During World Sight Day this past October, it was important to shed light on the categories of blindness and visual impairment and the possible causes and treatments, and it’s still as important as ever.

Gary Rodney, a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman, believes it is important for people to understand blindness and visual impairment. “There is a large population of blind or visually impaired people in the world. The severity of their blindness or impairment varies, depending on the causes,” says Rodney.

People who are blind or are visually impaired sometimes struggle to live an independent life as there is often a lack of opportunities and resources available to them, especially in less developed countries. “There needs to be a shift in the understanding of the causes of blindness and visual impairment and ways to treat symptoms and support the visually impaired,” adds Rodney.

Common types of visual impairment include; a loss of Central Vision, Blurred Vision, Generalised Haze, Extreme Light Sensitivity, and Night Blindness. A loss of central vision creates a blind spot in the middle of the eye and only peripheral (side) vision remains intact. This makes it difficult to read, recognise faces and to distinguish most details in the distance. Blurred vision causes both near and far objects to be out of focus. Generalised haze causes a constant sensation of a film or glare that can cover the entire vision field. Extreme light sensitivity occurs when normal levels of light become overwhelming for the visual system, leading to washed out images, and in some cases a certain level of pain or discomfort. Night blindness results in the inability to see in the moonlight or dimly lit spaces.

Causes of blindness and visual impairment include; uncorrected refractive errors, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, corneal opacity, and trachoma. “It is important to ensure that you have regular eye checks, including a comprehensive dilated eye examination, to avoid issues becoming worse,” says Rodney. There are ways to protect eyes and prevent or manage vision loss. Try and keep blood sugars at a healthy level, maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well and regularly exercising, and wear protective eyewear, whether at work or in the sun. Also, keep abreast of family eye health history. This will help to determine if there are any eye diseases that could be hereditary.

With any eye condition, it is important to seek out a premium eye care solution with a Smart Vision Optometrist. The earlier a condition can be addressed, the better the outcome. A Smart Vision Optometrist can address symptoms with a tailored wellness treatment program.

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

Written and syndicated by YDMA News. 

Eye floaters look like small spots or lines that drift through the field of vision. Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside the eye becomes more liquid.  Floaters often appear when looking at something bright, for example, a piece of white paper or a bright blue sky. They can become annoying but shouldn’t affect one’s sight or be any cause for concern. People who are near-sighted, have diabetes or have had cataract surgery are more prone to experiencing eye floaters.

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, explains the reasons for eye floaters as well as ways they can be treated.

“You can become accustomed to floaters and they should not bother you too much. Only rarely do they become bad enough to require treatment or indicate a more serious problem,” says  Gary Rodney, a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman.

Floaters are made up of small bits of protein, called collagen. As a person gets older, the protein fibres become smaller and form little shreds that clump together. As a result, they cast shadows over the retina. The reason they are called floaters is because they move around the eye and normally disappear when focused on. They appear in many different shapes for example; black or grey spots, squiggly lines, thread-like strands, cobwebs or rings. Once they begin to occur in the eye, they normally do not go away but they become less noticeable over time.

While uncommon, floaters can be a sign of a more serious eye problem. A sudden appearance of floaters accompanied by a flash of light, or a dark shadow in the peripheral or central vision could indicate a retinal tear which would need immediate attention. An Optometrist or Ophthalmologist should be consulted, and a dilated eye examination should be undertaken. “Floaters normally occur if you are near-sighted or if you had cataract surgery. They are rarely caused by eye disease, an eye injury or eye tumours. Those are unusual situations and normally they have no cause for alarm. However, it is important to frequently visit an Optometrist to maintain good eye health,” says Gary.

While floaters don’t normally affect a person’s vision, there are treatments that can be undertaken if the floaters begin to affect one’s daily life or if they are caused by another eye problem. It is important to maintain healthy eyes. Book and appointment for a Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment with a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist to ensure your eye health is what it should be. If treatment is required, a unique wellness plan can be developed.

