Reid Mackellar News Issue 15

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REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

PROBLEMS SOLVED JIMMY MACKELLAR Bsc MCOptom DCLP, Optometrist

15:37

Page 1

Q&A

R E I D

STAFF NEWS

Q A

This is a good question and I’m afraid the answer might be long winded! We still call the practice Reid Mackellar Opticians as this is how we have always been known.

An Optometrist is now the official name for what we used to call an Ophthalmic Optician.

An Optometrist (Ophthalmic Optician) performs a full eye examination including working out the glasses prescription and all the eye health checks. Our Optometrists also fit and carry out all the aftercare for our contact lens wearers. This is different from a Dispensing Optician who specialises in dispensing frames, lenses and also have a vast product knowledge. A dispensing optician knows a lot about the eyes but doesn’t perform an eye examination. We keep things simple in Reid Mackellar.

Sometimes we still call our Optometrists our Opticians by force of habit and the Dispensing opticians you will be glad to know we call the Dispensing opticians.

We are also blessed with our

experienced and qualified Ophthalmic Dispensing Assistants some with 25 years experience dispensing frames and lenses to Reid Mackellar standards. Please be assured that we have a highly trained team at Reid Mackellar so that we can offer you the highest standard of service possible.

Q

When I last visited the practice the optician recommended artificial tear drops. How many times a day should I use them as my eyes have been very gritty recently?

A

It is very common to have dry, gritty eyes. If the eyelids are healthy and there is no discharge coming from your eye it is probably a slight thinning of the tears that is the problem. Poor tear quality can be very irritating. You can use most artificial tears 3 or 4 times a day, but some people need to use the drops more frequently if they have very dry eyes.

Try using them 4 times a day and if things get worse make an appointment to see one of our Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) again.

1936

Q A

The average patient changes their glasses ever 27 months.

With spectacle frames being such a fashion item these days some patients update their style every 1218 months. Everyone is different.

Some patients need to change their glasses prescription every year whilst others have prescriptions that remain stable for quite a few years.

We never wear the same clothes or shoes every day for two years, so why should glasses be any different.

Times are changing, people are starting to have several pairs of glasses to use for different occasions or outfits. Remember with your Privilege Card when you buy another pair of complete glasses within 12 months of purchasing your first pair you get 20% off so you can afford to treat yourself.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions you would like answered.

Jimmy Mackellar, Problems Solved, Reid Mackellar Opticians, 86-90 West Blackhall Street, Greenock PA15 1XG

MARTIN STEVENSON FBDO Dispensing Optician

WELCOME We are delighted to welcome Martin Stevenson - our new Dispensing Optician who is the latest addition to the Reid Mackellar team.

The facts about cataracts!

Page 6

PANORAMIC™ VARIFOCALS Get the facts! page 4-5

To enter simply complete our easy to enter competition by answering our multiple choice question below and send or hand in your entry with your name, address, postcode and email to:

Reid Mackellar Opticians 86-90 West Blackhall Street, Greenock PA15 1XG

DELICIOUSLY DEVILISH DESIGNS

BE A REID MACKELLAR WINNER What problem do we find people with cataract reporting? b) Red Eyes

c) Hazy vision

The devil’s in the detail! page 2-3

Please tick the appropriate box if you think you know the answer and fill in your details below.

Name...................................................................................................

Address................................................................................................

BE A REID MACKELLAR WINNER!

...................................................Postcode ..........................................

Our most recent lucky winner from the last prize draw was Irene MacPherson from Inverkip who won a super pair of GUCCI prescription glasses. Now it’s your chance to be a Reid Mackellar winner. Please enter this issue’s free competition opposite.

Daytime Tel no: ................................................................................... email....................................................................................................

!

Cover Image courtesy of Jai Kudo

Copyright Archie Toppin 2010©

M A G A Z I N E

HAZY DAYS?

Martin, joined the practice in November and has been a qualified dispensing optician for 14 years.

He has already been a positive addition to the team. As well as having an extensive knowledge of Ophthalmic frames and lenses, Martin stays in Glasgow, is married, and is very sporty. A man with strong Greenock connections, in his youth Martin played football for Morton Juniors. These days he enjoys going to the gym, playing golf and rugby as well as socialising with friends. We are sure you will enjoy dealing with Martin and hope you get a chance to say hello to him the next time you are in the practice.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FANTASTIC PAIR OF DESIGNER SUNGLASSES.

8

O P T I C I A N S

You’ve got the questions, we’ve got the answers! page 8

WIN A PAIR OF DESIGNER SUNGLASSES

R L FO IDEA G OVER T RIN WEA CONTAC R U O S Y E LENS

Y O U R

Q&A

How often will I need to change my glasses prescription?

a) Sore Eyes

N E W S

Quality Since

You’ve got the questions… we’ve got the answers!

What is the difference between Opticians and Optometrists?

M A C K E L L A R

WIN

a fabulous pair of Designer Sunglasses!

