Tell-tale that signs you need your eyes checked
Regular eye tests are an important part of keeping your vision in check, and for most adults that usually means seeing the optician every couple of years.
But if you spot a significant change to your sight it’s important to get it looked at rather than wait for your next regular appointment.
Dan Edwards, Patrick & Menzies Partner and Dispensing Optician, said: “There are lots of reasons that lead to people booking an eye test, but if your vision is different to normal you really should get it checked out.”
Common concerns
One of the most common symptoms of late is eye strain or tired eyes which can often be caused by spending long hours looking at a screen. Although everything may look clear you may need to strain to keep focus and your optician can often prescribe glasses to help with this. Focusing on something up close can lead to headaches, too, because tension builds up across the forehead and temples.
Dry eyes – leaving your eyes feeling gritty and uncomfortable and looking a little red – may also be an indicator that you need an optician’s appointment.
And, if you need to screw your eyes up to focus it can be a sign that things are starting to go blurry. You might not even notice you are doing it, but because you are screwing up your eyes you may find you are getting a slight headache or tension.
Obstructions
Floaters – often caused by debris such as dust or bits of eyelash in the tear layer on the front of the eye – are very common. They look transparent and keep moving, following the direction of your gaze.
However, floaters are more concerning when they are darker in colour and are more permanent and defined.
Dan explained: “Nine times out of ten they are nothing to be concerned about but we can put people’s minds at rest. If you have had floaters like that for a number of years it is likely that is normal for you and not necessarily a concern, although if you have never seen an optician about them, you should probably consider it. However, if you experience a sudden onset of floaters, or get a noticeable change or increase in the number of floaters you can see, that’s when you should book a, examination.”
If you notice a different sort of obstruction to your vision such as something which looks like a curtain or cobweb, it might indicate something more serous and you need to book a consultation as soon as possible.
Grumpy children!
Changes to a child’s vision can be harder to spot either because they are unable to put it into words or because they find ways to adapt to the change.
Difficulty focussing can make them unusually grumpy, not want to do their work or complain that their eyes feel uncomfortable, it’s a good indicator that it’s time for a test. Children normally should be seen each year, even if they are not having any obvious problems. Sometimes more frequently if they have glasses, your optician will recommend the correct interval.
Getting back on track
Measures put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep everyone safe limited the number of people who could be seen over the course of an average week, which means lots of people may now find themselves overdue for a test.
Those with conditions such as glaucoma or diabetes, who would usually have a check-up every year, should arrange an appointment to make sure there are no changes to their vision or eye health.
If you are worried about your vision please do contact us to book an appointment. Get in touch however you prefer | telephone, email or in person!
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Colour focus | warm tones
Bronzes, oranges, browns, reds and golds – warm toned glasses can make a real statement.
Typically, these colours are best suited to people with a warm skin tones, though when choosing your glasses, be confident in your own style.
Ranges such as Lulu Guinness and Wolf Eyewear have some striking choices for those who like specs in fiery shades which will stand out from the crowd.
But warm tones don’t have to be so bold. You could try a solid muted shade or how about bronze or gold metal frames which offer a more traditional mellow hue and timeless style?
Check out just some of our favourite warm toned glasses at Patrick & Menzies.
Emporio Armani – 3154
This modern twist on tortoiseshell features flecks of gold and is sure to attract attention. Classic shaping and the Emporio Armani attention to detail and quality make these a pretty special pair of specs.
Lulu Guinness – L914 Red
Wow. These solid strawberry red frames with dark sides from Lulu Guinness really pack a punch. Thy definitely live up to the company’s ‘dare to be different’ motto, while managing not to be over-the-top. Lulu Guinness eyewear may be most noted for bold design but they are high-quality and comfortable too.
Puccini – 302 C1
If you favour a metal frame, these are just the ticket. In a warm gold with interesting side detail, they are a great shape for people with a rounder face.
Silhouette – 1560
Get all the warmth you are after without being too bold with these beautiful glasses from Silhouette. These sleek frames are a perfect shape to flatter most faces.
Vogue 5254
The Vogue brand in synonymous with style and you get it in bucket-loads with these frames! The muted warm tone of these glasses is taken to another level with a flecked, almost floral, pattern. But what we love the most is the cat-eye shaping which really makes them stand out from the crowd.
Wolf Eyewear – 3101
It would be wrong for a blog about warm-toned glasses not to feature this bold bright pair from Wolf Eyewear. These make us dream of drinking cocktails under a palm tree on an exotic beach! Wolf Eyewear is known for producing high-quality and innovative specs that reveal your wild side – and these certainly do just that.
If you favour silvers, blues and greens for your glasses, we haven’t forgotten you! Keep an eye out for a focus on cool tones, coming soon.
Need help picking the right frames for your face shape? Take a read of our recent blog – Finding the Right Frames for Your Face.
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