Celebrating John Anderson
Our optometrist John Anderson has been with us for 20 years, and here’s a video of a sand art tribute to John and his contribution to the practice.
Thank you John!
Get Ready For The School Year With A Back to School Eye Exam
Parents, as you gear up for another school year, ensuring your kids return to school with optimal vision is often an overlooked step. To give your kids the best chance at success this academic year, it’s essential to ensure their eyecare is up to date.
We’re going to take a look at the significance of eye examinations and how they can affect your child’s learning. From the most common eye condition in children today to expert preventative tips on how to take care of your children’s eyes, we’ve covered it all. Let’s dive in!
Why Are Back-To-School Eye Exams Important?
Regular eye examinations for children are more important than most parents might think. Children are not always aware that they have an issue with their vision, and without a routine eye exam, these problems may not be detected and could worsen. In fact, it is estimated that 1.6 million school aged children are living with an undetected vision problem.
These experiences can have a profound impact on children’s intellectual development and educational abilities, as 80% of what the brain receives comes through the visual track. It may not be well-known, but a child’s eye does not finish developing until they are around eight years old.
This information makes it all the more vital to ensure that children receive their eye exams regularly, especially before heading back to school. So, if you’re searching for a ‘children’s eye exam near me’, our highly skilled team are on hand to provide your child with a thorough exam.
Signs Of Vision Problems To Look Out For
As parents and educators, it is essential to be on the lookout for signs that may indicate a child has visual impairments. These indicators can range from:
- trouble concentrating on schoolwork,
- headaches
- sitting close to the TV
- regularly rubbing their eyes
With the excessive use of digital devices, it’s also important to notice if a child is holding screens too close to their face or squinting to see. These factors can lead to the progression of myopia (short-sightedness), which is why identifying these signs can make a significant difference in a child’s overall vision health.
Myopia And Myopia Management Explained
Image source: Supplied by Hoya
Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is a growing concern for parents around the world. This condition occurs when the eye focuses light rays in front of the retina instead of on it, causing blurry distance vision. This is because the eye has become more elongated than it should be. Myopia is predicted to affect half of the world’s population by 2050.
This can be particularly problematic for children as it can affect their ability to learn and develop. However, thanks to innovative technology, myopia management is now possible with MiYOSMART lenses for glasses, which work by using a unique two-layered design that reduces the amount of stress on the eye whilst correcting vision. These glasses lenses have been clinically proven to slow myopia progression by up to 60%. They are worn just like regular glasses making them suitable for children of all ages.
If you’re worried about your child’s eye health due to short-sightedness, consider investing in the revolutionary MiYOSMART lenses for an effective and reliable solution to safeguard their future vision.
Contact Us Today
Clear vision plays a pivotal role in learning, and any vision impairments can lead to a myriad of issues that can negatively impact academic performance. So, why not take the necessary steps towards ensuring your child’s success by booking a back-to-school eye examination today?
A Beginners Guide to Contact Lenses
Are you considering making the switch from glasses to contact lenses? It’s a big decision that can make a huge difference in your everyday life, allowing you to get back to enjoying activities and feeling more confident in your appearance. But it can be an intimidating process to consider for some.
The good news is that understanding what’s involved with contact lens wear – from taking care of them and keeping them clean to choosing the right type for your eyes – doesn’t have to be complicated!
We’ll break down everything you need to know about switching from glasses to contact lenses so that you feel prepared and confident when you decide to try them.
Why Choose Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses offer clear vision and a panoramic field of view compared to glasses, providing a more natural visual experience. They’re perfect for active lifestyles, whether you’re an athlete, enjoy outdoor activities, or simply want the freedom to move without the hassle of glasses.
Contact lenses stay securely in place directly on your eye, allowing you to comfortably engage in sports or other physical activities. They are virtually unnoticeable and ensure maximum comfort throughout the day. Unlike glasses, contact lenses don’t fog up, making them ideal for those in humid or cold climates.
Contact lenses also allow you to have a more natural appearance.
Types of Contact Lenses
Photo credit: Acuvue UK
When it comes to finding the perfect contact lenses in Whitley Bay, there are several options available to suit your needs. Let’s take a closer look:
1. Daily disposable contact lenses: These are designed for single use, making them incredibly convenient. Say goodbye to cleaning and storing – simply discard them at the end of the day and insert a fresh pair the next morning. From a hygiene perspective, this also means you’ll be less prone to developing irritation and potential eye infections. These are great for people who want to alternate between glasses and contact lenses and may only opt to wear them for special occasions, or activities like sports.
2. Two-weekly and monthly contact lenses: These are worn for 2 weeks or a month at a time, and then replace with a new pair to last for the same period. They’re available in a wide range of materials and designs, compared to daily disposables, which means some, for example, might be slightly thicker and retain more moisture, making them more suitable for dry eye sufferers. While they require regular cleaning and disinfection, they offer cost-effectiveness and are perfect for environmentally conscious individuals looking to minimise waste.
