In today’s fast-paced digital world, clinicians face unique challenges and opportunities. As technology continues to reshape our lives, mental health professionals must adapt and embrace digital solutions to meet the evolving needs of their patients.

Trent McHugh the CEO of the Lifehub Group, explores the challenges clinicians encounter in the digital age, the advantages of incorporating technology into therapy, introduce Lifehub’s innovative digital solutions for clinicians, and discuss the future of digital healthcare.

Modern Challenges Faced by clinicians in a Digital World:

Access to Care: While digital technology has expanded access to therapy, it has also highlighted disparities in access to quality health services. clinicians must navigate these inequalities and ensure that their services are accessible to all.

Data Privacy: clinicians must be vigilant about maintaining patient confidentiality in an era when data breaches are a concern. Keeping electronic health records secure is a top priority.

Information Overload: The internet is a double-edged sword. It provides clients with a wealth of information, but it can also lead to self-diagnosis and misinformation. clinicians need to help patients navigate this information wisely.

The Advantages of Embracing Technology in Therapy:

Increased Accessibility: “Technology allows clinicians to reach a broader audience, including those in remote or under served areas. Telehealth and digital platforms break down geographical barriers,” says Trent.

Enhanced Patient Engagement: Interactive digital tools can boost patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. These tools can include self-help apps, mood trackers, and educational resources.

Data-Driven Insights: Digital platforms provide clinicians with valuable data and analytics that can aid in treatment planning. This information helps clinicians tailor interventions to individual patient needs.

Introduction to Lifehub’s Digital Solutions for clinicians:

“Lifehub recognises the digital transformation of therapy and offers innovative solutions tailored to clinicians’ needs. Lifehub’s digital platform provides clinicians with a secure and efficient way to manage their practice while delivering quality care to their patients,” says Trent.

How a Digital Platform Can Aid in Effective Patient Management:

Scheduling and Appointments: Lifehub’s platform streamlines scheduling, appointment reminders, and cancellations, reducing no-show rates and ensuring efficient time management for clinicians.

While there are many scheduling tools available today, it is having a scheduling system that is interconnected with every other aspect of the business that sets the Lifehub Network apart from anyone else.

The Role of Data Analytics in Understanding Patient Needs:

Lifehub’s platform incorporates data analytics to help clinicians gain deeper insights into their patients’ needs and progress. By analysing patient data, clinicians can make more informed decisions, track treatment efficacy, and adapt interventions as necessary. This data-driven approach enhances the quality of care and patient outcomes.

Addressing Concerns About Technology Replacing the Human Touch:

Technology should not replace the human touch in therapy. Instead, it should complement and enhance the therapeutic process. Lifehub’s platform is designed to facilitate a deeper connection between clinicians and their patients. It offers secure messaging, video sessions, and interactive tools that facilitate communication and engagement while preserving the essential human element of therapy.

Embracing the Balance: Combining Technology with Traditional Therapeutic Methods:

“clinicians can strike a balance between technology and traditional therapeutic methods. While technology offers valuable tools and insights, it is crucial to maintain the personal, empathetic, and compassionate aspects of therapy,” explains Trent. Lifehub’s platform empowers clinicians to merge the best of both worlds, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care.

Enhancing Remote Therapy and Telehealth Capabilities:

The digital revolution has accelerated the growth of remote therapy and telehealth services. Lifehub’s platform offers secure video sessions, messaging, and other features that facilitate remote therapy. This not only benefits patients who prefer online sessions but also allows clinicians to expand their reach and offer services to a broader audience.

Future Innovations Are on the Horizon for Digital Healthcare:

As technology continues to evolve, so does the landscape of digital healthcare. clinicians can look forward to further innovations that will improve patient care, streamline practice management, and enhance the therapeutic process. Lifehub remains committed to staying at the forefront of these developments, ensuring that clinicians have access to cutting-edge tools and resources.

Clinicians must embrace the digital revolution to meet the ever-changing needs of their patients. Lifehub’s digital solutions offer a secure and efficient way for clinicians to navigate this transition while maintaining the essential human elements of therapy.

With the right balance of technology and traditional therapeutic methods, clinicians can continue to provide high-quality care in the modern age of digital healthcare. The future holds exciting possibilities for clinicians and the entire healthcare industry.

Lifehub Group stands as an organisation of purpose-driven innovation. With a deep understanding of the interconnections of healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, Lifehub Group’s holistic approach to community development emphasises the belief that true progress relies on addressing these fundamental pillars simultaneously. It’s a philosophy that acknowledges the diversity of our communities, recognising that to nurture thriving and resilient societies, we need to build and collaborate across all areas of healthcare, education, and economic growth together.

By uniting these elements of community development, they’re not just making a difference; they’re building a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future for all. Their mission is not just innovative; it’s transformative.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA Group

People fundamentally understand that physical fitness is crucial when it comes to their body’s health and welfare. Well-catered environments like gyms are ideal to facilitate such activities. For children, the environment many would least expect could be the most beneficial in the pursuit of their physical wellbeing.

Kylie-Jane Shannon, owner of Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre, and proud mother, discusses and expands on the importance of promoting physical fitness for children at play centres.

“Play centres are the perfect environment for encouraging children to explore and develop their mobility skills in both a fun and educational way”, says Kylie. Play centres provide a wide range of physically stimulating activities. Each fun-filled activity encourages children to do a myriad of movements including, jumping, climbing, running, catching, and skipping, and effectively targets all muscle groups, providing excellent benefits for children of all ages.

Essentially, children receive an entire body workout, which is imperative for their development. Both the physical and entertaining activities available at play centres are designed to optimise children’s physical health and wellbeing. “Play centres are specifically constructed and equipped to cater for children to realise and channel their energy productively”, says Kylie.

Play centres are fundamental in promoting inclusivity and removing the idea of competition to allow children to enjoy the activities and challenge their minds. “Children should always have fun in the process of learning as it is necessary for their mental health as well”, says Kylie. Play centres provide children with the platform to be themselves, acknowledge others’ differences, socialise with others and help to develop strong healthy minds and bodies.

Another essential component of play centres is that they enable children to connect with other children. To promote mental and physical health and wellbeing, children socialise with each other effectively through physical activities, and help each other to overcome physical challenges. Children develop frameworks of understanding and how to collaborate with other children. “Children thrive when they work together, and that’s where the magic happens”, says Kylie.

Ultimately, children have high levels of energy that need to be expended, therefore the benefits of play centres are critical to a child’s physical and mental development. Physically active children generally perform well at school, with improved concentration and a longer attention span. Equally as important, children develop better sleep patterns, which is ideal for their muscle recovery and development. “Play centres are the superlative choice for children to be exactly who they are, and challenge them holistically in the hopes of developing the best, and healthiest versions of themselves” ,says Kylie.

Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre has dedicated its expertise and delight to serving families within the town of Wallan, Victoria.

Check out their full range of services and current featured promotions at junglekids.com.au. Visit their Facebook page to view all their activities and special offerings. Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is open seven (7) days a week and is open until 5.00pm on weekdays during the school holidays.

As part of their Play-all-day Single Admission, adults and babies attend free of charge. 12 months to 3 years old attend at $8.50 and 4 years old to 12 years old attend at $10.00.

Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is situated at 2B Commercial Drive Wallan, Victoria and can be contacted on: (03) 5783 4104.

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.

True alkaline simply means the body has the ability to neutralise an acid and buffer bodily fluids. Dean Kesarlal, is the founder of Safe Soda and internationally recognised educator and is an expert in bicarb. Dean believes that the first step towards a better and healthier life begins with getting the body back to its natural alkaline state. This can be achieved by using Safe Soda products derived from nature itself.

Alkalinity versus acidity

It is widely accepted that Alkalinity occurs when a fluid has a pH higher than 7. “However, pH and Alkalinity are measured on two separate scales and therefore fluids with high pH does not necessarily mean it’s alkaline or have any ability to neutralise any acid at all,” says Dean. “The same can be said for acid.

The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to digest and break down food. Hydrochloric acid and vinegar both have the same pH however Hydrochloric acid will burn a hole through your skin however vinegar will not. Even though they have the same pH, this scale does not measure how corrosive the acid is. This is a separate scale again” says Dean.

The body works hard to neutralise acids, but requires assistance in maintaining the acid alkaline balance. This assistance can come in the form of Superior Soda, specifically meant to improve your body’s level of alkalinity. The human body produces bicarb to neutralise and alkalise the effects of acid in the body however when the body doesn’t produce enough then acid and toxins build up inside the body and acid based disorders overtake the body.

All organs of the body, tissue and body fluids need to be alkaline to maintain your healthHowever due to changing diets, over eating and consumption of processed sugars , the human body can only do so much on its own before excess acid builds up which may cause many acid based health issues.. This is why alkalising agents, made from nature, are required to assist your body in maintaining the right alkaline balance, ensuring that your body is not too acidic.

Too acidic is dangerous

If your body is too acidic, then it creates the perfect environment for a variety of health problems to occur. Research and hundreds of scientific studies reveals that cancer cells proliferate in acidic and use unprotected sugar and protein to create an acidic environment. Furthermore, research shows that many diseases thrive in acidic environments.

High acidity has been linked to chronic conditions such as inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain, to name a few.

Symptoms of high acidity

Symptoms you need to be on the look out for which could signal that your body may be too acidic include the following:

• Yeast infections

• Fatigue

• Weight gain

• Acne

• Allergies

• Cavities

• Premature ageing

The above are only causes of mild symptoms of acidity. The longer your body stays acidic, the more severe the conditions become.

Alkalinity means life

Dean says, “life and all living things rely on bicarb in maintaining the right pH and alkaline levels and everything in nature produces bicarb. Every plant, animal, the ocean and every part of the human body including kidneys, pancreas and liver to name a few.” Having the right pH and more importantly Alkalinity levels ensure that the metabolism is regulated, enzymes in the digestive system are optimised and ensures that the immune system is functioning properly. Too much of anything is bad, so when our bodies become too acidic, it may lead to a variety of chronic diseases and illnesses.

Dean says “consumers can determine their body’s pH and more importantly Alkalinity  by using Safe Soda’s pH and Alkalinity strips to do a simple saliva test.” For best test accuracy, the test should be performed first thing in the morning before you eat or drink or brush your teeth. These tests measure the level of alkalinity in parts per million or lack of in the body. All Safe Soda products can be ordered online and shipped to your door.

“There are many products which purport to be alkaline on the market, which is sadly no more than marketing spin,” says Dean, “more people need to know that naturally sourced bicarb such as Superior Soda, is what the body needs”, Dean continued.

Dean is passionate about providing his customers with a safe and effective product that helps maintain a healthy balance in the body. Superior Soda is made from the purest pharmaceutical grade sodium bicarbonate.

Safe Soda flagship product Superior SodaTM is the top-level Pharmaceutical Grade Sodium Bicarbonate sourced from nature itself. One of the most significant health claims of this is that it helps maintain and support healthy acid/alkali balance in the body. The product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and Registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and classed as a Listed Medicine.

For more information on these health benefits, follow Dean’s free Live presentations and webinars.

Syndicated by: YDMA News.

Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve is damaged. It can lead to progressive vision loss. The optic nerve carries visual signals from the front of the eye to the brain. If left untreated, primary open-angle glaucoma can cause the loss of these nerve fibres.

Gary Rodney, the Founder of Smart Vision Optometry and a leading Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman, provides insight of contributing factors that worsen the condition of glaucoma in people of all ages.

Glaucoma can be controlled with a series of medication or surgery. If it is diagnosed early, it can usually be managed. Primary open-angle glaucoma usually doesn’t show symptoms until it has progressed to central vision loss. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a less common type of glaucoma. It occurs suddenly and can cause severe pain, nausea, and blurred vision.

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

Although it can’t be predicted who will develop it, most people with high eye pressure will eventually develop glaucoma. “It occurs when the pressure inside the eye is too high for a certain nerve,” says Rodney.

A family history of glaucoma can increase a person’s risk of developing the condition. Also, being born with a damaged eye can increase a person’s chances of suffering from chronic eye inflammation.

The “cause of glaucoma is usually linked to an increase in fluid pressure in the eye, or is caused by a lack of oxygen to the nerve,” says Rodney.

There are different types of glaucoma that have different potential causes. Primary open-angle glaucoma is a slow and painless damage to the optic nerve is the most common type of glaucoma. Those with this condition can lose a significant portion of their vision before they realise their issues. Angle-closure glaucoma is a less common type of eye disease that can cause vision loss in just one day of its onset. It usually appears when the drainage angle in the eyes gets blocked.

As the size of the eye’s lens gets larger, the space between the cornea and the iris widens, and the fluid that collects in the eye can then be blocked. This causes the eye pressure to increase.

An acute form of eye disease occurs when the iris completely obscures the fluid drainage. An acute attack occurs when the drainage of the eye completely blocks. It can happen even if the person has no drainage angle.

“People over age 60 are at an increased risk of suffering from glaucoma”, say Rodney. Age is a common factor that increases the risk of developing glaucoma.

Having a family history of glaucoma is associated with a higher risk of developing the condition. Certain conditions can also increase the risk of developing the disease. “Physical injuries to the eye can increase pressure in the eye,” says Rodney. By keeping your eye pressure under control, your optometrist can help prevent further damage to the optic nerve. A reduction in eye pressure that is at least as likely to cause further damage is known as the target pressure.

