Hammond Opticians

Retinal Imaging can help combat heart disease

hammondopticians — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:57:00 +0000

A NEW eye test that takes just a few seconds could help save the lives of millions of Britons by diagnosing heart disease early.

The low cost and easy to use scan could spare heart patients the ordeal of lengthy and invasive procedures as well as saving the NHS miillions of pounds and has the potential to save up to 80,000 British lives each year.

The test would use high definition digital images of patients’ retinae to check for signs of heart disease such as changes to blood vessel width or unusually branched blood vessels.

Experts explain that "the eyes provide a unique window into a person’s blood supply and the effect it has on the human body". By examining these blood vessels closely it is possible to detect abnormalities and signs of heart disease allowing preventative action rather than trying to cure disease once it is established.

It is hoped that the eye scan could become part of a nationwide heart disease screening programme within five years providing the NHS with an opportunity to identify early warning signs in the retinal blood vessels and so offer preventative therapies to the individuals affected.

With heart disease affecting one in five men and one in six women and an estimated 2.7 million victims in the UK, there has never been a better time to visit your optometrist for a full retinal scan.

http://www.hammondopticians.co.uk/eye-examinations/

Is checking your eye health on your new year’s resolution list?

hammondopticians — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:23:10 +0000

Since January 1^st, people all across the country will be making a bid to lead healthier, happier and more successful lives. Whether it’s to stop smoking, get fit or have a better work life balance, everyone wants to start the year ahead with the very best of intentions.

But how many people will consider their eye health and the importance of having a regular eye exam? A comprehensive eye exam not only checks whether you need glasses or not, but also looks at your eye health and your overall well-being.

Hammond Opticians, established since 1932 is one of a growing number of Optometrists in the UK to have the latest technology in eye exams, the optomap® retinal scan.

An optomap is a high resolution digital image of the back of the eye (retina). It is the only device currently available that provides a widefield view of up to 82% of the retina in one quick image. It’s an important screening tool for the early detection and comprehensive diagnosis of eye problems such as retinal detachment and tears, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. It can also help detect evidence of non-eye diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers.

Deven Lakhani of Hammond Opticians is encouraging local residents in Enfield to make it one of their New Year’s resolutions and act now to ensure their eyesight and health is in tip-top condition for 2012 and beyond.

Deven Lakhani said: “At Hammond Opticians we’ve always been at the forefront of new technology in the optometry field and are committed to offering our patients the very best in eye care combined with unrivalled customer service.

“I would encourage members of the local community to start the New Year on a positive note by having an eye exam, and in particular an optomapretinal scan, as it’s so important to maintain healthy eyes and eyesight. The advanced technology used in an optomap scan – a quick and easy procedure that’s suitable for all ages – also helps provide patients with assurances about their health in general.”

Vision screening could help cut diabetic death toll

hammondopticians — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:11:30 +0000

Diabetes UK has launched a list of 15 healthcare essentials for diabetics after The National Diabetes Audit (NDA) found that 24,000 diabetes sufferers are dying unnecessarily in the UK every year. Point four on the checklist is Have your eyes screened for signs of retinopathy every year. Using a specialised digital camera, a photo of each eye will be taken and examined by a specialist at Hammond Opticians who will look for any changes to your retina (the seeing part at the back of your eye). http://www.hammondopticians.co.uk/specialist-eye-care/

For details of the healthcare essentials checklist visit http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/News_Landing_Page/Report-shows-each-year-24000-people-in-England-with-diabetes-suffer-avoidable-death/

World Diabetes Day

hammondopticians — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:41:51 +0000

Hammond Opticians is encouraging the local community in Enfield to have an eye examination and an optomap^® scan to mark this year’s World Diabetes Day on Monday14th November 2011.

There are currently more than 300 million people with diabetes worldwide and, according to leading charity Diabetes UK, 2.9 million of those live in the UK. What’s more, it’s estimated that a further 850,000 UK residents have diabetes but are, as yet, unaware of it.

Diabetes is one of the most important healthcare issues in the UK and it is estimated that by 2025 over four million people will have the condition. It can prove fatal, or result in devastating complications such as blindness, if not detected in its early stages or treated effectively after diagnosis. Diabetes can also lead to other serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, amputation and kidney failure.

Deven Lakhani of Hammond Opticians comments: “Sadly, diabetes is on the increase in the UK, as it is worldwide, and people with diabetes are up to 20 times more likely to go blind than people without it, due to a complication known as diabetic retinopathy. However, the good news is, if it is detected in time through an eye examination and subsequently treated; diabetic blindness can be prevented in 90% of cases.

“I would encourage members of public to have an eye exam and in particular to have an optomap^®Retinal Scan, the latest in eye care technology, which provides information that can help with the early detection of diabetes and eye related conditions.”

An optomap is the only device currently available on the market that provides an ultra-wide 82% view of the retina in one image – including the all-important periphery for successful diagnostics and Hammond Opticians are the only Eyecare professionals in Enfield who are able to offer this specialised examination.

Deven continues: “The optomap is a quick and pain-free procedure that enables the most comprehensive detection and diagnosis of conditions and diseases such as diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. It can also alert us to other conditions such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration and some forms of cancer.”

World Diabetes Day, run by the International Diabetics Federation, is the leading global awareness campaign and has been created to educate and spread the word about the risks of diabetes to people across the globe.

Deven Lakhani concludes: “We’d also like to reassure our patients that with the adequate support and treatment, it is entirely possible to lead a long and complication-free life with diabetes.”

To book an eye examination and optomap scan call 020 8363 3578 or visit www.hammondopticians.co.uk

Protect your children’s eyesight

hammondopticians — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:46:54 +0000

According to Which? the number of PCTs in England failing to offer free in-school vision screening has doubled over the last 12 months. Screening children’s eyesight is vital in indentifying preventable long-term sight problems in later life. To ensure your children’s eyes are healthy, bring them to see one of our friendly qualified optometrists at Hammond Opticians http://www.hammondopticians.co.uk/kids-eye-care/

Night driving glare can increase accidents

hammondopticians — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:50:38 +0000

Drivers have a legal obligation to ensure that they can see clearly at night, by carrying out checks to their vehicle and eyesight. Statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents report that 40% of road collisions occur in the dark when vision is reduced. Drivers who require glasses are even more at risk when driving at night-time as they suffer from glare & dazzle from streetlights & on-coming headlights. Why not consider a top quality anti-glare coating with your next pair of driving glasses – come & speak to us at Hammond Opticians for the best advice http://www.hammondopticians.co.uk/prescription-glasses/

Driving Ban Rises

hammondopticians — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:31:04 +0000

The number of motorists who have had their driving licenses taken away from them due to poor vision has jumped sharply over the past 4 years according to new figures released by the Co-operative motor group. A rise of 151% was seen from the number of licenses withdrawn in 2006 compared to 2010. So for a better way to check your driving vision come & see Hammond Opticians http://www.hammondopticians.co.uk/specialist-eye-care/

How to reduce the risk of kids’ becoming short-sighted.

hammondopticians — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:34:05 +0000

Cambridge University researchers claim that if children are encouraged to spend more time outdoors this can help reduce their risk of becoming short-sighted. Factors thought to be responsible for this include exposure to natural light and time spent looking at distant objects.

Clear vision without laser treatment…?

hammondopticians — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:42:12 +0000

Ever wanted to be able to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses? Too worried about the side-effects of laser eye surgery? Why not consider the Nocturnal lens treatment programme…www.hammondopticians.co.uk/contact-lenses/

Want to see clearly without glasses…?

hammondopticians — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:44:39 +0000