Tired eyes

Are your eyes feeling tired?

Looking at digital screens all day is a reality for many of us in today's world. While the convenience of technology is undeniable, the constant eye strain it can cause takes a toll. Here's where vocational lenses step in, offering a solution to combat screen fatigue and improve your work experience.

Vocational lenses aren't your average everyday glasses. They are specifically designed for optimal vision, personalised to your working distance and digital screen needs. This means clear vision, whether you're staring at your computer screen, reading reports, or collaborating across the table.

Traditional lenses might not be equipped to handle the constant near-focusing required for digital tasks. This can lead to eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. Vocational lenses help alleviate these issues by providing a gentle focusing "boost" within the lens, allowing your eyes to relax and adjust more comfortably throughout the day.

Beyond improved vision, vocational lenses can also promote better posture. By optimising your visual comfort, you're less likely to slouch over your desk or crane your neck to see clearly. This can lead to improved body alignment and reduce body aches, contributing to an overall sense of well-being at work.

If you spend a significant amount of time working on digital screens, vocational lenses are an investment worth considering. They can offer a solution to:

  • Reduce eye strain and fatigue
  • Improve visual comfort at your working distance
  • Promote better posture and reduce body aches
  • Enhance your overall work experience

 

Book an appointment and talk to our team


See More, Do More: Explore the Possibilities of Smart Lenses

As we age, our bodies subtly change, and our vision is no stranger to this evolution. One common age-related shift is presbyopia, where focusing on close up objects like reading material or phone screens becomes increasingly challenging. While multifocal glasses have been the traditional remedy, smart lenses are emerging as a technologically advanced alternative.

Presbyopia: A Natural Progression

Presbyopia isn't a disease, but a natural consequence of age. Around the age of 45, the lenses in our eyes lose flexibility, making it harder to focus on near objects. This often leads to eye strain, headaches, and the frustration of reaching for the reading glasses we might have forgotten.

Smart lenses go beyond basic correction; they are technologically infused solutions designed to combat the difficulties of presbyopia. They seamlessly adapt to different distances, offering clear vision for both near and far objects. Here's what sets them apart:

  • Multiple Zones: Unlike the visible lines of traditional multifocal lenses, some smart lenses have built-in zones within the lens, allowing your eyes to focus effortlessly on various distances.
  • Light-Adjusting Power: Certain digital lenses take things a step further by automatically adjusting their focus based on the surrounding light, ensuring optimal vision in all lighting conditions.
  • Personalised Touch: Advanced smart lenses can even be customised to your specific vision needs, offering a truly personalized experience.

Benefits of Smart Lenses:

  • Clear and comfortable vision at all distances.
  • Reduced eye strain and fatigue.
  • Elimination of the need for multiple pairs of glasses.
  • Improved quality of life for everyday activities.

Talk to our Team today to find out more.


7 ways to maximise your health fund benefit

Healthcare is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and it's essential to make the most of your health fund benefit. By doing so, you can ensure that you and your family receive the best care without breaking the bank. Here are seven tips to maximise your health fund benefit:

  1. Understand Your Policy:

The first step to getting the most out of your health fund is to thoroughly understand your policy. Different policies cover various services, so take the time to familiarise yourself with your specific coverage. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions regarding your healthcare needs.

  1. Waiting Periods:

Be aware of waiting periods for specific services. Most health funds have waiting periods for major treatments, so plan accordingly.

  1. Regular Check-Ups:

Preventive healthcare is a cornerstone of maintaining good health. Schedule regular check-ups and screenings, even if you feel well. Early detection of health issues can save you money in the long run by preventing the need for costly treatments.

  1. Consider Extras Coverage:

Extras coverage, often offered as an add-on to your basic policy, can cover services like dental, optical, and physiotherapy. It's worth exploring whether adding extras coverage is a cost-effective option for your specific healthcare needs.

  1. Opt for Gap Cover Insurance:

Gap cover insurance can help reduce or eliminate the out-of-pocket expenses associated with in-hospital treatments. It's a valuable addition to your health fund benefit that ensures you won't be burdened by unexpected costs during your hospital stay.

