The new season of football is upon us and Focus Medical Eye Centre have teamed up with Hailsham Town Youth FC under 12’s, as their new kit sponsor!
After coming top of their league in May, the squad have their sights set on performing well again this season. With a committed volunteer coaching team and a dedicated group of boys from Hailsham and the surrounding areas, Hailsham Town Youth wanted to find a sponsor for their Under 12 team who could help supply a full kit for every player.
“We thought it was important that the team had a fresh new look for the new season and that our team should all have the same chance to play without asking parents to foot the bill.” said Ryan Matthews, Under 12 Head Coach.”
“Thanks to the support from Focus Medical Eye Centre we can give each child a brand-new kit including sponsored match top, shorts and socks, creating a sense of team unity that a fully matching kit can bring.”
Having sponsored teams in the past and being an avid footballer himself, Anthony Bahadur was pleased to support the team! We will be hoping the new kit will help players and their families to FOCUS on the season ahead!
Your eyesight is one of your most valuable tools in life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could reduce your child’s risk of becoming short sighted? Well now you can if you come in to Focus Medical Eye Centre!
Myopia (short-sightedness) is a result of an excessive elongation of the eye where light focuses in front of, instead of on, the retina. This causes distant objects to be blurry while close objects appear normal. As a parent, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable about the common risk factors for myopia and what you can do to prevent its progression. In this article, we will discuss myopia management in children and how you can help to possibly reduce short sightedness for your child, as this is when treatment is most effective.
Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of myopia is on the increase (by over 70% in Asia & by up to 50% in the US & Europe).
What can we do to try to prevent Myopia and it’s progression
Near activity
The association between near work and myopic progression has been evaluated in numerous studies and the outcomes were beyond doubt. It is recommended to limit the time children are spent undertaking near-visual tasks ie viewing mobile phones and tablets. Special spectacles incorporating a reading prescription can be prescribed if excessive near accommodation is found during an eye examination.
Time outdoors
Strong evidence exists that spending time outdoors (more than 2 hours per day) can protect against the onset of myopia (short sightedness) and possibly reduce the final level of adult myopia. The total time spent outdoors appears to be an important factor, rather than the nature of the activity undertaken.
Spectacles and contact lenses
Recent theories & studies are now suggesting that one of the reasons for myopic progression is that conventional spectacles and contact lenses are such that, whilst the central image formed on the retina is in focus, the peripheral image formed by these lens designs is behind the peripheral retina. It is thought this may promote elongation of the eye as it attempts to form an image on the peripheral retina. By prescribing optical corrections such as peripheral de-focus spectacles (MiYOSMART or Stellest lens) and special contact lenses (soft dailies & orthokeratology) we now have options to help slow myopic progression and improve outcomes for younger patients. Studies have looked at pharmacological intervention (such as the Atropine for treatment of Myopia Study) to reduce myopic progression, but this option is not currently available in the UK. Single vision under correction was a popular option for myopia management. However randomised clinical trials unequivocally have shown not only does this strategy not work, but actually can cause progression of myopia, therefore is not recommended as a myopia control strategy.
It is important to note that no one treatment can promise to stop myopia progression in children, only to slow it down.
Why you need to act now
The earlier the onset of myopia in an individual generally leads to a higher level of myopia in later life which increases risk factors for several ocular pathologies including glaucoma, cataract, retinal detachment, & myopic maculopathy brought about by the accompanying elongation of the eye. The highest risk is typically found in high myopia & -5.00DS. So, if we can reduce how myopic an individual ends up as an adult this will reduce their risk of developing certain pathologies in later life.
A reduction in the final level of myopia by only 1 dioptre reduces the lifetime risk of macula degeneration by 40% and the risk of vision impairment by 20%. Myopia progresses fastest in younger children, especially those under 10. This means that the most important opportunity to slow eye growth is when children are younger. Myopia management aims to apply scientific treatments to slow excessive growth to a lesser rate. Experts agree that myopia management should be commenced as soon as a child becomes myopic and continue into their late teens.
