Dry eye disease affects more than 4 million Australians and it’s on the rise.

Dry eye is a big issue with Australians and is increasing with our ageing population. In January 2020, Optometry Australia reported 77% of Australians have suffered dry eye, yet only 26% have seen an optometrist about the plethora of new treatment options available.

It’s about the quality and quantity of your tears.

Dry eye begins with a lessening in the quality or quantity of tears. Your tear film keeps your eyes moist and protected. The top oily layer helps to prevent evaporation of tears. The middle, watery layer is the thickest layer and the sticky bottom layer helps the tear film to adhere to the eye. If the tear film is disturbed or altered, it can evaporate or become unstable. This results in dryness and inflammation of the front of the eye. The resulting symptoms may be sore, itchy, blurry or watery eyes.

Chronic dry eye is a condition that persists for a long time or is constantly recurring.

Because chronic dry eye occurs over a long period of time and is experienced regardless of environment or activities, it often has an underlying cause that can be difficult to identify. Each tear component is produced by different glands on or near the eye. A problem with any of these sources of tear film components can result in tear instability and dry eyes. More than 80% of dry eye disease comes form these meibomian glands not functioning the way that they should be. In some cases they can stop functioning altogether.

What causes dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease is caused by an imbalance in the different components of the tear layer that coat and protect the eye surface. An adequate and consistent layer of tears on the surface of the eye is essential to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable and seeing well.

No two dry eye cases are exactly the same or respond the same way to treatments, or present in exactly the same way. Dry eye disease is not something that happens overnight. It is a chronic issue that may have been in existence for some time before the symptoms actually started.

A normal tear film consists of three important components and each component has a critical purpose.

• An oily component – is produced by meibomian glands in the eyelids
• A watery component – is produced by lacrimal glands in the upper eyelids
• A mucus component – is produced in the cells that cover the white of the eye

Dry eye disease is a multi-factorial disease. Often people have more than one influence that is producing their concern for dry eye. In years gone past it was considered an age-related condition but we are now seeing people come in much younger than they used to with dry eye disease and so we think there are a lot of environmental factors such as:

• Working in air-conditioned offices
• Using digital devices for extended periods of time
• Pollution
• Smoke, the bush-fires lately have been a provoker of dry eye disease

A number of factors can increase your risk of dry eye:

• Contact lens wear
• Ageing
• Autoimmune disease
• Smoking
• Health conditions such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, arthritis and lupus contribute to dry eye problems
• Medications
• Aeroplane travel
• Eyelid problems
• Menopause

Many of the dry eye issues come from the meibomian gland dysfunction. Meibomian gland dysfunction involves the meibomian glands and these are what are described as finger shaped glands we have in our upper and lower eyelid. We have about 30 in our bottom eyelid and about 60 in our top eyelid. They produce an oil that is a very principled part of our tears. A problem with any of these sources of tear film components can result in tear instability and dry eyes.

What symptoms do optometrists see in dry eye patients?

The post Dry Eye – a big issue for Australians appeared first on ProVision.

In the world we now live in, we are surrounded by digital devices.

We all say I'll break in 10 mins, okay maybe in 20 mins, definitely in 30, I'll take a break... The next thing we know we’ve been there for 2 hours and we didn’t even realise.

We get vision problems because we don’t take the breaks from being on these digital devices or watching these digital screens when we need to. We don’t look away from the device often enough. We don’t get outside enough. We don’t move as often. We are often looking at an artificial light source and staring at this internally illuminated LED device for too long, which is not really what eyes are designed to do. 

The post Digital eye strain and kids appeared first on ProVision.

Why are children’s eye exams important?

Eyesight is the most important of our senses and provides 80% of the information used for learning and education, as well as coordinating our movement in and around our surrounding environment. Children require good eyesight and good eye coordination so they can reach all their developmental and educational milestones.

Eye defects often make it difficult for children to achieve their full potential

We asked Dr. Lakkis to unpack everything we need know about children’s eye exams and explain why it is wise to add one to your back to school checklist.

When should you have your child’s eye examined?

Eye examinations can be performed on children at any age, from babies and infants up to adolescents and older teenagers. The type of examination performed depends on the signs and symptoms that the child is experiencing and is tailored to the age group of the child and the level of their development.

