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  • COVID-19 Update – Practice Closure

    The last few weeks have been a difficult time for all of us, with uncertainty lying ahead due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

    As a lock down is now in effect in the UK, we have made the decision to close our practice, in order to keep with official government and industry guidelines re: social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible. 

    Although we are closed for walk-ins and appointments, we will be taking phone calls between 9:30am -6pm to assist with patient queries regarding spectacles and to give advice on urgent eyecare. If you call outside of these hours, please leave a message and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

    In the event of an ocular emergency outside of these hours, please call either your GP or NHS 111.

    Hand hygiene has always been important when it comes to your eyes and preventing the spread of infection and viruses. We remind you to:

    • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important for contact lens wearers before and after insertion and removal. Please ensure your hands are dried thoroughly before handling lenses too.
    • If you have to go out for one of the 4 essential reasons outlined by the government, wash your hands as soon as you get back home, or use hand sanitiser if you don’t have access to soap and water but need to clean your hands. 
    • Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Avoid using your hands for this wherever possible. 
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands aren’t clean. 

    Taking these simple steps will enable you to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible and also protect yourself. 

    Whilst at home, it is also important to maintain eye care wherever possible. Try to:

    • Avoid excessive screen time. With the majority of people now being at home, it’s easy to spend even more time staring at your screen than usual! Make sure you take breaks using the 20-20-20 rule.
    • Try and get some fresh air everyday, whether it’s in your garden or just down the road. Remember to maintain a distance of 2 meters from anyone else that you come across that doesn’t live in your own household. 
    • Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. The eyes need at least 5 hours of sleep every night to replenish themselves, so you don’t end up with eye strain or end up suffering from dry eye. 
    • Eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc and zeaxanthin to promote good eye health. These can be found in blueberries, citrus fruits, oily fish and dark leafy greens, to name a few. 

    Stay safe, and stay at home. We are praying for all of our patients’ safety and well-being during these unprecedented times.

    Thank you for your patience and support, and we hope to see you back in the practice again in the future!

    The Visual Eyes Team

    The last few weeks have been a difficult time for all of us, with uncertainty lying ahead due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

    As a lock down is now in effect in the UK, we have made the decision to close our practice, in order to keep with official government and industry guidelines re: social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible. 

    Although we are closed for walk-ins and appointments, we will be taking phone calls between 9:30am -6pm to assist with patient queries regarding spectacles and to give advice on urgent eyecare. If you call outside of these hours, please leave a message and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

    In the event of an ocular emergency outside of these hours, please call either your GP or NHS 111.

    Hand hygiene has always been important when it comes to your eyes and preventing the spread of infection and viruses. We remind you to:

    • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important for contact lens wearers before and after insertion and removal. Please ensure your hands are dried thoroughly before handling lenses too.
    • If you have to go out for one of the 4 essential reasons outlined by the government, wash your hands as soon as you get back home, or use hand sanitiser if you don’t have access to soap and water but need to clean your hands. 
    • Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Avoid using your hands for this wherever possible. 
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands aren’t clean. 

    Taking these simple steps will enable you to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible and also protect yourself. 

    Whilst at home, it is also important to maintain eye care wherever possible. Try to:

    • Avoid excessive screen time. With the majority of people now being at home, it’s easy to spend even more time staring at your screen than usual! Make sure you take breaks using the 20-20-20 rule.
    • Try and get some fresh air everyday, whether it’s in your garden or just down the road. Remember to maintain a distance of 2 meters from anyone else that you come across that doesn’t live in your own household. 
    • Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. The eyes need at least 5 hours of sleep every night to replenish themselves, so you don’t end up with eye strain or end up suffering from dry eye. 
    • Eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc and zeaxanthin to promote good eye health. These can be found in blueberries, citrus fruits, oily fish and dark leafy greens, to name a few. 

    Stay safe, and stay at home. We are praying for all of our patients’ safety and well-being during these unprecedented times.

    Thank you for your patience and support, and we hope to see you back in the practice again in the future!

    The Visual Eyes Team

  • New offers available in store now!

    New offers available in store now!

    We all love a good deal which is why we’re launching a range of limited-time offers on a number of our services and products. So, whether you’re due an eye test or looking to update your current frames then read on to find out about some of our exciting deals in-store.

    50% off an adult eye test and an OCT scan

    If you haven’t heard of an OCT scan you might wonder whether this offer will benefit you. Designed to assess your eye health, this 3D imaging test provides a detailed picture of your retina (the back of your eye), detecting the earliest signs of eye disease. With 50% off an adult eye test and 50% off an OCT scan, there really couldn’t be a better time to gain peace of mind about your eye health at an affordable price.

