LATEST NEWS
LAST UPDATE: February 2022
MYOPIA MANAGEMENT with MiYoSmart spectacle lenses and MiSight contact lenses.
Appointments for Myopia control to assess suitability are available, recommended for ages 6 – 18 yrs.
BLEPHEX for DRY EYE Treatment
One of the latest introductions is the Blephex treatment which involves the cleaning of the blocked Meibomian gland ducts on the upper and lower eyelid surfaces, very close to the eye-lash follicles. This can be done every 3 to 6 months. Please call for more information.
SWISSFLEX eyewear…..amazing colours and designs with durable materials as well as superlight weight for children’s prescriptions.
RUDY PROJECT cycling and sports glasses,
Stockists of:
DAVID BECKHAM, FENDI, TAVAT, SERAPHIN, OGI, MANGO, ORGREEN, GAGA, CELINE, BROOKLYN, KATE SPADE, RED ROSE, ESSEL, DUNE, DELANCY, BEVEL, SOLO, MONTEREY, SIR JOHN, SAFILO, SEVENTH STREET.
Agents for HOYA and SEIKO lenses including lenses for Myopia Control.
Sunglasses made up to suit personal styles fitted with premium lenses.
Varifocal (Progressive design) lenses do not always cost a lot of money. There are many designs and materials available to suit each visual need. Cheaper lenses are not necessarily the best way to go, as there are many alternatives for different prescriptions. We can supply premium progressive lenses at competitive prices. Always remember, cheap is expensive.
Read up on Dangers in Contact Lens Wear below:
Risks Of Uncontrolled Contact Lens Wear:
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a condition that can strike fear into a practitioner’s heart. Contact lens wearers are particularly vulnerable to the parasitic infection, which can have sight-threatening consequences. Unfortunately, both the incidence of and the severity of acanthamoeba keratitis cases is on the rise.
Research published in BMJ Ophthalmology has reported a three-fold increase in the infection since 2011 using data from Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Study author Dr Nicole Carnt told OT that other studies in the US and New Zealand have also found a rise in acanthamoeba keratitis cases.
Dr Carnt, who is a researcher at the University of New South Wales in Australia, highlighted that the majority of lens care solutions are not effective against the resistant cyst forms of acanthamoeba.
She shared that the International Standards Organisation and Food and Drug Administration in the US are working to introduce a standard for testing contact lens solutions against acanthamoeba.
“The rationale for not testing in the past was the rarity of the disease and the fact that acanthamoeba feeds on bacteria so that if the contact lens standards were effective at limiting bacteria, they would by default limit acanthamoeba,” she said.
“We do however see acanthamoeba keratitis occur in compliant daily disposable wearers and we know that short attachment times to the eye by the organism can lead to infection,” Dr Carnt emphasised.
It is believed that the increasing virulence of acanthamoeba in the environment may be contributing to the rising numbers and severity of the eye infection.
“Practitioners say to me, ‘It might scare them off and it is hard enough to interest and then keep the contact lens wearers.’ I say, ‘We know driving a car can cause devastating injury, but people don’t stop driving, they are just more careful’”
Risk factors for the development of acanthamoeba keratitis identified through the Moorfields Eye Hospital study included use of Oxipol contact lens disinfection (which was withdrawn from the market in 2017), swimming or bathing in contact lenses and deficient lens or hand hygiene.
Type IV soft contact lenses using high water ionic materials were also associated with an increased risk of developing the infection.
Dr Carnt highlighted the importance of communicating with patients about acanthamoeba keratitis.
“The most important step is to have a conversation with contact lens wearers about this disease,” she said.
“Practitioners say to me, ‘It might scare them off and it is hard enough to interest and then keep the contact lens wearers.’ I say, ‘We know driving a car can cause devastating injury, but people don’t stop driving, they are just more careful’,” she emphasised.
When asked whether certain patients are at risk of developing the infection, Dr Carnt observed that her research has shown that some wearers are predisposed to an increased risk and severity of infection because of immune system genetics.
The main behavioural risk factor is the contamination of contact lenses with water, she shared.
“The lenses are often marketed and sold like cosmetics, which means the identity of contact lenses as medical devices is completely lost”
When asked about the risks associated with cosmetic contact lenses, Dr Carnt observed that these lenses are generally worn in environments where risk-taking behaviour is encouraged.
This type of contact lens may also be worn for a longer period and may be swapped between individuals.
“The lenses are often marketed and sold like cosmetics, which means the identity of contact lenses as medical devices is completely lost,” she highlighted.
Cosmetic contact lenses are often worn by young adults; an age group that are particularly susceptible to contact lens complications according to the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth study in the US.
Blue Light Facts.