“Other eye-related risks include having a thinner cornea and optic nerve sensitivity,” says Rodney, “further, being near-sighted is known to increase the risk of developing glaucoma.”

There is no cure for glaucoma. As the condition worsens, patients need to continue taking their medication and undergoing eye examinations. “Getting diagnosed early and treating it properly can help prevent vision loss and minimise the risk of suffering from it,” says Rodney. Having regular monitoring and treating glaucoma can also help control it.

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.

Syndicated by:YDMA News, Your Digital Marketing Agency

Sodium bicarbonate helps to maintain a healthy body pH and alkalinity. Contrary to what people may think, sodium bicarbonate does not destroy the stomach acid that is needed for digestion. One should take pure and natural sodium bicarbonate 30 minutes before eating to prevent stomach acid from entering the stomach and if you have eaten about 2 hours after to make sure there is non-stomach acid there. This will prevent the stomach acid from neutralising the bicarb..

Dean Kesarlal, the founder of Safe Soda and an iconic Australian healthy lifestyle educator, explains how sodium bicarbonates acts as a neutralising agent for the digestive system and has many beneficial purposes.  The body produces sodium bicarbonate to keep your intestines healthy. It’s commonly used as an antacid and can relieve stomach pain.

“The body contains various organs such as the liver, kidney, pancreas, prostate and stomach, which all produce bicarb for various purposes,” says Dean. The most common reason the stomach holds bicarb is due to its hydrochloric acid. Bicarb that surrounds the lining of the stomach is the ONLY thing in the world that can hold off highly corrosive hydrochloric acid long term.

The key to the absorption of nutrients is having the proper amount of alkalinity. When you digest food, the first enzyme that’s released is Amylase. This enzyme breaks down the starch and is ONLY activated in alkalinity and hence the pancreas also produces amylase

The digestive system secretes enzymes and gastric acids to help break down food in the stomach. These components are necessary for the proper digestion of food. The other components of the digestive system help absorb the food into the gut being the intestines.

The enzymes released in the chewing action then pull apart the nutrients and minerals from the body. The acid then goes into the stomach and the pancreas pumps out bicarb from two small galleries before entering the intestines to neutralise the hydrochloric acid. The goal is to remove the acid and activate the cell’s absorption of the nutrients. this has to be done in an alkaline environment so the cells of the intestines are unlocked and the gut microbiome is at an optimal level.

If the gut is too acidic, it can cause cells to lock up and cannot absorb nutrients and minerals. This can lead to issues such as Small bacterial overgrowth (SBO) and celiac disease.

“Sodium bicarbonates are commonly used to relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion and heartburn,” says Dean. “It can also be utilised to treat duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers, ” Dean adds.

Malnutrition and poor dietary habits are known to cause stomach acid problems. The lack of nutrients is caused by the body’s failure to absorb nutrients and produce gastric acid. Also, stress can decrease the production of gastric acid.

“Besides being a natural home remedy, ingesting baking soda can also help lower stomach upsets,” says Dean. “This is a very safe and effective method to use”.

Safe Soda flagship product Superior SodaTM is the top-level Pharmaceutical Grade Sodium Bicarbonate sourced from nature itself. One of the most significant health claims of this is that it helps maintain and support healthy acid/alkali balance in the body. The product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Register with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and classed as a Listed Medicine.

For more information on these health benefits, follow Dean’s free Live presentations and webinars.

Syndicated by: YDMA News.

Saliva is a liquid body fluid that consists of secretions from the minor and major salivary glands. It contains many molecular constituents that can be used for screening and disease detection. The saliva is an Extracellular Fluid meaning its the fluid outside the cells.

Dean Kesarlal, the founder of Safe Soda and an iconic Australian healthy lifestyle educator, explains why one should check saliva for body pH and alkalinity instead of urine.

Urine is a waste product of the body and can show what the body is wasting. “Urine does not tell what the body pH an alkalinity is, but saliva does,” says Dean. “Saliva is a highly desirable bio fluid for bio-marker development due to its non-invasive nature and low-cost method for disease detection and screening,” says Dean.

Saliva can detect oral diseases such as oral cancer, but it can also “pick up systematic diseases such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and even ovarian cancer, and even diabetes within the saliva,” says Dean.

Studies have shown that certain constituents of salivary glands can discriminate between systemic and oral diseases. Non-coding RNAs are emerging as critical regulators of biological functions. The short size of the ncRNAs makes them stable in various body fluids, such as saliva and urine.

Studies are being conducted to identify disease-specific molecular targets transported from the primary organ to the salivary gland. ncRNAs are useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers. Each type of tumour has its own transcriptome profile. For instance, colon cancer has a distinct profile. Also, using a rodent model, exosome-like molecules can carry and drive tumour-specific biomarkers into saliva.

Non-coding RNAs are emerging as new biomarkers that can serve as disease-specific indicators in body fluids. Unlike bio fluids, saliva is easily collected and can be utilised and non-invasive. However, its high bacterial contents and low RNA abundance make performing downstream RNA sequencing experiments challenging. Due to its small size and body fluid stability, ncRNAs are the most widely used salivary biomarkers.

The development of a non-invasive salivary test for disease detection could have broad applications in medicine. It could provide a valuable diagnostic tool for patients and reduce the cost of healthcare.

Saliva is mainly composed of water and is used to maintain the proper function of the tongue. It can also prevent the growth of bacteria and begins and help the digestion process. Unfortunately, the importance of this vital component is rarely appreciated until it is gone.

Human saliva is often used for the development of personalised medicine and disease-specific biomarkers. The term salivaomics was first coined to describe the omics constituents of saliva. Studies suggest that using salivary RNA to detect systemic diseases, such as breast cancer and lung cancer, could improve oral cancer and other local diseases.

The large volume of salivaomics data generated by many studies has led to the development of a system that supports salivary diagnostic research.

In the past decade, saliva has helped detect various local and systemic diseases. Despite the wide acceptance of salivary diagnostic tests for oral diseases, their utility and scientific credibility are still largely unexplored. This is evidenced by the lack of formal scientific credentialing for salivary diagnostic tests for systemic diseases.

Safe Soda flagship product Superior SodaTM is the top-level Pharmaceutical Grade Sodium Bicarbonate sourced from nature itself. One of the most significant health claims of this is that it helps maintain and support healthy acid/alkali balance in the body. The product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Register with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and classed as a Listed Medicine.

For more information on these health benefits, follow Dean’s free Live presentations and webinars.

Syndicated by: YDMA News.

Dean Kesarlal, the founder of Safe Soda and an iconic Australian healthy lifestyle educator, explains an effective way to test body pH and alkalinity using saliva. It is very important to note that saliva is an extracellular fluid being a fluid outside of the cells.

Saliva provides a simple and low cost method for disease screening and detection and its acidity or alkalinity helps determine this. In most cases testing saliva is a great way to see when the body is at an optimal pH and Alkalinity level.

