screen
Posted in Eye Health, Helpfull Info | No Comments »

Categories

Pages

Archives

Categories

Archive for the ‘Eye Health’ Category

Eye Wear Solutions

Low Vision Aid

Fighting Fatigue

Calculating the Cataract Risk

The Perfect Pupil

Terrific Tints

Best of Both Worlds

Driving Forward

Kid’s Stuff

Eye-Exercise