In babies and infants, the optometrist looks for issues such as blocked tear ducts that haven’t opened properly, congenital cataracts and childhood tumours that can form inside the eye ball, as well as crossed eyes and droopy eyelids that can cause the development of amblyopia (lazy eye).

Why is a comprehensive eye examination recommended for your back to school checklist?

Because 80% of learning comes through eyesight, it is important for the child’s vision and eye coordination to be optimised so there is no detrimental effect on learning and school performance. The ideal time to have the child examined is at the beginning of each school year to ensure that their visual development is proceeding normally, and for the optometrist to treat any underlying conditions that may impact learning. This is why it is critical to add an eye exam to your back to school checklist.

Children’s eyes continue to develop until the late teens and early 20’s, and sometimes large changes in vision can occur within a short space of time. Depending on the type of eye condition present, your optometrist will advise the best timing for the next eye exam as some children require more frequent visits during the school year.

The post Put an eye test on your back to school checklist appeared first on ProVision.

• 91% of Australians are unsure and unaware of the function of the macula.[1]
• There are 8 million Australians who are at risk of macular degeneration, it accounts for 90% of legal blindness in Australia.
• Despite it being the leading cause of blindness, most of us don’t know about the function of the macula, what happens when it degenerates and how to prevent it.

According to ProVision optometrist and ProVision Professional Services Committee member, Janine Hobson, “we haven’t perhaps taught enough prevention, and I think, instead of being proactive, we are reactive. The issue here is, once you are reactive, it is much more difficult to solve a problem, whereas if you are proactive, you can go about preventing eye diseases such as this.”

We asked Janine, who is owner and optometrist at Young Eyes in NSW and has been a practising optometrist for over 30 years about this leading cause of blindness and how to prevent it.

What is the macula?

The macula is part of the retina at the back of the eye. It is only about 5mm across but is responsible for all of our central vision, and for sharp, clear, straight-ahead vision, most of our colour vision and the fine detail of what we see. The macula has a very high concentration of photoreceptor cells that detect light and send signals to the brain, which interprets them as images. The rest of the retina processes our peripheral vision.

Macular disease causes loss of central vision.

What causes macular degeneration?

We don’t know the cause of age-related macular degeneration, but we do know that there are certain risk factors for the development of age-related macular degeneration. Research indicates it may be related to a combination of heredity and environmental factors, including smoking and diet.

• Dry (atrophic): caused by the gradual atrophy (loss) of retinal cells. It may lead to a gradual loss of central vision. Currently there is no treatment available for the dry form. Research is being conducted to develop treatments.  
• Wet (neovascular): caused by the formation of fragile blood vessels which leak fluid and blood within and under the retina. It often leads to a rapid loss of central vision. Loss of vision in one eye may go unnoticed if vision in the fellow eye is good. Regular vision testing of each eye in turn is recommended.  

 People with dry macular degeneration don’t have these abnormal or fragile blood vessels yet, but they are at an increased risk for developing the vessels at some point.

Can you get macular degeneration in one eye or does it always occur in both?

It is possible to develop it in only one eye. However, as the disease progresses both eyes may become affected. If an individual has macular degeneration in one eye, he or she is more likely to develop it in the other eye than someone who does not.

The biggest issue with macular degeneration is that it generally doesn’t have symptoms in the early stages for most people, especially, if the problem in the back of their eye is their non-dominant eye. Your non-dominant eye is like your non-dominant hand, if you are right-handed, that’s your dominant hand. If you hurt your left hand it never affects you as much, because everything you do is right-handed. This is similar to what happens in your vision. If the cells start to die in the back of the eye, which is what causes the problem, then you get little bits of the retina missing, and when that retina starts to miss, if it is not missing in the dominant eye then patients don’t actually notice it.

This is the reason it is really important for patients, especially once over 65, but definitely once they are over 50, to visit an optometrist, so that we can find these defects early, and before they notice that they have a problem, because by this time, any loss of vision could be irreversible.

The biggest issue is, if patients get macular in their better or more dominant eye, that loss of independence for older people is what creates huge problems. That is the issue that I always try to emphasise. That regular eye examinations will help keep you independent, keep you living at home, keep you doing what you want to do, and likely stop you having to lose your driver’s license.

Family history and age are the main risk factors, are there any others?

