We are buzzing about #WorldBeeDay 🐝 Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem and today is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. 📸 mattporteous

As well as dispensing optical appliances, dispensing opticians provide clinical advice and guidance on common eyecare conditions, including acute conditions, such as dry eye, and identify and refer those which require emergency care.

How do your eyes focus? Your eyes contain a clear lens which is held in place by a ring of muscle. As you look at something, the ring of muscles contracts or relaxes and the lens changes shape to bring the object into clear focus.

What is a cataract? Inside your eye is a clear lens. It is there to focus rays of light on the back of the eye. As you get older the lens can become less clear: this is known as cataract. #CataractAwarenessMonth

Dispensing opticians are often known as DOs. Their specialist skills include giving your professional advice on lenses for work and leisure, lenses for driving day and night, UV protection, prescription sunglasses, spectacles for VDU use, sports and safety eyewear.

Working at a computer, you should take regular breaks. Prolonged use can lead to staring and potentially dry eyes as a result of insufficient blinking. Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.

Is your child starting school this year? Make sure you get their sight tested before they start.

Do you wear contact lenses? How often do you get your eyes examined? See your eye care professional at least once every 12 months so you can keep seeing better for longer! #LoveYourLenses ʙᴄʟᴀ

Water and contact lenses do not mix. It’s so important to keep your contact lenses away from water and avoid any risk of potentially serious infection. #LoveYourLenses ʙᴄʟᴀ

By law, all contact lenses (even #halloween party lenses) must be supplied by, or under the supervision of, an optometrist, dispensing optician or doctor. Professional advice on wearing & caring for contacts is vital to prevent eye damage & potential sight loss. #VisionMatters

Is my child likely to inherit my need for glasses? Some eye care conditions can be inherited such as myopia, glaucoma and cataract. If you are worried about your child’s eyesight that book an appointment with your optician straight away.

UV affects us all, not just the adults. So next time the adults put on sunglasses make sure your little ones are too or at the very least, a good hat that provides great shade, especially for the little ones, or avoid the sun for babies and small kids. #SunAwarenessWeek

Men, do you take your own health seriously? Been for an eye exam in the last two year? If not, book one now! #EyeHealthMatters #eyecareFAQ

Do you have new specs?

Vision science in action. A useful reminder for optometrists providing night vision advice. #headlights #NightDriving #IAmAnOptometrist

Numerous reports of a misinformation movement that glasses, sunglasses are harmful. Anti-glasses quackery has been around for over a century, so nothing new, but the potential harm to children, road users & the visually impaired still profound. Let’s stop this now! 👓 👀

How do I choose a good pair of sunglasses? Sunglasses need to fit your face well in order to be effective at stopping UV light, so make sure that you get advice when choosing and ask about standards in your country. Speak to a dispensing optician for advice

Every adult needs an eye exam every two years #eyecareFAQ #EyeHealthMatters #EyeExamination

If you think you may have dry eye book as assessment with your optician. Some opticians specialise in treating dry eye. #DryEyeMonth

When should my child's eyes be examined? If you’re wondering when to start getting your child’s eyes checked, do make sure that they are seen as a toddler, well before they start school. Some eye conditions can be treated more effectively if they are discovered by the age of 3