According to the World Health Organization, cataracts cause a third of worldwide blindness, affecting approximately 12.6 million people. Cataracts additionally cause moderate to severe vision loss to 52.6 million individuals, 99% of whom live in developing countries.
Although it is a relatively simple condition to treat surgically in the developed world, in many developing countries, access to eye care is extremely limited. Moreover, as populations age and average life expectancy continues to increase worldwide, the number of people with cataracts will only grow more widespread.
A Healthy Eye and an Eye with A Cataract
Risk Factors
Biological aging is the most common cause of cataracts, but exposure to ultraviolet radiation, skin diseases, injury, infection, smoking, and genetic factors are also causes. Some children are even born with the condition.
Those living in developing countries, particularly those with agrarian societies, are at increased risk. Individuals who spend much of their day working outdoors without eye protection are exposed to UV-B radiation, which can lead to cataracts.
Prevention
While there is no way to completely prevent getting cataracts, the following can lessen the likelihood of developing them:
1. Living a healthy lifestyle by reducing smoking and alcohol consumption
2. Avoiding eye trauma by wearing safety goggles
3. Wearing sunglasses to protect eyes from UV radiation
Treatment
Cataract removal is a simple, non-invasive surgical process with a high success rate – 90% of patients report a corrected vision of 20/40 or better afterwards. SEE performs three types of cataract surgery: Phacoemulsification (or “Phaco”), Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE) and Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS).
Cataracts in the developing world generally have gone untreated for a longer period of time than in places like the United States. Thus they are usually denser and harder to remove. MSICS is the generally the ideal technique to use, as it allows the doctor to get the more mature cataract out in a shorter amount of time than if they were to use Phaco.
Doctors most commonly use Phaco in the developed world. The technique utilizes an expensive handheld ultrasonic probe, which emulsifies (turns to liquid) the clouded lens, which surgeons then replace with an artificial (man-made) lens. ECCE uses a larger incision than phaco and generally needs stitches and thus is less commonly used. The Manual Small Incision technique improves upon ECCE, in that it does not require stitches. Find out more about MSICS here .
SEE International & Cataracts Around the World
SEE works diligently to reduce the number of cataract cases around the world in the following ways:
Performing cataract surgery
Teaching appropriate cataract surgical techniques, such as Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery.
Training local eye care personnel in ophthalmology in rural and urban areas.
Strengthening local health care infrastructure.
Tag: ajuwon
-
Cataract – Overview
-
Cataract surgery – IOL
hat Is an Intraocular Lens Implant?
An intraocular lens implant is an artificial replacement for the lens of your eye. It’s part of the surgery to fix cataracts. How Your Eye Works
Each eye has a lens — a window made of clear protein and water that sits behind the pupil. The lens focuses light onto the retina, which sends it to your brain.
As you get older, the proteins change and parts of your lens turn cloudy. This is known as a cataract. It can make things look blurry or give them a brownish tint.
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness, especially in older people. But they can be corrected through surgery — a procedure that’s done more than 2 million times a year in the United States.
The Implant
An intraocular lens implant, or IOL, is made of a clear plastic, and it’s about a third the size of a dime. There are several different types:
Monofocal IOL: This is the most common. Unlike your natural lens, which can stretch or bend to help your eye focus, this implant stays focused at one fixed distance. If yours focuses at a distance, you might be able to see things far away but need glasses to read or see close up.
CONTINUE READING BELOWMultifocal implant: Like glasses with bifocal or progressive lenses, this lens has areas that help you see things at different distances. It could take several months for your brain to adapt so yourvision seems natural. Accommodating IOL: This flexible option acts more like your natural lens and focuses at more than one distance. It makes you less likely to need reading glasses.
Toric IOL: You’ll get this is if you haveastigmatism, or a cornea that’s more football-shaped than round. This can make vision blurry all over, not just close up or far away. This lens lessens astigmatism so you won’t need glasses to correct it after your surgery.
The Surgery
If you have a cataract, you’ll see anophthalmologist. This doctor specializes in eye problems. He’ll probably tell you it’s best to wait to remove the cataract until it starts to affect your daily life. He can do the surgery at a hospital or an outpatient clinic.
