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.

A World Within The Eyes

Did you know that an optician can find a whole range of health issues, just by looking in to your eyes? this is why your yearly or 2 yearly free eye check is very important.

An optician can find warning signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, and a whole range of other systemic health issues, just by examining your eyes.

In this video Ophthalmologist Neal Adams explains why the eye's tissues and blood vessels make such a good barometer for wellness.

We loved this video and wanted to share it with you.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/140408-eyes-health-vin?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20140408video-eyes&utm_campaign=Content&sf2512347=1

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 Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage of the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye to carry visual information to the brain. If left untreated, most types of glaucoma progress with neither warning nor obvious symptoms to the patient towards gradually worsening visual damage and possible blindness.

What is Glaucoma?

Despite being the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, 90% of glaucoma cases could be prevented if diagnosed early enough. Regular eye exams are the best form of prevention against glaucoma!

It is difficult to detect glaucoma during a single eye examination because often it is change that reveals the presence of the disease.

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

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.

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.  

 

Why Choosing and Fitting a Pair of Frames Isn’t As Easy As You Might Think

So, you’ve had your eye test and now have a new prescription in your hand. The next bit is the fun part where you get to choose your new frames.

The question is; do you stick with the same sort of design as you’ve already got, or do you try something new? If these are your first glasses you might be wondering where on earth to start in order to narrow down your options.

Clearly the look of the frames is going to be the dominant factor, but there are also a few considerations that you might want to be aware of, so that you can ensure that you pick the best frames.  This is where our Optical Assistants at Specsdirect2u come in - to help you.

Let’s start with the important bit; how the frames will look on you. This is a particularly important factor for anyone who is short-sighted as you will have to wear your glasses most of the time.  The question is how do you know which ones to choose?

If you come to Specsdirect2u, you can easily browse through a huge range of styles. You can try on any number of frames to see what they look like, whether they are the latest Tom Ford designer frames or our vast collection of budget frames.  Going into one of our Optical Practices is ideal if you live in Glasgow, but remember you can order your frames online, and if they don’t suit, you can return them. 

The Specsdirect2u website offers great discounts, but we are also available to speak to you, if you have any questions before processing your online purchase.  Our goal is to ensure that you feel you are receiving the best possible customer service, and making a cost saving at the same time.   The website shows designers by brand, so if you are specifically looking for a set of frames from Gucci, Prada, Ray Ban or Police, you can go straight to the range that you want.  We also have a search facility to show frames within a specific price range. 

So, what else is there to think about?  Well, another very important fact can be the thickness of the actual lenses.  At Specsdirect2u, we advise you how thick your lenses will be at the edge; this ensures that you can get an idea of what your glasses will look like from the side.  More importantly you don’t want to spend money on glasses and then be disappointed because the lenses are too thick, whereas if you had spent a little more money they would look and feel better.  

It is also worth being aware of the pantoscopic tilt of frames. You may well be wondering what on earth that is; it is the slope angle from the top of the lens in towards the face. The higher your prescription, the greater the effect of this angle.  If you feel like something just isn’t quite right then it is likely that this angle is slightly off from the ideal angle for your face. This is where Specsdirect2u can offer more than other online suppliers because all of the glasses that you buy online from us are made by qualified Optical Technicians. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.  Please subscribe to ensure you receive future blogs, direct into your email inbox.  We are active on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn, so if you use these sites, we would like to connect with you. Our main website is http://www.specsdirect2u.co.uk

Is Pinterest Cool?

Research states that Pinterest has grown by 4000% in the past 6 months.  So, with this startling fact in mind we at Specsdirect2u set-up Pinterest boards.  Some promote our Designer Frames, others promote stylish fashionista's.

But, we need friends on Pinterest - if you haven't followed our boards, please check them out here.

Pinterest is great for fun, promotion and sharing fashion styles, tips & mishaps. 

Here are a few of our boards:

http://pinterest.com/specsdirect2u/tom-ford-designer-glasses/

 

http://pinterest.com/specsdirect2u/prada-designer-frames/

http://pinterest.com/specsdirect2u/just-for-fun/

 

 

Sure you will agree our prices are fantastic, all frame prices include single vision lenses.  If you live in Scotland, please remember you can get your eyes tested for free. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.  Don't forget to subscribe to this blog, and also to connect with us using the social media icons on this blog.  If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you so come into any of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices, or pick up the phone.  Our 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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