Blog
Stay Warm, Healthy, and Happy This Winter
Posted: 12th December 2024
As temperatures drop, it's essential to prioritise your health and comfort. Here are some practical tips to help you stay warm, active, and healthy through the colder months...
Read more >
Visual Hallucinations don’t always mean Dementia!
Posted: 16th November 2024
16th November is Charles Bonnet Syndrome awareness day. For people who have, or have a relative with advanced Macular Degeneration or other conditions causing visual loss...
Read more >
Rediscovering TV Sound Clarity with Widex TV PLAY
Posted: 14th November 2024
Does watching TV feel more like a struggle than a relaxing experience? Are you constantly adjusting the volume just to catch the dialogue...
Read more >
Be Safe for Night Driving
Posted: 30th October 2024
It’s that time of year when we all have to get used to driving in twilight or the dark – and let’s face it – it is not everyone’s favourite driving experience!
Read more >
Hearing Accessories
Posted: 24th September 2024
Today we will look at accessories and some different situations where hearing accessories may be a useful addition to your everyday hearing solution...
Read more >
How Do MiYOSMART Spectacle Lenses Work for Myopia Management?
Posted: 17th September 2024
MiyoSmart lenses by Hoya have been available from Rawlings since early 2021 and are an essential consideration for all short sighted (myopic) children...
Read more >
Wake up to Ortho-K for Myopia Management!
Posted: 27th August 2024
Our last blog introduced the benefits of Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) focussing on the general benefits of overnight lens wear with no glasses or contact lenses needed during the day...
Read more >
Wake up to Clear Vision with Ortho-K! Now available in Hampshire and Surrey
Posted: 20th August 2024
Orthokeratology or Ortho-K as it is commonly called, can seem like magic to short-sighted (myopic) people who are used to waking up to a world of blur...
Read more >
Living With Someone With Hearing Loss
Posted: 13th August 2024
Many of us will find ourselves living with a partner or friend with hearing loss. Living mindfully with someone who cannot hear well needs empathy...
Read more >
Understanding Health Conditions That Can Cause Hearing Loss
Posted: 11th July 2024
Hearing loss isn't just something that happens to musicians and rock stars; it can be a side effect of many common health conditions...
Read more >
Discover the Spectacular Benefits of Maui Jim Sunglasses
Posted: 27th June 2024
Summer is here, and we hope that very soon the sun will be shining! Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care are delighted to stock a wide range of Maui Jim sunglasses...
Read more >
Just been prescribed eyedrops?
Posted: 12th June 2024
Having to use any medication for the first time can be daunting and eye drops can be a particular challenge for some...
Read more >
How Custom Earplugs and Blackout Masks Can Improve Your Sleep
Posted: 30th May 2024
Spring brings the light mornings and the dawn chorus -in a world filled with constant noise and light pollution, finding peace and quiet for a good night’s sleep...
Read more >
Spring Allergy Awareness Week – April 22nd-28th
Posted: 25th April 2024
With the beauty of spring comes the not-so-pleasant reality of seasonal allergies, and for many, that means dealing with symptoms that affect not only the nose and throat but also the eyes...
Read more >
Use of Eye Drops During Ramadan
Posted: 14th March 2024
Ramadan is a time of profound spiritual significance, but it also serves as a reminder to prioritize holistic well-being, including ocular health...
Read more >
Industrial Hearing Loss
Posted: 15th February 2024
Industrial hearing loss, often referred to as occupational hearing loss, is a significant health concern among workers exposed to high levels of noise...
Read more >
Winter Vitamin D Supplements
Posted: 18th January 2024
We are now in the depths of winter and those of us living in the UK not taking a Vitamin D supplement could be deficient...
Read more >
What is Ear Wax and why is it there?
Posted: 13th December 2023
Ear wax, also known as cerumen, is a natural and waxy substance produced by glands in the ear canal...
Read more >
November – Careers month part four: Becca
Posted: 15th November 2023
Becca is our Hedge End branch manager and has developed her career with Rawlings over the last twelve years and has built up her qualifications...
Read more >
November – Careers month part three: Sara
Posted: 15th November 2023
Sara Shipway is another inspirational woman within Rawlings, who has built her career over a 20 year journey with us...
