Blogs | Simpson Optometrist

Girl rubbing her eye with a Snellen eye chart and glasses in the background, illustrating children’s eye health and vision concerns

Common Eye Conditions In Children to Look Out For

Good vision plays an important role in a child’s development, learning and everyday activities. However, children do not always realise that their vision is not clear, or know how to explain what they are experiencing. Understanding common eye conditions in children and knowing what signs to look out for can help you as parents seek advice when needed. What are the most common eye conditions in children? Several conditions can affect children’s vision, including: Myopia (short sightedness): Being short-sighted means distant objects can appear blurred, while things nearby are usually clearer. Children may struggle to see the classroom board, sit close to screens or complain of headaches. Hyperopia (long-sightedness): Long-sightedness can make close-up tasks such as reading more difficult and

Man wearing polarised sunglasses outdoors in bright natural light

Beat the Glare This Summer with Polarised Sunglasses

Summer brings longer days, brighter sunshine, and more time spent outdoors. Whether you’re driving, enjoying the beach, or playing golf, increased sunlight and glare from reflective surfaces can impact visual comfort and make everyday activities more challenging. We understand these challenges and that’s where polarised sunglasses come in as a solution to help you see clearly and comfortably all summer long. What Are Polarised Sunglasses? Polarised sunglasses are designed to reduce glare by using polarised lenses with a specialised filter. This filter blocks reflected horizontal light waves, which are usually responsible for harsh glare from flat surfaces such as roads, water, snow, and glass. While standard sunglasses mainly dim overall brightness, polarised lenses help improve clarity, contrast, and visual comfort in bright conditions. Benefits of Polarised Sunglasses Polarised lenses can be especially useful for summer activities because they help to: Reduce glare from

A woman smiling, with her eyes closed, while lying on the grass in a field with flowers

Your Guide to Relieving Eye Allergies This Spring

Spring brings milder weather, blossoming greenery, and longer days—but for many people, it also brings an unwelcome increase in airborne allergens. As trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air, those frustrating symptoms can make it harder to enjoy time outside. So how can you protect your eyes and keep hay fever symptoms under control during this time of year? How Do Spring Allergies Affect Your Eyes? Spring allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander can trigger reactions that affect your eyes—most commonly allergic conjunctivitis. When the body encounters these substances it releases histamines, leading to hay fever symptoms such as itching, watering, redness and swelling around the eyes. Spending time outdoors worsen symptoms, especially on windy

A crowd of people with raised hands enjoying a live outdoor festival.

Festival Health Tips: Hearing Protection and Eye Care

There’s nothing quite like the electric atmosphere of the UK’s incredible festival season! From Glastonbury’s legendary fields to intimate local music gatherings, they’re events that create life-long, magical memories. But as well as dancing under blue skies, discovering new artists and soaking up the summer atmosphere, it’s worth taking a moment to consider how you can enjoy every second safely. Two key areas often overlooked during festival prep are your vision and hearing. Let’s dive into some simple, practical tips to help you stay safe and comfortable while soaking up the festival vibes. Keep your eyes on the prize Spending long hours outdoors in the sun can take a toll on your eyes. UV rays don’t just cause irritation—they can

A Young girl wearing glasses stood in front of a Snellen chart at the optician's

Understanding the Impact of Short-Sightedness in Children

From following their passions to fulfilling their potential, who doesn’t want their child to do well in life? Healthy vision can go a long way to helping youngsters thrive, from academic achievement to social confidence. In this blog, we’ll explore short sightedness in children. What is it, and what steps can we take to manage it? Read on to find out how we can help keep your child’s eyes healthy and their future bright. What is short-sightedness? Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, affects longer-distance vision. While close-up items are clear, objects in the distance can appear blurry. It typically emerges during childhood and happens when the eyeball grows slightly too long or the cornea becomes too curved, causing light to

Audiologist providing hearing aid assistance to patient

Discover signs of hearing loss & treatment at our hearing clinic in Glasgow

As World Hearing Day approaches on 3rd March, it’s a good time to think about how we care for our senses. Just like our vision, hearing health can decline gradually, often without us noticing. That’s why regular eye exams and hearing checks are so important—they help catch changes early and keep these vital senses working at their best. In this blog, we’re focusing on the importance of hearing health and how professional hearing care can make a real difference for years to come. A gradual decline Hearing loss can sneak up gradually. Perhaps you’ve noticed you need to turn the telly up, you have to lean in during conversations in busy places, or you’re experiencing a feeling of pressure in

Why choose our independent opticians in Chryston for your eyecare?

