Blogs

Eye Wear Glasses is embarking on a new mission. We are looking for the coolest opticians, sunglass shops, vintage eyewear stalls ... anywhere outlet where the more discerning glasses wearer can find top-quality, beautifully-made spectacles (such as these above by Ralph Vaessen). So please take a few minutes to nominate an opticians where you bought your amazing specs and, in return, we'll

As a new cannabis-based analgesic and anti-spasmodic reaches the BNF, might we expect a corresponding adverse response in lowered intraocular pressure. Such substances were originally used ocular anti-hypertensives and therefore one might expect a similar response as these systemic drugs which show significant promise for MS and cancer sufferers come into play

It is encouraging to see practitioners embracing peer review in this week's news - or are these just the keen ones? The GOC reports that 15 per cent of registrants had already taken part within the first six months of the new cycle. Admittedly, it is a good start, but the real test will come in the winter months halfway through the current cycle when many would rather tidy the dark room than talk to their fellow colleagues. With a measly requirment of one peer review point per cycle though, surely even the grupiest will find time for one discussion per three year cycle. By Joe Ayling.

It's official I'm scared. After seeing Paul Maxwell's lean physique and rippling muscles at the Optician Awards I decided my bike needed a few more gears. I had a week at home last week (chores mainly, great weather) but I squeezed in some...

New research out http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-05/wkh-cu043013.php highlights the beneficial effects on contact lens comfort from switching to a different lens/solution combination. As someone who has experience of not getting on particularly well with certain contact lens solutions when used with silicone hydrogel lenses, this comes as little surprise. My office based (sometimes) clinician has always advised me to go the preservative-free route and that seems to work. Anyway, this latest research found that roughly half of patients with contact lens-related symptoms reported improved comfort by switching to a different lens/solution combination. The study involved two groups of contact lens wearers - 24 patients who experienced discomfort at some point in the day and 13 symptom-free wearers. Patients were given best and worst combinations (based on previous studies) without knowing the combination they were using. Those wearers who had issues of discomfort rated the best combination as more comfortable, with little difference in the scores of the symptom-free patients. It is perhaps surprising that the results weren't even more decisive, however if you feel that your lens solution combination could be improved upon, it could be time to speak to your contact lens practitioner.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 It was an unusual press assignment. 'Be at the back gate of London Zoo next to the Lions Enclosure where you will be greeted by two men with reputations akin to that of gladiators'. As it turned out, a press conference to mark Specsavers' sponsorship of officials for the Lions Rugby tour this morning was nothing to fear. Optical and sports journalists, referees and former players Brian Moore and Michael Lynagh gathered to discuss potential captains, past tours and the challenge facing officials. Below shows the scene of journalists hunting for photos of the sporting giants after settling into the wild surroundings, with Optician managing editor 'Roary' Brogan just visible on the left.

It's always nice to read about new material developments that could lead to more comfortable contact lenses, such as this recent announcement in the journal Nature Materials self-adapting-material-wettness-and-opacity-2013-4 . The team involved suggest that a new adaptive material opens up the possibility of very differing developments - contact lenses that clean themselves, as well as water-repellent tents that can darken to block sunlight on bright days. While this all sounds very interesting, I'd much rather focus on a material development that is very much in the here and now. The resulting contact lens has already been available in other parts of Europe and now has been launched on the UK market and it is Alcon's Dailies Total 1. The new lens increases the water content from 33 per cent in the core to over 80 per cent on the surface, with improved lubricity and therefore comfort http://www.opticianonline.net/Articles/2013/04/05/30928/Alcon+launches+Dailies+Total1+.htm . The premium lens, which took a considerable time to develop, aims to address the issue of contact lens drop out through discomfort and statistics presented by Alcon indicate end of day comfort not far removed from that at insertion. The lens may be slippier on the finger, as a result of its lubricious surface, but it sounds well worth getting your hands on to try out.