Do Carrots Really Improve Your Eyesight?

Posted on December 13, 2022February 22, 2023 by Sokada

Growing up everyone heard the classic “make sure you eat your carrots – they’ll make you see in the dark!” Do carrots really improve your eyesight? Is there any truth to this? Or was it just a trick used by adults to make us eat our vegetables? So many questions that we now have the answers to – let’s discuss…

Are carrots good for eyesight?

Yes, carrots are one of the best foods you can eat for your eyes. They are crammed with huge amounts of the compound beta carotene. Carotenoids are pigments that give yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables their colour. The body is able to convert some of these carotenoids into a form of vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes great overall health and in particular assists your eyes with adjusting to the darkness. So…in this sense, it does technically help you see in the dark.

We must stress though, it won’t give you night vision, which a younger version of yourself will likely be disappointed in finding out.

Vitamin A and why it’s important

Vitamin A is important for maintaining accurate vision, the functioning of the immune system, growth as well as development. Additionally, vitamin A also helps your heart, lungs, and other vital organs function properly.

Specifically for your eyes, vitamin A is excellent at preventing the formation of cataracts and macula degeneration. This is important as these are the two leading cases of blindness. If you’re not a fan of carrots you’ll be pleased to know vitamin A is common in a variety of foods. For example, kale, spinach, liver and sweet potatoes are all foods jam-packed with goodness. Unfortunately, a diet high in vitamin A won’t cure blindness, nor will it grant a person 20-20 vision. However, a severe lack of vitamin A can cause blindness and deterioration of the eye.

How to protect your eyesight

The best way to improve your eyesight is to give your eyes the natural goodness they need! A steady supply of nutrients and vitamins keeps your whole body, including your eyes, healthy and working at their best. As mentioned, vitamin A is great for maintaining eye health. However, there’s more to focus on if you want to protect your eyesight.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein is helpful, particularly for your eyes. It is a pigment found in high concentrations in the Macula. The Macula is the layer of the retina that protects against excessive light. The greater the pigment density in the Macula, the better protected your retina is and the lower your risk is for suffering from Macular degeneration.

Both lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, which help protect the macula and reduce the effects of macula degeneration. Current evidence suggests higher dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin are likely to play a role in protecting the eye against macula degeneration. A diet high is green leafy vegetables such as kale and broccoli contain these nutrients but often we do not absorb enough in a high enough concentration due to the bioavailability. As such luetein and zeaxanthin supplements are recommended for those patients with established macula degeneration to increase macula pigment. Macushield Gold is a recommended supplement by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists formulated to the Areds 2 trial which is scientifically proven to reduce the risk of progression of macula degeneration. We stock Macushield Gold at both Focus Eye Centre and our Heathfield Practice, Pople & Broad.

Seek the assistance of a professional

While introducing a better diet to your life will be extremely beneficial for your eye health, it will not be enough to cure or remedy any serious problem. If you feel as though you are suffering from poor vision always seek the opinion of a professional. We cannot correct our vision without this help. Unfortunately, there’s no easy quick fix when it comes to eyesight issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact your local optometrist as soon as you can, to discuss any queries or concerns you may have.

Get in touch

It’s always best to seek some professional advice. Here at Focus Eye Centre, we are always willing to offer guidance where possible. Whether it is for a new pair of spectacles, sunglasses, lenses or just some drops to calm and lubricate your eyes. Give us a call today on 0800 980 34 64 or email us at info@focuseyecentre.co.uk.

How To Care For Your Eyes This Autumn

Posted on October 19, 2022February 22, 2023 by Sokada

Have you noticed that this time of the year, you start to feel tired and your eyes become a little more irritable? Let’s get into the simple way to care for your eyes this autumn. These autumnal conditions will sometimes be harsh for our eyes and can increase the evaporation of the eye’s tear layer. This leads to irritation and for the front of the eye to become drier.

What Causes Irritated Eyes In Autumn

In the autumn months, the environment is completely different to that of summer. The days are shorter and the temperature drops. This causes all of us to fire up our central heating as well as blowing warmer air from the climate control in the car. We spend much more time indoors and avoid the slightly colder weather. When we do venture outdoors it tends to be windier than in previous months. All of this can have a huge effect on our eyes.

