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<p>2024 is here and with it the chance to embrace new ways of living and implement new healthier habits.</p>
<p>New Year’s resolutions have existed for centuries and can be traced to the ancient Babylonians who are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. Making subtle changes to your lifestyle can help improve your eye health and minimise your risk of developing common eye conditions in older age such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.</p>
<h4>1. Eat right for good sight</h4>
<p>Eating a healthy balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing common eye conditions.&nbsp; Eye friendly nutrients found in many fruits and vegetables including spinach, red peppers, kale, leeks, avocado, peaches and blueberries can help to protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – a condition that impairs the vision of more than 600,000 people in the UK and is the leading cause of blindness in the western world.</p>
<p>Cold water fish such as sardines, mackerel and tuna are all excellent sources of DHA and Omega-3 fatty acids, which provide structural support to cell membranes in the eye and are recommended for dry eye, the treatment of macular degeneration and general sight preservation.</p>
<p>Recent research has shown how eating fish just once a week can reduce your risk of developing early AMD by up to 40 per cent.</p>
<h4>2. Exercise regularly</h4>
<p>The eyes need oxygen to stay healthy and comfortable. Growing scientific evidence suggests that aerobic exercise can increase crucial oxygen supplies to the optic nerve and lower pressure in the eye.</p>
<p>Reducing intraocular ‘eye’ pressure can help control conditions such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Aerobic exercise can also prevent the progression of diabetes, which in severe cases can lead to diabetic retinopathy.</p>
<p>To gain any health benefit from exercise the Department of Health recommends doing 30 minutes exercise five days a week. Brisk walks, cycling and swimming are all excellent ways to reduce intraocular pressure.</p>
<p>Remember to consult your GP before commencing any new exercise programme.</p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/freedom_gym2.jpg" alt="freedom gym2" width="900" height="675" /></p>
<h4>3. Get a good night’s sleep</h4>
<p>A good night’s sleep can help keep your eyes feeling bright and refreshed. Lack of sleep and fatigue can lead to your eyes becoming sore, irritated, puffy, red and bloodshot.</p>
<p>A quick fix for relieving your eyes from any discomfort caused by lack of sleep is to place a cold compress – wet tea bags, slices of cucumber or a cold wet facecloth – over your eyes then lie back and relax for ten minutes.</p>
<h4>4. Don’t smoke</h4>
<p>Smokers have a significantly higher risk of eye disease than non-smokers. According to research published by the RNIB smokers are twice as likely to lose their sight in later life than non-smokers.</p>
<p>Tobacco chemicals damage the blood vessels behind your eyes and increase your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).</p>
<p>However, the good news is that if you quit smoking your risk of developing AMD begins to decline.</p>
<p>Smoking is also associated with other eye diseases including cataracts.</p>
<h4>5. Protect your eyes</h4>
<p>According to the British Safety Council, nearly a quarter of a million of us will injure our eyes this year with almost 50 per cent of these injuries occurring because of accidents in the home.</p>
<p>A staggering 20,000 eye accidents a year – one every 25 minutes! – are as a direct result of DIY.</p>
<p>Whilst sport is now the biggest cause of hospital admission for serious eye injuries in the UK – one in three squash players will suffer some form of eye injury.</p>
<p>Using inexpensive safety goggles to protect your eyes when you’re in a situation that poses a risk to your eyes can help prevent injury and keep your eyes healthy.</p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/freedom_doctor.jpg" alt="freedom doctor" width="900" height="675" /></p>
<h4>6. Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink</h4>
<p>Drinking too much alcohol interferes with your liver functions reducing the levels of glutathione an efficient antioxidant that can help protect against common eye disease.</p>
<p>The Department of Health advises that men should not drink more than three to four units of alcohol per day, and women should drink no more than two to three units of alcohol per day.</p>
<h4>7. Protect your eyes against the damaging affects of UV light</h4>
<p>Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to a sunburn-like condition called photokeratitis. This can be extremely painful and make your eyes red, swollen and watery. The symptoms of photokeratitis – an inflammation of the outer layer of the cornea, typically occur after 6 – 12 hours exposure and will normally clear up quickly causing no permanent damage to the eye.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, the most common skiing injury is not to legs or arms – but to eyes!</p>
<p>It’s not flailing ski sticks that pose the threat either, but high levels of ultra-violet (UV) light which are highest when the atmosphere is very clear – such as on the ski slopes and the problem is made worse by snow which reflects light. Be smart and wear quality sunglasses or goggles.</p>
<p>However, the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) are cumulative and over a long period your risk of developing cataracts and other age-related conditions increases significantly.</p>
<p>By the age of 18 more than half-a-lifetime’s worth of UV light will have been absorbed by a child’s eyes so it’s never too early to start protecting your eyes.</p>
