In the frame

Choosing glasses for a child can feel daunting, especially with so many colours, brand names and styles to choose from. But the most important factor isn’t fashion – it’s fit. A proper fit ensures your child can see clearly, feel comfortable and wear their glasses with confidence.

Optometrists and dispensing opticians will consider how the frame sits on the nose, how the sides rest on the temples and behind the ears, and whether the eyes are centred in the lenses. Frames that slip or pinch can cause blurred vision, headaches or discomfort, which may make a child reluctant to wear them.

When helping children choose glasses, we also consider their lifestyle, prescription, activities and any specific needs. Toddlers and teenagers often require very different frames, while lens type, prescription and style must all work together.

Involving children in the process increases their confidence in glasses and encourages regular wear, letting them choose colours or styles from suitable frames. If your child constantly pushes their glasses up, peers over them or tilts their head, pop into our practice for an adjustment. Small tweaks can make a big difference to comfort levels and day-to-day useability.

Young children spend much of their time looking up at adults, so frames need the right shape and lens depth

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Sight unseen

Our eyes do an incredible job of capturing what’s in front of them, and the macula plays a key role. This small part of the retina is responsible for our central vision, allowing us to focus on sharp details like text.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the western world, as damage to the macula’s delicate cells causes them to wear out.

While it doesn’t affect the peripheral vision that governs our spatial awareness and motion detection, AMD can prevent people from being able to read, drive or participate in sports.

Macular degeneration is classed as either wet or dry, depending on whether leaking blood vessels or a build-up of cellular debris is responsible. Some patients may not immediately notice the gradual onset of light sensitivity, wavy straight lines or a blurred or dark spot in their central vision.

This is a key reason to schedule regular eye examinations, since we can easily test for AMD in our practice before devising personalised treatment plans.

Our optometrists are ideally placed to offer AMD-related advice and support. Alongside medical treatment which may help stop any further deterioration, we recommend wearing UV-resistant sunglasses and eating foods rich in zinc or vitamins C and E. Factors contributing to an increased risk of developing AMD include a family history of the condition, obesity, smoking and high cholesterol/blood pressure.

Each eye usually deteriorates at a different rate, with the stronger eye attempting to compensate

Independent thinking

Annual consumer surveys have consistently rated independent opticians the best choice for eye care, and the best place for customer satisfaction, including the most recent 2025 Which? survey.

This impartial research tends to reach the same conclusions every time, though for a wealth of different reasons. Chain opticians are centrally governed, with centralised product ranges and strict sales targets. By contrast, independent opticians are often family-run, standing in the heart of their local communities and providing continuity of care regarding ongoing eye-related conditions.

We stock the products our customers want, rather than the ones our suppliers have negotiated nationally. Indeed, comparisons suggest independent opticians are often better equipped than generic high street rivals.

With no head-office targets, we have the flexibility to offer longer appointment times, enabling us to discuss concerns and tailor recommendations around your unique circumstances.

Independent practices frequently serve several generations of the same family, while our community roots mean we can create jobs locally – supporting other local businesses just as our own customers support us.

Read all about it

As we get older or develop longsightedness, our eyes may struggle to focus on nearby objects.

Modern varifocal lenses are designed to be equally effective for all daily activities, with each customised varifocal lens incorporating several different prescription strengths, with a near-vision segment contained inside the lower portion of the lens. However, when it comes to reading, nothing beats the clarity and comfort of bespoke reading glasses...

Our reading glasses have a single prescription strength in each lens, tailored to each eye’s exact requirements so you can read clearly through any part equally well.

Because text looks crystal clear at arm’s length (or closer), our prescription reading glasses improve upon the generic products sold in shops, which have a limited variety of standard prescriptions fitted on both sides.

Keeping a dedicated pair of reading glasses (ideally with large lenses) in your bedside drawer is highly advisable. Our eyes often become tired as the day progresses, and the whole-lens clarity of prescription reading glasses will make a chapter of the latest blockbuster easier to enjoy at bedtime.

Reading is also a far better prelude to good-quality sleep than scrolling social media or watching TV...