Everyone has different requirements for fit and style therefore we have a wide range of designer frames as well as a comprehensive selection of other spectacle ranges to complement both personality and budget.

Recent additions to the fashion designer ranges include Prada, Bvlgari, Max Mara, and Valentino. More contemporary designs can be found in the ranges from Diesel, Ray Ban, Versace, Vogue, Emporio Armani, Esprit and Morgan.

Of course a frame does not have to be a designer label to be of excellent quality and beautifully made. Silhouette offer classic frames with innovative design details and the Titan rimless range is sleek and contemporary.

We also stock a wide range of sports eyewear including appliances especially designed for use in many activities including swimming, cycling, golf, running, skiing and squash to name but a few. The Adidas and Bollé ranges include many designs which have an optical insert to ensure optimum visual performance.

We stock a wide range of frames suitable for both young children and young adults including more up to date styles for the image conscious teenager. There is a range of frames which are free of charge with an NHS voucher.

To Download our Free Frame Styling Guide Please Click Here.

Because we are independent we are free to select the best lenses from any manufacturer. This means we can offer a wide choice together with personal service and advice to meet your requirements, lifestyle and budget. There are many new developments in spectacle lens technology – thinner lighter weight lenses, a variety of lens coatings, light sensitive lenses and lots more. These are designed to improve your vision and ensure your spectacles are more comfortable to wear. At the practice we will discuss your requirements and advise you on the best options, without obligation.

Sunspecs

We offer a large range of prescription sunspecs which are available with a number of different lens options – tinted lenses with UV inhibitor incorporated, polarizing lenses, or photochromic lenses. These are available with single vision lenses, bifocals and varifocals. Prices start from £59. We also stock a substantial range of non-prescription sunspecs including Adidas, Bollé, Rayban and Janet Reger.

Our aim is to provide you with professional eye care and high quality products. You will receive personal attention and unbiased advice without obligation. Points to consider when choosing lenses include lifestyle, hobbies and occupation. Here are a few options available to you:

Single Vision

These are corrective lenses with the same prescription over their entire surface and are available in an extensive range of powers and materials. These are generally used for a single task such as reading, computer or distance for example.

Bifocals

Bifocals are used when you have two different prescriptions which you wish to correct in a single pair of spectacles. Usually these are made with a distance correction in the upper part of the lens and a smaller reading segment in the lower part of the lens. They can however be made with other combinations such as computer distance in the top and reading in the bottom.

The position of the reading segment is dependant on the patients natural head position and the position of the frame, but it does not interfere with the distance vision. You merely drop your eyes to look through the reading segment when you wish to view something close up.

The reading segments are available in various different shapes and sizes dependant on your requirements. The dispensing optician will discuss this with you and can demonstrate their appearance and how they work.

Multifocals (Varifocals)

These are lenses which have a gradual change of power across the lens surface. Generally the distance point is fitted directly in front of the pupil. As you look further down the lens, the power changes or alters so that you can see intermediate distances and close up.

The benefit of this lens type is that there are no obvious dividing lines on the lens which some people can find distracting. Due to modern technological advances these lenses can be put into virtually any frame shape or size and are designed to minimize any peripheral distortion. The dispensing optician will discuss with you your lifestyle, occupation and hobbies to determine which lens design is most tailored to your requirements. Adapting to the multifocal lens may take some perseverance but with some patience the majority of patients will succeed.

Occupational Lenses

For those patients who have visual specific occupations, a special lens can be used to fit their requirements. A variation of intermediate, near and very close vision for example, can be incorporated into a specially designed bifocal or multifocal. Corrective spectacle lenses for sports such as golf, snooker or shooting are also available.

It is important once you have chosen your spectacle frame that a suitable lens for your prescription and frame is chosen. Traditionally spectacle lenses were made in crown glass which was tough and durable. Glass is still available in single vision, bifocal, and multifocal though in a reduced number of designs. Thinner glass lenses are available up to a refractive index of 1.9 which can reduce the edge thickness by up to 40% although they do not reduce the weight. Thin and light alternatives are widely available in plastic, polycarbonate and trivex materials making glass less widely used. Concerns about these lenses scratching more easily than glass are invalid due to the protective Hard Coating which can be applied.

Polycarbonate is a very impact resistant and durable lens which is slightly thinner than either a standard plastic or crown glass lens. Supplied with a hard coating and natural UV protection it is suitable for spectacles which may need to be tough and durable due to occupation or hobbies. Polycarbonate can be coated with an anti reflection coating, tinted or be ordered as photochromic. Available in single vision, bifocal or multifocal, it is recommended for tennis, field sports and water sports.

The higher the refractive index of a lens material, the thinner it is in general. Other factors however do affect the finished thickness. Thinner plastic lenses are available with refractive indices of 1.6, 1.67, 1.7 and 1.74 offering a lightweight thinner alternative for optimum comfort and cosmetic appearance. Plastic lenses can be coated with a UV protection, Hard Coating or Anti Reflection coating and tinted to suit your needs. They can also be photochromic or polarised.

Hardcoat

Used on a plastic lens for added resistance against surface scratching and can be combined with an Anti Reflection Coating.

Anti Reflection Coating (HMAR)

Eliminates reflections from the lens surface and reduces ghost rings at the edge of thicker lenses. The cosmetic appearance is improved as the lens appears invisible. Recommended for lenses within rimless, semi rimless (supra) and with thinner lens materials, the HMAR reduces glare and is ideal for driving and for working on a VDU screen.

UV block

UV protection is a necessity for a pair of sun spectacles as it protects the eye from harmful Ultra Violet radiation.

A UV coating is highly recommended for patients who have had a cataract removed. On removing the cataract the eye’s natural protection from UV radiation is lost. It is therefore important to have the coating on the spectacles to protect the retina.

Tints

There is a comprehensive range of tints available for plastic lenses, with slightly more limited options for glass. Most common are brown and grey but they can be customised for any look. We have a range of samples to view.

Polarising Lenses

These reduce glare and are ideal for water based activities such as sailing and fishing. They also eliminate reflections from wet road surfaces making them ideal for driving. Polarised lenses are available in both standard and thinner lightweight materials, usually in brown or grey.

Photochromic lenses

Available in a wide range of lens designs from single vision to multifocal, in standard and thinner materials, these lenses darken when exposed to UV. These lenses are usually available in brown or grey. There are different brands available but generally the lenses are virtually clear indoors and darken like sunspecs when outdoors and exposed to UV. Unfortunately the lenses do not darken to their full potential when behind a car windscreen as this blocks some of the UV. However many patients find them adequate and convenient as they do not require a separate pair of sunspecs.