Here you will find our schools resource information, valuable information, links and frequently asked questions
Schools resource information
We like sharing our knowledge with pupils of all ages, so please give us a call on either of the numbers above if you’d like us to talk to your school or group. Meanwhile, click here for a sample schools presentation and here for the schools kit that SightCare has kindly provided us with.
Valuable information and links
Click here for a list of all optometrists and opticians in the UK
www.lookupinfo.org is a good website for patients with learning disabilities to allow them or their carers to find a local optician.
Check out this site for some fun optical illusions
This is a great resource for all sorts of information about eyes.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll find these answers to some of the questions that eyecare practitioners are most often asked useful to answer some of your common queries regarding eyecare:
- How long should a sight test take?
- How old does a child have to be before he or she can have an eye examination?
- Is it true that wearing glasses all the time will make my eyes lazy and I will become dependent on them?
- Is an optometrist the same as an optician?
- If there is a history of glaucoma in the family, you may be more at risk of developing it.
- What are cataracts?
- Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
- I’ve been told that I can’t wear contact lenses because I have a stigmatism. Is this true?
- I’ve heard that contact lenses can slip round to the back of my eye. Is this true?
- I’m a diabetic. Does that make a difference?
- Are paper tissues all right for cleaning my glasses with?
- I think I have good sight, but would like to wear glasses as a fashion accessory. Would an optician be prepared to give me glasses that don’t change my vision?
- Does it matter what contact lens solution I use?
Q: How long should a sight test take?
A: It depends on who the patient is. A young, healthy person with no apparent problems will take about 20 minutes. Someone older perhaps with high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma or other ailments can take longer. The optometrist will determine what clinical tests are needed to provide the correct information for new glasses or contact lenses. If necessary they may refer the patient for a medical opinion.
Q: How old does a child have to be before he or she can have an eye examination?
A: Any age really. Many health authorities screen children in their area at around three years of age, but if you are concerned, or if there are any members of your family with eye problems, then it’s best to have your child’s eyes tested. A child’s eyes have finished developing by the time they are about eight years old.
Q: Is it true that wearing glasses all the time will make my eyes lazy and I will become dependent on them?
A: No. When people wear the proper glasses they realise they can see more clearly and comfortably. What they may have considered normal and acceptable before is now inferior by comparison.
Q: Is an optometrist the same as an optician?
A: The term ‘optometrist’ came into use in 1987 to replace ‘ophthalmic optician’ in the same way that ‘pharmacist’ replaced ‘chemist’. An optician can be ophthalmic, dispensing or manufacturing; it is the optometrist who is qualified to test your eyes. Some dispensing opticians have extra qualifications that enable them to fit contact lenses and carry out certain clinical tests.
Q: If there is a history of glaucoma in the family, am I likely to inherit it?
A: If there is glaucoma in the family you may be more at risk of developing it. Glaucoma can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed in time, so be sure to have a regular eye examination.
Q: What are cataracts?
A: A cataract is when the lens inside the eye gets cloudy preventing you from seeing clearly. It is not a curtain or film that grows over the eye. Cataracts develop to a greater or lesser extent in many people as they get older, but often don’t affect people’s eyesight severely, if at all.
Q: Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
A: No, unless you have special night vision correction lenses or are specifically told that you can by your eyecare practitioner. Sleeping in your lenses can be hazardous as it can lead to infection or damage to the cornea (front window of the eye). There are now 30 day lenses available, which are designed specially to allow for overnight wear.
Q: I’ve been told that I can’t wear contact lenses because I have astigmatism. Is this true?
A: There are many kinds of contact lenses available now that will correct astigmatism, both in soft and gas permeable materials. Your practitioner may be able to fit you or may recommend a colleague if it is a specialist fitting.
Q: I’ve heard that contact lenses can slip round to the back of my eye. Is this true?
A: There is a thin, transparent membrane which covers the inside is and the outside of the eye. This forms a seal which prevents contact lenses – as well as grit, dust and other ‘foreign’ material passing around to the back of the eye. It has been known for contact lenses to ‘hide’ beneath eyelids, but this is easily rectified.
Q: I’m a diabetic. Does that make a difference?
A: Yes diabetes can cause severe problems with your sight. It is very important that your eyes are checked every year, preferably with drops to dilate the pupil, so that the retina (back of the eye) can be examined thoroughly.
Q: Are paper tissues all right for cleaning my glasses with?
A: We recommend that all spectacle lenses are cleaned using the correct spray and soft cloth that we provide. Tissues can scratch lenses due to wood pulp in them (that can also make our noses red if they are used for a prolonged time) and using impregnated tissues can smear lenses. If you cannot find a soft cloth and spray then run water over the spectacles to remove any dust or dirt or rinse them in warm soapy water to ensure that they are clean, then dry with a soft lint free cloth.
Q: I think I have good sight, but would like to wear glasses as a fashion accessory. Would an optician be prepared to give me glasses that don’t change my vision?
A: If you’ve had your eyes checked and they are as good as you think, then your practitioner will have no objection to you having plain or tinted lenses in a frame of your choice, or contact lenses that can enhance or change the colour of your eyes.
Q: Does it matter what contact lens solution I use?
A: It is important that you follow the advice of your practitioner.
Not every solution will suit every patient, for the lenses they are wearing.
If you do change your cleaning system for any reason, always inform your practitioner.
Please contact us at Woodseats or Crosspool if there’s anything else that you’d like to know!
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