Rest assured when you come to You and Eye in the Sydney CBD we’ll look after you. We will fit the lens to be sure it’s exact and take you through your first application as well as correct cleaning methods. We’ll teach you everything you need to know and give you some practice time to give it a go yourself. You will go home feeling comfortable, knowing exactly what you need to do, and with perfect vision.

Getting Contact Lenses For The First Time

When you buy contact lenses they will be custom made to your eye. We look at all types of unique features like the structure of your eye, your tears and visual acuity to find the best type of lens material, replacement schedule and brand for your eye.

That’s why it’s critical that you look for the best optometry services in your area to be sure that you are fitted perfectly.

Even if you only want contacts for show, like a colour or an effect lens, you will need to make an optometrist appointment as contact lenses can only be fitted by an eye care practitioner. You and Eye can assess your needs, write a prescription for the proper size, shape, power as well as recommend the best brand of lenses for your perfect vision.

We’re also here to answer any questions you might have along the way so please use your time with us to get confident and feel safe with your new contact lenses.

Contact Lens Fit

Because we fit your contact lens for you, you can be certain it’s the right fit for your eye and you know that it’s gone on correctly. When you know what feels right, it will be very easy to know when you accidently get things wrong on your own. The great news is, nothing bad will happen if you are alert and diligent. Even if you put them on inside out, just take them out, give them a proper solution clean and go again.

It is normal for there to be a slight adjustment time. If the lens takes a few seconds to settle exactly in the right place you may notice some blurry vision, however, it will only last for a second or two.

What To Expect When Wearing Contact Lenses

When a contact lens is correctly fitted you won’t feel it at all. They are designed to be comfortable and the materials used are gentle and snug.

If you do notice any burning or irritation when wearing contacts it’s probably something like a little bit of dirt or fibre that has been caught between your eye and the lens. All you need to do is rise in solution and insert again for a carefree day.

If it keeps happening you might have a small scratch on the lens. It’s not ever going to be painful, like being poked in the eye or having a stuck eyelash, it might just be noticeable or a little bit irritating. If you ever experience burning or irritation even after a clean, you need to come back into the optometrist to check on your lens and eye health.

The very first time you try contact lenses you will feel a big difference to wearing glasses. You will notice that the lenses are there at first. The feeling won’t be unpleasant or troubling, you’ll just be aware of them, like you have tears in your eyes or a feeling that something’s odd. This feeling will pass very quickly as you get used to the feeling of having the contacts in.

Some people find their eyes water a lot when they use contact lenses for the first time. It’s not a permanent thing, it’s just your eyes getting used to the sensation and they will quickly adjust and settle down. It might be handy to have some good quality clean tissues on hand when you go for your first sitting or wear contact lenses for the first time.

If you experience the feeling of dry eyes then you might like to try drops as part of your contact application. Just ask us for an example when you get your fitting.

Keeping Contact Lenses Clean

One thing you will really like about contacts is how clean they are. So many times through the day your glasses will become slightly dirty or smeared and you won’t even notice. Contacts are so clear and clean you will really see the difference. It’s like taking the windowpane out so you can see outside without the glass interfering.

For most people putting in and taking out contacts is the biggest part to get used to, we normally avoid touching our eyes. It does get easy with practice and soon becomes a very normal part of your daily routine. It is never painful and very easy to master. It is very important that you always wash your hands correctly and use the solutions to clean the lenses at night. If you are going to buy contact lenses, it’s really important that you look after your eye health and keep those eyes protected.

We would recommend going slowly your first day or two. Allow yourself to get used to the change and give yourself a break after about 3-4 hours until you feel really natural about wearing them.

How Much Are Prescription Contact Lenses?

Just like glasses, the cost really depends on what materials your contact lenses are made from, the brand, and the prescription you need.

We would love to talk to you about our price range or have you in for a look at what your best options are. No matter what your current glasses prescription is, even if you have astigmatism, talk to us about your options. If you would really like a change talk to our staff about prescription coloured contact lenses.

If you’re looking for an optometrist in the Sydney CBD, please make an appointment to visit us at Shop 6, Upper Ground floor, 10 Spring St, Sydney.