Factors that may increase your risk of macular degeneration include:

• Age. This disease is most common in people over 50.
• Family history. This disease has a hereditary component. Researchers have identified several genes related to developing the condition.
• Race. Macular degeneration is more common in white people.
• Smoking. Smoking cigarettes or being regularly exposed to smoke significantly increases your risk of macular degeneration.
• Obesity. Research indicates that being obese increases the chance that early or intermediate macular degeneration will progress to a more severe form of the disease.
• Cardiovascular disease. If you have diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels, you may be at higher risk of macular degeneration.

50% of patients that have macula also have a family member that has been affected with macula degeneration.

We try and give all our patients the Amsler Grid with the little magnet on the back to attach to the fridge and encourage them as check each eye daily. 

What is an Amsler Grid?

You can take care of your vision and the progression of macular degeneration day-to-day in your home and keep a close watch on any changes. To discover any changes to your vision as early as possible, your optometrist will probably have you test your own vision on a regular schedule using a small, hand-held Amsler grid.

You should monitor your vision at home, and it’s important to do that one eye at a time, because if one eye develops wet macular degeneration, it might not be so noticeable as the other eye is compensating.

We administer Amsler grids to all at-risk patients. We advise them to cover one eye at a time and then look into the Amsler grid. There’s a little dot in the centre of the grid that you can look at and then make sure that you can see all of the lines on the graph paper—that they’re not wavy or missing. If our patients notice changes, they are encouraged to advise their optometrist immediately.

What are the signs and symptoms of macular degeneration?

That is the problem, there are not really any early symptoms, especially if the non-dominant eye is involved. Not until the eye is covered one day will the patient notice the loss of central vision and definitions. 

Some people with the intermediate stage may notice changes to their central vision.  

Currently there is no treatment available for the early and intermediate stages. Research is being conducted to develop treatments. 

Most important is the use of the advanced technology of the retinal imaging such as the photography and especially the newer wide field cameras, as this will highlight any changes quickly.

And of course, the OCT that really defines any central macula changes taking place. We can quickly compare to previous images or if it is a new diagnosis, can refer to the ophthalmologist for treatment immediately. 

Is macular degeneration an inevitable part of ageing?

No. Many people don’t lose vision, especially if they maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s been shown that people who eat a healthy diet, don’t smoke, and exercise can decrease their risk of vision loss—and by a healthy diet, I mean lots of fruits and vegetables and fish, and really trying to cut back on refined foods, highly processed foods, foods with a lot of sugar, meats, and animal products.

How is the condition diagnosed?

All optometrists check eye health at every comprehensive examination, looking for the three most common eye diseases cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration as well as other less common problems.

Although there is no cure, are there treatments available for macular degeneration?

There is currently no treatment for dry macular degeneration but treatments are available for wet macular degeneration that are aimed at maintaining the vision for as long as possible.

For the wet form of the disease, some common treatments that can help control the abnormal blood vessel growth and bleeding in the macula include injections, laser surgery, and photodynamic therapy. Some eye doctors recommend vitamin supplements to reduce the progression of dry macular degeneration, – particularly zinc, Vitamins C, E and beta carotene.

For long term healthy eyesight, it is vital to have a comprehensive eye exam every 2-3 years. If over 65 years of age, annual exams are recommended. If there are other risk factors, more regular checks may be required and your optometrist will advise you on how often you should attend.

The post What is macular degeneration? appeared first on ProVision.

• Dimming of vision
• Glare sensitivity at night time
• Concerns about clarity of vision in low light or poor contrast situations

What are cataracts?

The word cataract comes from the Latin cataracta, which means waterfall. A cataract is a clouding of the normally transparent lens in the eye.

The lens work together with the cornea to focus light onto the retina, which converts light to electrical signals that are transferred to the brain. This gives us the images we see. A cataract can scatter the light, and blur the images on the retina.

According to ProVision optometrist and Chair of the ProVision Professional Services Committee, Rowena Beckenham, cataracts develop slowly and painlessly and they can progress for many years going undetected until, if left untreated, cause severe visual impairment. Regular eye exams with your optometrist are key to early detection and prevention of vision loss.

