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

I can see clearly now...

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

Want to see the world through rose tinted glasses? Need a little prescription with your eyewear? Then walk this way... 

Peep Optics has landed, bringing you all the options to customise these babies. 

Bringing Vintage into Focus

If you've found your perfect one-of-a-kind vintage frames but need a prescription popping in, we've got the solution. Our expert team will find your perfect match and with an up-to-date optical examination you're good to go! From glasses to custom coloured sunnies, we've got you covered. 

Photo by Mason Wilkes on Unsplash

Bend me shape me anyway you want me

Check out our new range of vintage styles and remember - you're the boss - you can have these frames any way you want - sunglasses, reading or spectacles.

Vintage Eyewear Real Silk Frames

Home Trial

Try a couple of pairs on at home, make sure they're 'the one' and then return (postage is on us) for glazing with the experts. A ‘selfie’ and current Optical Prescription (for Peeps eyes only) is all you'll need to find the perfect fit and frame.

Frame Only

Photo by Mag Pole on Unsplas

Now you can shop our vintage frames without lenses, available to purchase as frame only and glaze elsewhere.

If you do need lenses sorting, we're here to help - just visit our How It Works page.

Pimp your peepers

Sunnies with blue lenses but you wanted green graduated? No problem - Pimp Your Peepers any way you like. Talk to us about polarising. We've got a range of coloured tints and graduations to suit your style. 

Rose tinted lenses - why see any other way?

Shop now

WIN

To celebrate the launch we're giving away a pair of customised frames - sunnies or spectacles! Read more here or hop on over to Instagram to enter!  - Competition now closed!

Need to know more - visit our How It Works page or get in touch for some friendly advice.

Your face will thank you.

Jo