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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
Video and written answer: Cataracts getting worse
My dad has been diagnosed with cataracts (60 years old in Dec) and was told that he won’t be able to have surgery until they get worse.
Video and written answer: Sudden increase in floaters in one eye
I’ve had one or two floaters in my eyes for years and they’ve stayed mostly on the outside of my vision. Around 3 weeks ago they have increased to around ten in my left eye and are constantly crossing my vision. Should I come and get my eyes checked? I had my eyes tested around March.
Written answer: Would laser surgery correct a squint?
I am considering laser eye surgery, and am wondering if I am a suitable candidate. I wear glasses/contacts (mostly glasses). I am not sure of my glasses prescription, but my contacts are R: +5.00, L: +2.25.
Written answer: Register with another optician
Can you unregister from an opticians when you’d like to register with another opticians?
Written answer: Contact lens is not clear with small degree of astigmatism
I have an astigmatism of -0.25 in my rignt eye -1.75 in my left eye. I have been prescribed a standard soft monthly disposable lens for my right eye and a toric monthly disposable lens for my left. My vision in my right eye is blurred with the lens in and I find it difficult to focus. Is there any other option such as a toric lens for this problem or is my astigmatism too mild?
Written answer: Stargardt's disease and tinted lens
I have a rare eye disease called Stargardt’s disease and I require some eyeglasses with special lenses that block out wavelenghts of light shorter than 600nm. More specifically a red filter, as bright light makes my vision deteriorate faster, and these lenses would slow the progression of my condition down and help me retain what little of my vision that remains.
Written answer: Spot on lower lid
I have a problem with my lower left eyelid. It is very red and there appears to be a white/creamy spot sitting on and slightly in the eyelid. It is not painful but I do have some niggly pain on that side of the eye. I first noticed this last Saturday morning. If I touch the spot it does feel a bit sore but there does not appear to be any pus. I have tried optrex eye bath and bathing with warm water. Would it be alright to use salt water on it? Thank you.
Written answer: Painful blinking eyes when trying to sleep
When I close my eyes to try and go to sleep they hurt quite a lot which makes me blink excessively. I am a little concerned about this as it has never happened before. Have you any suggestions as to what may be causing this and how to stop the pain.
Written answer: Coloured prescription contact lenses
I wear prescription contacts lenses. Will I be able to wear coloured contact lenses on top of my prescription lenses? Or can you get prescription coloured lenses?
Written answer: Painful eye on inserting contact lens
I’ve started wearing monthly contact lenses recently. It’s been less then a week and I think I have an infection or suffering from some degree of dry eyes in my right eye. It’s painful to put contacts in and it waters too much. Do I need to go to a GP or book and appointment at Specsavers?
Many thanks!
