Home Eye Tests If You Are Infirm

We understand if you are infirm it can be a struggle to travel to the Opticians to get your eyes tested.  Specsdirect2u are a family business and our customers are our first priority.  We offer a free home eye test service.  The only condition is that you live in the Glasgow area.  Sound good?

It is important to get a full eye examination as it can detect early signs of cataract, glaucoma or diabetes as well as many other health issues. Or it may be that your prescription has changed and a new stronger correction for your glasses is required. 

If you are on benefits, we have a range of frames which are covered completely by the NHS, this means they are free.  However, for private customers, we have a full range of frames from inexpensive through to designer ranges i.e. Prada, RayBan, Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo to name a few.  To see the full range please visit the website http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/

It is advisable to get your eyes tested every one - two years.  To book an appointment for the free home eye test visit, all you have to do is call 0141 554 8886 and we can tell you the availability of appointments. 

If you have an appointment booked, but need to cancel, we just ask for 12 hours notice beforehand.  You can also specifically ask for a male or female Optometrist to visit you.  Simply tell us this when you call. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is Specsdirect2u where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell.

Prada, no longer for the Devil only...

All of you who saw Anne Hathaway turning heads with her makeover in the 2006 movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ would know that she turned many heads, not just in the movie, but outside it too. There were big brand names behind all those gorgeous dresses, bags, accessories and the sunglasses that she wore. And, when we say big, think Gucci, Bvlgari and Prada!

All these brands are out there just waiting to be picked up, but let’s talk the Prada language for now. It's one of the most popular Italian standards today when it comes to the battle between brands. Though favoured for a large range of products, sunglasses remain its most popular offering. The route to its strong brand equity has not been easy, but then the rewards are worth it. 

Sometimes you change your future by adapting yourself completely and sometimes you do it by taking your stand and not compromising your personality. Prada adopted the latter principle. Even today, you won't see too many shiny rhinestones, funky beads, engravings or heavy embossing on the Prada frames. You will find many colours and many shades, but none too extravagantly funky or sharp. It retains its elegance and style with discreet designs and the signature black, silver, brown and red colour.

For all of you out there who are brand conscious, at least one pair of Prada sunglasses is a must-have in your collection. It would definitely add a classic and trendy touch to your appearance and, if you think it’s way out of your league because of its hefty pricing then it's no longer true. You can choose a pair from the Prada range without taking out a huge chunk of your savings. Just visit us at Specsdirect2u.

We have an enviable range of Prada sunglasses at very reasonable rates. You can choose and order any design to your liking, either on-line or by visiting one of our many locations in the Glasgow area. You need not think for a second that low-priced designer sunglasses are synonymous with cheap quality. We offer you a complete guarantee for all the products bought from us. We take pride in the fact that our prices and quality are completely transparent and even offer you the option of comparing prices for a future buy that you have been planning. Trust us!

Buying Prada sunglasses could never have been this simple.

Looking for a Home Eye Test, either phone 0141 554 8886 or click here to arrange a suitable date and time. This applies only to the Glasgow area. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell.

Wearing the Focals

Things never stay the same. It doesn’t matter which product we think about; whether it is clothing or food, housing or socializing, trends keep on changing over time. The same rule applies to prescription glasses. Technology and human being’s strong need for all things new has resulted in many changes in this sector too. Think back to your grandmother or rather great-grandmother’s time. In her old age, she used to have 2 different pair of glasses, one for the near-sightedness and one for being able to see far. Today, you can have both visions in one pair of glasses.

Bifocals and trifocals are commonly worn these days. The most popular design in bifocals is called the flat top (FT) or straight top (ST) design. With an FT-28, for example, you can be very comfortable for both your near and distance visions. But, if you’re concerned about your immediate vision i.e. the distance at arm’s length, you can also go for trifocals. These have a thin ribbon-shaped lens segment directly above the near segment, which makes it easy to concentrate on the objects in your immediate line of vision. Again, just as bifocals, a FT-28 or FT-35 design falls in the post popular variety. The right vaifocals depend on your eyesight needs and your age.

