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.

A FACE LIFT

The Tuggeranong practice underwent a face-lift in early April. While the previous layout of the premises in Tuggeranong had served us well over the years, it was time to address the wear and improve the design to suit the increased number of staff and patients.

So don’t hesitate when you visit – just walk right in and make yourself known.

WELCOME SHAUN

We are delighted to announce that Shaun Chang has joined our practice as an associate optometrist.

Shaun is a recent graduate in Optometry from the University of New South Wales and will practice at both the City and Tuggeranong practices.

Juliet has reduced her working hours, but continues to work at both practices.
Leon, Michael and Belinda remain unchanged, and all our optometrists continue their long term commitment to your visual well-being.

Our specialised dispensing and optical service remains in the expert hands of Ian and Derek, with Alice and Dylan completing the team.

Jen and Anne continue to look after you in the reception area with the recent addition of Marie to the front-office team. Catherine has left us to begin university studies and Kevin has moved back to Darwin.

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.

Some 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 tear products provide a lubricant for dry eyes and help relieve irritation. If you keep the drops refrigerated, they will feel more soothing on application.

Over the last few years, numerous clinical studies have investigated various aspects of anti-reflective multicoated lenses and the results clearly support the benefits of this type of coating.

NIGHT DRIVING

One study conducted by Bachman Weaver found that multicoated lenses helped drivers obtain better vision, particularly middle-aged ones, and reduced both day and night glare.

A study performed at the University Of Wales found that when subjects were exposed to dazzling light, those wearing multicoated lenses had quicker reaction times with a 50% decrease in reaction time for myopes (shortsightedness) and a 25% decrease for hyperopes (longsightedness).

Visual performance and subject preferences for multicoated and non-multicoated spectacle lenses were studied at the Indiana University School of Optometry. On the basis of their findings, the researchers concluded that drivers should wear multicoated lenses at night.

EYE STRAIN AND FATIGUE

People routinely using computers can experience symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Common symptoms include headaches, focusing difficulties, burning eyes, tired eyes, light sensitivity, and neck and shoulder pain.

A multicoat on the lenses of computer glasses will reduce the glare coming at you and from behind you and help decrease or eliminate these symptoms.

EYE DISEASES

As aging occurs, natural physiological change occurs in the lens of the eye. After years of exposure to ultra-violet (UV) radiation, the eye’s crystalline lens can become clouded. This physical change will not allow as much light to pass through the lens to the retina, and with less light transmitting through the eye to the retina, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity are compromised.

Because a multicoated lens increases the percentage of light transmitted through it, it not only helps visual acuity but also enhances contrast sensitivity. Increased glare and reduced contrast sensitivity might very well be some of the first symptoms manifested in a patient developing a cataract. This explains why those developing cataracts complain of difficulty with night driving due to halos and rings around headlights. This can become particularly troublesome in less than perfect weather conditions such as rain. Some cataracts permit a person to read comfortably and go about normal activities in daylight conditions but can reduce vision in dimly lit environments. According to the paper published in Beyond 20/20, “Contrast Sensitivity, Glare, and Quality of Vision”, drivers with even slight cataracts should always consider multicoated lenses because they decrease the glare and bothersome ghost images that can accompany night driving with cataracts.

Macular Degeneration is an eye condition caused by breakdown or disruption of the macula, the small central part of the retina responsible for central detail in our vision.

While maculopathy does not cause total blindness, it can cause a significant reduction in vision. If both eyes are affected, tasks requiring fine vision such as reading or watching television may become very difficult.

As you grow older, statistically you stand a greater chance of being affected by maculopathy. People over the age of 50 years and those with a family history of eye problems are advised to have their eyes examined regularly.

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 eyes are trying to over-compensate for the lack of healthy tear production.

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

Air conditioning, room heating and a dry, dusty or windy climate can make eyes dry. Another cause is insufficient blinking, which often occurs when staring at a computer screen for long hours.

Your optometrist may prescribe lubricating eye-drops, gels, ointments or dietary supplements (eg omega-3 essential fatty acids) that may alleviate dry eye symptoms.