Recommended available interventions
Multifocal or bifocal spectacle lenses
This is a lens correction with a reading zone in the lower part of the lens that reduces accommodative effort which helps reduce myopic progression. Various studies show this type of correction can reduce the final level of adult myopia by approximately 11-46%, especially for individuals with additional near vision focussing issues(1).
Peripheral de-focus spectacles
This is a lens which has special ringed zones in the periphery which create a peripheral de-focus which reduces the stimulus for the eye to continue to elongate slowing myopic progression. Studies have shown this type of intervention can reduce myopic progression by up to 67% when worn 12 hours a day(2). The MiYOSMART lens from Hoya and the Stellest lens from Essilor are game-changing innovations in the field of myopia control and are now available at the practice.
Multifocal contact lenses
This works by allowing a clear central image to be formed on the retina whilst reducing the peripheral hyperopic defocus that is typically found in myopic eyes. This reduces the elongation of the eye. Various studies show this type of correction can reduce the final level of adult myopia by approximately 30-50% (3). We are accredited to fit the MiSight Soft Daily myopia control lens at the practice.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology lenses ( Ortho-K ) are rigid contact lenses that you sleep in which gently alter the shape of the cornea ( like braces on teeth) so on awakening you can see clearly for the day without the need for contact lenses or spectacles. With regard to myopia control, this works by flattening the corneal curvature in such a way that creates peripheral hyperopic defocus which reduces the stimulus for the eye to elongate similar to the other methods of myopia control. Various studies have shown this type of correction can reduce the final level of adult myopia by approximately 32-63%(4).
Please note: Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections compared to spectacles with the risk being, 1 in 1000 wearers per year for reusable soft contact lenses or overnight ortho K lenses and 1 in 5000 wearers per year for daily disposable soft contact lenses. With proper hygiene and maintenance, this risk can be well managed.
How do I arrange for my child to be screened?
We will be able to discuss myopia management screening during your child’s eye examination and make recommendations. A child’s eye examination is £45.00 with one of our specialists at Focus Medical Eye Centre or covered for one child under a parent’s care plan. This will not include the special eye length scan and growth percentiles report but this is available for an extra charge of just £25.00.
Alternatively, the easiest way to manage your child’s care is to join our Myopia Monthly Plan which will include all measurements, a tailored treatment plan and regular followups for just £7.95 per month*
Please note: the basic NHS child’s eye examination will not include any myopia management treatment plans, scans or follow ups.
*This is separate to the parent’s care plan which only covers a basic eye examination for one child. The Myopia plan covers the clinical time needed to manage this service but any spectacle or contact lenses needed are at an additional cost.
References
1. Brien Holden Vision Institute ( bhvi.org ) – Myopia Management
2. Bao, J., Huang, Y., Li, X., Yang, A., Zhou, F., Wu, J., Wang, C., Li, Y., Lim, E.W., Spiegel, D.P.,
Drobe, B., Chen, H., 2022. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs
Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 140(5),
472–478. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0401.
3. Optometry Today Volume 58:02 February 2018 – Myopia
4. Review of Optometry July 2012 – Consider ortho K for myopia control
Spring is finally here! You know what that means, longer days, warmer weather and of course, the inevitable return of your uncontrollable hay fever. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying the great outdoors, however, as Focus Medical Eye Centre has got you covered! In this blog, we are going to discuss the causes, symptoms and how you can alleviate hay fever symptoms with expert eye care.
What is Hay Fever?
Hay fever is a common allergy that affects millions of people around the globe. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is a reaction to pollen or other airborne allergens. It is common in the spring and summer months when pollen counts are reaching their peak. The chemical that causes inflammation and other allergic symptoms is histamine, hence the anti-histamine tablets that are often prescribed by doctors. This chemical is released causing a person to experience the symptoms of hay fever.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
The symptoms and severity of hay fever can vary from person to person, but they typically include:
Sneezing and coughing
Runny or blocked nose
Irritated, itchy eyes, throat and nose
Watery eyes
Fatigue
Headaches
Difficulty sleeping
Our Recommendation to Alleviate Hay Fever Symptoms
While hay fever isn’t exactly a life-threatening condition, it can be very uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily life. Fortunately, there are several ways to alleviate some of these symptoms. Expert eye care can help alleviate some symptoms of hay fever and make the allergy season a little bit more bearable. While there is no outright cure, here are some things we recommend to help.
