Mido 2010

Hi guys. Just finished the Milan trade show. This years show seemed quieter than previous years, but still proved to be very rewarding. This was my 6th show and it was Carla's first. We bought some nice frames, but more importantly, we have made contact with around 4 or 5, European brands, that currently do not sell in the UK. We are looking to take these brands on, and believe me, they will knock your socks off!! We will know more in the coming week's, so stay tuned.

The biggest trend that was on show this year is the Retro look. Every major brand now carries a line of vintage looking acetate frames. Remember old NHS glasses, well they are coming back in a big way. When you were young you hated them, now you will be deperate for a pair. Both male and female ranges, and they look great on everyone. I will include some images next week.

Below, is a photo taken from 2 floors up. This is half of 1 hall, and there were 7 halls in total, so you can imagine just how large Mido is. I'll include some more images and video that I took next week when i get home, but for now, I'm off to enjoy a nice glass of vino bianco, i've earned it.

Ciao 


7th Podcast

Hey guys,

In this podcast, Carla and Sean discuss Various type's of Varifocal lenses. We also discuss why you receive eye drops during an eye test. we also look forward to the Milan show next week.

http://seanwallseyecarecentre.podbean.com/


6th Podcast

In this podcast, Carla and Sean discuss our new designer frames, Carla's new website and the launch party for Sight Aid International.

http://seanwallseyecarecentre.podbean.com/


Crystal Glasses

Hey,

I mentioned in yesterday's podcast that I had just made a rimless pair of glasses for a patient, and had changed the lens shape for her and inserted some crystals. I have included an image to show you what i have done. The patient's perscription is    -7.00. I used 1.74 index lenses. What do you think?


5th Podcast

hey guys, with our new website under construction, we drafted in a model to allow us to take some new images for the site. We photographed Rachel today wearing some of the latest frames that came from the last Paris show. We also recorded our latest podcast which you can listen to by clicking this link.


Tests for Glaucoma

Hey Everyone,

Last time I blogged I told you about glaucoma. I realised that I mentioned some tests without really explaining what they were, so that's what I'm going to try to do today.

 

Intraocular pressure

This is the pressure inside your eye. There is a fluid that nourishes the eye. It is constantly being produced behind the coloured bit of the eye, the iris. It then moves to the front of the iris and drains away just at the junction of the iris and the front of your eye. It is the balance of the fluid going in and going out that maintains the pressure. If it doesn't drain away quickly enough the pressure can build up, and if its too high that is indicative of glaucoma.

NON-CONTACT TONOMETER

The commonest way to measure the pressure is to use a non-contact tonometer. There are various different devices that do this. All of them, though, blow a wee puff of air onto your eye. It is actually measuring how long it takes to flatten a certain area of the eye, and then converts that into the pressure. When you get this done it does make you jump a bit. Don't worry about that, it is a perfectly natural reaction. Your brain doesn't know the difference between a potentially damaging foreign body or harmless puff of air going into the eye. So don't worry if you do jump, just try to keep your eye open before the air goes in.

Usually the optometrist will take three or four readings of the pressure to get an average value.

CONTACT TONOMETER

This requires the use of a local anaesthetic. The optometrist will put a drop in each eye. This might sting mometarily. They will also put an orange dye called fluorescein in your eye. Sometimes the anaethetic and dye are pre-mixed.

You might have to put your chin on a chin-rest or the optometrist might have a hand-held tonometer. They will then hold your eyelids open and then bring the tonometer forward to touch your eye. This is a small circular cone with a very bright blue light. It will only be held on your eye for a few seconds while the optom measures the pressure.

After the eydrops though you need to be careful not to rub your eyes while the anaesthetic is still working, as you could scratch your eye without realising it.

 

VISUAL FIELDS

This is the measure of how much you see round about you when looking straight ahead.  It usually involves you looking at a central spot while some lights flash at the side. You may have to press a buzzer every time you see the light flash, or tell the optom how many spots of light you see. Most people over 60 have a screening visiual field test done.

A more in-depth test measures how bright a light needs to be for you to be able to see it. This test much more senstivie than whether you can see the light or not. The test can be quite arduous, especially if you are getting the in-depth  test done. It takes four-six minutes each eye and so it can be hard to concentrate on the central spot all the ime.

PACHYMETRY

This measure how thick the cornea, the front surface of your eye, is. It is usually done at the same time as contact tonometry as the device has to touch your eye, so your eye needs to be anaethetised.

OPHTHALMOSCOPY

This happens at eevry sight test. The optom uses a special torch that focusses on different structures within the eye. They will come very close to you and the light will be very bright. It is with this that the optom will be able to check the nerve at the back of the eye, the place we look for glaucoma.

