THIS ISSUE

SERVICES

EMERGENCIES

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.

STAFF UPDATE

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. Alice is leaving for Sydney but we are fortunate to have Corey join Dylan to complete 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.

HEALTH FUND BENEFITS

The eye health and vision of our patients is our primary concern and our aim is to provide you and your family with the highest standard of eyecare and offer a range of quality eyewear.

We recognise the benefits that private health insurance can provide to you and your family. Yet, regardless of your health insurer, you select the optometrist of your choice.

We can help you to make the most of your private health insurance, no matter what fund you are with.

Rebates on Prescription Eyewear
As an eligible eyewear provider to members of all health funds, rebates can be claimed on prescription frames and lenses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.

On The Spot Claim Processing
To make it easy, fast and convenient for you to claim your rebate, we have installed the latest technology. This enables us to process your health insurance claims electronically so there is no need for you to fill out paperwork or visit your health fund branch. You simply pay any gap which may exist.

Act NOW Before End of Year
Most health funds provide optical benefits based on a calendar year. If you haven’t yet claimed your health fund optical rebate for this year, you could be about to lose that benefit. This is particularly important for people wanting to update the optical prescription for their general spectacles as well as prescription sunglasses. In such cases, it may be more beneficial for you to claim one pair before the end of December, and the other in the New Year.

So, don’t delay, as you might be able to claim for a new or spare pair of glasses, contact lenses, or even prescription sunglasses.

SUMMER PROTECTION

Continuous exposure to the sun’s rays can cause serious damage to your eyes. With Australia’s harsh climate, we are all aware of the risk of skin cancer but not everyone knows that overexposure to UV radiation can lead to impaired vision.

A good pair of sunglasses and a widebrimmed hat can make a difference. UV damage accumulates over a person’s lifetime so parents should make sure their children take the same precautions.

The Australian Standard for sunglasses is one of the best in the world. All sunglasses sold in Australia should meet this standard, so always check the label to make sure and remember that sunglasses do not have to be expensive to meet the standard.

Most sunglasses have a solid tint that is absorbed into the lens matrix. The tint colour is a personal preference, but grey and brown are the most popular, and less likely to cause confusion when you are trying to identify colours, whether it be when driving in the country keeping a lookout for kangaroos or avoiding mistaking a red traffic-light in the city.

Polarising lenses are designed to reduce the glare from reflecting surfaces, such as water or metal. This is handy for situations like fishing, water sports and at the beach.

Photochromic lenses change colour in sunlight—go outside and they get darker, step back inside and the dark tint fades. This is because exposure to UV light causes a chemical reaction in the lenses. The technology behind photochromic lenses has improved greatly over recent years. They are lightweight, tough and react quickly to sunlight.

If you wear spectacles, a pair of sunglasses can easily be made to your prescription. Your optometrist is the best qualified eye care professional to give you advice on any of these choices and help find the right sunglasses for you.

If you have a Seniors’ Card, the ACT Government will pay $35 towards the cost of spectacles.

Please ask one of our staff how we can assist you in reducing your cost when providing you with new spectacles.

One quarter of Australian children have some form of vision problem and up to two thirds of these children have not had this vision problem diagnosed.

An undiagnosed vision problem can reduce a child’s performance in the classroom or on the sporting field and make an impact socially.

Adults are often unaware that they are experiencing correctable vision problems until they have their eyes examined. It is even more difficult for a child to assess their own vision.

Some of the most common conditions experienced by children include shortsightedness (myopia), poor co-ordination between the eyes or a lazy eye (amblyopia), difficulties focusing and poor hand-eye co-ordination. All of these conditions are treatable by an optometrist.

Observant parents are often the first to notice that their child is experiencing vision problems as there are many tell-tale symptoms. The child’s eyes could be red, watery or sensitive to light, or the child could have difficulty concentrating, reading and writing, and recognising family or friends in the distance. Repetitive blinking, squinting, regular eye rubbing or holding a book very close while reading are also simple signs of a problem.

Your children’s vision should be checked on a yearly basis, and it is particularly important to start before they start school. Quick screenings are no substitute for a full eye examination. A thorough examination takes about 30 minutes and attracts a Medicare rebate in most instances.

Almost everyone will need spectacles at some time during their life. Spectacles are unique in that they are a fashion item, as well as a corrective device. Their origins are cloudy, but they appear to have been invented in Italy, sometime in the 13th century.

Apart from the power of the lenses, there are many other options to consider in choosing a pair of spectacles, including lens designs (single vision, bifocal, trifocal; and progressive power), material types (glass, resin in multiple densities or polycarbonate), tints and coatings and of course the frame itself. Our staff will be happy to help you understand the options, and what would best suit you.