Tag: eye health

Specsavers Home Visits partners mark total of 35 years of customer care

TWO directors who lead the Specsavers Home Visits team across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders both celebrate major career milestones this year, marking a cumulative 35 years with Specsavers caring for the eyesight of local communities across Scotland.

Home Visits partner Lynne Seebaluck began her optical career as an optical assistant for Specsavers in East Kilbride, qualifying as a dispensing optician before moving to the Specsavers store in Bellshill as a retail manager.

At the store, Lynne completed an ILM management course, as well as her Hearing Aid Audiology diploma, moving onto an audiology role as well as store manager.

Lynne became a partner at the Edinburgh Home Visits team in 2022 and brought her experiences, particularly in audiology, to the team – mentoring several team members through their own audiology qualifications.

Reflecting on the past 20 years, Lynne says: ‘I have had such a varied career with Specsavers and there are so many people to thank for making my career such a rewarding one.

“From the directors I’ve worked for over the years, to the great teams I have worked with, even my husband David, who also works for Specsavers.

‘Since I joined as the partner for the Home Visits team, it’s been incredible being able to pay a visit to so many amazing customers. They are so grateful for the service, and they always have super stories to share.

“I’d also like to thank our incredible team of opticians, optical assistants, dispensing opticians, schedulers and audiologists. All of them are amazing and help us to provide the best care to the communities we work in.’ 

Fellow partner Laura Owens also marks a milestone of 15 years, starting her Specsavers career in a frontline customer service role before progressing through roles such as optical assistant and into a variety of leadership and managements positions.

She joined the Home Visits team back in 2022 and now serves as customer service director for the business, with a strong focus on team wellbeing and patient care at the heart of her day-to-day.

Laura says: ‘My journey with Specsavers has been both rewarding and transformative. I love that we’re not just delivering eye care and audiology services, we’re making a real difference in people’s lives and delivering total care, especially in the home visits space where many of our patients are vulnerable or isolated.

‘Hitting this milestone, I’m also very excited about continuing to shape the future of our Home Visits team. My focus is on driving awareness and making eye and ear care more accessible to those who need it, while ensuring our teams feel supported and empowered.

She adds: ‘I’d like to thank my incredible team both past and present for their dedication, resilience, and heart. Every success we’ve had is a reflection of their hard work and compassion. It’s truly a privilege to be part of a business that truly puts people first.’


For more information about the Specsavers Home Visits team, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests/request-a-free-home-visit or call 0808 239 4492 to book a home visit.

Opticians reopen its doors in new Edinburgh location

A WELL-LOVED Specsavers store has opened its new doors at a retail park in Straiton to keep up with customer demand in the Lothians.

The brand-new store will provide expert clinical eyecare and audiology services to the people of Straiton and surrounding areas and offer an extensive range of glasses, including designer, as well as contact lenses.

The Specsavers team excitedly opened its doors last week, and members of the community rushed down to celebrate and welcome the new residents.

The store will continue to be run by store manager Roni Finney and store director Rachel McFadyen, who have seen first-hand how in-demand the team’s services are in the area since they opened the store 7 years ago.

Roni says: ‘Demand for eyecare and audiology services has increased significantly in the Lothians in recent years, so we wanted to relocate to a larger unit to increase capacity while still guaranteeing the same quality of service that Specsavers is known for – no matter which store they visit.

‘I’m delighted we’ve reopened our doors to customers and can show off the new space; it’s a fantastic building and we’re looking forward to welcoming back our customers.’

Peter Frame, from Loanhead Miners Football Club, visited the store to check out the new premises, as Specsavers Straiton has sponsored the team for the past 7 years, with the sponsorship set to continue into 2026.

Peter says: ‘We’re incredibly grateful to the Specsavers Straiton team for their ongoing support over the past few years and are delighted for them moving to their new store.

“I look forward to an excellent 2026 for both of us!’

Rachel adds: ‘Grassroots sport plays a huge role in bringing people together and strengthening communities, and we’re passionate about giving back to the community that supports us, whether that’s through providing expert eye care for local families or helping teams like Loanhead Miners achieve their goals on and off the pitch.’