To get you ready, your doctor will:
- Measure your eye. This will help him pick the right implant for you.
- Give you medicated eye drops to take for a few days ahead of time
- Ask you to stop taking some medicines or to skip wearing contact lenses for several days beforehand
CONTINUE READING BELOWOn the day of surgery, he’ll: - Numb your eye
- Give you a drug to help you relax. You may see light during the procedure, but you should feel nothing or only a gentle pressure.
- Make a tiny cut through your cornea to get to the lens
- Break the lens up into pieces and remove it bit by bit
- Put the implant in place
- Let the cut heal by itself — no stitches
You can usually go home in less than an hour, but you’ll need someone else to drive.
Is It Risky?
Any surgery has a chance of complications. It’s rare after an intraocular lens implant, but you might notice bleeding or get an infection. Redness or swelling are more common.
More serious risks include:
- A detached retina, which happens when that layer of nerve cells separates from the back of your eye. This is a medical emergency.
- Vision loss
- Dislocation — when the implant moves out of position
You may also get an after-cataract anywhere from weeks to years after surgery. This happens when the tissue around your new lens gets cloudy and your eyesight blurs. Your doctor can fix this with a painless laser procedure.
CONTINUE READING BELOWFollow-Up Care
It’ll take about 8 weeks to fully heal. During that time:
- Keep your eye covered with a patch or glasses for the first several days — even when you sleep.
- Don’t rub or press your eye, even if it’s itchy or oozes a bit of fluid.
- Take the medicated eye drops your doctor prescribes. You’ll use them for several weeks to help your eye heal.
- Avoid most exercise or heavy lifting. The doctor will tell you when you can do those things again
-
Cataracts
What Is an Intraocular Lens Implant?
An intraocular lens implant is an artificial replacement for the lens of your eye. It’s part of the surgery to fix cataracts. How Your Eye Works
Each eye has a lens — a window made of clear protein and water that sits behind the pupil. The lens focuses light onto the retina, which sends it to your brain.
As you get older, the proteins change and parts of your lens turn cloudy. This is known as a cataract. It can make things look blurry or give them a brownish tint.
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness, especially in older people. But they can be corrected through surgery — a procedure that’s done more than 2 million times a year in the United States.
The Implant
An intraocular lens implant, or IOL, is made of a clear plastic, and it’s about a third the size of a dime. There are several different types:
Monofocal IOL: This is the most common. Unlike your natural lens, which can stretch or bend to help your eye focus, this implant stays focused at one fixed distance. If yours focuses at a distance, you might be able to see things far away but need glasses to read or see close up.
CONTINUE READING BELOWMultifocal implant: Like glasses with bifocal or progressive lenses, this lens has areas that help you see things at different distances. It could take several months for your brain to adapt so yourvision seems natural. Accommodating IOL: This flexible option acts more like your natural lens and focuses at more than one distance. It makes you less likely to need reading glasses.
Toric IOL: You’ll get this is if you haveastigmatism, or a cornea that’s more football-shaped than round. This can make vision blurry all over, not just close up or far away. This lens lessens astigmatism so you won’t need glasses to correct it after your surgery.
The Surgery
If you have a cataract, you’ll see anophthalmologist. This doctor specializes in eye problems. He’ll probably tell you it’s best to wait to remove the cataract until it starts to affect your daily life. He can do the surgery at a hospital or an outpatient clinic.
To get you ready, your doctor will:
- Measure your eye. This will help him pick the right implant for you.
- Give you medicated eye drops to take for a few days ahead of time
- Ask you to stop taking some medicines or to skip wearing contact lenses for several days beforehand
CONTINUE READING BELOWOn the day of surgery, he’ll: - Numb your eye
- Give you a drug to help you relax. You may see light during the procedure, but you should feel nothing or only a gentle pressure.
- Make a tiny cut through your cornea to get to the lens
- Break the lens up into pieces and remove it bit by bit
- Put the implant in place
- Let the cut heal by itself — no stitches
You can usually go home in less than an hour, but you’ll need someone else to drive.
Is It Risky?
Any surgery has a chance of complications. It’s rare after an intraocular lens implant, but you might notice bleeding or get an infection. Redness or swelling are more common.