  1. Claim Smartly:

Keep track of your eligible expenses and ensure you claim for every eligible service. It's important to understand the waiting periods, annual limits, and any sub-limits that might apply to certain services to avoid any surprises when claiming.

  1. Review and Update Your Policy:

Your healthcare needs may change over time, and so should your health fund policy. Regularly review your coverage to ensure it aligns with your current requirements. This will prevent you from paying for services you don't need while potentially saving on those you do.

By following these seven strategies, you can make the most of your health fund benefit, ensuring that you and your family receive quality healthcare while keeping your financial well-being in check. Stay informed, be proactive about your health, and make the most of your health fund for a healthier, happier life.


Why you should wear sunglasses

Australia has some of the highest levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world, especially during the summer months. UV radiation can damage your eyes and lead to serious eye problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium.

Wearing sunglasses is one of the best ways to protect your eyes from UV radiation. Sunglasses should block at least 95% of UVA and UVB rays. They should also fit snugly to prevent light from leaking in around the sides.

Here are some of the benefits of wearing sunglasses in Australia during summer:

  • Protect your eyes from UV radiation: UV radiation can damage the cornea, lens, and retina of your eyes. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce your risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium.
  • Reduce glare: Glare can make it difficult to see and can increase the risk of accidents. Sunglasses can help reduce glare and make it easier to see in bright conditions.
  • Improve your comfort: Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from the wind and dust. They can also help reduce eye strain.
  • Shielding Delicate Skin Around the Eyes: the sensitive skin around your eyes is prone to damage from sun exposure. Wearing sunglasses not only protects your eyes but also prevents premature aging and skin issues caused by UV exposure. It's like a double benefit for your face!

If you wear eyeglasses, you can get sunglasses with prescription lenses.

To find the perfect pair of sunglasses for your needs, visit our practice. We have a wide selection of sunglasses from leading brands, and our experienced team members can help you choose the right pair for your face shape and lifestyle.


Top tips for better vision while driving at night

As winter arrives, driving at night becomes a more common occurrence.  As a result, so do many of the common symptoms associated with night driving.

You know the feeling – tired eyes, haloes around street lights, sudden glare of oncoming traffic and wet, shiny streets.

With fatal accidents three times more likely to happen at night1, considering options for better vision when night driving can be very useful.

As we age, our pupils naturally become smaller.  As a result, less light is able to enter the eye.  This affects our colour recognition, our concept of how far away things are and reduces our side or peripheral vision.

Here are some helpful tips that can help to improve your night vision:

  • Keep your glasses and the windscreen clean. Marks on either surface can create a halo effect around oncoming lights.
  • Dim your dashboard lights
  • Ensure you wear anti-reflective lenses as they allow more light to pass through to your eye, helping you to see more clearly. Standard lenses will reflect light, increase glare and reduce light transmission by almost 10%.

The importance of sunglasses during winter

Did you know that your eyes are susceptible to sunburn all year round? In fact, you may be at greater risk of damaging your eyes during the cooler months. Optometry Australia’s 2020 Vision Index revealed that over 75% of Australians don’t think that UV protective sunglasses are necessary for the winter months however this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Australia has one of the highest exposure levels of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation in the world. UV radiation is emitted by the sun and exists in three forms:

  • UVA – not absorbed by the ozone layer at all
  • UVB – about 15% of UVB transmits through to the earth’s atmosphere
  • UVC – absorbed by ozone and does not reach the earth’s surface

In terms of eye damage, it’s UVA and UVB rays that are concerning. 90% of UV radiation can penetrate clouds and that exposure can sometimes be made more intense due to reflections off these clouds. As the sun sits lower on the horizon in the winter months we are actually more exposed to those damaging UV rays, as they directly enter the eyes.

Another interesting fact is that UV exposure to the eyes is maximised between 8am to10am and 2pm to 4pm when the sun is lower in the sky often making these the most important times to be wearing your sunnies to protect from UV and give comfort from glare.

 

Eye problems arising from UV exposure

Too much winter sun without protective eyewear can potentially lead to:

  • Photokeratitis – this is typically experienced by those who spend time in the snow and is often called snow blindness. The exposure to high doses of UV causes the cornea to become sunburnt.
  • Cataracts – clouding of the eye leading to blurred and distorted vision
  • Pterygium – typically experienced by surfers from overexposure to UV rays reflecting off the water’s surface. It results in a fleshy white-pink growth that can invade the cornea and disfigure the eye.