If you are over 40, you might have started suffering from symptoms of age-related near-sightedness while your distance vision might be perfectly fine otherwise. If that is the situation, let us help you with a free eye-test first. Specsdirect2u offers a variety of varifocal lenses to provide not just 2 but actually 3 different visions in one lens. You can visit any of our outlets in Glasgow or, if you like, we can provide you an eye test at your choice of location, at absolutely no charge.

Remember, when going for varifocals, it is extremely important to select the right opticians. The right qualifications and expertise will help you find out how many visions you need in your varifocals. We can also test your eyes to check if your near-sightedness is the result of some other complications or problems. As with any other medical problem, correct diagnosis is the root for having the right treatment.

Once you have a prescription for the lenses, you can then browse through our large range of designer or budget frames to select one that suits you best.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is www.specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell.

The perfect sunglasses for you

Once upon a time, sunglasses might have been invented as a need to protect eyes from sunlight only. But that was the very beginning. Today, a pair of sunglasses is more than just a protective means. It is a style, an ever-changing fad, a shield for the emotionally expressive eyes and a weapon for observing others without having them realise it.

Don’t believe us? Watch all those movies with bodyguards and intelligence forces and notice the sunglasses that almost all of them wear. And, so do all the stylish ladies that you see around any time of the day. If not shielding their eyes, it’s definitely up there working as a head band or hanging from the neck of their shirts. Gives such an edge to their personality!

How about you? Do you have a pair of sunglasses to match your personality and still add something extra, namely flair? Specsdirect2u has an indefinite range of sunglasses to match every personality. We are good at what we do, simply because we realise what it takes to select a perfect pair or may be 2 of them. We have a wide range of budget sunglasses but at the same time, we offer you popular brands too.

Get UV Protection!

With sunglasses, it is a must to have 99-100% UV protection as your main consideration. Your eyes are precious and like every precious object, they need good protection. If your glasses do not protect them from sunlight, they are worthless.

It is also good to choose sunglasses with frames large enough to cover the region around your eyes so that the UV rays cannot come in contact with your eyes from the sides.

Price doesn’t always promise Quality.

It is important to look for labels and buy sunglasses from reliable opticians. The simple thing is, with the right opticians, only price is not the primary indicator of quality.

Choosing the lens colour!

There is a wide spectrum of colours, shades and tints available with us whether you want simple sunglasses or the prescription ones. Try different pairs and then decide which colour and tint you are most comfortable with. Gray, green and brown are usually healthier.

Any distortion or blurriness?

Gaze at different distances and objects of varying heights to make sure that the quality of the lens is good. If you see any distortion or experience blurriness then those glasses are definitely not suitable.

We can also convert your normal pair into UV protected glasses without going for darker shades.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is www.specsdirect2u.co.uk where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell.

Get Eye Smart with Sunglasses

When we go out in the bright sunlight, we protect our body by wearing proper clothing and our skin by 

applying lotions rich with Sun Protection Factor, but what about our eyes? Going out in the sun with naked eyes is as dangerous as exposing your skin to the Ultraviolet rays. They can affect your eyes as much as the rest of your body.

Recent scientific researches on eye health by the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization report that UV rays are the major cause of many eye diseases such as skin cancer, cataracts, macular degeneration, snow blindness and Ptergium. About 10% of all skin cancer is found on the eyelids. The obvious protection against these rays is to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent 99-100% UV rays from coming in direct contact with your eyes.

But then, wearing just any sunglasses is not enough. You need to be very careful about selecting just the right type and design. The frame should fit your eyes comfortably and the lens shade should be just right for you. We, at Specsdirect2u, help you to find the right fit of UV-absorbent glasses that would not only provide you with maximum protection but also add style and flair to your personality.

Prescription sunglasses by Specsdirect2u help you by adding a precise tint to your lenses. We have ready made frames with a variety of sunglass tints but you can have the tint of your choice in any kind of lens. We are always there to help you figure out what you’re looking for and to help you make the right choices.

We offer you Authentic Designer Sunglasses from a huge range of brands such as Prada, Ray Ban, Tom Ford, Police, Jimmy Choo etc. Michael Kors is yet another new addition to our portfolio of brands. You can also select sports eye wear to protect your eyes from potential injuries. But don’t be deceived by all these brand names. If you prefer affordability to brands, we have sunglasses starting from a minimum range of £10.  We also have a 2 for 1 offer i.e. Buy One Frame And Get Another For Free.