In our Free Competition page 8 email: info@reidmackellar.co.uk • web: www.reidmackellar.co.uk

86-90 WEST BLACKHALL STREET, GREENOCK PA15 1XG TEL:

01475 721744

A GREAT DEAL IN SIGHT

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REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

DELICIOUSDESIGN They say the devil is in the detail, or did they mean design?

W

hether you are a dedicated follower of fashion or someone who prefers the more practical approach, a visit to Reid Mackellar will give you the perfect opportunity to re-invent yourself this season.

Mulling over the extensive collection of Designer frames on display at Reid Mackellar you’ll find contributions from Prada, Gucci, Silhouette, Chanel, Bvlgari, Miu Miu, Ray Ban, Vogue, Ted Baker and many more of the big names in the fashion world. Whether designer or non designer all the frames you will find in the Reid Mackellar collection have been carefully selected to reflect the best combination of style and value for money.

Don’t worry if your prescription is a little heavier – you can normally still enjoy wearing the style of frame of your choice. Technology is moving all the time so try our new light weight lenses coupled with Thinlens ™ technology, and you will find we can make your glasses lighter than ever with the correct frame and lens choice.

For those of you that require help for near and far vision try our latest Panoramic Varifocals as discussed by Campbell on pages 6-7.

For added value, Reid Mackellar frame prices include single vision lenses as standard.

At Reid Mackellar we like to think you will have the ability to change your look to suit your mood, features and personality. And the beauty of choosing Reid Mackellar for your ophthalmic requirements is you can be

sure you’re getting the utmost in style, quality and eye care at a price you can afford. Most of our frame prices include standard single vision lenses and come free with a lifetime servicing warranty and 12 months free insurance against accidental breakage or damage giving you total peace of mind. If you decide you want a second pair of designer glasses within a year of purchasing your new glasses don’t forget as a privilege card holder you will receive 20% off, this means you can afford to splash out and to have different pairs to suit your mood or your outfit.

If you’re looking to make a bold statement this summer, look no further!

Also take advantage of some summer sun with a superb pair of stylish prescription sunglasses from our extensive range including the latest styles from Ray Ban, Gucci, Vogue and DKNY. These can be either be worn over your contact lenses or can be made up to most prescriptions (please speak to a member of staff for details) and come with 25% off if you upgrade to these instead of having a free second pair of sunglasses.

Maybe it’s time you took a trip to Reid Mackellar to see what we have to offer and let us look after your eyecare needs.

Our new collection is being updated on a weekly basis so we will be able to offer customers of all ages up to the minute styles when they next visit Reid Mackellar Opticians.

CLARE PUTS US IN THE FRAME

CLARE MORAN Practice Manager Ophthalmic Dispensing Assistant

SAVE MORE Join our nulenz direct debit plan for contacts and save ®

• 20% off new glasses or sunglasses • 20% off thinlens™ or any additional lens features • 20% off contact lens solutions Ask in practice for full details.

THE ONLY OPTION enjoy a successful switch to OptionsPremier™ lenses

T

ry our nulenz® OptionsPremier monthly disposable contact lenses from at Reid Mackellar. We're sure you'll enjoy the increased comfort and longer wearing times like the patients who have already swapped. If you are having problems with gas permeable lenses smudging then OptionsPremier™ and other soft lenses may be the answer too depending on your prescription.

allowing your eye to breathe more

It’s important, for the health of your eyes, to move with the times and take advantage of the most recent developments.

Reid Mackellar are much more

High water content and high oxygen transmission

or complications.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from the latest technologically advanced contact lenses, that’s why we have gone to great lengths, to research and source the very best that the contact lens market has to offer. In simple terms, the key elements of quality contact lenses are, high levels of comfort and crisp clear vision. We think that we’ve achieved this with Nulenz OptionsPremier.™

Right now, we’re offering everyone a

Options Premier from Nulenz allow 5 times more oxygen to your eye,

contacts you save 20% off new

®

®

2

easily. Our patients have found that

Comfort with crisp, clear vision

CONTACT LENSES EILIDH HODGE Bsc(Hons) MCOptom Optometrist

Nulenz OptionsPremier lenses from ®

comfortable, less likely to dry up and in turn allow them to wear our lenses longer with less chance of discomfort Coming in at a very competitive £17.95 per month for your supply of lenses and all your aftercare including a full annual check, and £20.95 per

Say goodbye to dry eyes with OptionsPremier

™

month including solutions as well, it’s a deal not to be missed. free 1 month trial* of our Nulenz® OptionsPremier monthly disposables, to let you appreciate the benefits they can bring to your eyecare.

And remember, at Reid Mackellar’s, there’s no down payment, and your monthly direct debit includes your aftercare. Better still, when you join our nulenz direct debit plan for glasses or sunglasses.

FREE TRIAL*

Comprehensive 16 point eye test

With all our soft contact lenses we offer a free trial when you sign up to our monthly direct debit plan for contact lenses. If you are already wearing contact lenses and are on our Newlenz Direct Debit Plan then we offer a free trial of OptionsPremier™ to let you see the benefits of the new technology.

