How to avoid Digital Eye Strain


How to avoid digital eye strain when using a laptop

How to prevent digital eye strain

Many of us spend hours staring at digital screens every day, and it takes a toll on our eyes. In fact, previous research shows that many people spend an average of 8-10 hours a day looking at digital screens or on close up tasks, a lot of these being children, teenagers, and young adults.

If you find yourself experiencing any of the following symptoms after spending time looking at a digital device, you may be suffering from digital eye strain:

  • Headaches
  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Eye fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritated eyes
Are you experiencing digital eye strain?


If you think you might be experiencing this, there are a few things you can do to help prevent eye strain. First, make sure that your computer screen is positioned at eye level. Secondly, take frequent breaks away from the screen to give your eyes a chance to rest – we find the 20-20-20 rule works well – look away every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. Finally, try to limit your screen time in general, curbing your use right before bed, and whenever possible during the day in your lunch breaks, or in the evening.

By taking these simple steps, you can help reduce the symptoms of digital eye strain and protect your eyes.

What if my digital eye strain symptoms persist?

If you continue to experience discomfort while using digital screen, it may be worth considering investing in specialised computer glasses for the computer, smart phones, and tablets that are designed to help reduce eye strain and fatigue.

We offer Sync III glasses lenses from Hoya, which are specifically designed for 13-45 year olds who wear glasses for distance vision and spend more than 2 hours a day looking at digital screens or on close up tasks and are experiencing eye strain.

They are essentially an enhanced distance vision lenses which also have a ‘boost zone’ at the bottom of the lens which is slightly stronger and helps your eye muscles to relax and therefore focus more easily for increased comfort and less eye strain. They also come in 3 different strengths, depending on age and the severity of your eye strain symptoms.

Recent studies have found that the severity of digital eye strain symptoms reduced in 84% of the reported cases after wearing Hoya Sync III lenses.


Recent studies have found that the severity of eye strain symptoms reduced in 84% of the reported cases after wearing Hoya Sync III lenses.

Contact our opticians in Whitley Bay

Don’t suffer in silence if you have digital eye strain symptoms that won’t go away – our opticians in Whitley Bay are just one phone call or visit away and are always happy to help – speak to one of our friendly team to get advice on your symptoms, find out more about Hoya Sync III lenses, or arrange a

time to visit us and get them fitted into your glasses.

Everything you need to know about short sightedness in children

Short-sightedness, or myopia, is a common eye condition which typically becomes apparent in children aged around 8 to 12. Myopia is characterised by distant objects being blurred while close-up objects are clear. This is due to the shape of the eyeball becoming more elongated than it should be, causing light to bend incorrectly in front of your retina at the back of your eye, rather than on it.

Roughly a third of the UK’s population has myopia. This figure is expected to rise to 50% by 2050. 

Risk factors

Risk factors of short sightedness in children

While myopia is still not fully understood, studies have shown that children with one or more myopic parents are more likely to develop the condition. 

Screen use may also be a factor. Using a digital screen for extended periods of time forces the eyes to focus predominantly on a close object, which over long periods of time is detrimental to eye health and may increase the risk of developing myopia. With the recent increase in screen use due to Covid-19, particularly among children, this is a pertinent issue.

Stronger prescriptions may be required for glasses when considering short sightedness

Standard prescription glasses can provide clearer vision, but over time, stronger and stronger prescriptions may be required as the condition worsens.

The best solution is myopia management and it’s important to act at an early age to prevent complications related to high myopic prescriptions in adulthood, like glaucoma, or retinal detachments.

Management technology

A lot of research has been conducted into how best to treat myopia in children, and there are options to slow down the condition and help protect future vision.

MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have been clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia by up to 60% in children. They don’t look any different from other glasses, and are worn just like them, but their design incorporates a myopic defocus effect, which is what helps to control myopia. 

MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have been clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia

These glasses lenses are award winning, and full UV protection, water repellency and impact resistance add to their credentials as the perfect children’s glasses for myopia.

Not just glasses

Children’s contact lenses are also available which have the same non-invasive techniques and outcomes. We offer MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses, again clinically proven to slow down myopia in children, and ideal for active children who don’t want to be restricted by glasses. As 1-day lenses they are hygienic, soft and comfortable to wear, with children as young as 8 able to adapt to them with no problem.

MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses are clinically proven to slow down myopia in children

Contact our opticians in Whitley Bay

If you think your child could benefit from myopia management, come and see us in person. We have expert optometrists who are accredited to fit MiYOSMART and MiSight lenses and would be more than happy to help you find the best way to protect your child’s future vision.

What are the benefits of wearing contact lenses?

