Blue light blocking glasses

An antidote to the modern age woes of screen time and sleep deprivation, blue light blocking glasses are the latest tool in our quest for eye health and the perfect nights sleep.

what is blue light

Smartphones, tablets, tv’s and LED lighting all emit blue light, which is a natural light - it’s present in daylight and helps us feel awake during the day, boosting attention and mood. In fact blue light rays are even used in light therapy to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Here’s the science.. blue light is one of the shortest, highest-energy wavelengths and blue wavelength light stimulates sensors in your eyes which send signals to your brain’s internal body clock.

Being online during the evening ensures our nights are now as illuminated as our days. The eyes are not very good at blocking blue light, allowing it to pass straight through to the retina, this disrupts melatonin and negatively impacts our sleep.

blue light and sleep

As more important research comes to light, we’re beginning to realise the huge importance of sleep for good health. Not only for brain function like concentration, productivity and performance, but to prevent serious illness like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Sleep impacts every area of our lives, so in 2024 we all know the importance of prioritising our sleep.

One study found that sleep deprivation can affect brain function to a similar degree as alcohol intoxication, so missing out on a few hours shut eye is equivelent to a night on the fizz - madness!

Blue light suppresses the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone, so artificial night time light throws out our body's biological clock, the circadian rhythm.

Poor sleep can cause so many health issues, so we need do everything we can to secure a good nights sleep and blocking out blue light in the evening can help achieve this.

Wearing your blue blight blocking glasses in the evening as part as your sleep hygiene routine, while watching tv, working late or working your way through the gram, can help prevent that screen light getting through and wrecking your sleep.

blue light and Screens

Many of us spend more time at our screens than actually sleeping (even though we know which is the healthier choice).

As our world becomes more digital the average person is spending at least 3 hours online everyday, from computer screens to updating social media during down time. This can cause digital eye strain, so along with investing in some computer glasses, we need to adopt healthy screen habits starting with…

Staring at our devices without blinking for long periods will cause eye strain so take regular breaks -

follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. 

We’re all guilty of the the screen hunch which wreaks havoc on our entire body. Position your screen at arms length and straight ahead, consider taking up yoga to counteract sitting for long periods.

Do mindful screen-time after 9pm, so ban the late night insta scrolling and Netflix binging and pick up an actual book to help you get that good nights sleep.

Challenge yourself to a digital detox at the weekends or a digital free day - good for the eyes and the soul.

avoiding eye strain

When we’re screening and scrolling we blink less, which can cause eyes to dry out. Computer Vision Syndrome describes symptoms of sore dry eyes, blurry vision, difficulty focusing, headaches or a lovely combo of all of the above. You can minimise the effects by using screen glasses and prevent it by following these eye tips..

Adjust your lighting on your screen brightness and your screen contrast to suit. Make sure that your screen isn’t brighter than the surrounding light, or your eyes will have to work so much harder to see.

Adjust your room lighting, natural light is always best, face away from windows and lights.

Blink more - make a conscious effort, we forget when we’re staring at cute croissant pics and it helps prevents fatigue and dry eye.

Get outside and expose yourself to lots of bright natural daylight during the day to expose your eyes and reset your rhythms.

how to block blue light

cup-of-couple

We can put blue light blocking lenses into any of our frames, check our range of screen glasses here.

Our premium Blue Control lens treatment helps to neutralise the amount of blue light emitting from your devices by filtering it out - this will help optimise sleep and reduce eye strain.

Here’s to sparkling healthy eyes and a better nights sleep!

Jo

Back to work - glasses lenses to get the job done

jan krnc

It’s a fresh new year and we’re back in the office or studio ready to take on 2022, so choosing the right lenses to go in your glasses is super important to get the best visuals from your eyewear. From screen glasses, to office and varifocal lenses. We’re here to help take away the blur and find you some clarity.

life through a lens

Just as the right pair of glasses can boost your confidence at work, the right lenses can boost your visual confidence and prevent digital eye strain symptoms like neck pain, headaches and blurred vision that can occur as a result of wearing the wrong lenses.. it’s a bit like the wrong trousers, only worse.