<p>Sunglasses protect our eyes from UV light, which can be harmful to the eye, especially for prolonged periods, or as an accumulation over years of exposure. By wearing sunglasses, not only will you protect the fragile skin around your eyes (no thank you, crows feet!), but your eyes too. UV light is still present even on cloudy days, so pick a pair of sunglasses that you love and wear them regularly.</p>
<p>Ensure that your sunglasses filter AT LEAST 99 per cent of UVA and UVB light and look out for the CE or BS EN 1836:1997 marks when choosing your sunglasses. Sunglasses are available in prescription if you wear glasses – and most prescriptions can be made for wrapped sports-style sunglasses and also polarised including Oakley and RayBans. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Many of our spectacle lenses are treated with a coating or have a material built in to absorb 100% of harmful UV rays – you can put an additional coating on them to ensure this</p>
<p>Please ask us for advice.</p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/freedom_sailing.jpg" alt="freedom sailing" width="900" height="675" /></p>
<h4>8. Watch your weight and maintain a healthy BMI</h4>
<p>A recent review of various research publications looked at links between various measures of obesity – BMI (Body Mass Index), WC (Waist Circumference), WHR (Waist to Hip Ratio) – and age-related eye disease.</p>
<p>BMI-defined obesity was linked with increases in cataract, age-related-macula degeneration (ARMD) and diabetic retinopathy in Western populations. WC-defined obesity was associated with increased glaucoma in non-Western people. WHR-defined obesity was linked with progression of ARMD in tow Western studies.</p>
<p>Maintaining a healthy weight has been shown to preserve macular pigment density which, in turn, helps to protect the retina against the breakdown of cells and the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). People with higher BMI indexes tend to have low pigment density and therefore are at greater risk of AMD. Loss of weight has been shown to increase levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the blood – two vitamins that are essential for macula health.</p>
<p>Damage to blood vessels in the eye caused by excess body weight has also been linked to the onset of glaucoma and diabetes.</p>
<p>Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. To calculate your BMI yourself, work out your height in metres your weight in kilograms. Divide your weight by your height squared. &nbsp;</p>
<p>So, if you are 1.5m tall and weigh 60kg. The calculation would be: 1.6 x 1.6 = 2.25. BMI would be 60 divided by 2.25 = 26.66. Then check the results below to see where you come.</p>
<p>You are considered underweight if your BMI is equal to or less than 18.5</p>
<p>You are considered normal weight if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9</p>
<p>You are considered overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9</p>
<p>You are considered obese if your BMI is 30 or greater</p>
<p>Waist circumference (WC) is a measure of abdominal obesity that indicates the amount of fat around the waist. Abdominal obesity is associated with higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. The risk increases with a WC that is greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men, or 80 cm for women or 94 cm for men. A WC greater than 88 cm for women or 102 cm for men is considered substantially increased risk.</p>
<p>The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference. According to the NHS, if your waist is 94cm (37in) or more for men, or 80cm (31.5in) or more for women, this is considered an increased health risk, regardless of your height or BMI. In women, a WHR greater than 0.85 is associated with greater than average risk, while in men, a WHR greater than 1.00 is associated with greater than average risk.</p>
<p>Please see more information about these measures at <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/">Obesity - NHS (www.nhs.uk)</a> and seek advice from your GP. You can download the free NHS Weight Loss Plan at <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/">Lose weight - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/freedom_open_water_swimming.jpg" alt="freedom open water swimming" width="900" height="675" /></p>
<h4>9. Drink plenty of water</h4>
<p>The human body is made up of 70 per cent water. Water is essential to the normal working of the body and for keeping your eyes healthy. Dehydration can lead to dry, sore and irritated eyes. The Food Standards Agency recommends that you drink approximately 1.2 litres (6-8 glasses) of water every day and more when you exercise or if the weather is hot.</p>
<h4>10. Talk to your family about their eye health</h4>
<p>Make eye health part of your conversations about the family’s medical history, as some eye conditions, like Glaucoma, can be hereditary.</p>
<p>A regular, thorough eye exam will enable your optician be able to check your eye pressure and monitor any changes to the health of your eyes since your last visit..</p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/freedom_sandcastle.jpg" alt="freedom sandcastle" width="900" height="675" /></p>
<h4>11. Practice healthy hand hygiene</h4>
<p>Simple yet effective in protecting you from all kinds of nasties – including eye infections – the health benefits of washing hands regularly should not be overlooked. Especially important if you are a contact lens wearer, ensure your hands are clean before handling lenses or rubbing or touching your eye area.</p>
<h4>12. Reduce screen time</h4>
