Category: Vision

Have you ever experienced the frustration of your prescription glasses not working anymore? If so, you’re not alone. Many people encounter changes in their vision or discomfort with their glasses over time. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some common reasons why your prescription glasses may not be working as expected and explore potential solutions to address these issues.

Changes in Vision

One of the most common reasons why your prescription glasses may not work anymore is changes in your vision. Our eyesight can fluctuate over time due to various factors such as aging, eye strain from prolonged screen use, or underlying health conditions like cataracts or diabetes. If you notice blurry vision or difficulty focusing with your current glasses, it may be time for an updated prescription from your eye care professional. Perhaps they seem too strong now – this happens as well!

Incorrect Prescription

Sometimes, the prescription in your glasses just may no longer be accurate. This can happen, if your vision has changed since your last eye exam, or if there was an error in the prescription when your glasses were made. If you’re experiencing discomfort, schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your prescription is up to date.

Lens Damage or Wear

Over time, the lenses in your glasses may become scratched, smudged, or otherwise damaged, affecting their clarity and effectiveness. Additionally, wear and tear on the frames can cause misalignment or distortion, leading to discomfort or visual disturbances. Regularly cleaning and caring for your glasses can help prolong their lifespan. However, if you notice significant damage or deterioration, it may be time for a replacement pair.

Incorrect Frame Fit

The fit of your glasses frames plays a crucial role in their comfort and effectiveness. If your frames are too tight, too loose, or improperly adjusted, it can cause discomfort, headaches, and even affect your vision. Opticians can make minor adjustments to your frames. This can ensure they sit properly on your face and provide optimal vision correction. If you’re experiencing discomfort or visual issues with your glasses, schedule a fitting appointment to address any fit issues.

Transitioning to Progressive Lenses

If you’ve recently switched to progressive lenses or bifocals, it may take some time for your eyes to adjust to the new prescription. Progressive lenses offer a seamless transition between different viewing distances. However,  they require some getting used to as your eyes learn to navigate the varying focal points. Be patient and give yourself time to adjust to the new lenses. If you continue to experience difficulties, consult with your eye care provider for guidance.

Get in Touch

Several factors can contribute to your prescription glasses not working as effectively as they once did. Whether it’s changes in your vision, an outdated prescription, lens damage, fit issues, or adjusting to new lenses, it’s essential to address these concerns promptly to ensure optimal vision correction and comfort. Schedule regular eye exams, practice proper eyewear care, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Focus Eye Centre if you have any questions or concerns about your glasses.

With the right attention and care, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision once again. Remember, your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of it today for a brighter tomorrow. If you would like to find out more about preserving your eye health, or you wish to book an eye test, get in touch! Give us a call today at 0800 980 34 64 or email us at info@focuseyecentre.co.uk.

Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative time in a woman’s life, filled with excitement and anticipation. With all the changes happening in your body, it’s important not to overlook your eye health during pregnancy. Pregnancy can bring about certain changes in vision and eye health that may warrant attention. In this blog post, we’ll explore common eye-related issues during pregnancy and provide tips on how to maintain optimal eye health.

Vision Changes During Pregnancy

One of the most common vision changes experienced during pregnancy is fluctuating vision. This can occur due to hormonal changes, fluid retention, and other factors. You may notice that your prescription glasses or contact lenses no longer provide the clarity they once did. In some cases, vision may improve, while in others, it may temporarily worsen.

Another condition that may develop during pregnancy is gestational diabetes, which can affect the eyes. High blood sugar levels that may come with gestational diabetes can cause blurry vision or even diabetic retinopathy if left untreated.

Tips for Maintaining Eye Health

1. Regular Eye Exams: Schedule a comprehensive eye examination with your optometrist or ophthalmologist early in your pregnancy. Inform them about your pregnancy so they can tailor the exam accordingly.
2. Manage Dry Eyes: Hormonal changes can lead to dry eyes during pregnancy. Use eye drops recommended by your eye care professional to ease discomfort.
3. Monitor Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy can affect the eyes and vision. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and consult your healthcare provider if it becomes elevated.
4. Wear UV Protection: Increased sensitivity to sunlight is common during pregnancy. Wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.
5. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration, which can contribute to dry eyes and discomfort.
6. Eat a Balanced Diet: A healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients is crucial for overall health, including eye health. Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
7. Manage Gestational Diabetes: If you have gestational diabetes, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for managing the condition.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience sudden or severe changes in vision, such as persistent blurry vision, double vision, or flashes of light, contact your eye care provider immediately. These could be signs of more serious conditions that require prompt evaluation and treatment.