The type of lens you’ll need depends on your lifestyle, job, visual needs and how you prefer to use your glasses - there’s an ideal lens for everyone and we’re here to help you find it…

single vision lenses

thought catalog

Single vision lenses, or fixed focus lenses, are great for one distance. For example, reading glasses are great for close work like reading books but once you look up everything beyond can be fuzzy. Perfect also for long range distances like driving, but you won’t be able to read in these - it has a single purpose, the clues in the name.

The younger you are the more you can adapt to different distances, but as we head into our forties our visual accommodation reduces and we can’t adapt as easily to the other distance and we start to need longer arms.

power boost lenses

edmond dantès

Also known as anti-fatigue lenses, perfect for students and our younger crowd (under forty or under +1.00D reading addition on your prescription) who are working with devices and screens.

Power Boost lenses give a boost of extra reading power at the bottom of the lens to help reduce eye fatigue by relaxing the eye muscles so you can focus better, as the muscles in your eyes are working overtime.

Switching between devices is thought to increase eye strain by 22% and small screens viewed at short distances with long viewing times causes digital eye strain, so these lenses are an ideal solution.

office lenses

quang nguyen vinh

Office lenses, also known as occupational lenses, are a more modern lens designed for both reading and computer with the added option to include room distance (walking from studio to kettle).

Office lenses provide better focus and a wider field of vision for close to intermediate distances than varifocals, giving more natural vision for work tasks to making and creating to baking and cooking.

It’s not just for office workers, this lens is for anyone who needs to carry out close work but also look at other distances, bearing in mind these aren’t suitable for driving.

varifocals

ron lach

Varifocal, or multifocal lenses, work by having different prescription strengths at different points in the lens, so they have multiple distances in a single lens.

Your eye measurements are taken and applied to the lens, so you access the distance you need by looking up and down through the different points in the lens - look ahead to catch the lasted episode of Bridgerton and down the lens to read the book version.

A good all rounder lens, though they can take a little getting used to, varifocals are great multi-taskers but not as good at individual tasks, unlike single vision or office lenses.

They are great at doing a little of everything, so you can leave them on all day, drive and also carry out close work. But if you just want them to get through your stack of vintage Vogues, they might not be for you.

blue light screen glasses

cottonbro

Our Blue Control lenses help to reduce the amount of blue light from your screens by filtering to help optimise sleep and reduce eye strain. Our digital screen lenses are specially designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye.

Blue light suppresses the brains release of the hormone melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone, so artificial night time light throws out the body's biological clock, the circadian rhythm.

Poor sleep can cause so many health issues, so we need do everything we can to secure a good night’s sleep and blocking out blue light in the evening with computer glasses can help.

We can put blue light blocking lenses into any of our frames whether you wear prescription or not, check our range of screen glasses here.

When choosing your new lenses the main question is what am I going to use my glasses for and what am I willing to compromise on? We can fit any lenses into any of our sustainable glasses frames - just get in touch for optical advice - we’re here to help!

Jo

Keeping your eyes healthy this winter

2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss severe enough to impact their daily lives. Half of this sight loss is totally preventable with good eye health self care. It's National Eye Health Week (20-26 September) so let’s get those peepers tip top in time for party season. Here’s some simple things to keep your eyes healthy this winter and beyond..

Regular eye tests

Karolina Grabowska

Get your eyes tested at least every two years, so if yours has lapsed, make that call. We should all be having a sight test every two years, or more often if your optometrist recommends it. It can pick up any early indications of diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. It also detects other problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Not just essential to check your vision and see if you need to wear glasses, sight tests are an important MOT for your eyes to keep them healthy. If you notice any changes in your vision, book yourself straight in. Practices are well set up to manage Covid, with many still operating a closed door policy, so you can feel safe attending your appointment.