<p>In our always-on culture, many of us spend a large portion of our days staring at screens. Too much screen time can lead to eye strain, with symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches and burning eye causing discomfort. To avoid eye strain, take regular breaks away from your computer or mobile device. Encourage the kids to look away from their devices and follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds!</p>
<h4>13. Daydream using the 20/20/20 rule</h4>
<p>Daydreaming is now expressly permitted. Active breaks are essential as eyes are strained by constant near work on the computer and other screens. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy-to-remember exercise for the eyes: Look away from the screen every 20 minutes and focus on something at least 20 feet (or 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. So, sit back and let your gaze wander into the distance.</p>
<h4>14. Don't forget to blink</h4>
<p>Blinking happens quite automatically and has a practical function. Our eyelids distribute tear fluid on the surface of the eye every time we blink to keep it moist and prevent the cornea from drying out. In daily life, we blink about 15 to 20 times per minute. When we focus on the computer or television, we blink less frequently. Burning, itching, or dry eyes are often the result. Blinking ten times in succession can provide relief.</p>
<h4>15. Adequate lighting (especially in the home office)</h4>
<p>Eyes get tired very quickly if they constantly have to compensate for contrasts. That's why it's crucial to have sufficient lighting at home, at work, and in all other instances where your eyes may be under some sort of strain, such as when reading in bed. A classic table or bedside lamp with a small light source looks pretty but usually increases the contrast. It is better to use lighting solutions that distribute sufficiently bright light throughout the room. If working from home, workstations should be ideally located in front of a window so the eyes can wander into the distance.</p>
<h4>16. Fresh air</h4>
<p>Getting out and enjoying the fresh air by walking is essential for physical fitness and good, healthy vision. A walk can help relax overtired eyes. If a short exercise session outdoors is not possible, don't forget to ventilate the room! Especially in the cold season, many rooms are also overheated and lack humidity.</p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/freedom_spa.jpg" alt="freedom spa" width="900" height="675" /></p>
<h4>17. Don't use digital devices before going to bed</h4>
<p>There’s a well-known suspicion that people exposed to blue light from screens and monitors just before bed have trouble falling asleep or complain of poor sleep quality. A part of blue light impacts our circadian rhythm, synchronizing the biological clock and controlling the wake-sleep cycle. The light intensity of smartphones and digital devices influences sleep patterns. Before going to bed, simply set your smartphone and tablet aside in time.</p>
<h4>18. Blue lens coatings</h4>
<p>Although studies are mixed as to whether long term artificial blue light from LEDs and smartphone screens can cause any eye diseases such as ARMD or cataract, it can definitely have an impact on our visual comfort, wellbeing, and our wake-sleep cycle.</p>
<p>Blue light causes greater “scatter” of light with increased perception of glare, subjective reduction of contrast and blurred vision. Longitudinal chromatic distortion (LCD) causes greater need for&nbsp; accommodation (focusing) changes and resulting irritation.</p>
<p>Special glasses are available for video gamers and esport players – with a huge increase in sales after Covid 2020 due to the many hours sat in front of such screens. The same blue lens coatings are available on your spectacle lenses if you spend a lot of time on LED or smart phone screens.</p>
<p>Which also brings us back to resolutions 9 to 16 above.</p>
<h4>19. Have regular eye examinations</h4>
<p>It is recommended that you have an eye examination once every two years unless advised otherwise by your optometrist. An eye examination will not only detect problems with your vision, but it can also uncover a number of other underlying health problems:</p>
<p>Diabetes</p>
<p>Cataracts</p>
<p>Macular degeneration</p>
<p>High blood pressure</p>
<p>Glaucoma</p>
<p>In very rare cases, even tumours.</p>
<p>Book an eye test if you notice any changes to your eyesight or if you are experiencing any symptoms that concern you. Your optician can send you a reminder when you are due for your next check-up so that you don’t forget to make an appointment.</p>
<h4>20. Push back against myopia</h4>
<p>There has been a huge increase in myopia over the last 50 years and especially in the last 10 years with increasing time spent indoors and in front of screens etc. As well as the visual difficulties and need to wear glasses, myopia – in particular high myopia over 5 dioptres – has been linked to increased ARMD, glaucoma, cataract, and retinal detachment.</p>
<p>If you are myopic, it is more important to have very regular eye examinations and keep your prescription up to date as well as spend as much time outside as possible – 15 hours per week or 3 hours every week day is recommended.</p>
<p>There are now a number of relatively new products to help reduce the progression of your myopia:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/index.php/contact-lenes/night-lenses">“Night lenses” - see our page</a></li>
<li><a href="/index.php/eyecare/miyosmart">special spectacle lenses (“MiyoSmart”)</a></li>
<li>Daily soft contact lenses (“MySight”)</li>
</ul>
<p>All of these should ideally be started as early as possible.</p>
<p><a href="/index.php/eyecare/myopia-management">Please ask us for advice about Myopia Management.</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/news/News/Night_Lenses/MiyoSmart_postcard.jpg" alt="MiyoSmart postcard" width="900" height="637" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