This is done by testing the saliva with Safe Soda’s pH and Alkalinity Strips. The best time to test pH and alkalinity of the body is in the morning. You’ll need a pH and alkalinity strip to test the acidity and alkalinity of saliva. The best time to check saliva is first thing in the morning. As soon as waking up in the morning and before eating, drink or brush your teeth, make sure to have a couple of swallows to bring up new saliva.

Simply place the Safe Soda Alkalinity Strip onto some saliva making sure to wet both tabs on the strips, this will help confirm the body’s pH and alkalinity levels. Make sure the test strips are sufficiently covered in saliva and wait for 15 seconds. The pH strip will change colours based on the saliva’s acidity and alkalinity results.

The pH of the body is measured by the concentration and transfer of hydrogen ions while the alkalinity is measured in parts per million within the Extracellular fluid

An over-reliance on the acidity of the body can lead to systemic damage and even disease. “A balanced pH but more importantly alkalinity can help prevent this from happening,” says Dean.

It is important to pay attention to the alkalinity in the saliva. The mouth needs a balanced pH of 7.4 and alkalinity of 120 to maintain proper function and to begin the proper process of digestion that starts in the mouth. Amylase is the first enzyme that is released by the salivary glands to begin the break down of starches. Amylase is ONLY activated in alkalinity. So if the saliva is Acidic, it doesn’t begin digestion correctly in the first place. When drinking acidic beverages, the saliva’s pH can drop below 5.5. “This can cause demineralisation of the tooth enamel from sugar acid” says Dean.

The thin layer of enamel that’s left over after consuming acidic food and drink can expose the dentin, which is the part of the tooth that’s responsible for holding the tooth in place.

If saliva alkalinity is out of balance, there are some signs that indicate that it is, such as bad breath, sensitivity to cold and hot beverages and tooth cavities. Ideally, saliva should be pH should be 7.4 with an alkalinity of 120. This is the same for swimming pools, fish tanks, the ocean and most soils. It can maintain a healthy mouth and prevent tooth decay from the acidity.

Safe Soda flagship product Superior Soda is the top-level Pharmaceutical Grade Sodium Bicarbonate sourced from nature itself. One of the most significant health claims of this product is that it helps maintain and support healthy acid/alkali balance in the body. The product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Register with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and classed as a Listed Medicine.

For more information on these health benefits, watch Dean’s free presentations now.

Syndicated by: YDMA News.

Sodium Bicarbonate, also known as bicarb, is a perfect natural remedy for numerous health issues. Some medical studies reveal that bicarb contributes to good health by combating cancer acidity, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis and gout. It also provides natural relief for common ailments, such as flu, cough, sore throat, urinary tract infections, muscle pain, fatigue, and heartburn.

Dean Kesarlal, the founder of Safe Soda and an iconic Australian health educator, explains how bicarb is a natural remedy for many chronic acid based diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and gout by neutralising the acid and replacing bicarb into organs and fluids that have become depleted in bicarb. Cancer, viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi, and parasites are all acid-based and low pH-dependent. Therefore “acid is the common denominator in these diseases, and are triggered by acid, created by acid, or they use acid within the body” says Dean.

Sodium bicarbonate helps neutralise acidity and thus can improve many ailments and diseases. Bicarb is essential in oxygenating the body and acts as a buffer in the blood and all bodily fluids to help with the alkalinity and pH levels, crucial for one’s health.

Dean encourages a healthy lifestyle and found that sugar fuels many diseases as disease ferments unprotected sugars and proteins, creating a more acidic extracellular environment. “Cancer cells create and require acid, have no oxygen (anaerobic), and are positively charged,” says Dean. The cancerous cells or tumours thrive in acidic/anaerobic environments. Acidic environments breed diseases, and an alkaline environment would foster health.

Cancer is often treated with chemotherapy. If people choose this treatment route, studies have shown that creating a more alkaline extracellular environment allows the cells to unlock allowing chemo to work more effectively. Natural bicarbonates neutralise the acid, alkalises the body, and buffers all bodily fluids.

It is important to note that alkalising diets and substances are NOT actually alkalising, as they are NOT pure alkaline and have no ability to neutralise an acid. To gauge if a food is acid forming or alkaline forming they burn the food and turn it into ash. They then place that into some distilled water and measure the pH. Measuring pH does not measure the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, says Dean. They are two separate scales. This is very important to know what scale we are talking about when it comes to health. High pH does NOT neutralise an acid only Alkalinity. We are all taught that anything above 7 on the pH scale is Alkaline. This is simply NOT the case and this is one of the major flaws with the current health system. ALL being based of high pH and not Alkalinity.

Safe Soda flagship product Superior SodaTM is the top-level Pharmaceutical Grade Sodium Bicarbonate sourced from nature itself. One of the most significant health claims of this is that it helps maintain and support healthy acid/alkali balance in the body. The product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Register with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and classed as a Listed Medicine.

For more information on these health benefits, follow Dean’s free Live presentations and webinars.

Syndicated by: YDMA News.

Diabetic Disease Awareness Month aims to increase the awareness of diabetes, and diabetic eye disease.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults, therefore it is important to seek treatment for vision impairment that are related to diabetes.

As the number of people living with diabetes grows, so does the number of people with impaired vision.

High blood sugar levels damages the blood vessels of the retina, and can cause permanent vision loss.  Vision impairment caused by Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) may be prevented by regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels as well as regular eye examinations at your local Smart Vision Optometry.

Jacquie Gattengo, a Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, explains the four stages of DR and what preventable measures can be taken to reduce the disease from advancing, and causing permanent vision loss.

There are two types of DR; Non proliferative retinopathy – which refers to the bleeding of the retina or leakage of blood – and proliferative retinopathy whereby abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina. The blood may bleed in the centre of the eye, causing vision problems.

Micro aneurysms (MA) occurs in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) when the capillary walls leak fluid due to the haemorrhage of blood vessels.

Stage one: Mild NPDR

The first stage consists of mild non-proliferative retinopathy, which is an early stage of DR. In this stage, “small areas of swelling or bulges occurs in the blood vessels of the retina,” says Jacquie.

Vision may not be affected yet during this stage.

Mild NPDR has at least one MA. Such findings are elusive, therefore close monitoring and inspection are crucial.  Patients should have an extensive eye examination once a year.

It is also essential that “patients diagnosed with diabetes monitor their blood sugar level and diet,” says Jacquie.

Stage 2: Moderate NPDR

As the disease progresses, it results in moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, where some of “the blood vessels that nourish the retina becomes blocked and damage the retina,” says Jacquie.

Blood and other fluids build up in the small central part of the retina causing diabetic macular edema. Vision may be affected in this stage.

Patients with moderate NPDR should have an eye examination at least twice a year.