Get in Touch

Your prescription glasses are not just a fashion accessory. They play a crucial role in maintaining your vision health. Despite having likely been informed of this by their optometrist, some choose to not wear their prescription glasses or contact lenses regularly. In this blog, we will explore what happens if you don’t wear your prescription lenses for both long-term and short-term discomfort.

Short-term effects of not wearing glasses

One of the immediate consequences of not wearing your prescribed eyewear is eye strain. This can lead to persistent headaches or migraines. Refractive errors are the reason why people suffer from conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). These refractive errors cause the eyes to work harder to focus, causing discomfort that can impact your day-to-day life.

If these refractive errors are neglected, then the major result will be an inability to see things clearly. This can hinder your performance at work or school, leading to decreased productivity and engagement. This can also impact the way you interact with the world around you. Compromised vision increases the likelihood of accidents, whether you are driving or simply carrying out daily activities. Clear vision is essential in ensuring your personal safety as well as those around you.

Whether driving, operating machinery, or navigating everyday surroundings, compromised vision increases the likelihood of accidents. Clear vision is paramount for ensuring personal safety and also, just as importantly – the safety of those around you.

Long-term effects of not wearing glasses

The long-term effects of not wearing your glasses are unsurprisingly worse than the effects of wearing them! Your eyes adjust to incorrect focus, potentially leading to irreversible damage that regular use of prescriptions could have prevented.

Individuals who consistently disregard their prescriptions may be more susceptible to developing eye conditions such as astigmatism, myopia, or even more severe issues like glaucoma. Regular use of prescribed eyewear not only makes life more comfortable but also serves as a preventive measure against such conditions.

Alternatives to traditional eyewear

For those opposed to the look or feel of traditional eyewear, contact lenses provide a discreet and convenient alternative. They offer clear vision without the appearance of glasses. If you want a more permanent solution, laser eye surgery and other corrective procedures are viable. If you’re interested in any of these options then a consultation with an eye care professional can provide insights into the best options for your individual needs.

Adopting a healthier lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can positively impact vision health. While not a substitute for prescriptions, these practices can complement eye care.

Looking to book a consultation?

Neglecting to wear your prescription glasses can have both short-term and long-term consequences on your vision health. Our professional opinion is to always wear your prescription glasses unless you suspect your vision has changed over time, which is normal.

If you are overdue an eye exam or are looking to update your existing glasses feel free to get in touch. Give the practice a call on 01323 442 062 or email info@focuseyecentre.co.uk for some additional information.

Many people wear glasses to correct their vision and improve their day-to-day life.  However, there is a common misconception that actually wearing your glasses can make your vision worse over time. In this blog, we will explore both sides of the argument and provide insight into how glasses impact your vision.

How Glasses Work

Before delving into whether or not glasses make your vision worse over time, it is crucial to have a reasonable understanding of how they work. Glasses are ingeniously designed to correct refractive errors in the eye. The first-ever glasses came about in Italy sometime between 1268 and 1300, though the exact date is disputed. Basically, they were two magnifying glasses hooked up with a hinge, resting on the bridge of the nose.

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia) occur when the eye fails to bend the light directly onto the retina. This distortion leads to a blurred image. Glasses work by redirecting the light so it accurately hits the retina, helping the eye ‘see’ how it should.

These refractive errors are often hereditary and can change annually, which requires updates to your prescriptions.

The Myth of Dependency

One of the common false impressions we hear when people come in for an eye test is that you become dependent on your glasses. Wearing your prescriptions does not make you dependent on glasses. Many believe it causes your eyes to become lazy but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Glasses do not weaken your eyes, instead, they provide the necessary correction for proper vision.

Changes in Prescription

Changes in prescription are common across a span of 1-3 years. This doesn’t mean that your glasses are making your vision worse. There is a multitude of factors that impact your eye health and people suffering from eye conditions may experience more frequent changes. There is no evidence that suggests wearing your glasses causes your vision to worsen.

Regular eye tests ensure that your glasses fit your current, while also screening you for a multitude of other health conditions.

Eye Strain and Glasses

Wearing glasses will almost always reduce eye strain and discomfort while promoting overall eye health. If you have just received a new prescription is it important you understand there is a transitional period. During this time your eyes need to acclimate to the improved vision. This can be both exciting but also nauseating for some. If you experience dizziness when wearing your glasses you are likely dealing with a depth perception issue. A good way to think of this issue is motion sickness.

If you continuously experience this for any longer than a week, we suggest you get in touch with your optometrist for further guidance.