How to Treat Dry Eyes in Autumn

A pair of high-quality distance vision glasses or sunglasses can go a long way in protecting your eyes this autumn. Not only will they protect you from the low sun but also offer assistance against the blustery winds that evaporates the eye’s tear layer. If you hate the feel of glasses on your face and have instead chosen to wear contact lenses, then you may need to lubricate them a little more at this time of the year. It is common for the change in season to make your eyes feel dry. Speak to your optometrist and see what they recommend for your specific pair of contacts. You might find that there are better options available to treat a more continuous issue you’re experiencing. Eye drops for lens wearers are common place and give you an effective solution for dryness.

One of the biggest things people ignore when it comes to keeping their eyes lubricated is hydration. Drinking water prevents you from becoming dehydrated. When your body becomes dehydrated it begins preserving fluid. This leads to various symptoms of dehydration including thirst and dry mouth, decreased urine output, muscle cramps, headache, lightheadedness, sleepiness as well as a lack of tear production. When the eyes stop producing tears, they are no longer properly lubricated, which can lead to dry eye, eye strain and vision problems.

Are Blinking Exercises Effective?

Blinking and eye exercises are other great ways to keep eyes comfortable, especially when working on a screen in a dry office environment. When we use a computer or digital screen our blinking rate decreases by around 60%, meaning our eyes dry out at an accelerated rate. When you become conscious of this you really start to notice how long periods of time go by without you blinking. We like to encourage the 20-20-20 rule for our customers. In summary, the 20-20-20 rule refers to when you take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away after 20 minutes of screen time. There isn’t any research that shows the screens we spend hours looking at each day are necessarily damaging our eyesight, but it can cause an unpleasant feeling of strain and tiredness.

Looking for Expert Advice

Are you suffering from a long-term dry eye condition or have noticed some changes in your vision? It’s always best to seek some professional advice. Here at Focus Eye Centre, we are always willing to offer guidance where possible. Whether it is for a new pair of spectacles, sunglasses, lenses or just some drops to calm and lubricate your eyes. Give us a call today on 0800 980 34 64 or email us at info@focuseyecentre.co.uk.

How Often Should I Get My Eyes Tested?

Posted on September 29, 2022February 22, 2023 by Sokada

Vision is a major part of everyone’s life, so maintaining it should be incredibly important. Having poor or uncomfortable vision and not being proactive usually means the condition worsens. Not only that, but it’s also likely to affect your life in other ways. Blurred vision can cause severe headaches and can sometimes affect a person’s ability to concentrate. It’s critical you know how frequently you need to visit your opticians, for your own health.

How frequently should you take an eye test?

In order to keep on top of any changes in your vision, you should ideally be visiting every 2 years. Coming in within this time frame will allow for any possible issues to be treated and it will also inform your optometrist of what appropriate steps need to be taken. Any longer than 2 years could allow conditions to progress to a point where permanent damage may be caused. If any of your family members suffer from hereditary eye conditions, please inform your optician and you will likely be recommended to visit more frequently.

How often should an adult get their eyes tested?

In general, taking a visit to see your optometrist every 2 years is sufficient. This is unless a serious issue has been discovered and you have been recommended to visit more frequently. If this is the case, we will likely suggest an annual visit. In rare cases, you might be instructed to visit every six months. The rule of thumb is unless told otherwise, you should stick to the two-year figure.

How often should children get their eyes tested?

Children, under the age of 16, should ideally get their vision tested once every year. Despite young people’s vision usually being exceptional, having frequent eye tests allows optometrists to spot early signs of visual issues. This could assist the optometrist in treating the issue before it becomes more pronounced later on in life.

We also sometimes recommend that children visit us for a back to school eye test. This ensures that the child has a clear and comfortable vision, allowing them to reach their full academic potential.

How often should an elderly adults get their eyes tested?

For the elderly, a similar rule applies. It’s recommended that your vision is still tested every two years. However, as you get older you are at a higher risk of experiencing at least some degree of macular degeneration, or a range of other issues related to the eyes. So we are happy to see you sooner to remain on top of these issues and get the necessary help, early in the development of any possible issue. Many customers will have an eye test every two years but may come back annually for an Optomap or OCT.

What is the purpose of an eye test?