Stage 3: Severe NPDR

The third stage consists of an additional blockage of the blood vessels, “this disrupts the blood supply to the retina,” says Jacquie. The damaged retina signals the body to produce new blood vessels. The development of new blood vessels grows in the retina and fills the interior of the eye. “The obstructed blood vessels may lead to blurred vision with dark spots visible,” says Jacquie.

Multiple haemorrhages occur in the retinal quadrants. During this stage, retinal detachment may occur.

“Patients with severe NPDR should have a dilated fungus examination three or four times a year,” advises Jacquie. These patients are at high risk of disease progression and permanent vision loss

Stage 4: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)

During this stage, “the new blood vessels are abnormal and rupture causing a flow of blood to the retina,” says Jacquie.

The growth of abnormal and fragile new blood vessels advance during this stage. “These blood vessels have fragile walls and can leak blood in the retina, causing severe vision loss and blindness,” says Jacquie.

Patients exhibit either neovascularisation of the eye or pre-retinal haemorrhage. Until the disease stabilises, it is required that they visit a retinal speciality once a month.

Eye examinations

There are usually no warning signs of Diabetic retinopathy (DR), however early signs of DR can be detected up regular eye examinations. The procedure of such examination includes near and distant eye tests, a dilated eye exam (which allows the examiner to see through the pupil to the retina), and a tonometry test to measure the fluid pressure in the eye.

Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, are at risk of developing neurovascular complications that can lead to Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). It is advised that “patients with diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination,” says Jacquie.

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

Lifestyle is a major factor thought to influence susceptibility to many diseases including the eye. Lifestyle disease or disorder can be a result of the consequence of one’s health choices. Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption, smoking, fat and sugar rich diet, lack of physical activity, poor sleep patterns and chronic eye strain are associated with the risk of developing eye diseases.

Gary Rodney, Master of Optometry and Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) based at the Smart Vision Optometry Eyes InDesign Mosman clinic, advices the significance about diabetic eye disease and Hypertensive Retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an eye disease caused by the onset of diabetes. It is caused when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina.

“You may have diabetic retinopathy, and not even know it,” says Rodney. In the early stage of DR, no symptoms are shown. As this condition advances, one may “experience blurred vision, black or dark spots in the vision, and colours may appear faded,” says Rodney.

Another contributing factor to DR is smoking. Smoking is believed to increase tissue hypoxia (lack of oxygen in cells and body), a factor involved in developing diabetic retinopathy.

DR can be personally treated, such as bringing blood sugar and blood pressure levels under control. Stop smoking and maintain a healthy lifestyle to improve overall health and prevent unnecessary vision loss.

Maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle and the richness of vitamins in meals are crucial to one’s health, and eye health. “Vitamin A plays an important role in keeping the retina and night vision in working condition,” says Rodney. “Vitamin E helps protect the eye from age-related macular degeneration (AMD),” says Rodney, and “vitamin C can help to fend off cataracts”.

Hypertensive Retinopathy

High and untreated blood pressure (hypertension) can affect one’s vision and lead to eye disease. Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina. This eye disease is known as Hypertensive Retinopathy.

Hypertensive Retinopathy (HR) is strongly associated with diabetes, and is related to blood pressure status. “High blood pressure causes blockage of the retinal arteries (blood vessels) that supply blood and oxygen to the eye,” says Rodney.

Retinal haemorrhages are commonly seen when there is a breakdown of blood-retinal barriers. “HR occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is too high, causing damage to the artery.” says Rodney.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for many ocular conditions, such as glaucoma and age-related maculopathy (AMD). This condition can lead to double or dim vision, loss of vision and headaches.

Mild hypertensive retinopathy comes about due to “elevated blood pressure, and risks other chronic effects such as cardiovascular disease (CVD)”, says Rodney. When diabetes is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular risk rises, and retinopathy becomes more severe and rapidly progresses.

Moderate grade of hypertensive retinopathy, reflects higher in people with diabetes. Diabetes and hypertension are both vascular risk factors, and the prevalence of diabetes among patients with hypertension is high.

Symptoms of mild to moderate hypertensive retinopathy are not always experienced, but can be discovered upon regular eye examinations.

Treatment for Hypertensive Retinopathy includes “controlling high blood pressure through lifestyle changes,” says Rodney. The control of blood pressure in hypertensive diabetic people prevents cardiovascular risks as well as the deterioration of retinopathy and visual acuity.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney, Australia. 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.

Chronic conditions can cause eye symptoms, such as dry eye, damaged blood vessels and blindness. Many eye problems are preventable and treatable.

Jacqueline Gattengo, a Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, explains common illnesses that cause many eye problems.

Diabetes

People with diabetes often have problems with the blood vessels in their body, and the eye is no exception. Diabetes causes many complications, including Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).

DR is caused by the onset of diabetes. “High blood sugar and high blood pressure levels can damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye, that supply blood to the retina,” says Jacquie. A lack of blood supply can affect vision and cause permanent blindness. DR can be prevented by regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

High blood sugar levels increase the risk of dry eyes. “Dry eye causes significant eye discomfort and impaired vision,” says Jacquie. The symptoms include redness, a scratchy sensation of the eye, and blurry vision. The cause of dry eye is typically a lack of tears to keep the eye moist and healthy.

People with diabetes are also at higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.

Nutritional deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency can cause severe dry eye and lead to ulcers of the cornea. A lack of vitamins can increase the risk of developing cataracts.  

“Cataracts are caused by the build-up of protein which clouds the lens of the eye, causing blurry vision and blindness,” says Jacquie. If left untreated, this condition will worsen and lead to blindness.

Jacquie says, “cataracts can also be caused by diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and a history of cataracts in blood relatives.” 

“Many people are not aware of the effects of smoking on their vision,” says Jacquie. Smoking is associated with many health problems, including eye health. Smoking contributes to cataracts by “altering the cell of the lens through oxidation,” says Jacquie, and the “heavy metal like cadmium accumulates in the lens.”

Regular eye examinations are important to “test, diagnose and treat eye deficiency before they become progressively worse,” says Jacquie. Cataracts are more prominent in people who are diabetic. Therefore, it is important to “maintain high and low blood sugar levels,” says Jacquie.

Corneal Ulcer

A cornea ulcer is a common eye condition that is often caused by bacterial infections. This causes an ulcer to form in the front part of the eye.  People with “vitamin A deficiency and those who wear contact lenses are at a higher risk of cornea ulcers,” says Jacquie, as infectious agents are trapped behind the lens.

Jacquie identifies symptoms of cornea ulcer that include, “pain, intense redness, a scratchy sensation of the eye, light sensitivity and blurred vision.”

If you suspect you have a cornea ulcer, visit your local Smart Vision Optometry for an eye examination.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure can cause a change in the retina as it damages the blood vessels that supply the eye.

