Tina Patel
Contact Lens Optician
Tina Patel is a qualified Contact Lens Optician at Feel Good Contacts and a member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Tina is registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) and adheres to their guidelines. She achieved a BSc (Hons) in Optical Management in 2002 from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and qualified as a Dispensing Optician. In 2007, Tina went on to qualify as a Contact Lens Optician. With over 25 years of experience in the optical industry, she has worked for a leading high street optician where she would fit and prescribe suitable contact lenses, and contact lens solutions to customers. Tina also currently teaches at City, University of London.
Albinism
Albinism is a rare genetic condition that affects the production of melanin in the body - pigment responsible for the colour of your skin, hair and eyes. Melanin plays a crucial role in the development of your optic nerve, lower melanin levels can lead to mild to severe vision problems. People with albinism are born with it and it lasts throughout their lives. With the right care and support, this condition can be effectively managed. Let’s learn more about albinism step-by-step.
Allergy Eye Drops: Uses, Types and How They Work
Allergy eye drops are specially formulated solutions used to relieve the symptoms of eye allergies. These symptoms often happen when your eyes come into contact with allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander or mould. When allergens enter the eye, the body reacts by releasing a substance called histamine. This can make your eyes feel itchy, swollen and irritated. Allergy eye drops help reduce this reaction and provide relief.
Preservative-Free Eye Drops: Types, Benefits, Uses and Side Effects
Preservative-free eye drops are lubricating eye drops that do not contain preservatives. Preservatives are chemicals usually added to eye drops to prevent bacterial growth inside the bottle after it has been opened. While they help keep the product safe for longer use, they are not always suitable for everyone. Preservative-free eye drops are specially designed to avoid these chemicals, making them a safer and more suitable option for many users, even those with sensitive eyes.
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is a condition that affects the optic nerve, which carries messages from the eyes to the brain. The optic nerve has a protective covering called myelin that helps signals travel smoothly between the eyes and the brain. In optic neuritis, the myelin becomes damaged, making it harder for the nerve to work properly. The condition often develops quickly over a few days, causing symptoms such as blurred or dim vision, reduced colour vision, blind spots, and pain when moving the eye. While these symptoms can feel frightening, most people recover good vision, though some may have lasting visual symptoms.
Best Eye Drops to Buy in 2026
When your eyes feel dry, sore, itchy or constantly watery, finding the right eye drops can make all the difference. This guide explores some of the best eye drops for common eye concerns, helping you find the most suitable option for your needs.
Bestselling Daily Disposable Contact Lenses for 2026
Daily disposable contact lenses continue to be one of the most popular choices among lens wearers due to their convenience, comfort and hygiene. Designed for one-time wear only, these contact lenses are discarded at the end of the day, eliminating the need of maintenance involving cleaning solutions or storage cases. Wearing a fresh pair every day can also help minimise the daily build-up of deposits on the lens surface, making them a comfortable and practical option for many wearers, especially those with active lifestyles.
Eye Strain
Eye strain, also known as asthenopia or eye fatigue, is a common condition that occurs when your eyes become extremely tired from focusing on something for a long time. This usually happens while reading, using digital devices (such as smartphones, laptops and tablets) for a prolonged period or driving long distances.
Our Top 10 Contact Lenses for 2026
Feel Good Contacts has put together a list of the best-selling contact lenses for 2026 from renowned manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson, Alcon, CooperVision, Bausch & Lomb and more. From their unique formulations to advanced technologies and features, learn everything about these lenses that make them bestsellers.
Pterygium: Causes, symptoms and treatment
Pterygium is sometimes referred to as surfer’s eye and is pronounced tur-rij-ium. A Ptergium is a benign (non-cancerous) growth and is a pink, fleshy tissue which has blood vessels and grows on the conjunctiva (the clear, thin membrane that covers part of the front surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids). It is often shaped like a wedge and usually appears on the side of the eye, usually near the nose. In more extreme cases, it can cover the pupil and cause vision problems. If you have more than one growth, the plural term for pterygium is pterygia (tur-rij-ee-ah). If it affects both eyes, it is known as bilateral pterygium.
Cataracts: Types, Symptoms and Treatment
Cataracts are among the most common age-related eye conditions and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In fact, their global impact is so significant that a dedicated Cataract Awareness Month is observed each year in June to raise awareness, promote early detection and encourage timely cataract treatment. Whether you are experiencing changes in your eyesight or simply want to learn more about eye cataracts, this guide covers everything from cataract causes and symptoms to cataract surgery and prevention.
Do You Really Need a Contact Lens Cleaner?
Throughout the day, contact lenses collect dirt, protein deposits, and bacteria, which can cause irritation or even infections if not properly removed. A separate contact lens cleaner isn’t always necessary, but keeping your lenses clean is essential for eye health and comfort. Tina Patel, Contact Lens Optician at Feel Good Contacts, says, “Most modern multipurpose solutions can clean, disinfect, and store lenses effectively for everyday use, but a dedicated cleaner can help provide a deeper clean for those with sensitive eyes or heavy buildup. It’s important to consult your optician to determine which contact lens cleaning products are the right match for your eyes and lens type.”
Artificial Tears: Types, Benefits and Uses
Artificial tears are specially formulated eye drops designed to mimic the composition of natural tears. They help relieve symptoms associated with dry eyes, a condition that affects many people worldwide. Dry eyes can be due to various factors, such as prolonged exposure to screens, environmental conditions, ageing, medical conditions or medication side effects.
How Do Eye Drops Help with Itchy Eyes?
If you have ever found yourself constantly rubbing your eyes and wondering, ‘why are my eyes so itchy?’, you are not alone. Itchy eyes are one of the most common eye complaints in the UK, especially during the allergy season. But the good news is that with the right treatment options, relief can be quick, effective and long-lasting. Eye drops can help relieve itchy eyes and you can choose them based on the severity of itchiness you are dealing with, from mild irritation to persistent itchy and puffy eyes.
What is a Chalazion? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Does your upper eyelid look swollen? Or do you notice a bump on your eyelid? If so, you may have an eye condition called a chalazion. It is a painless lump that can appear on one or both eyes. Although a chalazion most often appears on the upper eyelid, it can also occur on the lower eyelid.
Everything You Need to Know About Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an eye condition that occurs when the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) progressively becomes thinner and begins to bulge out in a cone-like shape. The cornea plays an important part in focusing light onto your retina. Therefore, even minor changes can affect visual clarity. As keratoconus progresses, it may cause the vision to become blurred, distorted or uneven. Let’s learn about the symptoms, causes, treatments and more.

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