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

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News

Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) sometimes called Cerebral Visual Impairment is an eye disorder that is caused by damaged parts of the brain that process vision. It is more common in babies and children but it can continue into adulthood. Normally the eyes send electrical signals to the brain but if you have CVI, the brain has trouble processing and understanding these signals.

Gary Rodney, a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman, raises awareness of CVI as it is one of the leading causes of blindness in children and more attention should be paid towards it. Adults can also develop CVI after a traumatic brain injury. This is known as acquired CVI.

Cortical Visual Impairment is caused by an injury to the brain. These injuries normally happen before, during or directly after birth. Some common causes of CVI include; lack of oxygen or blood to the brain (often due to a stroke), a  build up of fluid in the brain, infections that reach the brain, head injuries or specific genetic conditions. Premature babies are more likely to have CVI than full-term babies. There is no specific test for detecting CVI. “If you suspect your child may have CVI the first step is to book a  Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment. If the assessment doesn’t find a problem it might mean that the problem could be neurological.” says Rodney. It can be difficult to diagnose CVI but it is crucial to act quickly if CVI is suspected.

For some children with CVI, improvements over time can be seen however, everyone is different. If your child has symptoms of CVI, it is essential to act quickly and make sure the child is getting early intervention, therapy, educational support and other resources that will help them to develop and learn.

CVI presents with various symptoms depending on the severity of the situation. If a child has CVI, they may have trouble responding to things that are seen, seeing certain things in front of them, recognising faces and objects, recognising things in cluttered spaces, reaching for something while looking at it and understanding what they’re looking at. “It is important to pick up the signs of CVI as soon as possible. Parents should look out for slow reactions to visual cues. Is the child preferring to look at things that are moving or does the child like to look at things from a specific part of their vision, for example with their peripheral vision,” says Rodney.

While there is no cure for Cortical Visual Impairment, vision rehabilitation or vision therapy can help children to improve their vision. In some cases, the vision does improve over time by itself. Experts are not sure why this happens. However, the most important thing is early detection so that the child can receive early intervention and help.

If you are concerned that your child may have CVI, book a Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment with a Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman where a specialised wellness plan can be developed to provide the necessary therapy and rehabilitation supports.

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

Written and syndicated by YDMA News

Hypertropia is a type of strabismus or misalignment of the eyes; that is when a person has one eye that is turned upwards while the other eye looks in the right direction. Normally the eyes work together and move together. However, sometimes eyes move separately. If they move in different directions from one another, this can cause vision problems. Hypertropia is most common in children although adults can develop it. It is the rarest of the strabismus conditions and affects about 1 in 400 children.

Jacqueline Gattegno, a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi states the importance of raising awareness of Hypertropia as very few people know about this condition. Even though it is uncommon, it is still important for people to know the symptoms, causes and treatments.

Hypertropia is caused by an imbalance in the eye muscles, which means they will often not work together. The most common cause of this is weakness or ‘palsy’ in the nerves of the brain that control eye movements. People who suffer from Hypertropia are usually born with the condition but it can also be developed later in life due to a stroke, eye injury, thyroid disease or neurological disorders. “The symptoms can be hard to detect because in some cases they are permanent and in others they appear from time to time when stressed or tired,” says Jacqueline. The most common symptoms include; eye wander (one or both eyes will wander up towards the ceiling), double vision, head tilt, eye strain and headaches.

Hypertropia is normally detected with an eye exam and other specialised tests. With children it is often noticed in the first instance by their local doctor or paediatrician; their eyes won’t be straight and they often tilt their head. “Children should have regular screening during their baby check-ups, especially if there is a family history of the condition. It is important to diagnose early on to ensure the child does not develop lazy eye syndrome,” says Jacqueline.

There are ways to treat Hypertropia. The main goal is to align both eyes and make sure that vision is clear in both. Treatments include; glasses (wearing glasses with special prisms could potentially correct vision problems), an eye patch (this is worn over the strong eye to try and strengthen the weak one) and vision therapy (eye exercises that will be performed everyday along with other treatments).

