Back to school - take the (eye health) test
It’s back to school and National Eye Health Week - there’s no better time for an eye health MOT
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
It's National Eye Health Week and the perfect time for an eye MOT, here’s how to keep eye healthy
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
Coming Clean
Eyewear can last a lifetime if looked after, so treat these babies well. Here's our how-to guide just in time for Spring...
Photo by Philipe Cavalcante on Unsplash
You've spent time selecting the perfect pair, agonising over shape and colour. Help your glasses last by looking after them and treat these babies well. Here's some hints and tips to help...
Store it
Store in the case baby - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, stops them becoming bent or broken. Protect from handbag hazards and stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they can't take the heat.
Photo by Vishal Banik on Unsplash
Always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise it's just asking for trouble.
Clean up your act
The cleaner you keep your glasses, the less your eyes will strain to see through dust and dirt.
Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash
Clean with the cloth people - only the cloth.
NEVER dry your lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top - you know who you are! These materials have a textured surface which can scratch the lenses.
You can keep your frames and lenses looking good by regular cleaning with simple warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid scented soaps or ones containing dyes. After rinsing dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.
You can use lens cleaners, which work well, but make sure they're suitable for coated lenses before using.
Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses!
Damage control
Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash
If your frames do suffer some scratching don't panic, we offer a polishing service for acetate/optyl frames to remove scratches and restore lustre.
If your frame or lenses have sustained serious trauma or if you just fancy a different tint or prescription, get in touch, we're here to help.
Sign up to our newsletter and look out for our new frame saving accessories coming soon.
Jo
All the leaves are brown
We love a new season at Peep HQ and Autumn's a beauty - country walks with bursts of sunshine amid colourful leaves and here's what to wear for it...
We love a new season at Peep HQ and Autumn's a beauty - country walks with bursts of sunshine amid colourful leaves, preserving berries while sipping pumpkin laced lattes. Scented candles and long baths = lots to love about fall.
In Sweden they say 'det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder' meaning 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing'.
And transitional dressing can be tricky - we don't want to bust out the vintage tweed just yet. It can be as simple as switching to long sleeves over short. But best to employ some clever layering to see you through until All Hallows' Eve.
Slip summer dresses over jeans, denim jackets over summer's maxi dresses or if we see an Indian Summer, slip a shirt over for a lighter look. Pop a pair of tights under shorts or don a leather legging if you're feeling bold.
The trench comes into its own in Autumn. Despite being over 100 years old this iconic British piece remains current and practical, with clean tailoring that works with everything.
Be sure to update your sunglasses and shade your eyes in every season. It's the perfect time to experiment with pale tints or a graduated lens. The sun sits lower in Autumn, so our browline's can't protect our eyes as well and exposure to UV is increased - spooky! Wearing your sunnies reduces glare and keeps out those pesky Autumn winds.
Jo
Go big or go home
We can thank the fabulous Jackie O for putting oversized sunglasses on the fashion map and we simply can't get enough of supersized sunnies...
We can thank the fabulous Jackie O for putting oversized sunglasses on the fashion map and we can't get enough.
Thing is, they do a pretty perfect job of keeping the sun's rays out of our peepers due to their glorious size - we love a multi-tasker... make a statement and shield our eyes, what's not to love?
All things 70s are firmly back in favour and it's got our vote - from Biba to Halston to the sublime Bianca Jagger, incorporating hippy chic to glam rock and disco. Translation for 2017 means modern metallics, high waists, pattern mania, fringing and of course our beloved bell bottoms... you know you want to.
Our version takes inspiration from two of our favourite Carries - Bradshaw and Fisher, strong independant women, 'carrie-ing' off a strong statement eye, 70s style, take a peep below.
Up the volume with original vintage 70s oversize sunglasses by Polaroid, a french made acetate frame with smokey grey and blush tones. We've added sparkly new, grey blue graduated tinted lenses, with anti reflection coating for a little added UV protection.
So if you're looking for a little drama, in your closet not your life, you came to the right place.
Jo
Coral ... shades of summer
The sister of blush and part of the new neutrals family, Coral slots right in amongst our wardrobe staples. It's our go-to colour and summer in a shade...
The sister of blush and part of the new neutrals family, coral slots right in amongst our wardrobe staples. Summer in a shade, this pretty colour casts pink overtones and orange undertones, calming down high energy colours and adding a pop to whites and denims.
We're loving the corals in this Algae Illustration by Miss Capricho
Easy to wear and flattering to almost every skin tone, coral looks perfect with sunkissed skin (from a bottle or with a dollop of UV protection of course) - it's our go-to for summer lips, nails and sunglasses.
Our version is a beautifully made, original late 60s sumptuous optyl frame, by Italian brand Correna. Oversize vintage style with delicate peaches and cream tones and sculpted detail.
Coral was crying out for peach tinted lenses, we've added an anti reflection coating to give a little extra in the UV department. See them modelled by the delectable Caroline Jones from Knickers Models Own.
Best of all - now you can win your very own pair of vintage sunglasses in our competition to take home Coral - check out our Peep meets Knickers Competition and enter here.
Good luck peeps!
Jo
Peep Meets Knickers
Big news for all peep lovers! Caroline Jones of Knickers Models Own is a big peep fan! She's been spotted sporting some of our sunglasses and here's how you can win your own...
Big news for all peep lovers! Caroline Jones of Knickers Models Own, vintage devotee, fashion blogger and author of beautiful coffee table book 'A year of frugal fashion' (with photography by the talented Rankin), is a big peep fan!
the delightful Caroline Jones sporting Carrie
Caroline rocking our Coral sunnies - this could be you!
Head on over to our Instagram page to enter or sign up to our lovely newsletter to win Coral - your summer sunglasses, or do both and double your chances!
Don't get your knickers in a twist... on Instagram simply like and follow, comment with the hashtag #peepatknickers and tag in a friend. The more friends you tag, the better chance you have of winning!
The competition closes at 8pm Friday 23 June 2017. See below for the Ts and the Cs.
After losing her mother to cancer in 2014, Caroline was determined to raise money for Cancer Research UK, where her mother volunteered, and in 2015 embarked on a solo fundraising project, styling herself in a different outfit each day for a year.
Only pre-loved clothes found in Cancer Research UK shops were permitted (knickers model’s own!). Each day Caroline posted a photo on social media asking for donations to fund her campaign. She topped this off by taking home the JustGiving Creative Fundraiser of the Year Award.
"I've always felt entirely comfortable wearing other people’s unwanted clothes, mixed alongside those of my own. Inherited items, charity finds and brand new treat-to-self purchases, all blending together to make my tightly edited wardrobe ‘sweat the asset’.
With the support of followers, brands, the media and donors my campaign went on to raise £63,000 and become part of the slow fashion conversation."
The girl done good!