Allergy Eye Drops
Allergy eye drops are one of the most common and effective treatment options for hay fever. These typically contain antihistamines and other medications that can help relieve itching, redness, and swelling in the eyes. These can be purchased over the counter at every pharmacy as well as with us!
Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays are another popular and effective treatment option for addressing many of the hayfever symptoms. These sprays will often contain antihistamines and other medications that work to alleviate inflammation and irritation. As with allergy drops, these can be purchased over the counter at every pharmacy.
Antihistamine tablets
Anit histamine tablets will do a very similar thing as allergy eye drops and nasal sprays. The difference is that eye drops and nasal sprays are designed to target relief to a specific area or symptom. If you prefer to take oral medication that can be easily swallowed then these may be the better option. If you have a particularly bothersome symptom then perhaps look to the eye drops or spray to address the issue more effectively. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and how intense specific symptoms are. We always recommend you consult with your pharmacist to determine which is the best option for you.
Avoidance Measures
Avoidance measures can be taken to try to alleviate many hay fever symptoms. We recommend trying to remain indoors when pollen counts are high, especially in the morning and evening hours when pollen is most prevalent. Keep your doors and windows shut and cuddle up to your air purifier, which filters and traps pollen and other allergens from the air. If you need to go outside a quick shower and change of clothes will remove any pollen you may have brought in with you.
Some other potential avoidance measures you can try:
Wearing wrap-around sunglasses that act as a barrier to help prevent dust and pollen from entering the eye
A face mask will also act as a barrier for your face and nose (most people still have some of these!)
Wearing a hat or cap to keep pollen out of your hair
Not drying laundry outside as pollen can stick to clothes, towels and bedding
Turning pillows reduces the amount of pollen that accumulates
Keep pets off beds and sitting areas as pollen gets caught in their fur
Avoid exposure to irritants such as perfume or air fresheners as they can aggravate symptoms
Wash your nasal passages with a sterile saline solution to flush out any trapped pollen
Our Recommendation For Severe Hay Fever
If you have more severe symptoms, your GP can prescribe stronger and more effective treatment options. Typically, these options are reserved for individuals who have had little success with other treatments. Consult with your GP, who will assist you in determining if prescription medication is necessary for managing your symptoms. Your GP will speak to you about the risks and potential side effects of any medication they prescribe. It is crucial you follow the recommended dosage.
Focus Medical Eye Centre’s Minor Eye Condition Service
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of hay fever or another minor eye condition, our service is here to help. We will happily answer any questions you might have and help provide you with further guidance on your condition. Whether you are suffering from dry eyes, conjunctivitis, or any other minor eye condition, our service is here to support you.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team to discuss our minor eye condition service further. Call 01323 442 062 or email info@focusmedicaleyecentre.co.uk and a member of the team will be in touch shortly. We look forward to hearing from you.
With our eyes being one of the most vital organs in our body, it is natural to want to take good care of them. While many people are aware that factors like age, genetics and lifestyle can all impact the overall health of your eye, very few consider the role of diet. Your diet has such a huge impact on so many aspects of your life, from health to mood! In this blog, we are going to discuss different types of foods and answer the question, does diet affect your vision?
Foods that are high in nutrients
Yes, of course, the diet you choose to consume will have an effect on your vision. Like all organs, the eyes require a variety of nutrients to function correctly. A lack of these nutrients can result in significant damage to your eyes over time. Here are some of the nutrients that are essential in order to maintain your vision.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a critical factor in maintaining good vision. It is a key component of the protein rhodopsin, a protein in the retina that assists with vision in low-light conditions. Vitamin A is readily found in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and kale.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega fatty acids are essential for the health of the retina and can help prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. It is one of the many reasons why we recommend you continue regular vision tests 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.
