Myopia, often known as nearsightedness, is a condition in which items up close appear clearly but distant ones look hazy. It is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of individuals throughout the world, primarily children and young adults. There has been significant concern in recent years about the increasing frequency of myopia and its possible long-term implications. As a result, myopia treatment has become an important problem in the discipline of optometry and ophthalmology.
Myopia is caused by eyeball elongation, which causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. The actual aetiology of myopia is unknown, however hereditary and environmental variables like as close work and a lack of outdoor activities have been implicated. Myopia management entails a number of techniques targeted at decreasing the growth of myopia. Myopia management's major objective is to lower the chance of acquiring high degrees of myopia, which are linked to an elevated risk of vision-threatening disorders such retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma. Orthokeratology (ortho-k), commonly known as corneal reshaping therapy, is one of the most successful myopia control techniques. Ortho-k uses specially engineered contact lenses that are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. The lenses are removed in the morning, and the patient may see perfectly throughout the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Ortho-k has been proven to reduce the growth of myopia by up to 50%, making it a viable option. Multifocal contact lenses are another option for myopia control. These lenses feature distinct zones with varying powers, allowing the eyes to concentrate at various distances. Multifocal contact lenses have been proven to slow myopia development by up to 50%. Another alternative for myopia control is atropine eye drops. Atropine is a medicine that dilates the pupil of the eye and relaxes the focusing muscle. Atropine eye drops have been demonstrated to slow myopia development by up to 50%. They can, however, induce adverse effects such as impaired vision, light sensitivity, and difficulties concentrating on close objects. Currently not licenced in the UK. More outside time is another technique for myopia control. According to research, youngsters who spend more time outside have a decreased chance of getting myopia. It is thought that exposure to natural light and the visual stimulation of distant objects aid to slow down the growth of myopia. Finally, myopia control is an essential feature of eye care, particularly for children and young people. Ortho-k, multifocal contact lenses, and spending more time outside are all excellent ways to delay the growth of myopia. To find the optimum myopia control method for each individual call us for more information.
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Our eyes are one of the most essential organs in our bodies because they allow us to see what is going on around us. Unfortunately, we frequently take them for granted, failing to take the required precautions to preserve excellent eye health. Simple routines can help us maintain our eyes healthy and avoid visual disorders. These are ten basic routines for healthy eye health:
Get Frequent Eye Exams: It is essential to have regular eye exams in order to maintain excellent eye health. Early detection of eye disorders and visual impairments through eye examinations allows for prompt treatment. Blue light glasses have grown in popularity in recent years as more people become aware of the possible harm blue light exposure may do to our eyes and general health. So what exactly are blue light lenses, and how do they function?
Blue light is emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, as well as LED and fluorescent lights. While blue light is not intrinsically dangerous, studies have shown that excessive exposure can induce eye strain, headaches, and sleep disturbance. Regular eye exams are necessary for good eye health and should be part of everyone's regular healthcare routine. Eye exams are not just for people who wear glasses or contact lenses; they are essential for everyone, regardless of age or apparent vision problems. Some of the reasons why regular eye exams are necessary for good eye health are : Eye Exams Can Detect Eye Diseases Early: Eye exams can detect eye diseases and conditions early, before they cause significant damage to your vision. Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, have no noticeable symptoms in their early stages, and the only way to detect them is with a regular eye exam. Correction of Vision Issues: Many people suffer from vision issues such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and/or astigmatism, which can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Eye exams can help you get the right prescription which will improve your vision and reduce eye strain. Skiing is a popular winter sport that millions of people around the world participate in. While skiing is exciting and enjoyable, it can also be hazardous to your eyes. Snow and direct sunlight can cause both short-term and long-term vision problems. Here are some tips for skiing eye protection: Wear Goggles: The most important piece of eye protection for skiers is goggles. They shield your eyes from the elements such as wind, snow, and UV rays. Choose goggles with 100% UV protection and lenses that are suited to the lighting conditions you will be skiing in. As well as being windows onto the soul, our eyes provide a reflection of our lifestyles. Being healthy and making the right choices can have a significant impact on our vision, and these top tips will help to ensure everyone enjoys the best possible eye health:
Have regular eye tests Our specialist equipment provides a detailed eye health check, allowing us to start treating problems at the first possible opportunity. Regular eye tests are particularly vital for monitoring sight levels and eye health in children, and we stock specialist spectacle lenses designed for office work. We are proud to be an independent local optician, and according to the experts at consumer body Which?, our pride is well-founded. In a comprehensive survey of UK opticians, independents topped the table with an average customer score of 87 per cent – significantly outperforming every national chain of opticians.
