What’s happening in our practice…
COVID-19: College of Optometry update, 19th March 2020.
Telephone-based consultancy for replacement glasses and contact lenses
“We are encouraged by the GOC’s response to our concerns regarding patients’ need for eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, we want to ensure patients can still access replacement contact lenses and spectacles safely. This guidance gives members confidence that they will be able to work within the GOC’s standards of practice and act in the best interest of the patient.
The ability to supply optical appliances by telephone review when an eye examination or contact lens aftercare is due is both a sensible and proportionate approach to achieve this. We have developed contact lens and spectacle telephone review forms to help support professionals to deliver the best possible care during this time, when some patients may not be able to attend the practice due to self-isolation.”
Due to the government-mandated suspension of business, we are currently closed to the public except for emergency appointments; for example if you’re suffering from double vision, painful eyes, loss of vision or light flashes, please call us on 01243 940180 and we can arrange for you to come in.
We are also able to offer telephone reviews, as mentioned above; again, if you require this, please call us on 01243 940180.
If you require an emergency replacement of glasses, we have a small selection of frames and basic lenses which we can use in order to tide you over. Please call us for more information and to make arrangements.
We are working with our glazing labs to get orders to our patients as soon as possible, but there will be unfortunate delays as a result of the government mandate.
Due to the customised nature of these orders, we are unable to offer refunds but as stated above we will monitor each order closely and advise you of its progress and collection options.
All contact lens orders will now be delivered to our patients homes. If you require contact lenses, we can take payment over the phone. Our contact lens provider is remaining open, but if there is a change to this, we will let our customers know as soon as possible.
If you are unable to collect your glasses, please let us know and we will keep them safe until it is possible to collect them. Alternatively, at this time we are also offering delivery to homes, so if you would like this, please call us and we can make arrangements.
Everyone here at North wishes you the best of health at this time.
Kindest regards
Helen
Coronavirus Information
in Factual informationWhat’s happening in our practice…
COVID-19: College of Optometry update, 19th March 2020.
Telephone-based consultancy for replacement glasses and contact lenses
“We are encouraged by the GOC’s response to our concerns regarding patients’ need for eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, we want to ensure patients can still access replacement contact lenses and spectacles safely. This guidance gives members confidence that they will be able to work within the GOC’s standards of practice and act in the best interest of the patient.
The ability to supply optical appliances by telephone review when an eye examination or contact lens aftercare is due is both a sensible and proportionate approach to achieve this. We have developed contact lens and spectacle telephone review forms to help support professionals to deliver the best possible care during this time, when some patients may not be able to attend the practice due to self-isolation.”
Due to the government-mandated suspension of business, we are currently closed to the public except for emergency appointments; for example if you’re suffering from double vision, painful eyes, loss of vision or light flashes, please call us on 01243 940180 and we can arrange for you to come in.
We are also able to offer telephone reviews, as mentioned above; again, if you require this, please call us on 01243 940180.
If you require an emergency replacement of glasses, we have a small selection of frames and basic lenses which we can use in order to tide you over. Please call us for more information and to make arrangements.
We are working with our glazing labs to get orders to our patients as soon as possible, but there will be unfortunate delays as a result of the government mandate.
Due to the customised nature of these orders, we are unable to offer refunds but as stated above we will monitor each order closely and advise you of its progress and collection options.
All contact lens orders will now be delivered to our patients homes. If you require contact lenses, we can take payment over the phone. Our contact lens provider is remaining open, but if there is a change to this, we will let our customers know as soon as possible.
If you are unable to collect your glasses, please let us know and we will keep them safe until it is possible to collect them. Alternatively, at this time we are also offering delivery to homes, so if you would like this, please call us and we can make arrangements.
Everyone here at North wishes you the best of health at this time.
Kindest regards
Helen
Fun Vision Facts!
in Factual informationWe searched the internet to bring you some fun vision facts. Which is your favourite?
Humans can see more shades of grey than another colour.
Gorgeous greyscale lion.
Dolphins can sleep with one eye open.
What a smiley chap!
The most active muscles in the body are in the eyes.
Look at those blues!
Some people are born with two different colour eyes.
