Hyndsight Opticians

10/01/2024

For all our patients who have mentioned this.

More than four out of five (85%) drivers affected by headlight glare say the...

18/09/2022

20/08/2022

Now that our children have started school and nursery how do we detect if they have vision problems?

We are privileged that some vision problems can be detected during vision screenings. These tests can help alert to the need for vision difficulties and the need for correction.

You do not have to wait for a screening if you have any concerns regarding your child’s vision or eyes. You can book a comprehensive eye examination at your local optometrist and the cost of this exam is covered by the NHS.

Identifying vision problems in children can be tricky as most children do not complain about vision problems because they get by and do not realize their vision could be better. This is especially true if the problem is in just one eye.

Here are some signs to watch for that may hint at a vision problem in your child:

Eye squinting
Frequently covering or rubbing one or both eyes
Eyes that cross or are not straight
Head turns or tilts when trying to focus
Holding reading material very close or getting very close to the TV
Headaches or sore eyes after prolonged reading
Frequently losing their place when reading
Avoiding reading and other activities that require close-up focus
Disinterest in concentrated visual tasks, such as reading or looking at a computer screen for long periods of time
If your child has any of these signs, or a vision problem at school, it’s important to have your child’s eyes examined.

A comprehensive vision exam with an optometrist can diagnose a wide range of problems that could be affecting your child’s eyesight. The sooner your child’s problem is diagnosed and treated, the sooner they can overcome this obstacle to learning.

16/08/2022

Can my child wear contact lenses?

Most children can wear contact lenses from a young age. For younger children contact lens wear needs the parent, child and contact lens optician to work together.

Contact lenses can be great for younger children with high prescriptions and those who find their spectacles get in a way of activities. New types of contact lens have been shown to slow the development of short sightedness in children which is another advantage.

Ask to speak to a contact lens optician about this if you want to find out more about contact lenses for your child.

02/08/2022

Fee 😜

Myopia (being short sighted) causes your vision to be blurry in the distance. Pathological myopia means that you are very short sighted and that this has caused degenerative changes to the back of your eye.

13/07/2022

What causes dry eye?

There are a range of factors that cause dry eye. Tear production is something that generally happens without any effort or thought – so it can be a shock when it goes wrong. There are a number of factors that can cause problems. Your eyes may not produce enough tears, or the oily layer that stops the tears evaporating may be of poor quality. Dry eye symptoms can be worsened by dry, sunny and windy climates, contact lenses, eye conditions such as blepharitis, some medications including anti-depressants and diuretics, and hormonal changes such as the menopause, pregnancy, or going onto the contraceptive pill. Tear quality and quantity tends to decrease with age too.

Air conditioning and computer use can exacerbate dry eye. People who have had certain types of laser eye surgery may find they have dry eye syndrome after surgery: this usually clears up within a few months but for some people the problem persists. If you think you may have dry eye book as assessment with your optician. Some opticians specialise in treating dry eye.

18/06/2022

If you require vision correction, wearing glasses is usually the first solution for many people but contact lenses provide a number of great benefits as an alternative, or in addition to wearing glasses
This will allow you to alternate between the two options.

Contact lens technology has progressed significantly in recent years, you now have more choice for correction such as bifocal, multifocal, mono vision and ortho k contact lenses to name a few to correct the majority of vision problems.

Always remember that your sight is precious. Contact lenses and spectacles can provide you with life-changing vision but it’s vital you take good care of your lenses and your eyes.

09/06/2022

For all our suffering patients…..

High humidity, thunder & strong winds will prevail as hits the UK later this week causing pollen levels to rocket. Keep windows closed & wear wrap-a-round sunglasses to help prevent symptoms. Antihistamines & cold compresses can relieve eye irritation.

25/05/2022

It is myopia awareness week

One of the most important thing you can do is get your child’s eyes checked. A comprehensive eye exam is the first step you can take towards slowing the progression of myopia, or even to see if it’s a concern for your child.

Myopia can develop at such an early age so catching it early on is extremely vital to helping slow the progression.

There are lots of ways to help slow myopia such as specially designed spectacle lenses and contact lenses

Orthokeratology or OrthoK is a custom contact lens that is worn at night to gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day.

20/03/2022

Does my baby need eye protection from the sun?

Children and babies need protection from the sun as their eyes haven’t fully developed to adequately protect them from UV radiation in the same way an adult’s eyes can.

The lens of a child’s eye allows 70% more UV rays to enter it than an adult’s and without protection can lead to irreversible UV damage.

There are ways you can effectively protect your child’s eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Wear sunglasses
Sunglasses help block dangerous UV rays. Always purchase ones with full UV Protection. Ensure they fit snugly and well. a wraparound style can be useful for full sun protection. If you are unsure your Optician can provide advice.

Wear a hat
Hats, combined with sunglasses csn further help to block out dangerous rays. Choose a snug-fitting hat with a broad rim. According to the Prevent Blindness organization, wearing a hat can cut the amount of UV rays that reach the eyes in half.

If possible try to keep your child out of the full sun during peak hours, especially during the summer. The sun’s power hours are usually midday to early afternoon, about 10am to 4pm.

Stroller protection
If you use a buggy for your child make sure it has a shield or cover on it. You don’t want your child to be exposed to direct sunlight while they are in there.

Don’t slack in cloudy weather
There is no such thing as a cloudy day for UV rays. These harmful beams of light can still pe*****te clouds. It’s important to be conscious of sun protection all year round, even in cloudy and snowy weather.

19/03/2022

Should my child have their eyes examined?

If your child does not have good vision, children generally do not talk about their vision problems therefore we will not always be aware. They simply accept that their world is fuzzy or that they need to squint a lot. It is their reality and they don’t realize that other people have much clearer vision.

Therefore children should have their eyes examined regularly even if they do not need visual correction. n eye exam gives your optometrist a base line if there are any changes in the future or can provide vision correction if required

22/02/2022

I have been advised by my optometrist to use an amsler grid, how can this help me?

This is a good way to monitor your own central visual field of vision. An Amsler Grid is a page of squared paper, is easy to use and can help you detect early visual changes:

Cover one eye, so you can spot changes in each eye in turn.
Make sure you have good lighting on the page.
Wear your usual reading glasses, if you need them.
Cover your right eye (without pressing hard). Use your left eye to stare at the spot in the centre of the grid.
Keep your eye still and notice the horizontal and vertical lines to the left and right, above and below the central dot.
Are any of them blurry, distorted, missing or wiggly?
Then repeat the test with your other eye covered.
If you notice any problems, repeat the test after a few hours.
If the lines remain distorted or broken, make an appointment with your optometrist.