We asked Rowena, who has 20 years in optometry practice ownership and 25 years as a practising optometrist about her experience with cataracts and how to treat them:

With cataract, a person might have discomfort with night time driving, and general reticence in low-light, with many people commenting they have stopped driving at night. They just can’t see things as well as they should and will often complain that newspaper print is getting much smaller or poorer in contrast, and they may stop doing other things they like to do in the evenings like knitting or sewing.

What causes cataracts?

Most cataracts develop when ageing or injury changes the tissue that makes up the lens in the eye. Some inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts. Cataracts can also be associated with other medical conditions like Diabetes, after other unrelated eye surgery or in association with taking some medications.

Several uncontrollable factors may increase the risk of developing cataracts, including:

• Age
• Family history
• Ethnicity
• Some studies also suggest that women may be at a slightly higher risk than men

Research shows we can control several risk factors for cataracts by changing certain behaviours, including:

• Not smoking
• Reducing exposure to UV
• Controlling other diseases such as Diabetes and Hypertension
• Eating a healthy diet

Who is affected by cataracts?

In an ageing population, largely everyone can be affected by cataracts. Yet, those that are affected earlier, tend to be those that have had that high sun exposure.

Sometimes if there has been trauma to the eye, I will see someone come in with advanced cataracts at a much earlier age. In addition people who have been on some medications, particularly steroidal-based medications, can have early cataracts. Sometimes people who have had cancer treatment and have been prescribed steroids as part of their treatment, and they might present earlier with cataract.

Nutrition is also a known factor in the early development of cataracts. We know that those who have poor nutrition at an earlier age, for example people in the Second World War who had very poor nutrition in Holland ended up with early cataracts.

Smokers tend to have much worse eye health in general.

Predominantly though in Australia the risk factors are age. We are all living a lot longer than what we ever did, so it is something that has the potential to affect everybody at some stage.

Factors that can increase the risk of developing cataracts include:

• long-term unprotected UV exposure
• excessive alcohol intake
• Diabetes
• high blood pressure
• a family history of cataracts
• use of corticosteroid medicines for a prolonged period
• smoking

How are cataracts diagnosed?

What is most important as an optometrist is to ask the questions that might indicate whether there are any signs of eye disease and to perform a comprehensive eye examination to link the symptoms with any signs of disease. An optometrist will use an ophthalmoscope to examine the inside of your eye and a slit lamp biomicroscope, which will allow them to see more detail about the size and location of the cataracts.

How quickly do cataracts develop?

They can slowly grumble along with some cataracts taking 20 years before they become a problem. Some can be really fast and those that are really fast, are often related to other illness such as Diabetic cataract. People who have had general health issues such as if there has been cancer treatment or high-dose steroids, will most likely be the early presenters with cataract.

There are other conditions where, if people have had significant problems with their retina, such as retinal detachment and they have had any retinal surgery they will certainly go on to develop cataracts. Usually within a year of having a retinal procedure, they will then need cataract surgery. People who are highly short-sighted will be most prone to those retinal problems.

What is the treatment for cataracts?

Surgery is the only cure for cataracts. Your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) for surgery. Sometimes the eye surgeon will ask the patient what they would like regarding their need for vision after the procedure, and your optometrist to may trial a contact lens to show what their vision may look like after surgery. Patients find that useful.

Due to the advanced techniques in modern day cataract surgery, we find people who are increasingly reliant on their glasses come in questioning whether they can have an early cataract or lens replacement surgery. Essentially they want the surgeon to take their lens out, and put in an artificial lens that compensates for the power of the eyes. This is quite successful however with my patients, I am always looking at the risks and the benefits of any procedure and people need to understand that while this is a great procedure there are risks associated with any intervention.

Finding the right surgeon for people is an important decision that optometrists make as different surgeons have different approaches. Generally the techniques used for modern day surgery are fabulous and a patient can often choose where they want to see better – for distance or for reading, in which case the surgeon can customise the lens implants they use. This is often a discussion that I have with my patients as prioritising vision for specific needs is a skill optometrists use every day. Patients can be enabled to read without their glasses or they can manage their computer work without their glasses or maybe no longer need distance driving glasses after a procedure. As the primary care practitioner, the optometrist sees the results after the surgery and we know where the patient may or may not need support. We have all of their history in the build-up to that cataract developing, so the referral letter for cataracts should come from the optometrist, and a copy go to the patients general practitioner.