SLIT-LAMP BIOMICROSCOPY

If you are a bit older or the optom wants a better look you will have eye-drops instilled to make your pupils bigger.  Once they have taken effect the optom will get you to put your chin on a rest and bring a small lens close to your eye. The light is very strong but it allows the optom to assess the optic disc in much better detail, and to assess the depth of the optic cup.

 

I know all this might sound a bit daunting but the tests are fine once you get started, and the optom will make them as easy for you as possible. It is so so important that you get regular checks.

I always start writing these blogs trying to simplify things and then seem to go on too much.

Next time I'll be brief.

 

Take care.

Best wishes,

Carla


4th Podcast

Click the link below to listen to our new podcast. In this episode we discuss our Christmas break, what has happened over the last few weeks and the arrival of the new 2010 stock from Paris.

http://seanwallseyecarecentre.podbean.com/


Glaucoma

   

Hello Everyone,

 

Hope you had a lovely Christmas.

 

I was going to tell you a wee bit about glaucoma. It is a very important eye condition and one that every optometrist looks for when they check your eyes.

 

It is a very serious condition that can lead to blindness. Its also, for most sufferers, a very sneaky condition: its not painful and you won't notice any change in your vision until the condition is quite advanced and more difficult to treat.

Glaucoma is defined as a disease of the optic nerve with characteristic changes in the optic nerve head (optic disc) and typical defects in the visual field with or without raised IOP. (NICE Guidelines)  

 What that means is that there are changes in the nerve at the back of your eye. A consequence of this is that nerve fibres on the back surface of your eye are damaged and this leads to loss in your visual field, which is the area you see all around when you are looking straight ahead.

It is often, but not always, associated with raised pressure within the eye (Intraocular pressure or IOP)

Once lost, this damaged visual field can never be recovered. Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve with visual field loss, which can progress to blindness, but if diagnosed early it is amenable to treatment.

 

Glaucoma can be divided roughly into two main categories: acute or closed angle glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

 

ACUTE GLAUCOMA

This often appears suddenly and is usually painful; visual loss can progress quickly but it is very apparent to the patient that something is wrong; your eye would be very red and painful and you would be more sensitive to the lights, you would see coloured haloes around lamps and streetlights. There is no discharge but your eye might be watery due to the pain and light sensitivity. Your vision would get more and more hazy, and the discomfort would increase instead of beginning to subside.

 If you notice these symptoms you should seek urgent attention from an optometrist or accident and emergency department

 

PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA

This type of glaucoma is much more insidious. It progresses more slowly and you don't notice any changes in your vision or any discomfort until the condition is quite far advanced. That's why it is important to go for regular eye checks.

It is rare for the condition to occur in the under-40's age-group.

You are more likely to get it if a close family member has it.

That's why, when you do get your eyes tested that the optometrist will ask about your family history.

If you are over 40 your IOP will be checked routinely, as well as close examination of your eyes, particularly your optic nerves. Should either of these checks be dubious your visual fields will be checked.

It is possible that you would be asked back a month or so later to have these checks done again.

 

If the optometrist is suspicious of glaucoma then you will be referred to the local eye clinic via your GP.

 

All of the above sounds really scary, but please don't be scared. Glaucoma is reasonably easily treated. It cannot be cured but it is mostly very well controlled with eye-drops. Surgical options are available if the eye-drops are not effective enough.

 

I know this is all a wee bit wordy but glaucoma is serious, but if its caught early it is nothing to worry about. My dad had glaucoma and I just make sure that I have an eye examination every year that includes a pressure check and visual field check, as well as examination of the back of my eyes. I don't worry about it one bit.

 

Go and get your eyes tested.

 

Any queries, as always, just ask.

 

Regards,

Carla 


3rd Podcast

in this podcast, we discus the recent developements with Sight Aid International. We also reflect on the year that has passed and what is in store for the new year.

Carla and Sean 18th.mp3 (14.62 mb)


Christmas

Hiya,

 

Well, are you all getting excited about Christmas?

 

I thought about talking about glaucoma today but then thought it’s a bit dreary for the week before Christmas. It is a very serious eye condition if untreated so for now I’ll only say that regular eye examinations are so important to rule this out, and my first blog in the new year will be about it.

 

Any way, Christmas Have you bought all your Christmas presents? I am off tomorrow and hope to finish all my shopping and get everything wrapped so that I enjoy our Christmas night out on Friday.

 

If you are stuck for ideas you could always give someone a gift voucher for new specs. Sean was offering vouchers at half price. That’s right, you pay £20.00 for a gift voucher worth £40.00, or £30.00 for one worth £60.00. It’s well worth it.

 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Carla


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