 

Sunglasses – a practical and fashionable solution

If you want to protect your eyes all year round (and you should!), simply wear a pair of quality sunglasses and in summer add a wide brim hat. If possible, look for lenses that are polarized as they offer greater protection as they cut down more reflections. All sunglasses sold in Australia must be tested and labelled according to the Australian Standards. This standard sets limits for the allowable UV transmission of sunglasses for adults and children. Your sunglasses should have a lens UV rating of at least 3. To know what the UV level is where you live, use the SunSmart app for live updates.

 

We offer a range of sunglasses to cater to your lifestyle needs. Whether it’s prescription sunglasses allowing you to see clearly when you’re outdoors or plano sunglasses if you’re a contact lens wearer or simply don’t require a prescription – we’ve got you covered.


Enhancing your lifestyle with contact lenses: FAQ

For those of you considering making the switch to contact lenses, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about contact lenses.

 

Can anyone use contact lenses?

Most people are eligible to use contact lenses. However, there are some prescriptions that are not suitable for contact lenses. It is best to check with your optometrist if contact lenses are right for you.

How long does it take for your eyes to get used to contacts?

It can take up to two weeks for your eyes to adjust to contact lenses. While your eyes adjust you may experience blurred vision and find yourself blinking more often than usual. The more you wear your contacts the quicker your eyes will adjust.

 

Can contact lenses get lost behind your eye?

Good news - it is impossible for the contact lens to get behind your eyeball and become trapped.

What is the difference between daily and extended wear contact lenses?

Daily wear contact lenses are disposed of daily after use. The benefit of daily wear contact lenses is there is no need to clean the lenses or by any solution as the lenses get disposed of after use.

Extended wear contact lenses can be worn anywhere from one week to one month depending on the type of contact. Extended wear contacts require a cleaning regimen to care for the contacts.

Can I sleep with contact lenses in?

Majority of contact lenses are not suitable to sleep in. There are some contact lens options that are approved for overnight use. It is bet to talk to your optometrist about which option is right for you.

 

Can I use contact lenses while playing sports?

Absolutely. One of the big advantages of wearing contact lenses is being able to use them while playing sport or when engaging in other physical activity. However it is not recommended to use contact lenses while swimming.

 

Do contact lenses expire?

Yes, they do. Even if the contacts haven't been opened, they could still have expired. Make sure to always check the packaging for the expiration date.


How often do I need to update my contact prescription?

In Australia, contact lens prescriptions are valid for a maximum of 12 months. If your prescription is older than one year, it’s time for an eye test.

 

If you are interested in trying out contact lenses - make an appointment with one of our optometrists today to discuss which options are right for you.


Diagnosing Dry Eye Syndrome

Our eyes are the most sensitive and easily disturbed part of your body. Even with slight irritation, they may start watering. Therefore, we have to take extra care in order to maintain eye health and prevent inflammation, especially with aging. It is therefore important to understand the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, and how it should be treated.

Tears & Why They’re Important

The eyes produce tears to remove irritants and to keep our eyes lubricated. Tears are made up of:

  • Mucus
  • Oil
  • Antibodies
  • Water

The above-quoted ingredients come from special glands around your eyes. An excess tear-flow from your eyes can occur due to poor tear drainage or overproduction of tears. Watery eyes are often not harmful but can be the cause of irritation. Alternatively, dry eye condition means that glands around the eyes aren’t working properly, and cannot adequately moisturise the eye.

What Happens If Tears Don’t Work Properly?

The production of tears is a natural cleaning mechanism, flushing away foreign objects that may come into contact with the eye easily. With the dry eye syndrome, the eye can not remove irritants effectively, and one of the two things can happen; insufficient or excessive production of tears. Inadequate production of tears may cause:

  • Redness
  • Irritation
  • Continuous discharge of mucus
  • Swelling
  • Blurred vision
  • Light sensitivity

If your eyes drops out water continuously, the result is often Reflex Tearing. This is because your eyes will send a distress signal to your nervous system to have the eyes lubricated to overcome the irritation and dryness. And as a result, excessive tear production will start.

