Your general eye health is important, and there are lot of things that you can add into your eye care routine that will ensure your eyes are healthy for years to come.

Beyond assessing visual acuity, eye exams can detect early signs of various eye conditions and systemic health issues. Timely diagnosis and intervention are essential to safeguarding your vision.

It is recommended that you visit your eye health professional regularly and as advised.

Childrens eyes should be examined at 6 months and 2 years old, and thereafter every 2 years.

Adults aged 70 and above should have an annual exam.

Children who are Myopic or at risk of Myopia should have an exam annually up to the age of 12/13 and two yearly thereafter. (credit College of Optometrists, London)

contact lens care

Good eye hygiene is paramount when wearing and handling contact lenses. Unclean lenses can cause discomfort and infection for the wearer. Here is a guide to support your eye care routine.

1)  Do not sleep in your contact lens.
2)  Wash your hands and dry with a lint free cloth prior to touching contact lens.
3)  Keep lenses away from water.
4)  Do not swim in contact lens.
5)  Only wear your contact lens for the recommended timeframe.
6)  Store your lens in a clean and recommended case.
7)  Use the advised solution by your eye care professional.
8)  Insert your contact lens prior to applying makeup.
9)  Attend a regular eye appointment.

(Always consult your eye care professional for best practices when caring for your individual lenses.)

We specialise in lenses for all types of eyes and conditions.

We are here to help you, unfortunately we cannot sell directly to the patient, but we can direct you to an optician who can take care of your eye health.

hints & tips

shortsighted or myopia

Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is a prevalent refractive error affecting millions worldwide. This condition occurs when the eye’s optical system focuses incoming light in front of the retina instead of directly on it. As a result, distant objects appear blurry, while close objects remain clear.

The hallmark sign of myopia is difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Individuals with myopia may squint or strain their eyes to bring distant images into focus. Other symptoms may include headaches and eye fatigue, especially after engaging in tasks that require clear distance vision. An eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is crucial for diagnosing myopia.

To reduce the risk of myopia progression, individuals are encouraged to take breaks during close-up tasks, practice the 20-20-20 rule (looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes), and spend time outdoors. Regular eye check-ups and proactive measures can contribute to effective management and a clearer vision for the future.

longsighted – hyperopic

Hyperopia, commonly known as long-sightedness, is a refractive error that affects the eye’s ability to focus on close-up objects. Unlike myopia (short-sightedness), where distant objects appear blurry, hyperopia causes nearby objects to be more challenging to see clearly.

Hyperopia occurs when the eyeball is too short, or the cornea has too little curvature. This results in light entering the eye and focusing behind the retina rather than directly on it. While genetics play a role, hyperopia can also be influenced by factors such as age. Individuals with hyperopia often experience difficulties with tasks that require close-up vision, such as reading or using a computer.

Eye strain, headaches, and discomfort after prolonged near work are common symptoms. Unlike myopia, distance vision may remain relatively clear. An eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is essential for diagnosing hyperopia. While hyperopia itself doesn’t lead to eye diseases, uncorrected hyperopia can contribute to eye strain and discomfort. Regular eye examinations are crucial to ensure optimal vision and overall eye health.

keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disorder characterised by the thinning and bulging of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. This condition, often affecting both eyes, leads to a conical shape of the cornea, distorting vision and causing irregular astigmatism. While the precise cause of keratoconus remains unclear, a combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to contribute.

Rubbing the eyes vigorously, constant eye irritation, and certain genetic predispositions may play a role in its development. The early symptoms of keratoconus include blurred or distorted vision, increased sensitivity to light, and frequent changes in prescription glasses or contact lenses, patients may experience worsening vision and the appearance of ghosting or multiple images.

A comprehensive eye examination is essential for diagnosing keratoconus. Specialised tests such as corneal topography and tomography help map the shape and thickness of the cornea, aiding in accurate diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. Early-stage keratoconus can often be managed with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.