Specsavers Straiton is located at Unit 5, Straiton Retail Park, 11 Straiton Mains, Straiton, Loanhead, EH20 9PW, and is accessible by car or public transport. The store can be found opposite McDonald’s, and next to Bayne’s Bakers and Dunelm.

The store is open from 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am – 4pm on Sundays.

To book an appointment, please visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/straiton or call 0131 357 6551 to speak to a member of the team.

Lothian MSP backs National Eye Health Week

Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber is highlighting National Eye Health Week by visiting local opticians, ClearVue Opticians, on Lanark Road West. 

She is backing the awareness week’s key message that going for regular eye examinations, which are free for everyone in Scotland, remains as important as ever in protecting your sight.  

Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, says: “I’m proud to support National Eye Health Week and highlight just how important regular eye examinations are. 

“In Scotland, these checks are free for everyone and play a vital role in spotting eye conditions early, as well as identifying wider health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. 

“I would urge people to book an appointment with their local optometrist at least every two years, or more frequently if recommended.” 

National sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, and Optometry Scotland, the representative body for optometrists and dispensing opticians in Scotland are promoting this year’s National Eye Health Week which takes place from 22 to 28 September 2025 to highlight the importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all. 

RNIB Scotland Director, James Adams, says: “Regular eye tests are vital, not just for protecting sight but also for detecting a range of wider health conditions at an early stage. We’re encouraged to see more people coming forward for eye examinations, but it’s important that everyone feels confident and comfortable accessing them. 

“At RNIB Scotland, we’re here to support anyone who is experiencing changes in their vision and may be worried about what this means. Together with other charities, we can offer advice and guidance to help people make informed choices about their health. No one should face an eye condition diagnosis without the right support.” 

Optometry Scotland, says: “During National Eye Health Week we are pleased to collaborate with RNIB to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations.

“As part of our commitment to public health in Scotland, we want to remind everyone that NHS-funded eye exams are available and accessible to all. 

“Eye examinations not only check vision, but also play a crucial role in detecting eye and general health conditions early to support overall wellbeing. We’re also proud to work with RNIB in facilitating MSP visits across the country which help to spotlight the value of eye health at both local and national levels.

“Together, we can ensure more people understand the importance of these services and take proactive steps to protect their sight.” 

Enhanced community eye care

New service expected to free up 20,000 hospital appointments a year

A new eye care service is expected to reduce hospital admissions with approved Independent Prescribing (IP) optometrists receiving funding to treat more conditions in the community.

The new Anterior Eye Service, part of the Scottish Government’s record £139 million investment in eye care this year, will support approved IP optometrists to treat nine complex eye conditions which normally require a hospital visit.

The service will free up an estimated 20,000 hospital appointments a year, with patients being treated closer to home, offering greater appointment flexibility and continuity of care.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “This new service will mean people can get treatment for more eye conditions in the community, without the need to travel for a hospital appointment. It will get people the treatment they need faster, improving outcomes while also freeing up vital hospital capacity for more serious cases.

“This is an excellent example of the Scottish Government’s approach to shifting the balance of care towards the community, and is part of our record £139 million investment in community eyecare this year.

“I am very grateful to our community optometry profession, including Optometry Scotland, for taking part in this programme, which we estimate will save around 20,000 hospital admissions a year.

“Scotland remains the only part of UK to provide free universal NHS-funded eye examinations. This National Eye Health Week I would remind people of the importance of having free regular examinations with a community optometrist, even if they don’t think there is a problem with their vision.

“An eye examination helps with early detection of a range of sight and non-sight threatening conditions and community optometrists should always be people’s first port of call for all eye-related issues.”

Scottish children’s Wonders of the World revealed for the first time – from Sunflowers and Seashells to Caterpillars and Diggers

  • Sunflowers, seashells and caterpillars are ranked the top ‘wonders of the world’ according to Scottish children.
  • But around 1 in 5 children under the age of 10 in Scotland have sight conditions that can get in the way of all that wonder.
  • Specsavers launch museum-style exhibit in Edinburgh showcasing these everyday wonders to highlight the importance of childhood eye checks.

FOR ADULTS, there are seven wonders of the world, but in children’s eyes, there are seven million. Sunflowers (60%), seashells (54%) and rocks (40%) top the list of Scottish children’s ‘wonders of the world’ according to a new study.

