Parents who are raising children are aware of what to anticipate in terms of toilet training, helping them to crawl, and eventually stand and walk. They encourage them to speak and caution them not to touch certain objects. They expose their children to a variety of tastes and smells, all of which are simple enough to name, discuss, explain, and comprehend. However, according to renowned Australian behavioural optometrist Gary Rodney, fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC), whose Smart Vision Optometry has a special interest  in this area, many parents are at a loss when it comes to assisting their children with their eyesight or vision, and just as many are overlooking the symptoms of potential vision disorders.

Being a step or two behind while starting school 

Because some children do not perceive the world or anything in it the same way that their classmates do, Rodney believes that many youngsters arrive to school a few steps behind their peers. Instead, everything has a blurry appearance or is not able to be visually processed properly. Also, it can make children feel uneasy in various situations. This can result in a variety of learning issues.

“When students first start school, they are exposed to a whole new environment, and they sometimes feel inferior to their new classmates when it comes to academic performance. They don’t understand why their reading skills may deteriorate and other learning abilities may lag. So many of them can start to display behavioural issues or refrain from participating in a procedure that looks too challenging. Many people don’t want to start doing sports, and some don’t want to read,” explains Rodney.

The issue of distance 

Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are two of the most well-known eye conditions, which coupled with other conditions afflict at least 22% of Australians under the age of 14. Both cause children’s vision to become hazy, whether they are trying to see anything at a distance, as is the situation with myopia or up close, as is the case with hyperopia. Both are refraction mistakes brought on by light rays that concentrate in front of or behind the retina rather than on it as they ought to.

However, Rodney has discovered that optical blur only makes up 11% of all other visual issues on school screenings. Both perceptual vision and functional vision abilities can create a lot more problems. Therefore, focusing just on refractive defects will not reveal the great majority of visual obstacles to reading and learning.

How to Recognise the Symptoms 

Parents can be alert for certain warning signs that indicate their children may have issues with visual function or the processing of objects at various distances. Some can be seen clearly in their bodily acts.

These include the habit of moving very close to what they are attempting to view, such as while watching television, or bringing books very close to their eyes when attempting to read. Children with eye issues may also become lost in a book when reading, let their eyes follow the text while using a finger as a guide, or begin to avoid tasks that are too challenging for them. According to Rodney, this may apply to literature or even sports since the blur makes it too tough because the required attention is uncomfortable for them.

In order to have the stronger eye perform the work and prevent the weaker eye from becoming “lazy” and further deteriorating, they may also squint or tilt their heads to one side.

“Frequent headaches, light sensitivity, and complaints of “sore eyes” may result from difficulties focusing. Additionally, it may cause children to refuse to do the recommended tasks when they read a book or use a computer or need to have great motivation to attend While this is frequently seen as poor behaviour, it may actually be the very genuine outcome of an eye condition,” says Rodney.

What parents can do

With this information in hand, parents are encouraged to set an appointment with a Smart Vision optometrist like those at Eyes InDesign Mosman to book a Smart Vision Skills Assessment to evaluate their children and get them the help they need.  

Smart Vision Optometry Eyes InDesign Mosman, provides professional expertise to best evaluate and treat eye-related queries and visual problems and supports patients to optimise their visual health.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in multiple suburbs in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600 or the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047, book an appointment online.

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.

The importance of children’s eye health and safety often gets over-looked. It is, however, of major importance and should not be forgotten. As this month is children’s eye health and safety month, it is important to speak about issues on this topic. According to Optometry Australia, one in five children has an undetected vision problem which could be detrimental for their education as well as their self-esteem. The difference between adults and children is that adults will easily identify a problem where children rarely complain.

Gary Rodney, an Australian Smart Vision Optometrist and fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control at Eyes InDesign Mosman, is passionate about helping children pinpoint their eye issues and ultimately resolve their problems.

There are some symptoms to look out for to know if the child has any vision-related issues. There are a few symptoms that can indicate an issue with your child’s vision. These symptoms include; difficulties learning, lack of concentration, coordination problems, red or sore eyes, nausea, unusual body posture while reading or writing, fatigue, as well as headaches. “Many people are not aware that some learning disabilities in children can be heavily contributed by an undetected or untreated vision problem,” says Rodney.

The reason children with vision issues have problems with learning is because vision plays a big role in the process of learning. “Often it is not until children begin to read that we first notice they might have a vision problem. It is also important for parents to understand that even if a child has excellent eyesight they could still have significant vision skills related learning disabilities,” says Rodney.

Some of the main vision skills needed for early readers include; tracking, which is looking from word to word (scanning); focusing, keeping clear focus on a particular point and the ability to move to another point rapidly; sequencing, recognising the correct order of letters or numbers; short term visual memory, recalling information quickly; and visual discrimination, recognising subtle differences between different letters and words. Even though dyslexia is not mainly caused by vision problems, recent research has shown that there could be a connection between vision issues and dyslexia.

There are many ways to treat or solve these vision issues affecting children. The first step is to have the child undertake a Smart Vision Optometry comprehensive vision skills assessment with a Smart Vision Optometrist who will be able to determine what the issue is. A unique and personalised vision therapy program can then be planned for your child. The purpose of vision therapy is to correct visual motor and visual perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Vision therapy can help with sequencing skills; using two eyes in tandem; visual skills essential for reading; eye-hand reaction time; and many other issues. Vision therapy normally runs over a period of 16 weeks. During the final stages of vision therapy, the patient’s newly learned visual skills are made stronger and become automatic, due to repetition as well as the integration of motor and cognitive skills.

It is important to make sure that children are not suffering from vision skills problems as it can affect their lives in many ways. Be vigilant, and if you think that they might have a vision-related issue, then book an appointment with a Smart Vision Optometrist today.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in multiple suburbs in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600 or the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047, book an appointment online.

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.

We all know that a child’s development can vary immensely from child to child. It is perhaps not as well known that a child’s vision also develops over time and can also vary from child to child.

Jacqueline Gattegno, a leading Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, explains the relationship between vision and learning; and why it is so important for parents to understand the difference between sight and vision.

Often it is not until children begin to read that we first notice they have a vision problem. This is the time when they start using their visual system more intensively to tune in to small details. The level of demand on visual skills required for reading increases throughout a child’s learning years.

Jacquie says, “it is important for parents to understand that children with excellent eyesight can still have significant vision-related learning difficulties. A child presenting vision skills concerns is more likely to have difficulty reading and understanding what they have read. The extra effort required can cause blurriness and discomfort, as well as preventing them from performing to their potential.”

“It is important that we understand the difference between sight and vision,” says Jacquie. “Eyesight essentially refers to the physical attributes and performance of the many organic components involved in the visual system. 20/20 vision is a commonly quoted measure of normal vision, yet it simply describes the sensitivity of the eye to see fine detail in the distance,” Jacquie says.

“Unlike eyesight, vision is a thought process, which emerges as an understanding of what is seen, where it is and how to react to it. It combines information from many sensory systems to create a perception of reality,” says Jacquie. “Vision describes a more dynamic and interactive process, essentially a whole information processing system developed through experience to gain understanding of the external visual space world.”

For example, for a person driving a car, vision is much more than reading license plates clearly at a distance. Vision is the total process whereby the spatial relationships between the cars are taken in and processed by the driver in order to guide the car safely to its destination, without an accident and with minimum stress. Vision judges the relative speeds of the other cars, and alerts the driver to a pedestrian stepping onto the road or another car at an intersection, or the door of a parked car opening.

Jacquie says, “therefore, some of the primary visual skills required for early readers include; Tracking: scanning from letter to letter, word to word, looking ahead and predicting text, moving from one line to the next. Focusing: maintaining clear focus at a particular point (e.g. a word on a page) and the ability to rapidly change focus from one point to another (e.g. from copying from the board to the book). Sequencing: recognising the order of numbers or letters in words, as well as left to right progression when reading and writing. Short Term Visual Memory: recalling information presented quickly; and Visual Discrimination: recognising subtle visual differences between letters (e.g. m/n) and words (e.g. was/saw or big/dig), reducing reversals and improving overall recognition.”

Some children complain about headaches. These can be caused by vision problems, which can signal a broader issue as well as distract them from their learning, and it can also cause them to strain to see the board at the front of the classroom.

“A comprehensive vision skills assessment takes about one hour and is crucial for detecting various eye conditions. This includes, Strabismus (misaligned eyes), Amblyopia (lazy eye), Myopia (near-sightedness), Hyperopia (far-sightedness), and Astigmatism,” says Jacquie.

Many children and teens have near-sighted or far-sighted vision problems. “These conditions can be treated with special glasses or contact lenses,” says Jacquie. Some children and teens may benefit from having contact lenses instead of eyeglasses. Contact lenses are a good choice for those who often play sports and feel uncomfortable wearing glasses. Children often wear glasses to help improve their vision and provide protection against vision loss.

“Having a vision problem can affect a child’s academic performance and quality of life,” says Jacquie, “being able to identify these symptoms can help prevent this from happening.

A few signs or symptoms that indicate your child may be experiencing vision problems and needs glasses include squinting, also known as a refractive error. A child might tilt his or her head to one side and depend on one eye to improve their vision. It could also be a sign that the eyes are not aligned properly or that there is a lazy eye. Sitting too closely to a television or holding a hand-held device too closely to the eyes can be signs of poor vision. Excessive rubbing of the eyes is also a common symptom of poor vision and can also be a sign of other conditions that cause vision problems. Complaining of eye pain or headaches are other common symptoms to take note of.

