AVAIL OF OUR LIMITED OFFER OF A FREE UPGRADE TO AN ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING

From the early days of purely glass lenses to the advanced materials we use now, the technology in prescription lenses is constantly improving. If you wear glasses, your lenses are the window to your world.
Today, special lens coatings improve and protect our vision in ways we could only dream of before.
Anti-reflective Coating Eliminates Lens Reflections
Have you ever noticed a bright glare on a window pane or reflective surface? If present on your glasses, reflected light can be both a distraction and a potentially dangerous obstruction to your vision. Anti-reflective coating can be applied to block reflections from the front and the back surface of your lenses. With these reflections gone, you’ll be able to see more clearly and your lenses will look nearly invisible.
Some lens materials are manufactured with anti-reflective coating by default, while others must be applied afterward. Ask your Optometrist about how to protect your new lenses from reflections.
Advanced Technology Protects Lenses from Scratches
Nothing is scratch-proof, but there are coatings to help make lenses more resistant to scratching. Lenses can be treated with a scratch-resistant coating to protect them from scuffs caused by all of life’s little mishaps. Children may especially benefit from such coatings as they are prone to accidents.
Even if your lenses have scratch-resistant coating, always be sure to maintain proper care for your glasses. Be sure to store them in a cushioned case when not in use, and always clean them with a microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution recommended by your optician.

UV Protection Isn’t Just for Sunglasses
We all understand how important UV protection is for our sunglasses, but this protection is just as important for our everyday lenses. Prolonged UV exposure can lead to conditions previously discussed such as macular degeneration, retinal damage, or cataracts.
Many modern lenses are built with UV protection, but others require an additional coating to ensure 100 percent of UV rays are blocked.
Blue light emitted from the sun and electronic devices such as smartphones and computer screens also pose a threat to our vision health. Looking at screens for an extensive period of time can result in digital eye strain, causing vision fatigue and sometimes annoyances like eye twitching or red eyes.
While there are a number of things you can do to gain relief from digital eye strain, lenses are available that reduce the eye’s exposure to blue light. If you look at screens extensively for work or personal use, ask your optometrist if these lenses are right for you.

If you have any questions about which lens coatings may benefit your vision, let us know! We at Sweeney’s Opticians are delighted to offer readers a FREE upgrade to an anti-reflective coating for a limited time only. We would love to help you find the lenses that are right for you.

You are also entitled to a FREE eye examination every two years or every year if you have a change in your vision under the medical card scheme and employers PRSI scheme.
Please call SWEENEY’S OPTICIANS on 071-9169090 or email sweeneysopticians@gmail.com to arrange an appointment.

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Very often patients may not notice a loss in their field of vision until they present for an eye examination.

What can it mean if you experience sudden or rapid visual loss?

• It could mean you have an acute retinal detachment- where the outer layer at the back of the
• eye, detaches from the main structure.
• It could be a blockage of one of the arteries or veins at the back of the eye
• It could be acute optic neuropathy
• It could be acute retinal disease or something less serious but will warrant investigation by your
• optometrist. (Such as ARMD, vitreous haemorrhage or diabetic eye disease.)

What will a person with visual field loss experience?

If it is a threatened retinal detachment they will experience flashing lights, floating spots, field loss and possibly reduced vision. If it is an obstruction of one of the main vessels, they will experience sudden blurring of vision in one eye, visual field loss.

If it is optic neuropathy, this is often linked to multiple sclerosis which results in progressive loss of vision, dim vision or decreased colour vision, aches or pains behind the eyes. If the field loss is subtle, it could mean that they have glaucoma. However, field loss could also mean that there is a tumour developing somewhere along the optic nerve or close to it.  It is not something to ignore.

The post Visual Field Loss appeared first on Sweeney's Opticians.

Polarized sunglasses reduce glare reflected at some angles off shiny surfaces such as water and snow. They also eliminate glare from a road surface when driving into the sun. The main difference between polarized lenses is that they are designed specifically to block the glare from reflected light while non-polarized lenses only block intense light.

Driving and Sunglasses:

Blinding glare caused by a low sun, or by bright light reflecting off snow, puddles, the car in front, or even your own bonnet can be potentially lethal.

Glare is frequently cited as the cause of road traffic accidents, but the right pair of sunglasses can

prevent it.

• Have a thorough eye examination every two years to find out if you need prescription lenses
• within your sunglasses
• Discuss the options for sun and glare protection with your Optometrist
• Always keep a spare pair of driving sunglasses in the car
• Remember, the onus is on you to have good vision – failing to have your vision corrected and protected from the sun could invalidate your insurance if you are involved in a road traffic accident (Courtesy of the AA)

Skiers should take particular care in protecting their eyes. UV rays can be up to eight times more powerful on ski slopes because of the reflective properties of snow.