Which? surveyed over 4,000 practices and independent opticians achieved the maximum 5-star rating in five of the seven chosen categories. Customer service: The Which? survey investigated seven key categories, including store environments and the thoroughness of eye tests. Local independents were the only opticians to achieve five stars in customer service, product quality and aftersales. While independent opticians received a five-star rating for their store environment and customer service, some of the national chains were awarded just two stars. Overall ratings: There was little distinction between high-street chain opticians and retailer spin-off brands, whereas independent opticians achieved top ratings in five of the seven categories Which? assessed. The independents’ industry-leading 87 per cent customer score was calculated according to satisfaction levels during each respondent’s most recent visit. The bigger picture: This survey of almost 8,500 Which? members bears a striking resemblance to a similar report in 2014. The previous survey also concluded that local independent practices led the way for quality and service, recording similarly large rating gaps between independents and high street chains. It seems the benefits of using independent opticians remain as compelling as ever... It is a fact we live in an increasingly technological society. We are slowly moving away from paper based literature and using innovative media such as laptops, tablets, phones and wearable devices. This change not only affects us but also children.
In my experience some parents are very anti-technology and actively prevent their children from using devices. Personally I think this is a shame as it can put children on a 'back foot' when it comes to learning to use technology and learning how to control their personal usage. As a father of a three year old girl I do let my daughter use my tablet or laptop, and I have since she was about 18 months old. Now to some that is way too early but Ava now has the dexterity and hand eye co-ordination to use a track-pad, she can scroll through photos or watch an episode of Peppa Pig without too much effort. At the same time I have instilled (hopefully) good habits so that she can continue to use technology in the correct way, and I will reinforce these habits regularly. Habit 1. Control the duration of use - Device use should be limited to reduce fatigue to the ciliary muscle in the eye. The duration of time is a matter of contention. Personally 30 mins is more than enough in one sitting. Habit 2. Control viewing distances - Most children will want to immerse themselves into their programme of choice. To do that they will move closer and closer to the screen. That way peripheral distractions are reduced to allow full concentration on the entertainment in front of them. Of course, sometimes it is a genuine visual problem so if the child is unhappy when you push the device further away from them it is wise to have their eyes examined to check for an uncorrected prescription. Habit 3. Stop use at a fixed time before bed - Most devices emit blue light of wavelengths that are thought to reduce the melatonin levels in the brain and in doing so altering the natural body clock (circadian rhythm). Think about how you can stay awake for longer when you are looking at your phone/tablet when in bed. I recommend cessation of all device use 1 hour before bed to encourage a good nights sleep. These are just a few pointers I practice at home/work but I also think regular eye examinations are important and for children under 16 it is free.
So this is a question I am asked many times over in the day and the answer as always is a bit more difficult to answer.
There are a few types of vision deficiency: Long - sightedness (Hyperopia) Short - sightedness (Myopia) Astigmatism and Presbyopia. A few of these can combine to produce a complex prescription. I will break them down simply: Long-sightedness - Hayfever seems to be more common now then in the past. The number of patients I see with hayfever related eye symptoms is increasing, and as it is not just an eye related I can only assume it is increasing in the population. The College of Optometrists have released the following infographic to help reduce the symptoms of hayfever.
New research, jointly funded by the College of Optometrists and Ulster University, has shown that myopia is more than twice as prevalent among children in the UK now than in the 1960s.
The Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) study, conducted by researchers at Ulster University and published in PLOS ONE, is the largest longitudinal research undertaken in the UK to examine changes in children’s vision and cycloplegic refractive error over time. The latest findings, using data gathered from more than 1,000 children over six years, provides vital information on how children’s eyes grow and change in the 21st century. Of all the luxury fashion brands in the world, Chanel is perhaps the most famous. It is able to strike a powerful balance between the past and the present — something which eludes many luxury competitors — working with punky models like Alice Dellal or soon to be stars like Lily-Rose Depp while simultaneously maintaining a timeless, prim and proper image.