If you are not on the Newlenz Plan already and want to try contact lenses and you have a trial (which can mean 2 appointments or more in total) and don’t go ahead and join the direct debit plan then there is a £45 charge to cover the cost of our time for the trial. Terms and conditions apply, full details on request or in-store.

7

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REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 14 2009

THE CLINICAL COLUMN

HAZY DAYS? Lesley with the facts about cataracts WHAT IS A CATARACT?

FACTFILE

Cataract is a very common condition which affects the lens inside our eyes. The lens is situated behind the coloured part of our eyes and is a clear structure through which light passes.

Cataracts are simply hazy patches on the lens inside the eye. The hazy patches block daylight in a similar way that clouds block sunlight. Although they can occur much earlier, cataracts are more usually associated with people over 65 years old. Cataracts are equally common in men and women.

HOW DO CATARACTS AFFECT MY EYESIGHT? Eventually the lens may become so misty that it becomes impossible to focus on detail, and the cloudier the lens becomes, the more the eyesight will be impaired.

Because of their gradual development, it can take years for a person to notice the deterioration in their vision. Your optometrist will be able to detect them during a routine eye examination, which is why regular checks are important. But don’t be too worried if we mention you have a small or ‘baby’

LESLEY ALLAN BSc (Hons) MCOptom Optometrist cataract as they can take many years to develop.

The prescription for glasses can change more frequently than usual when someone has a cataract developing.

Cataracts often develop in both eyes, but with different rates of progression. Visual problems with cataract include difficulty seeing in very dim or bright conditions, and discomfort when facing strong light.

This can lead to poor vision for distance and reading and problems with glare.

Although experts are uncertain about what causes cataracts, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of them developing. A healthy balanced diet is one key factor in helping to avoid cataracts, as is not smoking. Wearing sunglasses or a wide-brimmed cap can also make a big difference, since they protect the eyes from having to filter out the damaging rays of harsh sunlight.

THE TREATMENT A common condition, cataracts are treated by means of a small surgical procedure If you do develop significant cataract, the medical treatment involves a small operation (which has a 95% success rate in improving the vision), and is usually performed under local anaesthetic as an outpatient.

With liquid drops used to dilate the pupil, a surgeon breaks down the lens into tiny pieces using ultra-sound before those fragments are sucked out through a small incision in the cornea.

A bespoke artificial lens is then inserted, designed to remain in place permanently.

The procedure has a 95% success rate in improving the patient’s vision It’s frequently possible to go home as soon as the surgery is over, and recuperation should be straightforward, other than avoiding any strenuous activities for the first couple of days.

CATARACTS

‘

Cataracts appear as hazy or cloudy patches on the lens inside the eye. These patches block daylight in a similar way that clouds block sunlight.

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

CATARACTS AFFECTS THE LENS

’

Be cool and look hot, this summer!

It’s all about dramatic detail in our stunning new collection.

BUY ONE GET ONE

FREE

*

Generally patients report that colours seem brighter and they can see much clearer following cataract surgery. A new prescription for glasses will be required following surgery.

It’s frequently possible to go home as soon as your operation is over

PAIR OF COMPLETE GLASSES INCLUDING VARIFOCALS Free pair from selected range, terms apply.

See in store for details.*

So I hope this helps explain a bit more about what cataracts are, and how they are treated. If one day we tell you that your eyes have developed cataracts I hope that you will not be too concerned as it is an eye condition that is slow to progress and that the eye doctors are very good at treating when required.

6

3

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REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

IS’NT IT TIME TO TRY

our Panoramic™varifocal lenses SPECIALISED LENSES W e recommend varifocals to patients all the time but often people are confused over what they are and whether they are suitable for their prescription or their needs. I hope to answer the most frequently asked questions to give you more information about varifocals. This should help make your life easier the next time you visit the practice whether you are thinking of trying varifocals for the first time or you are thinking of updating your existing varifocals.

What are varifocals?

Varifocals are lenses with no visible line, that are used to correct vision at different distances. They allow clear vision for distant objects, arms length/intermediate vision and close up viewing.

Who needs them?

Varifocals are for those individuals who require different prescriptions for different distances. Varifocals are normally suitable for everyone who has presbyopia as an alternative to reading glasses, bifocals or 2 pairs of glasses.

Panoramic™ Varifocal lenses have a gradual change in power from the top to the bottom, allowing you to see clearly at all distances with just one pair of spectacles.

How do they work?

The lenses are positioned so that when you look straight ahead you automatically look through the distance portion of the lens. To read the gaze is lowered as normal, and your eyes will automatically look through the reading zone. To look at something at arms length, you simply raise or lower your head

CAMPBELL MACKELLAR BSc (Hons) MCOptom Ophthalmic Optician

slightly until the object you want to look at comes into focus. After a while the process of finding the correct part of the lens for each different viewing distance becomes automatic and you don’t have to think about it at all. There is an area at the edge of the vision especially at the edge of the reading vision that is like a soft focus area. Vision through this area is slightly off focus and this tells you to move your head slightly to get the focus correct. We will demonstrate this to you when you collect the glasses and teach you how best to use them. Eventually it becomes very natural.