Controlling high blood pressure levels is fundamental for the vision of the eyes. “The longer the blood pressure levels remain high, the more an individual is at risk of having permanent eye damage,” says Jacquie.

High blood pressure may be diagnosed during a regular eye examination.

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune disease is a condition whereby the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells of the body. The autoimmune attack causes inflammation of the optic nerve that damages the eye and affects vision.

People with autoimmune disease experience common symptoms such as “dry, red and itchy eyes, light sensitivity, eye pain, and change in vision,” says Jacquie. Treating the autoimmune disease will help control eye problems caused by the condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a collagen vascular disease, increases the risk of dry eye, as infections with bacteria or viruses affect the eye.

This condition can be treated with eye drops

Infectious diseases

Infections can affect the condition of the eye as well as one’s eyesight. Pink eye or conjunctivitis is a common form of eye infection. Common symptoms include redness and swelling of the eyelids and eye pain.

Trachoma

Trachoma begins with a bacterial infection, similarly to conjunctivitis (pink-eye), and can be easily treated.

However, if the condition is left untreated, “the condition will worsen as it causes scarring to the eyelid that pulls the eyelashes inwards,” says Jacquie. This causes tremendous pain as every blink scrapes the eye.

Advanced trachoma is called trichiasis, which occurs when the eye is inflamed. “Scar tissue builds up inside the eyelid, making the eyelid tight, pulling the eyelashes inward,” explains Jacquie.

Symptoms of trachoma include discharge from the eye, irritated eyes and redness. This causes immense pain as the eyelashes scrape against the cornea. This can lead to blindness.

Trachoma can be treated with cleanliness and hygiene, regularly wash your bedding, clothes and face to prevent infection.

It is important to be aware of other diseases that affect the eye, as if left untreated and undiagnosed, it can result in permanent blindness and vision impairment.

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

Diabetic eye disease, such as Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), is an eye condition that causes vision impairment and blindness in people with diabetes. A person with diabetes is at a higher risk of developing eye disease.

It is important to identify the relationship between diabetes and eye problems so that effective preventable measures can be considered.

Gary Rodney, Master of Optometry and Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) based at the Smart Vision Optometry Eyes InDesign Mosman clinic, advises ways to preserve one’s vision and reduce chances of eye disease.

Comprehensive eye exam

A comprehensive dilated eye examination is required at least once a year to diagnose, keep track and maintain signs of eye disease. A dilated eye exam involves a “thorough exam of the retina and signs of damage to the optic nerve before a patient notices any change in vision,” says Rodney. Treatment takes place when signs of disease appear.

Upon examinations, tests can also be performed to ensure that the patient’s vision system is strong and performs adequate function in daily tasks and activities. Comprehensive eye examinations above and beyond eye health are suitable for every age group. “We are aware that a lifestyle and work environment play an important role in patient vision,” says Rodney. Therefore it is important to consider certain treatment plans such as glasses, contact lenses and vision therapy that is comfortable and suitable for the patient, and to improve vision effectively.

Control blood sugar

High blood sugar (glucose) levels damage the blood vessels that provide the retina, nerves and soft tissue of the eye with oxygen and nutrients. “Damaged blood vessels leak fluid and blood in your eye and can result in retinal detachment,” says Rodney.  

High blood sugar can change the shape of the eye and cause blurred vision. High glucose can change the fluid levels and cause swelling in the tissue of the eye. “This causes blurred vision, but in such circumstances, the blurred vision is temporary,” says Rodney.

Once the blood sugar stabilises the blurred vision and shape of the eye’s lens may improve. Therefore it is “important to control blood sugar levels to prevent these problems,” says Rodney. Maintaining a normal blood sugar level through diet and exercise can keep your blood vessels healthy.

High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the eye and retina, causing permanent damage.

Quit smoking

Smoking increases inflammation in the body, when “the cigarette smoke damages the cells in the body and interferes with the functioning of the cell,” says Rodney.

Blood vessels are prone to breaking, and can cause fluid to leak in the retina, resulting in damage and vision loss.

“High levels of nicotine also reduce the efficiency of the insulin that lowers your blood sugar,” says Rodney. As a result, you may need large doses of insulin to control blood sugar levels.

Smart Vision Optometry clinics are located in Sydney, Australia. 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.

Glaucoma is a name given to a group of eye diseases where vision loss is due to the damage of the optic nerve. This can be linked to the build-up of intraocular pressure in the eye. The increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve and can gradually worsen.

In this Blindness Awareness Month, Jacqueline Gattegno, a Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, offers insight into the detection of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is often called “the sneak thief of sight” because the loss of vision may occur before an individual is aware of it. Signs of glaucoma often go unnoticed because there may be no visible or noticeable symptoms. For instance, the loss of vision in the periphery is a common sign of glaucoma, but it often goes unnoticed.

It is important to detect signs of glaucoma as soon as possible as this condition is a common cause of blindness. Regular eye examinations are advised to “diagnose and treat early signs of glaucoma,” says Jacquie.

Jacquie stipulates common signs of glaucoma to look out for which include, “seeing halos around lights, vision loss, redness around the eye, hazy eyes or eye pain”. If individuals are aware of these signs, it may help eye doctors treat the eye before getting worse and prevent rapid vision loss.

While anyone is at risk of developing glaucoma, some people are at a higher risk. Numerous cases of glaucoma are over the age of 40, however, signs of glaucoma can be visible at any age.

People are more likely to have glaucoma if they have “a history of glaucoma in the family, poor vision/myopia, diabetic, high eye pressure or have an injury to the eye,” says Jacquie.

Glaucoma is hereditary, therefore individuals are more susceptible to developing glaucoma if this condition is prevalent among blood relatives.

Individuals with high myopia (nearsighted or shortsighted) are at a higher risk of primary open-angle glaucoma,” says Jacquie.

Traumatic eye injury or operation can lead to glaucoma. “Eye pressure may rise immediately or gradually upon injury,” says Jacquie, and requires constant regulation and monitoring from eye specialists.

Symptoms unrelated to vision should also be adhered to. Studies have shown that people with diabetes have an increased risk and development of glaucoma. “High blood sugar can cause the lens to swell and can cause blurry vision,” says Jacquie. High or low blood pressure, can also increase the risk of glaucoma as it “affects the blood flow to the optic nerve,” says Jacquie.

Glaucoma treatment

Smart Vision Optometrists have a holistic approach to eye care 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.

Although glaucoma is a permanent condition, there are other ways to keep your eyes healthy. “Regular exercise may lower the pressure of the eye and keep the blood flowing to the nerve,” says Jacquie, “eating foods that are high in antioxidants also help to keep your eye condition healthy”.

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.

Myopia (near sightedness) is a condition in which close objects are visibly clear, while distanced objects are blurred. This is understood as a refractive disorder that occurs as the eyeball elongates (gets longer). Myopia can cause exponentially more serious  complications if the refractive error is  severe, -5.00D or worse.

