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.

SPRING AND ALLERGIES

Your eyes are an easy target for allergies all year round, especially in Spring. When exposed to airborne irritants like pollen, dust, grasses, perfumes, animal hair and spores, your eyes can become red, puffy and itchy. They may feel dry and gritty or excessively watery and there may be some clear discharge.

Fortunately, most allergic eye conditions are more inconvenient than dangerous, although severe allergic reactions can lead to vision problems if left untreated.

Over the counter eye drops may provide short-term relief for symptoms but it is always a good idea to see your optometrist for the right diagnosis, treatment and advice.

Forms of allergic reactions include an inflammation of the eyelid similar to eczema or dermatitis, often the result of using toiletries or make-up products. Some contact lens wearers might experience an allergic reaction to a cleaning solution. Your optometrist can give you advice on products that will work for you.

If you are an allergy sufferer, here are a few tips:

• if no treatment is immediately available, cold compresses may help with sudden allergic reactions and swollen eyes;

• avoid scratching or rubbing your eyes as it will make the symptoms worse;

• if your allergic reaction is seasonal, minimise outdoor activities at these times and run the air conditioner while inside;

• artificial tears products provide a lubricant for dry eyes and relief from irritation. If you keep the drops refrigerated, they will feel more soothing on application.

PROGRESSIVE LENSES

Progressive lenses are multifocal lenses that are used to correct vision in various ways. The lens prescription makes it possible to see objects clearly whether they are far away, at a medium distance or close up. This is done by blending varying lens powers so that the wearer can look through the spectacles at different angles, depending on the type of vision required.

The distance section is used when the wearer looks straight ahead, the close-up section for tasks such as reading is at the bottom and the intermediate vision area is somewhere in between (eg deskwork).

The areas at the sides of the progressive lenses are known as the blending zones.

Unlike bifocal and trifocal lenses which have lines through them, progressive lenses have no visible dividing lines to indicate that the lens prescription has taken different levels of vision into consideration. The progression is gradual, meaning that the progressive lenses enable the person wearing the spectacles to adjust focus smoothly from one area of vision to the next.

The ease of seeing through progressive lenses has a lot to do with looking directly at the object on which you want to focus. For best results your nose needs to point at the object you want to see. This keeps your spectacles and your progressive lenses centred on the object and maximises your ability to focus.

To maximise the benefit the progressive lenses and frame needs to be tailored to you and your face. Please ask one of our optical dispensers to check the fit and ensure you are getting the best from your spectacles.

Healthy eyes generate tears that protect and moisturise the surface of the eye.

Changes to the health of tears can result in a change in the quantity and quality of the tears, which can lead to symptoms of dry eye. Dry eye can sometimes lead to more tears being produced, causing a watery eye, but excessive tears are not necessarily good because it can mean the yes are trying to over-compensate for the lack of healthy tear production.

Tears are composed of three layers. The outer layer consists of an oily film that counters evaporation and keeps the eye moistened. The middle film provides nutrients and proteins that assist in limiting eye infections and the inner coating contains mucous that allows the tear film to spread and remain stable on the eye.

Dry eye symptoms can occur as a part of the natural ageing process, especially during menopause or as a side-effect of some medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medicines and birth control pills.

Air conditioning, room heating and a dry, dusty or windy climate can make eyes dry, as do using a hair dryer, cigarette smoke and exposure to wind while running or bike-riding. Another cause is insufficient blinking, which often occurs when staring at a computer screen for long hours.

Some soft contact lenses are prone to dehydration because they contain water and as the water evaporates from the front surface of the lens, the lenses react by absorbing water from your natural tear film, causing dry eye symptoms. Dry eye symptoms from contact lenses often can be minimised or eliminated by changing lens materials or the water content of the lenses.

Your optometrist may prescribe lubricating eye-drops, gels, ointments or natural supplements that may alleviate dry eye symptoms.

Sunglasses come in a myriad of designs but function and practicality really do need to be taken in to account.

Sunglasses can be made in virtually all prescriptions with either lenses that change colour or ones that are permanently tinted.

Wearing sunglasses will reduce ultraviolet rays which are known to contribute to cataract formation (clouding of the lens within the eye leading to reduced vision), and pterygium (a growth on the white of the eye that can encroach on to the cornea, the clear window on the front of the eye).

Sunglasses of course have tinted lenses to block some of the visible light. Depending on your personal application some colours will enhance certain aspects and reduce others. Our staff will discuss which tints will work best for your particular application.

Glare is created by reflected light and can reduce our ability to see clearly and comfortably. Sunglasses can help to reduce the effects of glare and eliminate the need to squint. To be effective sunglasses should block at least 65% of visible light.

Polarising lenses reduce reflected light from horizontal surfaces such as water and wet roads. As all serious fishing people will attest, polarising lenses work best when gazing constantly out to sea or casting a fly on to a light dappled river.

How do you provide effective guidance to a vision impaired person?

The vision impaired person will treasure and want to maximise their independence.

The most important point is to ask the vision impaired person whether any assistance is wanted. If it is, you will need to start looking ahead for any obstacles or difficulties. Stand slightly in front with your arm relaxed at your side. Ask the person to take your arm, holding it above your elbow in a C-grip, so that you can retain free use of your lower arm and hand. This will ensure that the person being guided will be half a step behind you and slightly to the side. You need to walk at a pace which is at all times comfortable for the vision impaired person.

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.