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Ask the Optician
Type your question below to search through our Ask the Optician Q&A archive. Or, if you can’t find what you’re looking for on eye health, you can ask one of our qualified optometrists.
Recent answers
Written answer: Piece of contact lens may be still in eye
Last night I had a lot of trouble getting one of my contact lenses out of my eye, and when I finally managed, the lens was broken – I managed to get out three pieces of the lens, but I’m not sure if that was all of it. My eye really hurts now, especially when I blink (it feels bruised). I’m not sure what I should do because I’m unsure whether the pain is something that will pass (and occurred only because I kept touching my eye) or whether there’s still a bit of contact lens in there. Should I be worried? Is there anything I should do?
Written answer: Do toric coloured contact lenses 'stretch' with wear?
I wear toric contact lenses hand made with colour & tint. This is the first day I’m wearing them, & I still have some of my own colour showing at the bottom. Do toric contact lenses need to stretch because they are handmade?
Written answer: Total loss of vision in one eye in the evenings
I am experiencing a total loss of vision in my right eye in the evenings. Just before I lose my vision I see black spots. It is often when I am very tired. Do I need to see an optician?
Written answer: Is it dangerous to wait from March to June to see an eye specialist with high eye pressures?
Thank you for your understanding professional very encouraging reply. Please help me one last time.
I had an eye test at the optician in March and although he said nothing was going on inside my eyes – my pressure was high 28.5 and 29.5. He wrote to my doctor who said it was only slightly high but I insisted on a referral to a specialist (going June 7th and 12th). I hadn’t previously had an eye test for 3/4 years and now I’m panicking – if its glaucoma, what is the treatment?
Written answer: Can I use a NHS voucher through an online purchase of glasses?
I’m currently named under a valid HC2 certificate and am wondering if there’s a way I could use my discount (optical voucher) through an online purchase for glasses or will I need to apply for the voucher in-store or during a sight test.
Written answer: Easier to see close up without distance glasses
I have been short sighted since birth and at my last eye test was recommend to get glasses for the first time. After collecting my new glasses on Friday while my distance vision is definitely clearer closer things like reading and using my computer I find easier without my glasses.
Written answer: If I had a toric contact lens with a smaller diameter would it make it slip?
I wear toric contacts lenses & my diameter on them is 14.50 if I had a contact of diameter of 14.00. Could this cause my contact to slip about 90 degrees out of vision?
Written answer: Unable to see in the morning
For the last few months I have been waking up in the morning unable to see, this does not happen every morning and only lasts for a minute or two. I also am experiencing blurred vision and headaches regulary. I am short sighted. My Grandmother had cateracts which caused blindness and my whole family wear glasses in varying degrees of strength, long and short sighted. I’m due for an eye test, is this something to mention to my optician or doctor. I’m 34 years old. I am also having trouble with the black and white letters which appear at the bottom of comfirming you are human responding to e-mails and sending them. I read a lot of books paper and kindle, and spend a few hours on the laptop every day.
Written answer: Frames keep going out of shape
Last May 2011 I purchased 2 x pairs of spectacles and lenses namely Toby and Henry. A few weeks ago I noticed that the Henry frames were starting to distort i.e. when placed on a level surface, one arm would be a good centimetre up and not level.
Written answer: Worried about raised pressure in eye
I had an eye exam at the optician in March and although he said there was nothing going on inside my eyes – the pressure was high 28.5 and 29.5. I hadn’t previously had an eye test for 3/4 years when my pressure was fine. My brother had a high pressure 28 and 31 and took drops for a few years and went down to 18. The ophthalmologist said he did not have glaucoma. You’ve given me excellent advice before. I am 45 years old.