Different designs Varifocals come in different designs. As mentioned earlier all varifocals have an area of soft focus at the edge of the lens and this can take a few days to get used to. The more advanced lens designs offer a larger area of clear focus for distance and reading. The more advanced designs also allow varifocals to fit into shallower frame styles than in the past.

What’s best for me?

Our experienced dispensing staff and dispensing opticians can advise you on which type is best for you. The type we will recommend will depend on your prescription, the frame style you choose and what your visual requirements are.

At Reid Mackellar we pride ourselves on offering quality products at competitive prices. We offer different

Seamless style and elegance combined with high performance optical properties!

Panoramic Varifocals ™

Upper portion distance vision

Lower portion close work 4

at Reid Mackellar?

categories of varifocals to suit any budget. The prices range gradually from £89 for a basic Panoramic™ Varifocal up to £289 for the top of the range thinnest Panoramic™ Varifocal lens for people with very strong prescriptions. We have 5 designs of Panoramic Varifocals to choose from:

Panoramic™ General Purpose Fits deeper frames and is a good basic varifocal as an alternative to reading glasses.

Panoramic™ Wide Angle Fits a larger frame range and offers a wider range of clear vision for reading.

Panoramic™ Summit The Panoramic™ Summit lens provides a wide area of sharp natural vision at distance, intermediate and near. They also can be fitted into many shallower frames.

Panoramic™ Lifestyle Our new top of the range lens that has the largest area of clear vision even for people with stronger reading prescriptions. Panoramic™ Lifestyle are ideally suited to people who wear there glasses all the time and want excellent clarity over a range of distances. These are the easiest varifocals to adapt to and can be fitted into most frames including some of the shallowest styles (example above).

Panoramic™ Office Specially designed for those who are on the VDU most of the time at work and have to read from various distances and also look across the office. The Panoramic™ Office lens is the only varifocal not suitable for driving but it is great for office work, meetings, reading music and those requiring the largest reading area.

The Panoramic™ range of Varifocals are available with Thinlens™ technology allowing heavier prescriptions to be up to 45% thinner and lighter than standard lenses. These also come with the toughest reflection free lenses on the market today.

BUY ONE GET ONE*

FREE

PAIR

OF COMPLETE GLASSES INCLUDING VARIFOCALS Terms and conditions apply, see in store for details.*

Panoramic™varifocals Ask about PANORAMIC™ Varifocal lenses our seamless multi-function lens from only £89. For highly effective correction of Presbyopia.

PANORAMIC™ Varifocal lenses are also available in a Thinlens™ and included in buy one get one free*.

Will I need to wear them all the time?

Not necessarily but this depends on how your vision is without glasses. If you wear glasses mainly when reading, Varifocals are great to wear and allow you to look up or walk around with them when required (for example at work, home or in the supermarket).

Getting used to them Most people are genuinely surprised at how easy it is to get used to our Panoramic™ Varifocals.

On the whole the success rate we have is well over 90% for first time varifocal wearers. Increased chance of success is achieved when we help you select the best frame for your prescription combined with the most up to date lens designs and accurate measurements and fitting of the frame and lenses.

Guarantee Since it may take a short time to get used to varifocal lenses, at Reid Mackellar we offer a no quibble 30 day money back or exchange guarantee. If you can’t get used to varifocals within 30 days you can return them and have your money back or swap them for bifocals or two pairs (one for distance and one for reading) and we will refund any difference in price offering you complete peace of mind when you want to give varifocals a try.

So subtle no-one would ever notice Wearers of Panoramic™ Varifocals are usually delighted as they don’t have to put their reading glasses down their nose to look over the top, and don’t have glasses on and off all the time.

People who require glasses for distance but start to struggle reading also benefit greatly from using varifocals.

If you are Presbyopic and need reading glasses or separate distance and reading glasses there’s never been a better time to try varifocals. Next time you are in the practice ask for a varifocal demonstration and I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised how technology has moved on!

Panoramic™advantages The Advantages of Panoramic™ Varifocals from Reid Mackellar • Panoramic™ Varifocals allow natural vision, whatever distance you want to see.

• With Panoramic™Varifocals no one knows that you even need reading glasses. Panoramic™ Varifocals are not only more attractive to wear as opposed to reading glasses, they offer the most natural vision correction.

• Panoramic Varifocals are easy to adapt to.

• There is a 30 money back or exchange guarantee with all Panoramic™ Varifocals

LOYALTY REWARDED!