    50% off all frames and lenses for adults

    Have your current frames seen better days? Or has your prescription recently changed? Maybe both are in need of an update? If so, you’ll be pleased to hear about our special offers on prescription glasses. We stock a range of designer eyewear brands from Tom Ford to Ray-Ban, so what better time to upgrade your eyewear than while they’re half price?

    Kids go free with frames and lenses

    We understand that kids glasses frames are an extra cost to an already stretched budget, which is why kids go free with frames and lenses when chosen from a selected range in-store. We stock a comprehensive collection of children’s eyewear, designed to fit and complement their smaller features while remaining robust and durable so they can get stuck in at playtime.

    Buy one pair of kid’s glasses, get the second pair free

    Owning 2 pairs is always useful, particularly for children. If your child frequently misplaces or damages their glasses, you’ll be happy to hear that we’re offering a free second pair of kid’s glasses when a first pair is bought from a selected range.

    Healthy eyes and clear vision are vital to a child’s development as well as enabling us all to make the most of every experience. This makes regular eye examinations important for the whole family. Find out more about our eye test and glasses offers by getting in touch with the friendly Visual Eyes Opticians team – your opticians near Harrow!

    We all love a good deal which is why we’re launching a range of limited-time offers on a number of our services and products. So, whether you’re due an eye test or looking to update your current frames then read on to find out about some of our exciting deals in-store.

    50% off an adult eye test and an OCT scan

    If you haven’t heard of an OCT scan you might wonder whether this offer will benefit you. Designed to assess your eye health, this 3D imaging test provides a detailed picture of your retina (the back of your eye), detecting the earliest signs of eye disease. With 50% off an adult eye test and 50% off an OCT scan, there really couldn’t be a better time to gain peace of mind about your eye health at an affordable price.

    50% off all frames and lenses for adults

    Have your current frames seen better days? Or has your prescription recently changed? Maybe both are in need of an update? If so, you’ll be pleased to hear about our special offers on prescription glasses. We stock a range of designer eyewear brands from Tom Ford to Ray-Ban, so what better time to upgrade your eyewear than while they’re half price?

    Kids go free with frames and lenses

    We understand that kids glasses frames are an extra cost to an already stretched budget, which is why kids go free with frames and lenses when chosen from a selected range in-store. We stock a comprehensive collection of children’s eyewear, designed to fit and complement their smaller features while remaining robust and durable so they can get stuck in at playtime.

    Buy one pair of kid’s glasses, get the second pair free

    Owning 2 pairs is always useful, particularly for children. If your child frequently misplaces or damages their glasses, you’ll be happy to hear that we’re offering a free second pair of kid’s glasses when a first pair is bought from a selected range.

    Healthy eyes and clear vision are vital to a child’s development as well as enabling us all to make the most of every experience. This makes regular eye examinations important for the whole family. Find out more about our eye test and glasses offers by getting in touch with the friendly Visual Eyes Opticians team – your opticians near Harrow!

  • Eye health care tips for the New Year!

    Eye health care tips for the New Year!

    The new year is a great time to make a fresh start and commit to looking after your health. This is why so many people make New Year’s resolutions, but it doesn’t have to be something specific like ‘going to the gym twice a week’ – it could just be a promise to yourself to look after your eyes and sight. After all, your sight is one of your most important senses, and you might be surprised at how fragile it can be. But with our eye health care tips, you can help your eyes to stay healthy for years to come.

    Check your family history

    How much do you know about the eye health of your family? With some conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetes, your risk is increased if a close family member has been diagnosed. So have a chat with your family and find out if there’s anything you should be aware of. If there is something that could affect you, it’s a good idea to come to our practice for an eye examination and OCT scan. This will enable us to check closely for any signs and advise if you need more regular check-ups.

    Take a break from the screen

    So many of us spend hours each day looking at a screen, whether for work or leisure, but lots of people don’t realise how harmful it can be for your eyes. Did you know that when you’re looking at a screen, you blink less often? Dry eye is a common problem for people who work in front of a VDU. Take a visual break every 20 minutes and focus on something in the distance for 20 seconds. It won’t hurt to blink now and again too!

    Eat an eye-healthy diet

    What you eat is important to your eyes, so make sure you include foods that are rich in nutrients such as zinc, lutein and omega-3 fatty acids. Dark, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, oily fish, nuts and beans are all good foods to eat.

    Of course, regular eye tests are an important part of looking after your sight, so book an appointment at our opticians near Harrow today and start the year off on the right track.

