If you have not been to the optometrist for a few years, you might not be aware of the health of your eyes. For many people, it is a job that they know needs to be done, but it just gets pushed back in the place of other daily life occurrences and tasks that take priority. It’s a common trend, so you aren’t alone if this rings true with you!

However it can really be in your best interests to go to the opticians – an appointment will usually take less than 30 minutes and in that time your eyes will get properly assessed by a trained professional.

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Not only that, but other illnesses can sometimes be identified through an eye test, meaning there are wider health benefits too. Of course, if you find out that you need a form of vision aid, you will need to pick between glasses or contact lenses, otherwise your eyes could suffer in the long term.

This blog post should go some way to helping you decide what is right for your needs…

Thinking about glasses?

There are plenty of terms used when it comes to glasses: frames, lenses, bifocals, reading, VDU and specs are just some of them. It can be a bit confusing when you get your first ever pair of glasses, so it is important to seek clarification from your optician if you have questions about when and where you are supposed to wear them.

Despite many people complaining about wearing glasses, the right frames can actually look incredibly flattering. It is all about choosing the right style and shape to suit your face; there are resources online perfect for this. However, glasses won’t appeal to everyone; they are known to be quite restrictive during the participation of certain sports and activities. For that reason, contact lenses can often provide a suitable alternative.

Thinking about contact lenses?

At many free eye tests you can speak to an optician about your suitability for contact lenses. Many people choose to wear these hidden optical aids, especially if they take part in sports such as tennis or running. The main reason for this is because they stay put on your face, unlike many fragile frames.

Other people pick them for fashion and style reasons, believing that they are more versatile than glasses. Yet the cost of buying contact lenses can be greater than the price of a pair of glasses, so this is also worth taking into consideration.

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Thinking about ignoring your prescription?

Some people choose to avoid wearing any lenses altogether, even when they are told they have a prescription. It’s easy to understand why this could be a tempting option – it seems less hassle and expense – but ultimately it can create further problems. Firstly you must be able to easily read a car license plate to do your driving test, and you could be breaking the law if you drive with poor eyesight that is not corrected with suitable aids such as glasses or contact lenses. You may also suffer from headaches if you are straining your eyes to see a screen or to focus on something in particular.

Remember, you only get one pair of eyes, and therefore looking after them is absolutely vital.

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