Thame Out The complimentary magazine for the Thame area
Sunny outlook
The dark days of winter and lockdown are receding. It’s time to take to the great outdoors with help and advice from Optometrist Ivan R Cammack.
Here comes the sun, and I say it’s alright’ wrote George Harrison, and it will be with care and with an eye on the health of our vision.
Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused.
After the year we’ve just had, brighter days are surely on the horizon. The countryside beckons for keen walkers and cyclists. Tennis courts, golf courses, cricket pitches are ready to be stepped on.
However, a word of caution. It’s important not to overdo things and over-expose ourselves to the sun’s effects of ultra-violet radiation.
It can damage the cornea, lens and even the retina.
Long-term exposure to ultra-violet light and short wavelength visible blue light can lead to early onset cataract, and is believed to be a major factor in the development and progression of macular degeneration. While many parts of our bodies have the ability to repair damaged cells, the lens of the eye is an exception. It needs as much protection as possible.
“UV radiation isn’t just a problem in the summer,” says Ivan Cammack. “Outdoors in almost any location, whatever the season, we get exposed to ultra-violet light. And don’t imagine that cloudy days are their own protection.
“On those bright and overcast days when the sky feels ‘glary’, if you find yourself screwing up your eyes from the brightness, then it may well be causing damage.”
So what can we do to protect our eyes? “UV Protect” says Ivan. “If we cut out the UV and the highly energetic photons at the ‘blue end of the visible light spectrum’, which can be done with either clear or tinted spectacle lenses, then the risk of damage to our eyes and our eyelids is significantly reduced”.
“We specialise in UV protect spectacle lenses from Zeiss”, he adds.
Sun protection is also about style and functional technology. If you love the cool look of a ‘hot’ pair of sunglasses, see the superb range available at Ivan R Cammack.
Maui Jim are a particular favourite brand. The harsh glare of the Hawaiian sun is what inspired Maui Jim to design a lens that not only shields the eye, but also improves the colour, clarity, and detail of the world around.
The Sunshine coast of California is the home of Oakley. Particularly popular with sports enthusiasts, Oakley frames contribute to making vision as sharp and accurate as possible as well as eliminate the pressure points that often come with ordinary frames. High Definition Optics® (HDO) lenses allow for a clearer, sharper image. This technology also prevents dust or moisture from sticking to the lens
For extra UV protection, people who wear sunglasses especially for outdoor activities, wrapped lenses for sport frames offer clear optics and protection from dust from the nose to the temporal side.
As for contact lenses, Ivan R Cammack have a range to suit – and the options for ‘grown ups’ have improved enormously, with new generation Multifocal Contact Lenses to set you free from glasses in an active outdoor world.
From VTi Vision comes NaturalView multifocal 1-day, featuring Neurofocus Optics technology which gives you an extended depth of focus, delivering a wider range of clear vision – unlike single vision or older designs of multifocal contact lens.
Also new to Ivan R Cammack, and showing excellent levels of success, is the Safilens Fusion 1day Presbyo contact lens. A design that ensures incomparable, exceptional depth of field and sharp images for distance, intermediate and close-up vision, even for the most demanding tasks in almost any light conditions.
Fusion 1day presbyo lenses are also quick and easy to apply, ensuring immediate results without a period of adaptation while offering excellent hygiene, comfort and practicality.
“These two new generation multifocal contact lenses are proving successful where older lens designs ‘tried but failed to impress’ – ideal for new contact lens wearers, and for those of you who have tried before, but the technology was not quite up to your needs.”
The message from Ivan is to get outside and enjoy these warm sunny days ahead. With the reassurance that your vision is both enhanced and protected.
Wendover
Ivan R Cammack have three outlets. Thame, Chinnor and Wendover. In Wendover, the company has moved to new premises, doubling capacity. The new practice will have an Alpine Ski Lodge theme. Chinnor has a Sailing theme. Both reflecting two of owner Ivan’s passions.
You can read more articles like this one in the latest edition of Thame Out.
