Year: 2017

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Learning About Vision: The Stages Of Development in Children

Childhood Myopia

Infants

Development of the eyes takes place between the first 3-10 weeks in the womb. There after changes will continue to occur much till their adolescence. These stages are interpreted into the following significant changes you should be observing in your child and potential problems to be aware of. The well-being of our vision are of great importance as 80% of our memories are created by what we see in day-to-day life.

Warning signs

  • Child struggles to track objects by 3 months
  • Eyes remain disordered and unable to lock onto objects
  • Eyes appear white

Premature babies may have abnormal replacement of tissue in the retina in serve cases can lead to blindness. Hence, internal eye exams should be made to rule out Retinopathy or Prematurity (ROP), highlighting the importance of immediate incubation after birth.

Complaints about double or blurred vision is also a cause for concern to make a visit to the optometrists, which may also offer referrals to the GP if necessary. Dilation can also be performed in our clinics, this observes the retina and optic nerve to identify any on-going problems particularly used to treat sight loss and various other eye conditions.

Other signs of eye sight problems

  • Sitting to close to the TV or holding a tablet
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Squints when reading
  • Frequently eye rubbing
  • Reports headaches/eye pain

4 months +

In the early 4 months’ baby’s eyesight remains poor as they can only perceive objects 8-10 inches from their face. Hand and eye coordination will begin as they start stacking blocks and track moving objects. Usually minor crossing of the eyes will occur as coordination is yet lacking. Coloured vision is expected to develop at 5 months. You may find as they attempt to examine smaller objects, a cheeky game of hide and seek allows them to build on facial and object recognition.

At 8 months your baby should have clear vision and the ability to calculate distance between objects. Baby’s found to crawl during their growth will have better coordination skills and full 3D interpretation of their surroundings to pick up small objects using their thumb and forefinger. Although in rare cases glasses may be needed.

12 Months +

By 12 months they should be able to tell between near and far. At the two year mark your child should have the capabilities to fully immerse in exploring the environment. Make sure you keep sharp edges especially cabinets away from your child. They also should be encouraged to scribble and draw to create interest in primary colours,visual books cam be helpful in this instance. Colour blindness could also be identified at an early stage, if signs of any struggle to decipher between reds, browns and oranges or blues and purples.

4 Years +

Your child should be able to have an eye test at the age when they are able to decipher their alphabet.  Many schools will start screening at the age of 4+. Usually short-sightedness begins at ages 6+ or earlier as computer and tablet usage in children rises. If you recognise your child to have lazy eye, effective procedure is most successful before the age of 7. Also make sure your child’s eyes are UV protected.

The growth spurt

As eyes continue to develop it becomes increasingly important to have regular eye test, the earlier problems are identified the easier they can be treated. Into adulthood eye sight may deteriorate, frequent monitoring is essential particularly if headaches and eye strain occurs. As many as 1 in 5 children are reported to be short sighted. Take advantage that Children under the ages of 16 or those in education will continue to receive FREE eye test under the NHS.

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How to Choose Glasses to Suit Your Face

Choosing glasses to suit your face will make all the difference to your overall look

Did you know that the shape of your face will decide which style of glasses will suit you and also which ones won’t? This handy advice will help you determine which type of glasses compliment your facial features, taking into account your face shape.

Oval

If you have an oval face you are likely to have a round chin and a round forehead. In fact all aspects of your face are in proportion with each other. If you were to look in the mirror your face is likely to give the illusion of being longer with your forehead being a slightly wider width in comparison with your jaw line.

For these reasons wider frames will be your perfect choice, but if you are lucky enough to have an oval face, your face will suit all types of frames. Remember to also take into consideration your hair colour and complexion though.

Rectangular

For those with a rectangular face, you are likely to have a long face with a strong jaw line and square chin. A large square frame will give the appearance of a shorter face and the illusion of a more balanced look. A modern style frame is recommended.

Triangle

Triangular faced people have a broad forehead which tapers down to a narrow chin. A frame that will provide emphasis on the bottom half of your face is required. A frame that is wider at the bottom will help achieve this look. A set of glasses that are rimless, light in colour and material would also work. In other words glasses that are heavy and dark in appearance should be avoided.

Square

Of those that have a square face, you are very likely to also have a strong jaw line accompanied by a broad forehead. A square face is slightly different to a rectangular face because the width and length are in proportion with each other.

The purpose of frames for those with square faces is to soften the angles and ultimately give the appearance of a longer face. A narrow frame will provide depth and will help soften the jaw line and also give the appearance of a longer nose. If you were to consider square shaped frames, you would be gaining the opposite effect and very likely to look out of balance with the rest of your face.

Round

As the name suggests, you have a round face with a round chin and full cheeks. Therefore a frame should make the face appear longer and narrower. The dimensions of your face may be similar but there are no angles to create definition.

A pair of frames that give the illusion of a long face will draw emphasis to the eyes and provide definition to your face. If you’re not sure what face shape you are or which frames will suit you call into Chapman Opticians and one of our qualified staff will talk you through your best options. And of course the surest way to see what suits you is to try the glasses on. So now you know how to choose glasses to suit your face.

