We’re thrilled to share that our very own Optometrist, Hasan , was featured on ITV News  this week! In the segment, Hasan offered some expert advice on contact lens safety this Halloween , reminding everyone how important it is to keep your eyes healthy while having fun with spooky costumes and coloured lenses. Whether you’re going all-out with a frightful transformation or just adding a subtle touch, Hasan’s top tips will help you enjoy the festivities safely. Catch the full ITV News clip below  to hear Hasan’s guidance and make sure your Halloween look is both safe and  spectacular!

They say that charity begins at home – and to us that means our community. We love supporting local, whether that’s local businesses, local suppliers or local events. We recently had the chance to support two local charities by getting involved in fundraising events and it was incredibly rewarding to see the impact they had, with thousands of pounds raised to support some extremely worthy causes. First up was an open evening which featured a raffle to raise funds for Compton Care – a hospice based in Wolverhampton – with additional money going to the Ukraine appeal. Compton Care provides free care and support for people living with incurable illnesses and their families. This year marks 40 years of Compton providing countless moments of care and support to families across the region who have been affected by incurable illnesses. The amazing team at Compton support families to navigate every aspect of life after diagnosis, including their physical, practical, and emotional needs. Care is tailored to each person and focuses on providing the tools, encouragement and support they need to live a good quality life. It was a privilege to be able to support them in their work and we were delighted to help contribute £438 to be shared between the two causes. Secondly, we were delighted to sponsor a particularly hair-raising event held in support of Secret Angels – a small non-profit organisation set up in April 2021 in Wolverhampton to empower communities and transform lives by helping residents in deprived areas tackle fuel and food poverty. The charity provides information and advice, run services in our local communities and campaigns with current projects including a food bank, digital inclusion and a clothes bank. The event, which was organised by Asian Music Radio, saw presenters Khalid Akhtar and Shabaz Ahmad have their bodies waxed in public while on air to raise money. Shabaz, aged 40, said: "My arm hair meant the world to me but we were happy to exchange our pain for people's pounds." The event raised an incredible £8,000 for Secret Angels. Founder Alvina Ali said: "It was a painful challenge for a good cause and raised a lot of money for our charity that will make a difference to people's lives.” Seeing the difference these events have made to all those charities has been a real boost to the team and has reinforced the importance of supporting worthy causes in our local community. We’re looking forward to getting involved in many more events in the future!

Kids are back at school, and after such a long break it may take them a while to get back into the swing of things. Not all problems are just down to a preference for video games or YouTube over schoolwork, though! Visual stress is something that affects at least 20% of the UK and can make learning and studying harder for children. A visual stress test and, if necessary, treatment such as visual stress glasses, could help your child to reach their full academic potential and make school life much easier in general. What Is Visual Stress? Visual stress, also known as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, is sometimes linked with dyslexia, but it is a condition in its own right and often affects children who are not dyslexic. It causes visual discomfort when trying to read and can put children off reading and impact their learning. There are a number of signs of visual stress, including: headaches and eye strain after reading for a short time text appearing to move on the page needing to use a finger to follow a line of text becoming distracted by patterns when reading fidgeting, squinting and a reluctance to read. If your child displays any of these symptoms, it is worth booking them in for a visual stress test. Treatment for Visual Stress The first step is to carry out a full eye exam to rule out any other potential problems, like vision correction. Next, we use a series of tests including a colorimetry assessment – you can find out more about what is included in the full assessment here. Research has shown that colour can be used to alleviate symptoms of visual stress, so the colorimetry, performed using an advanced piece of equipment called the intuitive colorimeter is used to identify which precise tint, out of thousands of combinations, is most effective in helping children to read with more ease. Once this has been identified, we can look at the best form of treatment. Coloured overlays can be used when reading from a page, but many students find specialised visual stress glasses which have tinted lenses are most helpful at school, as they can then read the board more easily too. We can even offer tinted contact lenses, if preferred. This isn’t an overnight cure, but rather a management method for visual stress, which is why more than one visit is needed to see our optometrist so they can continue to assess and monitor your child’s progress and improvement in reading. We encourage parents to enrol their children onto our Visual Stress Treatment Programme, as their appointments will then be covered at a set monthly fee. Children who have been diagnosed with visual stress and have gone through our programme have been able to enjoy increased self-confidence and fluency when reading, as well as reduced or eliminated headaches, allowing them to develop at the same rate as their school peers. Book an Assessment If you think your child could benefit from tinted glasses for visual stress or you’d like to find out more, contact us to discuss your child’s symptoms and book an assessment today.