I have half a dozen cataract surgeons that I refer to generally and I know which ones are going to work with which patients, because you develop that rapport over time.

Is cataract surgery a day surgery procedure?

Yes. Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed day surgical procedure worldwide. It is typically is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or other care facility.

Can cataracts come back after surgery?

After surgery eye drops will be prescribed to prevent inflammation and infection and you may be advised to avoid strenuous activities. Cataracts do not return post-surgery. In some patients, the tissue surrounding the lens can become cloudy and affect vision. If this occurs, it can be treated with laser surgery.

Rowena Beckenham has had an optometry practice in Avalon, Sydney for 20 years. In the early days of her career she worked in India and that gave her an interest in indigenous eye health. She has worked with Optometry Giving Sight within the Aboriginal Medical Service delivering eyecare in rural and remote NSW via the RFDS. More recently she has been working with the Sumba Eye Program to deliver eyecare in Sumba Indonesia and has been that involved in teaching the local eyecare nurses about eye health, screening processes and primary eyecare. She travels to Sumba each year with the Outreach Program, where they go in to a village and it can be regular to test 100 patients in a day and refer for surgery, of which most are cataract referrals.

She completed a Graduate Diploma in Ocular Therapy in 2016, and has consulted within the pharmaceutical industry teaching anatomy and physiology to eyecare representatives as well as in a supervising role at the UNSW Optometry Clinic. 

Rowena is passionate about independent optometry practice and providing high quality optometric care. She believes this is a premise of all ProVision practices.

The post How to treat cataracts appeared first on ProVision.

• Approximately 300,000 Australians have glaucoma
• 50% of people with the condition in Australia are undiagnosed

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease where the pressure inside the eye is too high for the optic nerve, leading to nerve damage and vision loss. The optic nerve is located at the back of the eye and connects the light-sensitive retina to the brain. It’s job is to transfer visual information from the eye to the brain.

According to ProVision optometrist and University of Melbourne Senior Fellow Dr. Graham Lakkis, glaucoma has no significant symptoms so can sneak up on you, going undetected until it’s too late. That is why the condition is known as the “silent thief of sight.” Regular eye exams with your optometrist are key to early detection and prevention of vision loss.

We asked Dr. Graham what we need to know, and what we need to do to treat Glaucoma.

What causes glaucoma?

Glaucoma usually occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises to a level that causes damage to the optic nerve. Lifestyle and behavioural choices don’t contribute greatly to the development of the condition, therefore genetics and the ageing process are the main causes. As the eye ages, it is more difficult for the natural fluids inside the eyeball to drain out, leading to an increase eye pressure. Glaucoma is also more common if you a relative with the disease, so genetics plays a large part.

Who is affected by glaucoma?

Approximately 300,000 people currently have glaucoma in Australia. Due to our rising population and longer life expectancy, this figure will rise in the future. At age 40, 1 in 200 people have the condition, and this increases to almost 1 in 10 at age 80.

Family history and age are the main risk factors, are there any others?

Glaucoma has been associated with a number of risk other risk factors. For example, races such as African and Asian descent are more likely to get certain forms of the condition. Other risk factors include direct trauma to the eyeball and being very short sighted (myopia). Diseases in other parts of the body and medications such as steroids also increase your risk. Even such things as getting regular migraine headaches and having sleep apnoea are risk factors.

What are the signs and symptoms of glaucoma?

Most people are unaware they have glaucoma. This is because a gradual rise in eye pressure can’t be felt, and rapid rises in eye pressure are usually rare.

The symptoms will depend on the type of glaucoma. The most common kind is called ‘open angle glaucoma’ which causes two-thirds of cases. It has no early warning signs that vision loss is occurring due to the gradual rise in eye pressure and gradual loss of peripheral vision.

Another type is called ‘angle closure glaucoma’, where the fluid drainage angle of the eye becomes narrow and then closes up. If the angle closes rapidly, there is a sudden pressure rise which causes the vision to become blurred with coloured rainbows around lights, and headaches and nausea.

There is also another type called ‘normal tension glaucoma’. Even though the patient has eye pressure in the normal range, optic nerve damage still occurs in the same fashion as those with higher eye pressures. This is believed to be caused by poor blood circulation to the optic nerve.

