Book Seat - a low vision reading helper

Recently we discovered these novel Book Seats at Matakana Village Bookshop. These will be brilliant for anyone who loves reading. The seat can be on your lap or on a table. Books and tablets sit propped at an ideal reading angle and reading distance.

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For someone with low vision, who reads with stronger glasses, books usually need to be held at closer range. Large print books help people with low vision continue to enjoy reading, but these are often heavy. Often someone who has reduced vision will find they struggle to read for extended periods of time, say half an hour. The challenge is to keep everything in optimum postion. This Book Seat will support books and help keep them at an ideal reading distance.

These are available in a range of colours. Call in to see our demo or visit Matakana Village Books to see the full range.

Contact www.matakanavillagebooks.co.nz for more information.

Research into Digital Artifical Light

A new study* highlights the disruption to sleep patterns which can be caused by blue light emitted from digital devices. 

The study, at the University of Houston College of Optometry, had people wearing blue blocking filters before bed. Participants still performed their usual nightly digital routine. Results showed a 58% increase in night-time melatonin levels. Melatonin is the chemical that signals your body its time to sleep. These melatonin levels were higher than would be achieved taking over-the-counter melatonin supplements.

“The most important takeaway is that blue light at night time really does decrease sleep quality. Sleep is very important for the regeneration of many functions in our body,” said Dr. Ostrin, from University of Houston College of Optometry.

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The 22 study participants wore sleep monitors 24 hours a day. They reported sleeping better, falling asleep faster, and even increased their sleep duration by 24 minutes a night.

The largest source of blue light is sunlight, but it's also found in most LED-based devices. Blue light boosts alertness and regulates our internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, that tells our bodies when to sleep. This light activates photoreceptors, called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which suppresses melatonin.

Dr. Ostrin recommended limiting screen time, applying screen filters, wearing computer glasses that block blue light, or using anti-reflective lenses to offset the effects of artificial light at night time. Some devices have night mode settings that limit blue light exposure.

“By using blue filtering lenses we are decreasing input to the photoreceptors, so we can improve sleep and still continue to use our devices" she said.

Closer to home we are dispensing blue coating on lenses. This coating improves comfort looking at screens. Wearers also find the blue coat is good for driving. Blue light causes light scatter so in daylight conditions blocking this reduces glare. Please contact us if you have any questions about lens coating options.

*Study published in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics.

 

Are your glasses insured?

We arrange replacement glasses following all number of 'events'. Glasses are left in buses overseas, on the plane and who knows where. Closer to home they go through the mulcher, are run over by the mower and chewed by the dog. Believe me, we hear many colourful tales.

Most household contents insurance policies will cover your glasses. Depending on your excess it can be a relief to have cover for new glasses. If you lose your glasses travelling overseas your travel insurance will probably cover that loss.  Ask us how we can help.