People with myopia have good near vision, and poor distance vision.

Gary Rodney, founder of Smart Vision Optometry and Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC), explains the different degrees of myopia and how it leads to great risk of age related blindness.

The causes of myopia traditionally include genetics and the working environment. Now we are seeing that there does not have to be any evidence of genetic tendencies and simply lifestyle can cause myopia to develop. Genetics simply makes the problem worse. The lifestyle factors include doing work focusing on close objects, like a computer screen, digital device, or book and/or less time outdoors in the daylight.

Rays of light that enter the eye, also influence the development of myopia. “Vision is made clear as light rays enter the eye through the cornea and lens, which bend the light to the retina at the back of the eye,” says Rodney. This gives a clear and sharp image. Therefore if a person is experiencing blurry vision they are experiencing a refractive error, as the light rays are not focused correctly at the back of the eye.

If not treated for prevention and not just compensation, myopia can progressively advance, causing other disorders that can result in blindness.

Low myopia

Low Myopia is the most common. Low to moderate myopia is usually measured less than -500D.

While there is no cure, vision treatment, management and control can be influenced using Smart Vision Optometry proprietary techniques with glasses, lenses or orthokeratology (Ortho-K). Ortho-K has been shown to produce a reduction in the rate of progress of myopia.

Studies have shown that children who spend long hours doing outside activities, are at a lower risk of myopia. Progressive nearsightedness/myopia can cause vision impairment, including cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal detachment and myopia maculopathy.

High myopia

High myopia can lead to blindness. High myopia can be at least -500D or worse.

High myopia, also called pathological myopia, where the abnormal elongation of the eyeball that occurs in pathological myopia stretches the tissue at the back of the eye and leads to the development of detachment, floaters and halo. The retina is more stretched and therefore much more prone to peripheral retinal tears.

Studies have shown that the higher the myopia, the bigger the risk a person has of developing glaucoma. “As myopia worsens, retinal nerve fibre layers and macular thickness charge, increases the risk of glaucoma,” says Rodney.

Common risks to blindness led by myopia include retinal detachment, cataracts and glaucoma. These disorders may lead to visual impairment and blindness.

Retinal detachment

A thinned retina can cause retinal breaks. “Retinal detachment occurs when the retina detaches from the back of the eye,” says Rodney, and “if this detachment is not repaired urgently, it can cause blindness.”

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is associated with the damage to the optic nerve caused by increased pressure in the eye chamber.

Glaucoma is found significantly in those with myopia. In some cases, the eye can stretch out of its shape resulting in a refractive error. “The cause of high myopia in patients should be examined,” says Rodney.

Cataracts

Cataracts is common among people with myopia. “This condition occurs when the eyes lens, located behind the pupil, has a cloudy appearance,” says Rodney.

Patients with high myopia can develop cataracts earlier than those with no refractive errors.

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.

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.

Although laser eye surgery has become a low risk and easy-to-execute procedure, it is still invasive.

Gary Rodney, the Founder of Smart Vision Optometry and a leading Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman, discusses an alternative non-invasive surgery to correct and improve vision.

Smart Vision Optometrists resource to non-invasive surgeries in their practice.

Many patients do not qualify for eye laser surgery, as they may have irregular corneas, or other conditions, such as inflammation, and bacterial infections often caused by poor hygiene. Additionally many patients are worried about eye surgery given the burning of the inner layers of myopia correction surgery can have permanent negative effects. Many “laser surgeries involve the burning of the matrix of the inner layers of the corneal tissue to flatten and reshape the cornea to correct vision, however this is not always a once-off fix, because the underlying issues of what caused them to become short-sighted in the first place has not been addressed and so the process may need to be repeated and burnt again,” says Rodney.

Laser surgery, such as LASIK, is invasive to the eye and can cause damage or injury to the eye, such as cornea damage, and may cause other complications such as eye infections and permanent dry eyes.

Invasive surgeries are no longer the only option for vision correction, as smart vision optometrists offer non-invasive methods and procedures.

Smart vision optometrists use vision therapy, therapeutic spectacle and contact lenses to improve comfort, enhance performance and optimise visual development.  Visual therapy is a “non-invasive method used to improve and manage different eye conditions,” says Rodney. This technique involves exercises that help improve the visual system.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Orthokeratology, also referred to as corneal reshaping treatment, is “a non-surgical vision correction alternative,” says Rodney. Corneal reshaping (CR) is a therapeutic process which reshapes the cornea using reverse geometry contact lenses. This flattens the cornea to reduce nearsightedness.

There is “no age barrier to this procedure as it is safe for both children and adults,” says Rodney. The non-surgical vision correction procedure can correct refractive errors such as mild to moderate and even large (in some cases) myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Ortho-K is safe and effective for children as it has been proven to treat myopia effectively. Evidence based practice has made the process very safe provided a minimum standard of care is followed. Thus includes regular checks with your orthokeratologist, tap water never used on the lenses or case at any time, hydrogen peroxide disinfection, 12 monthly lens replacement, and a perfectly fitted lens from an experienced orthokeratologist. The procedure is not effective on certain shaped corneas. “Ortho-K is also suitable for sportsmen and women, swimmers, and simply those who do not wish to wear glasses or contact lenses,” says Rodney.

Like refractive surgeries, Ortho-K gives clear unaided vision, however it has no surgical risks and is reversible. The most important part for children though is the proven effectiveness against minimising myopia progression. So it has a large preventative effect.

The Ortho-K gradually reshapes the front surface of the cornea to reduce myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The vision retainer is similar to contact lenses, but are worn at night while sleeping.

While asleep, “the lens uses the force of the eyelid and tear fluid beneath the lens to reshape the top of the cornea,” says Rodney. Upon awakening the patient’s vision remains clear throughout the day, without using contact lenses or glasses.

“This procedure is non-surgical vision correction is painless and reversible,” says Rodney. Ortho-K does not permanently change the shape of the eye. “The eye shape will revert to its original state within one to two weeks if the lenses are no longer worn,” says Rodney. However, improvements are visible the day after, and the procedure stabilises after a week. The process for high myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia, can take up to two to four weeks to achieve full correction.

The Ortho-K lens “offers relief from problems associated with contact lenses, such as dry eyes, and dust that may get trapped in and under the contact lens,” says Rodney.

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.

Many health experts say that the natural way to maintain a healthy body and reduce the risk of illnesses entails exercising, eating healthily, and maintaining a healthy weight. However, there is a more straightforward way to maintain and reinforce health practices and benefits. Sodium bicarbonates, also known as Bicarb Soda, are associated with many health benefits and maintaining key metabolic functions.

Dean Kesarlal, the founder of Safe Soda and an iconic Australian healthy lifestyle educator, explains that “pure and natural sodium bicarbonates alkalises the body and provides many health benefits that would assist in losing weight and maintaining a healthy body.”