Since their invention in 1887 contact lenses have come a long way, and now, more and more people are wearing them.

According to the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM) there are approximately 4.2 million contact lens wearers in the UK. Out of this group, 1.8 million regularly use prescription contact lenses, and 1.2 million use daily disposable contact lenses. Whether you need lenses for distance or near vision, or multifocal contact lenses, advances in technology mean that nowadays most prescriptions can be accommodated.

Why wear contact lenses this summer?

Why wear contact lenses this summer?

Summer is the perfect time to switch to contact lenses or try them for the first time. Let’s look at why:

  • They give you a panoramic field of vision, unlike frames which can sometimes obstruct your peripheral view. This is great for driving and can really help when playing sports too
  • Contact lenses offer a more natural look that goes with any outfit
  • They are weightless to wear, breathable, and comfortable when cared for properly
  • Contact lenses don’t smudge or steam up like glasses lenses can do in certain environments
  • They give you the freedom to wear non-prescription sunglasses, so you don’t have to keep swapping them with your regular specs to see clearly
  • They do provide UV protection to an extent, helping to protect your eyes in summer
  • They can be worn full time, or simply for special occasions

Get contact lenses at our opticians in Whitley Bay

Get contact lenses at our opticians in Whitley Bay

Here at Robinson Optometrists, we offer a range of options if you’re interested in trying out contact lenses.

As well as daily disposable contact lenses and multifocal contact lenses we have the latest super oxygen permeable silicone hydrogel lenses. They allow 5 times more oxygen to reach your eye than a standard lens, which means you can wear them for an extended period of time.

Whichever contact lenses you choose, you’ll be well looked after by our team at your contact lens consultation. Our practitioners have years of experience and will always carry out a thorough assessment, working with you to align with your vision and lifestyle needs before recommending lenses to you.

Contact lenses eyecare plans in Whitley Bay

You’ll be taught how to insert and remove your lenses, and our team will be on hand to help until you feel confident enough to do it yourself at home. You’ll then be able to take them away for a free tolerance trial for a week before you make your final decision. 

If you opt to wear lenses, you can benefit from our Lens Eyecare Programme, which means all your appointments will be covered by a £7 monthly fee, including eye health assessments.If you’re interested in trying out contact lenses this summer, contact our opticians in Whitley Bay to find out more or book your appointment!

How can UV rays damage your eyes?

We all know that UV rays can cause damage to your skin, but what about
your eyes? Read on to learn about the effect UV light has on your eyes
and why you should always wear sunglasses for eye protection against UV
rays.

How does UV light affect your eyes?

UV light is a form of ultraviolet radiation, and too much exposure can
harm your eyes. There are 2 main types of UV rays that can affect your
eyes. UVA has a long wavelength, which means it can reach the retina at
the back of your eyes and eventually contribute to the development of
serious and irreversible eye conditions. UVB has a short wavelength so
reaches the cornea on the surface of your eyes and is associated with the
development of short term eye conditions.

How does UV light affect your eyes?

UV radiation affects people of all ages – so no matter how old you are, it’s
important to be aware of the dangers and how to protect your eyes and
your family’s eyes. The effects of UV exposure are generally cumulative,
building up over time, so protecting the eyes from a young age is
incredibly important.

Eye conditions caused or worsened by UV rays

Eye conditions caused or worsened by UV rays

Many eye conditions can be caused or worsened by UV exposure, and
some of these can lead to eventual vision loss. Macular degeneration is
the leading cause of sight loss in people over 50 in the UK, affecting your
macula, which is responsible for your central vision. UV exposure
increases your risk of developing this disease.

Prolonged UV exposure can also increase your risk of developing
cataracts, as well as increasing your chances of developing skin cancer
around the eyelids and delicate skin around the eyes.

Photokeratitis is another painful condition that can include temporary
vision loss and is caused by prolonged exposure to UVB rays.

Wear sunglasses for protection against UV rays

Wear sunglasses for protection against UV rays

The easiest way to protect your vision is to wear good quality sunglasses
with full UV protection. Sunglasses are not just for summer, either. UV
rays can cause damage at any time of year, even on overcast days, so if
in doubt, put your shades on.

Now’s a great time to buy new sunglasses, with a huge range of styles
available in our opticians in Whitley Bay. We recommend wraparound
styles for the best coverage, particularly for children, as they stop
sunlight coming in from most angles. We also have a variety of lens tint
options and polarised sunglass lenses to reduce glare from the sun too.

We’re always happy to help, so contact us to find out more about our
sunglasses range and lenses, or if you have any questions about UV
exposure and protection.

How can an 3D OCT eye scan save your vision?