Shrewd customer Brian Gregory earned £100 in loyalty reward vouchers and saved his five friends £10 each in the process!* Terms and conditions apply, ask in store for details.*

5

Mackellar-Issue 15-OutputFinal

3/3/10

15:37

Page 7

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

IS’NT IT TIME TO TRY

our Panoramic™varifocal lenses SPECIALISED LENSES W e recommend varifocals to patients all the time but often people are confused over what they are and whether they are suitable for their prescription or their needs. I hope to answer the most frequently asked questions to give you more information about varifocals. This should help make your life easier the next time you visit the practice whether you are thinking of trying varifocals for the first time or you are thinking of updating your existing varifocals.

What are varifocals?

Varifocals are lenses with no visible line, that are used to correct vision at different distances. They allow clear vision for distant objects, arms length/intermediate vision and close up viewing.

Who needs them?

Varifocals are for those individuals who require different prescriptions for different distances. Varifocals are normally suitable for everyone who has presbyopia as an alternative to reading glasses, bifocals or 2 pairs of glasses.

Panoramic™ Varifocal lenses have a gradual change in power from the top to the bottom, allowing you to see clearly at all distances with just one pair of spectacles.

How do they work?

The lenses are positioned so that when you look straight ahead you automatically look through the distance portion of the lens. To read the gaze is lowered as normal, and your eyes will automatically look through the reading zone. To look at something at arms length, you simply raise or lower your head

CAMPBELL MACKELLAR BSc (Hons) MCOptom Ophthalmic Optician

slightly until the object you want to look at comes into focus. After a while the process of finding the correct part of the lens for each different viewing distance becomes automatic and you don’t have to think about it at all. There is an area at the edge of the vision especially at the edge of the reading vision that is like a soft focus area. Vision through this area is slightly off focus and this tells you to move your head slightly to get the focus correct. We will demonstrate this to you when you collect the glasses and teach you how best to use them. Eventually it becomes very natural.

Different designs Varifocals come in different designs. As mentioned earlier all varifocals have an area of soft focus at the edge of the lens and this can take a few days to get used to. The more advanced lens designs offer a larger area of clear focus for distance and reading. The more advanced designs also allow varifocals to fit into shallower frame styles than in the past.

What’s best for me?

Our experienced dispensing staff and dispensing opticians can advise you on which type is best for you. The type we will recommend will depend on your prescription, the frame style you choose and what your visual requirements are.

At Reid Mackellar we pride ourselves on offering quality products at competitive prices. We offer different

Seamless style and elegance combined with high performance optical properties!

Panoramic Varifocals ™

Upper portion distance vision

Lower portion close work 4

at Reid Mackellar?

categories of varifocals to suit any budget. The prices range gradually from £89 for a basic Panoramic™ Varifocal up to £289 for the top of the range thinnest Panoramic™ Varifocal lens for people with very strong prescriptions. We have 5 designs of Panoramic Varifocals to choose from:

Panoramic™ General Purpose Fits deeper frames and is a good basic varifocal as an alternative to reading glasses.

Panoramic™ Wide Angle Fits a larger frame range and offers a wider range of clear vision for reading.

Panoramic™ Summit The Panoramic™ Summit lens provides a wide area of sharp natural vision at distance, intermediate and near. They also can be fitted into many shallower frames.

Panoramic™ Lifestyle Our new top of the range lens that has the largest area of clear vision even for people with stronger reading prescriptions. Panoramic™ Lifestyle are ideally suited to people who wear there glasses all the time and want excellent clarity over a range of distances. These are the easiest varifocals to adapt to and can be fitted into most frames including some of the shallowest styles (example above).

Panoramic™ Office Specially designed for those who are on the VDU most of the time at work and have to read from various distances and also look across the office. The Panoramic™ Office lens is the only varifocal not suitable for driving but it is great for office work, meetings, reading music and those requiring the largest reading area.

The Panoramic™ range of Varifocals are available with Thinlens™ technology allowing heavier prescriptions to be up to 45% thinner and lighter than standard lenses. These also come with the toughest reflection free lenses on the market today.

BUY ONE GET ONE*

FREE

PAIR

OF COMPLETE GLASSES INCLUDING VARIFOCALS Terms and conditions apply, see in store for details.*

Panoramic™varifocals Ask about PANORAMIC™ Varifocal lenses our seamless multi-function lens from only £89. For highly effective correction of Presbyopia.

PANORAMIC™ Varifocal lenses are also available in a Thinlens™ and included in buy one get one free*.

Will I need to wear them all the time?

Not necessarily but this depends on how your vision is without glasses. If you wear glasses mainly when reading, Varifocals are great to wear and allow you to look up or walk around with them when required (for example at work, home or in the supermarket).

Getting used to them Most people are genuinely surprised at how easy it is to get used to our Panoramic™ Varifocals.

On the whole the success rate we have is well over 90% for first time varifocal wearers. Increased chance of success is achieved when we help you select the best frame for your prescription combined with the most up to date lens designs and accurate measurements and fitting of the frame and lenses.