When choosing sunglasses choose high protection, specially designed sunglasses and look out for the CE mark, which shows they meet European safety standards. There are four categories of tint and category 4 (the darkest) would be the best in sunny conditions.

• Choose sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 per cent of UV-A and UV-B rays.

If you’re thinking about investing in a pair of sunglasses this summer, pop in to our shop here on Wine Street in Sligo town to see our range of summer sunnies.

The post The Importance of UV Protected Sunglasses appeared first on Sweeney's Opticians.

It is important that all children of pre-school and school going age and in particular children with a family history of lazy eyes, squint, strabismus or with any of these signs should have an eye test as soon as possible. This screening should be done every year between be ages of 4 and 9. These years are the elastic years where the eyes are growing and developing rapidly and early detection is essential.

Colour vision is assessed, depth perception is also measured as well as other tests. Any individual who has a family history of glaucoma, age related macular degeneration or diabetes or who has any of the named conditions:

• A patient who has cataracts.
• Diabetic patients.
• People who are experiencing double vision
• People who find it difficult to see things that are familiar to them, eg the tv of familiar faces.
• People who experience sudden onset of flashing lights, floaters, cobwebs .
• People with sudden temporary loss if vision.
• Over 40s tend to experience reduced vision for close up tasks. This is not serious and simple corrective
• lenses can rectify this.
• All drivers should have an eye screening to ensure that they meet the visual standards for driving.
• All contact lens wearers should have an eye health test done annually to ensure that the contact lenses
• are not damaging the cornea.
• All computer users as many suffer from eye strain.
• People with dry eye symptoms.

Did you know that if you have a medical card, or if you pay full rate PRSI , you will be covered for an eye health check every two years. If you suffer from an eye condition, you will be covered for an annual eye test? 

The post Should I have my eyes tested? appeared first on Sweeney's Opticians.

What Causes an Ocular Migraine?

According to the World Health Organization migraines “almost certainly” have a genetic basis. It appears migraines are triggered by a mechanism deep in the brain, which releases inflammatory substances around the nerves and blood vessels of the head and brain. Afterwards, the blood vessels relax, blood flow resumes and sight returns. The frequency of these ocular migraines can vary and usually there are no abnormalities within the eye.

It may be triggered by:

• stress
• smoking
• contraceptive pills
• exercise
• hypertension
• bending over
• dehydration
• low blood sugar
• excessive heat

It tends to be more common in:

• Women
• Those under 40
• Family history of migraines
• Underlying disease such as lupus, hardening of the arteries, sickle cell disease, epilepsy, giant cell arteritis.

Someone who has migraine with “aura” will usually experience warning signs, such as flashing lights, before experiencing a severe headache at the front or side of their head. If you are driving, pull off to the side of the road as soon as you can safely do so, and wait for the vision disturbances to completely pass.

If your ocular migraines or migraine headaches appear to be stress-related, you might be able to reduce the frequency of your migraine attacks without medicine by simply:

• Eating healthful meals on a regular basis
• Avoiding common migraine triggers
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Yoga and massage

You should have a comprehensive eye exam with an Optometrist  whenever you experience unusual vision symptoms to rule out sight-threatening conditions such as a detached retina, which requires immediate attention.

Did you know that you are entitled to a FREE eye examination every two years or every year if you have a change in your vision under the medical card scheme and employers PRSI scheme?

The post Ocular Migraines appeared first on Sweeney's Opticians.

Rinse
Always rinse your glasses off with water before wiping or cleaning them. Even tiny particles of dust or dirt can settle on your lens, and if you wipe those around on a dry lens, it can be abrasive.
Spray Carefully
If you’re going to use a chemical, use sprays or cleansers that are specifically made to clean eyeglass lenses. Never use household cleaners like Windex, because these chemicals will actually tear off the any coating that is on the lens.

Air Dry
If you can, allow your glasses to air dry. This is another great way to keep any materials from getting on to your lens. If you can’t set them down to air dry, wipe them down with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.

Use the Right Cloth
Never use paper towels, tissue, or napkins to dry your lenses. All of these materials, regardless of how soft they are on your skin, have a textured surface and can easily scratch your lenses.

Grip Firmly
Hold your frames by gripping the piece that crosses the bridge of the nose. This will keep you from accidentally bending the frame while you clean. Bent glasses can negatively affect the way you see out of your glasses.

Store Properly
Store your glasses when you’re not wearing them. This isn’t just a great way to keep dust and dirt away from your glasses, but it also protects your specs from getting scratched, bent or broken.
Avoid placing your glasses or sunglasses without a case in your purse or pocket.
Don’t leave your sunglasses on the dashboard of your car. The heat inside a car on sunny days can damage lens coating.

Call into us in SWEENEY’S OPTICIANS for a FREE MOT on your glasses.

