Author: Andy Willmott

How to Treat Conjunctivitis​

Often referred to as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the transparent, thin layer that covers the white of the eye and the inner eyelid. Conjunctivitis can be caused by several different things including bacteria, viruses, irritants or allergens. To treat conjunctivitis effectively, however, it is necessary to identify the cause. If you think that you have conjunctivitis it is a good idea to have a proper eye examination so that you can get the most effective treatment possible. 

Viral Conjunctivitis

This type of conjunctivitis is often linked to respiratory infections or colds and is caused by viruses such as adenovirus. The symptoms include redness, irritation, and a watery discharge. 

The treatment for this type of conjunctivitis includes:

• Applying cold compresses to soothe the irritation 

• Using artificial tears to keep the eyes moist

• Avoiding rubbing or touching the eyes to prevent infection spreading

Usually, this type of conjunctivitis will clear up on its own in 1-2 weeks. 

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, for example, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. The symptoms include redness and swelling and a thick green or yellow discharge. 

Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis includes:

• Consulting a medical professional for antibiotic eye drops or an ointment

• Ensuring that the eyelids are kept clean. This is done using a warm, damp cloth to remove dry build-up 

• Avoiding sharing towels as this could spread it to other people

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Caused by allergens such as pollen, dust or pet dander, this type of conjunctivitis can more commonly occur in the summer months. The symptoms include watery, itchy eyes, swelling and redness. 

To treat allergic conjunctivitis, it is important to:

• Use antihistamine eye drops or an oral antihistamine

• Apply cool compresses to the area to reduce swelling

• Avoid allergens, keep windows closed during high pollen seasons and use air purifiers

Irritant Conjunctivitis

The cause of this conjunctivitis is exposure to chlorine, smoke, chemicals and other irritants. The symptoms are watery eyes, redness and discomfort. 

Treatment includes:

• Rinsing the eyes with clean, lukewarm water to remove irritants

• Avoiding further exposure to said irritant

• Using artificial tears to help calm the irritation

Managing Conjunctivitis – general tips

If you suspect you have conjunctivitis or have already been diagnosed with conjunctivitis, then you should ensure that you:

• Wash hands often

• Avoid touching your eyes

• Don’t wear contact lenses until the infection has cleared

• Wash towels and pillowcases to prevent reinfection 

• Don’t share things like makeup and towels with others

You should also seek medical attention if the conjunctivitis lasts for more than a week, or if you experience changes in vision, sensitivity to light or any severe pain. If you are a contact lens wearer and notice anything unusual, such as spots on the eyelids, you should see your optician immediately. 

Conjunctivitis is a common condition, and you can often manage it with a combination of simple treatments and good hygiene. It is important to identify the cause so you can follow the correct treatment path. If your symptoms do not reduce, or if they get worse, then it is important to seek further medical advice.

Understanding Eye Scans Like Optomap

Many eye disorders don’t reveal any symptoms including loss of vision. Today there are quite a few sophisticated tests and scans that can detect eye problems at an early stage.

One of the newest is the Optomap scan, which is the only one that can examine more than 80% of the retina and give a single panoramic image to allow the early detection of underlying eye diseases. This blog post explains the pros of an Optomap scan while also highlighting some alternatives.

Benefits of Optomap

Optomap scans are non-invasive and pain-free as they are done without the need for pupil dilation – in other words, nothing touches the eye. An image of the eye is taken using a very brief flash of light. Optomap can detect:

  • Cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma
  • Life-threatening diseases such as cancer of the eye, stroke and cardiovascular disease
  • Vision problems which mainly show up at night such as halos or starbursts
  • Early signs of retinal disease, to enable prompt treatment and prevent vision loss and complications

An Optomap scan can also be used to spot early signs of damage caused to the eye by diabetes. The NHS advises that anyone with diabetes should have eye screening every 2 years.

Disadvantages of Optomap

There are a few disadvantages to the Optomap scan. 

