What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is an eye condition that can affect the clarity of your vision and make it more difficult for you to focus on objects and your surroundings. It is most common in eyes where the cornea is oval like a rugby ball instead of spherical like a football. This causes light to focus at more than one point in the eye, resulting in blurred vision.

Astigmatism can be a mild or fairly serious eye condition, with symptoms ranging from very mild blurred vision to severe blurriness resulting in squinting, fatigue and headaches.

Astigmatism may occur in children and adults; it is fairly common and is not contagious. It is usually congenital - is present at birth - but can develop after an eye operation or an injury to the eye.

The two most common types of astigmatism are:

    ▪    Corneal astigmatism - the cornea has an irregular shape
    ▪    Lenticular astigmatism - the lens has an irregular shape

If you are having any issues with your eyes we recommend you get your eyes checked, it doesn't matter if you are not due for your full eye test we are always happy to help. Astigmatism is very common - experts say most of us are born with a degree of astigmatism. Most children who are born with astigmatism will not realize they have it until they have an eye test. Reading and concentrating at school may be affected if a child has undiagnosed astigmatism. Therefore, regular eye tests are important.

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. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

What Is A Lazy Eye?

A lazy eye refers to a visual disorder characterised by undeveloped vision in an otherwise normal and healthy eye.  A lazy eye is also known as Amblyopia and is caused by poor, or no transmission of visual images from the affected eye to the brain, this condition is best treated in childhood.

The name “lazy eye” is a strange name, as the eye or the person is not lazy. It is in fact caused by a developmental issue in the brain, where the area of the brain linked to the affected eye develops abnormally because of under-stimulation.

A lazy eye may go unnoticed for many years, as individuals rely on vision from their stronger eye.

A lazy eye is normally treated by forcing use of the under developed eye, using either a patch or otherwise temporarily disabling the healthy eye. This treatment is most effective in children under the age of 5, but has also been shown to benefit older children and adults.

We recommend having your eyes examined once every year, or two years.  Specsdirect2u can visit you in your home to examine your eyes, in addition we will bring with us various spectacles for you to choose from.  You can also book an appointment to get your eyes tested in any one of our 4 Optical Practices in Glasgow.  We are a family friendly Opticians, every shop has a Kids play area to keep your little ones distracted while you get your eyes checked out and if needed, select a pair of Glasses or Sunglasses

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. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

Fruit For The Eyes

We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is good for you but did you know that fruit is good for eye health?

Did you know that Cherries can calm your nervous systems and grapes relax your blood vessels?

That age old saying ‘An Apple A Day’ keeps the doctor away.. it’s true, apples help keep infections at bay and oranges are good for vision and skin.

Do remember though apart from taking healthy fruit and vegetables, a regular eye check is a good idea to make sure everything is ok.

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. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

So You Think You Have Pinkeye

Spring is here and bring lots of plant pollen mixed with winter germs which creates the perfect scene for pinkeye. Itchy, swollen, runny eyes are technically known as conjunctivitis, which can actually take three forms: viral, bacterial and allergic.

The allergic type, which isn't contagious, often surfaces when flowers start to re-emerge.

How to Tell What Type You Have :

• The Allergic kind tends to be watery and itchy and sometimes affects both eyes.
• The Viral kind is likely to have a watery discharge and the eyes might be sensitive to light. The discharge associated with bacterial conjunctivitis tends to be thicker, with more mucus.

It is good to know what type you have as the treatment is different.

How can you prevent conjunctivitis?

• Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious. If someone in your house has the this type of the disease and touches a surface such as a doorknob, the virus can live on that surface for several weeks.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis, while contagious, doesn't spread as easily, he says. Stay home for as long as the eyes are red and watering.

Make sure to discard any tissues used immediately. Make sure whoever is affected isn't sharing towels or pillows—or anything that comes into contact with the eyes or hands. And once your home is rid of disease, disinfect major surfaces and wash sheets and towels. Computers are an unexpected place where viruses can linger, so make sure to wipe down your keyboard.

If you are ever unsure about any problems with your eyes feel free to contact us, and book in to get your eyes checked.

www.specsdirect2u.co.uk

Early Signs of Autism May be Observed Through Eye Exams

Did you know that a variety of health conditions can be detected through eye exams?

The results of a new study show that the earliest signs of autism may be detected by monitoring the eyes and watching for fixation on certain objects.

