RIYADH: The business of optics has always been a man’s world, and even if a woman owns an optics shop the management is always conducted by men.
Noha Al-Shwaier decided to enter this world full force, relying on her educational background as one of the first optometrists in the Kingdom and a lecturer at King Saud University.
Al-Shwaier not only owns Luminoptics, but also has become the executive manager, handling customers herself as an optician regardless of their gender.
“I had a dream of opening my own business in the field that I love, but it was difficult for me to balance between family and two jobs — so I chose Luminoptics,” said Al-Shwaier, adding that she does not find it difficult to manage her own business and practice optometry at the same time.
Al-Shwaier confirmed that one of the reasons for short-sightedness among women in Gulf countries is “a diet that lacks essential vitamins such as vitamin A, E, C and B2, which deprives the eye the ability to adjust to light and causes its lens to lose transparency and suffer dryness.”
“Children’s diet should be monitored closely by mothers, as the number of children wearing eyeglasses exceeds 20,000 in Riyadh, and it is increasing,” said Al-Shwaier, adding that the reason for this growth is electronics gadgets and tools that affect the eye.
Al-Shwaier says that women over 40 should have their eyes checked every three years.
Al-Shwaier warned women from buying contact lenses from hair salons or supermarkets, explaining that contact lenses must be bought at specialists’ shops.
“Individuals vary in their tolerance for contact lenses, therefore a thorough examination of the eye’s acceptance of the lens, the cornea’s convex surface, the tear level and the eyelid is necessary for the best result,” said Al-Shwaier.
“Learning hygiene habits and the safest way to put on and take off the contact lens is essential to maintaining healthy eyes.”