Due to the nature of our environment and the variety of technology devices that children use, children with visual disorders may have difficulty concentrating on their schoolwork. “Many parents don’t know that their child has a problem with their vision, which is why it’s important that they have a comprehensive vision skills assessment, annually,” says Jacquie. She concludes that whenever children show signs of lack of concentration or symptoms such as mentioned above, a visit to the optometrist is a must.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600 or the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047, alternatively book an appointment online.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News

A poor diet consisting of highly processed foods with large amounts of salt and sugar can increase the risks of developing diabetes and many other health problems that can lead to blindness.

Jacqueline Gattegno, a Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, explains the importance of healthy food to maintain eye health. “Try adding some eye-friendly food to your diet, it can help improve vision and ward off diseases. While it’s important to nourish the body, adding certain nutrients can improve vision, especially in children. A well-balanced diet can help children develop vital learning skills and prevent vision loss,” Jacquie suggests.

We all know that a child’s development can vary immensely from child to child. It is perhaps not as well known that a child’s vision also develops over time and can also vary from child to child.

“Having a vision problem can affect a child’s academic performance and quality of life,” says Jacquie,” She explains the relationship between vision and learning; and why it is so important for parents to understand the difference between sight and vision. “Often it is not until children begin to read that we first notice they have a vision problem. This is the time when they start using their visual system more intensively to tune into small details. The level of demand on visual skills required for reading increases throughout a child’s learning years.”

 A healthy lunch box is a great start to help boost the nutrients children need to protect them from eye health issues such as the formation of cataracts, and macular degeneration. A good diet can also reduce the effects of dry eyes and other eye problems.

It is often a struggle to get children to eat more fruit and vegetables, but it is these that provide essential nutrients that children need for healthy vision. Including sliced fruit or vegetables in children’s lunch boxes can be a great way to tempt them with easy to eat bite-sized snacks. Some great options include apples, blueberries or strawberries. Citrus fruits deliver powerful antioxidant levels that can help prevent cataracts later in life, so the inclusion of oranges and mandarins can be beneficial. Citrus fruit can also help lower the risk of diabetes and blindness.

Studies have shown that vegetables, such as kale and spinach, can also support healthy eyesight as they contain the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy retinas. “Beta carotene can be found in capsicum, carrots, and tomatoes and helps protect eyes from night blindness. These foods can also be used as tasty snack options and are simple enough to prepare each morning. Beta carotene is also beneficial for protecting children from diabetes-related ocular diseases,” Jacquie says.

Eggs, oily or fatty fish, and nuts are great sources of omega 3, which supports healthy eye function and brain development in early childhood. Essential fatty acids protect the retina from weakening and can reduce the effects of dry eyes and other eye problems. “Excellent options for quick and easy lunches are tuna and crackers or salmon fishcakes,” says Jacquie.

A deficiency in zinc can lead to deterioration in the macula, which is the centre of the retina responsible for central vision. Eating fresh meats and green vegetables can help protect the macula from disease, including macular degeneration. As well as being used in a variety of metabolic processes throughout the entire body, zinc also helps transport other nutrients to the eye. “An easy way to get extra zinc into children’s diets is through zinc-fortified cereals or pumpkin seeds, which have added vitamins and minerals,” says Jacquie.

For more great ideas about how to support children’s healthy vision, talk to a Smart Vision Optometrist soon.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600 or the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047, alternatively book an appointment online.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News

October brings the month of World Sight Day and World Teacher’s day, in commemoration of both annual events, this article aims to bring awareness to blindness and vision impairment in children.

Vision impairment or loss can affect people of all ages, but it can be detected at an early age. Reduced eyesight can have minor or long-lasting effects on all aspects of life including personal daily activities and participation in school and work.

Jacqueline Gattegno, a Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, provides insight in identifying signs of vision problems in children.

The role of educators in detecting early signs in learner

Millions of children around the world experience signs of significant visual impairment, many of which are preventable and treatable.

Educators spend a significant amount of time with learners, therefore, they “play an important role in identifying early signs of eye problems in children,” Jacquie says. This detection reduces the risk of blindness.

There is an increase in the rate of vision-related issues in children, such as diabetic retinopathy, untreated glaucoma, un-operated cataract and myopia. These are preventable causes of blindness that can easily be attended to.

Teaching methods to accommodate such issues

Much of information and education that we receive is through vision, therefore it is important to adopt this knowledge in teaching children who are visually impaired.

Educators can play a crucial role in assisting the comfortably of a child’s learning, regardless of a child’s diagnoses of vision impairment; acute or severe. An adjustment in teaching methods and techniques can help reduce the severity of vision impairment in children.

Much of the strain of the eyes is caused by reading and focusing, particularly in the classroom and on digital screens. However there are other causes to consider that are hereditary.

Here are a few examples teachers can assist with children who experience the following conditions and diagnosis:

Retinopathy of Pre-maturity (ROP)

Retinopathy refers to the disease of the retina that is caused by an abnormal growth of the blood vessel. ROP usually affects children who are born prematurely with a low body mass.

Adaptation in teaching methods can be made by discouraging physical activity as a compulsory requirement as it may result in retinal detachment.

Albinism

Albinism is a lack of pigmentation in skin, hair and eyes. Pigment is necessary for retinal development, therefore, albinism impacts vision.

In learning environments, a high contrast of colours may be beneficial for children with albinism. For example, bright colours against dark backgrounds.

Coloboma of the eye

This is a physical defect of the eyes in children that occurs from birth. To treat this in classrooms, it is important to reduce the glare in learning environments, which can be decreased with dark curtains.

How to identify signs of myopia

The more myopic the higher the risk of screening issues that cause blindness. “It is important to know the difference between high and mild myopia as the level of severity increases the chances of blindness,” Jacquie says.

Mild myopia does not immediately increase a person’s risk of developing serious eye problems but left untreated it can.

High myopia, on the other hand, happens when a child’s eyeball grows longer than it should. If left untreated, high myopia complications can lead to blindness, so regular comprehensive visual eye examinations are critical. These are not the common sight tests offered by regular optometrists.

High myopia may raise the risk of a child developing serious conditions such as cataracts, detached retinas and glaucoma.  

Educators can identify signs of myopia in classrooms in the child has:

1. Poor school grades

2. Short attention span

3. Holding objects close to the face

4. Squinting

This month brings awareness to vision impairment and blindness. The awareness of the role teachers play in a child’s sight to reduce preventable blindness is crucial.

Vision problems such as myopia can be treated with highly successful, non-invasive, smart vision eye health treatment programmes, yet some optometrists and ophthalmologists recommend invasive laser eye surgery as the only option or quick fix. “Smart Vision Optometrists have a holistic approach to eyecare and therefore invasive surgery, which is a permanent disfigurement, is not considered a viable option and would only be suggested in extreme cases as an absolute last resort,” Jacquie said.

“If a child has any of the above symptoms then a comprehensive vision skills assessment is recommended immediately,” Jacquie concludes.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600, alternatively book an appointment online.

The fact that myopia is linked to genetics is not disputed. However, genetics alone would not be enough to account for the rising incidence of myopia, and it’s now believed that environmental factors also play a role. Whatever the reasons for the rise of myopia, there have also been advances in its treatment. According to Australian behavioural optometrist Jacqueline Gattegno, reducing the progression of myopia is a real possibility – provided that intervention happens soon enough.

Myopia Control Treatments

Jacqueline says that contrary to popular belief, Myopia is a childhood problem. “It’s related to an increase in the axial length of the eyeball which results in poor focus on the retina. The progressive lengthening of the eyeball occurs during growth, with the eyes generally stabilising around the age of twenty. If myopia’s progression is to be slowed, treatment must occur during this time,” says Jacqueline. “Various non-surgical, drug-free methods have been explored, with the greatest successes coming from orthokeratology and the use of peripheral defocus lenses.”

Atropine drops appear in a lot of the research literature, but Jacqueline isn’t convinced that their use should be attempted or that they will result in the best possible outcomes. “There are side-effects,” says Jacqueline, “and the drops only seem to offer myopia control benefits during their first year of use. Following excellent results in early trials, it’s now widely believed that atropine drops don’t have sufficient long-term benefits to justify their use. Orthokeratology is drug-free and it works. There’s no reason to use a drug-based treatment.”  

Efficacy of Orthokeratology in Myopia Control

Studies support Jacqueline’s confidence in orthokeratology for myopia control, and the treatment itself is remarkably simple. Optometrists carefully map the eye and then create hard contact lenses that gently mould the cornea to allow for better light focus on the retina. The lenses aren’t worn by day. Instead, they’re worn during sleep, and the eye maintains the correct shape during waking hours.

Research shows that orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, can slow the progression of myopia in children by 36 to 56 percent. “It’s known that the higher the level of myopia in people of any age, the greater the risk of certain ocular pathologies that can lead to vision loss,” says Jacqueline, “so reducing myopia in childhood not only offers a good chance of better vision during adulthood, but may even prevent conditions like retinal detachment and age-related blindness’ later on.”

Myopia Control at Home

There’s at least one other therapy that can help children in slowing the progression of myopia – and parents can practice it for free at home. “Tell the kids to go and play outside,” says Jacqueline. “There have been some remarkable studies that have shown that just spending more time outdoors reduces the risk of rapid myopia progression. There was a measurable reduction in axial elongation and myopic shift during trials in Asia, and some experts even theorise that reduced time outdoors might be at least partially to blame for the myopia epidemic that’s currently being witnessed.”