Researchers used equipment to track the movements of babies’ eyes as they watched videos of caregivers. These infants were followed from birth to age three and were divided into groups based on their likelihood of developing an autism spectrum disorder.

Infants placed in the high-risk group were those with a sibling already diagnosed with autism, while the low-risk group included infants with no autistic siblings.

As the potential to diagnose more and more systemic conditions and disorders through eye exams, it reminds us of the importance of making sure eye exams are a must.

Gucci 2013 is ready for sale

This year, sunglasses are the hottest accessories on the fashion scene. Every designer has come up with unique and bold styles. The first collections came in the early part of this year and the second is all set for Spring 2013. In fact, many designers have come up with special outfits to match the sunglasses rather than the other way around. 

Every time you think of these fashion trends, Gucci would be one of the first names that come to mind. The name itself is a fashion statement for many accessories including bags, clothing and sunglasses. Take a look around you. Ads for Gucci sunglasses are everywhere. The latest range on the market has 30 new models including many best sellers over the past years. And still, it flows into the consumer’s hands like water. It is far beyond other brands because Gucci has never lost its touch.

Long been known for its uniqueness, elegance, style and heavy price tags, Gucci has always radiated a particular class image. But, that is no longer true. Each one of you out there has a right to look trendy and wear designer sunglasses among other accessories.

You may not have bulging pockets but the desire to own, is as strong as all those fashion icons and celebrities parading in Gucci Eye wear. We understand both and provide you the opportunity to compete with the Hollywood stars and brand ambassadors with our wide collection of affordable Gucci sunglasses. These glasses are every bit as good in quality as the original ones. Made of genuine material and UV protection lens, they provide you utility with a differential style. And, they are offered at very reasonable prices. You can be sure of finding something that suits you completely.

You can also share the confidence of wearing the best with your loved ones. How? See our Gift Voucher scheme. If you are not sure of the selection that they will make, simply send them a gift voucher of your choice of amount and let them select the one that they like. After all, is there something that counts more than having the chance to get exactly what you want without having to pay for it yourself? Call or visit us today and let your loved ones feel special with Gucci designer frames.

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.

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.

Head Injuries Affect Your Vision

Almost every day you hear people complaining about headaches, eyestrain and difficulty in reading even though when probed, they do not seem to have any obvious stress or exhaustion. Often, many of these people consult the nearest optician to have their eyesight tested and come back happy with a reported 20/20 vision and no solution. The problem with their vision stays right there.

But then, that is exactly why one needs to select an optician carefully. If an optician has the expertise and knowledge to identify other-than-low-vision related problems, then only you would get the right treatment at the right time. Based in 4 different locations within Glasgow, Specsdirect2u, has an expert team of opticians to offer you more than a generic eye test.

A recent scientific study reports that in many cases, the problems such as headaches, eye strain and temporary blurriness of eyes are the complications resulting from some head or ear injuries suffered in the past.

People either don’t remember or do not relate them with what they might be suffering later. You might have fallen from your bicycle when you were a child or have come out of a minor hit-and-run with just an ankle sprain at that time, but the internal injury to your head is making itself known now.

They can happen anywhere and to any of us. Specsdirect2u offers you the ability to protect your eyes with timely and accurate diagnosis. If you cannot visit one of our outlets, we can offer you an eye test at your home. Remember that eye tests are free in Scotland, so there’s no reason not to have one.

Once you have had an eye test completed to satisfaction, we can suggest and provide the appropriate eye wear for you. Even if your vision is completely fine, wearing prescription glasses can help you minimize and control eye strain and focus better. We have a wide range of glasses for you to choose from. You could go for one of our budget offers starting from £10 or select something from our designer collection. We also have a 2 for 1 Glasses offer on board.

With our on-line link, you can browse through our collection of glasses until you find something to your heart’s satisfaction and also compare prices at the same time to ensure you are getting the best 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 http://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.

Consulting the Right Opticians at the Right time

Just as eyes are the windows to a person’s soul, they are also the windows to the world around you. If they’re not taken care of properly, the dirt would accumulate on them just as it would on any window in your house. The result… your vision gets murky and cloudy. Slowly, the world would start looking darker and darker until you lose your vision. 

Eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration are causing sight loss among millions every day. According to an estimate by RNIB, approximately 2 million people in UK alone are living with sight loss. While sight loss can be related to gender, genetics, over-exposure to sunlight and smoking etc., ageing is the most common cause of sight loss. The risk increases as you grow older but the good news is, it can be treated. Like any other disease, it is the right diagnosis at the right time which may help you to control loss of sight in eyes.