With summer right around the corner, hurry up and get Eye Smart with just the right pair of sunglasses. Speaking of pairs, why settle for 1 only when you can have 2 for the same price. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is www.specsdirect2u.co.uk where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell.

A Focus on Women and Eye Health

This week we are focusing on eye health for women. It may surprise you to know that around two all blindness and vision impairment are found in women. Therefore April has been designated Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in order to promote eye care and health knowledge, particularly for women.

There are a lot of different things that can affect your eye health, some of which are genetic, putting you at a higher risk, some are linked to longevity, however many are linked to lifestyle.

While there isn’t a great deal you can do about the onset of some eye diseases, the one thing that you can do it to make sure that you get a regular check-up at Specsdirect2u. We do not just check that you can still see clearly, although that is a primary task, we also carry out various checks and tests in order to pick up early stages of any eye disease. Here at Specsdirect2u we have four local branches where you can pop in and book an appointment, or you can give us a call. We have very friendly expert opticians who will carry out your eye examination. Don’t forget that eye tests in Scotland are free so there is no excuse not to have an eye test at least once every two years.

Outside of regular eye checks there are a number of things that you can do in order to help reduce the likelihood of you developing an eye disease or condition that may lead to you losing your sight later in life.

Sunglasses

It may seem like sunglasses are a handy fashion accessory on a sunny day. In fact sunglasses do a lot more than stop you from squinting on a bright day. If your sunglasses have good UV protection you will reduce the amount of damage that UV rays can do to your eye. UV rays of various wavelengths are absorbed by different structures within the eye and if you do not protect your eyes you could be putting yourself at risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration and causing other general damage to the eye that can lead to sight loss.

If you don’t have any sunglasses we recommend that you get some now that spring and brighter days are on the way. If you don’t know where to start then why not check out our range of sunglasses that we offer here at Specsdirect2u. We offer everything from budget frames through to the latest Ray Bans and there are both prescription and non-prescription options for them all.

Diet

Mum’s are very fond of telling kids to eat their carrots so that they will be able to see in the dark. Although not strictly true, you do need to make sure that you are getting the right nutrients in order for your eyes to stay healthy. So let’s start with the carrots. Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, as are sweet potatoes, spinach and kale, which may slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Other key nutrients you should try to eat plenty of are omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc. It may sound like you will have to eat a hundred and one different foods to make sure that you can cram all of these is, but actually you can get most of them from berries, dark green leafy vegetables, orange vegetables, oily fish, poultry and dairy products.

So in short, don’t take your eye health for granted and if you do nothing else, make sure that you take advantage of an eye examination here at Specsdirect2u.  We also offer free home eye test visits, if you cannot make it into one of our optical practices.  We are in Alexandra Parade, Cambuslang, Duke Street in Dennistoun and Tollcross.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.  Please subscribe to receive all future blogs, and connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen.  We are an Independent Family Owned Opticians and our main goal is to look after your eyesight.  

Why You Should Add Eye Tests To Your Regular Check-Ups

Many people are happy to turn up at the doctor’s and the dentist’s every 6 months for a well-woman or well-man clinic, or for a general check-up with a scale and polish, just to make sure that everything is ok. But how many people go to see their optician the recommended once every two years? Are you one of them, or do you assume that because you think you can see clearly that everything is ok?

There are lots of reasons to make sure that you go for that check-up every two years. If you live in Scotland then you have no excuse not to make that optician’s appointment because eye tests in Scotland are free. Specsdirect2u have four practices in the Glasgow area that offer appointments that can be easily made by ringing the preferred practice and arranging a suitable time and date. While most people are able to get to one of the friendly local practices, some people can’t. This is why Specsdirect2u offer home eye tests for people who are not able to attend a Practice.

So, why all this fuss? Well, unlike the rest of the body there is often little or no indication when serious problems are developing within your eye. You may perhaps note that your eyesight is a little bit blurrier than it used to be, but how many of you would simply put that down to a natural part of the aging process and decide to deal with it later when it stops you doing things? Or perhaps you actually see no changes to your normal eyesight whatsoever.

