Kirkcaldy optician invests in new technology to ensure safe appointments

Cliff Williams Opticians, based in the town’s Whytescauseway, is reassuring those who feel worried about going for eye examinations during the pandemic by carrying out consultations from a safe distance.

The move comes after more than 60 per cent of people surveyed in a recent poll said they felt fearful of attending routine health care and eye appointments following the Covid-19 outbreak.

The survey also showed that 50 per cent of respondents were using their mobile phones more frequently during lockdown earlier this year, with 42 per cent spending more time on their laptops.

Cliff, who is the resident dispensing optician and practice owner, said: “We were interested to see these results from ZEISS Vision Care’s recent survey.

“Prolonged use of digital devices can lead to digital eye strain (DSE) or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), terms used to describe a range of symptoms such as headaches, eyestrain and blurred vision which relate to the use of computers and other digital devices.

“Whilst we understand that people are fearful of visiting health providers such as opticians, there is an obvious need to attend regular eye appointments that help to identify common eye problems whilst also detecting more serious issues such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or glaucoma.”

Cliff has invested in state of the art contactless technology from ZEISS Vision Care, which enables him to carry out consultations whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Cliff Williams Opticians’ range of technology enables staff to take all the measurements necessary to dispense the best lenses and frames for the patient from a distance of the recommended two metres.

He said: “We are delighted to be available for appointments and offering an environment in which patients can feel safe thanks to longer appointment times and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines."

He added: “Contactless consultations are changing the way that we work and they allow us to offer peace of mind to patients, along with a high quality service.”

Thank you for reading this story on our website. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press