Examinations of the Eye
Regular eye examinations are necessary to ensure your continuous optical comfort and health. The major goal of a consultation is to verify that the prescription suits the individual needs of daily living.
New Frames or Lenses we are here to help you.
Top Specs Aylesbury attracts customers from the wider Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire areas.
How we work
- We dispense lenses and or frames as required.
- We manufacture your lenses to the highest standards.
- We do not test eyes. The saving enables us to give you better products at better prices.
Alternativa Glasses at London Opticians welcomes you.
Alternativa Glasses at London Opticians is one of the UK’s largest independent opticians, located in the City of London. With highly certified, experienced optometrists, we are a family-owned business that takes pride in maintaining eyesight and eye health. We also provide a large collection of designer glasses and sunglasses, as well as the most up-to-date high-tech lenses, contact lenses, and optical accessories.
Discover our in-store services
01
Free eye exams
Make an appointment for a free eye exam with one of our qualified in-house opticians. It won’t take long if you do it during your lunch break.
02
Glasses for the same day
Your prescription glasses will be ready in 24 hours.
03
No-cost alterations
Our helpful staff will gently adjust your glasses to ensure a great fit.
04
Style suggestions
Do you require assistance? Our specialists will walk you through our collection and assist you in finding a pair that you are completely satisfied with.
Product features
Filter for Blue Light
Our Blue Light Filter, which is available for both prescription and non-prescription lenses, reduces light dispersion by blocking high-energy blue light emitted by digital screens. It will make your eyes feel more focused and at ease after a long day of emails and video calls.
Varifocal glasses
Varifocal glasses have various prescriptions in one lens, allowing both near and far vision correction. The days of swapping frames are long gone! We get ours from one of the greatest vendors in the industry.
Lenses that are extremely thin
Our Ultra Thin Lenses have a 1.74 index, making them the thinnest you’ll find. They’re perfect for high prescriptions above +/-4 dioptres, and they’re only £50.00 on top of the price of any frame – that’s a high-tech lens for a small price.
Coating to reduce glare
Our anti-reflection coating removes reflected glare and allows over 99 percent of visible light to pass through the lenses, making them easy to look through. People who are staring at you will also get a good look at your eyes.
Recent Posts & News
Which Is Better for You: Contact Lenses or Eyeglasses?
It is primarily a matter of personal preference whether you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses for vision correction. Lifestyle, comfort, convenience, money, and aesthetics should all be considered while making a decision.
Before choosing between contacts and glasses, keep in mind that each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of vision, ease of use, and eye health.
Eyeglasses have many advantages over contact lenses. They require little cleaning and maintenance, you don’t have to touch your eyes to wear them (lowering your risk of eye infections), and glasses are less expensive in the long term than contact lenses because they don’t need to be replaced as frequently.
Also, unlike contact lenses, eyeglasses can regulate the quantity of light entering your eye for maximum comfort and vision. Photochromic lenses, in particular, are clear indoors and at night and darken automatically in day for clear, comfortable vision in any light. Although some contact lenses can prevent some UV light from entering the eye, photochromic eyeglass lenses block 100 percent UV and protect not just the inside of the eye, but also the outside of the eye and the eyelids.
Glasses may also be used to express your personality and make a wonderful fashion statement!
Having said that, contact lenses have numerous advantages over glasses. Because contacts are worn directly on your eye, your vision, particularly your peripheral vision, is unimpeded. You may engage in sports and outdoor activities without worrying about your eyeglasses getting in the way, falling off, or breaking. Color contact lenses can even change the colour of your eyes.
So, which is better for your needs and lifestyle: glasses or contacts? To assist you in making your decision, below is a rundown of the benefits and drawbacks of each style of eyeglasses.
PROS AND CONS OF CONTACT LENSES
Advantages
- Contact contacts adjust to the shape of your eye, providing a wider field of view and generating less vision distortions and blockages than eyeglasses.
- When performing sports or exercising, contact lenses do not get in the way.
- Contact lenses will not clash with what you’re wearing.
- Contact contacts are not influenced by weather and, unlike glasses, do not fog up in cold weather.
- Color contact lenses can be used to view how you might look if you had a different eye colour. You can even get special-effect contacts to go with your Halloween or costume!