More serious risks include:
- A detached retina, which happens when that layer of nerve cells separates from the back of your eye. This is a medical emergency.
- Vision loss
- Dislocation — when the implant moves out of position
You may also get an after-cataract anywhere from weeks to years after surgery. This happens when the tissue around your new lens gets cloudy and your eyesight blurs. Your doctor can fix this with a painless laser procedure.
CONTINUE READING BELOWFollow-Up Care
It’ll take about 8 weeks to fully heal. During that time:
- Keep your eye covered with a patch or glasses for the first several days — even when you sleep.
- Don’t rub or press your eye, even if it’s itchy or oozes a bit of fluid.
- Take the medicated eye drops your doctor prescribes. You’ll use them for several weeks to help your eye heal.
- Avoid most exercise or heavy lifting. The doctor will tell you when you can do those things again
-
Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes in a day? It may damage your vision
- Smoking more than 20
cigarettes a day may damage your vision by affecting blood vessels and neurons in the retina, a study warns.
The study, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, included 71 healthy people who smoked fewer than 15 cigarettes in their lives and 63 who smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day, were diagnosed with tobacco addiction and reported no attempts to stop.
The participants were between the ages of 25 and 45 and had normal or corrected-to-normal vision as measured by standard visual acuity charts, said researchers from the Rutgers University in the US.
They looked at how participants discriminated contrast levels (subtle differences in shading) and colours while seated 59 inches from a 19-inch cathode-ray tube monitor that displayed stimuli while researchers monitored both eyes simultaneously.
The findings indicated significant changes in the smokers’ red-green and blue-yellow colour vision, which suggests that consuming substances with neurotoxic chemicals, such as those in cigarettes, may cause overall colour vision loss.
They also found that the heavy smokers had a reduced ability to discriminate contrasts and colours when compared to the non-smokers.
“Cigarette smoke consists of numerous compounds that are harmful to health,” said Steven Silverstein, director of research at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
“it has been linked to a reduction in the thickness of layers in the brain, and to brain lesions, involving areas such as the frontal lobe, which plays a role in voluntary movement and control of thinking, and a decrease in activity in the area of the brain that processes vision,” said Silverstein.
Previous studies have pointed that long-term smoking doubles the risk for age-related macular degeneration and causes lens yellowing and inflammation.
“Our results indicate that excessive use of cigarettes, or chronic exposure to their compounds, affects visual discrimination, supporting the existence of overall deficits in visual processing with tobacco addiction,” Silverstein said.
Although the research did not give a physiological explanation for the results, Silverstein said that since nicotine and smoking harm the vascular system, the study suggests they also damage blood vessels and neurons in the retina.
He said the findings also suggest that research into visual processing impairments in other groups of people, such as those with schizophrenia who often smoke heavily, should take into account their smoking rate or independently examine smokers versus non-smokers. - Smoking more than 20
-
Online Optical Shop
This is where you will be able to peruse and purchase the latest optical frames and equipment.
Making a decision about your eye wear goes beyond good vision and makes a statement about who you are. Your decision affects how you see and also how you want to be seen by others. But with so many different styles to choose from, getting the right look for your face and your lifestyle can be overwhelming.
Our staff will help you find the best fit for your specific needs and explain how different lenses and frames will impact your vision. They will help you narrow down your choices so you can find the look, fit and functionality you want from your eye wear.
With three locations, we offer the largest selection of eyeglasses, contact lenses, designer frames and sunglasses. We carry the latest European and American designer eye wear collections in a variety of styles, colors and materials including titanium, stainless steel and plastic.
New clients and all our current patients are welcome to visit us with their current prescription – no appointment necessary.
-
Designer FramesWe carry a large variety of top designer frames for both eyeglasses and sunglasses.
-
Kid’s OpticalHelp your child choose eyewear that suits their lifestyle. The right frame and lens will help them in school, work and at play.
-
SunglassesWhether or not you require vision correction, sunglasses can add an element of comfort and enhanced performance to your activities, while helping you look great.
-
Contact LensesWe offer a wide range of contact lenses to fit your needs including contact lens exams and fittings.
