Dry eye in the warmer months
The symptoms of dry eye are not just prevalent in the winter months, dryness can also affect eyes in the spring and summer months, sometimes even more so. This is caused by increased exposure to the sun and other season factors including visiting the ocean and pools.
Relieving the effects of dry eyes during spring and summer
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Always wear sunglasses
The UV protection that polarized sunglasses provide protect your eyes and reduce glare. This can help to reduce the onset of dry eye.
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Wear a hat when outside
By the same token, wearing a hat to shield your eyes from the harsh rays of the sun adds another layer of protection.
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Eye drops
There a multiple eye drops, both over the counter and prescribed that can help to ease the symptoms of dry eye.
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Rest your eyes
Performing tasks such as reading, watching TV or being outside in direct sunlight for long periods of time and cause dryness in the eyes. It is important to take a break from these activities from time to time to give your eyes a rest.
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Wash your hands
When spending time outdoors, your hands are exposed to pollens and irritants that can transfer to your eyes through touching and rubbing. Washing your hands regularly and avoiding touching your eyes can reduce redness and dry eye.
If you would like to discuss further treatment and prevention of dry eye during the warmer months, contact your optometrist today.
How your optometrist can help your hay fever
The irritation, itchiness and watery eyes that hay fever brings in the spring and summer seasons can be frustrating and affect your lifestyle. The constant rubbing can also lead to dryness and redness. Here’s how an optometrist can help you manage these symptoms of hay fever.
1.Non-prescription eye drops
Your optometrist can recommend over the counter eye drops depending on the symptoms and severity of your hay fever in relation to your eyes.
2. Prescription eye drops and medication
There are different types of prescription eye drops that an optometrists can provide for severe allergies such as antihistamine and anti-inflammatory eye drops.
3.Oral Antihistamines
In conjunction with eye drops, your optometrist may also recommend oral antihistamines to hep relieve hay fever symptoms.
Some other ways that you can help reduce the effect of hay fever on your eyes include:
- Wearing sunglasses when outside
- Use a dehumidifier in the house
- Keep your windows closed on high pollen days
- Wash your hands after exposure to pets, grass and other flora.
If you would like to discuss your options to treat the symptoms of hay fever in relation to your eyes, contact your optometrist today.
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 trying out contact lenses to enhance your lifestyle, 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.
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.
The Run-down on Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases where vision is lost due to damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is known as the ‘thief of sight’ because the loss of sight occurs gradually and a considerable amount of peripheral (side) vision is lost before many people are aware they even have a problem. Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma, and vision loss is irreversible, but if detected early, treatment is able to slow down and, in many cases, even stop the progression of the condition. The key is early identification and the best way to do this is by having regular eye exams.
What are the types of glaucoma?
There are up to 40 types of glaucoma, which can be subdivided into primary and secondary glaucoma.
Primary glaucoma is a subset of glaucoma defined by an open, normal appearing anterior chamber angle and raised intraocular pressure (IOP), with no other underlying disease. If there is an identifiable underlying cause for raised IOP, i.e., injury, surgery or other eye disease, this is termed secondary glaucoma.
In healthy eyes, the rate of fluid production equals the rate it flows out of the eye, which maintains a stable intraocular pressure. Fluid (otherwise known as aqueous humour) flows out of the eye through a spongy tissue known as the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork sits in the ‘drainage angle’ between the iris (the coloured part of the eye) and the cornea (the clear, protective outer layer). If the outward flow of fluid is reduced or blocked, a build-up occurs, and this leads to an increase in IOP. The higher the intraocular pressure, the more likely a person is to develop glaucoma. However, high IOP in itself is not sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of glaucoma. In fact, up to 30-40% of all people with glaucoma actually have pressure within the normal range, which is known as normal tension glaucoma.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
Glaucoma usually affects the peripheral (side) vision first and is generally not associated with any other symptoms so as a result many people can remain unaware they have the condition until their eyesight is significantly compromised. The exception is a condition known as angle closure glaucoma, a more severe but thankfully less common form of glaucoma which is characterised by the sudden closure of the drainage angle within the eye. It results in the complete blockage of the trabecular meshwork and a rapid increase in eye pressure that causes vision to deteriorate quickly. Angle-closure glaucoma is considered a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment to prevent sight loss. People with angle closure glaucoma can get blurred vision, pain and a red eye, and might see haloes around bright lights. Yet, even in this condition there may be few symptoms present in the early stages.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs due to the pressure increasing in the eye, due to the gradual blockage of the trabecular meshwork and drainage angle. There is also a relationship between the pressure within the eye and the cerebro-spinal fluid pressure behind the optic nerve. If the intra-ocular pressure is too high and the cerebro-spinal fluid pressure too low damage occurs to the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting the visual signal to the brain.