You may be under the impression that an eye test is only good for amending your prescription for glasses. However, an eye test can help diagnose a number of eye problems. These include, but are not limited to, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and certain types of cancer. It will likely come as a surprise to learn that all of these issues can be uncovered during a regular eye test. This is why it’s critical that you are proactive and keep to your regular appointments.

You need to remember that your optometrist is a professional. They have an expert level of understanding and always have your health as their main priority.

Get in Touch

If you would like to find out more, 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.

Children’s Eye Tests for Back to School

Posted on September 16, 2022September 16, 2022 by Sokada

It’s back to school season! You’ve got the new uniform and new shoes but have you forgotten about the potentially most important back to school essential? Ensuring that your child has clear and comfortable when in the classroom. Good vision is critical if you want them to achieve their full potential in and around their school surroundings.

Why Regular Children’s Eye Tests are so Important

Approximately 20% of children, under the age of 18 have a diagnosed eye condition. What’s even more staggering is, that an estimated further 20% have an eye condition that is not yet diagnosed. This has a huge impact on a child’s ability to focus and absorb information. This, if left untreated, could potentially lead to a child not reaching their full academic potential; which makes perfect sense. Being able to see and learn from the world around them is one of the key ways in which a child’s brain develops. Removing this ability will likely affect the amount a child is willing to engage with learning!

This also has an effect on their eye health in general. It’s always best to treat a condition as soon as you start noticing signs. Finding conditions when a person is younger often means it has little to no time to develop into more serious issues. For the majority of children, this will not be the case and they will have exceptional vision. In some cases, however, there are problems and if not picked up at an early age could lead to permanent damage.

Suffering from an untreated eye condition will also have the potential to affect the child’s social development. Facial expressions are a key means of communicating mood or intent. If a child has a poor level of vision they may struggle with recognising minor, fine detail movements that we don’t consciously notice; yet are incredibly important. This could lead to them missing important social cues or struggling with establishing the social context.

Additionally, it makes participating in outdoor activities or sports that much more challenging. Anyone who has grown up with poor eyesight can testify how much more difficult sports become when you can’t see what’s happening. It can be incredibly frustrating for the child as they could fall behind their peers due to them having an unfair disadvantage. The majority of recreational activities are not designed with low vision in mind. Despite this, sports such as wrestling, swimming or judo are all great options.

Signs to Look Out For:

6 weeks +

Inability to follow something with their eyes
Lack of focus on you
Wandering eyes

Toddlers

Clumsiness
One eye that turns in or out
Squinting whilst reading or watching TV
Eye rubbing
Watery eyes

School-age

Avoidance of reading, writing or drawing
Lack of concentration
Complaints of pain, tired eyes or blurry vision
Holding books or objects close to the face.
Sitting excessively close to the TV

What we Offer

As well as our standard eye tests, we offer a specialised service called ‘School Vision Assessment.’ This is an assessment to explore possible sight reasons, if a child is having difficulties at school. More specifically, it looks at reading difficulties and dyslexia, allowing practitioners to dramatically alter learning outcomes for those affected. Muscle balance, eye dominancy, tracking, reading speed and colour preferences are all assessed. Along with our children’s eye tests and the need for spectacles to aid clear focus when reading.

We recommend that children with healthy and normal vision should have eye tests every two years. Those with refractive errors should visit more regularly, once every year. Eye tests are critical for treating correctable errors and diagnosing disease.

Looking to Book a Children’s Eye Test

Children do not have the ability to communicate any issues or pain they are suffering with. It’s the responsibility of the parents to book their children’s eye test and ensure their children’s eyes are healthy. It’s never too early to have a sight test, visiting an optometrist will mean you can spot and manage vision problems that may affect your child’s development.

They also don’t have to be at reading age – we have picture tests as well!

If you’re curious about why children’s eye tests are so important, feel free to get in touch with us if you have any further questions. Give us a call on 01323 442 062 or email us info@focuseyecentre.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Why You Need a Second (Or Third) Pair of Glasses

Posted on August 11, 2022August 11, 2022 by Sokada

Having 2 pairs of glasses might seem excessive or an unnecessary expense. However, if you’ve found yourself in a situation where you are in dire need of a second pair of glasses, you will know exactly how valuable they truly are.