  • It cannot detect retinal bleeding caused by eye disease
  • Diabetics still need and additional eye screening every 2 years

As you can see the advantages of Optomap allow your eye care practitioner to detect any problems at an early stage to protect you against blindness or other vision impairment. It’s a very high-tech and advanced tool for the early detection of eye disease but there are several other options available for our optometrists to use.

OCT scan

OCT  is optical coherence tomography. This scan helps the practitioner to view the eye in detail by producing a 3D image of the different layers inside the eye. It is commonly used to detect:

  • Glaucoma
  • Detached retina
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Macular hole
  • Diabetic retinopathy

Corneal topography

This computerised imaging generates a mapping image of the surface of the cornea to assess its shape and contour. It helps to diagnose conditions like astigmatism and keratoconus.

Topography is also used for planning of vision correction surgery and fitting contact lenses such as ortho-K.

Refraction

This test measures how light bends as it passes through the eye and is commonly used to assess vision and determine the correct prescription for spectacles if needed.

Visual field test

This is a very common test which assesses and monitors central and peripheral vision. It can provide information about the function of the retina and optic nerve to help detect certain eye conditions including glaucoma at the early stages.The wide range of tests available to our practitioners means that any problems can be found and treatment started early. If you are experiencing vision problems or just need a check up, contact us as soon as possible.

Long-sightedness vs Short-sightedness 

Long-sightedness and short-sightedness – the two most common eye conditions. There are significant differences between these two conditions that affect the majority of people, particularly as they age. If you suffer from either of these problems, you may need corrective treatment, such as glasses or contact lenses.

In this blog post, we aim to explain what long and short-sightedness mean, and how they occur.

What is long-sightedness? 

Also known as hypermetropia or hyperopia, this affects your ability to see objects close to you. They can seem to be out of focus and difficult to define. If you are long-sighted, light that comes into the eye is unable reach the  back of the eye because:

• The eyeball is too short

• The cornea is too flat

• The lens cannot focus properly

People with this condition can find activities such as reading, using a phone or doing detailed close work very challenging. Even watching TV or doing tasks on a computer screen will become more difficult, with your eyes regularly becoming fatigued.

Eventually, you will find yourself having to squint to regain focus. Or, you may hold things – a phone or document, for example – further away from you to try and read it more clearly. Long-sightedness can have a genetic cause or be age-related (presbyopia).

What is short-sightedness 

As you would imagine this condition, called myopia, is the exact opposite of long-sightedness. The focus issue here is difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Activities such as driving or watching a sports game, can become problematic. 

Shortsightedness often runs in families and tends to start in childhood or teenage years. This again means that the eye is unable to focus light onto the retina properly because the eye is longer from front to back. You may get headaches if you regularly close work and you may start to rub your eyes frequently.

Uncorrected myopia can, in the case of driving, be a more serious and even dangerous issue. Driving while visually impaired can make it harder to spot hazards, which could put you or other road users at risk. 

What to do if you experience problems with your vision

Both conditions are diagnosed during routine eye examinations by your optician or optometrist. Therefore, the first thing you should do if you are worried about your vision is to call us at R Woodfall and make an appointment for an eye test.

Once we establish the extent of your vision problems, we can discuss with you a range of corrective options. 

Short-sightedness can also be treated with treatments that slow its progression, known as myopia management. In children, treatments can involve spending more time outdoors or wearing specially designed lenses.

Corrective lenses can be useful for long-sightedness, even correcting the condition if used early enough. However, you must seek help early, as without treatment, long-sightedness could lead to other conditions developing, such as a squint or lazy eye. 

If you’re struggling, please contact us today and look forward to clear vision once again.

Dry Eye Management

A guide to dry eye management options

Here at Woodfall’s we are being asked more and more often by our patients to offer advice around dry and uncomfortable eyes.

This issue is a problem for many people, and now that technology has moved on, we are able to offer some solutions.

