The hottest eyewear trends to look out for in 2020

As 2020 begins, many of us are keen to find out what we should be wearing to be on-trend this year. And this doesn’t just apply to clothing, we mean eyewear too! Whether you’re new to the world of spectacles or an seasoned expert, read on to learn about some of the new style glasses frames which we think are going to be big hits in 2020.

Translucent frames

Towards the end of 2019, clear plastic glasses frames, with their retro-office style and ability to complement any outfit, began to emerge onto the market and we love them. This popular design is set to expand further by incorporating coloured tints; look out for burgundy, rose and green, which are all set to be popular. To get this look, we recommend Prada designer eyewear, which boasts a similar retro style.

Aviator shapes

Shapes adapt year on year and what may have made you look like a fashionista just last year may now be off-trend. Luckily, like the previously-popular teardrop shape, Aviator frames are still in, although a little less round than you may be used to. It may seem like a small change but subtle adaptions make all the difference when it comes to style.

Metal-wire frames

Geek-chic is back. Wire-rimmed glasses are going to confidently stroll into 2020. Perfect for that business look and to lift your work attire from ordinary to extraordinary; take a look at our Oliver Peoples eyewear range to achieve this style.

Lens trends

Remaining on top of the eyewear fashion market, lightly-tinted lenses have been popular among many for the last few seasons and this fad is only set to grow in 2020. Due to the subtlety of the wash, this style gives off an edgy, cool look. This year sees the bluish tint becoming most sought after as it also helps to reduce glare caused by digital devices.

As always, we’re continually researching the latest fashion trends in eyewear, so keep an eye out for new glasses styles and brands at Orb Optical, your opticians in central London..

Eyewear offers available in store!

Do you, like many others, buy a new outfit to wear for festive parties every year? What about your glasses? Do you refresh your frames or just keep the same old pair? At Orb Optical, we have some great winter offers to tempt you into treating yourself to a new pair. You could even treat a loved one to an unusual and thoughtful Christmas gift!

  

 

In our Prada and Ray-Ban glasses sale, we’re offering Prada prescription glasses from just £199, and Ray-Ban frames with prescription lenses from £129. This exclusive offer on two great designer brands is available until the end of the year.  

Our Prada prescription glasses range is full of stylish frames that will get you noticed. Representing the best in Italian tradition and culture, Prada stands for luxury and style. It’s not all about fashion though – Prada prides itself on using the latest technology to ensure their glasses are reliable and long-lasting. Bold yet elegant, Prada frames are high quality, with outstanding attention to detail. From understated style to outrageous colours, there will be something to suit every fashionista. Whether you’re a fan of Pradaor just want a pair of stylish glasses that will look gorgeous, this brand will have something for you. View our online catalogue or come in-store to see the collection in person. 

 

 

If classic, iconic Wayfarers or Aviators are more your style, then our Ray-Ban glasses sale is definitely for you. But while those famous styles are, of course, available, you might be surprised by the range of different shapes and styles. From thick, round frames to fine, square glasses, we have something for every face shape and personal taste. You can come to our opticians in Central London or view the Ray-Ban catalogue online first to see if anything takes your fancy.  

If you already have a valid prescription for your lenses, simply pop in to Orb Optical, choose your favourite frames and have them made up with prescription lenses. If it’s been a while since your last eye test, book yourself in at our opticians in Central London today and check out the sale while you’re here!  

Our guide to the best vision boosting nutrients

Do you know how you can protect your eye health for years to come? A good place to start is with your diet. If you’re wondering which vitamin helps to keep eyes healthy, there isn’t just one. Here we’ll take a look at the main eye health vitamins and nutrients you need to know about.

Vitamin A

Your ability to see depends on a complex pathway that starts with light entering your eyes and ends with your brain processing this visual information. The first part of this pathway needs Vitamin A, which is also involved in lubricating your eyes.

Vitamin A can be found in dairy products, egg yolks and liver. Precursors to vitamin A, such as beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A can be found in plants, including spinach, carrots and kale.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C contains antioxidants, which can help prevent damage to the eyes caused by free radicals. Free radicals contribute to eye conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Vitamin C can be found in a range of fruits and vegetables, including oranges, guavas, strawberries, kiwis, broccoli, bell peppers and kale.