Some contact lenses have the ability to restructure your cornea as you sleep. Overnight orthokeratology (Ortho-k) corrects myopia momentarily, allowing you to see clearly the next day without the need for glasses or contacts.
Disadvantages
- Some people have difficulty attaching a contact lens to their eye (but proper technique and practise should rectify this in most cases).
- Contact contacts restrict the quantity of oxygen that reaches your eye and can cause or worsen dry eye condition.
- If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, wearing contact lenses will most certainly exacerbate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome.
- To avoid potentially serious eye infections, contact lenses must be cared for and cleaned on a daily basis. Consider daily disposables if you are unable to commit to the care and replacement cycle of your contacts.
- If you fall asleep while wearing daily wear contacts, your eyes will be dry, gritty, red, and irritated when you wake up. Consider extended wear contact lenses if you frequently fall asleep with your contacts in. Some extended wear contacts are certified for up to 30 days of continuous wear.
PROS AND CONS OF EYEGLASSES
Advantages
- Wearing glasses lowers the urge to touch your eyes, which reduces the possibility of irritating your eyes or developing an eye infection.
- If you have dry or sensitive eyes, glasses will not aggravate the situation as much as contact lenses can.
- In the long run, eyeglasses are less expensive than contact lenses. You don’t have to update your glasses as frequently (unless you shatter them!). If your prescription changes, you may be able to keep your current frames and only replace the lenses.
- Frames are trendy and can reveal a lot about your personality and style – the appearance of your glasses can make a big statement.
- Glasses provide some protection against environmental variables as wind, dust, and debris.
Disadvantages
- Because eyeglasses are around 12mm (half an inch) away from your eyes, your peripheral vision may be skewed. When they first start wearing glasses or change prescriptions, many people have difficulties focusing on things and hazy vision.
- Some people dislike wearing glasses because they believe it detracts from their facial attractiveness or hides their features.
- If you wear glasses with a heavy prescription, the edges of your lenses may be thick and unpleasant, or your eyes may appear excessively minified or magnified.
- The elements might cause your vision to be obscured or blurred by precipitation collecting on your lenses or when they fog up in cold weather.
- Some frames might cause headaches and general discomfort by exerting persistent pressure on your nose and behind your ears.
Contact lenses, spectacles, or both?
Most people these days can wear contacts successfully, even if they prefer to wear glasses as their primary type of vision correction, thanks to developments in contact lens technology.
As a result, whether to wear contacts or glasses — and when to wear them — is largely a question of personal preference.
However, if you wear contact lenses full-time, you should also have an up-to-date pair of glasses – in case you need to stop wearing contacts owing to an eye infection or discomfort, or simply want to give your eyes a break.
Don’t Do These 11 Things If You Wear Disposable Contacts Every Day!
Countless people all around the world use daily disposable contact lenses, sometimes known as dailies. At the conclusion of each day, these popular single-use lenses are removed and discarded, and a new, fresh pair is installed the next morning. When used appropriately, daily increase eye health while also being comfortable and convenient.
Despite the numerous benefits of using disposables on a regular basis, there are numerous ways to harm your eyes and eyesight, some of which you may not have considered.
1. Avoid touching contacts with dirty hands.
Before touching your lenses, properly cleanse your hands with soap and water. When you handle your contact lenses with unwashed hands, you transfer bacteria to the lenses, which can lead to an illness. Dry your hands with a disposable paper towel rather than a cloth towel, and make sure no towel remnants remain on your fingertips.
2. Avoid exposing your contacts to water.
Water from any source, whether tap, pool, or lake, can affect the shape of your lenses and produce micro-abrasions on your cornea. Furthermore, the water may include bacteria that can wreak havoc on your eye health, causing temporary vision loss or even permanent blindness.
If you must go in the water while wearing contacts, wear waterproof goggles. If you get water on your contact lenses, remove them and replace them with a new pair. When contact lenses are exposed to pollutants such as chlorine, the chemicals attach to the lens and cannot be removed. It then leeches onto the cornea and irritates it.
Think twice the next time you’re tempted to swim or wash while wearing your contact lenses.
3. Do Not Reuse Contacts
Daily disposable contacts are intended to be discarded after each usage, and persons who reuse them risk painful and dangerous effects. Dailies are thinner and more fragile than other contacts, and they do not retain moisture as well.