Bicarb can be presented in powder form and taken orally to cleanse the digestive system, improve kidney function, reduce stomach ulcers and the high acidity in the body as a whole that would cause acid reflux. “Dissolving Superior SodaTM in a glass of water and drinking it every morning can help to maintain a healthy Ph balance but more so a healthy alkalinity level throughout the digestive system to minimise acid reflux and improve bowel functioning,” says Dean.

Adding pure and organic sodium bicarbonates to the diet can help to improve digestion, protect against all acid based health disorders including fungal infections, and improve tiredness, endurance, and performance for everyday activities. “Bicarb can neutralise acidity built up within the Extracellular Fluid, improve the body’s Alkalinity balance, maintain a healthy pH by buffering bodily fluids and improve conditions such as acid reflux, and gout” says Dean. Bicarb is also effective against many different fungal groups, including yeast and mould, which can develop into infection if left untreated as they are acid based

“Natural bicarb helps to maintain and support healthy acid and alkaline balance in the body and assists in your overall well-being,” says Dean.Sodium bicarbonates are used to treat conditions caused by high acidity in the body. This non-toxic substance can be used to reduce the effect of acid and inflammation of the body. It can “relieve heartburn, reduce episodes of gout, muscle pain, and acts as a urinary alkaliser.” says Dean. Bicarb can act as a protective barrier against urinary tract infections. People can take sodium bicarbonates to cleanse the bowels, improve kidney function, indigestion, and stomach ulcers.

Sodium bicarbonates is a natural antacid and is also a natural alkalising agent. Sodium bicarbonates are often nature’s best remedy for balancing the body’s pH level and alkalinity and improving overall health.

Our body system works well when the alkalinity level is balanced. This in turn balances overall pH due to the bicarbs buffering ability. Although our body needs acidity for digestion, an increase in acidity within the extracellular fluid may cause an imbalance of the alkalinity and pH level, and it may lead to severe health conditions, such as diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer both being acid based.  “Acidity triggers these conditions that either create or make the condition worse,” says Dean. Sodium bicarbonates regulate the acid by alkalising it. True alkalinity neutralises acids, oxygenates the body, regulates pH balance and regulates and maintains your negative frequency of the body as bicarb is classed as an Anion, being a negative charged ion. By restoring the true alkalinity level of the body it can improve stamina, endurance, inflammation and gout amongst many other factors.

Safe Soda flagship product Superior Soda is the top-level Pharmaceutical Grade Sodium Bicarbonate sourced from nature itself. One of the most significant health claims of this is that it helps maintain and support healthy acid/alkali balance in the body. The product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) Register with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and classed as a Listed Medicine. For more information on these health benefits, follow Dean’s free Live presentations and webinars.

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Myopia, or shortsightedness as it is commonly known, is on the rise. It’s the most common eye disorder in the world, and the biggest cause of visual impairment, especially in children. The facts are there for all to see. In 2010, an estimated 27 percent of people were struggling with a significant level of myopia, and by 2050, that figure is expected to rise to 52 percent.

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

Most stereotypes are based on prejudice, but occasionally, one pops up that’s based on fact – even if only remotely. “Smart kids wear glasses” could be among them, at least up to a point. Australian behavioural optometrist Jacqueline Gattegno sheds light on what is known regarding the intriguing link between myopia and IQ.

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

Sight begins in the eyes. But it doesn’t end there. The brain is needed to process and interpret data from the eyes. It’s not a simple process. One part of the brain conjures up an image based on the data it receives from the eyes. Other parts of the brain interpret it. The gift of sight involves much more than just the eyes. Gary Rodney, a behavioural optometrist and an expert in the field of myopia control guides us through a complex process that is often taken for granted: seeing.

The Brain’s Role in Vision

It all begins when a person decides to look at something. A part of the brain stem known as the “pons” tells the eyes to move towards the object, setting the surprisingly complex process that is vision into motion.

The brain is clearly divided into lobes, and the first part of the brain to process visual information is the occipital lobe which is situated at the back of the brain. The occipital lobe’s role in vision is proven and not just a matter of conjecture. When people suffer damage to this part of the brain as a result of illness or injury, they may experience visual disturbances, or even lose their sight completely.

There’s a difference between having an image and understanding it, and the occipital lobe can’t help with the latter. Instead, visual information requires further processing, and different parts of the brain do the work.

Visuospatial cognition takes place in the parietal lobe. This part of the brain is the seat of depth perception and helps with the coordination of movement based on data such as direction and distance. Reaching for, and successfully grasping an object, for example, requires several pieces of information. Recognising the object is a good start, but if it is to be handled, it’s location in relation to the body is a vital piece of information.

But recognition doesn’t take place in the parietal lobe. For that, the temporal lobe must contribute its share to the process of vision. It’s the seat of memory and it’s able to turn an image into something that’s recognisable based on prior experience.

Until quite recently, experts believed that the frontal lobe wasn’t involved in processing visual information, but it’s now believed to have a rather important role. The theory is supported by information from MRI scans that showed frontal lobe activity during the performance of certain visual tasks.

It’s believed that this part of the brain “focuses” on specific objects. To illustrate this, imagine a room full of various objects. A person is looking for his or her car keys, but plenty of other things are in view. The frontal lobe might be the part of the brain that helps with spotting those car keys among the clutter of other objects in view.

Super-Quick Communication Through a Neural Network

In order to transfer information from the eyes to the different parts of the brain that use and interpret visual information, a super-fast information highway is needed. The retina of the eye has special light-sensitive cells called rod and cone cells. When light strikes one of them, it sends a nerve impulse through the optic nerve to the occipital lobe which processes the information to make up part of an image.

But the image is without any meaning until the occipital lobe is able to match it with a memory. If there’s no match, this part of the brain will store it as a new memory, or it will still retain the memory, if only temporarily, categorising it into understandable information that can be used like “Oh that’s where the car keys are!”

It’s remarkable how quickly this all happens. Some researchers have equated the “speed of sight” as being equivalent to that of a good Ethernet connection, but that’s rather conservative as estimates go. It can be even faster. It’s theorised that the brain prioritises information and works a little more slowly when it deems information less than vitally important, saving its top speed for urgent data – like that obtained from rapidly approaching objects.

Behavioural Optometry: When Eye Tests are About More Than Just Eyes

With so much more than eyes involved in vision, it should come as no surprise that some optometrists do much more than just test the physical ability of the eyes to see clearly. “There’s a lot more to vision than just seeing,” says Gary. “That’s why behavioural optometrists test for visual skills as well as visual acuity. When visual skills need to be developed, it’s more than just a matter of prescribing glasses, but proven therapies can often help with vision problems that go beyond mere eyesight.”

For more information on vision therapy and how it works, 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.