Other everyday wonders which stop Scots children in their tracks include caterpillars (37%), puddles (29%), and diggers (9%).

To highlight just how crucial good eyesight is for children to experience all this wonder, Specsavers has created a Wonders film and launched museum-style exhibits across the UK.

Each installation in Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Belfast and Cardiff features a ‘wonder’ chosen by a local child.

These include a life-sized digger, a perfectly imperfect rock, a carefully collected seashell, a curly caterpillar and a colourful sunflower.

The first Children’s ‘Wonders of the World’ exhibitions celebrate children’s natural curiosity and remind parents how important good eyesight is for kids to keep exploring the everyday wonders around them.

“Children see the world in a way adults often forget – full of magic, mystery and wonder,” says Professor Sam Wass, a child psychologist and neuroscientist.

“Good vision is essential to this journey of discovery. It helps children explore, ask questions and learn through play, all of which are essential to children’s development.”

Research among over 380 six and seven-year-olds reveals the places where children are most likely to spot their top wonders – with the beach (71%), the garden (44%), the park (29%) and even the journey to school (41%) ranking highest.

More than a quarter(26%) of the 600 parents surveyed said this happens on average five times a day, totalling 1,825 moments of wonder per year. Nearly a quarter (24%) report often being late because their child is busy inspecting an object. That’s 156 million times annually that parents are delayed because of their children discovering wonders.

Nonetheless, over two thirds (70%) of parents said they would be concerned if their child stopped pointing out these everyday wonders.

As a result, a quarter (25%) said this would be among the reasons they would book an eye test for their child, as well as if they were struggling to read or write (43%) or rubbing their eyes frequently (38%).

Sarah Joyce, Director of Optometry at Specsavers, says: “Being able to see clearly is vital to children as they learn about the world – around 80% of learning in school is visual.

“But around one in five children under the age of 10 have sight conditions that can get in the way of all that wonder[1].

“Conditions such as long- or short-sightedness, astigmatism or a squint can often be treated more effectively if they are picked up early, so regular eye tests from the age of around four are essential or sooner if you think they are having any problems.

“The great news is, for children under 16, the NHS will cover the full cost of the eye test.”

To find out more or to book an eye check for your child visit: 

www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-test/childrens-eye-test

Time poor Scots too busy to maintain health, according to new research

  • Most common missed health checks include eye appointments, dental exams and GP visits.
  • Most cite work commitments, difficulties getting an appointment and simply forgetting to book a check-up reasons why.
  • An expert is urging Scots not to put health on the back burner: “Not all conditions have obvious symptoms.”
Cameron Optometry St Vincent Street.

More than a quarter (27%) Scots are often too busy to stay on top of their health and almost half (46%) have missed or delayed a health appointment, according to new research.

Dental exams (17%), eye checks (16%) and GP visits (19%) were the most missed or delayed appointments, with ‘work commitments’ as the most cited reason why (38%). Others referenced difficulty getting an appointment (37%) or simply forgetting to book one (24%).

Now an expert is urging the public not to put health on the back burner.

Giles Edmonds, Clinical Services Director at Specsavers, commented: “When life gets hectic, it’s all too easy to push check-ups to the bottom of your list, but your health should never be ignored, including your eyesight.

“Not all conditions have obvious symptoms, so seeing the optician or dentist only when you’re experiencing changes won’t enable these to be identified and treated early.

“Glaucoma, for example, can develop slowly over time without any obvious symptoms, meaning many people don’t realise there’s a problem until irreversible damage to their vision has already been done.  

“That’s why regular eye checks are so important – they’re not just about checking your vision; they’re a vital part of catching conditions like glaucoma early.” 

Despite glaucoma being one of the most common eye conditions, people know little about the condition. More than half (51%) vaguely knew the signs and symptoms, while over a quarter (27%) knew almost nothing about the condition at all.

The research, commissioned by Specsavers, also revealed that almost two-thirds have a health problem they’ve not yet checked out – including mobility or joint pain (19%), weight or fitness levels (19%) and dental health (16%).

