The Gift That Doesn’t Keep Giving

Rodney, a fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC), says that, unfortunately, instead of being a permanent vision change, this spell of clear close-up vision is more like a temporary respite. Many of the retirees who find themselves able to read without glasses for the first time in years, and experience this “gift” at a point in their lives when they actually have time to do so, should probably remember where they stored their glasses, for the time when the sight holiday slowly reaches an end and books start to return to blurs.

It may also be advisable when they start to notice a difference in this “gift” of sight to consult an eye doctor as to whether or not they were duped into a sense of comfort by thickening lenses in the eye. It’s a natural process that may happen as the eyes age, and is often an indication that cataract could be forming on one or both lenses. This is usually the cause of the so-called second sight, which gives aging eyes a last window of opportunity to enjoy some clear close up vision, before the curtains start to close, says Rodney.

The Ageing Process of Eyes

According to Gattegno, the first sign of aging eyes, which can start setting in when people are still in their 40s, is usually the onset of presbyopia, a refractive error which improves their distance vision, and worsens their ability to see things close up. It develops as the lenses in the eyes start to lose their elasticity, and along with it their ability to bend the light rays that enter the eye in such a way that they fall on the retina.

That’s when many people start donning reading glasses to help with close work, studying, and reading, and, as they get older, Rodney says, fall into a pattern of changing them regularly for new and stronger ones as the lenses get harder, and they gradually find it harder to read or do close work.

The Holiday of Sight

Rodney says it isn’t surprising that those who’ve been affected by presbyopia are overwhelmed when they start to see nearby objects like books clearly without the aid of spectacles, and may see it as being the gift of second sight. But in the eyes themselves, changes are happening, and the ultimate outcome of these changes can be very severe. As eyes age, the hardening at the centre of the lenses, also known as nuclear sclerosis, reaches a point where the lens may again be able to focus the light rays on the retina, even though the elasticity, lost a couple of decades earlier, is no longer there.

However, the process does not stop there, according to Rodney. If the hardening process doesn’t stop it’s developmental surge at that point and keeps on toughening the lens, the central part of the lens may become opaque, creating a nuclear cataract. This could at first merely require the spectacles to be brought out of storage and back into use, or for getting new ones and again adopting a policy of changing them regularly until vision becomes so bad that cataract surgery may be the only alternative to total vision loss.  

For more information about the myopia epidemic, its treatment and management, and more importantly what you can do to prevent it, 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.

Rodney says it’s very important for everyone to take care of their eyes in summer, but even more so for children’s eyes to be protected at all times as the impact of seasonal threats can be far stronger on their young eyes, which are still developing.

Avoiding UV Exposure and Eye Sunburn

Eye sunburn, caused by overexposure to UV rays, can lead to inflammation of the cornea which covers the front of the eyes. This can result in sore, red, and teary eyes, along with some itchiness, increased sensitivity to light, and slightly blurred vision, and could last for a day or two.

Children are the most at risk, and the most vulnerable, as not only are a child’s ocular lenses not able to filter out UV light as well as their parents’ eyes do, but they are more likely to be excused to the light as, according to the WHO, 80% of people’s exposure to UV light occurs before they turn 18.

While this doesn’t lower the importance of parents being careful about their own UV exposure, Rodney says it does stress the need for them to ensure their children and teens get into the habit of wearing hats with a wide rim, as well as sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection, when outdoors in summer even on cloudy days. They should also be taught to avoid exposure to the sun when it’s rays are strongest, like in the hours around midday, and when the sun is rising or setting. And they should never look directly at the sun to avoid permanent damage to the eyes.

Protecting Eyes from Other Summer Threats

Don’t Forget the Water: Dry eyes, usually caused by the eyes’ inability to create enough tears to lubricate them, lead to eye strain, headaches, blurred vision and difficulties focusing. Often associated with too much screentime, an in-door lifestyle, and too little blinking, it can also be caused by dehydration. Making sure that water is available, and consumed, when outdoors under the summer sun is another must, according to Rodney.

Seasonal allergies: These can cause similar symptoms to the ones experienced by those with dry eye. However, the allergies are often more easily recognised because of the swelling and tearing that develops along with the redness, itching, irritation, and blurring. Rodney recommends that those who know they have allergies, make sure they have the correct treatments available at all times.

Wearing Goggles in a Pool: There are a number of reasons why Rodney suggests that those who don’t consider it’s summer if they don’t take a plunge in the pool every now and then, should Wear Goggles when swimming. Firstly, it’s to stop the eyes from being irritated by chemicals like chlorine and others found in pool water, but also from bacteria that swims alongside those cooling off in the water, and which can easily affect the eyes

Eye Protection When Doing Summer Chores: When doing a touch or two of DIY renovating, or pushing the lawnmower around the garden, it’s important to wear protective eyewear, and preferably wrap around ones that shield the sides of the eyes, in order to prevent accidents that could lead to eye damage, or wood chips, twigs and other objects which might fly or get blown into the eyes.

For more information about the myopia epidemic, its treatment and management, and more importantly what you can do to prevent it, 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.