Read more >
November – Careers month part two: Ant
Posted: 15th November 2023
Anthony is one of our Student Dispensing Opticians who is based in Caterham. Ant is a lovely character and a massive asset to our team...
Read more >
November – Careers month part one: Claire
Posted: 10th November 2023
All of our staff at Rawlings are worth celebrating and are a massive asset to the business, but we have selected a few of our colleagues who have built their career with us...
Read more >
PSP/CBD
Posted: 12th October 2023
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a condition that causes changes in movement, language, and behaviour...
Read more >
The Link Between Dementia and Hearing Loss
Posted: 21st September 2023
Recent research has shed light on the connection between hearing loss and dementia, offering insights into the potential impact of hearing impairment on cognitive decline...
Read more >
Hoya Sync ΙΙΙ Lenses: A Solution for Digital Screen Users
Posted: Thursday 3rd August 2023
With the rise of digital devices, many people now spend hours each day staring at screens. While this technology offers numerous benefits, it has also brought about an increase in cases of digital eye strain...
Read more >
Types of Hearing Device
Posted: Friday 14th July 2023
Advances in technology have led to the development of various types of hearing aids/hearing devices that can significantly improve the quality of life for those with hearing difficulties...
Read more >
Remembering NHS Glasses: 75 years of the NHS
Posted: Wednesday 5th July 2023
On the 5th July, the National Health Service celebrates its 75th anniversary and we would like to take a moment to remember NHS glasses...
Read more >
Retinoblastoma Childrens Eye Cancer Awareness Week 2023
Posted: Monday 15th May 2023
Retinoblastoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye...
Read more >
Oasys Max contact lenses – new technology for today’s digital world
Posted: Tuesday 2nd May 2023
The newest lens in our contact lens portfolio has been designed specifically with the screen user in mind...
Read more >
Types of Hearing Loss
Posted: Tuesday 18th April 2023
In our last hearing blog we talked about the signs of hearing loss, this month we will explore the different varieties...
Read more >
World Hearing Day 2023
Posted: Friday 3rd March 2023
Friday March 3rd is World Hearing Day, this year’s message from the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) is ‘Hearing Care for All – let’s make it a reality
Read more >
Signs of Hearing Loss
Posted: Wednesday 22nd February 2023
The UK National Institute of Health reports that hearing is the most valued sense after eyesight...
Read more >
Give your glasses some LOVE this Valentines Day
Posted: Friday 10th February 2023
You will have invested time choosing your perfect glasses so give them some love by keeping them in tip-top condition!
Read more >
Happy New Ear!
Posted: Tuesday 3rd January 2023
In December 2022 we are excited to announce that we will begin to offer Rawlings Hearing Care at our Winchester and Stockbridge branches...
Read more >
Festive Cheer with our Wonderful Windows
Posted: Friday 23rd December 2022
Each year there is a competition with the winning branch being awarded a hamper of goodies to share. Here is a selection of the wide range of displays created...
Read more >
Rawlings Croydon Celebrate an Extra Special Christmas!
Posted: Tuesday 20th December 2022
Christmas is almost upon us and whilst all our branches will be celebrating, our Croydon branch deserve special recognition for their fantastic achievement...
Read more >
Winter Eye Health
Posted: Tuesday 29th November 2022
With the winter months approaching and the wetter weather upon us we will all be spending more time indoors than we have for a while...
Read more >
Fright Night: College of Optometrists advises the public to protect their sight this Halloween
Posted: Friday 28th October 2022
The College advises the public against wearing novelty contact lenses this Halloween unless they are prescribed...
Read more >
Night Driving
Posted: Monday 10th October 2022
Ready for driving in the dark? Follow these tips for safe winter driving...
Read more >
Contact Lenses and Water – say NO! to H2O
Posted: Monday 26th September 2022
Contact lens related infections don’t happen very often but it is important to know how to reduce the...
Read more >
National Eye Health Week - Eyecare for life
Posted: Tuesday 20th September 2022
In the under 3 age group, initial checks are carried out soon after birth and at their regular checks by a healthcare professional such as a health visitor...
Read more >
Scleral Contact Lenses
Posted: Wednesday 7th September 2022
We are excited to announce that Winchester branch are now offering fitting of scleral contact lenses.
Read more >
Getting ready for the new school year?