3. Specialised lenses: These are designed for special vision correction needs, such as presbyopia or astigmatism. Whether you need multifocal contact lenses or lenses to correct astigmatism, there are plenty of options to provide clear and comfortable vision, whatever your prescription.
As an independent practice, we have access to a wide variety of contact lenses from major brands, giving us the freedom to find the most suitable type for your individual lifestyle and vision needs.
Alternating between contact lenses and glasses
Although contact lenses can be worn throughout the day, there are a few occasions where changing between contact lenses and glasses may be necessary. Unless you’re wearing specialist overnight contact lenses, sleeping with your lenses in is a no-go. Keep a pair of glasses handy for those late nights and early mornings when you don’t have your lenses in and may need to get up to go to the bathroom or get a glass of water.
Contact lenses and water do not mix. It’s important to remember to remove your contact lenses before showering and partaking in activities such as swimming and hot tubs. Water contains bacteria that can enter through scratches or minor cuts in the eye and cause nasty infections. If you wear reusable lenses you should also never clean them or your contact lens case with water either for the same reason – always use the recommended saline solution.
You may also need to swap back to your glasses if you suffer from allergies such as hay fever. Pollen can become trapped underneath the contact lenses, making your eyes even more itchy and swollen. If this persists and eye drops don’t help, taking a break by wearing glasses may be the best solution until it dies down.
Making The Switch To Contact Lenses
If you’re considering switching to contact lenses, it’s important to consult a qualified optometrist. At Robinson Optometrists, your trusted opticians in Monkseaton, we offer a free tolerance contact lens trial following an eye examination and contact lens fitting consultation and teaching session. This allows you to experience wearing contact lenses for a week once you’re confident with inserting and removing them, helping you decide whether they are right for you. We don’t charge a fitting or annual fee, as all future contact lens aftercare appointments are covered by a monthly fee, ensuring your ongoing eye health is taken care of.
Ready to make the switch? Contact us today to schedule an appointment and enquire about our contact lens services and get ready to experience the freedom, comfort, and clear vision that contact lenses can provide!
Photochromic Lenses And Polarised Sunglasses – Are They Worth It?
Summer is just around the corner, so it’s time to make sure your eyes are well protected. We often get asked about the differences and benefits of photochromic lenses for glasses and polarised sunglasses, so we’re here to answer your questions about whether these specialist lenses are worth it and are right for you.
Polarised Sunglasses
When it comes to buying new sunglasses, an important decision to make is whether to opt for polarised lenses or not. First, let’s answer the question, what are polarised lenses? In simple terms, they are equipped with a special coating that helps block horizontally polarised light, significantly reducing glare and providing better clarity of vision and contrast, particularly on bright days.
Glare caused by the sun’s reflection off flat surfaces like metal, water, glass, or anything bright can lead to squinting, compromised vision and even headaches and eye strain. Polarised sunglasses prove to be especially beneficial for activities such as driving or if you spend time on or near water. However, their advantages go beyond that. You’ll also notice that colours become more vivid and vibrant, offering an improved view of your surroundings.
There are a couple of factors to keep in mind. Polarised sunglasses are not suitable for night driving, and they may distort LCD screens such as phones and sat navs.
Photochromic Lenses
Light-reactive lenses, also known as photochromic lenses for glasses, automatically darken when exposed to sunlight. They contain special molecules that react to UV rays, absorbing light and darkening into sunglasses. When you step back indoors, the reaction to the molecules adjusts back swiftly changing the lenses back to clear.
At our practice, you can experience the advanced Sensity photochromic lenses from one of the leading glasses lens suppliers worldwide, Hoya. These offer not only full UV protection but also exceptional visual clarity in any light conditions. Say goodbye to the need for separate sunglasses if you wear prescription glasses. Sensity lenses adapt swiftly, darkening when spending time outdoors and reverting to clear indoors. Keep in mind not all light-reactive lenses are effective in cars due to the windscreen’s UV filtration.
Image source: Supplied by Hoya
What’s the Verdict?
Are polarised lenses worth it? Are light-reactive lenses right for you? The answer depends on your lifestyle and needs. Photochromic lenses may be the way to go if you spend a lot of time outdoors and want glasses that adjust to different light conditions. Polarised lenses are great for reducing glare from reflective surfaces, making them ideal for water sports or driving. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preferences and lifestyle needs.
We think both these lens types are highly beneficial and encourage you to book an appointment with our optometrist in Whitley Bay to discuss which type of lenses are best for you.
Can blue light glasses help to alleviate digital eye strain?