Glasses are one of those items that we use on an extremely regular basis; for some, every minute of their waking life. It’s unfortunate to think about but they can quite easily be misplaced or damaged. If you’re someone who relies upon glasses for reading, driving or just everyday life then you’re always just one mistake away from a big problem. We like to see the second pair of glasses as an insurance policy if anything goes wrong.

Plus don’t forget some people need different strength lenses for different types of vision! Close or computer work, plus perhaps longer vision such as driving, playing sport and even some for very close up and really magnified work!

Accidents Happen

Even for the most careful and cautious of people, accidents are a part of life. Being an opticians we’ve heard it all, when arranging replacements or repairing lenses. We know, first-hand, how easy it is for glasses to be dropped, sat on or damaged in many other incidences. A cracked lens or a bent frame might take several days to get repaired.

Before you can even start the process of getting your glasses repaired you often have to book an appointment, and we all know how difficult that can be at times! That means struggling through a week or so of wearing uncomfortable glasses and not being able to see properly.

Easy to Misplace

As we mentioned, even the most attentive of people still lose items and glasses are one of the most common things to lose. Despite most of the time them being found on top of your head, on occasion! You can easily be driven crazy rummaging through bags and turning your house upside down in search of your precious glasses.

Being an item that you are constantly taking on and off losing them comes with the territory. How many times do you wander around the house trying to find where you put your specs! A second pair of glasses will not only help you cope until they turn up but they’ll also assist you in finding the missing pair. Believe us, there’s nothing worse than looking for something when your vision is impaired.

They make vision more comfortable

Owning multiple pairs of glasses, each with their own use, can make you life much more comfortable. For example, if you spend hours a day sitting in front of a screen then you might want to invest in a pair of blue light lenses. Some experts have suggested that too much exposure to blue light, emitted from digital screens, can damage the light-sensitive cells in the retina. So, having a layer of protection could be beneficial.

More information about blue light and how it affects your eyes.

Alternatively, if you play a sport or do any other activities that could put your glasses at risk then it’s a good idea to own a second pair; who knows when the worst is going to happen. We would advise against using your main glasses whilst partaking in these sorts of activities and instead opting for a stronger, more durable pair, maybe with a head attachment so they don’t fly off at an inopportune moment! Not only are these going to be less likely to break, but they’re also an important safety precaution you can take in terms of ensuring your eye safety and protection.

To Make a Fashion Statement

One of the more fun reasons to have a second pair is to make a fashion statement. People will often have multiple pairs of glasses for different looks or situations. Most people have a daily “go to” pair for everyday activities. It’s also common for people to have a more sophisticated pair, saved for more special occasions such as weddings or business meetings. What’s less common but still seen are statement pieces. A pair of bold glasses in a funky pattern or shape can cause a huge boost in confidence.

50% off Lenses on a Second Pair of Glasses

Here at Focus Eye Centre, we understand that one pair of spectacles is never quite enough. So as a thank you for supporting your local independent opticians we offer 50% off lenses on second pair purchases.

More information about this 50% off promotion.

Get in Touch

Here at Focus Eye Centre, we are committed to sourcing the very best frame ranges combining the latest fashions with quality craftsmanship. Our frames come with a minimum of a one-year warranty on any manufacturing defects extending up to two years on certain ranges, giving you peace of mind and confidence in our products.

If you’re interested in purchasing a second pair of glasses then don’t hesitate to get in touch. To book an appointment with us, click here, or call us on 01323 442 062. Alternatively, if you’re in the local area then please just pop into our store. We are located on the High Street in Hailsham, East Sussex. Feel free to come in and take a look at the many styles we have.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Why Do We Blink?

Posted on May 12, 2022June 23, 2022 by Sokada

Blinking is an involuntary reflex that your body does automatically. This means that you don’t even have to think about blinking, your brain simply knows that it’s time to blink and therefore actions it. Well, it did until you read this, so you’re likely now manually blinking. Sorry!

Blinking is an extremely critical bodily function and many people don’t even know the full reasoning behind why almost every creature with eyes, bar fish, snakes and some lizards, have to blink.

Why do we blink?

We blink because of the need to clean and moisten the eye. Small dust particles are common in the air and often land on the surface of the eye. A salty secretion, from the tear glands, is swept over the eye when you blink. This effectively flushes your eyes whilst also lubricating the exposed portion of your eyeball. It prevents any alien substances from affecting your vision in the short and long term.