Omega 3 fatty acids are commonly found in foods like salmon, sardines, flaxseeds and many others. Be sure to include some more of these in your daily diet if you’re looking to maintain your vision.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants that are found in high concentrations in the retina. These antioxidants can prevent damage to the eyes from harmful blue light and similarly to omega-3 fatty acids, may help prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration. Include foods such as spinach, kale, and broccoli in your diet to increase your intake of these antioxidants.
Foods to avoid
It’s crucial to be mindful of the types of food you consume. Certain foods are going to have a negative impact on your overall health and the well-being of your eyes. Here are some foods you should consider avoiding, or at least limiting, in your diet.
Processed food
A small amount as a treat from time to time will have very little effect on your overall health. However, regular consumption of processed foods will have a negative effect on your entire body, including your eyes. Processed foods tend to have high levels of saturated fats, salts and sugar. Alongside an increased risk of heart disease and a much higher blood pressure, this can increase your risk of developing AMD and cataracts.
Alcohol
While being a drink, we thought it would be appropriate to include it in this blog. Like processed foods, drinking in moderation is not extremely harmful to the body, some may even argue the benefits. However, excess alcohol consumption can cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to lifelong vision problems.
High Glycemic Index Foods
Foods such as white bread, pasta and rice are classified as foods with a high glycemic index. The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly the body can break down and convert carbohydrates into glucose. Foods that can be broken down quickly have a high glycemic index and food that cannot have a low. This high increase in glucose can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels and potentially damage your eyes.
Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
A diet that is rich in these nutrients can help keep your eyes healthy and prevent vision problems. It’s key you maintain a healthy, balanced diet if you want to extend the longevity of your eyes and avoid potential conditions down the line. Be aware that a diet high in saturated fats can increase the likelihood that a person develop AMD. Similarly, a diet that involves consuming too much sugar can lead to diabetes, a leading cause of blindness in adults.
Any burning questions?
It’s important you understand the effect your diet can have on your vision. Eating a diet that is rich in nutrients like vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, and zinc can help keep your eyes healthy and help to prevent vision problems. At the same time, it is good to try and avoid foods that can harm your eyes, such as those that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sugar. By making healthy food choices, you can help protect your eyes and maintain good vision for years to come.
Obviously diet, whether good or bad, won’t make a difference if you have a hereditary condition, but by following the above rules as much as and where you can, it will help with all health aspects within your body.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in the blog or think you may be experiencing any of the conditions mentioned above, please get in touch with Focus Medical Eye Centre. Call us today on 0800 980 34 64 or email us at info@focusmedicaleyecentre.co.uk to arrange a thorough eye examination. A member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.
The Essilor Polarised Transition Lenses are the latest addition to the Essilor range of lenses. They are fantastic for patients wanting automatic sun protection and glare reduction. Transitions™ XTRactive® Polarized™ lenses combine an exclusive multi-layer matrix with new Transitions™ XTRactive® broad-spectrum dyes. This innovative lens has allowed for more darkness and new ultra-fast dichroic dyes for polarisation.
What are Photochromic lenses by Transitions?
Photochromic lenses give constant protection against harmful UV light. This allows for light to be tolerable and safer for those who are extremely sensitive.
Overexposure to sunlight has been linked to several eye conditions. By offering the right sun protection to you, we can help reduce the risk of you developing these conditions in later life.
Transitions are one of the most popular brands of photochromic lenses here in the UK. With 4 different types to choose from, Transitions photochromic lenses have something to suit every lifestyle and vision need. From the Transitions Signature range offering the latest technology in photochromic lenses to the Transitions XTRActive lenses that will darken behind a car windshield. You will definitely find the right collection of sun protection lenses for your needs.
What the Research Says
The latest research in eye health continues to reinforce the importance of light protection and the impact of light on our vision. It shows that 9/10 people are light-sensitive and a huge 3/10 are very light-sensitive. To combat this, Essilor has introduced a new Transitional Lens. To meet the need for extra light protection, their new lenses are chockablock with all the new cutting-edge technologies.