Wear sunglasses all year round

oziel gómez

Don’t be fooled by moody winter skies, exposure to the sun in any season, even overcast days, can increase your risk of damage to the eyes like eye cancer. Snowfall, ice and the sun sitting lower in the sky during winter creates more reflective surfaces for harmful UV rays and glare to bounce off into your eyes.

In Autumn when trees drop their leaves there’s less shade and so more direct sunlight is allowed through to us. The answer is to wear good quality 100% UV protected sunnies all year round when going outside for proper protection and keep a pair in the car so you’re never caught short.

eat your way to healthy eyes

Mathilde Langevin

Healthy eyes need a good lifestyle - poor diet, smoking and too much alchohol can lead to vision problems.

A balanced diet is key, alongside plentiful hydration. Leafy greens, Omega 3 and zinc are your eye health go-to’s. What we eat really affects our vision and studies have shown hugely beneficial antioxidants like Lutein and Zeaxanthin can help to prevent retinal damage.

Load up on these to get your daily dose..

Broad leaf greens such as kale and spinach, green beans
Brightly coloured fruit and veg such as corn, carrots, mango, orange peppers, squash and oranges and berries
Oily fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel
Nuts and seeds
Eggs

Mama said to eat your greens and darnnit she was right.

DRY EYES

liza summer

In winter it’s important to lock moisture in. Winter winds and central heating, alongside hours spent on screens and social media, can all cause Dry Eye. If you’ve got constantly watering eyes or super dry eyes that worsen throughout the day you could have Dry Eye, where eyes become dry, tired and sore if you’re not producing enough tears. Turn down your heating and try to direct the airflow from car heaters away from your face.

Sunlight can also have a drying effect on the eyes and my own personal nemesis Autumnal winds! Cover up with sunglasses, which along with UV protection, will prevent gales and dust hitting your eyes. Help yourself by upping your Omega 3 fatty acids while artificial tears and eye ointments can soothe and lubricate the eye.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to hydrate and remember to blink often. If your eyes are persistently dry, tell your optometrist as it could be a symptom of something else.

Wear your glasses

Many eye and vision problems begin to develop or increase as we get older. Contrary to what we might think, wearing glasses and contact lenses doesn’t make your eyesight worse by becoming ‘reliant’ on them – in fact they actively help your eyes work more efficiently, so get your specs on.

Family tree

Make a health family tree and find out if there are any eye related issues running in your family. If you have a family history of macular degeneration (losing central vision in the eyes), ask about taking nutritional supplements. Many eye conditions run in families, from simple long and short sight to more serious diseases, such as glaucoma which can be hereditary. Knowing and identifying these problems early can stop conditions before they become serious.

Your optometrist is the first person you should turn to if you have any eye concerns.

Take a break

blue bird

Take regular breaks away from your screens and switch off completely a good few hours before sleeping.

Staring at our devices without blinking for long periods will cause eye strain so take regular breaks - follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Get outdoors, let in some natural light while taking much need screen breaks is a great way to keep eyes healthy.

Easy Exercises for the Eyes

Palming

Rub the palms of your hands briskly and then placing them gently over the eyelids. Keep them placed until the warmth of the hands spreads to the eyes, a few minutes to rest your eyes from light stimulation.

Blinking

Blink your eyes for 10 times in rapid succession. Then close your eyes and take a break of 20 seconds. Repeat this 5 times.

Figure of 8

Imagine a figure eight on the floor around 10 feet in front of you. Now trace this figure gradually with your eyes. Trace it one way and then the other for a couple of minutes.

Sweet Dreams

ketut subiyanto

A good night’s sleep is as crucial to your eyes as it is to the rest of your body. Time to rest and recover is important for our busy eyes. Another thing you can do to encourage sleep is wear blue screen blocking glasses to block out the blue light rays which can disturb and disrupt sleep patterns.