With worsening glaucoma, the patient will start to have eyesight problems especially in their peripheral vision and they may experience difficulty walking down stairs and have trouble reading. Glaucoma is usually a slowly progressing disease. It doesn’t cause vision loss immediately but over years and decades, however the vision loss caused is permanent and can’t be recovered with current medical treatments. Very few people actually go blind from glaucoma if it is detected early and managed properly. The people that lose vision are usually the ones that are not getting their eyes examined regularly and glaucoma is diagnosed late when the vision has already been permanently lost.

How is the condition diagnosed?

All optometrists check eye health at every comprehensive examination, looking for the three most common eye diseases cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration as well as other less common problems.

There is no single test for detecting glaucoma, so the optometrist looks at the results of a number of tests such as medical and family history, eye pressure, optic nerve assessment and drainage angle appearance to find patients that are suspicious for having the condition. These ‘glaucoma suspects’ are then examined with specialised instruments such as OCT scans, corneal ultrasound and visual field testing to make the diagnosis. Sometimes these tests have to be repeated over a number of months or even years to determine if deterioration is occurring.

How is glaucoma treated?

Once a diagnosis is made, treatment needs to be commenced. While most optometrists can detect and diagnose glaucoma, a number of optometrists have the equipment and expertise to treat it as well. At our clinic we treat all of our own glaucoma patients, and receive referrals from other optometrists to manage their patients as well.

Treatments includes medicated eye drops, laser, and surgery, however the vast majority of glaucoma is treated with eyedrops.

Glaucoma eye drops contain a pressure lowering medication, like blood pressure tablets but in liquid form, that are instilled once or twice a day. Eye drop treatment reduces the pressure by about one-third to protect the eye from further damage. There are about 10 different varieties of eye drops and some patients need to use multiple medications to control their glaucoma effectively. In cases where the patient becomes allergic, the eye drops don’t work or the patient is forgetful and doesn’t use them as directed, the optometrist needs to consider other treatments. These include cataract surgery with drainage stents, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) or drainage surgery called trabeculectomy. To access these treatments your optometrist will refer you to a surgeon.

Although surgery is not frequently required, it can be a better option than drops to keep eye pressures under control. SLT laser surgery lowers pressure a similar amount to eyedrops but the effect from laser only lasts for about 2 years then has to be reapplied. Drainage stents and drainage surgery are longer lasting treatments that are useful at keeping eye pressures low for the long term.

Do you advise young people to have vision checks too?

Although glaucoma is not common earlier in life, it can still occur, even in babies. Young people need eyecare, especially for optimising their vision and reducing eye strain while they read, work and study. Vision problems such as myopia are also increasing in young people due to excessive screen use.

Many people don’t go to the optometrist unless they have blurred vision, and if they don’t wear glasses they miss that opportunity to get their eye health checked. We encourage people to go to the optometrist regularly so that if there are any early signs of problems, they can be detected and treated before they become major issues.

For long term healthy eyesight, it is vital to have a comprehensive eye exam every 2-3 years. If over 65 years of age, annual exams are recommended. If there are other risk factors, more regular checks may be required and your optometrist will advise you on how often you should attend.

Is there any good news about glaucoma?

There have been great advances in glaucoma in recent years due to extensive scientific research. With new diagnostic equipment, practitioners are detecting the condition and starting treatment at earlier stages than in the past. Medications, stents and lasers have all improved to become safer and better tolerated. There are new drops and injections due to arrive in the near future.

The best news is that glaucoma rarely causes blindness anymore. With regular eye exams, early detection and modern treatments, the condition can be well-managed to ensure lifelong good vision for our patients.

Dr Graham Lakkis is owner of Lakkis Optometry. Dr Lakkis completed a postgraduate degree in Ocular Therapeutics at the University of Melbourne in 2001 to enhance the management of complex eye disease. He was awarded fellowship of the Australian College of Optometry in 2012 for his contributions to the profession of Optometry. Currently Dr Lakkis is Senior Fellow in the Department of Optometry at the University of Melbourne, and lead optometrist of the University Glaucoma Clinic, with responsibility for lecturing and clinical teaching in glaucoma and other eye diseases. Dr Lakkis has also lectured at conferences in Australia and overseas on topics such as macular degeneration, complex contact lens fitting, glaucoma, and scanning laser tomography.

