Children 'getting sight problems because of eye test delays'
- By Bilal Ahmad
- •
- 10 Jan, 2023
- •
"All children under 16 are entitled to an NHS-funded sight test.
Children are developing permanent problems with their vision because they are not being given eye tests early enough, optometrists have warned.
An Association of Optometrists survey of 1,200 people indicated a quarter of school-age children had not been taken for a sight test by their parents.
Of parents surveyed, 52% thought tests would be given in primary school.
While some schools do offer screening, the tests are less comprehensive than those provided free on the NHS.
Delayed diagnosis can make treatment for sight problems such as amblyopia, known as "lazy eye", much less effective.
One in 50 children will develop amblyopia, where one or both eyes are unable to build a strong link to the brain, causing vision to not develop properly.
The NHS recommends that children should be screened for the condition when they turn four because it becomes harder to treat after the age of six.
Treatments include glasses and using an eye patch or eye drops to obscure the vision in the stronger eye to make the weaker one work harder.
'It made me feel like a terrible parent'
Jane Thompson's daughter, Eve, was diagnosed with amblyopia at the age of seven.
The optometrist in her case said it was too late to try eye-patching for Eve, although prescription glasses have helped improve her vision.
Eve is now 14.
Jane, from West Yorkshire, said: "It made me feel like a terrible parent, really, because you want to do your best by your children and then finding out that there is a problem that could've been sorted earlier, but you weren't aware of it, was really hard to handle."
Eve said: "I'd always been seeing out of my right eye and didn't realise anything was wrong.
"My right eye - I can see and it's how it should be. But then as soon as they cover it up and everything's blurry, it's quite scary - I can't see out of this eye."
Chloe was diagnosed with amblyopia at the age of three
In contrast, Nicola Rothera's daughter, Chloe, five, was diagnosed with amblyopia at the age of three and was young enough to use an eye patch.
"If I'd had left her eyesight the way it was, then the left eye wouldn't have been within the legal driving limits, so it would have restricted her in future life," said Nicola, from Bradford.
"An eye test at a certain age should be compulsory because it may be the case with some children they might not have their first eye test until they're maybe six, or possibly older, and at that point you're restricting time, if there is a problem, in which to be able to correct their vision."
'Massively important'
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) also surveyed 1,246 practising optometrists and found:
- 74% had seen children in the past year whose vision problems could have been treated more successfully with an earlier diagnosis
- Of these, 89% had diagnosed cases of amblyopia in the past year that could have been better treated if they had been spotted earlier
Farah Topia, from the AOP, said: "Catching conditions early can be massively important for a child's development.
"For amblyopia, treating a condition early means that the chances of improving the vision in that eye are a lot better.
"All children under 16 are entitled to an NHS-funded sight test.
"It's really important for us to make parents aware that this is available for them and available for their children to access."
The AOP's A B See campaign calls on parents to take their children for an NHS-funded sight test at local opticians every two years, or more often if their optometrist recommends it.
As Published on BBC, Text & Images belong to the original article. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45258771
Here at Care Optics, with our friendly teams in both Woodford and Dagenham, we're always on the lookout for the latest and greatest innovations to bring to your eyewear experience. And let me tell you, we're absolutely buzzing to announce our newest arrival: the revolutionary Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses!
Imagine seamlessly blending iconic style with cutting-edge technology. Well, stop imagining, because these incredible glasses are here, and we're thrilled to be able to offer them to you. Get ready to step into the future of eyewear!
What's All the Fuss About? Let's Dive into the Amazing Features!
These aren't your average specs, folks. Ray-Ban and Meta have joined forces to create a piece of wearable tech that's as stylish as it is smart. Here's a peek at what makes these glasses so extraordinary:
- Capture Life's Moments Hands-Free: Ever wished you could effortlessly capture a spontaneous moment without fumbling for your phone? These glasses feature a discreet built-in camera that allows you to take photos and videos with a simple tap. Perfect for capturing those precious family moments, scenic views on a walk, or even just a funny thing your pet does!
- Stay Connected, Effortlessly: With integrated Bluetooth, you can take calls and listen to your favourite podcasts or music directly through the glasses. The discreet open-ear audio design allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your audio. No more tangled headphones!