We can put blue light blocking lenses into any of our frames whether you wear prescription or not, check our range of screen glasses here. Our Blue Control lenses help to reduce the amount of blue light from your screens by filtering to help optimise sleep and reduce eye strain.

If you haven’t seen your optometrist for a while - it’s time to book in that appointment. We’re here to help updating glasses with new prescriptions, whether you need a new sustainable frame or want to reuse your old one - check out our reglazing service here.

Happy Eye Health Week!

Jo

How to take care of your eyes... during a pandemic

We’re working from home, constantly staring at screens and wondering when to brave an eye test. Here’s our guide to taking care of your eyes during the pandemic.

Is it safe to get an eye test?

Along with correcting your vision and updating your prescription, regular eye tests can pick up other problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, so it’s really important your eye test is kept up-to-date.

If your eye test is due, there’s lots of procedures in place to make it as a safe as possible..

Most optician’s are operating a closed door policy, meaning that eye tests are now by appointment only – so no drop-in eye examinations, you need to book first.

Appointments will be spread out, so there’s time to clean down after each patient. There’s no waiting in store, so go alone if possible. Social distancing will be in place where possible and minimal people in store at any given time.

Everyone will be wearing PPE (including you as masks are mandetory), testing rooms will be disinfected between patients and frames will be cleaned throughout the day.

Browsing and trying the frames may not be permitted, but a selection of glasses styles might be provided on santisied tray for you to try on.

Better still, take advantage of our Home Try On service without leaving your sofa. Try up to 3 pairs and take free delivery to see if they suit. We can advise on styles and sizing and adjust frames to fit. Frames are cleaned in our Ultra Sonic Cleaner ‘Bubbles’ before/after being sent for Home Try On.

If you are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone who has symptoms, or are considered high risk, and it’s a routine eye appointment, it’s better to wait. If it’s urgent contact your usual practise and they will help.

Personally, I would opt for an independent optician over the busier high street alternatives. They tend not to be as crowded and will have more time to spend with you.

Home working and screen time

CottonBro

Remote working is now the norm for many of us and as a result we’re all spending more time glued to our devices. Productivity might be up (yay flexible working) but it’s easier than ever to get digital overload. Too much screen time can lead to poor mental health and trouble sleeping, as well as eye strain and muscle fatigue.

So how can we stay mindful when we’re working from home?

Not getting the natural breaks you find in the office – we need to create those water cooler moments and lunch breaks. Make yourself a barista coffee, take your time over a tea ritual or phone a friend to give yourself a break.

Track your time online so you can keep control, schedule in regular mini and longer detox breaks.

Step away from your screen, get outside, walk, pull up weeds in the garden or listen to your favourite podcast. Choose a chapter of a paperback over a digital book.

Make notes, brain storm or journal with good ole fashioned pen and paper in a beautiful bound book to help take a screen break.

Switch off completely a good few hours before sleep.

Staring at our devices without blinking for long periods will cause eye strain so take regular breaks - follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

screen time and blue light

Smartphones, tablets, televisions and LED lighting all emit blue light and here’s the science.. blue wavelength light stimulates sensors in your eyes to send signals to your brain’s internal body clock.

Our eyes are not very good at blocking blue light, allowing it to pass straight through to the retina, disrupting melatonin and negatively impacting our sleep.

Blue light suppresses the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin, our sleep inducing hormone, so artificial night time light really throws out the body's biological clock, the circadian rhythm.

Poor sleep can cause so many health issues, so we need do everything we can to secure a good nights sleep and blocking out blue light in the evening can help.

Take a peep at our Blue Control screen blocking glasses lenses to filter out that blue light and promote good sleep. We can put blue light blocking lenses into any of our frames, check our range of screen glasses here. Our Blue Control lenses help to reduce the amount of blue light from your screens by filtering to help optimise sleep and reduce eye strain.

So step away from the screens, take regular breaks and no scrolling past nine.