Users may try to extend the life of their contact lenses by cleaning them in a disinfectant solution and wearing them for several days or even weeks at a time. This is troublesome since the lens material does not permit repeated disinfection. In fact, cleaning the lenses is not only ineffective, but it actually breaks down the lens, increasing the danger of the lens falling apart while in the eye. The danger of complications and infection outweighs the few dollars saved.
4. Never put a dropped contact in your eye.
Daily lenses have the advantage of being less expensive (per lens) than other types of contacts. So, if you drop a lens in the sink or on the floor, don’t bother putting it back in your eye. This can have a negative impact on your eye health.
In London, Center Eye Care Eye Clinic and Daily Contact Lenses, Optometry, and Eye Health
5. Never, ever put contact contacts in your mouth.
Doesn’t it seem like a silly idea? You wouldn’t believe how many people do this. If you drop a contact lens, don’t root about on the floor looking for it, and if you do, don’t put it in your mouth to lubricate it. Bacteria in your mouth can infect your eyes if you re-insert your contacts.
Carry a spare pair of daily disposable contacts or an emergency set of glasses in your purse, car, or at work to be safe.
6. Don’t wear your contact lenses more than once a day.
Even if you wear your contacts on a daily basis, wearing them for extended periods of time can harm your eyes. The maximum recommended daily use for any contact lens is 14-16 hours, though Behnam Sorkhabi, OD will decide the exact number of hours you should wear your lenses. Your eyes, like every other part of your body, require rest. Your corneas absorb oxygen from the air, not blood vessels, and while wearing contacts during the day is healthy, wearing them for extended hours can substantially lower the quantity of oxygen your eyes receive, potentially leading to issues. If you don’t give your eyes enough rest, they may become enlarged, which can lead to corneal abrasion and possibly bacterial infection.
7. Don’t Sleep With Your lenses In.
Daily lenses should never be worn while sleeping. By sleeping in a lens that isn’t approved for nighttime use, you’re putting your sight at danger, as it can cause ocular irritation, swelling, and corneal ulcers.
8. Do Not Insert Contacts Until You Have Completed Your Morning Routine
Avoid putting your contacts in before showering or washing your face, as this exposes your lenses to tap water and the germs that comes with it. We also recommend inserting your lenses after blow-drying and styling your hair, especially if you use hairspray or other sprays, as these products can dry out your contacts. Furthermore, the spray can coat the lenses and leave a film that not only irritates the eyes but also makes vision difficult. If you can’t remove your lenses at the salon, close your eyes when the spray is administered.
9. Avoid putting make-up on your contacts.
Insert your contacts before you apply makeup, as any makeup residue on your hands, such as mascara, will easily transfer to your lenses.
People frequently get concealer, eyeliner, or mascara on their contact lenses. If this occurs, remove the lens immediately and wipe the makeup with solution (while making sure to dispose of the lens before bed). Otherwise, simply change the lens with a different one. Wearing waterproof makeup should be avoided because it can’t always be removed from your lenses, even when cleaned with solution.
Apply mascara only from the base of your lashes up to avoid makeup getting on your lenses. Instead, start from the halfway point. It’s also vital to apply eyeliner on the area above your lashes rather than the inner lid of your eye.
If your eyes are irritated, don’t wear contact lenses.
“If in doubt, take them out!” as the phrase goes. Don’t force it if your eyes are inflamed or itchy, or if you observe any pain or redness. If your symptoms persist, make a contact with Behnam Sorkhabi, OD at Center Eye Care. You don’t want a major infection to go untreated.
Replace your contacts when your eyes feel more rested and free of irritation.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
If your eyes are irritated or dry, or if a lens appears to be out of place, you may be tempted to rub them. However, rubbing, whether with or without contacts, can cause long-term eye problems. This might cause impaired vision and possibly damage to your cornea. Behnam Sorkhabi, OD, on the other hand, can prescribe eye drops to alleviate any irritation. Make sure to use them only after you’ve removed your contact lenses.
We’ve already discussed things you should never do with everyday contact lenses. If you do make a mistake, you may easily remove the lens and replace it with a new one. The few bucks you might save by not opening a new pack aren’t worth the risk of making a mistake.
Alternativa Glasses Eye Care in London immediately if you have any inquiries or want to learn more about contact lenses. Behnam Sorkhabi, OD would gladly explain how to care for your eyes and keep your vision clear.