Omega-3 fatty acids

High levels of omega-3 fatty acids can be found in the retina and are vital for healthy vision and maintaining the tear film that lubricates the eyes.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish but vegetarians can take a supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids sourced from microalgae.

Carotenoids

The most important carotenoids for your eyes are:

  • lutein and zeaxanthin; these build up in the eyes and brain and protect against damage caused by oxidative stress and eye strain due to too much screen time
  • beta-carotene; as mentioned earlier this is a precursor to vitamin A which is vital for healthy eyes.

Lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in spinach, kale, pistachios, parsley and peas. Beta-carotene can also be found in spinach and kale, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes and apricots.

An eye-friendly diet

You may find that your diet already contains many of the foods that contain eye health vitamins and nutrients. However, if you think you’ll struggle to get enough of these nutrients in your diet, you can ask our in house experts for advice on which eye health supplements will help to preserve good vision.

With your diet taken care of, it’s still important to keep up with your regular eye tests to ensure any vision problems can be detected and resolved as soon as possible. Why not book your eye appointment at Orb Optical, your opticians in central London, today for National Eye Health Week?

Seeing the difference with Maui Jim sunglasses

That perfect holiday selfie looks a lot better when you aren’t squinting at the camera from the sun’s glare! It’s also much easier to get your best performance on the golf course, or if you’re trying your hand at an activity like fishing when glare isn’t getting in the way.

Horizontal glare can present more of a problem whether you’re on holiday or staying in London town for the summer – including when you’re driving or pounding the pavement on foot or by bicycle. That’s why it’s well worth investing in a pair of polarised sunglasses from Maui Jim UK – the eyewear industry leaders when it comes to beating horizontal glare.

What exactly is horizontal glare?

Before we dive into what makes Maui Jim our number one choice for polarised sunglasses, here’s a little bit of science.

Horizontal glare refers specifically to the reflection of sunlight off flat, shiny and/or smooth surfaces. This includes bodies of water, snow-covered surfaces, golf greens, car bonnets and roads. The result is strain on your eyes and reduced visibility.

Maui Jim saves the day

Or rather, saves you from sunny days filled with distracting horizontal glare! Maui Jim sunglasses are designed with their patented PolarizedPlus2® lenses, which use a special filter to significantly reduce or even eliminate horizontal glare. They also block 100% of UV rays, which has earned them official seal of approval from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

When you wear a pair of PolarizedPlus2® sunglasses from Maui Jim, the world won’t be plunged into darkness. Instead colours are more vivid, your vision is clearer, and depth perception is improved as a result of the polarised lenses being infused with 3 rare Earth elements.

Join the club

Maui Jim is also now the official vision partner of Manchester United, supplying their players and coaches with both optical glasses and sunglasses. There certainly is a wide range for the team and any fan of Maui Jim to choose from, with over 125 different frame styles; retro, contemporary, duotone, tortoise shell – the list goes on. Every frame is built using lightweight materials for added comfort.

To join the club of Maui Jim wearers and give your eyes the best protection this summer, visit Orb Optical, your independent opticians in London. We’ve got one of the most expansive Maui Jim collections in central London, including all their latest additions! To speak to one of our team directly about sunglasses from Maui Jim UK, call us on: 020 7637 4111.

Summer, Sun & Silhouette Eyewear

Are you tired of the same old chunky, thickset frames that everyone’s been wearing for a few years now? Looking for something different to complete your look this summer? For style, finesse and technical prowess in eyewear, it’s time to turn to Silhouette.

Building beauty

Silhouette has been making iconic eyewear since 1964. This award winning Austrian brand has built its reputation by blending beautiful aesthetics with superior strength. Their revolutionary approach to eyewear design has resulted in several of their range being among the lightest glasses you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Crafted for you

Their technological advances have not been at the expense of their devotion to craftsmanship, with their continued focus on manual work in the creation of Silhouette eyewear, from their framed spectacles to Silhouette rimless glasses.

Smooth lines, minimalist designs and a lightness of touch results in breathtaking frames. But Silhouette glasses go one step further — they’re customisable. If you like the look of one lens shape or brow arch and the frame design of another, then Silhouette will combine the 2 together. You get to walk away with a bespoke pair of Silhouette glasses that truly speak to your personality.