-
Eyeglass BasicsEyeglasses are more popular today than ever, despite the availability of contact lenses and vision correction surgery.
-
Specialty EyewearSports glasses, Protective eyewear, SCUBA diving… we can help you with glasses for your specific needs.
-
Lens TreatmentsToday’s eyeglass lens treatments make a real difference in what you see, and what you don’t see. Scratches, glare, ultraviolet rays—all are potential hazards to healthy sight that can be minimized or eliminated by a lens treatment.
-
Prescription EyeglassesGet tips on caring for your lenses and frames and learn about the benefits of bifocals, progressives, high index lenses and prescription sunglasses.
-
EyeGlass GuideVisit our interactive on-line tool and we’ll guide you through a series of questions about you, your lifestyle and your specific eyewear needs to help you choose the glasses that are right for you!
-
Transitions® LensesTransitions® Lenses Optical, Inc. has developed the world’s most advanced photochromic lens technology—the ability of a lens to darken in the presence of invisible UV light. Transitions® Lenses are the #1 brand of photochromic lenses recommended by eye care professionals worldwide
-
-
How to protect your eyes from gadgets that emit blue light
How to Protect Your Eyes From Electronic Devices
Most people use electronic devices for a considerable number of hours during the day and in the evening. This technology is new to recent generations, and the long-term effects of eye exposure to electronic devices have yet to be determined.
What researchers do know is that the blue light emitted from screens can be detrimental to eye health on varying levels of severity. And, it doesn’t take a team of researchers to know that constant exposure to harsh light does cause eye strain.
Here are some convenient and simple ways to protect your eyes from electronic devices that are easy to implement.
1. HOLD YOUR DEVICE AT AN ANGLE
Blue light is emitted straight out from the device. If you hold your device at a 30-degree angle or more, you can measurably reduce the amount of blue light that enters your eyes. To determine the best angle, simply experiment. You’ll be able to physically feel when the strain on your eyes has been reduced sufficiently.
2. WEAR BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES
Blue light blocking glasses are made with special spectrum control technology to absorb blue light. Wear these to reduce eye strain and protect your eyes from electronic devices. Look for ones that absorb up between 90 to 99 percent of blue light. These amber colored or orange-lensed glasses start at around N6500 , so there’s a pair for any budget. Regular use is claimed to reduce your risk of cataracts and other macular degeneration conditions.
3. USE A SCREEN FILTER
Screen filters are available to fit most models of laptops, tablets, and phones. These filters fit easily onto the device without harming the original manufacturer’s screen or interfering with touch sensitivity. These are especially helpful if your younger children use computers for games or schoolwork since kids are less likely to wear blue light blocking glasses without supervision.
4. INSTALL A BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING PLUGIN
There are a few software plugins that you can install for use with your browsers. These plugins start automatically when you use your browser, and alter the screen light to protect your eyes from harsh screen light. Most can be controlled so that you can adjust the level of protection to suit your individual preferences. There are several options on the market to try, either free or for a nominal charge.
5. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF “COMFORT VIEW” SETTINGS
Many newer devices offer a “comfort view” setting. This setting changes the sharp screen light to a warmer light with less contrast between the screen and the surrounding light. This setting can usually be found in the display settings, or in the pull-down menu on mobile phones and tablets, near the volume control. While this setting doesn’t necessarily protect your eyes from the blue light, it does cut down on eye strain considerably by lessening the contrast.
Of course, the easiest way to protect your eyes from electronic devices is to reduce use. When this isn’t possible, though, these suggestions will help ensure good eye health for years to come.
Contact your eye doctor to learn more. -
About Us
Eyeupdate Clinic & Optical Services Ltd is a private eye care centre established in 2006 which became fully operational in 2007, And it is duly approved by the Ministry of Health.
Over the years, the eye care centre has evolved to metamorphose into a fully equipped world class eye care centre with Opticians, Optometrists and Ophthalmologist staff and partners.
We refract, diagnose, manage eye diseases of the ocular system and rehabilitate eyes which have deviated from the normal state.
