THIS ISSUE

SERVICES

EMERGENCIES

EYECARE PLUS

Evans and McMahon optometrists are members of the EyecarePLUS network.

EyecarePLUS is a selected group of independently owned practices across Australia. To be accredited, these practices have met stringent membership criteria to ensure that they provide professional eyecare plus quality optometric goods and excellence in service.

EyecarePLUS practices must be up to date with the latest techniques and instrumentation for vision examinations and offer all treatment options. They must also provide a wide range of quality optometric frames to suit all budgets and provide a warranty on all spectacle frames.

EyecarePLUS practices are also inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they maintain the highest standards of quality optometric care and service.

As members, EyecarePLUS practices share resources for staff education, as well as exclusive ranges of good value frames and high technology lenses. We are confident that this will then further improve the services that we provide.

Together with the other optometrists in EyecarePLUS practices across Australia, we will be able to offer the advantages of being part of a large optometric group, yet remain independent and able to provide the personalised optometric service that our patients have come to expect.

WELCOME DEREK

Hi everyone! My name is Derek Armour, and I am a new addition to the staff at Evans and McMahon Optometrists.

I began my optical dispensing career in 1974 when I started work at Gibb & Beeman in what was then the Monaro Mall in Civic. It was at that practice that I later worked with Leon and Juliet Evans shortly after they graduated from university.

In 1990 my wife and I and our two young children moved to Tamworth, not because we liked country music, but to further my career and to be near some of my family.

Well after 17 years in the country music capital her I am back in Canberra after Leon and my good friend and former colleague Ian Pyett, who many of you will know from the practice, enticed me to return.

I am really excited to be part of the experienced and professional team at Evans and McMahon Optometrists and alongside of Ian and the rest of the dispensing team I look forward to giving you the very best possible attention, service and advice for your spectacle needs.

DON'T FRY YOUR EYES

Sunglasses are as necessary for protecting our eyes from harmful UV rays as sunscreen is for protecting our skin.

The same harmful rays that damage skin can also increase the risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration (a leading cause of blindness), cancer and pterygium (a fleshy growth on the cornea).

Everyone is at risk of eye damage from the sun year-round, especially those who spend long hours outdoors. When sunlight reflects off snow, roads, sand or water it further increases UV exposure.

The key to protection from harmful UV rays is to make it part of your routine to limit your exposure. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat reduces the amount of UV reaching your eyes. Wrap-around sunglasses are great at protecting your eyes from the side. Photochromatic lenses that automatically adjust to light or dark conditions provide convenient UV and glare protection for prescription wearers.

Blepharitis is a common condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. It usually affects both eyes on the edge of the eyelids and although rarely serious, it can be an annoying and recurring problem.

Dry, sore or red eyes are common symptoms and sometimes burning, itching or the feeling that something is in your eye can be experienced. You may also have an oily discharge or scaly, thickened skin around your eyelids.

Blepharitis can be associated with a skin condition such as acne rosacea (oil gland malfunction) or a bacterial infection (staphylococcus).

Your optometrist can determine if you have blepharitis by examining your eyes with a special microscope called a slitlamp. The treatment plan for blepharitis can be a combination of warm compresses, cleansing, lubricating eye drops and/or vitamin supplements.

Blepharitis is commonly a long term condition requiring ongoing treatment, but usually a simple care regime is all that is required to prevent or reduce the severity of future bouts.

New generation progressive lenses use the latest technology to provide the best possible lenses designed just for you. This technology means that the lenses are tailor-made to your exact specifications so you get the best possible visual performance from your spectacles.

A progressive lens lets you look ahead to see in the distance, yet by dropping your gaze slightly you can view your computer or read and do fine work without obvious changes in focus.

Vision is often said to be our most precious sense. Many people who wear high-technology progressive lenses for the first time are amazed by the improved visual clarity they provide.

Developments in technology mean lens manufacturers are no longer tied to the constraints of traditional mass production. Local lens laboratories are able to design and produce progressive lenses for an individual, taking into account not only the prescription but also the position of the wearer’s eyes in relation to the spectacle frame.

By taking very specific measurements with the frame adjusted to your face, our trained staff will have the laboratory finish spectacles which provide you with the optimal vision that you require.

While fashion is important when choosing the right frame to suit your personality, there are other practical matters to consider.

One of the most important is the fit of the frame. Make sure that the frame sits comfortably on the bridge of your nose. To prevent the arms of your spectacles from digging uncomfortably into the sides of your head, select a pair of frames that is wide enough for you. Our staff will be able to adjust the frame slightly but if major adjustments are required, then the frame probably is not right for you.

The frame must be appropriate for your prescription and for the type of lenses they are going to hold. A fine, delicate frame is not suitable for high prescriptions as it will have difficulty supporting thicker lenses and the thick edges of the lenses may show. Spring-loaded hinges allow the frame to flex a little when it is being put on and taken off and help maintain the fitting adjustment.

The quality of the frame can determine the cost. A good quality frame will last for years so look for sturdy construction and a high quality finish.

Seek professional advice to make sure you get the right frame that suits you and fits well.

Vision plays a vital role in a child’s development and progress at school. If the visual system does not function properly, learning can suffer.

Children need good vision to co-ordinate eye movements, maintain clear focus as they read, and make quick focusing changes when looking up to the board and back to their desks. They must also be able to interpret and accurately process what they are seeing.

The most common problems with children’s vision are those affecting the ability to see clearly and sharply. Myopia (blurred distance vision), hyperopia (difficulty focusing at near) and astigmatism (distortion of vision) are the three most prevalent vision conditions among children. Once diagnosed, they are usually easy to correct.

Children with lazy eyes (amblyopia) and crossed or wandering eyes (strabismus) face a different set of problems. They have little depth perception, and co-ordination can suffer because their eyes do not work well together.

Children with obviously crossed or wandering eyes have to deal with self-consciousness arising from questions, stares and teasing from other children. If any of these problems exist or other vision skills are lacking, your child will have to work harder at school. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain problems.

As a parent, be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision or visual processing problems. Observe your child’s behaviour and note whether anything appears strange about their eyes.

Most importantly, have your child’s eyes checked by an optometrist as early detection can save years of struggling.

For a birthday or special occasion gift with a difference, we have Gift Certificates available to suit any price range.

Please ask one of our receptionists or dispensers for further information.