It’s Time the World Started Talking About It

Jacqueline believes that the combination of orthokeratology and a healthy, active lifestyle can make a difference in combating the rise of myopia but is concerned that myopia control isn’t more widely talked-about. “Many parents have never heard of ortho-K or myopia control. They know about glasses and contact lenses, and they bring their children to get prescription eyewear. That provides an opportunity to tell them about treatment options, but it isn’t ideal.”

“Myopia control should be headline news. It’s exciting. The benefits are beyond price. It’s time the world started talking about it because we’re rapidly heading towards a situation in which half the world’s population is myopic with high myopes facing further risks to their vision,” concludes Jacqueline.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600, alternatively book an appointment online.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News, YDMA Group

Studies Show that a Higher Percentage of Myopic Children do Well at School

The results of a 1958 study are tantalising. US-based researchers reported that children with myopia are inclined to have a higher IQ. Czech, Danish, and Israeli researchers were among those to corroborate the finding. This may seem like an open-and-shut conclusion, but nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

Related research showed that myopic children, regardless of IQ, tended to do better at school. With this piece of information to digest, it might seem that studying harder, better results, and myopia are all linked.

Long hours of study can certainly cause eye strain, this can lead to elongation of the eyeball which is myopia. Additionally, there’s a clear link between too much time spent indoors and myopia, indicating that the absence of natural light is also a problem for studious children.

However, researchers were alert to the question of whether higher IQs and myopia were related, and their investigations continued. Subsequent studies published in 2004 and 2006 by Professor Seang-Mei Saw and colleagues concluded that children with myopia really did tend to have higher IQs regardless of how much time they spent reading and studying.

Why Myopia and IQ are Linked

Given that research had shown the link between Myopia and higher IQ regardless of time spent hitting the books, the next question to address would be why children with myopia tended to have higher IQs. Unfortunately, the answer to that remains a matter for scientific speculation.

Professor Saw and her team of Singaporean researchers observed that there might be a link between the genes determining a predisposition to myopia and a higher IQ with the same sets of genes influencing both traits at once. They added the thought that genes affecting eye size and growth, which are linked to myopia, may also influence neocortical size, a factor which may be associated with IQ.

Many Kids with Myopia Can Live Without Glasses

“There seems to be a grain of scientific truth behind the myth that smart kids wear glasses,” says Jacqueline, “but advances in myopia control may change that. Already, children who are developing myopia are going without glasses or contact lenses. They are seeing perfectly thanks to orthokeratology, a non-surgical treatment that uses night-time wear of hard contact lenses.”“They reshape the cornea, not only eliminating the need for day-to-day correction for myopia, but also its progression. This type of treatment is already widely used. It is to be hoped that in time, there will be further advances in this field, and that children all over the world will have access to myopia control treatments. As a result, children with a predisposition towards myopia may not have to live with short-sightedness and may not need corrective eyewear at all. That will certainly be a happy ending.”

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney. Book a Smart Vision Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment or Advanced Eye Health Test for any child or adult by calling the Bondi clinic (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic (02) 9969 1600, alternatively book an appointment online.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News, YDMA Group

She says about 15% of people, and many children diagnosed with ADHD, battle with uncoordinated eye movements caused by convergence dysfunction, which affects the degree to which both eyes, which function independently, are able to work together and move in such way as to bring their independent focuses together on an object that’s close by. 

If they overdo the required turn inwards by turning too far, the overzealous turning will result an excess of convergence which causes the teamed focus to fall far short of the object. But if, on the contrary, the eyes tend to move outwards instead of inwards, their teamed focus point or convergence will be far beyond the close-up objects like books or work that are being looked at, which is seen as being as being insufficient convergence. 

The Impact of Convergence Errors

Gattegno says that it has been suggested by researchers that if left untreated and uncured, convergence excess errors may result in myopia, a serious refractive error which allows only for close vision.

When it comes to learning skills, she says convergence issues do not affect children’s ability to learn how to read, but they can impact on how they interpret and understand what they have read because the focus on the words is blurred or doubled. And these errors can also affect the fluency with which children read, specially when expected to do so for a long time. 

The energy taken in attempting to correct the double vision or clear the blur by trying to move the eyes to the right convergence point by stopping them from turning too far inward or outward, can also result in frustration and other issues. This can affect a child’s ability to read and work close up and could result in eye strain.

Increasing the negative impact of this eye muscle dysfunction, Gattegno says, is that many of those affected by it may not even know they have it; what it means; and why or how it can be corrected. 

Testing and Treating

She says neither convergence insufficiency nor convergence excess can be identified using standard eye tests; nor can they be treated with standard glasses, both of which are aimed at improving vision clarity, and not at identifying and correcting dysfunctions.

On the other hand, a binocular vision (two eye vision) assessment can determine the presence of convergence areas. The use of prism glasses and office-based vision therapy assisted by home reinforcement, have been identified as very effective ways to diagnose and correct convergence issues.

HEAR: Ultra106.5FM Interview with Gary Rodney – Covid and Myopia: What you need to know!

For more information on behavioural optometry, convergence errors, and vision therapy, or to book an appointment, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

“One in five children will have undetected vision problems in documented research, and there is more to vision than just being able to see clearly. Behavioural optometrists look beyond the potential for clear eyesight and examine how the eyes are being used. They will use special tests to see if the eyes work well together, if they are able to change focus easily, if they can track systematically from one object to the next, analyse the information they’re getting from their eyes well, and coordinate physical movements based on visual information. Our research has shown with the increased use of screens and technology it is now more unusual to find a visual system with no problems when we look at all the vision skills and not just clarity of sight” says Gary.

“The branch of optometry that looks at the way in which visual skills are developing is also known as developmental optometry, and the term is appropriate since visual skills can be developed.”

Improving Children’s Visual First Experience of Study

It’s Gary’s opinion that examination by a behavioural optometrist should occur before children begin with school. “Struggling with school is inevitable when there are visual or visual skills problems,” says Gary. 

“Early experiences can have a lifelong effect on a child’s perception of learning and his or her abilities in learning environments. When children struggle with vision, it’s unlikely that they will articulate the real problems they are experiencing. As far as they’re concerned, the way they see and experience the world is normal.”

Detect and Control Myopia

Shortsightedness in children is more common than most parents realise – and it’s on the rise. What’s even less well-known is that the progression of myopia, the seemingly inevitable process in which every new pair of glasses is stronger than the last, can be controlled. It’s even possible for shortsighted kids to go without glasses or contact lenses during the day and still see perfectly. 

The advance that makes this possible is known as Orthokeratology, and it’s among Gary Rodney’s special interests. “Orthokeratology or Ortho-K means wearing custom-made hard contact lenses that reshape the cornea at night. In the morning, the contacts are removed, and no glasses are needed. The potential impact is huge. Myopia doesn’t progress as it otherwise would, and that means better eyesight in adulthood too.”

An Early Start for a Better Life

A simple visit to a behavioural optometrist or better still a Smart Vision Optometrist has the potential for far-reaching effects. “It’s hugely motivating that there can be lifelong benefits from the work done with children at Eyes in Design,” says Gary. “To kids and parents, it may seem like nothing much – just a super-comprehensive eye test. But if issues with vision are resolved, it’s the start of a better life, better academic and sports performance, better self-image, and ultimately, a happier and more fruitful adulthood.” 

HEAR: Ultra106.5FM Interview with Gary Rodney – Covid and Myopia: What you need to know!

For more information on behavioural optometry, perceptual vision and vision therapy, or to book an eye exam, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

She says the consequences of staring at smartphones too much and too long go far further than temporary “computer fatigue”, currently describing the side-effects of screen overtime and the short wavelength blue light screens emit. And not even those who’ve passed the standard 20/20 eye test with flying colours, and show no clear signs of vision problems, are totally immune to it. 

“In spite of this, children are still owning smartphones and using them far more than an hour a day. Instead they are using them almost all the time, whether they’re at school, at home, or even after getting into bed at night. And sometimes those whose eyesight is still developing, have not yet started school, and are still in prams or pushchairs, are doing the same,” Gattegno said. 

New Research Reveals Smartphone’s Threats

According to Gattegno, new research and statistics have suggested smartphones could be contributing to the epidemic levels of myopia, the shortsighted refractive error predicted to affect the vision of 50% of the global population by 2050. And other research has reported finding imbalances similar to those seen in people with mental illnesses in the brain chemistry of young smartphone users who spend a large amount of time staring at them. 

Other studies have linked even one hour a day spent staring at a smartphone screen with a significant rise in anxiety and depression among children. Gattegno says it’s also been associated with a drop in children’s curiosity about the world around them, and an increase in the amount of bad behaviour like bullying, short attention spans, and low performance at school, with most of these attributed to the instant gratification and constant streams of information, sound and colour, provided by mobiles, which could overwhelm the brain and distort the children’s perceptual vision skills.

Tips on How to Lower the Risks

Gattegno says that the best way to avoid these threats, is to reduce the time spent staring at screens by setting boundaries on the time young eyes spend focused on them. 