In our ever-increasing digital world, digital eye strain is a growing problem, affecting both parents and children alike. It refers to the uncomfortable symptoms that result from looking at screens for prolonged periods. Since the pandemic, one in 3 people in the UK has noticed deteriorated vision because of increased screen time.
Read on to discover the effects of digital eye strain, how it is caused and how blue light glasses can help alleviate symptoms.
Digital eye strain causes
Digital eye strain results when the eyes are intensely focused on a task for a long period. For example, children studying for exams or adults who frequently use digital screens are susceptible to developing this condition.
In addition, some of the main causes of digital eye strain include reading without resting your eyes, exposure to bright lights, driving for extended periods, fatigue, stress and straining to see in dim lighting.
Symptoms of digital eye strain
While digital eye strain isn’t sight-threatening, it can cause prolonged discomfort that can make it difficult to get through the day. Some symptoms to watch out for include:
- Headaches
- Eye discomfort
- Trouble focusing
- Red or watery eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Dry eyes
- Twitching eyelids
- Sensitivity to light
The good news is, you don’t have to silently suffer from digital eye strain. Blue light glasses are specifically designed to protect your eyes from blue light exposure. Thanks to a special anti-reflection coating, they’re able to filter blue light rays to stop them from entering your eye and causing potential damage. This reduces glare, provides enhanced clarity, and reduces visual discomfort – all of which contribute to soothing digital eye strain.
Wearing blue light glasses will allow you to have the best concentration possible for when you are working and studying as they help relax your eyes which will improve your sleep and allow your body to function properly.
Get in touch
If you are suffering from any of the digital eye strain symptoms mentioned above, book an eye exam to get a pair of blue light lenses of your own.
How to relieve hay fever and allergy eye symptoms
Hay fever season is now upon us, causing uncomfortable symptoms for a significant portion of the population. In fact, a study done in 2020 found that hay fever can affect nearly 50% of the UK population, and around 37% reported symptoms for the first time since 2015. Read on for a helpful rundown on common symptoms, and our top tips for hay fever relief.
Do you have hay fever?
There are several symptoms of hay fever you may experience:
● sneezing or coughing
● headache and tiredness
● sore, red, itchy eyes
● an itchy throat, nose, or ears (possibly an earache)
● nasal congestion or a runny nose
What exactly is hay fever?
Hay fever is when your body reacts to the pollen in the air. Pollen is a powder produced by plants and is a part of their reproduction process. As such, the ‘pollen count’, i.e., how much pollen there is in the air, is typically highest from spring to the beginning of September. When your body reacts to pollen, it produces histamine, causing inflammation.
Reactions range from mild to severe and can cause loss of sleep, concentration issues and increased risk of asthma.
Hay fever treatment
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for hay fever – only relief. You can try and avoid being outside during high pollen count days by checking your weather forecast, which usually has an indicator for this, or by investing in air filters. However, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to avoid it completely, so we’ve compiled our top 5 tips on how best to manage your symptoms day to day.
- Wash your hands before you touch your face. This can reduce the transfer of pollen to your eyes, minimising irritation.
- Use eye drops as recommended by our optometrists to help relieve itchy, red, and sore eyes.
- Placing a cold, wet flannel over your eyes for 10-15 minutes every day can also provide some respite.
- Sunglasses can help, especially wraparound styles which give optimal coverage to block pollen, dust, and other irritants from reaching your eyes.
- Use over the counter antihistamines if you find them to be effective.
- Putting your clothes straight into the wash after a day out when pollen is rife will help to stop it from transferring to your eyes.
- Closing your windows when the pollen count is at its highest if indoors will reduce the chances of it making contact with your eyes. In extreme cases, your doctor may be able to offer immunotherapy, which slowly exposes the body to pollen, allowing you to build up tolerance prior to spring.
Need further info?
While over the counter eye drops may be helpful to some extent, it’s important to remember that everyone’s eyes are different, and that some eye drops contain ingredients which may not be suitable for your eyes, especially if you are a contact lens wearer.
We offer a variety of options to accommodate your specific needs, and have optometrists with Independent Prescribing qualifications, who can prescribe medicated eye drops, or ointments after assessing you if they
feel it would benefit you.
Don’t suffer in silence! Get in touch with our opticians in Whitley Bay if you need any further advice or visit us in person.
How to take care of your eyes in 2023
We use our eyes to see and experience the world around us, but what if that wasn’t possible anymore? We often forget how important our eyes are, so if there’s one message we want you to remember as the new year is underway, it’s not to take your vision for granted!
We want to help you maintain great eye health and vision for as long as possible, so here are some of our top tips on how to take care of your eyes in 2023 to improve your vision.
Eat well and eat right
Have you ever been told to eat vegetables and fruits for good eyesight? This is because a well-balanced meal and proper diet can give you the necessary nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and a variety of vitamins to promote good vision and eye health.