The number of times we blink depends on several factors including the amount of light, temperature, humidity, smoke and cleanliness of a room. All of these factors change how lubricated and clear our eyes are.

When there is too much moisture in your eyes, the excess ‘tears’ drain through the tear ducts. The tear ducts are tiny holes in the corner of our eyes which lead to our nasal passages. This is the reason your nose gets runny on a windy day or when you cry.

Less known reasons why we blink

People tend to blink more when they’re nervous. This could be why many people can tell when others are lying or in an uncomfortable situation. Scientists found that when Air Force Pilots were in ‘friendly’ territory they found that blinks were far more frequent and lasted longer than when they were in an ‘enemy’ territory.

If someone is tired then they tend to blink more frequently and for longer than someone who is well-rested. Both of these imply that a person’s emotional state affects blinking.

Research has also shown that we tend to blink less when we are focused on a task. When we’re watching tv or reading we are prone to blinking less. On average people blink 3 times a minute when focusing, which is much below the healthy limit.

You likely need to blink more!

It is likely that when you’re sitting watching TV or playing video games you are blinking far below the healthy amount. This can have damaging effects on your eyes, especially if they’re for long periods. If focus on it, then you can get yourself into a habit of blinking more frequently.

One exercise that is great at keeping your eyes fresh is to close them, pause a moment, squeeze your eyelids, and then open them again. We also always recommend the 20-20-20 rule to help people’s vision. For every 20 minutes, you spend focused on a task you should spend 20 seconds looking at something that is 20 feet away. This keeps your eyes from focusing on a single thing for too long. To keep your eyes healthy you should be following the 20-20-20 rule and ALSO doing blinking exercises. For more info on the 20-20-20 rule click here.

People who wear contact lenses should also be blinking more, to avoid drying the lenses.

Need Any Help?

If you feel as though you don’t blink enough or suffer from dry eyes then you might want to consider getting a professional examination of your eyes.

We’re an award-winning local opticians based in Hailsham, East Sussex, so if you’re in the area and want an eye test, or have any questions about the health of your eyes, then please call in and see us!

If you’d like to book an appointment with us, click here, or call us on 01323 442 062.

Do VR Headsets Damage Vision?

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Sokada

In the last few years, VR headsets and the introduction of the innovative technology of virtual reality have been taking over. If you’re anything like us you are concerned about wearing one of these headsets for long durations and whether or not these VR headsets damage to vision.

What is VR

VR (Virtual reality) is a computer-simulated experience that can be similar or completely different to the real world. VR is an extremely versatile tool and is now often seen being used in education, entertainment and business. However, new applications are regularly emerging due to advancements in technology. Essentially through the use of sensory stimulation this technology ‘tricks’ the eyes and brain to perceive the virtual environment to be reality.

VR’s effects on your eyes

Due to the recent introduction of VR headsets, the effects long term are still to be discovered. However, studies have found that staring too long at a VR screen can lead to eye strain and fatigue. This comes back to the fact that we tend to blink much less when using a device with a digital screen.

Motion sickness is also extremely common among early VR headsets. This has led to trouble focusing with your eyes, headaches, lightheadedness, nausea and even vomiting. However, as the refresh rates and pixel density increased the hazy image that we saw was dramatically improved.

The issue isn’t with the screens being so close to the eyes; as you might have thought. Instead, it’s that we’re not allowing the muscles in our eyes to relax, causing us to strain them.

What Oculus says about VR headsets and vision

Oculus, the largest manufacturer of VR technology states in its handbook that 1 in 4000 may suffer from”dizziness, seizures, eye or muscle twitching.” It recommends to users suffering with these symptoms, to discontinue using the headset and see a doctor.

Oculus also said that the reaction is more common in children and young people. They recommend that anyone experiencing these symptoms should take off the headset and visit a doctor.

What we recommend

Here at Focus Eye Centre, we recommend that you take regular breaks when you’re using the headset for extended periods of time. In many blogs, we talk about the 20-20-20 rule, which you can read about here. It describes an excellent method that helps prevent eye strain whilst using digital screens.

If you have suffered from eye strain or have developed a new condition since using a VR headset we do recommend that you seek advice directly from a professional.

If you’d like to book an appointment with us, click here, or call us on 01323 442 062.

