Is it time for you to consider reading glasses?

Have your arms become too short to hold reading material at your preferred distance? Do you struggle with fine print, or experience eye strain when reading for long periods of time? Although you may groan at the thought, if this sounds at all familiar, you may benefit from a pair of reading glasses. 

Reading or near vision glasses are often required due to a condition called Presbyopia, which is a normal age related change that occurs in our eyes. It affects the the ability of the eye to focus on near objects. Normally, our eyes are able to change focus (like the lens in a camera) to focus on objects at different distances from our eye. As the eye matures, the lens in the eye becomes less supple, which means it cannot change focus as well and viewing near objects becomes more difficult. 

Although it comes to us all, it is often the very thought of having to wear reading glasses that has us avoiding the Opticians, and stretching our arms for that extra inch. No-one likes to think of themselves as getting old, but typically, when we think of reading glasses, we think of ageing, inconvenience, and extra expense. The inevitable eye test is therefore put off for as long as possible and we try our best to make do. It doesn't have to be like this. 

Off the shelf glasses or "Ready readers" as they are known, are available to purchase without prescription and are often the starting point for many in terms of reading specs. However, if you haven't been for a sight test, there is a risk of us using an inappropriate prescription, and causing further eyestrain. In addition to this, a recent article published in Optometry Today reports that "Almost half of High Street ready readers do not reach the optical standard required of them by European and British guidelines." For many of us this just isn't good enough, as our eyes are a precious commodity.

Having a pair of glasses manufactured to the specific strength you require is necessary for optimum vision and it can make a massive difference to your daily tasks. Whether it's being able to read your newspaper without getting a headache or helping you do your job more effectively, ensuring you have the right glasses is very important.

Reading glasses don't need to be expensive either. At Tesco Opticians, complete glasses start at just £15, with FREE eye tests available to everyone – So rather than risk your optical health with a pair of ready readers, why not visit your nearest Tesco Opticians. What have you got to lose?

Call us now on 0845 6013479 to arrange an appointment with one of our Optometrists.

On reflection...

Let’s face it – there are probably other things you’d like to spend your money on rather than some new glasses. However, if you’re one of the millions of people in the UK who wears glasses on a daily basis it’s probably worth investing in a good pair that will meet your day to day needs. 


Whilst a lot of thought goes into the choice of frame – and so it should, this is what people are going to see you in every day! – less thought goes into the type of lenses that will be going in these frames. 


Amongst the many options of tints, lightweight lenses and transitions, multi-anti reflection coating lenses can benefit almost everyone. They work by reducing the amount of light which is reflected off the front and back surfaces of the lens, as well as round the edges. 


So what does this mean? Well it might not sound like much, but reducing reflection can help in a number of ways, depending on your lifestyle and how you use your glasses. For example, multi-anti reflection lenses provide a hydrophobic surface, which means that spots of water are prevented from forming on them. This could prove handy if you spend your time in the great outdoors, either during the week or stood on the touchline at a weekend cheering on your team. Or perhaps you drive a lot at night – Multi-anti reflective lenses really help reduce glare, greatly improving your safety.  


And on a personal level they’re also great for showing off your eyes. Rather than have the light reflecting off your lenses and hiding your eyes, Multi-Anti reflection coating prevents this, turning your glasses from a shield into a frame for your best assets. Why hide your eyes away? They’re the most expressive part of your face, so make sure everyone can see them, all of the time.

With fully coated lenses from £30 at Tesco Opticians, the cost doesn’t need to be prohibitive either. If you’re wearing them every day for almost 2 years, it works out at 4p per day – a small price to pay for the benefits the lenses can bring.


When deciding on your lenses the main thing is to make sure your glasses fit your lifestyle. Discuss with your optician when you wear glasses, what hobbies you have, what lifestyle factors could effect your choices. After all, why should you change your habits? Shouldn’t your glasses meet your needs? 


To find out more about the range of lenses on offer, book an appointment on 0845 601 3479 for a free eye test and lens consultation. 

Going abroad? How to protect your eyes this summer

The summer holidays are fast approaching and chances are you’ll be taking a break at some stage over the next couple of months to visit a warmer climate. If you are lucky enough to be going abroad alongside packing your suntan lotion, travellers cheques and a good book, have you stopped to consider what eyewear you’ll need to keep safe in the sun?


Protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays is essential. We are all aware of the impact the sun has on skin, but tend to be less clued up about our eyes. Sunglasses are not just a great fashion accessory; they serve the very functional purpose of filtering out harmful UV rays and protecting your lenses from permanent damage. 


Unfortunately there are a lot of sunglasses available which do not offer the levels of protection required to keep your eyes safe and determining which pairs offer protection and which don’t, can prove tricky. Luckily Tesco Opticians is here to help you buy the right sunglasses for going abroad this summer.


What does UV Exposure do to your eyes?
UV radiation is proven to damage cells it comes into contact with. Unlike skin cells which are under constant renewal, the lens of the eye is never replaced, meaning that any damage caused by over exposure to the sun cannot be repaired. UV rays damage the proteins in the lens of the eye, which can play a role in the development of cataracts and age related macular degeneration. 


Who needs sunglasses?
In short, everyone who is out in the sun and exposed to UV rays for a prolonged period should wear sunglasses. This means children and babies, as well as adults, and isn’t just limited to hot climates either. So from beach resorts to ski resorts, if you are expecting to be outside in a sunny environment, you need to consider your eye protection.


Is a hat enough?
Wide brim hats are great for reducing glare, but do not shield UV rays. Sunglasses are the only real guaranteed protection. Contact lenses can offer some level of protection against UV rays, but as they only cover part of the eye, some areas are still left exposed. 


Which lenses offer UV protection?
You need to aim for 100% UV protection when buying sunglasses. Polycarbonate and polarized lenses, available from Opticians, will be guaranteed to offer this level of protection. Fashion glasses from high street stores or online may not always be able to guarantee this same level of coverage. To check, ask what material the lenses are made from; if they are triacetate the chance are they’ll only give 40% protection. 


What should I look out for when buying sunglasses?
The main thing to look out for when buying sunglasses anywhere outside an opticians is the CE Mark, the British Standard Mark or a UV400 label. These logos should only be used by accredited manufacturers, giving you peace of mind that your sunglasses offer a high enough level of protection to keep your eyes safe. 


So now you’re al little bit more clued up on buying the right pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes, you can enjoy choosing the latest style to compliment your holiday wardrobe! It’s not often that you can look stylish whilst taking precautions against a serious health risk, but sunglasses are the fashionable way to protect your eyes and look great this summer.
To see our range of sunglasses, all of which offer 100% UV protection, just visit TescoOpticians.com.