    The new year is a great time to make a fresh start and commit to looking after your health. This is why so many people make New Year’s resolutions, but it doesn’t have to be something specific like ‘going to the gym twice a week’ – it could just be a promise to yourself to look after your eyes and sight. After all, your sight is one of your most important senses, and you might be surprised at how fragile it can be. But with our eye health care tips, you can help your eyes to stay healthy for years to come.

    Check your family history

    How much do you know about the eye health of your family? With some conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetes, your risk is increased if a close family member has been diagnosed. So have a chat with your family and find out if there’s anything you should be aware of. If there is something that could affect you, it’s a good idea to come to our practice for an eye examination and OCT scan. This will enable us to check closely for any signs and advise if you need more regular check-ups.

    Take a break from the screen

    So many of us spend hours each day looking at a screen, whether for work or leisure, but lots of people don’t realise how harmful it can be for your eyes. Did you know that when you’re looking at a screen, you blink less often? Dry eye is a common problem for people who work in front of a VDU. Take a visual break every 20 minutes and focus on something in the distance for 20 seconds. It won’t hurt to blink now and again too!

    Eat an eye-healthy diet

    What you eat is important to your eyes, so make sure you include foods that are rich in nutrients such as zinc, lutein and omega-3 fatty acids. Dark, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, oily fish, nuts and beans are all good foods to eat.

    Of course, regular eye tests are an important part of looking after your sight, so book an appointment at our opticians near Harrow today and start the year off on the right track.

  • Our top 5 tips for dry eyes during winter

    Our top 5 tips for dry eyes during winter

    Dry Eye is an irritating condition that affects many people and can often be more prominent in the winter months. The main symptoms are dry, sore eyes, but there are others such as a gritty or burning sensation, feeling as if there is something in your eye, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and even watery eyes. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may want to try our tips to alleviate symptoms of dry eyes below. 

    Tip 1 – protect your eyes from the wind

    Environmental influences can often cause dry eyes. If you run or cycle, or even just spend much time outside during the winter, you may find the wind is one of the culprits for your dry, sore eyes. Eye protection such as wraparound sports eyewear can be a real help in keeping your eyes happy. 

    Tip 2 – avoid overly dry air

    With the heating keeping your home and place of work warm during these cold months, you may not realise how dry the air can get from the constant influx of heat. A simple home humidifier can make all the difference, moistening the air enough to keep dry eye symptoms at bay. 

    Tip 3 – follow the 20-20-20 rule

    Do you, like so many of us, spend a lot of time looking at a screen each day? All the time you’re staring at a screen you blink less than usual which makes it easier for your eyes to dry out. So, every 20 minutes, try to take a break for 20 seconds and focus on something at least 20 feet away. 

    Tip 4 – eat well

    A healthy diet can help your eyes, and omega-3 fatty acids are particularly good for dry eyes. Try incorporating foods such as oily fish, flax seeds, walnuts and chia seeds into your diet – these are all good sources of omega-3.

    Tip 5 – avoid smoke

    We all know smoking is bad for us, and dry eyes are just one of many forms in which it can affect you. Try to avoid smokey environments and of course, if you are a smoker yourself, the best way to alleviate your symptoms as well as protecting your general health, is to give up smoking altogether. 

    These simple home remedies for dry eyes can often be of help, but if your symptoms persist and you’re concerned or think you may benefit from more advanced clinical treatment, the best thing to do is visit us – your opticians near Harrow for a dry eye assessment. Why not book an appointment today so go into the festive season and new year with peace of mind?

    Dry Eye is an irritating condition that affects many people and can often be more prominent in the winter months. The main symptoms are dry, sore eyes, but there are others such as a gritty or burning sensation, feeling as if there is something in your eye, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and even watery eyes. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may want to try our tips to alleviate symptoms of dry eyes below. 

    Tip 1 – protect your eyes from the wind

    Environmental influences can often cause dry eyes. If you run or cycle, or even just spend much time outside during the winter, you may find the wind is one of the culprits for your dry, sore eyes. Eye protection such as wraparound sports eyewear can be a real help in keeping your eyes happy. 

    Tip 2 – avoid overly dry air

    With the heating keeping your home and place of work warm during these cold months, you may not realise how dry the air can get from the constant influx of heat. A simple home humidifier can make all the difference, moistening the air enough to keep dry eye symptoms at bay. 

    Tip 3 – follow the 20-20-20 rule

    Do you, like so many of us, spend a lot of time looking at a screen each day? All the time you’re staring at a screen you blink less than usual which makes it easier for your eyes to dry out. So, every 20 minutes, try to take a break for 20 seconds and focus on something at least 20 feet away. 

    Tip 4 – eat well

    A healthy diet can help your eyes, and omega-3 fatty acids are particularly good for dry eyes. Try incorporating foods such as oily fish, flax seeds, walnuts and chia seeds into your diet – these are all good sources of omega-3.