Causes Of Dry Eye Syndrome?

There are many reasons described by science for this syndrome. However, the main ones are:

  • An unbalanced tear flow system
  • Dried tear film
  • Drug-induced side effects
  • Natural aging process
  • Menopause
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Collagen vascular diseases
  • Lagophthalmos
  • Blepharitis
  • Uneven eyelids
  • Long-term use of contact lenses

How Is The Syndrome Diagnosed?

You need to go through a comprehensive eye examination to determine the exact quality and quantity of your tears that are produced. Furthermore, your doctor will go through some more procedures to determine the exact cause of the syndrome, and those tests will include:

  • General medical history to note the symptoms and health problems
  • Environmental causes and age factor that may add more to dry eye condition
  • External assessment of the eye like the eyelid structure and blink dynamics
  • Eyelid and cornea evaluation with bright light and magnifying glasses
  • Tear abnormality along with quality and quantity difference
  • Insertion of special dyes will be performed to observe the tear flow along with changes in the outer surface

Once your optometrist/doctor performs all of the above tests, then he/she will be suggesting the best treatment based on the current situation to smoothen out your dry eye condition.

Various Types Of Treatments For Dry Eyes

There are a lot of treatments available for treating dry eye syndrome. However, here are a few that your healthcare provider will prescribe depending on the severity of your condition. These are:

  • Artificial ointments and teardrops
  • Conserving tears
  • Non-dissolving punctal plugs
  • Punctal occlusion by cautery
  • Lipiflow
  • Temporary Punctal occlusion
  • Cequa
  • Testosterone cream
  • Lifitegrast
  • Xiidra
  • Fish oil

These solutions are not to be administered without an expert optometrist’s prescription and advice. Visit us today to book your eye test consultation with our expert doctors and optometrist.


Macular Focus in May

May is Macula month, a campaign centred around the education and awareness of macular disease.

The macula is responsible for detailed central vision, meaning we use it for activities such as reading, driving and recognising faces. It’s also responsible for most of your colour vision, so its quite shocking to learn that an estimated 1.7 million Australians have some evidence of macular disease.

Macular disease covers a range of painless conditions affecting the central retina which can be found at the back of the eye.

Conditions only affecting the macula don't lead to total blindness, instead, they impact central vision, leaving peripheral vision intact.

SYMPTOMS OF MACULAR DISEASE

You can have early signs of macular disease without knowing it. However, when symptoms do appear, they can include:

  • Difficulty with reading or any other activity which requires detailed central vision (despite wearing appropriate glasses)
  • Distortion, where straight lines may appear wavy or bent
  • Problems distinguishing faces
  • Dark patches in the central vision
  • Macular disease can affect anyone, at any age, so knowing your risks, and having regular macula checks, is the only way to protect your vision.

But how do you know if you are at risk ?

Take the 'Check My Macula' quiz and in one minute, you’ll have a better idea of your risk factors.

Take Quiz

So, if you've just taken the quiz and have any vision concerns that you think might need attention, please contact us to make an appointment or visit us online.


Blonde woman in city wearing glasses, coat and beanie

How can the cold affect your eyes?

One of the most common patient complaints during the winter months is dry eyes. Cold and windy weather conditions can reduce the natural moisture in your eyes resulting in a burning or itching sensation.

Blonde woman in city wearing glasses, coat and beanieDry eye is a common visual condition which affects one in four people worldwide and is more likely to occur in women and the elderly. The medical name for dry eye syndrome is keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Symptoms can include burning, scratchiness or irritation, redness, watering and even blurred vision. Although dry eye is generally not a sight-threatening condition, for those who suffer from it, it is often more than just a minor aggravation. Dry eye can be caused by insufficient tear production from the lacrimal gland or an unstable lipid layer, which is the thin oily layer on the outer most part of the tear film.

Some tips to get you through the winter months:

  • Talk to your optometrist about the best eye drops for your eyes
  • Stay hydrated, drink lots of water
  • When heating indoors try using a humidifier
  • Keep distance from blowing heat sources
  • No matter how irritated your eyes are, don’t rub your eyes

For more information on dry eye or any other eye disorder, contact your Optometrist.