Siblings with heterochromia – two different coloured eyes.
Brown is the most common eye colour in the world.
People with brown eyes are said to appear more trustworthy too!
An eye condition may have been responsible for Leonardo Da Vinci’s artistic genius!
A very stern looking Da Vinci.
Do you have any fun eye facts? We’d love to hear from you!
SCHOOL’S OUT! How to protect children’s eyes from the sun during the holidays
in Factual informationSchool’s out for summer! The beach beckons and long sunny days in the great outdoors are ahead. It all sounds idyllic. But the holidays can only go with a swing when we know the children are having fun safely.
Children need protecting from so many things; life, monsters, busy roads and the sun! We know that sunshine is essential for growth and our general wellbeing, and we know that our children’s skin needs protecting from it’s harmful rays – we know what appropriate action to take to ensure protection. However, often overlooked are young eyes. The sun’s rays can be very harmful to our eyes, so we recommend some simple steps to keep them in tip top condition while the kids are having fun in the sun!
Nano Sol sunglasses, available at North Opticians
So there you have it! Our top 5 tips to keep kids eyes safe in the sun. For more information you can look at the NHS article here.
Any frame at North Opticians can be made into sunglasses, with or without a prescription, so why not pop in today and have a look?
Myth Busters!
in Factual informationWe all know an urban myth or two! They are great entertainment value and here at North Opticians we enjoy a joke as much as the next optometrists; but children’ eye health is no joking matter. Here, we dispel some of the more common myths we hear at our clinic so that you can be reassured that a free NHS eye test with us is the key to looking after your child’s eye health.
Children always get their eyes tested at school.
Some do at about 5 years old, but is is a vision screening not a comprehensive eye test. The provision of vision screening is patchy at best. A comprehensive eye test is a thorough ocular health examination.
There’s no point until children can read the alphabet.
An experienced optometrist will employ a variety of methods to ascertain how well your child can see. Problems picked up early can be treated very successfully and we’d encourage all parents and guardians to book a child’s first appointment at around three years old.
Children are too young for contact lenses.
Well, it really depends on the individual child. A sporty child might find them much more practical. Many children are responsible enough once taught how to handle and look after them.
Mum and Dad don’t need glasses so their children won’t either.
Not true! A mix of genetics and environmental factors contribute to eye health. City living, time spent indoors and family history all play a part in the make up of children’s eye health. .
Wearing glasses will make my child’s eyesight lazy or give them a lazy eye.
Glasses will not make your children’s eyes dependent. When an expert optician prescribes glasses for your child, it can relax eye muscles and relieve strain. It’s always important to encourage children to wear their glasses as prescribed to maintain optimum eye health.
So there we have it! Now that we’ve busted some myths for you, you can book your children in with us by following this link.
Information found at Optometry Today.
Children’s eye tests in Chichester! Are we the best?
in Eyewear style advice, Factual informationHere at North we’re proud to offer free NHS children’s eye tests. It’s a big statement to make, but here’s why we think we offer the best children’s eye tests in Chichester!
Added to those points, we have a gorgeous collection of kid’s frames. Look!
New at North, we have Nano. These frames have been described as ‘kidproof’ and are incredibly hardy. They have patented S-shaped hinges which means no more snapping arms, a soft padded bridge, and you can have the arms 3 different ways – regular arms, a band that attaches to the arms and keeps the glasses firmly on your child’s head, or you can take the arms off altogether and have a band instead! Perfect for sports, playtime, or even a fidgeter.
Nike frames have proven very popular here, especially for older boys. They look grown up, are sporty and have that all-important brand name.
Bulget frames bridge the gap between very young and almost teenage children. They come in lots of fun colours and a variety of frame shapes!
So look no further for children’s eye tests in Chichester – you’ve found the perfect place.
Cat eye glasses – let’s talk about it
in Eyewear style adviceOk, let’s discuss a subject I’m passionate about – cat eye glasses. They’re my very favourite shape, they’re always fashionable and they suit so many different faces!
Cat eye glasses gained popularity in the 1950’s and 60’s, with stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe showing them off to perfection. They look feminine, fun and sophisticated.