The post How to treat glaucoma appeared first on ProVision.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting your eyes checked and asking yourself “Do I need glasses?” then don’t delay. Vision changes can affect us in every stage of life.

In fact, every 65 minutes an Australian loses part or all of their vision.^{^} The reality is that you won’t always see early signs of eye disease. Many of the most serious eye diseases develop gradually, often without noticeable signs in their early stages. Only an expert optometrist can see the whole picture, so having an eye examination regularly is essential to stay on top of your eye health.

10 Signs that you need glasses

1. Strained eyes? If you’re experiencing persistent strain and eye fatigue, particularly when watching television, working on the computer or reading, it may be a sign of a vision problem, allergies or an undiagnosed health condition.
2. Blurry vision? This is a tell-tale sign that our eyes are not working as they should be. Whether it is a common vision problem or a more serious sign of eye damage, it’s important to seek professional advice in the form of an eye examination.
3. Squinting? We squint in the effort to reduce the blurriness we experience, by reducing the extra light entering our eyes. Squinting to see clearly is often a sign that we are struggling to see well up-close (long-sightedness, or hyperopia) or far away (short-sightedness, or myopia).
4. Headaches? The more our eyes strain to focus without vision correction (particularly in the case of long-sightedness and astigmatism), the more headaches can affect us.
5. Dry, itchy, burning or red eyes? There are many things we can do to reduce dry, itchy eye symptoms, when the root cause is identified. Allergens and dry eye are common conditions that can contribute to these sensations.
6. Sitting close to the whiteboard, or TV? This is a classic sign of short-sightedness, known as myopia – a condition that is growing in prevalence particularly in children.
7. Eye rubbing? Eye rubbing is a common sign of vision problems, especially identified in children. It can increase the more our eyes strain to focus in the absence of vision correction, and can also be related to an infection known as pink eye, or conjunctivitis.
8. Reading the menu at arm’s length? This is often the first sign of presbyopia, a natural loss of near focusing ability that occurs with age.
9. Struggling to see in low light or at night? Difficulty seeing in darker conditions can be an indicator of cataracts or other eye conditions.
10. Neck/shoulder/back pain? Sitting in front of digital devices for more than 2 consecutive hours can put a strain, not just on our eyes, but also on our posture, as we lean toward our screens and/or slouch in our chairs.

Learn about the common vision problems and eye conditions that can affect us at various ages and stages of life.

Don’t put up with poor vision – Book an eye test today.

A 30-minute eye test could make a world of difference to your every day – it could even save your sight. Our optometrists are passionate about helping you achieve healthy sight over your lifetime, and it begins with a thorough eye examination.

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The post Do I need glasses? appeared first on ProVision.

We know that there will be times when a different pair of glasses would be an advantage for other aspects of your life. That’s why our optometrists recommend specific-purpose frames and lenses to give you the best visual performance and protection, whatever your day demands.

Eyewear fit for the task

One of the best things about being independent is the freedom it gives our optometrists to select the right lenses and frames from a wide range of quality products, depending on the task at hand. Whether you spend time gardening, on the computer, reading, playing sport or crafting – the lens and frame choice will vary based on your vision needs.

Lenses are not all created equal

Whilst we love frames too, we believe that your lifestyle-specific lenses are key to delivering you the best vision possible. An essential step in prescribing the right lens, is understanding how you use your eyes in the different aspects of your life. That’s because this understanding directly influences how well your new eyewear will perform for your specific needs.

What eyewear options are available?