DEFINITION

Our tears are made up of three layers, a mucin base layer, a watery or aqueous layer which is the bulk of the tear film and a lipid or oily front layer.

There are two types of dry eye disease:

  • Aqueous deficient dry eye: This is when your eyes don’t produce enough tears.
  • Evaporative dry eye: This is when your tears evaporate too quickly.

Some people have aqueous tear deficiency and tear instability.

Dry eye disease is a pathological condition which is why it is classified as a disease; Dry eye involves many eye surface changes caused by tear dysfunction.

D.E.D. CANNOT BE CURED BUT MUST BE CAREFULLY MANAGED

COMMON SYMPTOMS

  • Stinging
  • Burning
  • Scratchy sensation
  • Watery eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Red eyes
  • Stringy mucus
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Difficulty with night vision
  • General fatigue or blurred vision

SOME CAUSES OF SYMPTOMS

  • Natural ageing changes
  • Using devices
  • Contact lens wear
  • Eye surgery
  • Some eye conditions
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Skin conditions
  • Certain medications
  • General fatigue

NEXT STEPS

STEP 1: Diagnosis
Once we have identified your dry eye concern, we will schedule a full dry eye diagnosis using our Idra device to provide an individual analysis of your tear film, delivering a fast and detailed structure of your tear composition. This helps identify the type of dry eye disease that is present, and the best treatment to prescribe.

STEP 2: Treatment
You will be offered options for treatment; this may be a basic package of takeaway products such as a heat mask and dry eye drops or a procedure to stimulate the meibomian glands which is painless and usually takes around 20-30 minutes. We’ll offer you treatment immediately, ideally on the day of your diagnosis.

STEP 3: Follow up
You will feel the benefits of our prescribed treatment within hours, depending on the treatment you receive and the nature of your condition, you will need to return for a repeat treatment and management plans.

TREATMENT – TEARSTIM

TEARSTIM: THE PROCESS
The treatment only takes a few minutes. You sit comfortably in a chair. Our dry eye specialist covers your eyes with eye protector shells. A special gel is applied below the eyes. A series of 10 light pulses is aimed at the region below the eyes. They are painless and non-invasive. The series is repeated in the same way on the lower eyelid of the other eye.

TEARSTIM: HOW IT WORKS
The application restores the normal activity of the meibomian gland, with very rapid improvement for your eyes within hours of the application. The effect lasts a few days at the beginning. In total, the treatment comprises three to four sessions, following that, the effect will last from a period of 6 months to 3 years. An annual booster session in the form of a single treatment is recommended.
It is advised you have three rounds of treatment for long-lasting results of over 3 years (optional fourth round if patient still symptomatic):

• Day 1: First round of treatment
• Day 15: Second round of treatment
• Day 45: Third round of treatment
• Day 75: Fourth round of treatment
• It is advised for the patient to have additional 1 session treatment 1x a year if symptoms return.

ACTIVA: THE PROCESS
The Activa device combines eyelid heating and vibrating massage to stimulate meibomian glands by applying heat at a very specific temperature using a unique eye mask worn in the consulting room under supervision of our trained dry eye specialist.

ACTIVA: HOW IT WORKS
This innovative eye-mask provides a complete heating and automatic squeezing technology in a fast and painless single device, effective on meibomian glands dysfunction associated with tear film evaporation.

• Unclog glands
• Melting the meibum
• Restore natural meibum flow
• Better pathology management
• Increase glands functionality

PLEASE NOTE: OUR DRY EYE CLINIC IS CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE AT OUR CRYSTAL PALACE BRANCH

Preparing Your Eyes For The Summer: What Do You Need To Know?

Summer is synonymous with warm weather, sunshine, and plenty of time outdoors! Whilst the start of summer is fast approaching, it’s also important that you look after your eyes during this sunny season. We all know the importance of UV protection for your skin, but what about your eyes? Here at R Woodfall, we offer a range of services to help keep your eyes healthy and thriving this summer.

