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FAQ
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How can University Staff apply for a VDU voucher?
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Q: How can University Staff apply for a VDU voucher?
A: Apply online at www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/dse
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Can I buy my Contact Lenses online?
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Q: Can I buy my Contact Lenses online?
A: Yes, we sell contact lenses online, just visit the website for our sister practice www.bayfieldandbartlam.co.uk, or click on 'Buy Online' which will also take you there. Bayfield & Bartlam is our Headingley based sister practice, opened by our two partners, Royston Bayfield and Louise Bartlam, in January 2006.
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I'm a student - is my Eye Examination free?
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Q: I'm a student - is my Eye Examination free?
A:
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The following people automatically qualify for a free eye examination, provided the test is carried out on or after the required recall period:
*Aged 60 or over
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| *Children under 16 |
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| *Under 19 in full time education |
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| *Benefit Claimants—Income Support, income based Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, etc |
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| *Named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate-the sight test fee (or voucher) will be reduced by any amount the claimant is assessed as being liable to pay |
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| *Diabetes or Glaucoma sufferer |
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| *Relatives 40 and over of Glaucoma sufferers—(parent, brother, sister, son or daughter) |
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| *Registered blind or partially sighted |
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Students do not automatically qualify for a free test if they are not on the above list, but if you are on a low income (as most students are), you can collect an income assessment form (called a HC1) from the practice and you may qualify for a HC2 certificate which will entitle you to a free sight test, or partial help towards your eyecare costs. You may also be eligible for a free pair of spectacles paid for by the NHS, or help towards a pair of spectacles or contact lenses.
Please contact us for further information.
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What is Ortho-K?
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Q: What is Ortho-K?
A:
Ortho-K, or OrthoKeratology, is a process of correcting the sight using a rigid contact lens which is highly permeable to oxygen. It is worn overnight, during sleep, and corrects the vision to give you the freedom to spend the day without the need for contact lenses or spectacles! They are available to patients with the following levels of short sightedness:
A spherical spectacle prescription of -0.75D up to -4.50D
Astigmatism of up to -1.50D
If you are unsure about your prescription or have any questions about Ortho-K, please don't hesitate to contact one of our friendly members of staff for more information.
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What are the various eyeglass lens materials?
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Q: What are the various eyeglass lens materials?
A: Spectacle lenses are made of two main types of materials - plastic or glass. Plastic lenses are often CR39 or polycarbonate. Both main materials come in a variety of refractive indexes, designed to minimise the thickness.
HiIndex lens materials are commonly 1.56, 1.60 and 1.67, as compared to 1.523 for common crown glass. The refractive index of plastic lenses is capped at around 1.74, whereas glass lenses range up to an index of 1.9, making them potentially thinner. However, hi-index glass lenses are very brittle and not suitable for many activities which carry a risk of lens impact.
Ultimately, the lens choice is very much a user application. Hi Index will provide a thinner edge and better cosmetic appearance but still weigh in heavy. Comparatively, plastic lenses are lighter but in high minus prescriptions will have a significantly thicker lens edge.
Furthermore the size of the frame will influence the overall edge thickness since a larger eyesize means a larger lens.
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How do I read a glasses prescription?
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Q: How do I read a glasses prescription?
A: A prescription is made up of a number of parts. Sph or sphere is
usually the first number and will either have a plus (+) or a
minus sign (-). On prescriptions for people with an astigmatism there will also be a cyl or
cylinder component. This is usually a number with a minus sign (-) and
an axis (number 0 to 180 with an "x" preceding it). For people who
require a reading prescription, there may also be an 'add' which is
usually a number with a plus sign between +0.75 to +3.00.
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How can I reduce the lens edge thickness in my spectacles?
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Q: How can I reduce the lens edge thickness in my spectacles?
A: For weaker eyes, the number in the prescription is higher, and
the lenses must bend the light more to provide clear vision. To bend light more, stronger minus lenses require thicker edges
than weaker minus lenses. It's not unusual for a shortsighted prescription
to increase over time, meaning lens edges will grow increasingly thicker.
This is where the new high-index lens materials come in. Chemists
have created a variety of new plastic materials that bend light more than
the conventional plastic used for eyeglasses. This means less lens material
can be used to correct the same amount of shortsightedness.
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What is the basic terminology?
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Q: What is the basic terminology?
A:
Optometrists are qualified to perform eye examinations and produce prescriptions for visual correction. Our optometrists are also qualified to fit a varied range of contact lenses.
Dispensing opticians are qualified to examine optometrist's prescriptions
to determine lens specifications. They recommend frames, lens types and
coatings after considering the prescription and the customer's occupation,
habits, and facial features.
Astigmatism is an irregular curvature of the front surface of the eye. Often described as the shape of a rubgy ball as compared to a football.
Long Sightedness or 'Hypermetropia' is a dfficulty in focusing on close objects such as reading. Here the eyeball is
too short to focus images on the back of the eye.
Short Sightedness or 'Myopia' is the inability to see clearly at longer distances, for example when driving.
This is usually caused by the eyeball being too long to focus images clearly
on the back of the eye.
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