• Work Glasses. Based on your work environment and the visual tasks you perform, we recommend frame and lens solutions to maximise your vision, eye and neck comfort, UV protection and eye safety.
• Computer Glasses / Digital Eyewear. Spend a few hours or more a day on a computer or device? Computer glasses are designed to give you optimal close-up and intermediate vision as well as reduce digital eye strain, neck and shoulder discomfort and blue light emittance.
• Outdoor Glasses. Prescription sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes delivering necessary glare and UV protection together with clear vision. Add polarised lenses and you’ll have the best outdoor vision and eye protection available.
• Sports Glasses. Sports specific eyewear can enhance your performance whilst protecting your eyes against harmful UV rays and injury. Sports-specific coloured lenses highlight colours, alter light levels, enhance clarity and reduce glare.
• Driving Glasses. Road safety starts with good vision. We recommend progressive lenses for a smooth visual transition between distances, i.e. from road signs in the distance to the dashboard up close, polarised sunglasses and AR coatings to minimise glare and light distortion from oncoming headlights, particularly when driving at night.
• Reading Glasses. Wear multifocal glasses and enjoy reading and other close-work? A specific pair of reading glasses will provide clear, uninterrupted vision for these activities.
• Social/Occasion Glasses. You wouldn’t wear the same pair of shoes with every outfit, so why would you wear the same pair of glasses? Consider a conservative style for work, a bolder design for casual wear and something more elegant for formal occasions.
• Contact Lenses. Most of the time, wearing glasses is no problem, but there are times when glasses can get in the way. Today’s advances in materials and design means almost everyone who wears glasses can enjoy the freedom and convenience of contact lenses.

How do I choose eyewear to suit my life?

Tailored eyewear solutions are our bread and butter. We’ll take the time to get to know you, so that we can design a highly tailored eyecare and eyewear solution that helps you perform at your best in all areas of your life. Find your nearest independent optometrist below.

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• It’s predicted that 50% of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050 (compared to 28% in 2010)
• In Australia, Myopia has doubled in 12 year olds in just 6 years
• It is projected that by 2020, Myopia will affect about 36% of Australians

What is Myopia?

Myopia is an eye condition also known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, which causes people to have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Being short sighted occurs when the light coming into your eyes focuses in front of, instead of exactly on your retina. Often, this condition is picked up in early childhood, around 10-12 years of age, and becomes noticeable when kids start to squint when trying to see the whiteboard.

What is causing the epidemic?

Myopia is understood to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. The reason for the significant rise in myopia is believed to be largely environmental, and correlates with the reduced time our children (and their eyes) are spending outdoors. Experts believe that exposure to sunlight causes a hormone to be released which helps to control the growth of the eye. Without this hormone, the eye grows too quickly, resulting in myopia. The more time our children are spending indoors (and we know this is at an all time high), the greater the risk to healthy eye development.

Earlier onset myopia = long term risk

Research has highlighted that the average age for developing myopia is reducing. This earlier onset of myopia can cause long term risks, including an increased risk of developing advanced myopia and other eye diseases later in life, such as retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma. All of these conditions are difficult to treat in their advanced form and can cause significant vision loss and blindness.

3 ways to minimise your child’s risk

1. Choose green time over screen time. It is recommended that children spend a minimum of 90 minutes a day outside (excluding school time) to help with reducing the risk of myopia.
2. Be aware of the risk factors. If both parents are myopic, a child will have six times higher risk of myopia development or progression.
3. Book an eye test to assess your child’s risk. An eye test before your child starts school  and every 2 years thereafter is the best way to assess your child’s risk and slow the progression of myopia development with the new technologies and information we have now about myopia.

Get ahead of the epidemic. Book an eye test today.

Although short sighted myopia is a progressive condition, we now know that the earlier it is detected and managed, the more we can slow its progression and minimise the long terms risks to our children’s eye health. There are many treatment options available beyond just prescribing a pair of glasses.

Our independently-owned optometrists pride themselves on spending time with you and your child to provide a highly personal and thorough eye examination. So don’t hesitate and book your child in for an eye test today.

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Meal ideas

Here are some meal ideas, jam-packed with nutrients your eyes will love:

• Soups – pumpkin, minestrone, carrot
• Stews & casseroles – load them up with veggies
• Stir fries – change it up with different veggies and sauces
• Beef and veggie sliders – great way to get spinach into the kids!
• Roast vegetables – think carrots, sweet potato and squash
• Kale and spinach salads – throw in some broccoli or grated carrot
• Eggs – add some greens for an extra boost
• Oily fish – try a salmon bake with a side of greens

Recipes for healthy eyes

Check out two delicious recipes for the whole family, with the added bonus of being quick and easy to prepare!

Are you due for an eye test?

Eating healthy is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to looking after our eyes. Having an eye examination every 2 years is essential for maintaining healthy sight, because it allows your optometrist to monitor any changes that may occur in your vision.

The post Healthy food recipes for your eyes appeared first on ProVision.