New Years Resolutions - 20 tips for better eyes in 2024 

<p>Merry Christmas from all of us at Mackey Opticians.</p>
<p>We hope that you have a fantastic few days off (or longer) with friends and family and we would like to wish you all the best for the new year.</p>
<p>Most of our practices will be open over the festive period and we still have eye examination appointments available at most. Please use the on-line booking system or give your local practice a call to make an appointment.&nbsp;</p>
<h4>Christmas Opening Hours</h4>
<p>Christmas Day 25th - Closed</p>
<p>Boxing day 26th - Closed</p>
<p>Wednesday 27th - Closed</p>
<p>Thursday &nbsp;28th - Open</p>
<p>Friday 29th - Open</p>
<p>Saturday 30th - Open</p>
<p>New Years Day 1st - Closed</p>
<p>Tuesday 2nd - Closed</p>
<p>Wednesday 3rd - Open as normal&nbsp;</p>
<p>Please note that our Carnmoney&nbsp; practice will be closed throughout until Thursday 4th January 2024. Bangor closed Saturday 30th December.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Happy New Year!!</p>
<p>Please note that if you have a very urgent eye problem, please contact your local accident and emergency department - they can then refer to Eye Casualty at the RVH or Altnagelvin if necessary.</p>
<p>NIPEARS is available when our practices are open as above.</p>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="/images/news/6865_Mackey_Christmas_card_.png" alt="6865 Mackey Christmas card " style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>

Merry Christmas - Festive Opening Hours 2023

<p>Please note that many of our Mackey Opticians practices will be closed on Saturday 6th May and Monday 8th May 2023 - we will reopen on Tuesday 9th May with normal hours 09:00 - 17:30.</p>
<p>Our Cookstown, Donaghadee and Yorkgate (CitySide) practices are open on Saturday. Closed Monday</p>
<p>If you are looking for a NIPEARS appointment when all of our practices are closed and have a&nbsp;a&nbsp;very urgent problem that cannot wait, you should contact your nearest hospital Emergency Department. They will be able to onward to refer to Belfast Eye Casualty at the RVH, or Altnagelvin, if they deem necessary.&nbsp;</p>
<p>No walk-in patients are accepted in either Belfast &nbsp;or Western Trust &nbsp;Eye Casualty,&nbsp;all patients must have an appointment arranged by their optometrist, GP or the main ED/ Urgent Care Centre if they attend there.</p>