Sunlight contains red, orange, yellow, green and blue light rays. Combined, this spectrum of coloured light rays creates what we call white light or sunlight. Depending on where they fall on the spectrum, light rays have long wavelengths (with less energy) or short wavelengths (with more energy).
Blue light is a high-energy visible light and has shorter wavelengths. It is known as blue light because it is on the violet-blue band of the spectrum. Blue light is naturally present in sunlight but is also something we can see from screens such as TVs, computers, smartphones and tablets. Blue light controls the circadian cycle. It also stimulates the pupillary reflex and stimulates the photosensitive retinal ganglion cells.
Can Blue Light (high energy visible light) damage my child’s eyes?
There is currently no scientific evidence that blue light causes damage to eyes. However, there is evidence to suggest that carrying out near tasks, involving looking at something close-up, such as using mobile devices, screen time and reading e-books, can increase eye strain for those who do this for long periods of time, and can also lead to accommodation (focus) fatigue. The evidence is also increasing that blue light can affect our body clocks. However, research is inconclusive.
What is digital eye strain?
Digital eye strain happens when a lot of time is spent using near vision, for example, reading on screen or playing online games. Digital eye strain does not cause permanent damage to your eyes but can be uncomfortable. One of the main symptoms is temporary blurred vision but other signs such as sore and tired eyes, dry eye and headaches are also associated with digital eye strain. There are some theories emerging that excessive exposure to smart screen glare such as hand held devices, can trigger excessive focus effort on visual systems which can lead to excessive visual discomfort especially in young developing visual systems.
Can Blue Light affect my child’s sleep pattern? Answer is Yes.
Using screens close to bedtime may contribute to poorer sleep, which may mean your child’s concentration levels are lower during the day. This may be because blue light is linked to the suppression of the hormone melatonin which makes us feel sleepy. However, there can be a range of other factors linked to disrupted sleep.
Does Blue Light affect eye health?
There is currently no evidence to point that Blue Light affects eye health.
Can Blue Light filtered lenses help?
Some people report that lens coatings that filter blue light make their eyes feel more comfortable or are helpful before bed, but there is no clear scientific evidence to support this. There is also no evidence that these kinds of coatings prevent eye disease. However, there is no harm in having blue light filters include in your eye prescriptions especially if you use a lot of modern tech devices.
Why have I heard that Blue Light is harmful to eye health?
Several studies have been carried out into the effects of blue light, and research in this area is still ongoing. Some past studies have revealed that exposure to blue light can lead to changes in animals eyes. However, because the time and intensity of exposure to blue light in these studies was far more than that of natural daylight and that of screens, this does not show that blue light is harmful to eyes.
Is there a link between screen time and short-sightedness?
Short-sightedness, or myopia, is increasing throughout the world. Family history, ethnic background, environment (living indoors, in cities) and carrying out near tasks, such as screen use, have all been linked to the development of myopia. However, there is no clear evidence to suggest that screen time alone is the direct cause. But, there is good evidence to suggest that children who spend more time outdoors (natural light), are at lower risk of developing short-sightedness. Studies in this field are ongoing.
Tips for keeping your child’s eyes healthy.
- Get them outdoors – regular play and exercise can help prevent or reduce the development of myopia (short-sightedness). Studies show two hours of outdoor activity a day is ideal1
- Use night settings – using night settings, if your device has them, may help children sleep by reducing the amount of blue light given off by the screen during night-time hours
- Make sure digital devices are turned off at least an hour before bedtime
- Book your child in for a sight test every two years, from approximately the age of three, or more often if recommended by your Optometrist.
Supportive documentation on blue light can be referenced in Optometry Today, December 2017, Volume 57:12, page 8.
BE SCREEN SMART ON A SMART SCREEN
At OTTiCA PROCiDA we are very focused on personalised customer service and aim to deliver quality Eyewear using leading products in the optical industry. Great care is taken to ensure that your spectacles meet the highest standards. Eye Care is precious, Eye Wear is part of your daily dress code, and it is who you are, so why not treat yourself to the best.
Seeing Ability and Vision Related Learning Difficulties (Often found in Dyslexia)
Maurizio has many years of experience in helping with vision related learning difficulties, eye tracking and colorimetry, which may or may not co-exist with dyslexia. The ability to see is very important in any child’s life as it impacts learning in a massive way.
Opticians / Optometrists in Finchley
……and so, if you are thinking ‘Opticians Near Me’ or ‘Eye Test Near Me’ and based in Finchley, at OTTiCA PROCiDA is easy to locate and easy to get to, whether it’s by public or private transport.
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Opticians in Finchley
Eye test in Finchley
Glasses in Finchley
Please feel free to submit any questions you may have, or request your appointment below. See you soon!