Advice

Here you will find answers to some of the questions we are most frequently asked about eyecare. Good eyesight is vital for all-round health, and there are many things that can be done to protect and optimise our vision, no matter what demands life makes of us. This quick reference section should give you pointers on the most important aspects. However, if your eyesight is any cause for concern, or simply you have further questions you would like to discuss with us, we would be delighted to talk to you on 020 7628 0330, or you can contact us by email at info@optixuk.com and we will answer your question as soon as possible.

Does anything happen to the eye as we age?

Yes. From the age of about 45 there is a gradual loss of flexibility in the crystaline lens within the eye (presbyopia), which reduces our ability to focus on near objects.

Are older people at more risk from glaucoma?

Yes. It is uncommon for people to suffer from glaucoma (increase in pressure within the eye, causing potential damage to the optic nerve and sight receptors at the back of the eye) below the age of 40, but affects one per cent of people over 40 and five per cent over 65.

Can young children have an eye examination?

Yes. Eyecare professionals agree children should be tested from around three years of age, earlier if there is a problem or history of family eye problems.

Are contact lenses suitable for children?

Yes. They are more suitable for older children and are often preferred to glasses. Due to the need to insert and remove, clean and handle the contact lenses, they are not suitable for younger children.

Do babies see at birth?

Yes. Most babies are born long-sighted, although the eyes are not fully developed and vision needs to be checked in order to ensure normal visual development.

Do children grow out of sight problems?

No. If left uncorrected for too long, some sight defects cannot be put right, but establishing a routine of regular eye examinations can detect and treat these at an early stage.

Is it okay to have glasses only as a fashion accessory?

Yes. If you recently had an eye examination and no refractive correction was prescribed, you can wear your choice of clear or tinted spectacles, or cosmetic coloured contact lenses.

Is it okay to share non-prescription coloured contact lenses?

No. Sharing the same lenses with someone else strongly increases your chances of getting eye infections and other complications. It is also essential that contact lenses are fitted by a qualified contact lens practitioner, regardless of whether or not they have a corrective prescription, and an annual aftercare check is performed.

Is it possible to have fashionable frames with a higher prescription?

Yes. Advances in material technology have made thinner, flatter lenses available. This means they can be made for virtually any frame size or shape.

Is there an ideal frame style for my face?

Yes. There are five basic face shapes: square, round, triangular, oblong and oval. A square face is complimented by slightly curved, high-sitting frames. A round face by straight or angular lines in deep colours. A triangular face by frames with a thin rim and vertical lines. A long, oblong face is suited by bigger frames, which minimise length. An oval face by any frame shape, as long as it is in proportion. Having said all that, the best advice comes from experience and trial, so let us help choose a selection of perfect frames to suit you. The only problem? Which one to buy!!!

Can an eye examination tell me anything I don’t already know?

Yes. Your eyes don’t necessarily hurt when something is wrong and any changes are often gradual and difficult to notice, such as glaucoma, hypertension, diabetes etc.

Can indoor lighting ever harm my eyes?

No. Poor light or even too much artificial light will not permanently harm your eyes, although it can make you tired and be a distraction.

Will wearing glasses make my eyes lazy?

No. Correct glasses help you see more clearly and comfortably. When you take them off you are noticing how inferior, by comparison, your vision is at the prescribed distance.

Can contact lenses get stuck behind my eye?

No. There is a thin membrane covering the inside of the eyelids and the outside of the front of the eyeball, which creates a protective seal.

Is using a visual display unit (VDU) bad for my eyesight?

No. There is no reliable evidence that it causes any permanent damage to eyes or eyesight, although some refractive correction may increase visual comfort associated with the working distance.

Is there a recommended way of using a VDU?

Yes. You should wear prescribed corrective eyewear, eliminate distracting glare from around your screen, take a 5 minute break every hour looking into the distance and blink regularly!

Can I do anything to maintain good night vision?

Yes. By wearing UVA/B-shielding sunglasses outdoors, even when it is cloudy, you will preserve the sensitivity of the nighttime light receptors in your eyes.

Lifestyle Active

Eyewear performance and eye protection are vital in activity conditions where bright light, wind, water, snow, ice, dust and temperature play a factor. High-performance eyewear maintains good vision and takes the knocks in conditions our daily eyewear can’t cope with.

Active eyewear requires high-quality lenses that provide crystal-clear, distortion-free vision in all conditions. There are different lens types and tints for different situations. For outdoor activities 100% protection from UVA and UVB sunlight is critical. We have a fantastic selection of sunglasses to improve your vision and performance as well as your safety.

