Ivan R Cammack Opticians

17/10/2025

💡 October is ADHD Awareness Month — a chance to raise understanding, break down stigma, and recognise the many ways ADHD can show up in people’s lives.

ADHD isn’t just about attention — it can impact everything from memory and emotional regulation to how we process sensory information, including visual input.

👁️ Did you know?
People with ADHD may be more likely to experience:

Visual stress or eye fatigue, especially with lots of screen time

Trouble tracking lines while reading

Sensory sensitivity to light or glare

Difficulty sitting still during eye exams — especially for younger children

At Ivan R Cammack Opticians, we understand that everyone experiences the world differently — and we tailor our care with that in mind.

💬 Whether it’s allowing extra time, explaining each step clearly, or adapting the environment, we’re always happy to adjust our approach to help every patient feel safe and seen.

✨ Neurodiversity is something to celebrate — and support with understanding.

15/10/2025

🍄 Eye Health Benefits of Mushrooms:
1. Rich in Selenium

Selenium is an antioxidant that helps protect the lens and retina from oxidative stress.

It supports the body in preventing age-related eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.

2. Contain Vitamin D (when exposed to sunlight)

Some mushrooms (like maitake and UV-exposed portobello or button mushrooms) are natural sources of vitamin D.

Vitamin D supports overall eye function and may help reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome and inflammation in the retina.

3. B Vitamins (especially B2 – Riboflavin)

Riboflavin plays a role in reducing eye fatigue and may help lower the risk of cataracts.

Mushrooms are a good plant-based source of B2 and niacin (B3), which support healthy blood vessels in the eyes.

4. Low in Calories, High in Antioxidants

Antioxidants like ergothioneine and glutathione found in mushrooms may help protect eye tissues from age-related damage.

14/10/2025

💙 A Special Farewell for John 💙

After an incredible 28 years at our Thame practice, our dear colleague and friend John is retiring.

Many of you will know that John has been bravely living with MND in recent years. Through it all, his commitment to our patients and team has remained unwavering — and we’ve been so lucky to have had him at the heart of our practice for so long.

This Saturday, we’ll be celebrating John’s career and saying an emotional goodbye. If you’ve been one of the many people touched by his care, kindness, or good humour over the years, we would love for you to send your well wishes to John…

📖 We’ve placed a message book at the front desk in Thame — open until Friday 17th October — for anyone who would like to share a memory, message, or thank-you.
📧 If you can’t make it in person, you’re very welcome to email a message to office@ivancammack.com
, and we’ll add it to the book for you.

If you’d like to go a step further, John has kindly asked that any donations be made to the MND Association, who have supported him tremendously. Donations can be made at: www.mndassociation.org

John, we know this next chapter will be full of love, laughter, and new adventures — and we’ll be raising a glass to you this weekend. 💫

13/10/2025

🌸 October is Menopause Awareness Month — a time to talk more openly about the changes many women experience, including some you might not expect.

👁️ Did you know that menopause can affect your eyes?

A drop in oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can reduce tear production, leading to symptoms of dry eye syndrome, including:

Burning or stinging sensations

Gritty or tired eyes

Blurred vision that comes and goes

Increased sensitivity to light

A feeling like something’s always in your eye

It’s common — and you’re not imagining it.

💬 If you’re experiencing dry, irritated or uncomfortable eyes, we’re here to help. From tailored advice to specialist drops and treatments, we’ll help you see (and feel) more clearly through this stage of life.

✨ Your vision matters at every age and stage.

10/10/2025

💚 Friday 10th October is World Mental Health Day
A day to pause, check in, and remind ourselves — and each other — that mental health matters.

We often ask how people are… but not always how they feel.
The truth is, many of us are carrying things no one else can see — and even small acts of kindness, understanding, or connection can make a big difference.

Today is a reminder to:
🧠 Speak kindly to yourself
💬 Reach out to someone you trust
🌿 Make space to breathe, even just for a moment
🤝 And know that it's OK not to feel OK — support is always out there

We’re proud to be part of a caring, local community — and today, we’re standing with everyone who’s ever struggled in silence. You are not alone.

08/10/2025

🐙 Wednesday 8th October is World Octopus Day — and believe it or not, octopuses have some of the most incredible eyes in the animal kingdom!

Here are a few eye-opening octopus facts for the day:

👁️ Horizontal pupils – Their pupils are shaped like slits that run sideways, helping them scan the ocean floor for movement and contrast.

🌊 No blind spots – Unlike humans, octopuses have no optic nerve "blind spot" — their eyes are wired in a completely different way!

🧠 Each eye works independently – They can move their eyes in different directions at the same time, giving them a full field of vision.

