Karen Boulton Optician

12/08/2025

The College, alongside The Association of Optometrists (AOP), have welcomed the proposed inclusion of mandatory sight tests for drivers over the age of 70 as part of an overhaul of driving laws in the new road safety strategy, set to be published in the autumn.

This is a welcome step in improving vision standards for drivers in the UK. But the rules could go further to ensure that UK standards are in alignment with those internationally.

We are calling for a mandatory requirement for all drivers to submit evidence of an up-to-date sight test at licence application and renewal, every 10 years and then every 3 years from age 70.

This would enable early detection and treatment of eye conditions that may be otherwise asymptomatic and utilises regulated sight tests that are delivered by registered optometrists on the high street across the UK.

College Clinical Adviser, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom discussed the proposed changes on BBC Radio 5.

Listen back to the ’s Nicky Campbell show with Gordon Smart (skip to 2:04:50) ➡️ https://coptom.uk/4ov6fLG

Read our full statement here ➡️ https://coptom.uk/4oEAyjh

26/07/2025

𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀... 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺?

Be honest – have you ever “lost” your glasses, only to find them on your head?
Or in the fridge? Or on your desk right in front of you?

We’ve all been there!

👓 Drop your funniest “lost glasses” moment in the comments – and tag a friend who’s always misplacing theirs.

20/07/2025

𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗤 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀?

True or False: You can sneeze with your eyes open.

Drop your answer in the comments 👇
(Spoiler: it’s false – your body has a strong reflex to protect your eyes by shutting them when you sneeze!)

🧠 Little eye facts like this help us understand just how incredible – and protective – our bodies can be.

10/07/2025

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀? 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵!

Here’s a question we get a lot: “Should I switch to contact lenses?”
But you don’t need to choose just one! In fact, many people use both depending on the day.

👓 Glasses are great for screen-heavy days, relaxing, or showing off your style.
🌀 Contact lenses give you the freedom to move – perfect for sports, holidays or special occasions.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁.

08/07/2025

08/07/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹

Children don’t always know they have a vision problem. If they’ve never had an eye test – or it’s been a while – now is the perfect time.

Signs of undetected vision issues in children can include:
Holding books or tablets very close
Squinting or rubbing eyes frequently
Headaches or trouble concentrating
Falling behind at school

👁️ Eye tests are free for children on the NHS and can make a big difference to their learning, development and confidence.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 – 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲.

04/07/2025

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 – 𝗥𝗲𝗱, 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲… 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗢𝗨! (𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁!)

While our friends across the pond celebrate Independence Day today, we’re giving a shoutout to your independence – in your eye care choices!

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀:
You’re not just a number.
You get honest, expert advice.
Your care is truly personalised.
You're supporting a local business that knows and values you.

✨ It’s not just about frames and lenses – it’s about care that’s centred around you!
Tel 01952 249500 📞 for an appointment

26/06/2025

💦 Dry Eye Awareness
Air con on full blast? Pollen in the air? Long hours at your screen?
You're not imagining things – these can all trigger dry eye symptoms 😣
Relief is simple:

Use lubricating eye drops!
Try warm compresses!
Stay hydrated!

👁️ Chronic dry eye is treatable – and we can help!

26/06/2025

Did you know only 3 in 10 children always wear sunglasses on sunny days?

New research shows that over half of parents aren’t fully protecting their children’s eyes from UV damage, with many mistakenly believing a hat offers the same protection as sunglasses.

Children’s eyes are more vulnerable to UV rays, and long-term exposure can lead to problems later in life. That’s why we’re raising awareness of the importance of proper UV eye protection.

To support our campaign, we’re highlighting key tips for protecting young eyes:
✅ Look for sunglasses with a CE or UKCA mark
✅ Pair them with a wide-brimmed hat
✅ Book regular NHS eye tests from 3-4 years old

Discover the results from our recent research and find out how you can support our summer eye health campaign here ➡️ https://coptom.uk/3HYf9k3

04/06/2025

👁️ Cataracts: Clouding the World’s Vision

Did you know that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally? While the condition is common, especially as we age, it’s also one of the most treatable eye conditions when caught early. June is Cataract Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to shine a light on this sight-stealing condition.

Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly, but over time they can blur your vision and impact daily activities such as reading, driving, or recognising faces. Regular eye exams can detect the early signs, allowing for timely treatment before your vision significantly deteriorates.

👓 Have questions about cataract symptoms or treatment options? Our experienced optometrists are here to help. Don’t put your eye health on hold—book your appointment today and see the difference early detection can make. TEL 01952 249500

30/05/2025

😂 Friday Funny:
“Taking a selfie, darling?”
“No… just trying to read the small text.” 👀📱

We’ve all been there... holding the phone at arm’s length, squinting at menus, zooming in on the tiniest print... it's not your camera angle, it’s your vision!

Here’s why it might be happening:
🔹 You could be developing presbyopia – a totally normal age-related change in near vision
🔹 Your glasses or contact lens prescription might need an update
🔹 You might benefit from reading specs, varifocals, or occupational lenses

Good news? It’s easy to fix!
Book an eye exam and we’ll help you focus without the accidental selfies. 😄📷

29/05/2025

🥦 Tasty Tips for Healthy Vision – It’s Time to Eat for Your Eyes! 👀🍊

What you put on your plate can make a big difference to what you see!

Certain nutrients are essential for maintaining strong, healthy eyes and may even help protect against age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

Here’s what your eyes love you to eat:
🥬 Lutein & Zeaxanthin – found in spinach, kale & broccoli
🐟 Omega-3 Fatty Acids – in oily fish like salmon & mackerel
🥕 Vitamin A – in carrots, sweet potatoes & red peppers
🍊 Vitamin C & E – in oranges, kiwis, sunflower seeds & almonds
🥚 Zinc – in eggs, legumes & whole grains

A colourful, balanced diet helps fuel your body and your vision. Pair it with regular eye exams, and your eyes will stay happy for years to come.

What’s your favourite eye-healthy food? Let us know in the comments! 👇