Posted: Friday 19th August 2022
New shoes, new uniform…..new glasses? Don’t forget to book your children in to have their eyes tested...
Read more >
Bollé
Posted: Monday 25th July 2022
You may have seen in many of our stores that we now stock sunglasses from Bollé...
Read more >
Holiday time is here!
Posted: Monday 4th July 2022
Most of the world has well and truly opened up again and for those of us brave enough to risk possible flight cancellations and queues, exploration of the globe beckons...
Read more >
Cataract Awareness Month
Posted: Friday 24th June 2022
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss in the UK and can severely affect people’s lives...
Read more >
Love your lenses week
Posted: Monday 13th June 2022
If you love your eyes, love your lenses. Read these tips to keep your eyes healthy...
Read more >
Stockbridge Blog
Posted: Thursday 26th May 2022
We are so excited that the long-anticipated opening of our next branch is within touching distance...
Read more >
Optase Allergy Eye Drops
Posted: Tuesday 19th April 2022
We are pleased to stock Optase Allergy eye drops in all our branches– a drug-free preservative-free eye drop suitable for those with...
Read more >
Using Eye Drops during Ramadan
Posted: Thursday 31st March 2022
This year Ramadan starts on the evening of Saturday April 2nd. The world renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital has produced...
Read more >
Give your heart some love this February…and your eyes!
Posted: Wednesday 2nd February 2022
Each year, the Heart Foundation declares February as National Heart Month. During this time, awareness of a variety of heart conditions are bought to the fore. Many of us have...
Read more >
Looking Forward to 2022
Posted: Thursday 6th January 2022
Here we are in January 2022 and you may be forgiven for thinking not much has changed since last..
Read more >
Winter Warmer
Posted: Tuesday 14th December 2021
Mulled wine is such a lovely traditional drink for chilly winter days… but did you know it has some other good points as well as warming you up?
Read more >
Stay safe this Halloween
Posted: Tuesday 26th October 2021
Children’s excitement for this year’s Halloween will be more than ever thanks to the effective cancellation of Halloween during last year’s lockdowns. We couldn’t gather or go out in groups and this year many people will be...
Read more >
National Eye Health Week - 21st-26th September
Posted: Tuesday 21st September 2021
National Eye Health Week is 21st-26th September. Follow these top ten tips to keep your eyes healthy!
Read more >
Free Eye Examinations for Children
Posted: Thursday 9th September 2021
Did you know that NHS recommends all children have an eye examination by a qualified optometrist to make sure that there are no...
Read more >
Children’s sun protection – don’t forget their eyes!
Posted: Friday 20th August 2021
We’re more than halfway through the school holidays and we are still awaiting the promised heat wave – hopefully it is just around the corner! Beach days, lazy days, pool days, picnics, going to the farm, or days out in town-This pretty much sums up every parents’ agenda for the summer with children...
Read more >
Maui Jim Sunglasses
Posted: Thursday 12th August 2021
What started out as a small company selling sunglasses off the beaches of Maui in 1980, Maui Jim slowly grew into...
Read more >
Dry Eyes – A new drop treatment at Rawlings Opticians
Posted: Monday 26th July 2021
Dry eye – a common eye condition which affects 1 in 4 people in the UK – is a particularly sore point for women of menopausal or post-menopausal age, regular screen users and contact lens wearers, according to results of a new 2,000+ person survey commissioned by leading eye care specialist, Santen...
Read more >
Glaucoma awareness week
Posted: Thursday 24th June 2021
Glaucoma Awareness week begins on 28th June and although most people may have heard of the disease, many people will not realise that it...
Read more >
Children’s Eye Cancer – Retinoblastoma awareness week
Posted: Wednesday 12th May 2021
Every year in UK around 50 children are diagnosed with an eye cancer called retinoblastoma. In developing countries children usually will die of this cruel disease as it...
Read more >
Blue Light
Posted: Tuesday 27th April 2021
Questions from our patients about ‘blue light’ are becoming more frequent, in part due to new products promising to block or reduce damaging blue light...
Read more >
Short-sighted Children? Don’t limit their future -Think MiYOSMART!
Posted: Thursday 8th April 2021
Our Optometrists at Rawlings Opticians have been passionate about caring for short-sighted (myopic) children for many years...
