We all know the importance of protecting our skin from the sun—but did you know your eyes are just as vulnerable to UV damage? As we enjoy the long summer days, UV protection for your eyes is essential—especially during outdoor activities, holidays abroad, or even on bright but cloudy days here in the UK. At Special Looks Opticians in Stourbridge, we’re here to help you protect your sight, whatever the weather. 🌞 The Hidden Risks of UV Exposure to Your Eyes UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun can cause both short-term discomfort and long-term damage to your eyes. Just like your skin, your eyes can suffer from overexposure to sunlight—even on overcast days. Common eye risks linked to UV exposure include: Photokeratitis – Also known as “sunburn of the eye,” it causes painful redness, watering, and sensitivity. Cataracts – Long-term UV exposure is a known risk factor for early cataract development. Macular Degeneration – UV rays may contribute to damage in the retina over time. Pterygium

The school summer holidays are finally here—and while the kids are enjoying a well-earned break, it's the perfect time to tick off important health checks, including your child’s annual eye examination. At Special Looks Opticians in Stourbridge, we recommend regular eye tests for children of all ages, especially before the new school year begins. Many vision problems don’t show obvious symptoms—but they can have a big impact on learning, confidence and long-term eye health. 👁 Why Children’s Eye Examinations Matter Your child’s vision plays a huge role in how they learn, read, play and interact with the world, but many children don’t realise they’re having vision problems—because they think what they see is normal. That’s why regular eye tests are so important, even if they’ve never complained of any issues. A full children’s eye examination can detect early signs of: Myopia (short-sightedness) – Blurred distance vision, which is increasing in children due to screen time and less outd

If your eyes often feel gritty, tired, watery or uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common reasons people visit the optometrist—and thanks to modern lifestyles, it’s more widespread than ever.

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Why do so many kids wear glasses now?”—you’re not alone. From the classroom to the playground, it seems like more and more children are wearing glasses these days.

Many patients attend our clinic concerned about glaucoma, but only have a vague understanding of what it is. Today I am here to answer the most common questions we get about glaucoma from our patients.