The eyes have it
We tend to take our vision for granted, but preserving eyesight often requires investment in dedicated eyewear.
Before taking up a new hobby, going on holiday or attempting some DIY, always think about how you can protect your vision – and what it might need protecting from…
Snooker referees, bricklayers and pot washers all wear different types of gloves for different reasons, and eyewear is no different. You’ll need to don wraparound safety goggles when shaving timber to keep flying wood fragments out of your eyes, and goggles or safety glasses are equally necessary when hammering or drilling. Even creosoting a fence requires eye protection from potentially corrosive splashback. Swimming goggles protect your eyes from chemicals in the pool, and can also be bought in standard prescriptions, so you can see where you’re going. Special lenses and tints can help improve performance in sports like golf or shooting, while cycling eyewear fits snugly to protect your eyes against wind and insects.
Aesthetic factors might influence your choice of vision correction products, too. Contact lenses are great for boosting confidence, allowing other facial features to take centre stage. If you work outdoors, contacts won’t be affected by rain, whereas glasses may be more comfortable for desk-based office workers.
Photochromic lenses are ideal for anyone keen to minimise their exposure to UV light, as they automatically darken in bright conditions while remaining clear indoors. This is great for people who suffer with glare in sunny conditions, particularly if they have light coloured eyes which are more susceptible to bright lights.
Our team will help you select the right eyewear for DIY/hobby activities, ensuring your eyes are protected and your vision is optimised.
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Seeing the road ahead
Driving is a challenging activity at any time, but it’s even harder if your vision isn’t optimal. While legal eligibility to drive is determined by basic tests like reading a number plate from 20 metres away, there are many factors underpinning safe motoring.
Official rules on drivers’ vision are surprisingly modest. For instance, someone with monocular vision (sight in only one eye) can drive without even notifying DVLA, providing they have a normal field of vision in the other eye. Patients recovering from cataract surgery can get behind the wheel as soon as they can pass the 20-metre registration plate test. Booking an eye test with us will determine whether you have clear vision.
Whether you wear glasses or contact lenses, always ensure you’ve got clear sight before getting behind the wheel. It’s potentially not safe to drive if you have an eye infection or an inability to turn your head due to muscular pain or a stiff neck.
Finally, vehicle maintenance is also important. Regularly top up windscreen washer reservoirs with a mixture of water and screenwash fluid, since peering through dirty glass could lead to eye strain and headaches. Repair windscreen cracks or chips, replace wiper blades as soon as they start scraping across the glass, and pull sun visors down if low sun is compromising visibility.
prescription sunglasses in your glovebox, as dazzle from wet roads or sun strobing can affect your vision
Here comes the sun
As well as boosting self-confidence and adding a stylish flourish to any outfit, sunglasses perform a vital function. Choosing a pair of prescription sunglasses from our comprehensive range gives you essential protection against invisible threats across the ultraviolet light spectrum…
Any lenses stocked in our practice will filter out 100 per cent of UVA and UVB light, which could eventually contribute to conditions like cataracts, sunburnt corneas or macular degeneration. Children’s eyes are equally susceptible to UV light, so ensure they wear well-fitting frames with minimal gaps around the edges. Never buy decorative sunglasses which could cause pupils to dilate, letting more harmful UV light in without protecting against it. Also, as with spectacles, sunglasses can be tailored to suit your personal requirements.
Polarising lenses, lightweight materials and scratch resistant coatings all offer distinct benefits, depending on your lifestyle and hobbies.
Larger lenses maximise your field of vision, whereas wraparound frames eliminate the risk of UV rays reaching eyes, while reducing exposure to airborne irritants like pollen.
Lightweight polycarbonate lenses set within flexible frames are a great combination for outdoor sports lovers.
We’d also recommend all motorists purchase a spare pair of prescription sunglasses from our comprehensive range, to keep in the car at all times.
10 tips to improve your eye health
As our body’s second most complex organ, our eyes do a huge amount of work without us realising. They also benefit from healthy lifestyle choices, enabling them to function optimally:
Have regular eye tests. Glasses or lenses tailored to your current prescription should minimise discomfort or eye strain.
Maintain a balanced diet. From almonds to zucchini, beneficial vitamins are found in numerous fruits, nuts and vegetables.
Watch your weight. Excess weight can accelerate the onset of conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Seek advice straightaway. Our optometrists will investigate any concerns, from dry eyes to sudden vision changes.
Exercise daily. Regular exercise improves circulation in the blood vessels within the eyes.
Investigate family health histories. Some eye conditions are genetic, and it’s helpful for our optometrists to know.
Avoid smoking. Cigarettes increase the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and AMD, as well as causing dry eyes.
Wash your face before bed. Yesterday’s makeup could irritate your eyes, or trap harmful germs and bacteria.
Follow lens cleaning routines. Our experts will recommend best practice for keeping contact lenses clean and hygienic.
few minutes focusing on distant objects helps to reduce eye strain and also relieve headaches