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How Does UV Light Affect Eyesight?

UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays, can seriously damage your eyes.

Most people probably understand the link between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and skin cancer. But many are less aware of the connection between UV radiation and eye damage.

With increased levels of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect your eyes.

What Is UV Light?

The sun’s primary danger to us comes in the form of UV light or radiation. UV radiation is a component of solar radiation. Artificial sources like welding machines, tanning beds, and lasers can also give off UV radiation.

There are three types of UV radiation. UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not present any threat. UV-A and UV-B radiation can have adverse long- and short-term effects on the eyes and vision.

How Does UV Light Affect Eyesight?

Both long- and short-term exposure to UV radiation can harm the eyes, affect vision, and compromise overall eye health. There are several eye diseases and conditions caused or aggravated by exposure to UV radiation, such as:

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration (AMD) is caused by damage to the retina over time and is the leading cause of age-related blindness. Extended exposure to UV light increases your risk of developing macular degeneration.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens — the part of the eye that focuses the light we see. UV light, especially UV-B rays, increases your risk for certain types of cataracts. It is estimated that 10% of all cataract cases are directly attributable to UV exposure.

Pterygium

Often called “surfer’s eye,” pterygium is a pink, non-cancerous growth that forms on the layer of conjunctiva over the white of your eye. UV light from the sun is believed to be a factor in the development of these growths.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer in and around the eyelids is also linked to prolonged UV exposure.

Photokeratitis. Also known as corneal sunburn or “snow blindness,” photokeratitis is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays. Long hours at the beach or skiing without proper eye protection can cause this problem. It can be very painful and may cause temporary vision loss.

Who Is at Risk?

Everyone (including children) is at risk for eye damage from UV radiation that can lead to vision loss. Any factor that increases the amount of time you spend in the sun will increase your risk. If you answer yes to more than one of these questions, you may be at higher risk of UV radiation damage to your eyes:

  • Do you spend long hours in the sun? (Skiing, mountain climbing, swimming, at the beach, etc.)
  • Do you use a sunlamp, tanning bed or booth?
  • Do you live in the mountains or the US Sunbelt?
  • Have you had cataract surgery (in one or both eyes) or do you have a retinal disorder?
  • Are you on certain medicines, such as tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics and tranquilizers (that increase the eye’s sensitivity to light)?
  • Are you a welder, medical technologist or do you work in the graphic arts or in the manufacturing of electronic circuit boards?

How Can You Protect Your Eyes from UV Light?

Know the dangers. UV rays can come from many directions. They radiate directly from the sun, but they are also reflected from the ground, from water, snow, sand and other bright surfaces.

Wear proper eye protection and hats to block the UV rays. To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should:

  • Block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation
  • Screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light
  • Be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection
  • Have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition

If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, wrap around frames can provide additional protection from the harmful solar radiation. Lastly, don’t forget about protection for your children and teenagers, as they typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

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How do you choose the best lenses for your glasses?

The lenses you choose will often determine how happy you are with your new glasses. The possibilities are endless, so how do you know if you’re making the right choice?

Hopefully this brief guide will provide you with the information you need to maximise your quality of vision. After all, they do say seeing is believing!

Your lenses will influence four factors; appearance, comfort, functionality, and vision. We’ll break this down for you below.

Lens materials

Different materials will change multiple elements of your finished lenses.

Most modern lenses are made from a variation of plastic materials. They offer a light weight upgrade from the old glass variety with greatly improved safety.

CR39 Standard Plastic – Ideal for prescriptions up to +/- 2.75D

Excellent optics – Low cost

Downside: Thickness – Only blocks around 60% of UV light.

1.53 Trivex – Recommended for rimless glazing or sports wear.

Superior impact resistance – Blocks 100% UV – Lightest lens material available

1.61 Plastic – Recommended for prescriptions from +/- 2.75D to +/- 3.75D

Thin and light –  Blocks 100% UV – Less costly than 1.67AS or 1.74AS lenses.

Downside: Not as thin or flat as an aspheric lens.

1.67 Aspheric – Up to 30% Thinner – Recommended for prescriptions from +/- 3.75 and above.

Very thin and light – Blocks 100% UV – Aspheric design reduces the magnifying effect of the lens, making the eyes appear more natural to others. Also increases the wearers peripheral clarity compared to spherical lenses.

1.74 – 1.76 Aspheric – Up to 40% Thinner – Perfect for +/- 4.25D and above.

Thinnest possible lens option, giving you the thinnest and most attractive lenses available. Blocks 100% UV – Aspheric design reduces the magnifying effect of the lenses, making the eyes appear more natural to others. Also increases the wearers peripheral clarity compared to spherical lenses.

Downside: Most expensive option.

Lens Coatings and Tints

Anti-Glare

Absolutely essential on any lens. Not only do they improve the over all look of the spectacles, they also enhance vision.

The anti-reflective properties eliminate ugly reflections on surface of the lens which hide the wearers eyes, making them almost invisible so you can make better eye contact with others.

Lens reflections also reduce contrast and clarity, especially at night, so removing them will aid in improving and enhancing your vision. Leading to crisp, clearer vision in all lighting situations.