Set for the summer

For the ultimate in sun protection for your eyes this summer, Silhouette offers a range of sleek sunglasses, which not only offer glare-free, 100% UV protection, but also blue light protection up to 500mm and polarised protection. Once again, it’s a triumph in technology and style, with Silhouette classics, such as their rimless Aviators and polarised lens Futuras.

This year sees them add 17 new models across 4 sunglasses collections, 12 of which come with corrective lenses. The sporty Active Adventurer range features striking double bridges, while the butterfly-inspired Accents Shade collection offers large, bold frame shapes in translucent colours styled for men and women.

Discover your Silhouette

Dare to be different and choose Silhouette. Visit Orb Optical, your opticians in Central London, to view our Silhouette collection and discover the pair that brings out your individuality, or call us directly on: 0207 637 4111 to speak to one of our friendly team!

How to Combat Dry Eye like Symptoms Caused by Allergies

An allergy is when your body’s immune system becomes hypersensitive to normal materials and reacts like they are a threat. When this happens, substances that are normally harmless, such as pollen, fur or certain foods, trigger the release of histamines. These activate the systems that your body uses to expel unwanted intruders. Those with allergies can experience repeated bouts of sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, pain and swelling. Eye allergies can make you particularly miserable, but help is available.

Dry eye is a different condition to an allergy, but it presents some of the same symptoms. Your opticians in Central London, Orb Optical, can help you distinguish between the two and point you in the direction of treatment. There are several strategies you can adopt to reduce your exposure and reaction to allergens.

Do not…

First, let’s tackle the behaviours you should avoid, to limit your symptoms.

Do not rub your eyes. This is likely to make the problem worse by further irritating the eye. You may need to learn to refocus and relax when the urge is particularly strong.

If your allergy is to pollen, avoid going outside at peak times of day for the pollen count. This is usually when the day is heating up at the start or cooling down at the end.

Avoid contact with pets whenever possible. If you have them, do not let them sleep on your bed. This obviously applies if you are allergic to fur, but they can also carry a lot of pollen around and bring it into your home.

Do…

Explore the medications that are available for eye allergies. Our experienced optometrists can examine your eyes and offer expert advice on treating causes and symptoms. Allergy eye drops come in several different forms and should only be used as recommended by your optician. They are often useful for immediate relief.

You can also talk to us about options when it comes to contact lens related allergy issues. It might be the case that you need to switch to glasses or daily disposable contact lenses if you are experiencing persistent eye related allergy issues.

Visit Orb Optical to have your eye allergy symptoms assessed so you can take appropriate action. You can book an appointment online for a Dry Eye Assessment, or you can call us directly on: 020 7637 4111. Your trusted opticians in Central London are here to guide you through your eye allergies this Spring!

Top 5 Tips for Eye Care in 2019

Orb Optical is here to help you with your eye care in 2019. While we can test your sight, recommend solutions and offer advice, the bulk of your eye care takes place at home. That’s why our experts have come up with these eye health tips to continue the new year the right way!

Eat and drink well

Staying hydrated and ensuring that you eat a diet rich in the vitamins and minerals that your body needs are two of the best possible ways to support your eye care. If you need tips on what to eat specifically, ask us about this the next time you visit Orb Optical opticians on Tottenham Court Road.

Watch your screen time 

We all spend more time on screens these days. If you have to look at a computer screen for work, your eyes are spending a lot of time each day focusing on bright, close-up surfaces. This can lead to vision problems. To combat this, simply ensure that you take regular breaks from your screen. Look into the distance every 20 minutes for about 20 seconds. On top of this, we recommend that you take a 15-minute break from your screen at least every two hours.

Know your family history

We’ll ask you plenty of questions when you come for an eye test in London at Orb Optical. This is because many eye conditions are hereditary. If a member of your family had a certain issue, we’ll know to spend extra time looking out for any early signs of this problem during your eye care appointment.

Quit smoking

If you’re a smoker, you probably already know that you need to quit. If you need one more thing to motivate you, let it be that your eyes are affected by smoking as well. You are much more likely to suffer from a debilitating eye condition if you regularly light up.

Your regular eye test in London

It can be quite hard to tell for sure if your vision is as good as it was a year ago without professional help, so make sure you visit us regularly. If you wait until you are certain things are blurred or harder to read, it means you might need an even stronger prescription to combat the problem. Book an appointment for an eye test in London with us by visiting our website today, or contact our friendly team directly on 020 7637 4111.

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