Strength and durability are important. Tough, light, impact resistant materials like nylon won’t distort, break or fall off. Lenses of polycarbonate or toughened glass are strong and scratch resistant, and do not become brittle at low temperatures, unlike some plastics.

Also consider shape. Frames should hug the shape of your face, with silicone nose pads and spring hinges at the temples keeping them snugly in place. Goggles or close-fitting wraps also reduce scatter from reflected peripheral light, as well as giving protection against the elements. In some cases you may be better wearing contact lenses, and with daily disposable lenses you can just pop them in when you play sport then throw them away afterwards.

Lifestyle Business

Perfect eyesight at work is not only about being alert and receptive. Correcting vision defects can improve your comfort, job satisfaction and performance.

Whether for close-up work or all-day wearing, corrective eyewear should be comfortable and functional. With so many vocational lenses now available for specific tasks such as office work, graphic design and computer operation, we can help you choose the correct lenses to improve your performance and comfort at work. Many high-tech materials such as titanium and new lens types are so lightweight you’ll forget you’re wearing them. An anti-reflective coating helps maintain transparency in artificial lighting.

But the best news of all is the huge range of styles to suit your mood or working requirement. A bold pair for important meetings when you need to be assertive, a low-key pair for when you want to blend into the background, or even a stylish directional pair that says, “I know how to be creative and look good!” What message do you want to transmit before anyone else in the room has spoken?

Lifestyle Occasions

It doesn’t cost a million dollars to look a million dollars. On those unforgettable occasions when every last detail has to be absolutely perfect, your eyewear can play its part too. It should be as co-ordinated and captivating as the rest of your look, as well as being comfortable and practical. That way you can see and be seen.

Eyewear that’s funky and groovy for passionate parties, cool clubs and heavenly holidays. Eyewear that’s classic and elegant for romantic weddings, sophisticated balls and extravagant functions. You go to so much trouble to look your absolute captivating best – shouldn’t your eyewear be outstanding too? And don’t forget: it’s a well-known fact that if you don’t like wearing your eyewear, you won’t take it out of its case. As Coco Chanel once said, “accessories can make or break a woman” – and why should eyewear be any exception?

Or, if you prefer to wear contact lenses in the evenings, then having the right pair of glasses during the day will mean you get more comfortable wearing time at night.

Lifestyle Relaxing

It’s the weekend. You’ve had a tough week. How do you unwind? Perhaps a lazy stroll around the golf course on a Sunday afternoon? Sipping exquisite Martinis on the veranda as the sun goes down? Organising a memorable get-together for friends or family? Or just hanging out with the kids in the garden?

One thing’s for sure, whatever you do with your free time, you’ll want to look the part. And whatever you feel like doing with your look, the range of leisure eyewear is bigger and better than ever, with classic names such as Cartier, Gucci, Chanel, Prada and Ray-Ban lining up alongside brilliant new ideas from the likes of TAG Heuer, IC! Berlin, Alain Mikli and Orgreen or the strength and flexibility of Eschenbach and Flexon. So it doesn’t matter if you’re a lounge lizard or a beach babe, a couch potato or a party animal, there are more reasons than ever to get the look you crave.

Can I wear glasses for sport?

Yes. Although you will require specialised glasses with lighter, tougher, snug-fitting frames and lenses. Normal eyewear is usually unsuitable, particularly in contact sports.

Can I do contact sports with eyewear?

Yes, although the more physical sports like squash and hockey require specialised designs more like goggles with nose and temple protection.

Can I wear contact lenses for sport?

Yes. Soft contact lenses are the best option for most sports, as they don’t break or become displaced and they move on the surface of the eye, thus maintaining the widest possible field of view. Protective impact-resistant goggles are sometimes also necessary for certain fast action and contact sports.

Should I use eyewear for watersports?

Yes. Even if you don’t need glasses, polarised lenses reduce surface reflections and glare, and wrap styles keep out peripheral wind and spray.

Can I do underwater sports with bad eyesight?

Yes. There are many prescription goggles and masks. Alternatively, it is possible to wear contact lenses and a non-prescription mask.

Is there optimum eyewear for snow sports?

Yes. High UV protection is crucial, and blue filter lenses have been shown to improve object perception and enhance contrast in bright alpine conditions.

Can I wear photochromic lenses for sport?

Not usually. As they adapt to light conditions they can strain your eyes, affecting your ability to judge distances and cause tiredness.