The importance of preparing your eyes for the sunny weather

Whether you’re jetting away to a sunny destination, or you’re planning on sunbathing outside here in the UK, you’re going to need to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. The following are some of the ways that UV rays can harm your eyes:

Photokeratitis: Often referred to as “sunburn of the eye,” this painful condition is caused by overexposure to UV rays in a short time period. This condition is temporary, and easily avoidable with sun protection!

Cataracts: Too much UV exposure has been thought to contribute to the development of this common eye condition.

Macular degeneration: Chronic UV exposure can contribute to the deterioration of the central part of the retina, leading to vision loss.

Given these risks, it’s important to make preparations to protect your eyes this summer. Especially if you plan to be outside in a hot climate! Keep reading to find out how to best protect your eyes from the sun.

The best ways to protect your eyes

Here at R Woodfall, we have a variety of services and products to help protect your eyes in time for summer.

Sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses is one of the best ways to protect your eyes, as they shield them away from the sun. At R Woodfall, our range of sunglasses can effectively protect your eyes, as well as provide comfort and style.

UV lens coatings: UV lens coatings are a great way to add an extra layer of protection against the sun.

Avoid looking at the sun: Of course, avoiding direct sunlight especially during the middle of the day is another effective method to prevent UV overexposure.

Visit your local optician

The ultimate way to prepare your eyes for the summer is to visit your local optician for care and guidance. An eye care professional can examine your eyes and check for any signs of sun damage or any other eye health concerns. You can then get the care and advice you need to best protect your eyes.

To book an appointment at one of our clinics, please contact our team.

Which Kind Of Fashionable Frames Are Right For You?

Choosing the perfect pair of glasses can be a fun but also challenging task, as you want to make sure you make the right decisions! If you’re a fashion-forward individual but still want to factor in functionality, you’re in the right place. Here at R Woodfall we want to help you find the right pair of frames that are complementary to your features, and keep you feeling fashionable.

In this blog post, we will explore different styles of frames and frame materials to help you find the perfect match.

What styles of frames are available?

Below are some popular frame styles to consider when choosing your new eyewear.

Classic round frames: Round frames are a popular choice and have made a significant comeback over the last few years! These frames are ideal for anyone who appreciates their vintage charm, but will suit square and angular faces the most.

Cat-eye frames: Exuding glamour and sophistication, cat eye frames are a timeless and popular choice amongst many fashion-forward individuals. These frames lift your face, which makes them the most flattering for heart-shaped and oval faces.

Square frames: Known for conveying intelligence and style, square frames offer a great look, especially for those with round or oval face shapes.

The different kinds of frame materials

Once you’ve settled on a style, the next step is choosing the right material. The material of your frames not only affects their aesthetic but also their durability, weight, and comfort. Here are some common materials used in fashionable frames:

Acetate

Acetate frames are crafted from a type of plastic that is known for being lightweight yet durable. This is what makes them a popular choice for eyeglass frames for many people. Known for their rich colours and patterns, acetate frames are an excellent choice for fashionable individuals!

Stainless steel

Stainless steel frames are an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable yet long-lasting option. Stainless steel frames are corrosion-resistant and highly durable.

New Blackfin titanium frames

Titanium frames are an excellent choice for a variety of reasons. These frames are corrosion resistant, hypoallergenic, and incredibly lightweight. At our Sydenham branch, we now offer a range of Blackfin titanium frames, these frames offer incredible style and durability whilst being ultra lightweight.

For more information about our range of frames, including our new range of Blackfin frames, please contact our team today. We’d love to hear from you.

How Ortho-K Can Help Correct Your Vision

Orthokeratology, commonly known as ortho-k, is a special kind of contact lens that can effectively temporarily reshape your cornea. Think of ortho-k as the orthodontics of the eyecare world, as it involves a temporary reshaping (like dental braces) part of your eye to improve your vision. Here at R Woodfall, we now offer ortho-k treatment in selected clinics as part of our eye care services. 