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Why risk losing precious eyesight when wearing safety glasses or protective goggles can keep your eyes safe for a lifetime of good vision?
Safety glasses and safety goggles must conform to a higher standard of impact resistance than regular eyeglasses. This higher standard applies to both the lenses and the frames. Regardless of their size or the durability of the frame and lenses, regular prescription eyeglasses do not qualify as safety glasses unless they meet specific criteria.

Do you know what proper protective eyewear is? Please let You & Eye Optical educate you.

Safety glasses & goggles Australian Standards

There are 2 forms of criteria for complying with Australian Standards.
1) Safety glasses & goggles Lens Material:
Polycarbonate Lenses are the strongest material for impact resistance. Polycarbonate is light weight and can be coated for scratch resistance. Most polycarbonate lenses have ultra violet protection built in. Safety lenses now have two classifications of performance: basic impact and high impact. Keep in mind that polycarbonate is a much softer lens material than glass. Even with a scratch-resistant coating, polycarbonate lenses will scratch more easily than glass lenses.
The manufacturers or suppliers logo is etched on all approved safety lenses.

2) Safety glasses & goggles Frame Material:
Safety frames are both metal (conductive) and plastic (non-conductive). They are stronger than street wear frames and are often heat resistant. These medium impact frames need to suit a range of environments and patient requirements. For instance, metal frames would not be suitable for electrical work.

The manufactures or suppliers logo is etched on all approved frames, non-removable side shields and other parts of the safety frame, helmets and goggles.

In the event of an eye injury

• Do not rub the eye
• In the case of cuts, punctures or embedded objects, do not wash the eye or try to remove objects.
• In the event of chemical burns or dust in the eye, flush the eye with plenty of cold water for at least 15 minutes.
• If an eye injury occurs, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist or go to your nearest hospital as soon as possible. The full extent of the damage is not always apparent and even a seemingly minor injury may cause permanent damage if it is not treated immediately.

The post Do You Need Safety Glasses or Goggles? appeared first on .

When you read print, or look at a standard eye exam chart, the text is usually black on white, the highest contrast you can get, so it gives you the best result. However, as the contrast decreases, things are more difficult to see. Imagine writing printed in light grey on white, or different shades of brown and beige; not so easy to see now? This reduction in contrast is what happens when you try to see in low light, or fog, or glare. So even if you have 20/20 vision in an eye exam, you will still find night driving more difficult if your contrast sensitivity is poor. You may have seen yellow tinted lenses for night driving, these are designed to improve the contrast of what you see, and will help some people.

Reduced contrast sensitivity can affect all visual tasks, including driving, reading, and watching television, and can make you more likely to fall on stairs as the edge of one step isn’t obvious against the colour of the one below. Just like your high contrast visual acuity, contrast sensitivity can vary from one normal person to another, but can also be affected by eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, or diabetic eye disease. It can also be affected by laser refractive surgery, and is one of the reasons that if you have had surgery to correct your prescription, your night vision may still not be as good as you remember it was before.

In the image above, the red circle contains an image in a colour of low contrast to the surrounding red dot. Some people see nothing at all, others see an outline, and some see more detail.

The image is described and shown in the article linked below, so I won’t spoil it until you’ve had a go!

If you can’t see anything in the red dot, there might still be nothing at all wrong with your eyes, but if you haven’t had an eye exam for a while, book in for one anyway to make sure.

Here’s an article with more detail, and pictures of the image hidden in the red dot:

http://www.self.com/trending/2016/04/the-latest-viral-optical-illusion-can-actually-tell-you-something-about-how-good-your-vision-is/

The post Could an internet “illusion” actually be useful? appeared first on .

Style, fit and comfort are the highest priority for our fitting experts at You & Eye Optical.

We recommend not only which frames suit you, but also your prescription, taking into account the frame size and shape, the style of the nosebridge, length of the temples and construction of the frame.

There are options in eyeglass frame materials.

Shell (acetate).

Shell frames fit all the way around the bridge of your nose, making them hypo-allergenic, and light-weight, whilst making a statement.

They are available in a large variety of colours, patterns and textures. The wider material in acetate frames can be useful in hiding the edge thickness of higher prescription lenses.

Metal.

Metal frames consist of monel, titanium, stainless steel and aluminium materials. These materials are robust and work well for most prescriptions. The metal nosepad arms at the bridge mean they can be adjusted to a more customised fit. Once again they are available in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colours.