- Your Personal AI Assistant: Imagine having a helpful assistant right there with you. The Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses are equipped with Meta AI (availability may vary). This means you can ask questions, get information, translate languages, and so much more, all through voice commands. It's like having a little digital helper right on your face!
- Live in the Moment with Livestreaming: Want to share your perspective in real-time? You can livestream directly from your glasses to social media platforms. Imagine sharing your adventures as they happen – a truly immersive way to connect with friends and family.
- Intuitive Touch Controls: Navigating the features is a breeze thanks to the touch-sensitive temples. Adjust volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and capture content with simple taps and swipes. It's all designed to be intuitive and seamless.
Style That Speaks Volumes: Iconic Ray-Ban Designs
Now, let's talk about the looks, because Ray-Ban knows a thing or two about iconic style! These smart glasses are available in a range of classic Ray-Ban frames that you know and love:
- Wayfarer: The timeless and instantly recognisable design. A true style icon that suits just about everyone.
- Headliner: A sleek and modern design with a slightly more squared shape, offering a contemporary edge.
- Round: Embracing a retro vibe, the round frames offer a cool and distinctive look.
Each style comes in a variety of colours, allowing you to choose the perfect pair to match your personal taste. These aren't just tech gadgets; they're a fashion statement!
Why Choose Ray-Ban | Meta Smart Glasses from Care Optics?
At Care Optics, we're not just about selling glasses; we're about providing you with the best possible vision and eyewear experience. Here's why getting your Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses from our Woodford or Dagenham branches is a brilliant idea:
- Expert Advice: Our friendly and knowledgeable team can guide you through all the features and help you choose the perfect style and fit. We'll ensure you understand how to use all the amazing functionalities.
- Perfect Fit: Just like any other pair of glasses, proper fitting is crucial for comfort and optimal performance. Our experienced opticians will ensure your smart glasses fit you perfectly.
- Aftercare and Support: We're here for you even after you've purchased your glasses. If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always happy to help.
- Trusted Local Opticians: As a local business with branches in Woodford and Dagenham, we pride ourselves on our commitment to our community and providing excellent customer service.
More Features:
Capturing Your World, Effortlessly: The Upgraded Camera System
The integrated camera is a true standout feature, allowing you to capture photos and videos from your unique point of view. Forget fumbling with your phone – with a simple tap on the temple or a voice command ("Hey Meta, take a photo"), you can seize those fleeting moments.
- High-Quality Capture:
The upgraded 12 MP ultra-wide camera
ensures your photos are crisp and detailed, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
- Enhanced Video Recording: Capture videos at a resolution of 1440 x 1920 px at 30 fps, allowing you to record up to three minutes of continuous footage. Ideal for capturing short snippets of your adventures or daily life.
- Hands-Free Convenience: The beauty of the integrated camera lies in its hands-free operation. Whether you're cycling through a scenic route, playing with your children, or simply want to stay present in the moment, capturing memories becomes intuitive and unobtrusive.
- Capture LED for Privacy:
A small LED light illuminates when you are taking a photo or recording a video, ensuring those around you are aware.
- Generous Storage:
With 32GB of built-in storage, you can store over 500 photos or 100+ 30-second videos directly on your glasses.
- Seamless Sharing:
Using the Meta View app, you can easily import, view, edit, and share your photos and videos to your favourite social media platforms.
Immersive Audio Experience: Staying Connected Without Isolation
The Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses aren't just about visuals; they deliver a rich audio experience without disconnecting you from your surroundings.
- Discreet Open-Ear Speakers:
Custom-designed speakers are integrated into the temples, delivering clear and immersive sound for music, podcasts, and calls.The open-ear design allows you to remain aware of ambient sounds, ensuring safety and awareness.
- Enhanced Audio Quality:
Compared to previous generations, these glasses boast 50% louder speakers with extended bass, providing a richer and more enjoyable listening experience, even in noisy environments.
- Directional Audio with Reduced Leakage:
The speakers are designed to direct sound towards your ears, minimising audio leakage so your conversations and listening remain more private.