Why You Should Be Excited!
These lenses are excellent at reducing the amount of glare. These new lenses help improve your visibility by up to 33%, compared to non-polarised sun lenses. This anti-glare technology protects your eyes and will also greatly improve your quality of life. If you have become used to the way you see the world, you might not be fully able to understand what it is you’re missing out on. A visibility increase of 33% is huge; truly a life-changing difference.
On top of this, a quantitative study evaluating the visual benefits of the polarisation properties of lenses carried out by Prof. Nicholas Roberts found that the lenses also alter the colours we see. The properties of Transitions™ XTRactive® Polarised™ lenses actually make the world 30% more colourful, due to the unique polarisation technology. This technology reduces glare outdoors, providing a better visual experience with sharper vision, a larger field of view and bright vivid colours.
Looking for Essilor Polarised Transition Lenses
If you’re looking to find out more information about Essilor Polarised Transition Lenses then we highly recommend contacting us. You can fill out our contact form. Alternatively, you can contact us directly by calling 01323 442 062 or email info@focusmedicaleyecentre.co.uk. We’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
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.
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 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 Medical 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 Medical 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 Medical 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.
We understand that finding the perfect frames can be a tricky thing to do. After all, they often completely change the way we look. It can seem like an impossible task when stood in the opticians to pick a pair that really suits you. Which is why we’ve written this list to make the process on how to find the perfect frames for you a little easier.
Did you know that the biggest thing to take into account when picking glasses is your head shape? This could be the reason why nothing looks ‘right’ on you, you’re just looking at the wrong style. In total, there are around seven common head shapes, all with frames that are better suited to each shape.
Which Head Shape Have I Got?
The easiest way to figure out your head shape is to ask your optician next time you’re looking to buy or replace your spectacles or follow our easy to use guide. Simply stand in front of a mirror with your hair out of your face and compare it to the shapes below.
Round Head Shape
In round head shapes typically all features are uniformly shaped. The face is shorter with a wide forehead, often with full cheeks and a wide chin. Rectangular Frames help to give some contour and make the face look narrower, which is what we’re looking for. We can help you find the happy medium between frames that aren’t too thin but also aren’t too heavy looking. Round or oval frames should be avoided as they make the face appear rounder.
Oval Head Shape
In oval faces, it is typical for all features to be balanced. A narrow chin and forehead with pronounced cheeks. If you have this face shape then you’re in luck because any style, no matter the shape or boldness, will suit this face shape. However, It is recommended that extremely narrow frames are avoided simply due to it making the face look longer.
Square Head Shape
Typically in square head shapes, all features are equally broad and angular. Square faces are often extremely angular, with most of that coming from the jaw. What’s recommended is anything that softens the more angular face, so round or oval glasses are perfect. Glasses with large boxy frames are not advocated as it emphasises the features and makes the face appear more angular.
Rectangle Head Shape
Rectangular faces generally have a strong jawline and a deeper forehead. Similarly to the square head shape, boxy frames are not recommended due to them making your angular features look more pronounced. Your head shape is better suited to round or oval glasses that complement your angular features and make your face look more balanced.
Triangle Head Shape
Triangle-shaped faces have a broad forehead and very strong cheekbones that narrow to a small chin. Again almost any frame will suit this head shape, so lucky you! However, we think that frame styles that are wider at the bottom look that much better, so a rounded square frame style is perfect for you. We would recommend avoiding anything too narrow as it could make your face appear longer.
Heart Head Shape
The typical features of the heart-shaped face are a broad forehead, pronounced cheekbones and a narrow, tapering chin. A similar shape to the triangle but with less defined cheekbones. Again, almost every style suits this face but your goal is to choose frames that will provide contrast to your face. We’d recommend an oval or round frame to bring your features into balance. We would suggest that you avoid bright colours and extremely wide frames as they underline your face shape
Diamond Head Shape
Diamond-shaped faces are nicely balanced, being narrow at the eye line and jawline then having contrasting broad cheekbones that may be high and dramatic. There are multiple options for this face shape oval or rounder frames will soften the angles of your face whereas more rectangular frames will highly contrast your facial features. One tip we can offer to help you find your perfect frames with this head type is to look for glasses that are wider or angle towards the top.