Guarantee Since it may take a short time to get used to varifocal lenses, at Reid Mackellar we offer a no quibble 30 day money back or exchange guarantee. If you can’t get used to varifocals within 30 days you can return them and have your money back or swap them for bifocals or two pairs (one for distance and one for reading) and we will refund any difference in price offering you complete peace of mind when you want to give varifocals a try.

So subtle no-one would ever notice Wearers of Panoramic™ Varifocals are usually delighted as they don’t have to put their reading glasses down their nose to look over the top, and don’t have glasses on and off all the time.

People who require glasses for distance but start to struggle reading also benefit greatly from using varifocals.

If you are Presbyopic and need reading glasses or separate distance and reading glasses there’s never been a better time to try varifocals. Next time you are in the practice ask for a varifocal demonstration and I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised how technology has moved on!

Panoramic™advantages The Advantages of Panoramic™ Varifocals from Reid Mackellar • Panoramic™ Varifocals allow natural vision, whatever distance you want to see.

• With Panoramic™Varifocals no one knows that you even need reading glasses. Panoramic™ Varifocals are not only more attractive to wear as opposed to reading glasses, they offer the most natural vision correction.

• Panoramic Varifocals are easy to adapt to.

• There is a 30 money back or exchange guarantee with all Panoramic™ Varifocals

LOYALTY REWARDED!

Shrewd customer Brian Gregory earned £100 in loyalty reward vouchers and saved his five friends £10 each in the process!* Terms and conditions apply, ask in store for details.*

5

Mackellar-Issue 15-OutputFinal

3/3/10

15:37

Page 5

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 14 2009

THE CLINICAL COLUMN

HAZY DAYS? Lesley with the facts about cataracts WHAT IS A CATARACT?

FACTFILE

Cataract is a very common condition which affects the lens inside our eyes. The lens is situated behind the coloured part of our eyes and is a clear structure through which light passes.

Cataracts are simply hazy patches on the lens inside the eye. The hazy patches block daylight in a similar way that clouds block sunlight. Although they can occur much earlier, cataracts are more usually associated with people over 65 years old. Cataracts are equally common in men and women.

HOW DO CATARACTS AFFECT MY EYESIGHT? Eventually the lens may become so misty that it becomes impossible to focus on detail, and the cloudier the lens becomes, the more the eyesight will be impaired.

Because of their gradual development, it can take years for a person to notice the deterioration in their vision. Your optometrist will be able to detect them during a routine eye examination, which is why regular checks are important. But don’t be too worried if we mention you have a small or ‘baby’

LESLEY ALLAN BSc (Hons) MCOptom Optometrist cataract as they can take many years to develop.

The prescription for glasses can change more frequently than usual when someone has a cataract developing.

Cataracts often develop in both eyes, but with different rates of progression. Visual problems with cataract include difficulty seeing in very dim or bright conditions, and discomfort when facing strong light.

This can lead to poor vision for distance and reading and problems with glare.

Although experts are uncertain about what causes cataracts, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of them developing. A healthy balanced diet is one key factor in helping to avoid cataracts, as is not smoking. Wearing sunglasses or a wide-brimmed cap can also make a big difference, since they protect the eyes from having to filter out the damaging rays of harsh sunlight.

THE TREATMENT A common condition, cataracts are treated by means of a small surgical procedure If you do develop significant cataract, the medical treatment involves a small operation (which has a 95% success rate in improving the vision), and is usually performed under local anaesthetic as an outpatient.

With liquid drops used to dilate the pupil, a surgeon breaks down the lens into tiny pieces using ultra-sound before those fragments are sucked out through a small incision in the cornea.

A bespoke artificial lens is then inserted, designed to remain in place permanently.

The procedure has a 95% success rate in improving the patient’s vision It’s frequently possible to go home as soon as the surgery is over, and recuperation should be straightforward, other than avoiding any strenuous activities for the first couple of days.

CATARACTS

‘

Cataracts appear as hazy or cloudy patches on the lens inside the eye. These patches block daylight in a similar way that clouds block sunlight.

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

CATARACTS AFFECTS THE LENS

’

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Generally patients report that colours seem brighter and they can see much clearer following cataract surgery. A new prescription for glasses will be required following surgery.

It’s frequently possible to go home as soon as your operation is over

PAIR OF COMPLETE GLASSES INCLUDING VARIFOCALS Free pair from selected range, terms apply.

See in store for details.*

So I hope this helps explain a bit more about what cataracts are, and how they are treated. If one day we tell you that your eyes have developed cataracts I hope that you will not be too concerned as it is an eye condition that is slow to progress and that the eye doctors are very good at treating when required.

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REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

DELICIOUSDESIGN They say the devil is in the detail, or did they mean design?

W

hether you are a dedicated follower of fashion or someone who prefers the more practical approach, a visit to Reid Mackellar will give you the perfect opportunity to re-invent yourself this season.