The smartphones themselves provide some assistance in the form of anti-glare screens and settings which reduce the emission of blue light, which studies now show may actually damage the cornea and impact badly on vision. It’s also possible to adjust the brightness and contrast, as well as the size of the text, all of which go some way towards reducing potential harm to the eyes. Keeping the screen clean and clear of blotchy fingerprints, and teaching children to blink frequently when watching the screen, will help protect their eyes from getting dry and help reduce eye strain, as will ensuring the screen is at least 16 inches away from their eyes while they are watching.

Gattegno says it’s also wise to involve children in other activities which will help their eyes and at the same time distract them from the screen.  Time outside, engaging with nature under natural light and doing some exercise, is the best answer. It also creates an opportunity to implement the 20/20/20 rule of eye care, which recommends that every 20 minutes children should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, and take a 15-minute break from any type of screen every 50 minutes.

HEAR: Ultra106.5FM Interview with Gary Rodney – Covid and Myopia: What you need to know!

For more information on screen usage, behavioural optometry, perceptual vision and vision therapy, or to book an appointment, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

The Debate Goes On

He says there has been a great deal of debate about the effects of screens on children’s eyes, and the Computer Vision Syndrome caused when screens are watched for too long, which is said to cause poor eye-teaming, eye fatigue, blurred vision and dry eyes. 

However, Rodney says other factors are now entering the discussion as eye experts become increasingly aware of the growing impact on vision caused by technology and lifestyle, in some cases as a result of studies-based experience during Covid-19 lockdowns. 

Far Beyond Fatigue

These have led to suggestions that long spells of screen watching at one focal distance could adversely impact on children’s distance and peripheral vision (side vision) as well as their depth and perceptual vision skills, and affect their understanding of what they are seeing; and it might even contribute to the epidemic levels of myopia (shortsightedness) currently affecting one in three people globally.

He says this is supported by researchers studying myopia (nearsightedness), and its growth to epidemic levels along with the speedy growth of technology, close work, and urbanisation, which has resulted in largely indoor and screen-dominated lifestyles. 

“Taking children’s natural tendency to mimic their parents’ habits into consideration, many of these researchers are increasingly focusing on this type of lifestyle when looking for a cause for myopia, instead of focusing entirely on parental genes. And their move in this direction has, in turn, been supported by studies showing a significant growth in myopia during lockdowns, particularly in young children,” Rodney says.

Cutting the Connection with Learning

According to Rodney, while technology, and specially screens, provide quick access to knowledge, and even faster answers, there is no real connection created between the viewer and the information or two-dimensional image on the screen. Nor is there a tangible one with the computer that delivers it. And as quickly as it is delivered, it can be deleted from the screen, and even from the viewer’s memory. 

This lack of connection or engagement can impact considerably on children’s perceptual vision, the skill that enables them to understand what they are seeing on the screen, and its relevance in their lives. It can also lead to a loss of curiosity about knowledge, and shorter attention spans when it comes to learning. 

“Studies have shown that children learn best when engaged on a person- to-person basis, whether that’s with a parent or a teacher. Perhaps it’s a throwback to a time long ago, when most children learned from their parents about how to function, behave, and survive in the real world, and learning was, more often than not, the result of demonstration, participation, observation, and practicality,” Rodney says.

HEAR: Ultra106.5FM Interview with Gary Rodney – Covid and Myopia: What you need to know!

For more information on myopia treatment and management, as well as to learn about vision therapy, or to book an appointment for a visual perception test online, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

According to Rodney, the homeschooling approach to learning, with its flexibility in regard to the curriculum and free choice in terms of how, where and at what rate it’s supplied, provides an ideal opportunity, often not possible in public schools, to include some important extras in the home curriculum which will both protect children’s visual perception  and, at the same time, allow parents to keep their own eyes open to any signs of vision problems, and take action if they do so.  However, not taking advantage of this opportunity could have the opposite result. 

Learning by Seeing, Doing and Experiencing

Recommended steps include controlling screen time spent on both learning and entertainment; ensuring that regular physical exercise is part of the homeschool day; providing opportunities for children to focus on real objects at various distances; and taking frequent breaks outdoors engaging with the natural world under natural light. 

Specially when it comes to young children, Rodney recommends that learning tools such as puzzles, building blocks, and other educational toys should be used. Demonstrations, participation, and discussions on learning subjects should be included, to make learning fun, and real, and so assist in the development of children’s visual perception skills, which are vital for making what’s seen or read meaningful and usable in their lives.

Clues Provided by Lockdowns

“The lockdowns, in addition to providing parents with a trial run on homeschooling, also supplied researchers with data regarding the side-effects of indoor lifestyles and schooling on children’s sight and vision health, and on their attitudes, behaviour and performance when learning, as well as how much they participated and connected with the process,” Rodney says.

“Results were both positive and negative. On the one hand, academic outcomes seemed better than those produced in the classroom. However, the researchers also saw a significant decline in homeschoolers’ levels of applied thinking, engagement, application, and interest in the process, so lessening their understanding regarding what they saw on screens.” 

He says studies also showed a considerable rise in the number of very young children with myopia (shortsightedness), a refractive error which affects children’s ability to see anything that isn’t very close to them. And some researchers linked this directly to screen time during which the eyes maintain the same short focal length for long periods and viewers tend to forget to blink.

How the Visual Process Works

Sight is considered the most important of our senses as it collects about 80% of the information people need to respond to threats, understand the world around them, how to function in it, and where they fit into it. However, this information is initially received in an unusable “raw” state in the form of data provided by light rays which land in the eyes.   

“It’s the very complex visual system lead by the brain that’s responsible for processing this data from electrochemical signals into meaningful information that can be understood and used by those who ‘saw’ it,” Rodney says. 

To achieve this the brain relies mostly on built-up memories of shapes and sizes, construction, textures, colours and locations, to transform this data into thought processes which put it into perspective by setting it in context and giving it a meaning the viewer can understand, respond to, and apply. 

Information Mustn’t be Compromised

If the eyes, the original data, the processing system, or the processed information provided by the brain in the form of a thought image, is compromised in any way, including by how, when, and where it’s delivered and experienced, this can impact on sight, vision, behaviour, and physical and social activity. 

Rodney says where problems could arise is if homeschoolers are allowed to spend too much time studying on computers or spend most of their time indoors, as both have been shown to impact on vision health and visual perception. 

He says the jury is still out as to how much the single and short focal distance involved in screen viewing affects the data received by the eyes and brain. But concerns exist that because the screen information is not real, remains static (even if it’s supposedly moving), has no depth, and therefore no association with the brain’s memory bank, it may not fully meet the brain’s processing requirements, and therefore not be presented as information which is fully understandable and usable.

HEAR: Ultra106.5FM Interview with Gary Rodney – Covid and Myopia: What you need to know!

For more information on myopia prevention and management, perceptual vision, or to book an appointment for a visual perception test online, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Turning Lives and Function Upside Down

Brought about by a glitch in the visual processing system, spatial relation problems can quite literally turn children’s lives around, upside down, and back to front; as well as leading to a number of actions and responses which might be labelled mistakenly as bad behaviour; physical and social clumsiness; or learning difficulties (especially when it comes to maths, reading, and writing).

Rodney says spatial relationship problems can affect the way children stand, how they walk, dance, or play; as well as their ability to concentrate, solve problems, recognise shapes, and make sense of numbers and letters.

“Children who haven’t fully developed their vision-spatial relationship skills have a lot in common with those who try to identify, place and join together the pieces of a puzzle game. If placed together correctly, the puzzle pieces would provide a beautiful picture. If it’s never finished, and instead is left partly completed on the table, the resultant picture will continue to be confusing, disorientating, and isolating for as long as it lies there.

For those with vision-spatial relation difficulties, the table is the world, the unfinished picture is their place in that world, and the missing pieces represent their lack of understanding of where they and objects around them fit into the picture, how close they are together, and what shape they are. And this creates more and longer-lasting confusion together with a feeling of being isolated from the world around them,” Rodney says.

A Glitch in the Toolbox

According to Rodney, deficiency in visual-spatial relations is not really a vision dysfunction, but rather a missing gap in the toolbox of vision skills which ensure that all the necessary data the brain needs to process the information is sent to it by the eyes.

The brain, more than half of which is devoted to processing information, relies on its “libraries” of previously processed data to confirm or challenge the accuracy of new messages from the eyes. Special attention is paid to the construction, colour, location and environment involved, so as to give the finished image a meaning that’s relevant and understandable.

However, Rodney says that is precisely the sort of information those with visual-spatial and perceptive vision problems are unable to provide. This is because of their inability to understand shapes and their differences; locations and movement-based activities; the distance between objects, and directions like up and down, as well as left and right. And because of that, neither can they understand how to organize groups of objects, words, letters or numbers in a synchronized way, any more than they can “organize” their physical or mental relationship with them.

For more information on visual skills and their importance, and their therapy, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Rodney, founder of Smart Vision Optometry, says that while more parents (and schools) are becoming aware of the need to check children’s eyesight each year before school opens, they are settling for standard eye tests which report on whether or not they can see objects at a distance of 20ft (the average level of distance sight) and earn the 20/20 rating which simply indicates how well each eye can do so.

What it doesn’t show, and is largely ignored until behaviour or lack of performance raises its head as school progresses, is that even with 20/20 eyesight, children may have vision problems which deprive them of the ability to understand what they are seeing, and leave them without the perceptual vision skills they need to process information in the school environment.

Learning Requires More Than Good Eyesight

Learning and performing well at school requires not only good eyesight, which is processed by the brain and eyes, but also the interpretive mental or thought process of perceptual vision. Backing this is the need for eyes that team well, focus on the same point at the same time, can track objects as they move, follow letters across the page.