With some eye conditions, symptoms such as blurred vision will let you know something’s wrong. But not all conditions have obvious symptoms – and occasionally, by the time you see the signs, it may be too late to reverse the effects. For many eye diseases, early intervention is crucial to preserve and save your eyesight.

That’s where Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) comes in. This state-of-the-art 3D eye CT scan shows a detailed cross-sectional image of the distinctive layers of the retina at the back of the eye, allowing our optometrists to see every detail in high resolution.

What happens during an OCT scan?

A 3D eye scan may sound a bit scary and invasive, but it’s truly not. When you sit down for your examination, all you’ll have to do is place your head on the OCT’s chinrest and look at the camera. The process only takes a matter of minutes, and you won’t feel a thing. Occasionally your optometrist may administer drops to dilate your pupils, allowing them to the back of your eye with even more clarity.

What does the OCT scan show?

The great thing about an OCT scan is that it can detect problems that traditional retinal photography can’t always see. While standard retinal imaging only shows the surface of the retina, an OCT scan shows all its layers, meaning that your optometrist has a much more detailed picture of what’s going on in your eye.

This means that conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma can be detected and treated much earlier if they are visible in areas which retinal photography wouldn’t show.

How quickly do the results show?

The results are instant, and your optometrist will talk you through them and what they show during your appointment. The images are then stored in your patient record so that over time, with regular testing, we can build a highly accurate picture of your eye health and monitor the progress of any conditions or abnormalities, for your peace of mind.

How to book an OCT eye scan

Here at Robinson Optometrists, we’ve got a 3D OCT scan which you can have when you book a premium OCT eye exam, which takes around 50 minutes in total.

We’re one of only a few opticians in Whitley Bay to offer advanced 3D eye scans. It’s available to all our patients, but we especially recommend it for anyone over the age of 40, as well as patients with existing eye conditions, diabetes, or a family history of eye problems like glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Feel free to call us on 0191 251 6102 for more information about our OCT scan, or book your premium OCT eye test in Whitley Bay online here.

Our best moments of 2021

Our best moments of 2021

It’s been quite the year for all of us with the ongoing pandemic, but there have certainly been some great moments for us. We’re taking a look back at some of our highlights of 2021 and want to share them with you…

Happy birthday to us!

Firstly, we celebrated 30 years in business! From our humble beginnings in 1991, we’ve come a long way and have all our amazing patients and staff to thank for that.

It’s safe to say we had a great time celebrating this milestone achievement!

New team members

We’re pleased to say we’ve had a few additions to our friendly team at our opticians in Monkseaton in the past year!

Megan, our new optical assistant, joined our practice in January. Daisy also started in January as our new student dispensing optician and is now fully qualified – a fantastic achievement!

Both Megan and Daisy have had previous experienced working with opticians, and it’s been wonderful to have them both on board this year.

If you book an eye test at our opticians in the Whitley Bay area, you might see our talented optometrist Hayden Hamilton, who started with us in May. Hayden graduated in 2014 from Glasgow Caledonian University, before specialising as an Independent Prescriber.

Having her join in a part time role means we’ve been able to run 2 clinics for 6.5 days a week – allowing us to see more of you – our valued customers. Hayden is a keen rower and traveller, but most of all loves meeting people, which definitely shows, as she’s been a huge hit with our patients so far. We feel very lucky to have her as part of the Robinson’s team!

Looking for a new pair of glasses? With more than 30 years of experience in optics, Tracy Tweddle, who joined us in May, will definitely be able to help you find the perfect pair.

We also had another optometrist, Andrea Turnbull, join us in November. Andrea is passionate about optometry and brings a wealth of experience to the role. She’s also a real people person – all qualities that make her a real asset to our team.

Not strictly a new team member, but we like to think of her as one (!) – baby Lottie was born in June to Robyn, our assistant manager and dispensing optician, and her husband Simon. She is absolutely gorgeous and a bundle of joy – we can’t wait to see more of her next year!

New myopia control lenses

2021 has been a year of investing in more innovative products for the practice too. One of these is MiYOSMART – special spectacle lenses from one of our lens suppliers, HOYA, which are clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia, aka short-sightedness, in children.

Myopia is a growing epidemic worldwide, with kids in particular starting to develop it at younger ages than previously seen. As it gets worse over the year, it can lead to a host of other potential serious vision problems in adulthood, like glaucoma and retinal detachments.

This is why using myopia management methods like MiYOSMART from an early age has become so important, as it helps you as parents to protect your child’s future vision and eye health.

Fitted and worn just like normal glasses, MiYOSMART lenses are ideal for kids, offering UV protection, impact resistance and anti-glare technology too.