Chanel has an incredibly rich heritage, but somehow still feels very modern and contemporary. This is conveyed in its eyewear collections. Pearl Collection Coco Chanel loved pearls, she was famous quoted to say ''a women needs ropes and ropes of pearls.'' In this latest collection the Chanel pieces feature metal arms embellished with mother of pearl. Essilor’s Crizal® Prevencia™ is the first preventive lens offering selective protection from harmful blue light and UV rays now available at Martin Reynolds Opticians.
UV protecting lenses are not new....we've been protecting our patients and clients for years!13/6/2015 It's true... at Martin Reynolds Opticians we have been using Crizal UV lenses for several years. This coating comes in a few different types but the key features are the same: - Innovative lens technology reduces glare from the sun and car headlights, helping you see better; reduces headaches and eye fatigue from using digital devices.
Crizal UV is the best E-SPF (Eye Sun Protection Factor) available on a clear lens. With market-leading UV protection, smudge, scratch, dust and water resistance, it’s clear that Crizal UV is a great product. So what is the big deal about UV? Summer is just around the corner and if you haven't thought about sunglasses yet then its not too late to start thinking about the pair you will be rocking this year. The only thing is what style? Aviator, Wayfarer, D-frame, 60's, 70's are all now but to add something special add a bit of flash with a mirror finish to the lenses. If you have a prescription and want to see to be seen then we can do this too! With Essilor's new e-mirror UV coatings you can look good and protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation.
Call us on 01279 757767 for more info or call into the practice and we will be happy to help. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in those aged over 50. It causes a gradual loss of central (but not peripheral) vision. Central vision is required for detailed work and for tasks like reading and driving. The disease does not lead to complete blindness. Visual loss can occur within months, or over many years, depending on the type and severity of AMD. There are two main types of AMD - 'wet' and 'dry'. 'Wet' AMD is most severe but more treatable. Visual loss caused by AMD cannot normally be reversed. New medicines are an exciting development for wet AMD as they may halt or delay the progression of visual loss.
Glaucoma is a term given to a group of conditions in which the optic nerve suffers a characteristic form of damage. The optic nerve damage causes a reduced level of vision in specific sectors of the visual field which can vary in severity from patient to patient. We know that lenses help you achieve exceptionally sharp vision. But annoying reflections from the surface of your lenses can reduce the quality of your vision while also making your lenses appear more conspicuous to others. Distracting surface reflections interfere with vision and serve as “visual noise” that degrades visual clarity, particularly in low-light conditions such as night driving. Uncoated eyeglass lenses are also susceptible to scratching from cleaning or normal wear and tear, which can compromise your vision quality. In fact approximately 8% of light is reflected from the surface, which means 92% of the light is used for critical vision. Anti-reflective coating technology was developed to address these issues, and it continues to develop to provide clearer, more durable lens coatings. However there are many additional layers to an anti-reflective coating which helps it's performance, and it is these invisible layers which make anti-reflection coatings either a nightmare or a dream. I have separated the layers below to allow you to appreciate what is involved in the best anti-reflection coatings, such as Essilor Crizal UV Forte or the Zeiss Purecoat Plus. Cheaper lenses will obviously omit certain layers and it is up to individual lens manufacturer to decide what to compromise on to keep the cost low for the consumer. Anti-reflective Technology Lenses without anti-reflective technology reflect a significant amount of light. Surface reflections from lenses can distract the wearer and even interfere with vision, particularly in low-light conditions like night driving or when performing intensive visual tasks like computer use. The anti-reflective technology helps reduce reflections to less than 1% of the incident light — compared with 7% to 13% for uncoated lenses. Scratch-resistant Technology Plastic lenses help make glasses lighter and more comfortable, but they’re much more prone to scratches than glass lenses. The scratch resistant technology varies depending on the lens manufacturer with some lenses easier to scratch than others. This technology helps keep lenses from developing scratches from cleaning and normal wear and tear. Certain coatings ,such as the Crizal UV Forte, now come with a 2 year anti-scratch guarantee. Anti-static Technology Dirt and dust can cling to traditional untreated lenses, reducing vision quality and leading to scratches when cleaning. The anti-static element in premium coatings helps repel contaminants like dust and debris. Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Technology Grease, water, and oil will more readily slide off the surface of lenses treated with this super-slick coating, so the lenses are easier to clean and stay clean longer. UV Blocking Technology We all know UV can damage our skin. But what about our eyes? UV can seriously damage your vision. Normal UV protection helps shield your eyes from rays that pass through the front of your glasses. Essilor's Crizal UV Forte goes further, protecting your eyes from UV light reflected off the back surface of your lenses too. It's a dilemma that many patients face following an eye examination: whether to choose spectacles or contact lenses?