Though bug-eyed glasses became the thing during the following decades, cat eye glasses never completely went away, and in recent years have boomed in popularity. They’ve maintained the same basic shape but with a more contemporary feel – think less Dame Edna and more Jennifer Lopez.
What I love about cat eye glasses is how flattering they are – if you are blessed with good cheekbones they accentuate them, if you have a round face (like me) they add angles where there weren’t angles before, they soften a heavier jawline – they uplift your face and look gorgeous!
The Townsend by Walter and Herbert is a perfect example of this classic shape with a modern twist; softer edges, a blue mossy acetate and a gentle uplift make them unmistakably cat eye glasses but in a less dramatic 60’s way.
If you want to go a bit retro, Rusicka by Vinyl Factory are perfect. Rose gold with detailing on the bridge and temples, glossy black wings and VF’s trademark guitar-shaped arms make this a rock n’roll beauty! They’re one of my favourite pairs in the shop so I highly recommend trying them on when you pop in.
Both these lovely frames and more are available at North, come in, say hello and try some on.
What is an OCT scan?
in Factual informationHere at North Opticians we offer an advanced eye test, which includes an OCT scan. But what is it?
OCT imaging is offered to give your eyes a thorough examination using a 3D scan of your retina. OCT is painless and very quick!
Far superior to traditional retinal photography, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an extremely advanced health check for people of all ages. It is quite different to digital eye photographs offered by your doctor or other opticians, since they only image the surface of the back of the eye. OCT scans all the different layers of the retina revealing parts that cannot be seen by any other instruments at the opticians.
How does an OCT scan work?
It’s similar to an x-ray, though the OCT scan uses light waves rather than sound waves to map the surface of your eye. It’s completely safe as there are no harmful x-rays involved! It’s basically a powerful 3D photo of your eye.
What does it show?
An OCT scan can help diagnose the following:
As well as this it can be used to search for nerve disorders such as the beginning of glaucoma, though as it uses light waves the OCT scan is not effective in diagnosing cataracts.
We pride ourselves here at North on offering fantastic in-depth services at competitive prices, so if you’re looking for peace of mind and a thorough exam, look no further!
Why not book an advanced eye test with us today? Simply follow the link at the beginning of this post or use the navigation bar and find advanced OCT scanning under eye care services.
Chichester opticians advice for smarty pants
in Eyewear style adviceAs your Chichester opticians we love specs. So, as you can imagine we were delighted to read an article in The Guardian, that heralded a recent study. It’s officially been determined that needing to wear glasses is associated with higher levels of intelligence.
Well, we knew that you all had to be pretty smart to choose us as your opticians, and with Geek-Chic being the eyewear trend that always seems to be in fashion we wanted to share our favourite frames that will help you get the look!
The key to nailing Geek-Chic is to go for bold, statement eyewear. Choose large, thick frames in dark, horn or matte colours and textures.
Here are four frames to get you started, all are available from our opticians in North Street, Chichester.
Battatura Filipino in Italian Jet Black – £89 complete single vision
Etnia Barcelona Pavia in Black – £199 complete single vision
The angles of this chunky frame and the subtle colouring on its arms, give Geek-Chic a distinctly feminine twist.
Etnia Barcelona Chester in Blue Black – £199 complete single vision
The simple wooden textures and gorgeous colouring of these frames add a modern twist to your Geek-Chic look.
Both of these Etnia Barcelona Frames;
Are made from natural acetates. All the acetates Etnia Barcelona works with are produced in Italy with their partner Mazzucchelli. Acetate, unlike injection, is a 100% natural and malleable material made from cotton.
Feature a Flex Hinge. The flexo adapts perfectly to the face to provide superior comfort and quality.
Salt Ned in Matte Spice Brown – £269 complete single vision
This premium eyewear brand from coastal California is committed to quality construction and timeless design inspired by effortless beauty.
Gentlemen, if you would like to add a degree of sophistication to your Geek-Chic look then this is the frame for you. Channel your inner Colin Firth, with this horn like frame and its subtle, softer edges.
If you would like to try any of these frames call in to our Chichester Opticians, we’d love to see you! Varifocal prices also available upon request.