< Back Hasan Akhtar BSc(Hons) MCOptom DipTp(IP) Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert Glauc AFHA Hasan graduated from Aston University in 2016 with a 1st class honours degree in Optometry. He joined Taylor Biddle in 2018 and became a partner in April 2021. Alongside his work with Taylor Biddle, he is a Sessional Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor at Aston University teaching the degree programme as well as a Faculty Member for Johnson & Johnson Vision and Assessor for the College of Optometrists. Hasan specialises in Medical Retina and Glaucoma but also became an Independent Prescriber in 2023 allowing him to prescribe more medications to help treat eye conditions. Hasan has sat on the local optical committee since 2020 which allows him to stay at the forefront of Optometry and implement the latest shared care schemes and enhancements to the services we provide. In his spare time he enjoys theatre, outdoor adventures, socialising and travelling the world. Optometrist Director

The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems. It is an NHS service provided by accredited optometrists COVID-19 URGENT EYESERVICE (CUES) We can now see you under a free service (if you’re registered with a Wolverhampton or South Staffs GP) for minor eye conditions, instead of you having to go to the Eye Infirmary. This free service is available for people of all ages. Our optometrists have undergone further training in order to treat a number of minor eye concerns. Please note that this is not a sight test. Also, if you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, it will not be covered by this service; for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED AT A MECS APPOINTMENT? Foreign body in the eye Red eye or eyelids Dry eye, or gritty and uncomfortable eyes Irritation and inflammation of the eye Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye, or watery eye Recently occurring flashers of floaters Ingrowing eyelashes Recent and sudden loss of vision HOW CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT? To make an appointment, call us and you will be asked some questions about your symptoms. This will enable us to assess how quickly you need to be seen, which will be within 24 hours in urgent cases and within a few days for a routine appointment. Please bring your glasses and a list of your current medication along to the appointment. The optometrist may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils in order to get a better view inside your eyes. You should not drive until the effects of these drops has worn off, which may take a few hours. Our optometrists are able to issue prescriptions to treat minor eye conditions. If your condition is more serious, the optometrist will book you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic. If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist will organise this for you. You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is related to your general health. Before you go to hospital, ask your optometrist. Quick links: GET IN TOUCH EYE TESTS

Our Premium Eyecare Plan covers the extended eye examination and all the benefits included in Private Eye Examination Plan and more. EYECARE PLANS We are now offering exclusive Eyecare plans to spread the cost of enhanced eyecare . Currently the standard NHS funded eye exam is the same as it was when it was first implemented in 1948, but technology and expertise have increased a hundredfold since then. Eye conditions that previously would have caused blindness are often treatable, and there is now the ability to detect these problems early with the aid of cutting-edge technology like our OCT & Optomap. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Inclusive Eye examinations As often as needed Extended eye examinations Longer appointment times Value for money Spread the cost monthly, no lump sum Peace of mind Terms & Conditions apply PRIVATE EYE EXAMINATION PLAN (PEEP) Our PEEP plan provides excellent value for money and peace of mind. For a monthly fee of just £8.50, it will cover all of your professional charges, see you as often as required, and not at strictly defined time intervals as laid out by the NHS. You will be booked for a longer appointment so that there is more time to discuss your requirements and to carry out any further tests as needed so that we can provide the best possible care for you. WHATS INCLUDED? £8.50 PER MONTH Comprehensive eye examination Under 30’s eye exam Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT scan) Daytona Optomap Ultra Wide View scan Pressures Check Anterior eye assessment Private Diabetic Assessment TAYLOR BIDDLE OPTICIANS EYECARE PLAN (TBO ECP) This Premium Plan covers the extended eye examination and all the benefits included in PEEP, but also gives a greater value for spectacle wearers with 25% discount on all eyewear and a two year accidental damage guarantee for an additional peace of mind. £14 PER MONTH Comprehensive eye examination Under 30s eye exam Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT scan) Daytona Optomap Ultra Wide View scan Pressures Check Anterior eye assessment Private Diabetic Assessment Consultant requested fields test plus report Consultant requested retinal scans plus report 25% discount off spectacles and lenses 15% discount off all products and solutions (excluding contact lenses). A guarantee on new spectacles for two years (small excess applies) Minimum contract 18 months, and then 6 months after the latest purchase. WHATS INCLUDED? CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR EYECARE PLANS GET IN TOUCH Quick links: OCT & OPTOMAP EYEWEAR