With summer round the corner (we hope) is the time to be scrabbling round in old coat pockets and handbags for last seasons sunglasses and seeing if they are still fashionable! But really what we should be thinking is how well are these sunglasses protecting my eyes from UV rays. Sunglasses that may appear to be cheap and cheerful often don’t have the UV protection required, and as our pupils get bigger behind dark lenses. The UV will positively flood in!

So please be fashionable but also be safe check that the lenses comply with EU regulations and have a strong enough UV filter, to keep your eyes in tip top condition and less likely to develop cataracts in later life!

Also please be extra careful when choosing children’s sunglasses and this is even more important!

So when were you last checked?

Many people are so often surprised how long ago their last eye test actually was when they really stop and think about it.

For most people every 2 years is quite sufficient and this applies to both glasses wearers and those who do not require them at all.

Most people assume that if you don't need glasses then you don't need to have your eyes tested, which is not the case at all. In fact we spend the majority of the examination assessing the over all health of your eyes and with a lot of eye conditions being asymptomatic this is of the utmost importance!

So when did you last have yours? More than 2 years ago?

If so simply book an appointment today via telephone, email or just pop in! Hope to see you soon!

April showers

Are you enjoying the april showers and sunshine? At least we're getting season appropriate weather now! Its just so tricky you never know what to wear, and end up having to take both sunglasses and a brolly. One minute the sunglasses are on, the next minute they're off and the brolly is up....the joys of april weather. Its at this time of year that I really begin to think contact lenses are so handy for the rain showers - there is nothing more annoying than rain on your specs, but on the other hand, transitions (glasses) would be really useful than at least I wouldn't have to have my sunglasses on and off - only a matter of time before I lose my sunglasses or my brolly or both!

Sun is out

The sun is out...time to dust off those sunglasses or maybe buy a new pair for spring/summer. Maybe a retro rayban or maui jim?

U.V does adversely affect the eyes so its really important to wear sun protection.

Maui Jim Sunglasses offer polarisedplus lens technology which incorporates a polarised film, bi-gradient mirror, and anti-reflective treatment all of which are needed to minimise glare.

Maui Jim Sport offers impact resistance with polycarbonate lenses. And Maui Jim Titanium Sport offers light weight impact resistance.

There is even a Maui Jim that will help you read in the sun!

Eggs-tremely good deals for the whole family starting on the 1st march.

Eggs-tremely good deals for the whole family start on the 1st march and run until easter monday (9.4.2012).

The following offers are available but only with the voucher and from the 1.3.2012 to 9.4.2012.

• 20% off frames for adults (16 to 60yrs). Only available with the purchase of a complete pair of spectacles, a single purchase and not in conjunction with any other offer.
• 20% off lenses for seniors (+60yrs).Only available with the purchase of a complete pair of spectacles, a single purchase and not in conjunction with any other offer.
• 20% off glasses for children (less than 16yrs). Only available with the purchase of a complete pair of spectacles, a single purchase and not in conjunction with any other offer.

Impact of computer use on children

Millions of children use computers both at school and at home on a daily basis.

Children can experience the same difficulties adults experience when using a computer such as eye discomfort, fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches.

Children are more susceptible because:

• Children have limited self-awareness they will keep doing an enjoyable task until near exhaustion which can lead to problems with accommodation (focussing ability).
• Children are very adaptable which means they ignore problems that adults would address
• Children are not the same size as adults which means they are not looking directly at the screen in fact they may be looking up at the screen by as much as 15 degrees which causes problems for the eyes working together.

What can you do to help protect your child when they are using a computer:

• Have your child’s vision checked
• Build in breaks every 30mins
• Check the height and position of the computer
• Check for glare and reflections on the computer screen – position the monitor to minimise glare

Adjust the lighting so it is appropriate for prolonged use.

IGO lenses.

Wake up to perfect vision: Overnight vision correction with IGO lenses.

We’ve been fitting quite few people with IGO lenses recently and it never ceases to amaze me the difference it can make to someone’s quality of life – to be free of contact lenses and glasses during the day.

IGO lenses use overnight vision correction (OVC). OVC uses what we call ortho-keratology or ortho-K lenses. OVC is a way of correctly short sightness/myopia without the need for glasses, daytime contact lens wear or laser vision correction. Patients wear custom made gas permeable lenses overnight and remove the lenses in the morning. This then gives clear vision throughout the day without the need for contact lenses or glasses. Whilst the patient wears lenses overnight they re-shape the cornea which corrects the prescription. These lenses flatten the cornea, which alters the angle that light enters the eye.

OVC is ideal for people who are really sporty especially sports where contact lens wear is difficult such as surfing , kayaking etc…

IGO have now extended the prescription range for their lenses so more and more people have the option of trying OVC.

For more information contact either us or have a look at the IGO website. (http://igolenses.co.uk/indexb.html)