    Tip 5 – avoid smoke

    We all know smoking is bad for us, and dry eyes are just one of many forms in which it can affect you. Try to avoid smokey environments and of course, if you are a smoker yourself, the best way to alleviate your symptoms as well as protecting your general health, is to give up smoking altogether. 

    These simple home remedies for dry eyes can often be of help, but if your symptoms persist and you’re concerned or think you may benefit from more advanced clinical treatment, the best thing to do is visit us – your opticians near Harrow for a dry eye assessment. Why not book an appointment today so go into the festive season and new year with peace of mind?

  • Back to school: What is Visual Stress?

    Back to school: What is Visual Stress?

    A summer of trying to keep the kids entertained is finally over and it’s back to school and normal routine. Is your child excited or anxious? For those with Visual Stress, it may be the latter, but help is at hand at Visual Eyes Opticians with our Visual Stress test. 

    Visual Stress explained 

    Visual Stress is not the same as dyslexia. Some dyslexics may have Visual Stress and some individuals with Visual Stress may have dyslexia, but the two are distinct conditions. 

    Visual stress occurs in about 20% of people and results in visual discomfort or distortions when reading printed or written text. It makes it harder to focus on text and as a result those with visual stress may develop a dislike for reading. 

    visual stress

    Signs to spot

    Common signs of visual stress in your child may include: 

    • complaints that the text is moving around
    • becoming easily tired when reading
    • complaining more often of headaches or even migraines once school starts
    • using their finger to follow words on the page
    • increased frustration and low self-esteem.

    What can you do?

    Visual stress is treatable. The first thing to do is bring your child in to see us for a standard eye test where we’ll ask them about any vision problems they may be experiencing. Next comes the visual stress test, also known as a coloured overlays test. 

    Close Up Of Student With Dyslexia Using Colored Overlays

    We’ll place different coloured overlays on pages of text and ask your child to read some text, comparing how easy or difficult it is for them to read the text using one coloured overlay versus another. Coloured overlays have been shown to relieve visual stress in some individuals. 

    This may be enough to resolve your child’s symptoms of visual stress but in some cases a colorimetry assessment can help further. This uses a special machine called an intuitive colorimeter to determine the exact hue and colour density that works best, from which we can create Visual Stress glasses with precision tinted lenses to help alleviate symptoms. The result? Increased confidence at school, increased reading speeds and no more headaches or migraines when reading.

    If you’re concerned that your child may be experiencing Visual Stress, get in touch with Visual Eyes Opticians, your opticians in Stanmore, to find out more about how we can help or to book an appointment. Together we can help your child reach their full potential and enjoy reading again.

    A summer of trying to keep the kids entertained is finally over and it’s back to school and normal routine. Is your child excited or anxious? For those with Visual Stress, it may be the latter, but help is at hand at Visual Eyes Opticians with our Visual Stress test. 

    Visual Stress explained 

    Visual Stress is not the same as dyslexia. Some dyslexics may have Visual Stress and some individuals with Visual Stress may have dyslexia, but the two are distinct conditions. 

    Visual stress occurs in about 20% of people and results in visual discomfort or distortions when reading printed or written text. It makes it harder to focus on text and as a result those with visual stress may develop a dislike for reading. 

    visual stress

    Signs to spot

    Common signs of visual stress in your child may include: 

    • complaints that the text is moving around
    • becoming easily tired when reading
    • complaining more often of headaches or even migraines once school starts
    • using their finger to follow words on the page
    • increased frustration and low self-esteem.

    What can you do?

    Visual stress is treatable. The first thing to do is bring your child in to see us for a standard eye test where we’ll ask them about any vision problems they may be experiencing. Next comes the visual stress test, also known as a coloured overlays test. 

    Close Up Of Student With Dyslexia Using Colored Overlays

    We’ll place different coloured overlays on pages of text and ask your child to read some text, comparing how easy or difficult it is for them to read the text using one coloured overlay versus another. Coloured overlays have been shown to relieve visual stress in some individuals. 

    This may be enough to resolve your child’s symptoms of visual stress but in some cases a colorimetry assessment can help further. This uses a special machine called an intuitive colorimeter to determine the exact hue and colour density that works best, from which we can create Visual Stress glasses with precision tinted lenses to help alleviate symptoms. The result? Increased confidence at school, increased reading speeds and no more headaches or migraines when reading.

    If you’re concerned that your child may be experiencing Visual Stress, get in touch with Visual Eyes Opticians, your opticians in Stanmore, to find out more about how we can help or to book an appointment. Together we can help your child reach their full potential and enjoy reading again.