Can Glasses Cause Headaches?

Posted on April 5, 2022June 23, 2022 by Sokada

Headaches are something that all of us will have experienced at some stage in our life. With so many common causes such as cold/flu, stress, or even bad posture, it’s no surprise that so many of us regularly get them.

Eye strain is another reason why you might get a headache and can be caused by spending too long looking at a computer screen or reading. If you’re supposed to wear glasses, eye strain can occur when you’re not wearing your glasses, because your eye muscles are working harder to focus. But can wearing glasses cause headaches?

Can Wearing Glasses Cause Headaches?

The answer is yes, if your eyes are still working particularly hard whilst wearing your glasses, you can still be straining your eyes and causing a headache. It could be a sign that your prescription is perhaps too strong or too weak. If you haven’t been to the opticians in a while, it might be worth paying us a visit to make sure your prescription is up-to-date. Be sure to mention the headaches to your optometrist.

However, if you’ve recently started wearing your glasses, or your prescription has changed a lot, it might be that you’ll experience eye-strain related headaches in the first few days or weeks of wearing your glasses. This is because your eyes are having to adapt and the muscles are forced to work differently.

To combat this, it might be worth ‘breaking in’ your new glasses, like a pair of new shoes! Wear your new glasses as much as you can and your eyes will soon adjust. To help relieve your eyes in this initial stage, you might also want to rest your eyes for a few minutes a day by taking your glasses off for a short time.

What if my headaches don’t go away?

If you’re still experiencing headaches from your new glasses, be sure to book an appointment with your optician to get it looked at again. It might be that your prescription isn’t quite right and might need updating. At different ages, our prescriptions can change fairly quickly so you need to be aware of this and act accordingly. At the end of the day, your glasses are supposed to help with your vision and well being, so if you believe your glasses are causing a problem, it’s best to book an appointment with an optician.

If you’re looking to book an appointment with an optician; get in touch with us at Focus Eye Centre today. To book an appointment with us, call 01323 442062 or email info@focuseyecentre.co.uk. You can also fill in a contact form here.

What is the 20-20-20 rule?

Posted on March 2, 2022March 17, 2022 by Sokada

The 20-20-20 rule is a method that is said to prevent eye strain from looking at digital screens for extended periods of time. We have spoken quite a bit about this ‘rule’ in many previous blogs but we thought we’d take this opportunity to explain in detail how it actually helps.

What Causes Eye Strain?

There are many factors that can affect the strain your eyes are under. Here are just a few examples:

If you have prolonged time on a single task then your eyes can get tired after continual focus. This applies to both digital and physical tasks.
Sitting too close or too far from a screen.
If the environment you are in is too bright or dim then your eyes may become tired and strained. A good way to test if a room is not lit properly is if you have to squint to see what you’re doing.
Finally, if you have existing poor vision or recently were given a new prescription of eyewear then it’s likely that your headaches could be due to your eyes working in a new way.

New Prescriptions

Headaches can occur when wearing new prescription eyeglasses. Usually, these go away in a day or so as your brain and eyes adjust. It’s important to remember that wearing accurately prescribed glasses are going to be incredibly helpful for your vision in the long run.

Wearing new glasses changes how your eyes function. You essentially have to wait for the muscles to catch up and adapt to the new frames. These headaches are not permanent and will disappear as soon as your eyes have adjusted. However, you should get in contact with your doctor if this is not the case and your headaches don’t dissipate within a week. Or you are showing any of the following symptoms:

sudden vision changes
nausea
vomiting
dizziness
severe eye pain

Normally, however, all that is needed is a slight adjustment to the frame or lens of the glasses to make them more comfortable to use.

What Is The 20-20-20 Rule?

The 20-20-20 rule refers to when you take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away after 20 minutes of screen time. Sounds nice and easy, which it is!

If you’re going to try the 20-20-20 rule then you need to think about how many screens we expose ourselves to. It’s much more time than you might initially think. Every digital screen that you look at is classed as screen time. This includes the TV, phones, laptops, tablets and computer monitors.

Every 20 minutes you spend looking at any of these screens you need to take a 20-second break looking at something 20 feet away. It can be something as little as looking out the window across the street.

Why 20 Seconds?

The reason you need 20 seconds is that that’s how long your eyes take to relax. This prevents your eyes from being focused at a single distance for too long which can cause strain in your eyes.

