Introducing luxury Silhouette Eyewear

G R Hardwick Opticians are delighted to announce that they have recently become exclusive North West stockists of the Silhouette Eyewear Atelier Collection. This exceptional luxury eyewear collection is an expression of timeless elegance, showcased by precious gems, materials and exquisite craftsmanship. Each rimless frame in the collection is handcrafted and totally unique.

The Atelier range is made from precious materials including 18-carat solid yellow, white and rose gold that can be polished or brushed for a lustrous finish. Hand selected, exquisite stones such as diamonds, rubies and blue and pink cabochon-cut sapphires are used as elegant decorative elements on selected Atelier models.

All frames are customised, based on the wearers’ preference.

The Atelier range is all about bespoke luxury, achieved with bespoke lens shapes; graceful for women and a highly refined look for men. Silhouette believes lens shapes express the unique personality of the wearer and with Atelier, there is an array of opportunities to create a personal piece of jewellery.

Silhouette’s Atelier Collection follows in the tradition of craftsmanship, creating timeless, bespoke eyewear personally created for the wearer. Elegantly designed down to the last detail, the Atelier range incorporates state of the art precision manufacturing and time-honoured artisan techniques to produce beautiful, high end masterpieces.

Traditional goldsmiths and stone-setters techniques are paired with over 50 years’ experience in the manufacture of eyewear to create the Atelier Collection.

The result is luxurious, one of a kind eyewear.

The Silhouette Arnold Schmied family hallmark is engraved on every pair, verifying that these are authentic Silhouette glasses handcrafted from exquisite materials.

The Atelier Collection is available at the G R Hardwick Cleveleys practice.

To book a personal appointment to view the collection, please call 01253 853030 or email Phil Sherlock at Phil.Sherlock@grhardwick.co.uk.

Independent thinking

We are proud to be an independent local optician, and according to the experts at consumer body Which?, our pride is well-founded. In a comprehensive survey of UK opticians, independents topped the table with an average customer score of 87 per cent – significantly outperforming every national chain of opticians.

Which? surveyed over 4,000 practices and independent opticians achieved the maximum 5-star rating in five of the seven chosen categories.

“Independent practices lead the way for quality and service”

Healthy lives, healthy eyes

As well as being windows onto the soul, our eyes provide a reflection of our lifestyles. Being healthy and making the right choices can have a significant impact on our vision, and these top tips will help to ensure everyone enjoys the best possible eye health:

Have regular eye tests Our specialist equipment provides a detailed eye health check, allowing us to start treating problems at the first possible opportunity. Regular eye tests are particularly vital for monitoring sight levels and eye health in children, and we stock specialist spectacle lenses designed for office work.

Cut out the cigarettes Smoking doubles your chances of developing cataracts and can treble the risk of age-related macular degeneration, which causes severe impairment of vision. Your wider eye health is also likely to suffer unless you can kick the habit.

Serve and protect No matter whether you’re an amateur tennis player or a professional builder, your eyes should be protected against flying objects and dirt. Glasses, goggles or masks will prevent eye-related injuries and avoid any build-up of damage over time.

Stay in the shades Sunglasses don’t just look stylish, they also filter out invisible (yet harmful) ultraviolet rays that damage retinas and corneas. Anti-reflective coatings and polarised lenses reduce sun glare, which can dazzle you and damage your eyes.

Never drink to excess A few pints might make your vision a bit wobbly, but excessive alcohol consumption can also damage the optic nerves. Heavy drinking increases the risk of cataracts and AMD by reducing the liver’s ability to process important vitamins.

Reduce screen time We’re not meant to stare at computers or phones for hours on end, and our eyes can easily become tired. Give them hourly breaks by focusing on distant objects, to avoid eyestrain that may cause headaches and loss of clear sight. We can also advise about glasses that are optimal for regular computer use.

Eat healthier A plate of vegetables is a feast for your eyes. Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamins A, C and E, which all provide us with vital antioxidants, while lutein in peppers and berries reduce the risk of eye diseases. Friday takeaways are fine as a treat, but studies around the world show that carb heavy diets increase the risk of cataracts.

Make up and mend Removing any make up in the evening gives your eyes the chance to recuperate from time spent beneath a layer of chemicals. A good nightly cleansing routine is highly recommended, including both hypoallergenic wipes and soothing eye creams.

Ask the experts If you notice anything unusual about your vision call us for an appointment. We can help resolve any minor issues before they start to become more serious.

Child's play

Choosing glasses for children can be a tricky task. Our noses and cheeks have different proportions to our faces when we’re little, and playgrounds are unforgiving environments in terms of wear and tear. Fortunately, we have plenty of experience taking those all-important measurements and matching our younger patients to suitable spectacles...

A comfortable fit is the most important aspect of choosing a child’s glasses, frames that pinch the nose or fall off all the time will likely end up getting ‘lost’ somewhere!