And they should have an efficient focusing system that is flexible enough to allow for switching focus from near to far on a regular basis as focus shifting is particularly necessary in classrooms, where children are asked to copy words written on the blackboard at the other end of the room, into books that are on their desks only about 20 inches away from their eyes, says Gattegno.

How to Improve the Vision Side of Learning

Rodney says that vision skills and the visual process are a core part of behavioural optometry. Rather than testing how clearly children can see letters across a room as a standard eye test does, it instead looks at the functional and perceptual vision skills, which reveal how well the vision system is functionally able to concentrate and visually attend, and the level at which the brain processes visual information.

Perceptual vision skills, Rodney says, are an essential part of successful learning, and if these are not operating normally, they can seriously impact on children’s physical and mental performance and behaviour at school. However, by doing so, they can also sound the alarm that something may not be right with their vision, and provide a call to action to have their vision skills checked. Fortunately, these skill deficits can often be corrected with vision therapy and training.

The Vision Skills Toolbox

In an ideal situation, Rodney says children should have most of the following vision skills, and be able to draw on them to help their learning performance. But just being unable to apply one or two of them, could affect their lives and their learning considerably.

Visual Spatial Relations: A vital part of perceptual vision lies in the viewer seeing their position in relation to objects, and recognise the space between them. This affects their understanding of the concepts of up, down and sideways, as well as the ideas behind left, right, next to, and under. These factors can impact severely on reading; letter and number formation; and movement through crowds. It can also affect their balance, and lead to clumsiness.

Visual discrimination is about seeing and identifying the differences between objects and forms, particularly when they are very similar. These include letters such as “d” and “b”, which are the same shape turned back to front, or numbers like “6” and “9” where one is simply turned upside down to create the other.

Form constancy is the ability to mentally manipulate objects, and visualise the results in a way that two objects can be recognised as being the same, even if they are different in size, colour, or orientation.

Visual Memory allows information which has already been received visually before to be recalled for use as a reference in dealing with new words or facts.

Sequential Memory is the vision skill that, if it’s properly developed, makes it possible to remember characters or forms like cellphone numbers and lists in the right order.

Visual Closure involves matching two items even when one of them has some parts of it missing.

Visual Figure Ground: This is like finding the needle in the haystack. It involves the ability to identify something which is surrounded by other, distracting items.

For more information on vision skills, assessments and therapy, or to make an appointment, visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Not All Normals are Normal

According to Gattegno, children, and often those around them, are totally unaware that there’s a vision problem, and are therefore unlikely to realise that vision errors could be behind low learning performance, and unexpected classroom behaviour which doesn’t seem to be in sync with the child’s personality traits or cognitive development.

She says children don’t really see their vision as being anything but normal, because they haven’t experienced anything else. And while they may realise that they don’t see or experience things the same way their classmates do, they may tend to be reticent about discussing it with those around them, so many parents and teachers are left in the dark.

Getting to the Bottom of Behaviour Problems

Rodney, founder of the Smart Vision Optometry system based in Sydney, says vision problems impacting on learning skills and classroom behaviour often involve focusing and eye-tracking issues, or a lack of teamwork between the eyes. These can affect the way children see their lives and how they function in them, and they can certainly impact on their understanding or perception of what is seen in the classroom, and how they react to it.

He says that to work perfectly the visual system needs uninterrupted and perfect teamwork between the eyes and brain. The eyes harvest information provided by light rays and transmit it to the brain, where this information is decoded and processed into understandable and usable images. Any glitches in this system or shortfalls in the teamwork can bring about a similar outcome to that of a single player who’s out of form on match-day and so causes a sports team to lose a match which seemed like a certain win.

Rodney says that, similarly, the out of sync behavioural patterns could be indicating that at least one team player is not performing well in the visual team, resulting in children having difficulty paying attention or concentrating; avoiding certain activities like reading or playing sport; and being reluctant when it comes to answering questions or really engaging in classroom discussions.

Vision Testing and Therapy May be the Solution

Fortunately, he says these patterns, and the vision problems causing them, can be identified by testing for visual perceptual and functional skill deficits, and any eye deficiencies which could be causing them. And in many cases these can be corrected using vision therapy provided this intervention is done timeously. 

On the other hand, relying solely on regular eye-tests could mean that these vision dysfunctions and impairments, which affect the way people see objects and interpret what they are seeing, can go untreated, or be misdiagnosed as a neurodevelopmental disorder such as ADHD, or other learning disorders like dyslexia.

For more information on behavioural optometry, perceptual vision, vision therapy and its importance, or to book an appointment for a thorough eye or vision check-up,visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Gattegno says that many of these problems are not something schoolchildren can necessarily just grow out of, but many can be minimised from further breakdown or improved with treatment or vision therapy, as long as there is timely intervention.

Without treatment, she said, the situation, and the children’s consequent view of life and the world around them, is likely to get worse with time and age, as the visual impairment progresses to more severe levels. The end result could be that not only their classroom learning experience could be negatively affected, but also the way they live their adult life, perform in their career, and handle social interactions and relationships. And that’s in addition to the impact vision problems can have on sight acuity as the years go by.

Missing the Possible Source

“The numbers just keep growing, but the message is still not getting through clearly enough that in the classroom, what could be construed as bad behaviour, laziness, low performance, difficulty reading, or inadequate responses to questions, might actually be the result of undisclosed or not yet identified vision problems,” she said.

According to Rodney, this misunderstanding can result in misdiagnoses which ascribe these children’s poor performance to ADHD, dyslexia, autism and many more similar disorders, which could be remediated with appropriate intervention. The problem may lie within the visual system, either partially or completely, says Rodney. And, even when the diagnosis is correct, vision problems may also be part of it, and silently making it worse. He said checking for vision problems and controlling them or treating them with vision therapy could make a big difference to the outcome.

Causes of Children Seeing The World Differently

What the children see around them could be distorted by vision problems such as a “lazy eye” (amblyopia), which can appear normal, but could end up sightless because of its poor vision in comparison with the other eye; misalignment of the eyes (strabismus); or refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia ( farsightedness), and astigmatism, all of which don’t receive the light-carried data correctly, or in the right place, because of misshapen corneas or eyeballs.

Child Vision Problems on the Increase

According to Rodney, the number of children with vision problems, and the level of severity of those impairments, has been shown to grow exponentially as students progress with their studies, particularly when the disorder is myopia. Nearsightedness, which allows for clear vision only when the object is close by, and presents everything at a distance as a blur, has been increasing its grip on children’s eyes since the middle of last century and is soaring to new levels every decade to a point where it is being seen as an epidemic.

Keeping an Eye on Vision

He said it was vital that today’s schoolchildren were taken for regular eye check-ups to keep track of their eye health. But it was also vital that parents and teachers were alert to signs that could indicate the existence of a vision disorder.

These include problems with focusing, having trouble reading what’s written on the blackboard, or seeing what’s happening in the distance. This can lead to difficulty in reading, squinting, and frequently rubbing eyes, as well as constantly holding a book very close when reading, or moving nearer to the screen when watching it.

For more information visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here  or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Rodney, a fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC), says not enough consideration is being given to those children whose ability to learn is compromised because of refractive, perceptual and vision impairments which prevent them from seeing and processing relevant information. Instead technology is taking over the classroom and, in many cases, the use of screens and computers is increasing the progression of eye impairments like myopia.

Home Screentime Gets the Blame

“While the debate continues as to whether too much screen time at home could be causing or worsening eye problems, the school screen time or computer usage, which also calls for fixed focus and very little blinking over long periods, is seldom addressed.

Instead, it’s often seen as a feather in the cap of educational institutions keen to prove they’re keeping up with the times. And this is despite studies which report big leaps in the percentage of students with vision problems like myopia as their educational paths continue in a world where shortsightedness has reached epidemic proportions,” says Rodney.    

He said one out of four school-goers are myopic (nearsighted) and can see objects clearly only when they are close by. When faced with images or texts some distance away, everything becomes a confusing blur which leaves them understanding very little about the meaning or relevance of what they are seeing.

And they are not alone on this situation. According to Rodney, many children with other eye impairments face similar difficulties. And there’s a flip side to the problem – its not only screens that are further away that lead to difficulty with perceptual vision. A nearby screen like an individual computer on the desk, also holds an assortment of risks like fixed distance focus, the negative effects of the blue light emitted by the screen, and a tendency not to blink, which can lead to dry eye and eye strain in the same way as home computers, mobile phones and tablets.

Rodney said it’s possible that more hours are now spent viewing screens at school than at home, and certainly more time will be spent indoors doing so during class. And these are two of the major concerns with regard to increasing the rate of progression of this epidemic level eye impairment.

Kids Dealing With a Bundle of Confusion

For children with myopia starting school this adds to the normal concerns about whether children will like or shun them, and if their performance will be good enough to elicit praise from their parents and teacher.

When the knowledge they’re supposed to absorb is displayed a full classroom length away, they may well give up completely on concepts like learning, best behaviour, and “doing well at school”, and end up with limited attention spans, poor engagement and performance, affected social development and a low self-image, all of which will feed the vicious cycle they create. And at the same time the core factor of the eye impairment itself could be getting worse.  