Who is at risk of glaucoma?
You are at higher risk of developing glaucoma if you have:
- Family history of glaucoma
- High intra-ocular pressure (IOP)
- Aged over 50
- Short-sighted or long-sighted
- Use of cortisone (steroid) medications for long periods
- Diabetes
- High or low blood pressure
- Suffer migraine headaches
- History of an eye operation or eye injury
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
An optometrist is able to detect glaucoma as part of a thorough eye examination.
There are four major tests to detect glaucoma.
- Tonometry: A device is used to measures the fluid pressure within the eye.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Is a computerised ultrasound that measures the thickness of the retinal nerve fibres. Glaucoma causes the gradual thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer, which if becomes too pronounced causes a loss of vision. The OCT measures the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer to the micron or one-thousandth of a millimetre. In many cases an OCT is able to detect glaucoma before vision is lost.
- Visual fields test: Glaucoma causes blind spots to develop in the peripheral or side vision. A visual field analyser is a computerised instrument that is able to test the sensitivity of your peripheral vision.
- Gonioscopy: Evaluates the eyes drainage network to see whether there are any signs of blockage.
A thorough glaucoma examination will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Treatment of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is treated by reducing the eye’s intra-ocular pressure. The primary way to do this is with eye drops. Glaucoma drops work by two primary mechanisms, one is to reduce the production of fluid within the eye, the other aims to improve the drainage of fluid out of the eye. In difficult to control cases often a combination of the two types of drops can be used.
The second way to lower pressure is with the use of laser, which is applied to the trabecular meshwork to facilitate improved drainage of fluid out of the eye. The laser is quick and painless and is becoming the treatment of choice since it may remove the need to use drops, which people can often forget to use and can also cause eye irritation.
The third option is to have a stent inserted in the eye’s drainage angle, which can help facilitate improved drainage of the aqueous humour. Micro-stents are usually performed at the same time as cataract surgery, which has also been shown to help reduce intra-ocular pressure.
If pressure cannot be controlled with medications and ongoing damage to the optic nerve occurs then glaucoma drainage surgery may be required. Drainage surgery involves surgically cutting the eye and inserting a drainage tube, it is a more invasive procedure but can reduce pressure more than other treatment options.
Summary
The key to effectively managing glaucoma is early identification. We recommend all people over the age of 50 have a glaucoma check once every 3 years, or sooner if you have any significant risk factors.
Please contact us to arrange a test today.
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.
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.
Dry 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.
Can dark chocolate improve our eyesight?
Chocolate lovers rejoice!
Recent research by the University of the Incarnate Word, Rosenberg School of Optometry, in San Antonio, Texas USA, suggests that eating dark chocolate could improve visual clarity.
Bars with more than 72% cacao increase ocular blood flow which enhances macular function and sharpens the ability to read words and numbers.
The new research tested people 2 hours after eating 47g of 72% Cacao dark chocolate, and again after 40g milk chocolate in separate sessions more than 3 days apart. The testing looked at various aspects of visual performance.
More than 70% of people scored significantly higher after eating the dark chocolate. The biggest improvement was in contrast sensitivity, which helps us see in low light, or when text is poorly printed. Another area that improved was visual acuity – a measure of the sharpness of vision.
Cacao beans are rich in flavanol, an organic compound which improves blood flow in the brain and cardiovascular system and aids in reducing inflammation.
Researchers proposed increases in blood flow could explain the improvements, but suggested more work needs to be done to understand the exact mechanism. In the meantime we think it sounds like a good excuse to load up on dark chocolate and do some private testing. Sounds like a delicious experiment.