Eye Care

Healthy, well looked after eyes can make a massive difference to your all round well-being and the best way to maintain this is through regular eye examinations. Using the latest eye examination technology, we can quickly establish the state of your vision.

Age & Eyesight

Whatever your age, we recommend that you have an eye examination at least every two years. For children and people aged over 70, we recommend an eye test every year or more often if recommended by your Opticians.Whilst vision screening checks are carried out by doctors or health visitors in the early years, they are not as comprehensive as full eye examinations carried out by qualified opticians.
Opticians and the NHS recommend that children should have their eyes tested at least once a year from the age of around three as this is an important step to looking after their vision through to adulthood. Children up to the age of 16 (or 18 if in full time education) are entitled to an eye examination free of charge.
Our opticians are specially trained to test children’s eyes and to find glasses that fit them perfectly making the experience easy and fun.

Babies & Toddlers

Whilst vision screening checks are carried out by doctors or health visitors in the early years, they are not as comprehensive as full eye examinations carried out by qualified opticians. Opticians and the NHS recommend that children should have their eyes tested at least once a year from the age of around three as this is an important step to looking after their vision through to adulthood. Children up to the age of 16 (or 18 if in full time education) are entitled to an eye examination free of charge and help towards the cost of glasses if required. All of our opticians are specially trained to test children’s eyes and to find glasses that fit them perfectly making the experience easy and fun.

Early School Years

During the first 12 years of our lives, as much as 80% of our learning is accomplished through our vision. Without regular eye tests, children with sight problems may have difficulty at school and lose confidence or fall behind. It can be difficult to spot but there are a number of tell-tale signs you can look out for. Is your child sitting too close to the tv; rubbing their eyes repeatedly or do they squint? If you ensure your child has regular eye examinations, however, you can minimise the chance of an eye or sight defect being carried into adulthood.

Over 40s

It s natural and normal for everyone s eyesight to start to deteriorate to some extent in their early to mid 40s. Presbyopia, or blurred near vision, affects everyone sooner or later but an eye examination can easily determine which prescription is right for you. If you need eyewear but don’t know what type is best for you, our opticians will recommend various options to suit your needs.

Over 60s

Though your vision is likely be changing as part of the natural ageing process, regular check-ups and the correct eyewear can help you to retain the best possible quality of vision. One of the benefits of reaching 60 is that you re entitled to a free NHS eye test every two years, rising to every year once you re 70.

Your eye examination explained

At James Read Opticians, you can rest assured that our thorough eye examinations provide a reassuringly accurate assessment of your vision. Our professionals use the latest technology to ensure you vision and health of your eyes are the best they can be.
We can provide retinal photography which takes a far greater look at the health of your inner eye which can help to identify a range of potential conditions.
A standard eye examination lasts for approximately 25 minutes and the optician will use a range of tests tailored to your individual needs. All of our tests are carried out using the very best in eye examination technology and your optician will provide step-by-step explanations so you know exactly what is involved at each stage.
From your eye examination through to finding the perfect frames and lenses for clear, comfortable vision, we will take the time to ensure that all aspects of your eye care are expertly looked after.

Diet & Eye Care

A healthy, well balanced diet is not just good for your body; it’s good for your eyes as well! Eating a diet that balances nutrition and vitamins and full of antioxidants could help prevent eye problems. For instance spinach, leeks and red peppers contain lutein and zeaxanthin which can help to protect your eyes against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Omega 3 can also help reduce the risk of developing AMD and can help in the prevention of a common condition known as “Dry Eye”.

Why would an eye examination help?

Poor sight in just one eye can affect your ability to judge distances, as well as cause eye strain and tiredness. Darkness and headlight glare will also affect your vision when driving at night. That’s why it is important to have regular eye examinations as it will help ensure your eyesight is up to standard and your driving vision is comfortable and safe.

How James Read can help?

Make sure that you don’t get caught out when it comes to driving. Our opticians will ensure that your prescription is correct and up-to-date and will answer any queries you may have about driving and the law. They will also take you through the different options available, such as anti-reflection coating on your lenses which reduces the light reflected from those lenses; and thus improves your vision. This is particularly useful at night due to the oncoming headlights. We can also provide you with prescription sunglasses or polarised sunglasses!

Driving & the Law

Driving is one of the most demanding tests of your vision; around 90% of the information a driver uses is visual. It is now more important than ever to ensure that your vision meets the correct requirements. As a driver, you are legally required to be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres and to wear your corrective prescription eyewear at all times when driving.

Smoking & Eye Care

Everyone knows that smoking can cause lung cancer but not many people realise that it can also potentially lead to vision loss or blindness. A study in the British Medical Journal says cigarettes increase the chances of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD); AMD is the leading cause of adult blindness in the UK. Smokers are three to four times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.
Although it is not painful, AMD gets progressively worst and makes it very difficult to carry out day-to-day activities such as reading or watching TV.
Treatment options for AMD are limited; however, smoking is the biggest modifiable risk factor and quitting can significantly reduce the chances of getting AMD in later life.

Health & Lifestyle

Eye care is an essential part of any healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, watching your weight and making sure you have your eyes checked regularly helps keep your vision in great condition.

Computer Strain & Eyecare

Looking at a monitor for a long time can strain your eyes and cause discomfort such as dry eyes, blurred vision, tired eyes, itchy eyes and/or watery eyes.
Here are some tips to help you relieve the symptoms of eye strain:

• Take frequent breaks from your computer
• Rest your eyes and looks away from your computer and focus on distant objects
• Adjust your monitor’s setting to make sure the brightness is the same as the surroundings
• Upgrade your display monitor from an old style cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor to a modern LCD screen
• Eye examinations are essential for clear, comfortable vision and a thorough health check of your eyes

Pregnancy and Eye Care

Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy, and your eyes can be affected too. Fluctuations in hormone levels can lead to dry eyes or blurred or distorted vision and the chances are they developed naturally and will disappear in the same way after childbirth, but if you do have any problems you should visit your GP.