🌈 Colour-blind... but clever – Despite having only one type of photoreceptor, octopuses may detect colour through unique light-reflecting structures in their skin and eyes.

While their vision is quite different from ours, it’s no less remarkable — and just one of many reasons we’re obsessed with eyes (and octopuses!) 🐙👓

06/10/2025

🌌 World Space Week is here (4–10 October) — and did you know that one of the brands we work with has literally gone out of this world?

🛰️ ZEISS, our trusted lens and lens coating partner, has played a key role in space exploration for decades — including providing precision optics for NASA missions.

In fact, the very first moon landing in 1969? The images were captured using a Zeiss camera lens. 🌕

From outer space to everyday life, Zeiss lenses are designed for incredible clarity, precision, and performance — and that’s exactly why we choose them for our patients.

✨ If you’re ready to experience vision that’s astronomically good, pop in and ask about Zeiss lenses on your next visit.

03/10/2025

Last week, we said goodbye (with more than a few happy tears!) to our lovely Diane in Wendover, who has been part of the Ivan R Cammack family on and off for over 30 years! 💫

From patients to colleagues, Diane has been a warm, familiar face and a much-loved part of the team — always ready with a smile, a kind word, and an endless supply of calm.

As she begins her well-earned retirement, we want to say the biggest thank you for your decades of dedication, hard work, and heart. You’ll be so missed — and we very much hope you’ll pop in often for a catch-up!

Enjoy every minute of this next chapter, Diane — you’ve truly earned it. 🥂🌿

01/10/2025

🎶 Wednesday 1st October is International Music Day — a celebration of the sounds that bring us joy, connection, and memories.

From classical concerts to car karaoke, music plays a huge role in our lives — but if it’s starting to sound a little distant or unclear, it could be time to check in on your hearing.

👂 Are you:
🔊 Turning the volume up more than usual?
🎵 Struggling to follow lyrics or conversations?
📺 Missing the softer details in sound?

We offer professional hearing care in a calm, relaxed setting — with expert assessments and a range of discreet, comfortable hearing solutions tailored to your lifestyle.

✨ Because the music you love should be heard in full colour.

📞 Get in touch to book your hearing appointment and let us help you tune back in.

29/09/2025

🥣 New recipe alert from The Hungry Optician!
Looking for something warming, nourishing and packed with eye-loving nutrients? This one’s for you.

✨ Our Butternut & Lentil Dhal is everything you want on a chilly evening — golden, spiced, belly-filling comfort food that’s rich in:

Beta-carotene (for vitamin A and healthy vision)

Zinc and fibre from hearty lentils

Turmeric and ginger to reduce inflammation and support overall wellbeing

And yes… it tastes even better the next day. You’re welcome.

👩🍳 Full recipe now live on the blog:
👉 https://www.ivancammack.com/post/the-hungry-optician-s-butternut-lentil-dhal

A nourishing bowl of golden comfort — rich in beta-carotene, zinc, vitamin C, and plant-based goodness to keep your eyes (and your belly) happy as the nights draw in.

26/09/2025

😌👁️ It’s Self-Care Fr-EYE-day!
As part of National Eye Health Week, today is all about giving your eyes the TLC they deserve.

We talk a lot about skincare, sleep, and screen breaks — but how often do we really think about eye care as part of our self-care routine?

Here are a few simple ways to treat your eyes kindly today:

🌿 Go makeup-free (if you wear it) to give your eyes a break
🕶️ Pop your sunnies on — UV protection matters even in autumn
🕑 Take screen breaks — remember the 20-20-20 rule
💧 Stay hydrated — dry eyes love water
🛏️ Get to bed on time — your eyes repair while you sleep
📅 And if it’s been a while... book that eye test!

✨ Your eyes are working hard for you every day — a little care goes a long way.

24/09/2025

👁️💻 Today is all about Eye Health at Work – part of National Eye Health Week, and a reminder that your eyes work just as hard as you do.

Whether you're in front of a screen, behind the wheel, or working under harsh lighting, your eyes are constantly adjusting, focusing, and processing. It’s no wonder many of us experience:

👓 Eye strain

😵💫 Headaches

👁️🗨️ Blurred vision

😴 Tired, dry eyes by the end of the day

✨ Here’s how to give your eyes a break during the working day:
🕑 Follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
💧 Stay hydrated to keep eyes comfortable
🔆 Adjust lighting to reduce glare on screens
🧴 Use artificial tears if you suffer from dry eyes in air-conditioned spaces
📅 And most importantly – keep up with regular eye exams!

Your eyes are one of your most valuable tools — look after them like you would any other part of your job.

If your vision’s been feeling off lately, book an eye test with us. It’s quick, thorough, and tailored to your lifestyle.