Read more >
Social interactions are helped with good vision
Posted: Friday 26th February 2021
Children’s vision is an area of eyecare we are passionate about at Rawlings Opticians. This blog is one in...
Read more >
Is my child wearing the correct glasses prescription?
Posted: Friday 19th February 2021
Myopia Management is an area of eyecare we are passionate about at Rawlings Opticians. This is because…
Read more >
My child is spending more time on digital devices, should I be worried about their eyes?
Posted: Friday 12th February 2021
Children’s vision is an area of eyecare we are passionate about at Rawlings Opticians. This blog is…
Read more >
My child is short-sighted, what do I need to know?
Posted: Friday 5th February 2021
Myopia Management is an area of eyecare we are passionate about at Rawlings Opticians. This is…
Read more >
How vision develops in children
Posted: Friday 29th January 2021
Children’s vision is an area of eyecare we are passionate about at Rawlings Opticians. This blog is the first in a series of blogs we will be…
Read more >
2021 New Year & New Initiatives
Posted: Wednesday 6th January 2021
I think we are all happy to see the back of 2020 although one tiny bit of positivity is that the lockdowns forced us all to slow down a little and feel more…
Read more >
2020 - A look back on our 125th Anniversary Year
Posted: Thursday 31st December 2020
Now 2020 is drawing to a close and it’s time to take a look back at how our anniversary year panned out…
Read more >
Children's eyesight during COVID-19 pandemic
Posted: Thursday 26th November 2020
Many parents are concerned about the effects of the inevitable increase in their children’s screen use during 2020 and the effect this...
Read more >
Charles Bonnet Syndrome and Esme's Umbrella
Posted: Thursday 19th November 2020
2020 marks Rawlings Opticians 125th anniversary, but also marks the 300th birthday of Charles Bonnet. He was a naturalist, who in 1760 described ...
Read more >
Eye Health Tips for Home Working
Posted: Friday 8th August 2020
Many of our patients have found themselves continuing to work from home since the Covid-19 lockdown was relaxed, and in almost all cases working from home has led to an increase in...
Read more >
Rawlings during COVID-19 lockdown
Posted: Friday 22nd May 2020
Rawlings Opticians took the decision to stay open during the lockdown, manning our branches to reply to emails, take phone calls and...
Read more >
General Health and the Eyes
Posted: Tuesday 7th April 2020
We are currently in the grip of the novel coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic and you may have read that it can affect the eyes in some cases...
Read more >
Macular Degeneration Awareness Month
Posted: Wednesday 26th February 2020
Many of us have heard of or know someone with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) but may not know how it affects vision...
Read more >
Contact Lens Recycling
Posted: Monday 17th February 2020
There are approximately 3.7 million contact lens wearers in the UK, and around half of these wear daily disposable lenses....
Read more >
125 Years of Independent Eye Care
Posted: Thursday 23rd January 2020
2020 marks Rawlings Opticians 125th anniversary and so this month, Richard Rawling, our Managing Director has written a guest blog about our history. Richard is a qualified Contact Lens Optician and is our founder Alfred Rawlings’ great-grandson...
Training trip to Budapest
Posted: Thursday 12th December 2019
Between the staff at Rawlings, there has always been excited conversations about ‘The Budapest Trip’ , a prestigious opportunity to fly out to Hoya’s...
Read more >
BlephEx Lid Treatment
Posted: Monday 2nd December 2019
Many of us experience dry eye symptoms at this time of year due to the drying effects of central heating combined with more indoor time looking at TV’s and...
Read more >
All About Glare
Posted: Wednesday 6th November 2019
Now that the clocks have gone back, the dark evenings can be challenging - more dazzle and glare from car headlights and close work in artificial lighting can be...
Read more >
October is Contact Lens Safety Awareness month
Posted: Thursday 24th October 2019
Contact lenses are safe and convenient way of correcting vision for adults and children alike and problems are very rare...
Read more >
The Sunshine Vitamin and Your Eyes
Posted: Tuesday 8th October 2019
It is now October and it probably hasn’t escaped your notice that the days are getting shorter and dark evenings are drawing in...
Read more >
Eye Care and Makeup
Posted: Friday 27th September 2019
During National Eye Health Week we would like you to think about your eye hygiene and make up use....