Stay safe and stay sane peeps.

Jo

Back to school - take the (eye health) test

We’re back to school, it’s a fresh term, a new season and the perfect time for an eye health MOT. With National Eye Health Week happening 23-29 September, there’s no better time to book in for your eye exam. Pencils sharpened, collars starched… this is one test you can’t fail.

eye health

Over half of all sight loss is due to preventable or treatable causes: One million people in the UK are living with sight loss that could have been prevented. Here’s our top tips on keeping your peepers tip top…

by Marina Vitale

Regular eye tests can identify any early indications of diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. It also picks up other problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Get your eyes tested at least every two years, so if yours has lapsed, make that call.

Wear sunglasses Ultra violet light from the sun can damage your eyes...even during the winter months. Wear your 100% UV protected sunnies all year round.

Eat the right food Foods containing either lutein or zeaxanthin help prevent eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration. Found in many fruit and vegetables including: mango, squash, broccoli, green beans, kale and spinach - mama said to eat your greens and darnnit she was right.

Know your family eye history Glaucoma is a condition which if detected early can be treated and controlled. It can be hereditary, so if family members have the condition you need to get your eyes tested more regularly.

Don some safety goggles: Cleaning, DIY or gardening can be hazardous to your eyes as chemicals, garden debris, nails and splinters can all cause injury... it’s a jungle out there.

screen time

Are our daily routines damaging our eyes?

chloe-amaya

Worryingly many of us spend more time looking at screens than sleeping. As our world becomes more digital the average person is spending 3-9 hours online, from computer screens at work to updating social media during down time.

Smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions and GPS devices all emit blue light. Blue light is natural though, it’s present in daylight and helps us stay awake, but over exposure can cause eye strain, eye fatigue and sleeplessness. Blue light suppresses the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin a sleep-inducing hormone so always switch off a couple of hours before bed.

When we’re screening and scrolling we blink less, which can cause eyes to dry out. Computer Vision Syndrome has been coined to describe symptoms of sore eyes, dry eyes, teary eyes, blurry vision, double vision, light sensitivity, difficulty focusing on images, neck pain, headache or a combination of all of the above.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Taking regular breaks is important for resting the eyes, blinking, and limiting eye strain.

If you experience a lot of glare, you can try a matte screen filter over your computer screen

 Open windows and let in the air to combat dryness.

let your lenses do the work

Fear not… alongside taking breaks and switching off before bed, we can offer some extra help with your glasses lenses. Go for our Blue Control lenses which contain a blue filter that helps neutralise blue light and reduces glare, giving more comfortable and relaxed vision.

We can also add on a Multi Anti-Relective treatment coating to your lenses which eliminates reflections on the surface of the lens, enhances contrast and helps to reduce eye fatigue. If you go for the Blue Control it comes with the Multi Anti-Relective coating too.. I know it’s like Christmas right.

Let us help ease you back to school with our range of lenses that take the strain out of eye strain.

Jo

Easy on the Eye

Photo by Max-Jakob Beer

It's National Eye Health Week (24-30 September) and if you haven't had your eyes tested recently, Autumn's the perfect time to do it. Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss, and half this sight loss is avoidable. A report this year from the British Journal of Ophthalmology revealed eyelid cancer is on the up. Let’s get those peepers tip top in time for party season.

SIGHT TESTS

Not just to check your vision and see if you need glasses, sight tests are an important MOT for your eyes, detecting serious eye conditions, some of which scarily show no symptoms.

A sight test can also detect other health conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. To keep your eyes healthy in between seeing your optician, here's some remedies to everyday eye ailments...

blink of an eye

Sore, dry and irritated eyes could be a touch of Screen Dry Eye. If you use a screen for long periods minimise the symptoms of Screen Dry Eye by practising the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds, to give your eyes a break. Warm compresses are soothing and don’t forget to blink!

dry your eyes

Constantly watering eyes or super dry eyes that worsen throughout the day could spell Dry Eye. Environment can be a cause from changes in temperature or humidity to brightness. Heating, air conditioning, computer work and hours spent on social media can all cause Dry Eye as they disrupt the eye’s lipid layer.

