Over the years, the term ‘Optician’ has become a catch-all termfor the people you see who test your eyesight. However, withinthat term, there are different roles with responsibility for different areas of your eye health.As we often get asked to explain the difference between an Optometrist and a Dispensing Optician, we thought it wouldbe helpful to explain it here. Do you dread buying new glasses? You’re not alone. It’s not unusual for patients to tell us that they dread buying new glasses. Despite being something they wear all day, every day, it’s also surprisingly common for people to only own...

With effect from 24th July 2020, you are legally required to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces, including shops and public transport, in England. A common question our clients have been asking is: “How do I stop my specs from fogging when I’m wearing a face mask?” Before looking at how to prevent fogging, let’s look at the requirements. What constitutes a face covering? Based on government information at the time of writing, from 24th July 2020, you are legally required to wear a face-covering in enclosed public spaces unless you meet the exemption criteria. To read the detailed government advice, click here....

Dry Eye Syndrome is a common condition and whilst it is often not serious, it can be uncomfortable. Dry eye can be caused by a number of factors related to the delicate balance of your tears. Usually, your eyes are lubricated by your tear film. This is made up of three layers, the mucous layer, water layer and oil layer. When these layers are well balanced your eyes should feel comfortable. However, if an imbalance is triggered, you will experience symptoms and possibly discomfort. This is dry eye syndrome. What are the symptoms of dry eye? If you are suffering...

When it comes to UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays, it’s likely you’re quite disciplined about taking care of your skin by applying a good quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen. But what about your eyes? UV protection for your eyes in the sun is every bit as important as taking care of your skin. Failing to do so can increase your risk of eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts and even skin cancer in the delicate skin around your eyes. Understanding UV rays UV rays are produced by the sun and, whilst they are invisible to the eye, they are...