Arbuthnot Opticians

It’s really important that children wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays. Here at Arbuthnots we can supply prescription and non prescription sunglasses for children. Lazer and Rockstar do some lovely prescription sunglass frames and Julbo and Rayban do some fab frames for those that don’t need prescription. Here is Albin modelling his Julbo looping sunglasses!

What do I need to be able to see to drive legally?
According to the DVLA, “You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.” If you are at the opticians, the DVLA say this is equivalent to meeting, “the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes tog...ether or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye.”
You must also have an adequate field of vision – your optician can explain about this and do a test to check your field of vision.
If you have concerns about your sight, or simply haven’t had an eye test in the last two years, visit your local optician. An eye test can help you drive more safely, protecting both yourself and others
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What’s the best eyewear for cycling?
In cycling you need to combine protection from physical hazards, such as stones bouncing up off the road, with protection from exposure to UV light when you are outdoors for a prolonged period of time. Cycling eyewear also tends to be streamlined and aerodynamic. Ask your registered dispensing optician for advice on robust lenses and frames for protection: polycarbonate lenses are a good option.
The material can eliminate 100% of UV light... and is stronger than regular plastic lenses. You can also discuss the different colour lens tints available. Different tints work well for different weather conditions. Photochromic lenses which become darker in bright conditions can save you from having to take sunglasses with you and change over in the middle of a race. Your dispensing optician can also help you find a close fitting frame that won’t fall off, and will fit with your cycling helmet.
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Congratulations to June’s dispense of the month. Claude’s chuffed with his mum’s new Anne et Valentin glasses!

Watching the Tour de France? We’ve noticed Oakley sunglasses seem to be a popular choice for riders this year. Most Oakleys are available as prescription - even the rimless ones (as long as your prescription isn’t too high) from what we can see a lot of the riders wear the prizm road lens - designed specifically for road cycling

Why do I need good eyesight for driving?
Driving requires your full concentration. You need to be able to see clearly what’s coming up, while also processing threats from the side, and scanning your mirrors. It is important to have good visual acuity, so you can see sharply in the distance, and good visual fields, a phrase describing your ‘all round’ or peripheral vision.

Did you know that you can get sport specific eyewear? Oakley have produced the prizm sport range which has tints specific for cycling as well as golf, sailing, mountain biking, fishing and skiing. They also make sport specific varifocals. Come in and speak to one of our dispensers to find out which lens would be best for you.

Seeing as Wimbledon started today - What’s the best eyewear for tennis?
There are two hazards to your eyes when playing tennis: UV light, and the risk of being hit in the face by a ball, or even a racket when playing doubles. A good pair of sunglasses can help cut both those risks, and can also improve your performance on days when glare is an issue. Come in and speak to our dispensing opticians for advice on robust lenses and frames for protection: polycarbonate lenses are a good option. The material can eliminate 100% of UV light and is stronger than regular plastic lenses. You can also discuss the different colour lens tints available, as some may work best for grass while others can be good for had courts.

It’s national sunglass day and the weather couldn’t be better! We have a fantastic range of prescription and non prescription sunglasses in both our branches. Why not come in and speak to one of our dispensers to find out what sunglass would work best for you

It's Macular Week and the Macular Society have launched a short film to highlight the impact a diagnosis of macular disease can have. This is a story of a mother who struggles to watch her son grow up as she loses her sight.

Some handy advice for those who suffer from hay fever

How bespoke Tom Davies frames are designed

Writer and comedienne Stevie Martin tells us the stupid questions she gets asked about her glasses... And how she wishes she could respond...

Today is Nystagmus Awareness Day

Arbuthnots were pleased to welcome Peter Cowlin into the practice on a recent visit. He has celebrated 60 years of loyalty with the practice!
Peter moved to the North of England a few years ago and he returns to Barry to see family, friends and have his eyes looked after at Arbuthnots!
... Thank you Peter!
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TD Tom Davies is a prestigious handcrafted eyewear brand that offers unrivalled attention to design detail.
They produce all their frames by hand, meticulously and to the highest standards. Their master craftspeople spend between 16 and 22 hours creating, assembling, honing and polishing each Bespoke frame to ensure a flawless finish. Utterly unique, each pair of Tom Davies Bespoke glasses bears the customer’s name, engraved discreetly on the inside of the temple arm.
Tom Da...vies frames are handcrafted in Great Britain using the finest materials, from high quality premium acetate to natural horn and Japanese titanium. Passionate about innovation, optical designer Tom Davies is continually experimenting with new materials and adding new finishes to the collections to maintain his position at the forefront of eyewear design.
Hannah, one of our Dispensing Opticians gained a wealth of knowledge when she was invited up to London to spend a day with Tom Davies and his design team. Along with a few selected guests she was able to experience the design process, starting from an idea for a frame design, through to final production.
Below are a few pictures from her day there
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Fantastic service, really enjoyed my experience. Had a full eye consultation and then designed a pair of wissing glasses which I am very happy with. Thank you!

Brilliant service and great range of glasses, love the designer stock. Fantastic value too.

Always very helpful when I need to choose new glasses.. Very good customer service from optician.. Wouldn't go anywhere else ..

Fantastic service, really enjoyed my experience. Had a full eye consultation and then designed a pair of wissing glasses which I am very happy with. Thank you!

Brilliant service and great range of glasses, love the designer stock. Fantastic value too.

Always very helpful when I need to choose new glasses.. Very good customer service from optician.. Wouldn't go anywhere else ..