News

The call of summer is hard to resist – when family beach days and countryside walks await. With more sun and drier weather, it’s the ideal time to prioritise family eye care. At The Big Optician, we believe that a few easy, expert-backed habits can help keep everyone’s vision clear and comfortable all season long. Protecting against UV rays Prolonged sun exposure can impact long-term eye health, contributing to conditions like cataracts – a clouding of the eye’s lens – and macular changes, which affect central vision. Children are especially susceptible, since their developing eyes absorb more UV light than adults. To help protect the whole family, choose clearly labelled UV protection sunglasses with 100% UV blocking capability and add

Every time you take to the road, your eyesight helps you judge distance, assess speed, and stay aware of your surroundings. A driving vision test is one of the simplest ways to confirm that your vision is fit for driving — and it plays an essential role in keeping journeys safe.At The Big Optician, Newcastle, the team is committed to supporting drivers with expert eye care. Regular eye examinations ensure your eyesight meets legal standards, while also checking for any early changes that might affect your ability to drive with confidence. Understanding the Driving Vision Test A driving vision test is not a separate assessment carried out by the DVLA. Instead, it’s a legal requirement for holding a driving licence.

Sunglasses do more than just protect your eyes—they transform the way you experience the world around you. At The Big Optician, Newcastle, we are proud to offer Maui Jim, a luxury brand that combines stylish design, cutting-edge technology, and a deep commitment to eye health. Maui Jim sunglasses are engineered to deliver vivid colours and sharp definition, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors like never before. Inspired by nature and island life Inspired by the island’s vibrant colours, Maui Jim started in the 1980s on Maui’s sunny shores. The brand focuses on delivering exceptional colour enhancement and clarity, while shielding eyes from intense sunlight. Today, Maui Jim is a worldwide leader in premium performance eyewear,  while still maintaining the easygoing,

At The Big Optician, we don’t just care for eyes – we care about community. Nestled in the heart of Ouseburn, our practice is part of a vibrant, ever-evolving neighbourhood we’re proud to call home. From supporting grassroots events to partnering with fellow independent businesses, we’re passionate about keeping Ouseburn thriving. If you haven’t fallen for the area yet, here are five brilliant reasons that might just change your mind. 1. A cultural hub There’s something electric in the air around here. Venues like The Cluny have become legendary, launching the careers of artists like Ed Sheeran and the Arctic Monkeys. Live music spills from tucked-away venues, studios brim with talent, and creativity buzzes from every brick. 2. A foodie’s

As last year marked two decades of The Big Optician, we thought we’d bring a dash of creativity to mark – or more specifically paint – the occasion. Our eye-catching mural on the side of our practice is now complete, and we hope you love it as much as we do. In collaboration with two local artists, known as PREFAB77 and Mul Draws, the work reflects the brightness and vibrancy embodied by The Big Optician. A place for a face Peter Manning, or PREFAB77, is the craftsman behind the main mural. His style is often hard-edged yet wrapped in glamour—an undeniable rock ‘n roll vibe that his time and experience in England, California, and New York have much to answer

Are you gearing up for the Great North Run this September? We’re proud that this high-profile event takes place less than a mile away from The Big Optician. Running eyewear is often an underrated piece of gear every runner should consider. It can both protect your eyes while you’re pounding the pavement and keep you seeing clearly without contact lenses, helping to secure that fantastic performance. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or participating to support a charity, this blog is for you.   What is sports eyewear? Sports glasses are designed to protect your eyes whether you have a prescription or not. They’re close-fitting and streamlined, so they’re comfortable to wear and stay in place as you exercise. Running eyewear

We’ve got some exciting news to share! Thanks to a new collaboration with The Hearing Care Partnership, you can now enjoy first-class eye care including comprehensive eye tests and designer glasses as well as hearing care at The Big Optician. On Friday, July 12th, we introduced a wide range of audiology services in addition to our comprehensive optometry services. Let’s dive into what you can expect from The Big Optician’s audiology services! The importance of taking care of your hearing Did you know that one in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus? Although possible at any age, hearing problems become more common as you get older. This can have a big impact on your

On June 21 2024, The Big Optician in Newcastle upon Tyne celebrated a significant milestone – our 20th anniversary! We marked this wonderful milestone by hosting a two-day celebration at our practice.  For those who weren’t able to join us, here’s a recap of what we got up to, as well as a little trip down memory lane, recounting our incredible growth and achievements from our humble beginning over the last two decades of providing excellence in eye care to the residents of Newcastle and beyond. In true North East style, our celebration was a weekend affair. On Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, 2024, we welcomed our clients to join us for a glass of fizz (or a

Founded on Danish design principles, Lindberg creates technologically advanced custom eyewear that is a joy to wear. Read on for The Big Optician’s full lowdown on this premium brand.

Getting outside in spring and summer amongst the greenery is undoubtedly beneficial, but for many, it’s not a walk in the park. Hay fever is thought to affect nearly 50% of the UK population, so if you suffer from this condition, you’re not alone. Read on to learn more about The Big Opticians’ favourite products to help make the season more tolerable.