If there is a risk of Hypertropia or if symptoms are occurring, it is important to book an appointment with a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist so that the condition can be detected early and a unique vision wellness plan can be started to avoid the situation from getting worse. If the Optometrist believes that surgery might be needed to rectify the situation, they would refer the patient to an Ophthalmologist. However, it is important to note that surgery is really a last option when other treatments have not been successful.

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

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.

This month is cataract awareness month. A cataract is a cloudy lens that is positioned behind the iris. This lens is what focuses the light that passes into the eye creating sharp, clear images on the retina. It is a light sensitive membrane that works similar to a film camera. There are four different types of cataracts: Nuclear Cataracts (affects the centre of the lens); Cortical Cataracts (affects the edges of the lens); Posterior Sub-capsular Cataracts (affects the back of the lens); and Congenital Cataracts (cataracts you are born with).

Gary Rodney, a SmartVision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Mosman, aims to raise awareness on cataracts as well as to let people know how to prevent or manage the problem.

There are a few different factors that cause the development of cataracts in the eye. The different types of cataracts have different causes and different speeds of progress. The main risk factors include: age, diabetes, continuous exposure to the sun, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, a previous eye injury, previous eye surgery, continuous use of steroid medications, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

“Myopia can also have a hand in the development or progress of cataracts in the eye,” says Gary. Myopia (near-sightedness), seems to have a connection with the development and progression of cataracts. However, the exact amount the two affect one another needs to be determined. Nevertheless, there is definitely a connection between the two. “Statistically, having high myopia can double the risk of having fuzzy invaders blurring the lenses of your eyes, which can also lead to you developing cataracts earlier in life,” says Gary.

While no studies have shown any proven prevention methods, there are helpful ways to try and prevent cataracts from developing. Firstly, it is important to have regular eye examinations or to have a Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment done. This will help to detect any signs of cataracts early on. It is important to quit smoking and to reduce alcohol intake. Choose a healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables. Although not proven, a large population study has been conducted where people who had enough vitamins and minerals had a lesser chance of developing cataracts. It is also important to wear sunglasses whenever you are exposed to sunlight.

There are treatment methods available. There is promising research being done on eye-drops that contain a natural compound called lanosterol that researchers suggest may dissolve cataracts. This compound already exists in the eye lens and that is what keeps the eye lens transparent. Currently, surgery is the most common procedure used to remove cataracts, however it is not without its complications, especially if you have myopia. The myopia can affect the surgery by causing retinal detachment, possibly causing a variable post-operative refractive error which removes the ability to see a few inches away. It is also important to remember that once a surgery is done it makes any holistic approach redundant.

Although there are no definite or problem free ways of preventing cataracts, the most important thing is early detection. It is important to  book a session with a SmartVision Behavioural Optometrist or directly book a Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment now.

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

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.

Contact lenses are a common alternative to glasses. Although contact lenses have been a great innovation there are certain risks involved.

Jacqueline Gattegno, a SmartVision Behavioural Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi wants to educate people on the risks of contact lenses, how to avoid those risks, and how to practise good contact lens health.

As mentioned, contact lenses are a great innovation and an alternative to glasses. However, there are a few issues that can occur if healthy measures are not practised. If burning or itchiness occurs after a short period of wearing contact lenses, it could mean that there is an allergic reaction to the contact lenses. There can also be a feeling of grittiness, as if there is sand stuck in the eye.

Blurred vision is another common problem. If the cornea has a lack of oxygen it can cause blurred vision or something known as corneal hypoxia. This can happen if contacts are over worn. Dryness in the eye can be due to dry eye syndrome, which can be caused by several factors. “It is normal to experience some sort of discomfort when you first start wearing contacts, however if the discomfort becomes unbearable or there is a discharge that is not normal, you should speak to your Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist,” says Jacqueline.