Choosing Spectacles at Focus Medical Eye Centre
We have a large selection of high-quality spectacle frames to choose from. Therefore, if you’re looking to find the perfect frames to suit you, get in touch with Focus Medical Eye Centre today. To book an appointment with us, call 01323 442062 or email info@focusmedicaleyecentre.co.uk.
During the summer months, the obvious way of protecting your eyes is to wear sunglasses. However, even when it is cold and the sun still shines, harmful UV rays will still be able to damage your eyesight.
Why should I wear Sunglasses in the Winter Sun?
UV Rays become intensified in the winter, often brighter than summer – although the temperature is lower. This is because the sun sits lower in the sky – doubling the risk of exposure. You might also notice if it’s recently been raining (as it so often does in our country!), the sun reflects off the surfaces such as roads and pavements. This intensifies the suns glare on your eyes and therefore increases your risk of exposure.
At certain times of the days, when the sun is very low, having a good quality pair of sunglasses will ensure driving is more comfortable and also make it much safer for you.
On top of this, if we’re lucky enough to get a dusting of snow on the ground, the snow reflects light even more. That’s why you should wear sunglasses or goggles if you ever go skiing.
Polarised Vs Non-Polarised
Polarised lenses enhance colour perception, improve visual comfort and provide optimal UV protection to your eyes. Compared to non-polarised glasses, polarised glasses make it much easier to see in bright light conditions. Whilst non-polarised glasses still provide adequate UV protection, they won’t be able to reduce glare from standing water or snow.
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, particularly in wintery conditions like snow, it’s advisable to have polarised lenses as they will give you the best protection from the sun’s glare. You can find out more about polarised lenses here.
Prescription Sunglasses at Focus Medical Eye Centre
We have a large selection of high quality sunglasses to choose from. We are also stockists of Maui Jim, Cocoa Mint and Ray Ban sunglasses. Therefore if you’re looking for a new pair of sunglasses to get you through the winter sun, get in touch with Focus Medical Eye Centre today. We can also fit prescription lenses to sunglasses so you can enjoy enhanced UV protection coupled with better vision. To book an appointment with us, call 01323 442062 or email info@focusmedicaleyecentre.co.uk.
Glasses usually have to go through a lot in their life. Wearing them every day in your day-to-day life, they are prone to being knocked about, smashed, and even broken. Here at Focus Medical Eye Centre, we have a commitment to only stock the highest quality frames and lenses, from designers such as Ray-Ban, Hugo Boss, Lindberg, William Morris, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo, and Tiffany & Co.
Frames from these designers are certainly going to be robust and able to not only fit seamlessly with your lifestyle but also be robust to deal with whatever life throws at them. But it isn’t all about designer frames in our practise, we also stock some extremely stylish and hardwearing alternatives. Which gives you loads of choice when you come in to see us.
Frame Guarantee at Focus Medical Eye Centre
As part of our commitment to making sure the frames we supply are strong and durable. we offer a frame guarantee; a minimum of one year warranty on any manufacturing defects. On some ranges, our warranty is up to two years. Therefore you will always have peace of mind that your frames will look and work perfectly.
50% Off a Second Pair
If you’re the accident-prone type, or you’re always misplacing your glasses, you can always purchase a second pair. As a thank you for supporting your local independent opticians, we offer 50% off lenses on second pair purchases. Therefore you can have two great pairs of glasses for less than you think.
To take a look at the range of designer frames we stock, take a look at our frames page.
0% Finance Available
If you are wanting to buy both pairs but can’t quite stretch to two pairs of spectacles, then please talk to us about the 0% finance option we may be able to give you. Then you can spread the cost out a bit and choose the glasses you REALLY want.
Glasses and Designer Frames from Focus Medical 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. We’ve got an extensive range of classic and designer frames, so you’re sure to find a pair of glasses that will suit you down to the ground.
