Has Tony Blair inspired you to get a new pair of specs? Then look into our guide to all things optical, compiled by CHRIS TITLEY

IT was an embarrassing slip-up that finally persuaded Tony Blair to don his glasses.

The Prime Minister told the Association of Teachers and Lecturers about the "chronically poor aspirations and educational attainments of so many teachers". Then he refocused on the speech in front of him and realised that the last word should have been "teenagers". Whoops.

Taking out his spectacles at the London Press Club on Monday, he told the gathered journalists: "Some things in life you have to accept - it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase a vision for Britain."

If you are suffering a touch of the Mr Blair blurs, then there's nothing for it. Get down to the opticians and sort yourself out with some eyewear.

But which optician and what eyewear? The choice can be overwhelming.

First, it is important to clear up a few definitions. In Britain, there are two types of opticians - optometrists and dispensing opticians.

Optometrists were sometimes known as ophthalmic opticians but that term is less common now.

Only an optometrist or a doctor can test sight. Optometrists are trained to test and examine your eyes for defects in eyesight and eye health problems and have the letters FCOptom or MCOptom after their name.

These letters stand for Fellow or Member of the College of Optometrists.

The college's Carol Hayward said: "This is important because the college sets high standards. We ask all our members to adhere to these standards.

"That gives an assurance to the general public that their optometrist is a member or a fellow practising to a certain level."

By contrast, dispensing opticians are not permitted to test your eyes. They can fit and supply glasses, according to a prescription from an optometrist, and contact lenses, if they have undertaken special training.

Since 1984, anyone can supply spectacles according to the prescription from your optometrist or doctor. Only a registered optician, however, can supply glasses to a child under the age of 16.

There is a charge for eye tests but children, people over 60, and people over 40 with a registered history of glaucoma or certain other eye conditions are exempt.

Once you have your prescription, the eyewear world is your oyster. Choose your eyewear supplier according to price, convenience or a personal recommendation, says Carol Hayward.

Reading glasses are available "off the peg" at hardware stores. Designer frames are on sale at dozens of different outlets. And, inevitably, you can also buy specs and contact lenses on the Internet.

If you don't like current eye fashions, there is even a site to buy vintage frames from 1950-1980: www.retrospecs.co.uk

Online orders will need to be accompanied by your prescription, or the website will ask to contact your optician directly.

Carol does not recommend this route if you are new to contact lenses. In that case, you would need an after-care appointment, when an optician can check there are no problems with your lenses as fitted.

If you are unhappy with the service you receive from an optician or optometrist, complain to the practice first. If this does not resolve the matter, you should write to, or telephone: The Administrator, Optical Consumer Complaints Service, PO Box 4685, London SE1 6ZB, 020 7261 1017.

Which spectacles are right for you?

Different frames can make a huge impact on your appearance, as our pictures of Tony Blair demonstrate.

To get the right pair for you, first determine the shape of your face. Then follow these basic rules.

Round face: angular frames slim cheek bones. Colour can also help.

Square face: Wide, curved glasses which focus attention on corner of the eye help soften the jaw line.

Oval face: Frames with strong horizontal lines make the face look shorter, although most frames will look good - just make sure they're in proportion to the face.

Triangular face: choose thin rims and vertical lines. Avoid large frames, heavy nose bridges, bold colours and square shapes.

To minimise a large nose, choose glasses with a low bridge. To maximise small noses, choose glasses with a high bridge. Try as many pairs on as you can to find the right pair

for you.