“What are they supposed to feel when their teacher asks a question about something on a screen, and they can’t answer it because what they see doesn’t make sense? Or they battle to read out loud words which are a blur to them on a screen or whiteboard, and everyone around them starts laughing?” asks Gattegno.

HEAR: Gary Rodney Interviewed By David Wood Ultra106five.com

The Need for Eye Checks

Rodney and Gattegno urge parents and schools to ensure that children have regular eye checks in a bid to pick up any signs of impairment as soon as possible so those affected can be treated immediately.

For more information visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visit Myopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visit Orthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up, click here or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

HEAR: Gary Rodney Interviewed By David Wood Ultra106five.com

Rodney said the reports speak of phones and tablets braced against hands too small to hold them, and with cartoon-streaming digital devices placed in pushchair pockets close to tiny faces. 

Rodney says he does not “blame” parents for doing this. Instead he believes it is the result of a lack of awareness on many Australian parents’ part regarding how babies’ and children’s eyes develop in the first months and years of their lives, and the importance of protecting their children from becoming part of the statistics that indicate myopia will affect half the world’s population by 2050.

Pushchair Screen-time Affects a Baby’s Eyesight

Rodney says exposing babies to screens could unintentionally increase their chances of becoming myopic. Lack of time spent outdoors and too much screen time are two links identified by studies as having possible ties to the development of this treatable but incurable refractive eye condition. This has led to the American Academy of Paediatrics recommending that children under two years old should not watch screens at all, and older children should be limited to around 2 hours a day.

He said babies in prams or pushchairs are extremely vulnerable as their eyesight is still developing, and will continue to do so at least until they reach their third birthday. Newborn babies are shortsighted and unable to see further than a foot (30cm) away, without what they’re seeing becoming blurred, even if that happens to be their parents. This nearsightedness will normally disappear as the baby’s eyesight develops, but not in all cases.

An Eyesight Threat Not Just an Inconvenience

Near or short sightedness are the layman’s terms for myopia, Rodney said, labels which do not sound serious or threatening, and can often be misunderstood to be an inconvenience which can be fixed with a pair of glasses.

“These terms don’t paint a true picture of myopia and how it feels to see everything that’s more than a few feet away as a blur. It can leave a feeling of confusion in children who come to realise they cannot see, or interpret what they are seeing, as others do. For them a blur is a blur, whether it’s actually a tree, a mountain range, or even the family pet playing in the backyard. 

“Their vision is trapped where it was when they were babies in prams and pushchairs. Only now, they are not babies developing their eyesight, but children having to learn about, and react to, a world around them in a world where their eyesight has not developed in the same way as their peers’. When they go to school they are expected to assimilate information, most of which is presented in the form of images some distance away, and is often nothing but a blur to them. This can impact on performance at school,” Rodney says.

The Importance of Myopia Treatment

Unless the right treatment is given, the eye impairment can worsen progressively until children reach their late 20’s when it usually levels off. And later in life can become a serious eye problem which can lead to blindness. 

Smart Vision Optometry clinics in Sydney focus on providing eye care for a number of vision problems with particular focus on children and myopia, and on determining the best treatment for each case. Visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision to find more information provided by the Smart Vision behavioural optometrists and for information on the precautions applied during COVID-19.

Click here to book an appointment online or Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047, or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.  

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

HEAR: Gary Rodney Interviewed By David Wood Ultra106five.com

Responding to the results of the world’s second survey on myopia management conducted by a team from Optometry Australia, the University of Melbourne Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, and the Centre for Eye Research Australia, based on the first, and so-far only one of its kind, conducted back in 2016, Rodney said:

“Children with myopia, and their parents, should be made aware of all options available. Myopia is one of the most common eye problems currently facing both children and adults, and can lead to major problems and possible blindness in the elderly. Doors should be kept open to all  methods of intervention to prevent this from happening,” Rodney said.

Every Second Person Could Have Myopia by 2050

The founder of Smart Vision said the “glasses only” response from such a large share of the Australian optometry sector, painted a worrying picture of myopia management in Australia. And this was particularly so in a world where the WHO foresees myopia affecting close on 5billion (or 52%) of the world’s population by 2050. This is double the number of people, or one in three of  the global population, that statistics suggest are likely to be suffering from nearsightedness by the end of this year.

Rodney said it was also questionable why, in this scenario, more than half of Australian optometrists would choose to ignore ways of managing nearsightedness other than single vision glasses, while at the same time acknowledging the effectiveness of alternative treatments in their responses.

No Known cure, But Many Treatment Options

“As there is no known cure for myopia, all treatments, whether they involve single-vision or multifocal spectacles, contact lenses, special eye drops, or even the possibility of laser surgery, are aimed at trying to slow down myopia and its progression as children get older. And the best window of opportunity to do so is when they are young.

“For this reason all optometrists should be prepared and willing to explore the advantages and disadvantages of every methodology available, to determine which most benefits the child being treated,” he said.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics in Sydney focus on providing eye care for a number of vision problems with particular focus on children and myopia, and on determining the best treatment for each case. Visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision to find more information provided by the Smart Vision behavioural optometrists whose major focus is on the effects of perceptual and functional vision problems in children.  

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Entering the School Years a Step or Two Behind

Rodney and Gattegno agree this means that many children head off to school a few steps behind their peers, simply because they do not see the world or anything in it in the same way their classmates do. Instead everything is blurred or not processed appropriately visually. This can lead to a number of learning problems as well as causing the children to feel uncomfortable in several areas.

“They’re facing a whole new world when they enter school, and tend to lose confidence when they feel they are not performing as well as their new friends. Reading can become difficult and other learning skills can lag, and they don’t know why this is happening. So many of them may start to show behavioural problems or avoid engagement with a process that seems too hard. Some don’t want to read, and many don’t want to take up sports,” Rodney and Gattegno explained.  

A Question of Distance

Two of the most commonly known of the eye problems, which together with other eye problems affect around 22% or more of Australians under 14, are myopia and hyperopia. Both cause children to have blurry vision, either when trying to view something at a distance, which is the case with myopia (nearsightedness), or when looking at something close up, when they are farsighted (hyperopia). Both are refraction errors caused by the light rays focus in front of the retina or behind it, but not on it as it should.

On school screenings however, Rodney and Gattegno have found that optical blur only accounts for 11% of all other vision problems. There are far more issues with both functional vision skills and perceptual vision skills. So looking at refractive error alone will not identify the vast majority of vision road blocks to reading and learning.

How to See the Signs 

Parents can be on the watch for certain give-away signs that their children have problems with visual function or visual processing of things at different distances. Some are easily visible in physical actions.

These include a tendency to move very close to what they are trying to see, like when watching TV, or bring books close to their eyes when they are trying to read.  Children with eye problems may also lose their place while reading a book, let their eyes follow the words using a finger to guide them, or take to avoiding the things its too difficult to do. This could include books or perhaps sports because the blur creeps in and makes it too difficult because the focus called for is not comfortable for them, according to Rodney and Gattegno.

They may also squint, or tip their head to one side to allow the stronger eye to do the work, so allowing the weaker eye to become “lazy” and deteriorate even more.

Rodney said that difficulty focusing could also lead to frequent headaches, light sensitivity and complaints about “sore eyes”. It can also result in avoidance in response to suggestions that they read a book, or work on a computer, a while this might sometimes be taken as bad behaviour, it could turn out to be the very real effect of an eye problem.  

What Parents Can Do

Armed with these warning signs, they can then approach leading optometrists like those at Gary Rodney’s and Jacqueline Gattegno’s Smart Vision clinics in Sydney, or call one of the Eyes In Design NSW clinics at Bondi (02) 9365 5047 or Mosman (02) 9969 1600.

They can also visit the Smart Vision website: Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision to find more information provided by the Smart Vision behavioural optometrists whose major focus is on the effects of perceptual and functional vision problems in children.  

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

HEAR: Gary Rodney Interviewed By David Wood Ultra106five.com

Numbers of Children With Myopia Soaring

Rodney, the founder of the Smart Vision approach to behavioural optometry said recent statistics suggest that more than one in three people in the US and Europe, and four out of five in East Asian countries, are battling to cope with the eye impairment. And global numbers are expected to see myopia affecting every second child by 2050. With high myopia significantly contributing to increased numbers of age-related blindness. Meanwhile, the debate was still going on regarding what causes the incurable condition, why the number affected is growing, and finding the best to treat it. 

Rodney said that fortunately focus on the issue had increased and specially-designed single, and multi-focal contact lenses, as well as Orthokeratology which uses gas permeable contacts in its overnight treatment were now part of a sizeable list of new developments which could help treat the situation and control the damage being caused to the eyeball even though they still do not provide a cure.

New Approach to Treating Myopia

The newest of these, Orthokeratology (Orthok) temporarily reshapes the cornea to lessen the refractive errors which lead to vision confusion for those with myopia. And studies have cleared it as being successful as both primary therapy and for slowing down myopia’s tendency to worsen progressively as children age and often continuing into adulthood. 

Rodney said nearsightedness develops when the cornea or lens in the eye has an abnormal shape, or the eyeball is too long, any of which can cause the image focus to be in front of the retina rather than on it, resulting in blurred vision. 

Nearsightedness Remains a Mystery

“Myopia is still a bit of a mystery because so far there is no cure, no certainty about why it occurs, and it is affecting increasing numbers of children.  The current debate is covering a wide range of factors, including discussions about genetics, diet, and, according to a recent Chinese study, the suggestion that it could be caused or worsened by the impact of screen and mobile watching,” Rodney said. 