Some people may have already made up their minds, but for the undecided, here's our beginner's guide to choosing between these two quite different options. If your preference is for spectacles, the most crucial element is finding a pair that suits you, and this is a very subjective issue. A lot depends on your facial characteristics - dainty features suit small, curved frames, whereas a more masculine jawline can be set off nicely against a pair of larger, chunky glasses. From rimless rectangles to ostentatious ovals, modern spectacle design has never been more varied or fashionable, and a well-chosen pair can provide the finishing style statement for any face, particularly for aficionados of designer brands. Clever frame choice can actually highlight your eyebrows and cheekbones as well, by subtly drawing attention to them. Conversely, if your eyes are one of your best features, contact lenses will show them off to their best advantage. In the same way that some people prefer to wear spectacles for specific scenarios (such as driving), contact lenses are invaluable in many other situations. Typical examples include playing sports or pursuing certain hobbies, and if you have an outdoor job there is much to be said for not having to worry about raindrops obscuring your view. Indeed, contact lenses work best when worn outdoors, rather than staring at a computer screen for hours on end. In contrast, this is one situation where spectacles may be more comfortable. By contrast, contact lenses are slightly more time consuming, and it takes a little while to get used to putting them in and taking them out. However, this process soon becomes as natural as removing make-up or jewellery. Daily disposables (individually suspended in a neutral solution and ready to wear without any cleaning or maintenance) are a quick and easy way into the world of contact lenses. Their high water content and oxygen-permeable design make them so comfortable to wear that you'll completely forget about their presence. Ultimately,you might decide to have the best of both worlds and use spectacles and contact lenses in different situations. Combining the two options can allow someone with a varied lifestyle to be completely comfortable in every activity. So why not book an appointment to see our optometrist or call us on 01279 757767. Your eyes are delicate and complicated organs, and even a minor infection can have a big impact on your sight and appearance. Any face-to-face communication involves eye contact, so a condition like conjunctivitis can be socially embarrassing, as well as physically uncomfortable. In this article, we'll explain the main causes of conjunctivitis, outline some simple treatments, and explain why an appointment with your optician should be your first course of action.
Conjunctivitis occurs when one part of the eye, called the conjunctiva, gets infected or swells up. This thin layer of clear tissue is designed to protect the eyes from harm, but it can easily be attacked by viruses or bacteria, resulting in various different symptoms. Fortunately, conjunctivitis is easily dealt with, and your optician is ideally placed to diagnose it and recommend a programme of treatment. There's no need to visit a doctor- our qualified optometrist can recommend most required medication. Viral conjunctivitis is very common and often attacks one eye only. Classic symptoms of viral conjunctivitis are excessive itchiness and watering, and there are relatively few available treatments for this condition. Cool compresses and eye baths can help to soothe any itching, and it's important to avoid make-up for a week, giving your eyes the best chance to recover. Unlike the viral strain, bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with eye drops or creams. This type of conjunctivitis often produces small amounts of pus, which (as well as looking rather unpleasant) can make it difficult to open your eyes first thing in the morning. If the inner eyelids become infected as well, your eyes can feel gritty and sticky, as though something's trapped inside them. Fortunately, like viral conjunctivitis, these symptoms should go away within a few days. The cause of allergic conjunctivitis can be hard to pinpoint, but new cosmetics or high pollen levels are classic triggers. Once a likely source has been identified, you should do your best to avoid it. This type of conjunctivitis often feels like a bad dose of hayfever, with itchiness and watery eyes. Running water can provide short-term relief, and your optometrist may decide to prescribe special antihistamine drops as well as lubricants to relieve the symptoms. A few treatments are recommended for all forms of conjunctivitis. Gentle eye cleaning and cold compresses will ease discomfort, and regular hand-washing can prevent other people becoming infected. Conjunctivitis sufferers should use their own towels and tissues at all times, and contact lenses must be avoided (along with eye make-up) until the condition has cleared. If you do not see an improvement then it may be a good idea to book an appointment by calling us on 01279 757767 and one of our optometrists will be able to help you further. |
AuthorJay Patel is an optometrist at Martin Reynolds Opticians Archives
March 2023
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