How To Remind Yourself

There are many ways you can do this. Eventually, it will become a habit and you won’t even have to think about it. However, until that day there are many alternatives. You can set a timer on your phone that will pop up every 20 minutes. There are also free apps such as ‘relax your eyes’ or ‘Donald Korb Blink Training’ that can help. The apps are as easy as clicking start when you begin looking at a screen. The app handles everything else and reminds you.

What The Research Says About The 20-20-20 Rule

There is no research that the screens we spend hours looking at each day are necessarily damaging our eyesight. It can cause an unpleasant feeling of strain and tiredness.

Blinking is a very important action for our eyes. It helps keep our eyes lubricated, prevents irritation as well as tiredness. The frequency at which humans blink is around 15 times a minute. This number is significantly decreased to a half or sometimes a third when we stare at screens.

In a study published by the Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers examined computer use and its effects on the eyes of university students in Malaysia. Almost 90 percent of the 795 students had symptoms of CVS after just two continuous hours of computer usage.

Taking frequent breaks to look at faraway objects during screen time significantly lessened their eye strain symptoms. In other words, the 20-20-20 rule works.

Need Any Help?

If you’re starting to find it difficult to look at a digital screen for long periods, then you might want to consider getting a professional examination on your eyes. Getting glasses for use with your computer might help to relax and protect the health of your eyes.

If you’d like to book an appointment with us, click here, or call us on 01323 442 062.

Are Designer Glasses Worth It?

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Sokada

If you ask anyone who wears glasses the question ‘are designer glasses worth it’ the vast majority will give a similar sort of response. If you intend on keeping your glasses for an extended period then, of course, designer or luxury brands are a must-have. Cheaply made off-brand glasses simply won’t always last the test of time.

Over recent years, styles and trends in fashion have led to larger more clumsy looking frames being pushed out of the limelight. With more sleek and minimalist frames taking centre stage. Whatever your style is, however, you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking to suit your aesthetic here at Focus Eye Centre.

Why Are Designer Glasses Worth It?

The important thing to understand is that you’re not just paying a premium price for a brands name or logo to be printed onto the frame. The higher price tag ensures that there has been better craftsmanship in the design, higher quality materials used that have been constructed in a more superior way. You’ll find that these typically last longer and are more durable. Furthermore, you’ll often find that these brands come with a warranty – which is usually uncommon with cheaper brands.

How It Makes You Feel

Of course, we all want to look good. A beautiful new pair of Hugo Boss, Lindberg or Ray-Ban glasses can make a face more interesting, add depth as well as making you feel great whilst wearing them. This makes designer glasses worth it in itself. The confident feeling you get when your wear a new pair of designer glasses is priceless.

Putting It Into Perspective

If a pair of glasses cost you £500 and you can make them last only four years that equates to £125 a year. This is only just over £10 per month to look and see great. Obviously you do need to take into consideration if your prescription changes though!Glasses are most definitely a worthwhile investment – you most probably use them every waking hour of your life. When you compare this figure to other monthly expenses then you’ll quickly realise how much value you should be placing on your spectacles.

Form And Function

By their nature, designers focus not on just aesthetics, but also the engineering of these products. Many options are taken into consideration with quality designers including how they sit on the face, comfort around the ears for example. These highly engineered glasses are of noticeable better quality, particularly when they are worn for extended periods of time.

Here at Focus Eye Centre, we help you every step of the way with choosing your next frames. We ensure that your glasses suit your face shape, lifestyle and are most importantly comfortable.

Lens Quality

With the higher price tag comes better quality lenses from trusted names like Essilor. This means that you are always confident in the fact that you have the best technology; with the peace of mind of a warranty and excellent after-sales services.

Glasses and Designer Frames from Focus Eye Centre

As an award-winning local optician based in Hailsham, East Sussex, we’ll make sure you get the right treatment for your eyes. This post may be asking whether designer glasses worth it and we definitely agree they are. However not everyone can afford these price tags so we have also carefully chosen other ranges of high quality frames that will also treat you well but won’t break the bank. We’ve got an extensive range of both classic and designer frames, so you’re sure to find a pair of specs that will suit you down to the ground.

To book an appointment with us, click here, or call us on 01323 442 062.