Kodak BluProtect

Similar to an anti-glare lens but with the added benefit of filtering harmful blue light emitted by artificial lighting such as computer screens, tablet devices and mobile phones.

Blue light has been found to cause eye strain and fatigue, BluProtect lenses are designed to combat these effects to ensure more visual comfort in the digital world.

Light Reactive Tints

Light reactive lenses which go dark when outside in the sun and then clear when you go back indoors. A nice all-round, everyday solution. Reactive lenses also offer full UV protection.

Solid Tints

The sunglass solution. A simple, permanent tint available in a multitude of colours to suit each style. Ideal for outdoor use in the brightest conditions.

Polarised Lenses

All the benefits of a solid sunglass tint and more. Polarised lenses filter out almost all glare created from reflected sunlight. Be it water, snow, the horrible dashboard reflection in your car windscreen on bright sunny days, polarised lenses are the perfect glare reducing solution.

Varifocals, Bi-Focals or Single vision?

The right option depends on your lifestyle and individual needs. If you aren’t already wearing glasses for near or far-sightedness then you’ll eventually need help to read smaller, fine print. Usually around the age of 40.

This condition is called Presbyopia. Unfortunately its age-related and you cannot escape it, don’t worry though its perfectly normal and spectacles will counter the effects.

Varifocals

Also called progressive addition lenses (PALS) are the most common correction for presbyopic patients that also require correction for distance vision. They provide the appearance of a single vision lens with no visible dividing lines between the viewing portions.

The lens power gradually increases as you look further down the lens providing a more natural transition from distance to near than bi-focal lenses.

This gradual transition provides an intermediate viewing zone, perfect for computer use and viewing your dashboard when driving.

With today’s advancing technology it’s easy to adapt to varifocal lenses.

Bi-Focals

As with a varifocal lens, a bi-focal provides both distance and near vision zones. There will be a visible dividing segment between the two which is available as a flat top, round or curved design.

The downside to bi-focal lenses is the loss of the intermediate viewing zone provided in varifocals. They do however provide wider lens areas for reading and computer work than progressive lenses.

Standard Single Vision

Most commonly used for pre-presbyopic patients to correct near or far-sightedness.

These lenses have one single power throughout the lens and provide the perfect solution for those who just use glasses for specific tasks, such as driving or reading.

Occupational Lenses

Occupational lenses are designed to be used for a specific task or hobby and are not used for general purpose wear. They are specialised to each individuals needs and come in a variety or forms.

One example is the Kodak Softwear lens. A varifocal designed for the office, extended vision for near use where the top section incorporates a wide intermediate viewing zone.

I’ll touch more on these in a future post as there is a multitude of ways to enhance your vision for specific tasks.

Don’t forget, when buying glasses there is no substitute for professional advice, if you have any questions or concerns pop in and speak to one of our friendly Dispensing Opticians. Thanks for reading!

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Foods For Healthy Eyes

Foods For Healthy Eyes – Really?

We were all told the same thing when we were younger “Eat your carrots, they’ll help you see in the dark.” Sure, we all rolled our eyes and sure we ate them anyway to see if the theory was actually true, but our parents may not have been far off the mark. There is plenty of research to suggest that eating certain foods can have multiple benefits for your eye health, as well as help to slow down or even reverse the effects of ageing.

Leafy Greens

It is widely known that green vegetables are good for you. However leafy greens such a broccoli, spinach and cabbage have high levels of lutein, a key property for helping to protect the eyes by creating pigments in the macula which can help to protect from age related macular degeneration (ARMD) which is one of the most common causes of blindness in the UK, particularly for the over 60s. These foods are cheap and easy to prepare and can be added to other dishes and so are an easy way to get this key nutrient into your body.

Orange Foods

Carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash and pumpkins contain high doses of carotene, converted by the liver into Vitamin A, which can help protect your eyes from harmful sunlight and allow your eyes to absorb more energy. This can also help you to see better in the dark, so technically your parents were right!

Eggs

Versatile and cheap to buy, eggs contain components that form glutathione, an antioxidant which can help reduce the impact of glaucoma through maintaining the flow of fluid in the eye and can also help to protect against cataracts.

Blueberries

Blueberries contain anthocyanosides, which have been proven to improve night vision as well as helping to fight against ARMD.

Oily Fish

Salmon, cod, tuna, haddock and sardines are high in Omega-3 oils, including essential DHA (a polyunsaturated fat) that forms around 30% of healthy retina tissue. Studies have shown that children who consume a regular dose of Omega-3 have better eyesight than those who don’t.

Omega-3s also have a number of other health benefits which should make them a staple part of your diet. Eating to improve your eye health is easy, you can even combine some of the foods above to create a satisfying meal that will not only taste great, but give you extra health benefits too.

We recommend a broccoli and salmon omelette with a side of spinach and some carrots to give you some essential vitamins and nutrients to improve your eye health and protect yourself from future eye problems. If you are concerned about your eyesight at all or want more information on how you can boost your eye health and prevent future problems, contact one of the team at Oldfields Opticians who will be happy to arrange an appointment.