We are continuously working to improve and to perfect in order to deliver the very best of eye care services never before attained elsewhere. Our aim is to always provide that professional touch that will keep your eyes keener than the eagle’s eyes. Mitigating the preventable causes of blindness and accentuating excellent vision is the high point of our existence as eye care professionals.
We are combining decades of experience as well as continuing education to ensure a thorough comprehensive eye examination, proper diagnosis of eye diseases and vision disorders, as well as an accurate prescription for your glasses and contact lenses.
To schedule your vision examination, contact us on any of these channels:
Tel/WhatsApp: 07030000001, 08107531046, 08034971582.
Email: eyeupdate@consultant.com
-
Foods that help keep your eyes healthy
For eye examination, make an appointment with us, now:
Tel/WhatsApp: 07030000001, 08107531046, 08034971582
Email: eyeupdate@consultant.com
People often believe that failing eyesight is an inevitable result of aging or eye strain. In truth, a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of eye health problems.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), published in 2001, found that certain nutrients — zinc, copper ,
vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene — may reduce the risk of age-related decline in eye health by 25 percent .
This study was updated in 2013 to test different versions of the original formula. The variations included
omega-3 fatty acids, zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta carotene; the study found that certain combinations may work better than others.
Further studies agree that omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA), copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin are vital for eye health.
In this article, we look at the evidence for 10 nutrient-rich foods to boost eye health. We also discuss other tips for healthy eyes and eye health warning signs.
Ten best foods for eye health
Organizations such as the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) continue to recommend nutrients for eye health based on the AREDS reports.
The AREDS reports support the following 10 nutrient-rich foods:
1. Fish
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower the risk of eye problems.
Many fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Oily fish are fish that have oil in their gut and body tissue, so eating them offers higher levels of omega-3-rich fish oil. The fish that contains the most beneficial levels of omega-3s include:
tuna
salmon
trout
mackerel
sardines
anchovies
herring
Some studies have found that fish oil can reverse dry eye, including dry eye caused by spending too much time on a computer .
2. Nuts and legumes
Nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts also contain a high level of vitamin E, which can protect the eye from age-related damage.
Nuts and legumes that are good for eye health include:
walnuts
Brazil nuts
cashews
peanuts
lentils
3. Seeds
Like nuts and legumes, seeds are high in omega-3s and are a rich source of vitamin E.
Seeds high in omega-3 include:
chia seeds
flax seeds
hemp seeds
4. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C. Just like vitamin E, vitamin C is an antioxidant that is recommended by the AOA to fight age-related eye damage.
Vitamin C-rich citrus fruits include:
lemons
oranges
grapefruits
5. Leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables are rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin and are also a good source of eye-friendly vitamin C.
Well-known leafy greens include:
spinach
kale
collards
6. Carrots
Carrots are rich in both Vitamin A and beta carotene. Beta carotene gives carrots their orange color.
Vitamin A plays an essential role in vision. It is a component of a protein called rhodopsin, which helps the retina to absorb light.
Research on beta carotene’s role in vision is mixed , though the body needs this nutrient to make vitamin A.
7. Sweet potatoes
Like carrots, sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene. They are also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.
8. Beef
Beef is rich in zinc, which has been linked to better long-term eye health. Zinc can help delay age-related sight loss and macular degeneration.
The eye itself contains high levels of zinc, particularly in the retina, and the vascular tissue surrounding the retina.
Meats such as chicken breast and pork loin also contain zinc, but at lower levels than beef.
9. Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which can reduce the risk of age-related sight loss. Eggs are also good sources of vitamins C and E, and zinc.
10. Water
It may come as no surprise that a fluid essential to life is also vital to eye health.
Drinking plenty of water can prevent dehydration , which may reduce the symptoms of dry eyes .
Recommended daily intake
The current daily recommendations for healthy eye nutrients, as suggested by the AAO to slow the progression of eye disease, are:
500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
400 international units of vitamin E
10 mg lutein
2 mg zeaxanthin
80 mg of zinc oxide
2 mg of copper oxide
RELATED ARTICLE
Five tips for healthy sight
Diet is not the only way to keep your eyes healthy. Learn about other strategies to boost eye health here.
READ NOW
Other eye health tips
Wearers of contact lenses should follow their doctors’ instructions to reduce the risk of infection.