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AMD affects the macula- a small part of the eye responsible for central vision which allows you to see detail. It is located in the centre of the eye and from here information is passed to the brain where it is converted into a picture of what you are seeing. This central vision allows you to read, drive etc. It usually starts in one eye and is likely to affect the other eye at a later stage.

Wet and Dry AMD
Dry AMD is the most common and it develops slowly. The exact causes are unknown but there is a definite link between smoking, high blood pressure and poor diet. Research has shown that vitamins such as MACUSHIELD can help reduce the risk of developing AMD.

Wet AMD is caused by leaky blood vessels inside the eye, it is less common (1 in 7 in Ireland with AMD) but it can cause more rapid loss of vision.

How does AMD affect vision?
The most obvious symptoms are DISTORTION and BLURRING of the central vision.

Testing for early symptoms using The Amsler Grid 
Hold the grid at ~ 30cm in front of your eyes
Wear your reading glasses if needed
Cover one eye at a time and focus on the central dot
Check that you can see all 4 corners
If areas of the grid appear blurred, distorted you could be experiencing early signs of AMD

REMEMBER if you are over 50 and have not been to your Optician in the last 2 years you should seriously consider making an appointment now. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of AMD visit us in Sweeney’s Opticians within the next week- acting early could prevent further damage to your eyesight.

As part of the national campaign for healthy eyes – we at Sweeney’s Opticians are offering FREE eye examinations for the month of January along with FREE lenses.
Please call us on 071-9169090 to avail of this offer.

The post Age Related Macular Degeneraton appeared first on Sweeney's Opticians.

For the past six years as a practising Optometrist I have examined hundreds of patients who have diabetes. Many were surprised to learn that an eye test could reveal early signs of diabetes, while others knew about their condition but knew little about the implications of the disease.

I began to ask myself why so many people seem to think that diabetes is part and parcel of growing old, comparable to getting grey hair. Comments such as, “My dad has diabetes but it is the one you get when you get older.” As if it was inevitable that all older people will develop diabetes. The remedy for grey hair is fairly simple and for diabetes, it is equally simple, less expensive, less time consuming, and even gives that feeling of well being provided of course it is detected on time.

DIABETES: THE FACTS

• Over 9% of the adult population have diabetes.
• 90% of these are type 2 diabetics.
• There is an increasing number of children developing type 2 diabetes.
• In 2012, 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes.
• World Health Organisation predict that diabetes will be the 7^th leading cause of death by 2030.
• Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use will prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

What is diabetes?

It is a chronic disease that occurs either when the Pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates our blood sugar levels. Patients with sustained uncontrolled blood sugar levels are likely to develop serious complications such as nerve damage and damage to blood vessels.

Type 1 Diabetes: is otherwise known as childhood diabetes and its cause is not known.

Type 2 Diabetes: occurs in adults but new studies show that children and teenagers are now developing type 2 diabetes due to excess body weight and inactivity.

Symptoms of diabetes: thirst, excessive urination, constant hunger, vision changes and fatigue.

Many complications have set in before the patient discovers they have type 2  diabetes.

What are the common consequences of diabetes?

Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.

• Diabetes increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy which leads to blindness. This occurs when the blood vessels leak in that  important area of the eye called the Macula. Loss of central vision (Blindness) is self explanatory to most of us and something many believe only happens to others. However the implications of blindness only hits home when patients are faced with loosing their driving licence due to blindness. For me as a professional optometrist, it is extremely upsetting to have to break the news to a patient that they can no longer drive because they have irreversible damage to their eyes caused by diabetes. Of course there are wider implications to this including, managing to live independently and carry out simple tasks that we all take for granted.
• Other complications worth mentioning include, foot ulcers, possible leg amputation as well as increased risk of stroke and heart disease and kidney failure.
• The overall risk of death doubles if you have diabetes.

So what message do I want to get out there to you the reader?

• Please take the diagnosis of diabetes seriously.
• Seek professional advise on appropriate diet and exercise and stick to that plan.
• Ask questions from the health care professionals and seek clarification on matters that may not be fully clear to you.
• Listen to your practice nurse. Your Optometrist, your podiatrist and your GP.
• Have an Eye Examination at least every two years
• Early detection is key.
• The answer is not in a tablet or in a pair of glasses.
• The answer is in a balanced diet and regular exercise and maintaining it.
• A balanced diet is made up of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fat, Minerals , Vitamins and Water.
• Consuming too much of any one of these nutrients tips the balance and this is what leads to diabetes.
• Everything in moderation including FAT and Some Sugar and a little common sense is all that is required.

For more information on our diabetic eye screening clinics, phone 071-9169090

The post Is There More To Diabetes Than Meets The Eye? appeared first on Sweeney's Opticians.