Both in the consulting room and in our e-mail inbox we get many queries about specs, sight and contact lenses. Here are the three most common from the summer months……..
1.I can’t wear contact lenses during the summer due to my hayfever………In the past, due to lens materials and in fact just poor advice, patients often felt they couldn’t wear their lenses during the dreaded hay fever season. Nowadays however, thanks to advanced lens materials – the snappily named nelficon A for one – lenses can actually work as a barrier to irritants that cause the misery of hay fever symptoms. Some lenses also contain lubricants to soothe the eyes, which are activated by blinking as you wear the lenses. So speak to your optician and see what the options are – hopefully no more red, itchy eyes will be one!
2. Light reacting lenses don’t work in the car……..some older types of light reacting or ‘photochromic’ lenses didn’t go very dark behind some windscreens. This was dependant on the type of windscreen and type of lens. While it’s true that all windscreens due inhibit the action of theses lenses, it’s less of a problem with the newest generation of lens materials. Speak to your optician, who may be able to loan you a sample lens to try in the car. They also work less well if it’s very hot, so try them out on a less than scorching day!
3.I can’t have my favourite sunglasses made with my prescription lenses………we often get sunglass frames brought into us to see if prescription lenses can be put into them. While we can’t promise to use just any frame you give us, plenty can be transformed into prescription sunglasses. Generally we have difficulty with any super huge, very curved or poor quality rimless frame, but that should still leave you with plenty of choice! Keep the receipt and make sure the specs can be exchanged if not suitable. We can check out the frame against your prescription and tell you if it can be used.
