Autumn has arrived

As the clocks go back this weekend and we head closer and closer towards winter. A lot of our minds are turning to thoughts of central heating and big woolley jumpers.But how many of us have thought about how our eyes are going to be affected by the change in the seasons.

How many of us with dry eyes suffer more during the winter when the central heating goes back on, I certainly know my dry eye is worse during the winter. Have you thought about what eye drops you're going to use to combat those dry eye symptoms this winter?

What about that low winter sun that catches you right in the eyes when you're trying to drive during the winter. Have you got your sunglasses in the glove compartment?

And how is irritating is it when you have so much rain on your glasses that you can't really see and then you head indoors and they steam up!

Ever thought of contact lenses?

If you want to know more, come and consult our experts.

Blepharitis

More simply described as an inflammation of the eyelids, this condition afflicts many of us.

We know that it can be caused by a chronic infection of the eye lashes and it is more common if you have seborrhoeic (greasy) skin and a less than thorough hygiene routine.

Sometimes it is an acute condition that lasts for a few weeks, others have it continuously with variations in severity over time.

Signs and Symptoms

Flaky debris along eyelashes

Red eyelids

Gritty eyes

Crusty lids especially on waking

Management

Management is key! Depending on the cause of your blepharitis most of the signs and symptoms reduce greatly with some simple steps.

Lid Hygiene

This was historically done with a weak solution of bicarbonate of soda with water, or baby shampoo and water rubbed along lids with a cotton bud to physically remove flakes and debris.

Luckily these days things have moved on with leaps and bounds- there are a wide selection of products designed to comfortably remove the flakes and help heal the skin around your eyes too. These usually come in solution applied with a cotton pad or in handy pre-made wipes.

Take a look at a few of our favourites:

( http://www.spectrum-thea.co.uk/Apps/Content/HTML/ViewContent.aspx?fid=5 )

Hot Compresses

Again back in the dark ages this was commonly done with a flannel dipped in hot water then applied along eyelids to encourage the glands along the lid edges to open up and release their protective oils.

These days some clever doctors have come up with a handy bag, filled with flax seed, that can be placed in the microwave and heated to a set temperature. ( http://www.eyebagcompany.com/ )

It has the same aim as the hot flannel – to open up the glands along your eyelids and encourage them to release these protective oils BUT the the Eyebag achieves this quickly and conveniently. It stays at the same temperature for a longer time, meaning your little glands receive a consistent heat for a more predictable length of time.

Air Pro-optic

  So Light, so comfortable

At Lynne Fernandes Optometrists we have stocked Air pro-optic frames for the last seven years. They are light and comfortable, reliable and simplistic. They are made from surgical steel and are therefore allergy free. Giving an uncompromising quality.

The designs offer deeper shapes for varifocals and bifocals and minimal temples for a rimless or very light semi rimless look. Softer shapes and angular frames are available to compliment each individual wearer.

Along with their timeless styles, delicate pastel shades and fresh colours concept for a woman and offer refined distinction with timeless colour tones for the man.

At Lynne Fernandes Optometrists we can help you choose your new look and will help you find a frame shape and colour that will suit your style.

Air Pro-optic

Back to School.........

The Eyecare Trust warns that as many as one-in-five school aged children has a vision problem that could interfere with their ability to learn - good vision during a child's early years is vital as visual learning accounts for 80 per cent of the learning process.

Children's eye examinations are free (paid for by the NHS – all the parent needs to do is sign a form in the practice when arriving for an appointment) for all children up to the age of 16 and up to the age of 19 if they are in full-time education. Annual examinations are recommended in most cases.

For all children, we carry out a thorough eye examination which checks for long-sightedness, short-sightedness, astigmatism, eye co-ordination, eye focussing ability and eye muscle function as well as assessing the overall health of the eyes.

Now, as they settle back into school, is a good time to get their eyes checked.

Sport

When it comes to sports and leisure activities, have you considered your choice of vision correction?  Whether you're a weekender or a serious competitor at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists our eye care professionals can help you achieve more from your game.  For some, contact lenses may be an ideal and obvious choice particularly for contact sports or just convenience and practicality - how annoying is rain on your specs! We can also provide a selection of eyewear for a range of activities for adults and children that fulfil your visual requirements and meets the necessary safety standards to give you full protection too.  So, whether it’s just a simple sports band to hold your specs in place or a prescription goggle for swimming, come and talk to us about the best solution to your sporting eyewear needs.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that affects many of us, the NHS think that between 17-30% of us will suffer its symptoms in our lifetime.

There are two main reasons why we get dry eye:

            1.  Eyes that do not make enough tears

            2.  Tears that evaporate too quickly

However there are many different causes, for example:

• The natural aging process
• Eyelid abnormalities or blinking problems
• Many common drugs e.g 'water tablets' and beta blockers
• Contact lens wear
• Environmental factors e.g smoky atmosphere or air conditioning

Here at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists we realise that Dry Eyes and all the symptoms that go along with them, can cause much discomfort.  So, we decided to set up a dedicated Dry Eye Clinic.

During these appointments we will try to understand what is causing your dry eye through make a detailed assessment of the health of the front surface of your eyes and the quality and quantity of your tears.

Although Dry Eyes cannot usually be cured, we will be able to offer you treatment and advice to help manage and reduce your symptoms.