As the condition progresses, rigid gas permeable (RGP), scleral or specialist soft contact lenses may provide better visual correction. In some cases, surgical interventions such as corneal cross-linking, or corneal transplantation may be recommended. Regular consultations with eye care professionals are key to addressing the unique challenges posed by this condition.

astigmatism – toric

Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision. When astigmatism is specifically corrected with Toric lenses, it involves addressing both the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness and the specific orientation of the astigmatism. Astigmatism results from irregularities in the curvature of the cornea or lens. Unlike a spherical cornea or lens, which is evenly curved, the astigmatic cornea or lens has a more elliptical shape, causing light entering the eye to focus on multiple points.

Common symptoms of astigmatism include blurred or distorted vision, eye strain, headaches, and difficulty seeing clearly at night. Individuals with astigmatism may also experience squinting to improve focus. An eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is crucial for diagnosing astigmatism. Refraction tests and other specialised measurements help determine the degree and axis of astigmatism, guiding the prescription for Toric lenses. Toric lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism. They have different powers in different meridians of the lens and often include a cylindrical component. The orientation of the cylindrical component corresponds to the axis of astigmatism, providing clear vision for individuals with this refractive error.

Toric lenses are a common and effective means of managing astigmatism. Glasses and contact lenses, including soft Toric lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses, provide clear vision by compensating for the irregular corneal shape. Understanding astigmatism and its correction with Toric lenses is essential for individuals seeking optimal vision. Regular eye examinations and consultations with eye care professionals ensure accurate prescriptions and effective management of this refractive error.

aged related long sightedness (occurs around the age of 40) presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common age-related condition characterised by a gradual loss of near vision, typically emerging around the age of 40. It results from changes in the crystalline lens of the eye, affecting the ability to focus on close-up objects. The primary cause of presbyopia is the natural aging process. Over time, the crystalline lens becomes less flexible, making it challenging for the eye to adjust and focus on nearby objects.

Presbyopia manifests as difficulty seeing or reading small print, blurry vision at a close range, and eye strain or headaches after prolonged near work. Individuals may find themselves holding reading material at arm’s length to achieve clearer focus. Eye care professionals determine the degree of near-vision loss and prescribe corrective lenses accordingly. Corrective lenses are the primary means of managing presbyopia.

Options include reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, and Soft Contact lenses each designed to address different aspects of vision at varying distances. Understanding presbyopia is essential for individuals entering their 40s as they navigate changes in their near-vision capabilities. Regular eye examinations and consultation with eye care professionals ensure personalised solutions, allowing individuals to maintain optimal vision and quality of life as they age.

covering scarring or other eye conditions

Prosthetic eye covering is a specialised field that addresses the aesthetic concerns of individuals with eye scarring or other conditions affecting the appearance of the eye. This compassionate approach involves the creation and fitting of custom prosthetic lenses to restore a natural appearance and improve overall well-being of the patient.

Prosthetic eye covering provides a natural and symmetrical appearance, helping individuals regain confidence and can contribute to improved mental and emotional well-being, reducing the psychological impact of the irregularity of the cosmesis of the eye. Regular eye examination and consultations with eye care professionals ensure personalised solutions, allowing individuals to maintain optimal vision.

changing eye colour – cosmetic

Cosmetic eye colour changes involve altering the natural colour of the iris for aesthetic reasons. While natural eye colour is determined by genetics, advancements in cosmetic technologies now offer individuals the option to modify their eye colour temporarily or permanently. Cosmetic eye colour changes are typically achieved using coloured contact lenses.

Coloured contact lenses are designed to enhance or completely transform eye colour. Coloured contact lenses can be supplied by your eye care professional with an eye prescription to offer vision correction along with the cosmetic enhancement of eye colour or supplied without vision correction for aesthetic use.

Coloured contact lenses should be obtained from an eye care professional. They can assess the suitability of coloured contacts, provide guidance on safe usage and ensure a correct fit.