Semi-rimless.

Semi-rimless frames have the rim only on the top half or bottom half of the frame making them more subtle and of a minimalist appearance. These frames can be a good compromise if you like the look of rimless but need a frame with more strength.

Full (drill) Rimless.

Rimless eyewear appeals to men and women of all ages and has the cosmetic benefit of disappearance. They work well in glasses that you wear all the time, as they keep their shape better when you don’t take them on and off regularly.

Specialty frames.

There are frames to cater for work, hobbies, sports, and everything else you do during your day. They might be hardened for safety, or wrap-around for cycling, or have a sports strap for soccer, or even a tiltable side for snooker. Styles and fits vary as much as your needs do!

Of course you don’t have to limit yourself to one style. Just like shoes, different glasses do different jobs and portray different looks. A fancy design for a special occasion or outfit might not be the same look you want every day. It’s rare that one frame meets your needs all the time, so most people have more than one, even if that second pair is just a prescription sunglass. As you update your collection of frames each year you will build up a choice of recent frames which are (hopefully!) still in fashion, but some will be more casual and some more formal, some will be serious work glasses and some fun colours, some will be for all day and some just for the computer, so whatever you do, your glasses will be perfect.

At You & Eye Optical we’ll help you find frames you’ll love.

The post How expert advice can help choose the best frame appeared first on .

Sunglasses can prevent sun damage to your eyes, improve your vision and make a fashion statement at the same time.

Sunglasses should not be too small, you need a good size of lens to block the light, and frames that are a bit more wraparound or have wider sides will block light that comes in from the sides. When combined with a broad-brimmed hat you can minimise your exposure to UV radiation and slow the age-related effects that it causes.

The darkness of your sunglasses is not related at all to their UV protection, and is purely your preference. The same applies to the colour of the lens, although more neutral shades of grey or green-grey will give you more natural vision, some people prefer brown tints as they can improve the way you see contrast. Strongly coloured lenses, especially very orangey browns or blues, will affect your colour vision, and will often be marked as not suitable for use while driving, because you may not see traffic lights correctly, or may even not see people if they are wearing a colour your sunglasses block out.

Polarised lenses are comfortable to wear because they cut out reflected glare, meaning you don’t see that sparkling shine bouncing off water, snow, or cement. The polarisation doesn’t affect UV protection, but can reduce squinting, so unless you need to see that sparkle (if you’re a fly-fisher, a mogul skier or a pilot you’ll want to avoid polarised sunnies), then I usually recommend polarised lenses for extra comfort. Photochomic lenses that go dark in the sunlight also give full UV protection, and can be a great option for your everyday glasses.

Always make sure the sunglasses you buy have a tag saying they meet the Australian sunglass standard. All sunglasses sold in Australia must meet the Australia/New Zealand standard, and will be clearly marked as to their category of protection. Categories 0 and 1 are fashion spectacles only and are not sunglasses, categories 2 and 3 are general sunglasses, and category 4 are extra dark for specialised use and not suitable for driving. The price of the sunglasses does not affect the UV protection, cheap sunglasses are just fine from a protection point of view, they only differ in the other bells and whistles! Children should have sunglasses too, UV damage builds up over your whole life, the sooner your eyes are protected, the better.

Lastly, prescription sunglasses – absolutely yes! You can get prescription lenses in polarised, photochromic, tinted, multifocals, bifocals, reading or distance glasses, high index (thinner) lenses, rimless frames, shatterproof safety lenses, all the usual options. You will need to check with your optometrist to make sure of the frame type suitable for your lenses, but prescription driving glasses mean you don’t have to choose between clear but glary, or tinted but blurry, they are absolutely a great idea, ask about them at your next eye exam.

The post Top Tips to Consider When Buying New Sunglasses appeared first on .

Dry eyes are common in computer users since people tend not to blink enough when they are staring at a screen. When combined with a room or office which is air-conditioned, the tear film on the eye dries out, and your eyes will feel gritty and tired, and may start to water as your eye try to re-wet themselves. Using tear supplement drops can help, but you need to use them regularly during the day.