He said treatment was also complicated by the fact that all of the treatments available for use, from corrective glasses to contact lenses and eye drops, and even laser surgery, were purely fixes aimed at alleviating the problem. 

Still No Cure for Myopia

“There is still no actual cure. And perhaps that’s the reason why surveys show that more than 6 out of 10 optometrists have not moved forward from their long-standing single vision treatment protocol. Maybe they don’t see the point, or believe the equipment and training needed for new treatments such as Orthokeratology is beyond their means, ” he said.

Rodney, one of seven orthokeratologists in Australia and a fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, said the three Smart Vision clinics in Sydney are equipped and trained to administer Ortho-K treatment. 

For more information visit the Smart Vision website, Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision, or call the NSW clinics at Bondi (02) 9365 5047, Mosman (02) 9969 1600 or Pennant Hills (02) 9481 0449.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Rodney said vision, the cognitive and interpretive part of sight which connects what the eyes see with the brain and thought patterns, goes beyond simply what children see. Instead, it revolves around how they see it, react to it, understand it, and interpret its relevance and position in their lives.

HEAR: Gary Rodney Interviewed By David Wood Ultra106five.com

Changing an Image into a Vision

“Each new object or situation a child ‘sees’ is like a picture, but it comes without a frame. It means nothing more than the flashcards sometimes used to teach a child to read. The picture has a name, but nothing more. There’s no taste of the apple, or indication of how much fun it could be to climb a tree. Basically there is no sensory input, just an ‘A’ or a ‘T’, a drawing and the word ‘apple’ or ‘tree’. There is no explanation of why it, or it’s name matter, or how to use it. 

And some children, with no reference point they can use to measure it by, tend to just learn the name and bury it in their memory. There is no thought, perception or perspective involved which would change their seeing the word into a vision of what the apple or tree really are,” Rodney said.

The founder of the Smart Vision group of optometrists in Sydney said this lack of connection between eyesight and vision in traditional eye tests could result in changes in children’s behavioural patterns and self-image, as well as possible reading and learning difficulties, going undetected. 

Eye Tests are About Sight Not Vision

He said that many parents, presented with 20/20 eyesight results following regular eye tests and screenings, remain unaware that their children could be battling to cope with learning, or confused by their inability to blend into their environment and see the world as others do. 

Both the children and their parents simply do not realise that the 20/20 refers purely to the child’s ability to see a group of meaningless letters at a distance. And while this is important in terms of the eyes’ functionality, it has no reference to the perceptual and interpretive aspects of sight, and this perfect eyesight may be totally unconnected to their vision of the world.  

“People are not aware that seeing something clearly is not enough. What is important is to not only to see it, but to know from looking at it what it is, what it means and how you should react to it,” Rodney said.

To deal with these anomalies, Smart Vision’s three convenient clinical operations in Sydney, address this problem with tests based on comprehensive vision skills and a training programme aimed at correcting any visual issues that may be present. 

For further information, visit Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision or call Bondi (02) 9365 5047, Mosman (02) 9969 1600 or Pennant Hills (02) 9481 0449.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Have you ever heard the saying “keep your eye on the ball”? For superior sports performance (and concussion avoidance – whatever floats your boat), this is completely true. One must be able to see moving targets (people and balls) clearly. They must be able to track the target as it moves, change focus from one target to another, judge the speed and the distance of the target, be aware of what is going on around them and have pretty adequate eye-hand coordination. All. At. Once.

So it makes sense then that many of our Vision Therapy patients are future sports stars in training. We have cricketers, footballers, horse riders, netballers and some pretty impressive handballers! Some patients see us because they are already pretty good at their favourite sport but their vision is holding them back from being the best. Other patients are completing vision therapy because they want to be able to play sports with their friends and keep up with the other kids. There are also the patients that simply want to navigate the school playground without constant fear of flying objects.

Now don’t be fooled, just because kids make up a large proportion of our patient cohort we aren’t limited to the younger age groups. We see also women who want to be able to play tennis with their friends on a Wednesday, men who want a better edge when competing with their football team on the weekend and a couple of older patients who want to improve their balance and coordination so they can throw a ball around with the grandkids when they are babysitting.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. A team of psychologists studied a group of baseball players and found that after completing a little over 24 vision therapy sessions, the players batting averages and reading accuracy improved by 30%. Another study examined a group of college students who received cricket training and a group who received visual training. The vision training group performed significantly better and the researchers concluded that vision therapy results in improved sports performance. Even famous American footballer Larry Fitzgerald admits that he would not have had such a successful career as a sports star without the help of vision therapy.

Sports vision training is done on a sport-specific basis with a custom-tailored program for each sport and athlete. If you are having trouble getting to the next level in a particular sport or simply wish to enhance your performance, contact one of our Behavioural Optometry practices in Sydney today.

Impulsivity. Hyperactivity. Distractibility.

Research tells us children with a vision problem like convergence insufficiency (CI) are a whopping three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children without CI. In fact, 15 of the 18 symptoms of ADHD listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are also symptoms of a functional vision problem.

Functional vision problems generally branch out of three main areas: eye tracking, eye teaming, and eye focusing. These skills are outlined below alongside the difficulties that they are associated with. Notice the overlap with ADHD symptoms.

• Poor eye-tracking skills relate to inefficiency in the ability of the eyes to fixate track and jump from object to object. This includes jumping the eyes from word to word on the page when reading. Poor eye-tracking skills lead to decreased fluency when reading, frequent loss of place, skipping lines when reading and writing, increased distractibility when reading, and failure to attend to finer details when reading and writing.

• Poor eye teaming skills relate to the inability to use the two eyes together well as a coordinated team. Depth perception, avoidance of close work tasks, difficulty completing work in class, difficulty sitting still and maintaining a steady posture, and viewing distances often result from poor eye teaming skills.

• Poor eye-focusing skills make it difficult for the child to maintain clear vision at varying distances. It makes learning, reading, writing, and sports more difficult and can lead to reduced comprehension levels along with avoidance of concentrated tasks.

So if your child has problems paying close attention to details, avoids near-work tasks requiring mental effort (like homework), and has difficulty completing school work and following instructions, don’t risk a misdiagnosis. A comprehensive vision skills assessment with one of our behavioural optometrists will only take you an hour and could end up being the difference between a label and a cure. Don’t let your child become another statistic.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the connection between vision and learning difficulties.

EYES ON RILEY

Like all babies, Riley was born with fuzzy vision, seeing just far enough to make out the face of the person holding her. Around one month old, she started using her two eyes to track moving objects and around two months she started loving colours and high contrast patterns. At four months, Riley started to perceive depth and at five months she was recognising things and people without seeing all of them yet – hide and seek became her new favourite game (and still is). By eight months, Riley was recognising us easily from across a room and her vision is now close to that of an adult.

Given that sight is our most important and guiding sense, it should absolutely be monitored closely from birth. Visual impairments can lead to significant developmental delays and so a child’s eyes should be checked at birth and at each doctor appointment until their first eye test at 6 months of age.

Riley the rebellious had her first eye test at ten months, when she spent a day in the office observing all of her mother’s patients – preparing for her career as a vision therapist, no doubt. With patience, creativity and some great technology (a singing hippo on our big screen), our principal behavioural optometrist Gary Rodney was able to confirm that Riley’s eyes were focussing where they should be and working as a binocular team. Our tiny legend passed her first eye test with flying colours.

As she grows, Riley’s family – along with the entire Smart Vision team – will be watching to make sure that she meets all of her visual developmental milestones. The Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists provides a comprehensive checklist for these milestones here.

Every child should undergo optometric assessments before they begin their schooling, and it is important to remember that the screening tests conducted at schools do not offer a full and comprehensive picture of the child’s visual development and function. 

If you haven’t yet had your child’s eyes checked, we recommend you contact us and if you are worried about how their vision skills are progressing, do not fret. Vision is learnt and because it is learnt, it is trainable, which is where behavioural optometrists and vision therapists come in. Who knows? Riley might end up being your child’s vision therapist – she is very advanced! 🙂

Gary has joined the selective group of seven orthokeratologists in Australia and three in New Zealand who display the highest level of knowledge, ethics and patient care concerning the practice of Orthokeratology (or Ortho-K). This is seen as the pinnacle of clinical practice achievement in this specialty.

SO WHAT IS IT, EXACTLY?

The FIAOMC (Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control) is the Gold standard for Ortho-K practitioners in this specialty. It is determined by an orthokeratologist’s experience and expertise and follows a rigorous case evaluation and testing procedure, including case presentations, written and oral examinations.

Fellows serve as mentors and role models for new Ortho-K practitioners, other eye care practitioners and the general public.

WHY IS THIS RELEVANT TO ME?

With the development of new contact lens materials, improved accuracy of lens manufacture, sophisticated corneal mapping instrumentation and the massively exploding research and awareness of the dangers of myopia progression and how we can stop it, Ortho-K’s popularity has grown considerably worldwide over the past 10 years. However, as Ortho-K requires specialised equipment and training, and is the highest level of contact lens customisation available, very few practitioners have reached this level.

Not only do our optometrists have the expertise to assess, monitor and control your corneal reshaping process in order to provide optimum vision correction and maximum myopia progression control, Gary is now also among Australia’s most knowledgeable and experienced orthokeratologists, ensuring the best level of care to you and your family.

CAN YOU REMIND ME WHAT ORTHO-K IS?