Common Misconceptions

Let’s address some common misconceptions:

• Myth: Glasses weaken your eyes. Reality: They provide necessary corrections.
• Myth: You become dependent on glasses. Reality: They enhance your vision without causing dependency.
• Myth: Not wearing glasses strengthens your eyes. Reality: This can lead to eye strain and discomfort.

Take The Professionals Advice

So do glasses make your vision worse? No, of course wearing glasses does not make your vision worse. They are a helpful tool to correct refractive errors and reduce eye strain. However, in saying that, it’s essential to maintain regular eye check-ups and update your prescription as needed for optimal eye health.

If you are overdue an eye exam or are looking to update your existing glasses feel free to get in touch. Give the practice a call on 01323 442 062 or email info@focuseyecentre.co.uk for some additional information.

Smoking is a harmful habit that has been long associated with numerous health risks. Infamous for causing cancer almost everywhere in the body, many people may not be aware of the detrimental impact smoking can have on eye health. In the blog, we discuss the connection between smoking and eye health as well as explore various eye conditions that can be developed by smoking.

Before we begin, we want to emphasise how crucial it is to prioritise your eyes and take steps to quit if you are a smoker. Your vision is a precious gift and your lifestyle choices have a huge effect on your health. You should protect it.

Smoking and Its Effects on Eye Health

Cataracts

Cataracts is a common eye condition which causes clouding on the eye’s natural lens, leading to interrupted vision. Normally, the lens is clear and transparent. This allows for light to pass through and focus on the retina at the back of the eye. Smoking has been strongly associated with an increased risk of developing cataracts and can also accelerate the progression of existing cataracts. Inflammation of the lens is often apparent in smokers. This can contribute to the formation and progression of cataracts.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is a progressive disease that affects the sharpness of your vision. The macula is the central part of the retina, located at the back of the eye, and is responsible for the detail in your vision. It is a leading cause of vision loss among older adults, particularly those 50+. Smoking has been identified as a significant risk factor in the development of AMD. Due to blood vessel damage, there is a limited flow of blood to the macula. This results in damage and cell death.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common eye condition whereby discomfort is caused due to insufficient tear production or poor tear quality. Many describe it as the sensation of a foreign object in the eye. Smoking can alter the composition of the tear film. This can make tears less stable and more likely to evaporate quickly. This can result in dry and uncomfortable eyes.

Harmful Chemicals in Cigarettes

Nicotine

Nicotine is the addictive compound found in cigarettes. When someone smokes, nicotine can constrict the blood vessels in the eyes. This constriction reduces the amount of blood flow, containing nutrients and oxygen to the eye tissue. Adequate oxygenation and nutrient supply are essential for maintaining healthy eyes. Reduced blood flow means that the eyes may become more susceptible to various conditions and diseases.

Tar

The tar produced by smoking is a harmful byproduct that can negatively impact eye health. Containing various toxins, tar can lead to chronic eye irritation and a multitude of other issues. Exposure to tar can increase the likelihood of developing infections because it disrupts the body’s natural defences. Eye infections can range from mild conjunctivitis to more severe conditions that may require medical treatment.

Quitting Smoking for Better Eye Health

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall eye health. By quitting smoking and adopting a healthier lifestyle, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing the condition mentioned in this blog. Protect your vision.

There are plenty of resources online that can help you kick the bad habit of smoking. Please take a look at the NHS website if you want to see almost immediate improvements to your health!

With September fast approaching, making sure your kids eyesight is as good as it can be before the next school year starts is vital.

• Have they been struggling over the summer months to watch the TV?
• Have you noticed them squinting at all to try and focus on what they are watching?
• Have they been at all clumsy for no reason?
• Were they having difficulties at school last term, either focussing or looking at the white board in class?
• Have they been displaying unusual signs of behaviour?

Now is the best time to talk to your children and ask them some of these questions. An annual eye check for every child is the best idea and a change in eyesight can be the reason for any of the above points. Even before they can read and write, as long as they are old enough to answer questions and look at pictures, then we can see them at Focus Eye Centre.

If your child is displaying signs of being short sighted, then we are at the cutting edge of technology at Focus Eye Centre, by having a quick and easy screening test for any child at risk of developing Myopia. Using a special scanner called the Myah we can plot the risk and treat accordingly.

We can also help with school vision assessments, which are so very important.

If you have any concerns at all with your child’s eyesight, then please get in touch as soon as possible and we will do our best to fit them in before they start back at school. The summer has flown by and parents are busy out buying new shoes, uniforms, school bags and other kit. But what about the eye health for your child?