Mulling over the extensive collection of Designer frames on display at Reid Mackellar you’ll find contributions from Prada, Gucci, Silhouette, Chanel, Bvlgari, Miu Miu, Ray Ban, Vogue, Ted Baker and many more of the big names in the fashion world. Whether designer or non designer all the frames you will find in the Reid Mackellar collection have been carefully selected to reflect the best combination of style and value for money.

Don’t worry if your prescription is a little heavier – you can normally still enjoy wearing the style of frame of your choice. Technology is moving all the time so try our new light weight lenses coupled with Thinlens ™ technology, and you will find we can make your glasses lighter than ever with the correct frame and lens choice.

For those of you that require help for near and far vision try our latest Panoramic Varifocals as discussed by Campbell on pages 6-7.

For added value, Reid Mackellar frame prices include single vision lenses as standard.

At Reid Mackellar we like to think you will have the ability to change your look to suit your mood, features and personality. And the beauty of choosing Reid Mackellar for your ophthalmic requirements is you can be

sure you’re getting the utmost in style, quality and eye care at a price you can afford. Most of our frame prices include standard single vision lenses and come free with a lifetime servicing warranty and 12 months free insurance against accidental breakage or damage giving you total peace of mind. If you decide you want a second pair of designer glasses within a year of purchasing your new glasses don’t forget as a privilege card holder you will receive 20% off, this means you can afford to splash out and to have different pairs to suit your mood or your outfit.

If you’re looking to make a bold statement this summer, look no further!

Also take advantage of some summer sun with a superb pair of stylish prescription sunglasses from our extensive range including the latest styles from Ray Ban, Gucci, Vogue and DKNY. These can be either be worn over your contact lenses or can be made up to most prescriptions (please speak to a member of staff for details) and come with 25% off if you upgrade to these instead of having a free second pair of sunglasses.

Maybe it’s time you took a trip to Reid Mackellar to see what we have to offer and let us look after your eyecare needs.

Our new collection is being updated on a weekly basis so we will be able to offer customers of all ages up to the minute styles when they next visit Reid Mackellar Opticians.

CLARE PUTS US IN THE FRAME

CLARE MORAN Practice Manager Ophthalmic Dispensing Assistant

SAVE MORE Join our nulenz direct debit plan for contacts and save ®

• 20% off new glasses or sunglasses • 20% off thinlens™ or any additional lens features • 20% off contact lens solutions Ask in practice for full details.

THE ONLY OPTION enjoy a successful switch to OptionsPremier™ lenses

T

ry our nulenz® OptionsPremier monthly disposable contact lenses from at Reid Mackellar. We're sure you'll enjoy the increased comfort and longer wearing times like the patients who have already swapped. If you are having problems with gas permeable lenses smudging then OptionsPremier™ and other soft lenses may be the answer too depending on your prescription.

allowing your eye to breathe more

It’s important, for the health of your eyes, to move with the times and take advantage of the most recent developments.

Reid Mackellar are much more

High water content and high oxygen transmission

or complications.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from the latest technologically advanced contact lenses, that’s why we have gone to great lengths, to research and source the very best that the contact lens market has to offer. In simple terms, the key elements of quality contact lenses are, high levels of comfort and crisp clear vision. We think that we’ve achieved this with Nulenz OptionsPremier.™

Right now, we’re offering everyone a

Options Premier from Nulenz allow 5 times more oxygen to your eye,

contacts you save 20% off new

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easily. Our patients have found that

Comfort with crisp, clear vision

CONTACT LENSES EILIDH HODGE Bsc(Hons) MCOptom Optometrist

Nulenz OptionsPremier lenses from ®

comfortable, less likely to dry up and in turn allow them to wear our lenses longer with less chance of discomfort Coming in at a very competitive £17.95 per month for your supply of lenses and all your aftercare including a full annual check, and £20.95 per

Say goodbye to dry eyes with OptionsPremier

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month including solutions as well, it’s a deal not to be missed. free 1 month trial* of our Nulenz® OptionsPremier monthly disposables, to let you appreciate the benefits they can bring to your eyecare.

And remember, at Reid Mackellar’s, there’s no down payment, and your monthly direct debit includes your aftercare. Better still, when you join our nulenz direct debit plan for glasses or sunglasses.

FREE TRIAL*

Comprehensive 16 point eye test

With all our soft contact lenses we offer a free trial when you sign up to our monthly direct debit plan for contact lenses. If you are already wearing contact lenses and are on our Newlenz Direct Debit Plan then we offer a free trial of OptionsPremier™ to let you see the benefits of the new technology.

If you are not on the Newlenz Plan already and want to try contact lenses and you have a trial (which can mean 2 appointments or more in total) and don’t go ahead and join the direct debit plan then there is a £45 charge to cover the cost of our time for the trial. Terms and conditions apply, full details on request or in-store.

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REID MACKELLAR NEWS ISSUE 15 2010

PROBLEMS SOLVED JIMMY MACKELLAR Bsc MCOptom DCLP, Optometrist

15:37

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Q&A

R E I D

STAFF NEWS

Q A

This is a good question and I’m afraid the answer might be long winded! We still call the practice Reid Mackellar Opticians as this is how we have always been known.

