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EYES ON THE SNOW

Planning a trip to the snow this season? The early snowfalls and cold conditions will entice eager skiers and boarders to the slopes for winter fun. However, don’t forget the importance of good eye protection.

The high levels of ultraviolet radiation at the snow can mean a fun day turns into a nightmare evening. Forgetting to wear sunglasses or goggles can cause exposure keratitis (snow-blindness).

Don’t forget the kids either. The more ultraviolet exposure eyes have when young, the greater the chance of cataract formation later on.
Even when sunglasses are worn (close fitting wrap-arounds are best), the wind that can occur on the snowfields can cause dry eyes. Artificial tears can improve dry eye symptoms dramatically. Single dose artificial tears are the most convenient and contamination free way to buy them.

HEADACHES

There are many causes for headaches. We are not going to discuss all of them but as optometrists, it is satisfying when we can help someone with headaches. Many times it is accomplished with an update in their glasses or contact lenses, or a recommendation about their work environment such as reading/working distance, lighting or posture. But, sometimes even when we have done our best in those areas, headaches persist and investigation in other areas is indicated.

Head, neck or spinal injuries are common causes of chronic headaches. Stress can also be a source of headaches, while some headaches are due to medical conditions such as high blood pressure or 'sinus problems'. Remember, “if headaches persist, see your doctor”.

10 REASONS FOR EYE EXAMS

1. Most Eye Diseases Have No Symptoms. Serious eye conditions such as glaucoma and retinal conditions can be detected earlier, before causing permanent damage to your eyes.

2. Family History. Some eye conditions are genetically linked.

3. Systemic Disease Affects The Eye. Hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases often damage the circulation of the eye, thus requiring routine monitoring.

4. Prevention Is Easier than a Cure. Eye disease damage can be permanent. Fortunately, many conditions can be prevented if detected at an early stage.

5. Environmental Concerns. Environmental conditions such as computer use, UV exposure, and smoking can all play a role in affecting the human eye and vision system.

6. Prescription Drugs Can Affect Your Eyes. See separate section on “Medications and Vision”.

7. Vision Is Our Most Important Learning Sense. The overwhelming majority of information we obtain from around us is through our eyes. A child’s learning is 80% visual. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all children be seen before 4 years of age to rule out any ocular development problems at an early stage.

8. Contact Lens Wearers. Contact lenses can cause subtle changes to the cornea, thus requiring close monitoring. Contact lenses should be inspected on a regular basis to determine their wearing safety.

9. Previous Surgical Patients. Patients who have had cataract, retinal, or laser vision correction treatment (eg LASIK/PRK) require review for future changes to the surgically altered eye tissue.

10. Maintain Clear, Comfortable and Efficient Vision. The human eye is a finely-tuned instrument, a ‘wonder of nature’, that requires expert attention on a regular basis.

Regular maintenance and examination of our eyes is an integral part of your overall health. Some patients require assessment every 3, 6, 12 months or more. This depends on factors such as those listed above, and is determined by the optometrist. Your eye health is a partnership between you and the optometrist. In our offices we practice Preventative Care to detect problems before they arise or at their earliest of stages when treatment success is highest.

YOU SEE WHAT YOU EAT

Everyone has heard the old story that eating carrots will help you to see in the dark.

Over the past few years, health practitioners have begun to understand the influence of diet on chronic disease. It is true that good nutrition, including eating lots of fish and brightly coloured vegetables, will help you to retain good vision.

Some comprehensive studies, including the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) have given a clearer picture of the links between nutrition and eye disease. So far the AREDS has found that high levels of antioxidants and zinc reduce by about 25 per cent the risk of developing advanced age related macular degeneration (ARMD). Macular degeneration is a disease that damages the part of the retina responsible for central vision and seeing fine detail.

The best way to ensure that you receive the vitamins and minerals you need is through a balanced, healthy diet. This should be rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly colourful vegetables like capsicum and green leafy vegetables, lean meat, seafood, dairy products and whole grains.

If you feel your diet is lacking, it is possible to take dietary supplements, although AREDS researchers strongly advise against 'dosing up just in case'. Some nutrients can interfere with medication or have other side effects. A good diet is a much better way to stay healthy.

Optometrists play an important part in helping people meet the minimum occupational vision requirements.

For safety reasons, occupational visual standards are required for a host of jobs such as crane operators, public transport drivers, state and federal police forces, fire brigades, the Australian Maritime Boards of each state and territory.

Colour vision deficiency – the inability to accurately distinguish colours – may also rule out some careers. Matching colours could be a problem for painters, printers and graphic designers. If your family has a history of colour vision problems, please let your optometrist know.

Why does your optometrist ask you if you are taking any medication?
Your eyes can be affected by the general health of your body and medications you are taking.

Regardless of whether a doctor has prescribed a drug for you, you have bought it off the pharmacy or supermarket shelf or you are taking a herbal supplement, a medication could affect your eyes and vision. Ocular side effects are among the most common of those experienced by people taking medication.

Common ocular side effects include dry eyes, blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, poor night vision, difficulty reading and increased pupil size.

Fortunately, most of these side effects are minor and temporary but some are long term. Medications can also affect each person differently.

Acne medications such as Roaccutane cause drying of glands in the eyelids, which can result in dry eye. The contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy can also cause dry eye. Some antidepressant drugs can affect the pressure in the eye and aggravate pre-existing glaucoma problems. Steroid medications such as prednisone have a range of ocular side effects, including cataract formation.

Be sure to inform your optometrist of all medications that you are taking and whether this has changed since your last appointment.

If you have a Seniors' Eye 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.

Emergency appointments are available every day for patients with urgent problems. If your eyes are suddenly red or sore, especially if only one eye is affected, or should you have any sudden reduction of vision, please contact us immediately.