Coronation Opening Hours

<h4>Adapts to light. Adapts to your life.</h4>
<p>Whether you are running errands or running up a mountain, if you have a busy lifestyle, you don’t have time to slow down. With Sensity photochromic lenses, you don’t have to stop and change your glasses to ensure that your eyes are protected. Sensity provides the benefit of prescription lenses with the UV protection of sunglasses. Adapting to different light conditions, Sensity provides visual comfort whatever the weather.</p>
<h4>Greater convenience and comfort - for limitless lifestyles</h4>
<p>Offering convenience and comfort, Sensity lenses adapt to your lifestyle. Sensity lenses will darken when exposed to sun, and fade back to clear when indoors. With HOYA’s Sensity range, you can enjoy the benefit of convenience, without compromising on contrast and colour perception.</p>
<p><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Hoya_sensity_wheel.jpg" alt="Hoya sensity wheel" width="300" height="288" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Hoya_Sensity2.jpg" alt="Hoya Sensity2" width="1709" height="787" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<h4>Choice of beautiful natural colour options -&nbsp;The Sensity family</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.sensitylenses.com/uk/your-sensity-options/"><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Sensity_colours.jpg" alt="Sensity colours" width="1225" height="601" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sensitylenses.com/uk/your-sensity-options/"><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Sensity_colours2.jpg" alt="Sensity colours2" width="1243" height="512" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Hoya_Sensity3.jpg" alt="Hoya Sensity3" width="1654" height="657" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Hoya_sensity_opt.jpg" alt="Hoya sensity opt" width="1693" height="390" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sensitylenses.com/uk/discover-your-sensity-lenses/"><img src="/images/news/eyecare/Hoya_Sensity4.jpg" alt="Hoya Sensity4" width="1836" height="785" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p>For more information, please visit your local Mackey Opticians - call in to see the new different Sensity Colours available. You may be best to phone and book an appointment with one of our dispensing assistants.&nbsp;</p>

Sensity light adaptive lenses - Find out which Sensity lenses are best for you!

<p>Please note that our practices will be closed on Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Our Carnmoney practice is closed from Good Friday till Easter Tuesday and reopens on Wednesday 12th April.&nbsp;</p>
<p>All of the others are open on Good Friday and Saturday - normal hours - and&nbsp;will be open on Wednesday 12th April as normal from 09:00.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you are looking for a NIPEARS appointment when all of our practices are closed and have a&nbsp;a&nbsp;very urgent problem that cannot wait, you should contact your nearest hospital Emergency Department. They will be able to onward to refer to Belfast Eye Casualty at the RVH, or Altnagelvin, if they deem necessary.&nbsp;</p>
<p>No walk-in patients are accepted in either Belfast &nbsp;or Western Trust &nbsp;Eye Casualty,&nbsp;all patients must have an appointment arranged by their optometrist, GP or the main ED/ Urgent Care Centre if they attend there.</p>

Easter Holidays 2023

<p>Introducing our first new range for 2023 - Botaniq.</p>
<p>Intelligent eyewear. Thoughtfully made.</p>
<p><img src="/images/designers/Botaniq/Botaniq2.jpg" alt="Botaniq2" width="800" height="419" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Botaniq eyewear is a sustainable collection from start to finish.</p>
<p>Available from just £125 with free anti-reflection coating.</p>
<p>Part of our 2023 Fashionable &amp; Affordable Range.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="/images/designers/Botaniq/Botaniq.jpg" alt="Botaniq" width="800" height="534" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;See more at&nbsp;<a href="/designers/botaniq">Botaniq - Opticians | Belfast | Mackey Opticians</a></p>

New range - Botaniq

Campaign - Don't swerve a sight test 2023

<p>Merry Christmas from all of us at Mackey Opticians.</p>
<p>We hope that you have a fantastic few days off (or longer) with friends and family and we would like to wish you all the best for the new year.</p>
<p>Most of our practices will be open over the festive period and we still have eye examination appointments available at most. Please use the on-line booking system or give your local practice a call to make an appointment.&nbsp;</p>
<h4>Christmas Opening Hours</h4>
<p>Christmas Eve 24th - Closed</p>
<p>Christmas Day 25th - Closed</p>
<p>Boxing day 26th - Closed</p>
<p>Tuesday&nbsp;27th - Closed</p>
<p>Wednesday &nbsp;28th - Open</p>
<p>Thursday 29th - Open</p>
<p>Friday 30th - Open</p>
<p>New Years Eve 31st - Closed</p>
<p>New Years Day 1st - Closed</p>
<p>Monday 2nd - Closed</p>
<p>Tuesday 3rd - Open as normal&nbsp;</p>
<p>Please note that our Carnmoney&nbsp; practice will be closed throughout until Thursday 5th January 2022.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Happy New Year!!</p>
<p>Please note that if you have a very urgent eye problem, please contact your local accident and emergency department - they can then refer to Eye Casualty at the RVH or Altnagelvin if necessary.</p>
<p>NIPEARS is available when our practices are open as above.</p>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="/images/news/6865_Mackey_Christmas_card_.png" alt="6865 Mackey Christmas card " style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>