An Optometrist is now the official name for what we used to call an Ophthalmic Optician.

An Optometrist (Ophthalmic Optician) performs a full eye examination including working out the glasses prescription and all the eye health checks. Our Optometrists also fit and carry out all the aftercare for our contact lens wearers. This is different from a Dispensing Optician who specialises in dispensing frames, lenses and also have a vast product knowledge. A dispensing optician knows a lot about the eyes but doesn’t perform an eye examination. We keep things simple in Reid Mackellar.

Sometimes we still call our Optometrists our Opticians by force of habit and the Dispensing opticians you will be glad to know we call the Dispensing opticians.

We are also blessed with our

experienced and qualified Ophthalmic Dispensing Assistants some with 25 years experience dispensing frames and lenses to Reid Mackellar standards. Please be assured that we have a highly trained team at Reid Mackellar so that we can offer you the highest standard of service possible.

Q

When I last visited the practice the optician recommended artificial tear drops. How many times a day should I use them as my eyes have been very gritty recently?

A

It is very common to have dry, gritty eyes. If the eyelids are healthy and there is no discharge coming from your eye it is probably a slight thinning of the tears that is the problem. Poor tear quality can be very irritating. You can use most artificial tears 3 or 4 times a day, but some people need to use the drops more frequently if they have very dry eyes.

Try using them 4 times a day and if things get worse make an appointment to see one of our Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) again.

1936

Q A

The average patient changes their glasses ever 27 months.

With spectacle frames being such a fashion item these days some patients update their style every 1218 months. Everyone is different.

Some patients need to change their glasses prescription every year whilst others have prescriptions that remain stable for quite a few years.

We never wear the same clothes or shoes every day for two years, so why should glasses be any different.

Times are changing, people are starting to have several pairs of glasses to use for different occasions or outfits. Remember with your Privilege Card when you buy another pair of complete glasses within 12 months of purchasing your first pair you get 20% off so you can afford to treat yourself.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions you would like answered.

Jimmy Mackellar, Problems Solved, Reid Mackellar Opticians, 86-90 West Blackhall Street, Greenock PA15 1XG

MARTIN STEVENSON FBDO Dispensing Optician

WELCOME We are delighted to welcome Martin Stevenson - our new Dispensing Optician who is the latest addition to the Reid Mackellar team.

The facts about cataracts!

Page 6

PANORAMIC™ VARIFOCALS Get the facts! page 4-5

To enter simply complete our easy to enter competition by answering our multiple choice question below and send or hand in your entry with your name, address, postcode and email to:

Reid Mackellar Opticians 86-90 West Blackhall Street, Greenock PA15 1XG

DELICIOUSLY DEVILISH DESIGNS

BE A REID MACKELLAR WINNER What problem do we find people with cataract reporting? b) Red Eyes

c) Hazy vision

The devil’s in the detail! page 2-3

Please tick the appropriate box if you think you know the answer and fill in your details below.

Name...................................................................................................

Address................................................................................................

BE A REID MACKELLAR WINNER!

...................................................Postcode ..........................................

Our most recent lucky winner from the last prize draw was Irene MacPherson from Inverkip who won a super pair of GUCCI prescription glasses. Now it’s your chance to be a Reid Mackellar winner. Please enter this issue’s free competition opposite.

Daytime Tel no: ................................................................................... email....................................................................................................

!

Cover Image courtesy of Jai Kudo

Copyright Archie Toppin 2010©

M A G A Z I N E

HAZY DAYS?

Martin, joined the practice in November and has been a qualified dispensing optician for 14 years.

He has already been a positive addition to the team. As well as having an extensive knowledge of Ophthalmic frames and lenses, Martin stays in Glasgow, is married, and is very sporty. A man with strong Greenock connections, in his youth Martin played football for Morton Juniors. These days he enjoys going to the gym, playing golf and rugby as well as socialising with friends. We are sure you will enjoy dealing with Martin and hope you get a chance to say hello to him the next time you are in the practice.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FANTASTIC PAIR OF DESIGNER SUNGLASSES.

8

O P T I C I A N S

You’ve got the questions, we’ve got the answers! page 8

WIN A PAIR OF DESIGNER SUNGLASSES

R L FO IDEA G OVER T RIN WEA CONTAC R U O S Y E LENS

Y O U R

Q&A

How often will I need to change my glasses prescription?

a) Sore Eyes

N E W S

Quality Since

You’ve got the questions… we’ve got the answers!

What is the difference between Opticians and Optometrists?

M A C K E L L A R

WIN

a fabulous pair of Designer Sunglasses!

In our Free Competition page 8 email: info@reidmackellar.co.uk • web: www.reidmackellar.co.uk

86-90 WEST BLACKHALL STREET, GREENOCK PA15 1XG TEL:

01475 721744

A GREAT DEAL IN SIGHT