There are ways to try and minimise issues associated with wearing contact lenses. It is important to have good hand hygiene when inserting contact lenses. “Always wash your hands and dry them with a lint free towel or tissue, there should be no traces of perfumes, creams or hairsprays anywhere near your eyes,” suggests Jacqueline. These kinds of practises are crucial in ensuring that the correct contact lens hygiene is taking place. While burning or itchiness can indicate an allergy to the contact lenses, it might be that there is an allergy to the lens solution. Before visiting your optometrist, try and use other brands or solutions. However, if the burning or itchiness continues, make an appointment with a Smart Vision optometrist. If it feels as though there is a grain of sand in the eye, remove the contacts and rinse both sides with solution then flush the eye with cool sterile water to get rid of anything that might be in there. If there is redness or dryness, the best way to combat this is to practise the highest level of contact lens hygiene. If blurred vision happens, it is likely because contacts are being worn for an extended period and this should be avoided.

It is essential to practise the correct contact lens hygiene to avoid any issues. If severe reactions happen during the use of contact lenses such as discharge or constant burning or blurry vision, contact a Smart Vision Behavioural Optometrist and book a Comprehensive Vision Skills assessment. This way, a clear and unique wellness plan can be designed.

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.

Syndicated by: YDMA News

It’s time to shed some light on eye health this month, even though one should focus on maintaining their visual health everyday. Paying close attention to one’s visual health has long term benefits. Regular visits to the optometrist can forewarn individuals of potential health risks, as well as identify notable visual concerns.

Jacqueline Gattegno, a Smart Vision Optometrist at Eyes InDesign Bondi, expands on the importance of healthy vision. “There are approximately 2.2 billion people globally with near or distance-related vision impairment. In approximately half of these cases, vision impairment could have been prevented, or identified early with a regular visit to a Smart Vision Optometrist,” says Jacquie.

Sadly, however, not all vision-related issues can be detected from a standard eye test from your local optometrist, and that’s because there is a difference between sight and vision. “As a Smart Vision Optometrist, we conduct a Comprehensive Vision Skills Assessment with each patient on their very first appointment. This thorough examination takes about an hour, and because of the techniques and equipment used, this type of examination is not available from your local optometrist,” says Jacquie.

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

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

For example, “vision is what directs the cricket player to swing the bat at the exact right moment and place in space to make contact and hit a six, right over the fence,” Jacquie explains.

The primary causes of vision impairment and blindness are, uncorrected refractive, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, corneal opacity, trachoma and age-related macular degeneration. The majority of individuals with vision impairment tend to be over the age of 50, however vision loss is possible in all age groups. “Children’s vision should be tested continually throughout their school years to ensure vision-related issues do not affect their ability to learn,” Jacquie said.

Uncorrected myopia and presbyopia alone were estimated to be $352 billion and $36.8 billion respectively, in terms of productivity losses within the working world. “The gravity of not addressing visual problems creates a domino effect of unwanted health issues, as well as financial burdens,” says Jacquie.

Vision impairment impacts the quality of life, especially as one ages. “Should vision impairment progressively deteriorate, the significant detriments include, higher risks of falls and fractures, difficulty walking, and social isolation, among many,” says Jacquie.

While many eye diseases can be prevented, not all visual problems are as easily treated. Thus, every single eye condition requires a specific and timely response. “Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation are effective interventions to both address and facilitate the needs of individuals with vision impairment or eye conditions,” says Jacquie.

“Treatments are available for various eye conditions that do not cause severe vision impairment like: conjunctivitis, dry eye, and blepharitis, commonly known as inflammation of the eyelids. While pain and discomfort can be incurred with these eye conditions, the treatments aim to alleviate the symptoms and prevent more severe conditions or diseases,” says Jacquie.

It has been proven that the rehabilitation of one’s visual health has a high effective rate in improving irreversible vision impairment from severe eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

With any eye condition, it is important to make an appointment with an optometrist or preferably a Smart Vision Optometrist. The earlier a condition can be addressed, the better the outcome. A Smart Vision Optometrist can address symptoms with a tailored wellness treatment program.

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

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

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.