Optix conference

There have been some exciting events too; one was the Optix conference at Celtic Manor, which Nigel, Anth and John had the privilege of attending. They were lucky enough to hear some amazing inspirational speakers, including Sir Chris Hoy MBE and Duncan Slater.

In 2009, Duncan Slater was on patrol in Afghanistan when his vehicle hit an IED. Rather than a life confined to a wheelchair, Duncan chose double amputation. Eight months later he completed a charity cycle ride from Lands End to John O Groats. He has since gone on to ski to the South Pole and complete the toughest race on the planet – Marathon des Sables, in aid of Walking With The Wounded.

Sir Chris Hoy was truly inspiring too – the epitome of dedication and modesty; an exemplary individual who showed us what can be achieved with the correct mindset.

Nigel, Anth and John were proud to have been part of the fundraising dinner, which raised £30k – a figure that was matched by the hosts – Optix Software.

Whitley Bay Girls Sports Club sponsorship

We’re all about supporting our local community, which is why we also sponsored the U12 Lionesses team for a third season. We’re thrilled to see how far they’ve come since they first started 2 years ago – in fact, this year, they were playing in the Premier Division!

They’re always welcome here at our opticians in Monkseaton!

Sea2See frames

On the eyewear front, we’re pleased we’ve just started stocking the brand Sea2See as part of our commitment to becoming an eco-friendlier practice. Sea2See works with fishermen to collect plastic from the sea, before processing it to create beautiful frames. This means you’ll be able to support environmental protection in style! Feel free to visit us and view the collection in the new year.

Thank you to our loyal customers

Lastly, a special thank you to you – our loyal customers who have helped to make 2021 the success it was. Let’s hope 2022 is an even better year!

If you’re looking to book an eye test in the Whitley Bay area for the new year, or need to contact our practice for any other eyecare or eyewear needs, please do get in touch with our friendly team.


30 Years In Business

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS!


Can you believe it! Our Optician’s Practice has just had its 30th birthday.

Well it doesn’t seem like it, but it was September 1991 when we opened our doors above a chemist’s shop in Monkseaton. At that time, the team consisted of Nigel, Judith and 3 receptionists each doing 2 days a week. We tested 1 day a week, undertaking locum work elsewhere to support the new project.

The practice has moved twice, and worked from a portable cabin during renovations. This was all within 200 yards, but feels like a million miles in where we have travelled.

We are so grateful to our fantastic, loyal patients, who have supported us every step of the way. Of course we are also indebted to our wonderful team whose hard work and dedication has landed us the title of National Independent Practice of the Year on no fewer than 3 occasions, an achievement of which we are hugely proud.

The change in technology has been mind-blowing. It seems no time at all since we were
using little trial frames to add the lenses to our patients test routine. Now the integrated
system is cross linked to a record card and lenses changed at the click of a mouse.
Who would have thought that we would be performing our own CT scans of the eye within a practice environment? Our OCT tests are now undertaken on an almost routine basis.

Disposable lenses that we throw away on a daily basis? (This packaging is now recycled by the way). We used to see so many red and painful infected eyes, through people not looking after their contact lenses. They are now an altogether safer option than they were.

Lens technology has come on leaps and bounds! Modern varifocals are so easy to adapt to, yet we probably all remember seeing folks walking like they were on the moon, when first wearing some of the older designs.

One thing that hasn’t changed, is our commitment to providing you with the very best in eye-care and eyewear, in a warm friendly environment.

As we have said, “We couldn’t have done it without you”, so thank you! As part of the celebrations we will be running a weekly prize draw.

Anyone who buys a designer frame, or boutique frame will have the chance of getting the frame free of charge. Watch this space, and our Facebook page for details.

We look forward to the next 30 years!

2021 – COVID update Whitley Bay Opticians. We are available for all of your eye-care needs.

Happy New Year!

As an essential service, we remain open for the provision of all eye-care services, including:

Emergency eye-care

Eye examinations

Contact lens examinations

Glasses purchase and collections

Glasses repairs.

We continue to operate on an appointment only basis and would like to assure you that we operate under strict COVID compliance, with full PPE and disinfection procedures in place. We also restrict the number of patients in the practice at any one time, which is why we work on an appointment only basis.

Should you fine it difficult to be able to collect your contact lenses, please let us know so that we can try and organise a home delivery.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

All The Team.

Optician Awards – Independent Practice of the Year 2020

We are delighted to announce that we have once again been pronounced Independent Practice of the Year.

We cannot tell you how much this means to us in what has been a challenging year. Thank you so much to every member of our wonderful team, and to the amazing support of the public which makes this all possible.

We will continue to strive for clinical excellence, stand out fashion and 5* customer service, ensuring that we are deserving of this prestigious award that has been bestowed upon us.

Thank you!