Seeing Clearly

A clearer guide to understanding vision, opticians and glasses

Introduction

At Glasses Direct we want to help you find great glasses for less, that's why we want this guide to be a support to help you make informed choices when you'll next need a new eye test and when it comes to shopping for glasses.

Glasses stand apart from the rest of our wardrobe because they are designed to help us see first, but are also a fashion accessory. So it's very important to find the perfect pair to suit our needs, but choosing glasses definitely doesn't have to be a bore.

This guide aims to give you information on:

  • Opticians
  • Eye tests and your prescription
  • Eye care terms

Optometrists are responsible for the health of your eyes, while a dispensing optician is the person who gives you your glasses or lenses. Our research has shown that people place a lot of trust in their optician and rely on them not just for eye tests, but for everything to do with their eyes, including what glasses and lenses they choose. While it’s important to trust a medical expert with your eye health, you can play a much bigger part in choosing the best glasses for you. It’s your look after all!

We want this guide to help you make clear, informed choices when it comes to shopping for glasses, just as you would for shoes or clothes. We also hope that we can save you some money in the process.

Have fun shopping!

March was Workplace Eye Wellness Month. We want to give some advice on how to protect your eyes during work hours if your job involves the use of computers and screens. Frequent and repetitive exposure to digital devices could cause screen fatigue symptoms, such as eye redness, eye strain and headache.

There are a few small remedies and actions that can help rest your eyes when spending long hours looking at screens. You can find below some summarised tips. If you want to read the steps below more in depth, just visit our blog!

  • Use the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minute, take a 20 second break focusing your vision on something 20 feet away.
  • Blink regularly: Remember to blink to keep your eyes moisturised. Try to blink every time you press ‘return’.
  • Have regular and frequent eye tests: Schedule regular eye tests with an optician. You can find info about eye test deals here.
  • Choose computer specific eyewear: Your optician will be able to prescribe eyewear specifically designed for computer use.
  • Take mini breaks: Give your eyes frequent mini breaks from looking at a screen, also drink plenty of water and get fresh air.
  • Pay attention to your workspace: Make sure you apply some adjustments to your workspace (monitors, brightness of the screen etc.).
  • Use of tablets: Try to avoid looking at tablet screen before going to bed, as this can be a stimulant. Always adjust the screen brightness to find a comfortable level for you.

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