- Integrated Five-Microphone Array:
A sophisticated five-microphone system captures your voice with remarkable clarity, ensuring clear and crisp phone calls and voice commands, even in windy conditions.This array also supports immersive audio recording for your videos, capturing sound as you experienced it.
- Intuitive Audio Controls:
The touch-sensitive temples allow you to easily manage your audio: tap to play/pause, double-tap to skip forward, triple-tap to skip back, and swipe to adjust the volume.
- Adaptive Volume:
This clever feature automatically adjusts the volume of your audio based on the surrounding noise levels, ensuring you can always hear clearly without manually adjusting.
The Power of Meta AI: Your Intelligent Companion
One of the most groundbreaking features is the integration of Meta AI, offering a hands-free way to interact with the world around you.Please note that Meta AI availability and specific features may vary depending on your region and software updates. As of April 10, 2025, users in the UK have access to enhanced Meta AI capabilities.
- Hands-Free Voice Assistant:
Activate Meta AI by saying "Hey Meta" or by tapping and holding the touchpad.You can then ask questions, get information, and control various features using just your voice.
- Context-Aware Assistance:
Meta AI can analyse your surroundings through the camera and provide context-rich suggestions and information.For example, you can ask "Hey Meta, what am I looking at?" to identify landmarks, plants, or objects.
- Real-time Language Translation:
This incredibly useful feature allows for live translation of conversations in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.Simply say "Hey Meta, start live translation" to break down language barriers when travelling or interacting with people who speak different languages.You'll hear the translation through the glasses' speakers, and your responses can be translated in the Meta View app.
- Information on Demand:
Ask Meta AI for quick facts, weather updates (with location services enabled), translations, and more, all without needing to reach for your phone.
- Seamless Communication:
Send text or voice messages and make phone or video calls hands-free via WhatsApp, Messenger, and SMS using voice commands.You can even ask Meta AI to read out incoming messages.
- Media Control:
Use voice commands to control your music playback, adjust volume, and more, keeping your hands free.For instance, you can say "Hey Meta, play the next song" or "Hey Meta, turn up the volume."
- Remembering Things:
The AI can help you remember where you parked, set reminders, and more, making daily tasks a little easier.
- QR Code Scanning:
You can even ask Meta AI to scan QR codes you encounter.
Staying Connected: Seamless Integration
The Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses are designed to keep you connected in a convenient and unobtrusive way.
- Bluetooth Connectivity:
Pair your glasses with your smartphone via Bluetooth to enjoy music, calls, and access to the Meta View app.The glasses support Bluetooth 5.3 for stable and efficient connectivity.
- Wi-Fi 6:
The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 ensures faster and more reliable wireless connectivity for data transfer and updates.
- Livestreaming Capabilities:
Share your perspective in real-time by livestreaming directly to Facebook and Instagram.You can even see comments in your preview or have them read aloud.
- POV Video Calling:
Instantly switch between your phone's camera and the glasses' point-of-view camera during video calls on WhatsApp and Messenger, offering a unique and immersive way to connect.
Power and Convenience: Battery Life and Charging
- All-Day Battery with Charging Case:
The glasses offer up to 4 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The sleek charging case, reminiscent of a classic Ray-Ban case, provides an additional eight charges, extending the total battery life to up to 36 hours.
- Fast Charging: The glasses can be charged to 50% in just 20 minutes, ensuring you're quickly ready to go.
The Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses truly represent a leap forward in wearable technology, seamlessly blending iconic style with a wealth of intelligent features. We at Care Optics in Woodford and Dagenham are incredibly excited to bring this innovation to you. Come and experience the future of eyewear firsthand – our friendly teams are ready to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect pair!
Ready to Experience the Future?
The Ray-Ban | Meta smart glasses are more than just a gadget; they're a new way to experience the world around you, stay connected, and capture memories effortlessly – all while looking incredibly stylish.
We are so excited to have these innovative glasses available at both our Woodford and Dagenham branches. Come and visit us to see them for yourself, have a chat with our team, and try them on. You might just find your new favourite way to see and interact with the world!
We can't wait to welcome you and show you the future of eyewear. See you soon at Care Optics!