Despite this, more than one in ten (13%) haven’t had a dental exam and or eye check (11%) in over five years, while 7% of those surveyed have never had one.

The research also uncovered other areas adults skip over because they’ve been short of time, which included drinking enough water (33%) and getting a full night’s sleep (32%).

Of those who don’t prioritise their own health, over a third (39%) admit putting their work or job commitments first, while a third (33%) say put their family’s health needs first.

Nearly half (42%) say easier booking systems would help them make their health more of a priority, while a further 32% are simply wishing for ‘more hours in the day’.

Giles Edmonds added: “It’s easy to let health checks slide when you’re juggling a busy schedule, but looking after your eyesight is something you simply can’t afford to ignore.  

“A quick and simple eye check every couple of years – or more often if you’re at higher risk – could protect you from serious long-term consequences such as avoidable vision loss.  

“Your vision is one of your most precious senses, and it deserves your attention.” 

To book an eye check, visit www.specsavers.co.uk.  

Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion fully reopens for patients

NHS Lothian’s Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion has, from today (25 June) fully reopened to patients. The hospital was temporarily closed in Autumn 2024 to enable urgent repair work to be carried out.

The return of services, which began in early June, has been carefully managed over a number of weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Michelle Carr, Chief Officer, Acute Services, NHS Lothian explained, “Moving our range of diagnostic and treatment equipment, microscopes, ophthalmoscopes and devices for measuring eye pressure, along with all the lenses and instruments that our healthcare staff require for the many and varied eye conditions that individual patients may present with is nothing short of a mammoth task.

“Our teams have worked tirelessly, planning for the return of services and the reopening of the building. I would like to thank them for their professionalism and ongoing commitment to patient care.”

All clinical Ophthalmology services that had to be relocated during the building’s temporary closure have now returned to the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and are available for patients.

Patients will continue to receive tailored communications by letter, text or both with information about their appointments.

Recognising patient feedback, an element of the macular service (including some IVT) will now also be available for patients within the East Lothian Community Hospital, in addition to the service provided at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.

Jim Crombie, NHS Lothian Deputy Chief Executive explained, “For many patients, the move back to the familiar surroundings of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, will be most welcome.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of our patients for their understanding while the building was temporarily closed and would like to thank them for the valuable feedback they provided.”

The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion holds an average of 152 outpatient clinics a week, using 40 consultation rooms every day. In all, there are 1,400 outpatient appointments every week and more than 130 inpatient slots.

NHS Scotland: Diabetic Retinopathy

Around 1 in 50 people who have diabetic eye screening will be referred for investigation or treatment.

It’s important to go for regular screening if you’re diabetic, as it can help reduce or prevent sight loss.

Find out more at http://nhsinform.scot/des#DESScot

Double-take as Specsavers showcases the art of optometry

Scottish shoppers did a double take this week as a pop-up art exhibition turned out to be more than meets the eye.

The images – which, from a distance, could be mistaken for abstract art – turned out to be sophisticated scans of the inside of the eye.

Specsavers unveiled the display at Princes Square in Glasgow during National Eye Health Week, to demonstrate the importance of checking your eye health and to showcase the technology that  is allowsing early detection of sight-threatening conditions.

The pictures were OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scans – advanced eye scans which can help to identify serious conditions, such as glaucoma, up to four years earlier than traditional methods.

Jennifer Stephenson, Chair of Specsavers Scotland, says: ‘We were inspired to showcase these images after a customer had his first OCT scan and made an off-the-cuff remark about it resembling an abstract artwork.

‘While it made us laugh, it also prompted us to put some images on public display to raise awareness of OCT, demonstrate the incredible technology we have at our disposal today and the ways in which it is helping us to make important diagnoses.’

OCT scans are separate to eye tests – they take just a few seconds and the 3D images produced show what’s going on beneath the surface of the eye.  Opticians can examine all the layers inside the eye to get an even clearer idea of your eye health.

Each image on display in Glasgow showed a different eye condition, explained the tell-tale signs of those conditions in the scans, and gave information on symptoms and treatments. 

The images were supplied by Birmingham Optical, an exclusive supplier of NIDEK OCT machines for the UK optical industry.

To find out more about OCT visit: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) Scan | Specsavers UK