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Just as the first blossoms are a marker that Spring is on its way, the first sign of summer is sunglasses, appearing on faces everywhere!

While we certainly want to look and feel good in them, sunglasses are much more than fashion accessories – they are vital to keep your eyes healthy and protected from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

We are all familiar with the danger of sun damage to our skin, and slather our children and ourselves in sun lotion for protection – but did you know those same UV rays can also cause irreversible damage to our eyes?

UV radiation can lead to cataracts and in some cases, photokeratitis – a painful, temporary eye condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, sometimes compared to a sunburn, but affecting your corneas rather than your skin. Long-term exposure to violet and blue portions of the solar spectrum can also increase the risk of macular degeneration too.

Wearing sunglasses will also cut your risk of developing skin cancer in the sensitive eye area, which is far harder to protect with sun lotion, as well as making it far more comfortable to be outside during the summer months.

However, if you already wear prescription glasses, it needn’t be much more complicated to get a pair of sunglasses with prescription lenses – just call or pop in.

Wessex Optical has practices at key locations across Hampshire and Dorset – Bournemouth Wallisdown, New Milton, Weymouth, Wimborne, Lymington (coming soon) and newly opened Romsey.

Our experienced Optometrists can get you tested and fitted for sunglasses as well regular glasses, ensuring you have clear vision and the right protection too. 

So why not make an appointment in one of our friendly, welcoming practices now, so you’re ready to enjoy the sunshine – whenever it appears!

Contact us at Boots Opticians – 

Wallisdown – 01202 515024

New Milton – 01425 629827

Weymouth – 01305 750 936

Wimborne – 01202 887081

Romsey – 01794 513258

The MP for Romsey and Southampton North cut the ribbon at the celebratory event at the practice on Thursday, February 24, meeting with James Arrow, Managing Director for Boots Opticians, and Director of Wessex Optical Zabir Ali, the franchise owner.

Zabir Ali of Wessex Optical said:

“We are so excited to expand into Romsey and have been delighted by the warm welcome received from the community. It hasn’t been an easy time for town centres, but we hope new services such as ours will have a part to play in bringing people back to the high street.

“The event this week has been an opportunity to celebrate our arrival, our fantastic patients, and all that we have to look forward to. To have our local MP Caroline Nokes share this moment with us is an honour and a pleasure.”

The new opticians, the fifth branch for Hampshire-based Wessex Optical, opened at 3-5 The Hundred in November, and has already taken on the eye care needs for thousands of local residents.

With a multi-disciplinary team of 20, including 6 Optometrists, the new practice offers eye tests, contact lens fitting and aftercare appointments, as well as ophthalmology treatments. The state-of-the-art centre also offers one of the only opticians in the South of England to partner Optometrists and Ophthalmologists under the same roof to the benefit of all its patients.

Sapphire Eye Care Ltd, who now partner with Boots Opticians in Romsey, offer world class diagnostic and private consultation services with some of the best surgeons in the south of England. Jonathan Husband, MD of Sapphire Eye Care Ltd says:

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Boots Opticians in the South. Providing private Cataract services in a world class facility will only benefit the community of Romsey and beyond. There will be Consultant surgeons available most days to see patients with any serious eye concerns they may have.”

The spacious 3,500 sq ft branch has ample room to run such specialist treatment clinics using the latest advanced facilities and equipment. From its town centre shop, Boots Romsey can offer a wide range of eyewear choices including designer and high fashion frames displayed in the retail area.

Zabir Ali adds: 

“We are passionate about meeting the needs of this community, bringing not only futuristic vision tests and eye health assessments, but bringing hospital-led services into the community as well as private eye care.”

“With hospital eye care services more stretched than ever, being able to offer patients more of what they need on the high street is a big win for them, and for the NHS too.

“We want to make it easy for people to take care of their eye health, and with a fantastic range of frames to choose from, they can look and feel great too.”Wessex Optical, which has its headquarters in Wimborne, has practices in Bournemouth, New Milton, Weymouth, and Wimborne. It purchased the Romsey location last year, opening the new branch in January.

Zabir Ali is Founder and Managing Director of Wessex Optical. He grew up in a traditional Pakistani family in Birmingham where he attended the local comprehensive, before studying Optometry at Aston University. He qualified in 2008. He immediately joined Boots Opticians, gaining experience in various stores. Passionate about his work, Zabir envisaged creating a different kind of opticians offering a whole range of specialist eye-care accessible under one, high-street roof. In 2012, With backing from Lloyds Bank and investing his own savings, at aged just 26, Zabir took on his first franchise: Boots Opticians New Milton, Hampshire. Ten years on, Zabir is the award-winning franchise-holder of five  Boots Opticians across Hampshire and Dorset with a sixth due to open this year. And whilst building up his award-winning business, somehow, along the way, in 2021, he found time to complete his independent prescribing masters. Not bad for a working class lad from Birmingham.

“…the best care, consideration and professional service I’ve ever had at an opticians – above and beyond what I expected.”

Sue Saddington, 29.10.21