If you’re curious to learn more about ortho-k, including how it works and who it’s for, keep reading.

Which eye condition is ortho-k used for? 

Ortho-k is used primarily to treat those with myopia (near-sightedness), but new ortho-k lenses may be able to treat other refractive errors such as astigmatism. Myopia is a common eye condition whereby the patient is only able to see objects close to them clearly, as objects in the distance appear blurry. One of the most common causes of myopia is misshapen cornea, which disrupts how your eye is able to focus light. Ortho-k aims to reshape your cornea temporarily, with specially designed contact lenses that are to be worn throughout the night. This can help correct your refractive error, leaving you with improved vision. 

How does ortho-k treatment work and what can you expect? 

This treatment works by reshaping your cornea (the flexible lens in front of your eye), to allow light that enters your eye to focus properly. This effectively helps to correct myopia, but only if you continue wearing your ortho-k lenses at night as instructed. 

To do this, your ophthalmologist will need to examine your cornea in more detail in order to create a specialist lens tailored to you. To do this, they will use a piece of equipment called a corneal topographer to examine the exact shape of your cornea. This examination does not hurt so there is no need to worry. 

After this you will wear your ortho-k lenses at night as instructed by your ophthalmologist. Patients usually notice a difference in a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of their myopia. 

The benefits of ortho-k 

There are several benefits when it comes to this specialist treatment. They include:

  • Non-surgical option
  • Eliminates the need for contact lenses or glasses during the day
  • Corrects myopia (temporarily)

Ortho-k can have a profound effect on the patients daily life, as they temporarily won’t need to rely on eyewear to see clearly. If you think ortho-k may be ideal for you, contact our team today to find out more about how we can help you.

The Importance Of Detecting And Managing These Common Eye Diseases

Looking after your eyes at all stages of life is very important, but even more so as you get older. This is because as you reach a certain age, you’re more at risk of developing some eye conditions and diseases due to the natural ageing process. Some of the most common eye diseases are age-related, for example cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Detecting these diseases early on is crucial, as the earlier it’s caught the easier it is to manage it before it can get worse. 

In this blog post we will be discussing the most common eye conditions and how we can detect and manage them. 

Common eye diseases 

Below are some of the most common eye diseases and the signs and symptoms to look out for. Even if you think there is nothing wrong with your vision, it’s always best to have a routine eye exam every now and again, as some of these diseases can go undetected for a long time. 

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that happens when the damage occurs to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss, but this isn’t always the case. A major risk factor involves the intraocular pressure within the eye. If there is too much pressure due to a drainage problem, this pressure can build up and damage the optic nerve. 

Glaucoma can be difficult to detect, in fact most people are unaware they have glaucoma until they get their eyes tested. Opticians can detect glaucoma using a variety of equipment and tests, most commonly a tonometry test. A tonometer measures the pressure of your eye, which can indicate glaucoma.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

AMD is an eye condition that results in loss of central vision. This eye condition occurs when there is damage done to the macular. This damage happens due to age. Symptoms include: blurry vision, loss of central vision, blind spot in central vision, and difficulty recognising faces. 

Diabetic retinopathy

This eye condition results in complications of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy happens when blood sugar levels cause damage to the eye’s retina, which can result in vision loss. Symptoms of this condition include:sudden vision loss, floaters, eye pain, blurry vision . 

How we detect and treat these eye conditions

Here at R Woodfall, our expert opticians can detect and help manage various eye diseases. It’s very important that you visit your local optician annually, especially if you’re over the age of 40. As some eye diseases such as glaucoma can only be detected by an optician. 

Opticians use equipment such as an OCT scanner to fully examine all areas of your eyes and look for any abnormalities. An OCT scan uses light waves to take 3D images of your eye in its entirety, resulting in accurate pictures of the structure of your eye for your optician to examine.
If you have any concerns about your eye health, please contact us today or visit your local optician.

Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

Dry eyes are a common eye condition that involves having dry, irritable, eyes. This condition is very common and isn’t usually a sign of something serious. Dry eye syndrome or chronic dry eyes are uncomfortable, but there are ways to treat it and relieve you of your symptoms. In this blog post we will be delving into what causes dry eyes, as well as the treatment options and how you can best manage your symptoms.

What causes dry eyes? 

Chronic dry eyes can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common include ageing and hormonal problems. Dry eyes often happen due to an imbalance in the tear film that covers the surface of the eye. The tear film is composed of three layers: an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucous layer. Each of these layers plays a role in keeping the eyes lubricated and comfortable. When there is a disruption in any of these layers, it can result in dry eyes. Here are some common causes and contributing factors:

Ageing: As you get older, your production of tears decreases, which leads to an increased risk of dry eyes. This is why people over the age of 50 are more likely to experience dry eyes. 

Hormonal issues: Fluctuations in hormones such as during pregnancy and menopause can affect your tear production, resulting in dry eyes.

Poor blinking habits: Staring at digital screens for too long can cause you to blink less, which can increase your risk of dry eyes. 

The symptoms of dry eyes

If you think you suffer from chronic dry eyes, it’s always  best to visit your GP or local optician. Here are the common symptoms of dry eyes:

  • Itchiness
  • Redness
  • Soreness
  • Grittiness
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity
  • Watery eyes 

If you experience these symptoms it’s very likely you have dry eyes.

How to treat dry eyes 

There are a few ways you can treat dry eyes yourself. The recommended ways are:

  • Cleaning your eyelids daily
  • Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air around your eyes
  • Take breaks from your digital screens
  • Avoid dry and dusty environments
  • Avoid drinking too much alcohol
  • Avoid smoking

If your dry eyes don’t get better after a few weeks of treating them yourself, you should visit your doctor or an optician. They can discover the cause and suggest treatment options for you. 
For any questions you may have about our eye care services, contact our team any time.

Can Too Much Screen Time Affect Your Child’s Eye Health?

A main concern we hear from parents is if their child’s screen time could negatively impact their vision or health in general. Our answer is yes, potentially. Too much screen time can affect both children and adults, so it’s important to monitor how long your child spends in front of their screens, and ensure they spend enough time away from them too. 

In this blog post, we will be discussing the importance of lessening your child’s screen time, as well as offering solutions to combat this issue. Here at R Woodfall, our number one priority is caring for our patients eye health, if you have any concern about your child’s vision or your own, please get in touch any time.

Digital eye strain 

Prolonged exposure to digital screens such as tablets, smartphones, and computer screens can cause symptoms of digital eye strain in both children and adults. The symptoms of digital eye strain are as follows: dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and watery eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms in your child it could mean that they’re experiencing digital eye strain, and it’s important to reduce their screen time and take them to an optician to seek professional advice. 

Difficulty sleeping 

Another problem that you may notice is your child having problems sleeping at night. If your child is spending too much time looking at digital screens, they will be exposed to a lot of blue light, which can affect their circadian rhythms. If your sleep/wake cycle is disturbed, it can result in difficulty sleeping or staying asleep during the night. 

Limiting screen time to the recommended time limit for your child’s age, and taking the screen away at least an hour before bedtime can solve this problem. 

Poor posture 

Although not particularly affecting the eyes, using digital devices often involves children developing poor posture. This is because children are usually seen hunching over a smartphone or tablet. This can lead to neck and back pain, causing more problems. 

How we can help

Taking your child to the optician every now and then is always beneficial. Our professional eye care providers can help assess your child’s eyes and treat any issues that may arise.

If your child is suffering from digital eye strain then It may be worth opting for blue light filtration lenses, which helps to block out the blue light emitted from digital devices. For more information about our services, feel free to contact our team any time.