Merry Christmas - Festive Opening Hours 2022

<p>Exclusive to Mackey Opticians in Northern Ireland, Woodys launch their latest range for Autumn Winter 2022</p>
<p>Do you dare to Heron?</p>
<p><img src="/images/designers/Woodys/Heron1.jpg" alt="Heron1" width="320" height="400" />&nbsp;<img src="/images/designers/Woodys/Heron.jpg" alt="Heron" width="225" height="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">more at&nbsp;<a href="/designers/woodys-barcelona">Woodys - Opticians | Belfast | Mackey Opticians</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">or visit your local Mackey Opticians</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

A BRAND MADE FOR UNIQUE PEOPLE

<h4>Hi Jason, what football team do you play for?</h4>
<p>I play for a team in northeast Aberdeen currently in Division 1 of the Scottish league called Peterhead F.C.</p>
<h4>What position do you play?</h4>
<p>Defender! I would love to say that I’m a silky player but I’m very black and white. I’m one of those who sticks their head in when it hurts. Someone’s got to do it, so it might as well be me.</p>
<h4>So how long have you been wearing night lenses for?</h4>
<p>Since the start of the year. It was on my mind for a bit. I thought “this sounds kind of promising”, so I decided to give it a chance and there was no going back from there!</p>
<h4>Before night lenses you wore day lenses. Have you ever had any issues where the lens fell out on the pitch during a football match?</h4>
<p>I have, on a few occasions. The most recent occasion was towards the end of last season. One thing led to another, and my lens came out. I ended up having to be substituted off because I couldn’t get my new lens back in due to the circumstances of where I was. So yeah, I’ve had my day lenses come out a few times. But when that last incident occurred, I definitely thought that night lenses would be more suitable for me and my way of life.</p>
<h4>Pretend your optician isn’t listening, have you sneakily popped your day lens back in when it fell out?</h4>
<p>… yeah I have to say, not gonna lie. I had to do it a few times but I wont tell him (the Optician) that!</p>
<h4>Doing so provides a risk of infection, but during a match you don’t really think about that right?</h4>
<p>Yeah definitely, you don’t really think about it because of the circumstances. You definitely shouldn’t put the dropped lens back in, but sometimes you just have to go with what you got, and unfortunately most of the time that’s not gonna be clean or pretty</p>
<h4>Now you are using night lenses, how much of a difference have they made for you playing football?</h4>
<p>It’s given me that freedom and one less responsibility during match day to think about. Before night lenses I was always thinking to myself “how are my lenses feeling?” and if they weren’t feeling right then you definitely kept thinking about that. So now using night lenses has lifted a massive weight off my shoulders as there is nothing in my eyes. It’s a surreal feeling and I’m just really enjoying it</p>
<h4>During a match with day lenses in, have you ever been in a situation where having to think about problems with your lens takes your attention away from the game?</h4>
<p>Definitely. Quite a lot of times my contact lens would move and I would try and move it back into position, but end up making it worse. Mix that with trying to concentrate on a high intensity game and it wasn’t the best</p>
<h4>As you are in Scotland it does rain a lot! That mixed with always looking up and heading the ball … having nothing in your eyes now must be the natural bonus of wearing night lenses?</h4>
<p>Yeah its good, although I can’t blame my lenses anymore as an excuse! But definitely, the ball is in the air a lot and it is a very physical game up here in Scotland. But as I said, the benefits of night lenses are simple, it’s just one less responsibility to have on a match day, and one less thing to concentrate on.</p>
<h4>Why would you recommend night lenses to other footballers?</h4>
<p>It’s an absolute no brainer! Once you tell people about them, they just don’t believe that you can see with nothing in your eyes. Like when I told my mum dad and other family members. I can’t praise them enough. I’m loving every day life of not having to wake up and worry about putting in a lens and where they are sitting in my eye. It really is a surreal feeling and I would encourage more people to do it. I couldn’t be more thankful for my night lenses. They have been brilliant for me and they will be brilliant for many other people. I say, just go for it!</p>
<h4>Tell us about this season, you feeling confident about it?</h4>
<p>It’s gonna be a tough season. We aren’t one of the teams that are full time in the league. I think around 4 or 5 teams are part time. We train around 3 to 4 times a week but we aren’t in every day, so we’ve got a tough league on our hands. But its good to be involved in it and we’ll see how it goes. It’s still the early days</p>
<h4>Is the training going well, is the team working well together?</h4>
<p>The team is working well together. Preseason is always tough. No player likes it as it’s the worst part, but we are starting to get into the real games and its getting good now, so I’m enjoying it!</p>

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