Marking 21 years in eye wear

This month marks 21 years working at McDonald Adams for Alison Hand, our Practice Manager. That is a significant work history! And a chance to acknowledge the huge impact Alison has had during her time with us.

Starting as part time reception, admin and optical assistant in 1999 her role with us has evolved as her experience grew - She now runs the show. She is an integral part of the eycare we have been able to deliver here at 41 Queen Street. What better way to tell the story of that time - with a display of her eyewear.

When Alison began work with us she was not a glasses wearer - but that changed over time! Starting with glasses for reading and close range she has moved to progressive lenses. During this time she has found stylish and eye catching frames. She has also used contact lenses - great for motor cycle tours - but enjoys glasses. Her description: they are an easy accessory.

PS She still has her entire collection of glasses!

Check out the Swan Floor Lamp

This floor standing lamp has been designed to help you work in comfort. It has already proved popular for both craft and low vision clients.

It features a unique 'Easy-Twist' movement, so you can twist the head and direct the light exactly where you are, not the other way around. The lamp comes with a flicker free 18W daylightTM energy saving tube (equiv. 100W). This lamp will soon become your best partner for all your craft projects!

The removable magnifying arm offers borderless 1.75x enlargement. The whole lamp stand is on a solid base with 6 wheels, making it very manoeuvrable .

These are the perfect gift for someone who might be struggling to see handwork in their living are at night.

Come in and try one out.

Low Vision Support Group

For the past year the Low Vision Support group has met at Summerset Retirement Village. At our last meeting Brian Holmes brought his Reveal 16 electronic magnifier to show us. This has a X-Y table making it very user friendly for reading books, or magazines. There were lots of envious comments when we saw it in action.

Brian Holmes and Pam Poole

Brian’s main joy with the Reveal 16 is he can resume his stamp collecting passion. The magnification goes up to 45X. He showed us the level of detail on his Red Boy and Blue Boy 1931 New Zealand Health stamps. The unit has also helped him see coloured detail on his stamps.

We meet the 3rd Monday of each month, 1.30pm. Please join us if you or someone in your family is struggling with low vision.

At our next meeting, Monday 27 July, we will be joined by Diana Morse from Blind and Low Vision NZ. Diana will demonstrate the Alexa and the Blind Foundation Skill. This user friendly technology enables access to audio books and magazines

Read more about using Alexa - here is a review from a 97 year old crime fiction fan.

On a budget? We can help.

Looking for affordable eye wear - check us out.

Smart Glasses

Our Smart Glasses range offer a good value option. Choose a frame from our Smart Glasses ranges, and we will fit with good value prescription lenses.

Complete glasses, frame and lenses, from $195 (single vision, clear super hard coated lenses). Progressive glasses, frames and lenses from $395 (clear super hard coated lenses).

Enable Subsidy for Glasses for Children 15 Years & Under

Enable New Zealand gives government funding for eye tests and glasses for children. This subsidy will cover the full cost of an eye examination for children 15 years and under. To be eligible families must have current Community Service Card, or High Health User Card.

The subsidy extends to prescription glasses, if needed.

Currently most Kiwi children are screened for lazy eyes at 4 years of age, through the B4 School Check. This check is not as in depth as our eye exam but it will identify some vision problems. The next screening check for children's vision is at school in Year 7, for children about 11 years of age.

Talk to us if you have any concerns or questions about your child's eyes and vision, or book online here to see Claire or Sally.

Helping you to pay

We offer a number of ways for you to pay for eyewear and eyecare.

You can now use Afterpay with us. Split your purchase into 4 equal installments. You’ll pay your first installment at the time of purchase, and the remaining 3 installments in fortnightly scheduled payments.

We also take the Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Or you may prefer to pay off your account with prearranged regular payments over three months.

What we are wearing - Katrina in Anne et Valentin

Katrina has been wearing glasses since she was 8 years old. She describes her first pair as ‘yuck’, and tells me she had no choice in frames. She is more positive when she talks about this pair of glasses!

Frame: Anne et Valentin Baudelaire, titanium, colour H38, size 39-22

Lens: Hoya Mystyle Profile Modern progressive, 1.67 index material with BlueCoat

You are an Anne et Valentin fan.

Katrina: It works. They are crazy light, it is comfortable and the frame keeps its shape.

Are you rough on your glasses?!

Katrina: My glasses have a realistic life. I swap between my clear pair and sunglasses (Maui Jims). The nosepads work and the frame does not slide.

You have two screens here at work. How do you find the optics of this progressive design?

Katrina: Good no issues with that range.

How do you find the BlueCoat?

Katrina: Good especially for night driving, although I am also considering trying the EnRoute lens.

Here is a little background on the BAUDELAIRE, these all titanium small octagonal frames. “Sophisticated and intelligent, yet thoughtful and political, introverted and precious, quite serious, never boring.” We think this sounds like a good match!