Read more >
Eye Drops
Posted: Thursday 26th September 2019
Many of us use eye drops, either to keep our eyes well lubricated and prevent/treat dry eye, or to instil drugs for treatment of conditions such as glaucoma. However...
Read more >
Minor Eye Conditions
Posted: Thursday 5th September 2019
Everyone knows that you go to the opticians for glasses or contact lenses but some people do not realise that we are also the best port of call for...
Read more >
Contact Lenses and Water Don’t Mix!
Posted: Monday 19th August 2019
Contact lens related infections don’t happen very often but it is important to know how to reduce the risks. Many people who wear contact lenses...
Read more >
Maui Jim Sunglasses
Posted: Thursday 18th July 2019
When I first arrived at Rawlings Opticians, I had never heard of Maui Jim. Now, 6 years later, I’d struggle to recommend anything else in the sunglasses category...
Read more >
Raising money for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
Posted: Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Sara Shipway from Hedge End branch and Sally Hake and Joe Kingshott-Taylor from Winchester branch participated in the Runway Run at Southampton airport last weekend. Sara has written a guest blog to tell you all about it...
Read more >
Diabetes & the eye
Posted: Wednesday 12th June 2019
Diabetes is becoming more and more common. More than one in every 15 people in the UK have diabetes in the UK. This is around 4.7 million people, and it is estimated that there are many more people – several hundred thousand- who have...
Read more >
Bike Week – 8th to 16th June 2019
Posted: Friday 7th June 2019
Bike Week in conjunction with Cycling UK, is an annual celebration of all things cycling. Riding a bike can easily be a part of everyday life and Bike Week is here to...
Read more >
Allergy Awareness week - April 29th to May 3rd 2019
Posted: Thursday 25th April 2019
Itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing? Yes – it’s hay fever season again – of course some people suffer all year round with allergies to dust mites or pets but there is...
Read more >
Myopia Awareness Week
Posted: Monday 13th April 2019
Myopia, more commonly referred to in the UK as short-sightedness, is a globally increasing health issue. For various reasons the...
Read more >
Moscot Arrives At Rawlings
Posted: Thursday 18th April 2019
We are delighted to announce the long awaited launch of the Moscot frame range at Rawlings Opticians...
Read more >
Rawlings Croydon Wins National Award
Posted: Tuesday 2nd April 2019
We are delighted that our Croydon branch has now been nationally recognised with a 2019 Optician Award for Enhanced Services announced on...
Read more >
Love your lenses week 2019 23-30th March
Posted: Friday 22nd March 2019
Here at Rawlings we love glasses – that’s why we have so many to choose from and always give you the ‘personal shopping’ experience to help...
Read more >
Technology at Rawlings – No air-puff pressure checks for glaucoma
Posted: Friday 1st March 2019
Here at Rawlings we pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest advances in ophthalmic equipment. We were...
Read more >
Rare Diseases Day
Posted: Thursday 28th February 2019
Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective of Rare Disease Day is to...
Read more >
The Look Of Love
Posted: Wednesday 13th February 2019
As well as your pupils dilating in low light, did you know that they also enlarge as a sign of excitement, attraction or love? So setting the scene for a romantic dinner with...
Read more >
Blinking Interesting Article
Posted: Wednesday 16th January 2019
Humans blink about 13,500 times a day and this is a vital function to keep the outer surface of your eye healthy. A bit like breathing, we don’t usually...
Read more >.
New Years Resolutions
Posted: Monday 7th January 2019
How about some eyecare resolutions for your eyes – they have got to last you a lifetime so how can you take care of your eyes better...
Read more >
Rawlings Christmas window competition
Posted: Thursday 20th December 2018
Every year we hold a Christmas window competition, challenging each of our branches to create the most festive and creative display they can think of...
Read more >
Christmas comes early at Rawlings in Hedge End and Alton
Posted: Wednesday 19th December 2018
Our very latest investment in equipment has been the introduction of Ocular Coherence Tomographers (OCT). This allows for earlier detection of...
Read more >
Continuing Education Training and Development
Posted: Wednesday 12th December 2018
You might call us a nerdy bunch at Rawlings – we couldn’t really deny it as it is not unusual to find a huddle of us at educational events – and we travel far and wide to increase...
Read more >