How The Sun Can Damage Your Eyes 

Here at R Woodfall, we know what’s best when it comes to all things eye health. This is why we continually stress the importance of looking after your eyes during summer! The sun emits a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, most notably ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVA and UVB rays are incredibly harmful to your eyes after a period of time. In fact, prolonged exposure can cause short-term discomfort and potentially lead to long-term vision problems too. This is why it’s imperative that you pay attention to your eyes in the sun and ensure they’re protected. 

Here’s some of the ways the sun could potentially damage your eyes.

Short term discomfort 

Overexposure to the sun can potentially cause some temporary discomfort or pain to your eyes that you should avoid. 

Photokeratitis 

This temporary condition is like having sunburn on your eyes, it’s painful and uncomfortable and happens when you’re overexposed to UV rays. Symptoms of photokeratitis include: redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and even tearing. 

Long term conditions 

There are a number of eye conditions that sun damage can contribute to. These conditions are long term, and associated with prolonged UV exposure. 

Pterygium

Prolonged UV exposure can also lead to a condition called pterygium. This condition causes the growth of a pterygium (which is a non-cancerous growth on the conjunctiva) that can extend onto the cornea. It can cause redness, irritation, and, in more severe cases, impact vision.

Cataracts

Cataracts are mainly age-related, but overexposure to UV rays over time is thought to contribute to the development of them. UV radiation has been linked to cataracts, so it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun to potentially help prevent this. 

Cataracts can cause blurry vision, sensitivity to glare, and reduced colour perception.

Protecting your eyes from the sun

During the summer months it’s important that you take precaution when it comes to your eyes. There are a number of ways to protect them from harmful UV rays. Below are a few ways we would recommend you do this:

Wear sunglasses: certain sunglasses block out 100% of all UVA and UVB rays. Here at R Woodfall, we stock a variety of sunglasses to protect your eyes whilst still looking stylish. 

Visit your local optician: Scheduling regular eye exams with an eye care professional is very beneficial to your eye health. Eyecare experts such as ourselves can monitor the health of your eyes and catch any potential issues early.

Limit exposure to the sun: during summer, try to avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors during peak sunlight hours.
By taking these precautions and being mindful of your eye health, you can minimise the risk of sun-related eye damage and maintain good vision over the long term. For more information, feel free to contact our team of professionals, here at R Woodfall.

Protecting Your Eyes From Blue Light: Here’s How

Blue light is a type of high energy visible light that is emitted by digital devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. Prolonged exposure to blue light, especially at night, can potentially disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and have a negative effect on your eyes. The main cause of digital eye strain is from blue light. With that being said, it’s important to keep your eyes protected. 

Here are some strategies to help protect your eyes from the potential effects of blue light:

Use blue light glasses

Blue light glasses are made with a special blue light filter lens that absorbs a large amount of blue light. This stops the majority of blue light from entering your eyes when you wear them whilst looking at screens and artificial lighting. These glasses can then help reduce eye strain and its symptoms, whilst protecting you from the discomfort of prolonged screen use.

Adjust your devices display settings

With most electronic devices, you will have the option to adjust your display settings to reduce the amount of blue light emitted. Simply head to your settings and turn on “night mode” or “blue light filter”, whichever setting your device offers. These features reduce blue light and minimise discomfort from eye strain as well as sleep disruption.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule 

One of the best ways to avoid digital eye strain and protect your eyes against blue light is to look away from your screen every now and then. The 20-20-20 rule involves taking a 20 second break from your screen by looking at something at least 20 ft away, every 20 minutes. This allows your eyes to rest whilst you’re working on a computer for long periods of time.

Ensure you have the right lighting

When working, it’s important to ensure your workplace is well-lit. Avoiding harsh lighting when you can. You should also avoid glare from monitors by positioning them away from direct light sources. This will help reduce the symptoms of eye strain. 
We hope this blog post helped you understand what blue light is limiting your exposure to. It is very important. If you’ve been experiencing some uncomfortable symptoms of eye strain or suspect there is a problem concerning your vision, do not hesitate to contact our team as soon as possible. If not, please make sure you seek professional advice from your local eye care provider.