Eye Health

As we return to normality after the busy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year festivities, we have some exciting news to share regarding our commitment to patient eye health and overall well-being.

Like us, you may have overindulged a bit recently. We often do over the festive season. But the start of a new year is an ideal time to shift our focus from celebrating to focusing on our well-being.

Many people kickstart a healthier routine at this time of year by detoxing, participating in Dry January, getting more rest, and increasing their daily activity levels by walking more or going to the gym. In 2025, we want to help our customers take a more proactive approach to their health.

So, we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a Wellness Day at Respectacle Company on February 4th. This event is a collaboration with The Body Doctor and showcases the pioneering technology of their LifeMeter device. We invite you to join us for a health screening where you can assess your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s disease. The best part? It’s completely free!

Eye Health

The LifeMeter device is used to assess your risk of developing age related macular degeneration or Alzheimer’s disease.

 

What is LifeMeter screening?

The LifeMeter is a sophisticated device used to measure the levels of carotenoids in your skin. By assessing the carotenoid concentration in your skin, the LifeMeter provides insight into the overall levels of carotenoids present in other essential bodily tissues, such as the heart, brain, and retina.

This innovative technology painlessly measures carotenoid nutrient levels. The presence of which may serve as an indicator of a person’s health. It’s a simple, non-invasive test using a fingertip scan.

Eye Health

Carotenoid pigment is found in brightly coloured fruit and vegetables

 

What are carotenoids and why are they important?

A carotenoid is a plant pigment found in brightly coloured fruits, vegetables, and green leafy vegetables, such as pumpkins, butternut squash, tomatoes and carrots. You might remember the saying, “Eat your carrots; they help you see in the dark.” Well, there is some truth in that!

There are over 700 types of carotenoids in nature, but only three are present in the macula at the back of the eye and in the brain. Carotenoids play a crucial role in our health by protecting the macular from oxidative damage while providing health benefits for our hearts and brains.

Studies have shown that people with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have lower levels of carotenoids. Additionally, low levels of carotenoids have been linked to issues with night driving, poor contrast sensitivity, brain fog and increased eye strain and fatigue.

 

Carotenoids and the risk of age-related macular degeneration

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkles. And the same can happen to the macular pigment in our eyes. This thinning reduces protection against oxidative stress and can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration. However, increasing our levels of carotenoids can help protect the density of the macular pigment and, in turn, reduce the risk of such diseases.

Having a good level of carotenoids in our bodies can also reduce the risk of various cancers. The three main carotenoids in the macular are Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin. These yellow pigments act as a natural sunblock that helps protect the macular from damage by filtering out harmful light.

Ensuring a dense macular pigment decreases the likelihood of age-related eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration. In addition, scientific evidence suggests that macular pigment levels positively correlate with brain concentrations of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which may support brain function.

 

Get in touch to book your free LifeMeter screening

It’s important to understand your carotenoid levels. Knowing this information allows you to adjust your diet or consider targeted supplements to improve these levels, ultimately helping to safeguard your overall health and well-being. Once you begin a targeted nutrition plan, you may start to see benefits within a month.

We’re excited to offer you the chance to take a proactive approach to your health by participating in a LifeMeter screening, completely free of charge. The scan is quick and non-invasive, and a clinician will thoroughly explain your results and provide recommendations.

Best of all, you don’t need to be a Respectacle client to take advantage of this opportunity, it’s available to all. But spaces are limited, so you’ll need to book an appointment. If you want to learn more about our Wellness Day or would like to secure a spot, please call 01858 433 577
.

We look forward to welcoming you to our LifeMeter Screening Day on Tuesday, February 4th. Mark your calendar!

Further reading:

Manor Walk: A One-Stop Well-Being Destination in Market Harborough

Reflecting on Respectacle 2024

As 2024 comes to a close and we prepare to welcome 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this past year and remember what we’ve experienced. Although I say this every year, it truly feels like this year has flown by.

January marked our eighth birthday! Time has gone by so quickly; I can’t believe it’s been eight years since we first opened the doors of Respectacle Company here in Manor Walk, Market Harborough. At this rate, I should start planning how to celebrate our tenth birthday!

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With Christmas just around the corner, you may be feeling stressed about what presents to give to family and friends. It’s never easy to come up with thoughtful and meaningful gift ideas, and the pressure to find the perfect presents each year can be quite overwhelming. Here are a few ideas that might help relieve some of that stress – and maybe even make your holiday shopping a little more enjoyable.

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We thought it would be nice to take a moment to share some information about us, the Respectacle team, and what we do outside of work. While we do have the opportunity to get to know our customers when they pop in for an eye examination, or to source some new glasses, most of our conversations tend to focus on work-related topics. Only occasionally do we get to talk about the activities and hobbies that reflect our personalities and passions. So, read on if you want to learn more about how we spend our free time!

Tim our optometrist, has been practising optometry for over 40 years now. He’s a valued member of the Respectacle team and is very highly regarded by his patients. When he’s not at work, Tim keeps himself very busy with many different interests and hobbies.

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