Why not incorporate citrus fruits like oranges as a healthy snack at the office, add green, leafy vegetables like kale or spinach, or proteins like eggs or nuts to your salads, and oily fish like salmon to your dinner? Your eyes will thank you as this may even lower your odds of developing certain eye conditions and help to prevent type 2 diabetes, which can also affect your vision.
Wear sunglasses
Whether it’s summer or winter, it is important to wear sunglasses all year round. Without this protective eyewear, cumulative UV exposure to your eyes over the years can increase your chances of getting age-related diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Wearing high quality sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection can block their harmful rays from penetrating your eyes and provide more visual comfort in the face of bright sunlight. We recommend wraparound styles for maximum coverage. Not only will you be helping your eyes, but we think sunglasses are always a great addition to any outfit while out and about!
Take screen breaks
We are inevitably spending more and more time continuously staring at computers, phones and tablets, day and night. Too much screen time can cause:
- Blurry vision
- Chronic neck problems
- Dry eyes
- Headaches
- Irregular sleeping patterns
This is commonly known as digital eye strain. You can help alleviate this at home by trying out the 20/20/20 method – every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at anything 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Kids in particular can benefit from this, but if their screen time is causing persistent problems, we do also recommend investing in kid’s blue light glasses with our popular HOYA Blue Control glasses lenses. Also great for adults, these help to relax the eyes and protect them from the effects of blue light while using screens.
Regular eye exams
We saved the best for last! It’ll come as no surprise to you that keeping up with your regular eye exams are a must for 2023! These enable our optometrists to monitor your prescription and eye health, and thanks to state of the art diagnostic technology, can often reveal early signs of potential problems that you may not have noticed yourself. This means they can take action to protect your vision and provide you with that extra peace of mind.
Contact our opticians – Whitley Bay
Have questions about your eye health or need further advice? Feel free to speak to our friendly staff or contact us to book one of the most comprehensive eye tests Whitley Bay has to offer at our practice!
Our Reflections of 2022
We’ve had a great year at the practice, and in case you missed any of our favourite moments from the practice, here’s a round-up!
Anth’s marathon run for Heart UK
We’d like to thank everyone who recently supported our Dispensing Manager Anth in running the London Marathon for the charity Heart UK. In 2018 he suffered a very unexpected heart attack caused by a genetic condition that he didn’t know about. The condition can cause very high levels of cholesterol, even in fit people who live a healthy lifestyle. Heart UK’s advice and support were invaluable during his recovery, so this was his way of giving something back to them. He more than managed to achieve this, raising an amazing £2026!
Anth is a valued member of our team, a real people person who always ensures our customers leave the practice delighted with our service, so we’re proud to support him in all his endeavours, especially this one as it was quite literally so close to his heart and are over the moon at how many of you donated money and left words of encouragement too – thank you!
Daisy’s wedding and latest qualification
Daisy not only graduated as a fully qualified dispensing optician in April but also tied the knot this year with her wonderful husband in a beautiful ceremony.
Daisy is one of the core members of our team and always ensures our customers get the best service possible when they come to the practice. A huge congratulations again to Daisy for her qualification and to the lovely couple!
New diagnostic equipment
We’re passionate about investing in the latest technology to help look after your eyes and were excited to introduce two of the latest state of the art devices back in May!
The Henson 9000 is a visual fields screening machine that helps us with the early detection of glaucoma and the ongoing management of established vision loss, while our autorefractor is designed to automatically detect your prescription during an eye exam for even more accuracy.
A warm welcome back for Robyn
During the year, we also welcomed back our Dispensing Optician and Assistant Manager, Robyn from her maternity leave.
She was truly missed, and we’re over the moon to have her back as she’s always been a fundamental part of the practice team. If stylish and flattering eyewear is what you’re looking for, Robyn is the lady to see!
Exclusive Tom Davies raffle
Lastly, we held a Tom Davies raffle to support Anth’s London Marathon charity run, giving the chance to win a Tom Davies bespoke frame consultation in practice (worth £500) and get a customised frame (also worth £500) handcrafted by Tom Davies himself!
Our patient Dianne was the lucky winner and had her style consultation with the lovely Tristan from Tom Davies who helped
her with choosing beautiful frames from the latest collections. She then had a consultation with Tom Davies himself and went home with a beautiful, personalised pair of sunglasses worth £500!
Thank you for a great 2022!
And that’s a wrap on 2022! A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our loyal patients for your continued support and custom – we wouldn’t be able to achieve milestones like this without you and look forward to sharing another great year with you at our opticians in Whitley Bay. Happy new year from everyone at Robinson Optometrists!
How to avoid Digital Eye Strain
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
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.