When you’re getting your eyes checked, make sure that you get in touch with the right opticians. Choose those opticians who are not only proficient at testing eye sights but also have the ability to identify any abnormalities or disease symptoms. Specsdirect2u offer you just the right service with an efficient and experienced team of opticians. Our team is equipped with the latest knowledge and instruments to determine the accurate level of your vision and check for any abnormal conditions. Located at multiple locations in Glasgow, we offer free eye testing at your choice of location. If you are uncomfortable or unable to visit one of our offices, we can visit your home and perform an eye test there. Remember that it is Free Of Cost.

Get a prescription from us and browse our wide range of prescription glasses to choose from. We have glasses to suit all ages and genders. You can have designer and budget frames for yourself. Add to that a lens of your choice and you’re ready to go.  If you want to send prescription frames or sunglasses to someone that you care about but aren’t sure of their prescription, why not use our Gift Vouchers scheme?

Our website gives you complete directions for ordering and sending a gift voucher. Go ahead and improve your vision with style using our wide options for different kinds of lens, frame designs and sunglass tints.

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.

Let's Talk About Ray Ban

Specsdirect2u are a UK reseller for Ray Ban Glasses and Sunglasses, over the past year we have been recording some videos focusing on specific brands, or simply to give our customers information.  Today we will focus on some of the videos that Neil Cameron (Director) has recorded, specifically talking about Ray Ban.

We would love it if you would subscribe to our YouTube Channel, or when watching, click like.  If there is a demonstration that you would like to see, please email us.  The email address is blog@specsdirect2u.co.uk

Ray Ban 6196 Designer Glasses

Click on the link

 



Ray Ban Wayfarer 2140 Sunglasses

Click on the link

 

 

 

Did you know we offer FREE HOME EYE TESTS

in the Glasgow Area?

Click here to arrange an appointment.

 

 

Everyone in Scotland can get a FREE EYE TEST, we have 4 Optical Practices in Glasgow. 

Click here for a list of the addresses. 

Make contact with us today.

 

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.  

 

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. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, please subscribe to receive future blogs from us and also connect with us using the social media sites.

Correct Your Eyesight in Style

There was a time, and not so long ago, when being told that you had to wear glasses was the equivalent to having any chance of being ‘cool’ ripped away from you in a couple of seconds flat. How many of us had NHS thick-rimmed pink or brown glasses inflicted upon us as children in the 80s? Nowadays the situation is very different. Glasses are now cool, so much so that some people even buy glasses that do not have any vision correction properties at all so that they can take advantage of the style that glasses can nowadays provide.

Part of the attraction of glasses now is that designers have turned their attentions to the frames that are available. Now when you go to buy your latest glasses you can choose from top designer names that include Prada, Jimmy Choo and Gucci. The main down side to designer glasses though are the designer prices that they come with. You can opt to buy your glasses from an internet supplier, but you may be taking a bit of a gamble on the quality of the finished product. However, you probably also don’t want to pay the prices that opticians charge.

You may be wondering how to solve this conundrum?

 

The answer is an innovative approach to glasses supply that is taken by Specsdirect2u. They operate out of four optical practices where all of the glasses that they sell are manufactured by qualified in-house opticians. As you would expect, each branch has a wide range of frames on display that you can try on in order to pick the ones that are right for you. If this was any other high street optician you would then be looking at the designer prices that were mentioned earlier. Specsdirect2u have taken their expertise and have expanded their sales to incorporate online sales as well, but with all of the benefits of a local optical practice.

If you have a favourite designer you can go straight to their frames with a single click, so find your favourite Tom Ford frames or search out the latest PodiumRetro frames.

The best bit about all of this? That’s easy, the unbeatable prices that Specsdirect2u offer you. No other optician will be able to beat these prices. So overall you get the best of everything, you get the care, skill and attention to detail of a local optician, combined with wallet friendly prices. If you want proof then just go to any high street optician and get a quote, then come and compare that with Specsdirect2u.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. Please subscribe to get future blogs automatically and don’t forget to connect with us via Social Media.  The Optical Practice location addresses can be seen on the left hand side of the blog page, along with telephone numbers. 

 

We would love to talk to you, so if you have any questions, please make contact with us.  Main website is http://www.specsdirect2u.co.uk

 

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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