To have clear and comfortable vision, it’s important to have your monitor set up properly, preferably with the top of the screen just below eye level, and at a distance where you don’t need to lean forward to read. You should take regular breaks from looking at the screen, looking into the distance to relax your eyes. Try to follow the 20/20/20 rule, which is to look at something at least 20 feet (6 metres) away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. Make sure there are not a lot of reflections on your screen, for example from bright windows or lights, and that there is not a window that causes glare right behind your monitor.

If you need glasses (or contact lenses), you should make sure they are set up for use at your computer. Make sure you know the distance to the screen you normally use when you go to your eye exam, so the lenses can be focussed properly for that working distance. Sometimes your usual reading glasses will be too strong, or multifocals will be set at a different height, and it’s not unusual to have a specific pair of glasses for screen work if it’s a big part of your day. You will need to consider whether you have to do several things while at your desk. Do you also read text on paper? Do you need to greet people as they walk up to you? Or read a noticeboard?

We now have the latest design progressive lenses for near and intermediate work. These lenses are made so you can see to read up close and also your computer screen. This will allow you to read a document and speak to someone on the other side of your desk without removing or looking over your glasses.

Even if your glasses work well, it’s important to make sure your eyes are healthy. Trouble focussing at your screen might be affected by eye diseases or conditions such as cataracts or eye muscle imbalances, so a regular eye exam is important. If you are demanding on your vision, every 12-18 months is a good guide.

The post Save your Eyes from Computer Effects With Appropriate Care appeared first on .

How to care for your contact lenses to keep your eyes healthy:

Contact lenses are a fantastic way to correct your vision, or to change your eye colour for fun. They’re convenient, comfortable, and easier to look after than ever.

More and more lenses are being released in a one day disposeable option, meaning that you don’t need to store or clean the lenses, and they are always fresh and new when you put them in. Still, there are some basic rules to remember when you handle or wear your contact lenses, to make sure your eyes stay healthy and comfortable:

 Always wash your hands with soap and water before putting your lenses in, or taking them out. Your hands don’t have to be sterile, just clean, and dry them with a towel that’s not too fluffy. Anything that’s on your hands will be absorbed into the material of the lens and go into your eye.

 Wear the lenses for the time recommended by your optometrist, don’t wear daily lenses for a second day, or stretch monthly lenses longer than a month, and if you use soaking solution stick with the brand recommended, and replace your case every month.

 Don’t ever rinse your lenses in tap water, it has all sorts of bugs in it that cause eye infections.

 If your eyes get red or sore, or your vision doesn’t feel right, take the lenses out and see your optometrist.

 Don’t mix your lenses up. Put the right (or left) lens in first each time to make this easier.

 Always put your lenses before putting on makeup and take them out before removing makeup, this keeps the lenses cleaner and you can see more clearly too.

 If wearing a reusable lens, clean and disinfect your contact lenses using fresh solution each time, don’t just top up the solution from yesterday.

 Have an regular eye exam, generally every 12 months, even if the lenses feel good!

If you’re using a lens that is stored overnight in solution, don’t change brands without advice from your optometrist. Some soaking solutions work better with different types of contact lenses, and peroxide solutions need to be neutralised before you wear your lenses the next day. Not doing this properly can make your eyes extremely sore and red. Never store your lenses in saline solution, saline is not a cleaner or a disinfecting solution, and is only used for rinsing lenses.

Eye infections can leave serious scarring and affect vision permanently, so contact lenses in most of Australia are a prescription only item, even if they are decorative and have no corrective power. Lenses are not a “one size fits all” solution. You should never wear someone elses’ lenses, even if they haven’t opened them, and you shouldn’t wear lenses without being shown the proper care and handling by your optometrist. They can also show you the best eye drops to use if your eyes feel sometimes dry with the lenses in, so irritated eyes don’t spoil your fun!

The post How to care for your contact lenses to keep your eyes healthy appeared first on .

Top tips for preventing vision loss are: eat a diet rich in fish and coloured vegetables, don’t smoke, and never ignore changes in vision. Have your eyes tested regularly and make sure a macula check is part of it, early detection and treatment give the best results!

You can make an appointment for an eye exam at You & Eye Optical by calling us on (02) 9233 6299, or see your regular optometrist or ophthalmologist.

The post Macula Degeneration Awareness Week appeared first on .

COMFORT, BREATHABILITY^*, AND BEAUTY —
TOGETHER LIKE NEVER BEFORE

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