The thing is that eye diseases can cause very fast degradation of the eye and in many cases once the eyesight is gone it cannot be retrieved. Conditions such as glaucoma, macular holes, macular degeneration, cataracts and hypertension can all be detected by your optician and the sooner a problem is detected, the sooner it can be treated.

Of course there are also other less serious vision defects that can be simply and effectively corrected with lenses. Some changes in eyesight can be so gradual that you may not notice that you can no longer see signposts clearly when you are driving, which means that you not only put yourself, but also others around you at risk.

There are some people who should have their eyes examined more often. Children under the age of 16 are susceptible to relatively rapid changes in their eyesight and so they should be in the group that has their eyes tested once a year in order to make sure that they have the right prescription to ensure that they can see clearly. Other people who should have annual eye tests are anyone with a family history of glaucoma, people over 60 and also anyone who is diabetic.

Of course if you notice changes in your eyes you should make an appointment to have your eyes examined straight away. It may be nothing but the natural aging process, but if it is something more sinister you could be saving your eyesight by acting so quickly.

So if you live in Scotland, make the most of a free eye test at a local, friendly practice. If you are in the Glasgow area then give Specsdirect2u a call and arrange your eye test today.

Specsdirect2u are an Independent Opticians based in Glasgow, Scotland.  We have 4 Optical Practices, the details are listed in the left hand side of this blog (top screen) with address and telephone number. 

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How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

As World Glaucoma Week comes to an end it is perhaps time to take a more general look at how we should be treating our eyes. It is very easy to take your eyes for granted and to perhaps not look after them as well as you should do. There are a great number of factors that can affect your eyes, some of which are relatively obvious, while others are less so. However the most important thing you can do for your eyes is to be aware of them and how to look after them properly.

Myths

There are various myths about eyes and eyesight that are worth debunking. Firstly, the place where you are most likely to sustain an eye injury is in and around the home carrying out normal everyday tasks, such as cleaning, gardening and DIY. Eye protection may not be the trendiest of looks, but it could save your eyes from the discomfort and damage that may be caused by cleaning fluids or dust and grit.

The second myth to debunk is that reading in dim light and watching too much television will damage your eyesight. There is no doubt that it puts a strain on your eyes, but it will not cause damage to the eye itself.

The Key to Healthy Eyes

There are various things that you can do in order to ensure that your eyes are healthy and that they stay that way. There are three main elements to good eye care.

1.       Eating for healthy eyes: Just like the rest of the body, the eye needs certain amounts and types of nutrient in order to stay healthy. Eating vegetables that contain vitamin A, such as carrots, will help to protect your eyes from becoming dry and will also help to prevent macular degeneration and cataract formation. Dark green leafy vegetables are also great for healthy eyes.

2.       Eye care: It is important to make sure that your eyes are kept clean. The tears that are naturally produced by the eye will do most of the hard work for you but for anyone who wears contacts lenses or make-up regularly there are additional factors to take into consideration.

a.       Water – is not a good choice for cleaning, rinsing or storing contact lenses, particularly in areas with flood water as there is often an increase in the number of pathogens found in even a treated water supply.

b.      Saliva – is often seen as a handy solution to provide a contact lens with a ‘quick clean’. Unfortunately saliva contains a lot of bacteria that can be a possible source of infection.

c.       Make-up application and removal – old make-up can harbour bacteria so it is important to regularly update your eye make-up. When removing eye make-up use a specific eye make-up remover as general removers can cause irritation and dryness.

3.       Professional Check-up: You should have an eye test at least once every two years so that you not only have the quality of your vision checked, but also the health of your eye. If disease or degeneration are detected early it is far more likely that you will maintain normal sight for longer. These check-ups are particularly important for people with diabetes, who are more susceptible to glaucoma, and also for anyone with a history of eye disease within their family.

 

If you are due an eye examination, please call us today on 0141 554 8886 to arrange an appointment.  Eye exams are free of charge to anyone living in Scotland.  Specsdirect2u are an Independent Opticians with 4 Optical Practices in Glasgow. 

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