Eye care

Contact lenses have been growing in popularity over the years as an alternative to glasses. They can give you a more natural look and many people opt for them over glasses for playing sports and attending events where glasses may otherwise be less convenient. Read on to learn more about how to get contact lenses from your optician and online. Do you need a contact lens prescription? You will need to get a new prescription for contact lenses and the prescription you get for contacts will be different to your usual glasses prescription. It’s important that you go to your local Leightons branch for a contact lens assessment. What happens in a contact lens assessment? Contact lenses not only give freedom from spectacles, they can be more convenient and practical for sports and activities. A contact lens assessment is an appointment we offer specifically to help understand your prescription, how your contacts will fit, and also answer any questions you may have about contact lenses. Eye test – You’ll need to have had an eye test within the last couple of years. If you’ve not had an eye test in the last 2 years, make sure you have one done before your contact lens assessment. Understanding lenses – Our expert opticians will talk you through the types of contact lenses available and how they would suit your lifestyle and needs. Eye check – You will also receive an eye check of the front surface of your eyes to make sure there’s no medical reason that may stop you from wearing contact lenses. Fit, vision, and comfort check – Your optician will carry out a fit check of your chosen lenses to fit properly and that your vision is clear. They’ll also make sure you’re comfortable wearing the lenses and you’re confident in putting them in and removing them. Answering questions – if you have any questions or concerns about your lenses, your optician will be able to help. Getting contact lenses in store Whether you’re new to lenses or a frequent wearer, making a visit to your local Leightons branch is the best way to buy your contact lenses. You can easily renew your prescription, order more lenses, and update your subscription if you have one. The process of getting contact lenses in store: Eye test – Make sure you have had an eye test within the last 2 years before being assessed for contacts. If you got it done at another optician, just bring your contact lens prescription slip with you. Contact lens assessment – Your optician will perform a contact lens assessment. They will discuss your lifestyle and eye health history, and inspect your eyes. They'll also assess your tear film to check if your eyes produce enough moisture for contact lenses. Fitting – Your optician will also perform a contact lens fitting check to ensure the lenses fit well, your vision is clear, and they're comfortable. They'll also teach you how to apply and remove your lenses. Trial lenses– If you’re new to contact lenses, or if you’re trying a new type of lenses, you'll be given trial lenses to wear for a few days. Follow-up appointment – You’ll be scheduled in for a follow-up appointment after your trial for a final test to check your eye health and vision. Once complete, you can purchase your contact lenses. Can I just walk in and buy contact lenses? Once you have an up-to-date contact lens prescription, you can walk into any Leightons branch to buy your contact lenses directly from us. Just bring us your contact lens prescription and we can order them for you to be delivered. Alternatively, sign up for our Lens Ordering Hub and order online whenever you need fresh lenses. Buying contact lenses online A convenient way to get contact lenses is online. Getting your contact lenses online allows you to refill your prescription whenever you need as well as sign up for and easily manage subscriptions. It’s important to get your prescription contact lenses online through reputable sources such as opticians, specialised online retailers, or pharmacies to ensure you’re getting safe, sterile, and genuine products. We recommend signing up for the Leightons Lens Ordering Hub – simply enter your prescription details and you can order lenses whenever you need. Tips on buying contact lenses online: Check your prescription – Make sure you have entered your contact lens prescription correctly into the correct fields. Check the base curve and diameter – The base curve and diameter of your lenses determine how well they fit your eyes so it’s really important that you get these measurements correct. If they're wrong, your lenses may move around, sit too tightly, or fall out. Stick to the same brand – Stick to the same brand of lenses that appears on your prescription to avoid any differences or discrepancies between brands. Order early – Make sure you place your order before you run out of contacts so you’re not left without while you wait for your new order to arrive. Leightons can create your personalised contact lens plan with our Lens Ordering Hub so your lenses will arrive at the same time every month to avoid running out. What kind of contact lenses can I get? There are many different types of contact lenses. All with their own advantages and drawbacks. Daily disposables Daily disposable lenses are designed to be worn once and thrown away. They are made of soft, comfortable materials and are ideal to be worn daily or on special occasions when glasses are the less convenient option. Monthly and bi-weekly lenses These are reusable lenses that can be worn repeatedly. You put them in in the morning and remove them before you go to bed, cleaning and storing them ready to use the next day. They’re great for people who enjoy a routine and are happy with daily maintenance. Toric lenses Special contact lenses designed to help with astigmatism. They are shaped to maintain a specific orientation on the eye, ensuring consistent vision correction and can be either daily or monthly lenses depending on your needs. Multifocal lenses Designed for those with presbyopia. These contact lenses combine prescriptions within a single lens for near, intermediate, and distance vision. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses RGP lenses are durable contact lenses which offer exceptionally clear, crisp vision and are particularly beneficial for complex prescriptions or irregular corneas. If you want to learn more about how to choose the right contact lenses that fit your lifestyle, check out our informational guide. Follow-up and regular eye check-ups Just like glasses, getting contact lenses isn’t a one-time event. Your eyes are continuously changing, so you’ll need to make sure you’re booking regular check-ups to ensure the lenses you have are still a good fit and that your vision hasn’t changed. Your optometrist will also check your eye health as well as discuss continued safe lens wearing with you. Any discomfort, redness, or vision changes need to be addressed immediately by your optometrist. Ready to begin your contact lens journey? Book your contact lens consultation today Find a Leighton branch near you

Over the last few years, we have seen a huge rise in demand for plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy. The ‘Impossible Burger’, the plant-based meat alternative, was accepted by many die-hard carnivores and milk substitutes from nut and rice to oat are available in every mainstream coffee bar, normally now offered at the same cost as a traditional dairy-based drinks. Nutrition trend forecasters are predicting more of the same as we continue to require increased plant-based options and substitutes for animal based products – both for our own health and the health of our planet. Some trends will stick, others will fade, but the common sense approach to nutrition and eating for health remains constant. Dietitian and Sports Dietitian, Erika Svensen has given us some tips on setting goals and what should be on our plates to ensure we hear, see and can do even more in 2020 and beyond. In terms of goal setting, we are all guilty of starting off with big goals, especially at this time of year. Setting goals that are realistic and sustainable will keep you more motivated. By focusing on small incremental changes, it reduces our reliance on willpower and gives us a better chance of making long-term healthy changes. Small, specific, measurable and achievable goals such as having one extra serving of vegetables every day for the next month or finding a new healthier recipe to learn to cook once a week is a great place to start. As we age, our ability to absorb some nutrients such as calcium or Vitamin D is reduced and we need both for bone health. Eating foods containing Vitamin D such as oily fish and fortified breakfast cereals can help and it’s recommended that people over the age of 65 take a Vitamin D supplement of 100?g per day. In the UK, particularly in winter, it can be advisable for most adults to take a Vitamin D supplement of some kind. B-vitamins are also essential to include in your daily diet. Folate is found in green vegetables and fortified foods; B6 is found in meat, dairy, cereals and vegetables, and B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fortified breakfast cereals and some soya products. Erika suggested that "There is some evidence to suggest that Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome (DES). " Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in oily fish (salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards, kippers, whitebait and anchovies), fortified foods including some eggs, bread, milk and yoghurts as well as nuts (particularly walnuts), seeds, soya and green leafy vegetables can reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome (DES). One serving (140g) of cooked oily fish per week will provide the required amount of Omega 3s to reduce the risk of DES. Carotenoids are a group of antioxidants found in vegetables that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and there is evidence that they can also reduce the risk of age-related Macular Degeneration. Foods containing these include orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, watermelon, guava, spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce, peas, red pepper, corn and egg yolk. "Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty (at least 5 servings) of fruit and vegetables of different variety and colours (‘Eat the Rainbow’), two servings of fish per week as well as high fibre whole grains, will improve people’s overall health." A great diet is about balance, colour and variety. Paying attention to your nutrition will improve your overall health and help them live life to the full. To see a dietitian, visit your GP for a referral or visit FreelanceDietitians for a private dietitian. Book an appointment Regular sight and hearing tests are recommended to ensure you are living life to the full. Book now and learn what you can do to optimise your vision and hearing health. So make sure you book an appointment today. You can do this online, by calling 0800 40 20 20 or in your local branch. Contributor Contributor: Erika Svensen APD Dietitian and Sports Dietitian HCPC registered