Sunlight can also have a drying effect on the eyes and my own personal nemesis Autumnal winds! Cover up with sunglasses, which along with UV protection, will prevent gales and dust hitting your eyes. Help yourself by upping your Omega 3 fatty acids while artificial tears and eye ointments can soothe and lubricate the eye.

Photo by Pedro Mamoré on Unsplash

Red eye

Lack of sleep, swimming, pollution and time spent in dark smoky bars bring about bloodshot eyes.

Artificial tears, eye ointments or refreshing eye drops can help to soothe the eye - stay away from brightening drops as they use vasoconstrictors to narrow the blood vessels in the eye and this won't help.

Gritty and Sticky

Eyes can mean conjunctivitis – an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin, transparent layer that lines the inner eyelid). Your immune system can usually handle this however, over-the-counter remedies can speed up recovery. Warm compresses are your friends.

Blepha what Now

Irritated red eyelids, itching, burning, sticky eyelids or a sensitivity to light, may be a sign of Blepharitis. People who suffer from dry skin conditions seem prone. Good eye care is essential to prevent recurrence. To ease, gently cleanse the eye. In severe cases, an antibiotic ointment or eye drops may save the day.

make hay

Itchy, swollen and watery eyes - you could have an allergy or hay fever. Start by reducing exposure to the triggers. If you’re allergic to pollen - keep house and car windows closed, wear wrap-around sunglasses and avoid cutting grass.

Tea bags (cooled in the fridge) used as a cold compress help reduce swelling and bring relief. Help yourself by popping in the shower to remove any pollen. Antihistamines are effective at treating allergy symptoms, especially if taken early.

If in doubt make an appointment with your optician.

An Apple a day

Photo by Kira Kira on Unsplash

Healthy eyes need a good lifestyle - poor diet, smoking and alcohol abuse can lead to optic atrophy which can cause problems with vision and damage to optic nerve cells.

A balanced diet is key. Plenty of leafy green veg, Omega 3 and zinc are your eye health go-to’s.

Then there’s the sun protection and that’s where we come in. Don’t be fooled by an overcast sky, Autumn and Winter UV radiation can make eyes more prone to degenerative eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, periocular skin cancer and macular degeneration.

Check out our range of Vintage Sunglasses or create your own from our Frame Only range and stay eye healthy.

Jo

Eyes wide shut - healthy eyes

It's National Eye Health Week and Self-Care September peeps - we need to open our eyes and read the writing on the wall. I'm talking about the Optician's wall and why we all need to start staring at it.

We all go regularly to the dentist for check ups (yawn) otherwise we'd lose our pearly whites. So why aren't we applying the same self-care to our eyes and getting our peepers checked? 

sight tests

It's not just to check your vision and see if you need glasses or contact lenses. A sight test is a vital check on the health of the eyes and can detect eye conditions, some of which show no symptoms, avoiding sight loss.

A sight test can also detect other health conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. It's once every 2 years people - let's get to it.

diet

What we eat affects our vision and studies have shown antioxidants can help to prevent retinal damage. One hugely beneficial antioxidant we need in our lives is lutein, found in...

Broad leaf greens such as kale and spinach
Brightly coloured fruit and veg such as corn, carrots, orange sweet peppers and oranges
Oily fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel
Broccoli
Eggs

Eat your greens

smoking

After ageing, smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing macular degeneration. It also increases your risk of developing cataracts - toss those ciggies in the bin - it's no longer the 80s!

The sun

Never look directly at the sun. You need to protect your eyes, all year round, by choosing sunglasses with 100% UV protection (UV400). Cumulative UV exposure can increase your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Protecting your peepers never looked so good.

Jo