Blog

Frames for Fiji

Achieving Good Vision

Here at Young Eyes we love to help. The most recent cyclones that hit Fiji had devastating effects on the small island's population. YOU CAN HELP TOO! We are wanting you to donate any old pairs of glasses you may have at home. These will help the Fijian people recover from losing their personal belongings in the last weather event and possibly any more to come. If you feel you can help, drop your old glasses in to our practice and we will forward them on to the Fijian villages that need them most. 

What is hay fever (and how to relieve your red, itchy eyes in spring)?

Eye Health

Many of us welcome spring, yet others dread it. That’s because they know they’re in for months of red, sore and itchy eyes. 

Around one in seven Australians suffer from hay fever. Are you one of them? The symptoms include, itchy eyes, irritated throat, sneezing, a blocked or runny nose. 

Hay fever is caused by a number of active substances including, pollen, animal fur, mould, dust mites and make-up. However pollen is the main culprit and as trees and flowers bloom in spring the exposure to pollen is increased.

Vision Loss and Depression

Eye Health

Vision loss is often associated with Anxiety and Depression.

It is not surprising that a reduction in vision will cause significant emotional distress and fear for the individual. What is most important is that we not only provide adequate treatment to minimise the vision loss but that we provide good support to individuals to minimise the psychological stress.

Vision Loss will lead to feelings of anxiety further preventing individuals from caring for others and themselves. It is likely to lead to reduction in mobility and access to social contacts. In fact loss of vision is one of the most feared results of ageing.

Cataract surgery isn't only for the older generation

Eye Health

Whilst they are more likely to present in people over the age of 50 due to the natural ageing process of the lens of eye, there are several other types of cataracts that can also affect the vision of younger patients.

What is a cataract?
 A cataract is a disorder in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy decreasing one’s vision.
In a healthy eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the back of the eye to create a sharp image. However if the lens is cloudy, the image that reaches the retina will appear blurry. 
Cataracts are the number one cause of preventable blindness in the world.

How to keep your winter eyes happy and healthy

Achieving Good Vision

Wintertime can be tough on our bodies. Our skin dries out, we battle chapped lips and flaky scalps, and we’re often sniffling, coughing and spluttering on a daily basis.

The winter months are often much windier than the summer months and the air is also a lot colder. This affects the moisture levels in our eyes, leaving them dehydrated and feeling scratchy and sore. It further exposes our eyes to large amounts of dust and debris.

Relieving eye strain at the end of the day

Achieving Good Vision

The increased use of our computers, smart phones and tablets is affecting our eye health in many ways. Some of the symptoms we may notice include loss of concentration, dry eyes, headaches, back pain and blurred vision. For many of us the checking of our digital device is the last this we do in bed at night and the first thing we wake to in the morning.
 

Staff Profile - Catherine Miller

Team News

Local Connections - By Merry Kirkwood

As Catherine Miller (optical dispenser at YOUNG EYES) sees it, some friendships project you towards interesting people, paths and places. 

This has proved true for Catherine, originally Sydney born and bred. Years ago, friend Nicole made the introduction to future husband Matt, from Young… and the rest as they say, is history. “She was my local connection for sure,” she quips.

While Catherine and Matt made their start in life in Sydney with idyllic times a fisherman’s cast from Mooney Mooney’s watery edge, they were destined for life in the country.

Optos Optomap®

Achieving Good Vision

For those of our patients who have come in for an examination in the last few months you will have experienced the new wide field camera (Optos Optomap). The Optomap® system uses a wide field imaging system which allows Janine to examine the health of your eye into the margins of the retina. The camera is able to give exceptionally good images without requiring the use of dilating drops on the pupil.

Why do I need glasses when I see perfectly well?

Children's Vision

For success in school, children need more than just clear vision. They also need the eyes to move as a team, follow a line of print without losing their place and maintain clear focus. These skills are needed when they read or make quick focusing changes when looking up to the board and back to their desks.

Our eyes are designed to work as a team, but each eye functions independently. When the visual system is working correctly you can sustain clear, comfortable vision. 

Staff Profile - Jeanette Elliott

Team News

Country Girl - By Merry Kirkwood

The saying “You can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy”, could be cheekily skewed to the feminine to fit local lass Jeanette Elliott.

A seven-year team member at YOUNG EYES in Boorowa St, Jeanette grew up on a nearby sheep/wheat property in Wallendbeen and wears her rural upbringing on her sleeve: “I still feel it when there’s a drought on,” she says, “that’s all I know.”

But the truth is Jeanette knows plenty more, having worked in numerous roles in the district, and having a fine eye for both tennis and golf. 

Would you like to know how to clean your glasses properly?

Achieving Good Vision

Your glasses are a significant investment. We only use Cancer Council endorsed lens coatings to protect your eyes and it is important to look after the coatings well.

When you clean your lens it is essential that you don’t damage the UV protective coatings as these protect best against damaging light.

Cleaning your glasses wet will help prevent scratching.

World Sight Day 2015

Eye Health

We here at Young Eyes care about protecting your vision; we also care about people around the world who lack access to quality vision care. Because of this, our practice will participate in the World Sight Day Challenge this year on Thursday October 8 2015.  
 

Rubbing your eyes, does it do any harm?

Eye Health

Most of us rub our eyes regularly, however, if you rub your eyes too often or too hard, you can cause damage in a number of ways…  

Which is your Dominant Eye?

Achieving Good Vision

Do you know if you are left or right eyed? Most people will have dominant eye and this can be important. 

Serious Sports Eye Injuries Do Occur

Eye Health

The growing concern regarding the permanent damage that a head injury can cause players in sports, such as rugby league and union football and cricket, is a timely reminder that the risk of sports eye injuries needs to be taken seriously.