Ortho-K is a unique technology that uses custom-fitted contact lenses to improve vision through the gentle reshaping of the cornea while you sleep. This safe, non-invasive and convenient process allows you the freedom to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses.

Extensive research worldwide has shown Ortho-K also has one of the greatest effects on the slowing of myopia progression in children. Our Ortho-K technology allows us to correct myopia (up to -12.00), astigmatism, hyperopia and presbyopia in both adults and children.

You can learn more by visiting www.orthoksydney.com.au. For detailed information and FAQ,please request an Ortho-K Info Pack on this website or click HERE to book an Ortho-K assessment appointment at one of our Smart Vision practices.

THE MYOPIA BOOM – ARE YOUR GLASSES MAKING YOUR EYES WORSE?

Myopia (also known as shortsightedness or nearsightedness) is reaching epidemic proportions and its rapid increase has become a major public health concern worldwide. If current trends continue, almost half the world’s population will be shortsighted by 2050, with one-fifth of those expected to have a significantly increased risk of blindness¹. That’s an eight-fold increase in the number of people with myopia in just a few decades.

While genes can predict the risk of myopia, they alone cannot explain the recent myopia boom. Several authors attribute it to environmental factors and lifestyle changes such as more near-work activities – including the use of computers and smartphones – and less time spent outdoors.

We now know that no level of myopia is safe for the long-term protection against permanent loss of sight. A recent study² shows that myopia of even -1.00 brings with it an increased lifetime risk of glaucoma and cataracts, as well as three times more chances of retinal detachment and two times more chances of myopic macular degeneration, which often leads to blindness. These risks grow exponentially for increasing levels of myopia – and refractive surgery does not change the odds.

One of the unfortunate realities of contemporary eye care is that, despite extensive research, many clinicians continue to claim that no one has ever proven that acquired myopia is not inherited and that nothing can be done to stop your child’s eyes from getting worse. Or what is even more alarming – they still prescribe the traditional treatment to alleviate the symptoms, which has repeatedly shown no beneficial effect and is proven by research³ to only aggravate the problem in the long run. That’s right – wearing traditional, single-focus glasses or contact lenses is the worst thing you can do to prevent myopia from progressing.

I have dedicated the last 25 years of my life to the study and practice of the latest treatments to prevent the progression of myopia in children and adults. Although an outright cure for myopia has not been discovered, there are several ways to improve how your child’s eyes are changing. YES, myopia progression can be prevented, slowed and, in some cases, stopped.

If you would like to know more about the treatments available to control and prevent myopia from progressing further, visit www.myopiaprevention.com.au.

^[1] Holden et al.: Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050 (Ophthalmology 2016; 123:1036-1042).

^[2] Flitcroft DI.: The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology (Progress in retinal and eye research 2012;31:622-60).

^[2] Flitcroft DI.: The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology (Progress in retinal and eye research 2012;31:622-60).

^[3] Winawer, Jonathan; Wallman, Josh: Temporal constraints on lens compensation in chicks (Vision Research, Vol. 42, No. 24, 11.2002, p. 2651-2).

YOUR CHILD IS READY FOR SCHOOL?

School readiness is defined frequently and broadly. It is as much to do with the individual as it is to do with the educational institution. Aspects such as social competence, emotional stability, and language and cognitive skills are all pertinent. As Behavioural Optometrists, our concern is for the overall well-being of the child and their ability to perform to their potential without the interference of inadequate vision skills. 

Here are three facts for you: 

1. Optometry Australia stipulates an alarming rate of one in five Aussie kids suffering from an undetected vision skill deficit. 

2. Screening only for distance visual acuities may miss approximately 40% of school-age children with potential vision problems that can impede their learning (Bodack, Chung & Krumholtz, 2010). 

3. Our last not-so-fun fact for you is this: most vision skill deficiencies become apparent when a child starts school because their learning environment and visual load increases exponentially. 

So having your child undergo a comprehensive Behavioural Optometric examination seems to be a wise place to start in ensuring they are ready to begin their school journey. 

It is important to be aware that vision skill deficits do not refer to the lack of 20/20 sight. It is more than that. In actual fact, while the eyes do the seeing, the brain does all of the interpreting. When there is a breakdown between eye and brain communication, this is where visual deficiencies come about.

This is where the child can see the book clearly but continues to skip words and lines when reading. This is where the child can read the words on the page to you but has to use so much mental effort in keeping their eyes tracking and focussed that they do not comprehend what it is that they read. Vision skill deficits make homework difficult and keeping up in class a challenge. They make a child that is bright appear to struggle constantly with the school work load. 

In order for your child to love school and love to learn, often we need to break down the visual barriers that are holding them back. If you want to learn more about the Smart Vision approach to vision care, click here.

Make sure your child has the vision skill sets necessary for a successful and rewarding school year. Ready, set, go!

]]> https://au.ydma.group/ready-set-go-know-child-ready-school/feed/ 0 https://au.ydma.group/screen-time-eyes/ https://au.ydma.group/screen-time-eyes/#respond Wed, 19 Oct 2016 00:07:19 +0000 http://www.smartvisionoptometry.com.au/?p=1199 At the end of a long day, after hours staring at a computer screen, your eyes are exhausted. You try your best to step away from the screen, but it doesn’t take long until you find yourself checking Facebook while watching TV. Sound familiar?

WHAT IS SCREEN TIME DOING TO YOUR EYES?

If you’re reading this on a screen, there’s a good chance your eyes haven’t had a break in hours. Australians spend on average 10 hours a day using electronic gadgets. While TV time is slightly declining, new platforms have come into play and the portability of smartphones have turned them into everything from flashlights to credit cards to health monitors. If you use your smartphone as an alarm clock, your eyes look at a digital device the second they open.

Just how much strain does technology put on our eyes? A lot. Headaches, sore eyes, blurry vision and increased sensitivity to light are all signs of what we call computer eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Unlike words printed on a page, electronic characters are made up of pixels and have blurred edges. This makes it more difficult for the eyes to maintain focus. Unconsciously, the eyes repeatedly attempt to rest by shifting their focus to an area behind the screen. This constant switch between screen and relaxation point causes the eyes to feel fatigued very quickly and may lead to visual deterioration in the long run. Another factor is the impact of screen time on blinking. When you look into a screen for any amount of time, you blink around three times less than usual, which can result in dry and irritated eyes.

And that’s not all – our eyes are also exposed to increased amounts of blue light. Blue light is emitted by the sun and artificial light sources, including digital screens such as your smartphone, tablet and computer. Blue light is beneficial to our eyes in moderation as it is necessary for regulation of the sleep/wake cycles, mood and cognitive performances, but it can also be the cause of premature eye ageing. Overexposure to blue light can damage the retina and potentially increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

So how can you reduce the impact of eye strain symptoms? There are a few steps you can take to perform more comfortably while preserving your vision, including adjusting light exposure and adhering to the ‘20-20-20’ rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away (see more on our website). However, it may not just be screen time hurting your eyes, but the lack of proper glasses while looking at the screen.

Today, there are anti-fatigue lenses that use breakthrough technology to give clear sight to a longer focal range, which ultimately is better for your eyes than using a prescription that is too strong. These lenses offer all the benefits of single vision lenses, but encourage a more comfortable range of sight for computer users. This means you can use devices looking through the correct prescription rather than through your reading prescription, which will be too strong for those more intermediate requirements. As a result, your glasses are more versatile and functional.

These anti-fatigue lenses, coupled with anti-reflection coatings, help prevent long-term damage to your eyes. By selectively filtering harmful blue light emitted by digital screens, these lenses block out the bad and let in the good, improving contrast on your screen regardless of its brightness. 

Now, has it been 20 minutes since you started reading? Don’t forget to look away.

MAKING THE WORLD A MORE COLOURFUL PLACE

When my son was around 4 or 5 years old we discovered he was colour deficient. Yes, a little embarrassing not to have found it out earlier but hey, I thought he was pulling my leg not knowing his colours… how wrong I was. I am still not aware of any colour blindness in my family other than Hamish, but there you go, he is red-green colour deficient and I gave him that gene!

Colour deficiency or colour blindness can be mildly irritating or at the other end of the spectrum, can affect your career choices, impact your learning and be a hazard to your safety. It can make a simple thing – like coordinating clothes – a challenge, becoming an electrician or pilot impossible, or simply colouring in a source of frustration for the average 6-year-old.

Around 8% of men of European descent have the most common form of colour deficiency (red-green colour blindness) and about 3% of African or Asian men. Conversely, only around 0.5% of women are colour deficient, with a much higher percentage carrying the gene for colour deficiency even though they, in fact, have normal colour vision.

There are two types of cells which regulate colour vision – the rods and cones. There are red, green and blue cones to detect colour and rods to detect light and dark. The majority of the colour deficient population is red-green colour deficient, followed by blue-yellow and lastly a small percentage is completely colour blind. Interestingly, the population of blue-yellow colour deficiency is equally split in gender, but still only amounts to 1 in 10,000 people.

So, all that said, it still doesn’t help knowing you don’t see things the way everyone else does…but just imagine if you could!

Very recently, technology has made advancements in treatment options for colour deficient individuals, offering us prescription and non-prescription lenses that give the wearer the ability to discern the difference between colours.

If you think your child might have a problem with colour differentiation, come in for a chat or an eye test. Here at Smart Vision Optometry we look forward to making your world a brighter, more colourful place.