Your eyes are extraordinary. From capturing life’s precious moments in all their glory to helping you navigate your daily life safely and efficiently, they’re biological marvels that deserve first-class care. Choosing the right optician is about more than getting a routine eye test; it’s about partnering with healthcare professionals who genuinely care about your long-term eye health and who will provide a bespoke, thoughtful service based on your needs. Your award-winning independent opticians We’re thrilled that our practice was named Community Practice of the Year at the 2024 National Sight Care Awards. This recognition reflects our commitment to Chryston, Muirhead and other surrounding areas we serve, as well as building meaningful connections with our community and our patients. Aside from

And The Award Goes To…

Celebrating Excellence: Our Community Optometrist of the Year Award We are ecstatic to announce that we have been honoured with the prestigious Community Optometrist of the Year Award at the national Sight Care Awards 2023/24. This recognition holds immense significance for us, as it symbolises our commitment to providing the highest standard of eye care to our patients and community. We have worked hard to forge meaningful relationships with each and every one of our patients, winning this award is a testament to the bonds we have formed with our patients and community over the years, and we are immensely grateful for the trust and loyalty our patients have placed in us. Whether it’s helping a patient find the perfect

Wet, Dry, AMD? What is Age related Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is a condition that usually affects older adults and results in the loss of vision in the centre of the visual field. The macula is a small, central part of the retina, located at the back of the eye, responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Here are key points about macular degeneration Age-Related As the name suggests, macular degeneration is often associated with aging. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over the age of 50. Two Types There are two main types of macular degeneration—Dry (atrophic) and Wet (neovascular). The dry form is more common and involves the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the macula.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a common eye condition characterised by the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, this clouding leads to a gradual loss of vision. The lens is typically clear, allowing light to pass through and focus onto the retina at the back of the eye. However, when cataracts develop, the lens becomes cloudy, scattering light and causing blurred or hazy vision. Here are key points about cataracts Causes Cataracts often develop as a result of the natural aging process, however they can also be caused by other factors such as prolonged exposure to UV light, certain medical conditions including diabetes, eye trauma, or certain medications. Symptoms Symptoms of cataracts include blurred or dimmed vision, difficulty seeing in low light conditions,

What is Myopia Control?

Myopia Control for Children. Myopic = Short Sighted = Difficulty seeing in the Distance. What is Myopia Control? Put simply, the aim is to stop your child becoming more short sighted. If a child of 5 has a prescription of -1.00, the likelihood is they will end up nearer -9.00 as an adult. This can lead to a whole host of problems not least being completely dependent on glasses. Myopia Control is clinically proven to reduce the progression of short-sightedness. Once myopia has progressed, it cannot be reversed. Its important to act early to ensure any progression is minimal. Here at Simpson Optometrists we now have specialist clinical software which enables us to forecast your child’s myopic progression as they

Why does my child need an eye test?

Early Detection of Vision Issues: Children’s eyes are still developing, and vision problems may not always be apparent. Regular eye tests can catch issues early, helping to address and correct any potential problems before they impact a child’s learning and development. Developmental Milestones, Coordination & Motor Skills: Good vision plays a significant role in a child’s overall development. Clear vision is essential for developing hand-eye coordination, depth perception, spatial awareness and recognising faces. Addressing vision issues early can positively impact a child’s development. Academic Success: Good vision is crucial for success in school. Children with uncorrected vision problems may struggle with reading, writing, and other academic tasks. An eye test can identify refractive errors (such as near-sightedness or farsightedness) or

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