According to the AAO, the following strategies can help to ensure healthy eyes:
wearing sunglasses outside, since excessive sun exposure can cause cataracts
stopping smoking
getting regular eye exams, particularly if there is a family history of eye disease
wearing eye protection when working with possible eye irritants or dangerous chemicals
washing hands before applying contacts
wearing contacts only for the period recommended by the doctor or manufacturer
protecting eyes from computer-related eye strain by looking away every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness. People with diabetes should carefully monitor blood sugar levels, take medications exactly as prescribed by their doctor, and manage carbohydrate intake while focusing on eating low-moderate glycemic index (GI) foods.
Early treatment for eye health problems can prevent them from getting worse. So people who notice changes in their vision should schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Warning signs for eye health
Possible symptoms that a person may be experiencing vision trouble include:
frequent changes in visual clarity
seeing distorted images
seeing floaters or flashes in the field of vision
reduced peripheral vision
Summary
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C which may help lower the risk of age-related eye damage.
Eating a varied diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is enough to ensure most people get the right nutrients for eye health.
People who cannot get these nutrients from their diet should ask an eye doctor about eye health supplements.
People with vision problems or those with very restrictive diets should talk to an eye health provider about the right foods to eat. -
Why your child needs that eye check now.
Schools have reopened across the nation. Send your wads to us for a comprehensive eye examination.
When your child cannot see very well, he/she would not be able to follow what the teachers are teaching practically and cognitively.
Children who cannot see well at far end up copying the mistakes of their classmates from their notebooks instead of copying from the teachers notes on the board. Those who cannot see well at near cannot study their books for long and essily get pissed off by eye strain headache.At Eyeupdate Clinic, we understand and apply the value of comprehensive eye examination. And that’s why we examine your child’s eyes to ensure that vision is optimum for academic excellence and productivity.
Let us find out the ocular status of your eyes.. To make an appointment, reach us on any of these channels:
Tel/Whatsapp: 07030000001, 08107531046, 08034981582.
You can also email us on eyeudate@consultant.com
-
Importance of regular eye check
Why are eye tests important?
Regular eye tests are important because your eyes don’t usually hurt when something is wrong. A sight test is a vital health check for your eyes that can pick up early signs of eye conditions before you’re aware of any symptoms – many of which can be treated if found early enough.
What your eye test will show
A sight test will show if you need to:
get glasses for the first time
change your current glasses
A sight test will also include a general health check that can pick up early signs of eye disease before you’re aware of any symptoms. Some health conditions can affect the eyes such as:
diabetes
macular degeneration
glaucoma
Your sight test
Optometrists recommend that most people should get their eyes tested every two years. However, in some circumstances, they may recommend more frequent NHS sight tests; for example, if you:
are a child wearing glasses
have diabetes
are aged 40 or over and have a family history of
glaucoma
are aged 70 or over
The way a sight test is carried out is governed by law. A sight test will identify:
what your level of vision is
whether you need glasses to correct your sight
Your eyes and the area around them will be examined, to look for signs of injury, disease or abnormality.
During your appointment, you may see more than one practitioner, for example:
an optometrist or ophthalmic medical practitioner, who tests your sight to check the quality of your vision and your eye health
a dispensing optician, who fits your glasses
If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, remember to take them with you to your sight test. You may be asked to wear them during the test.
What happens after a sight test?
At the end of your sight test, your ophthalmic practitioner will discuss the results with you. They will tell you whether:
your sight needs correcting
you need to be referred for further investigation
They will also give you an optical statement or prescription to say that:
you don’t need glasses
your current glasses don’t need changing
you have been given a new or changed prescription
you are being referred to your GP or an eye clinic
You can take your new or changed prescription to any supplier to have your glasses made up.
If you’re entitled to an NHS optical voucher, this will also be given to you after your NHS sight test. You can also take your voucher to any supplier to buy glasses or contact lenses, providing they accept optical vouchers. For more information, see
Am I entitled to an NHS optical voucher?
Children under 16 and individuals who are registered blind or partially sighted can only have their appliances dispensed by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner, registered optometrist or registered dispensing optician.