3D fun for almost everyone

Achieving Good Vision

While offering a fun and alternative cinema experience, 3D movie viewing isn’t for everyone.

Sunscreen for your eyes.

Achieving Good Vision

While scientists celebrate the recent announcement of a reduction in the size of the hole in the ozone layer, one of our most delicate organs remains exposed and at risk to the dangers of UV radiation.

Local Eyes, Global Vision

Team News

“I’m pretty excited,” says Janine Hobson, Optometrist from YOUNG EYES, of her upcoming volunteer eye-care trip to assist communities on Sumba Island, 400km east of Bali, Indonesia.

Dry, Scratchy Eyes?

Eye Health

This is often caused by a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. One of the many new treatments is a Manuka honey drop or Gel. Do you suffer from stingy itchy eyes?

Don't Let Glaucoma Steal Your Sight!

Eye Health

Unlike many eye diseases and disorders, glaucoma is especially concerning because it can begin to take your vision away without you even knowing it is happening.

In fact, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. There are often no immediate or obvious symptoms of glaucoma. The disease comes on gradually, so vision loss is hard to detect, and any sight that is lost through glaucoma can never be retrieved.

What are eye floaters?

Eye Health

At first, you’re not quite sure whether you’re ‘seeing things’… you know, that spot that appears as you turn your head. Eventually, you realise that the ‘thread’ that floats in and out of sight isn’t going away.

Headaches

Eye Health

A headache is defined as "a pain or ache in the head...It accompanies many diseases and conditions, including emotional distress."

Headaches are one of the most common symptoms that can be experienced. Most people will experience a headache at some point of their lives. They can affect anyone regardless of age and gender.

Performance Plus

Achieving Good Vision

Whether you enjoy casual weekend sports or are a budding professional, your eyes play a significant role in how well you perform.

Kids Downtime

Children's Vision

We all know kids are spending more time on their digital devices and some play organised sport. What happened to the down time, chilling out with the family and their mates? Does this affect children’s vision and their learning ability?

Does Your Eye Colour Influence Cataracts?

Eye Health

Everyone is at Risk of Cataracts. However, did you know that you could be more at risk simply because of the colour of your eyes?

People with dark brown eyes have the greatest possibility of developing cataracts. An Australian study found that the risks can be up to 2.5 times more likely for certain types of cataracts

Macular Degeneration - Can I Lower My Risk?

Eye Health

1 in 4 Australians Risk Losing Part or All of Their Vision to Eye Disease

Each year 1 in 4 Australians are at risk of losing part or all of their vision to eye disease. Despite the fact that 75% of vision loss is preventable or treatable, 2 out of 5 Australians are still not having their eyes tested at least once every two years, according to the latest Newspoll1 commissioned by The RANZCO Eye Foundation as part of its annual 'JulEYE' campaign.

Dyslexia - The Invisible Disability

Children's Vision

Dyslexia is sometimes referred to as the invisible disability. It is estimated to affect 10 to 15 per cent of the population. It is a lifelong, inherited condition that has a neurological cause. Those who have it will struggle to learn to read, even if taught using methods that work well with other children.

Optometric Care of Acquired Brain Injuries

Eye Health

Vision problems and symptoms are among the most common difficulties associated with acquired brain injuries. The nerve systems that control the way the eyes work and focus together, and transmit the visual information to the back of the brain for understanding of our visual world, are the most complex systems of the brain. Vision enables us to be aware of our surroundings and to know where we are in our world, to steer our walking through our environment, to direct the hand and other actions to write and hold things, and to help us stay balanced.

Eating For Your Eyes

Achieving Good Vision

Healthy eating is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of your eyes. Enjoying a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables will not only benefit your overall health but can also lower your risk of developing eye disease.

How computers are affecting our vision and our childrens vision?

Children's Vision

Should you worry about how much time your child spends in front of the computer every day?

Sitting for hours in front of a computer screen stresses a child's eyes because the computer forces the child's vision system to focus and strain a lot more than any other task.

Children and Computer Vision Syndrome

Children's Vision

Nine out of Ten young adults in Singapore are myopic (short-sighted).  Early indications are that myopia is becoming much more common in young adults here. Research indicates that heavy computer use among children puts them at risk for early myopia  However there are some strategies for limiting the risk of short-sightedness.

Eyebrows - what are they for?

Achieving Good Vision

We all have them, but it could be said that most people tend to take their eyebrows for granted.

When you look in the mirror, it’s impossible not to notice your eyebrows and it’s probably reasonable to assume that most of us are more aware of how they affect our appearance than what benefits they bring.

Growing Concerns over Risks of Blue Light on Macula

Eye Health

There is growing concern among leading optometrists and researchers over the harmful effect of blue light from LED screens on the macula and its risk of damaging the macula. LED lights are increasingly used in the latest high definition televisions, tablets , smartphones and computers.

Janine Hobson says “Children especially, are at particular risk of macular damage from blue light because their eyes are not as efficient at filtering out the rays”.

Tired Eyes - A Very Real Condition

Eye Health

Most of us will experience periods where our eyes feel tired. Is this a real condition or is it just a normal symptom after a long day?

In fact, it is very real and even has a name. The medical term for eyestrain is ‘asthenopia’.

How eyes adapt to the darkness

Achieving Good Vision

Have you ever wondered how your eyes can adapt too many different light conditions? Our eyes are amazingly versatile – we can see perfectly well in a vast variety of light conditions thanks to a very neat system that is able to adapt to brilliant sunshine and then to total darkness when required.

This is all made possible by two distinct parts of the eye – the pupil and the retina