Mobile Eye Clinic Newsletter #21

Our knowledge of eye health often comes from everywhere. Family, friends, common sense. Often we can trust what we hear, but sometimes the occasional fiction appears within the facts. We're here to help separate the myth from the reality.

Myth 1 - Rubbing your eyes does no harm
The most obvious to begin, when you scrunch your eyes and apply a good rub with your knuckles, it may feel good temporarily, but do it too often and you risk causing significant loss of sight. For most people, an occasional gentle rub is fine, but a better way to combat irritated eyes is to apply a warm, moist towel onto your closed eyes.

Myth 2 - Reading in dim light damages your eyes
There is no evidence that this piece of common sense is actually true. It may cause temporary "eye strain" but this has no long term consequences. It is often actually the muscles around the eye that cause this pain.

Myth 3 - SPF Sunglasses are unnecessary, especially for children
Radiation damage on our eyes is a cumulative process, so protection from early on can prevent against eye conditions developing later in life.
UV protection is essential as this is what does the most damage to your eye, burning your cornea and causing inflammation.

Myth 4 - Glasses can further weakens your eyes
This is false, false, false. Sadly, ageing distorts the lens of your eye making it harder to focus on anything close to you. With or without glasses, this process continues to get worse over time. A good pair of bifocals or reading glasses with the right prescription can combat this process, and when glasses are not enough, here at Mobile Eye Clinic we also specialise in specialty Low Vision products.

Mobile Eye Clinic #20

As seniors become more tech savvy, they are also at risk of developing a new health condition called "computer vision syndrome" (CVS). Although not permanent, the symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. Some simple practices can reduce the effects of CVS. Maintain sufficient lighting in the room, ensuring that there is minimal glare on the screen. Position the screen at a point natural for your head and shoulders to look at. Take breaks, as you would when you I've your shoulders and back a bit of a stretch. Ensure your seat is comfortable and gives your neck and back maximum support.

Mobile Eye Clinic Newsletter #19

UV rays and your eyes UV rays are accumulated over a lifetime, and the current senior population typically has not known that protecting their eyes is essential. Although only about 1% of UV rays reach the retina, the effects are accumulated over a lifetime and can become an issue for every part of the eye. The Cornea can become sunburnt just like normal skin, as light is reflected off surfaces like water, snow or even concrete. This heals with time, but recurring sunburn may result in longer-term problems. The lens of the eye, in absorbing most of the UV rays reduces the amount of light passing through over time, leading to cataracts or a need to replace the lens. The retina is most sensitive to the toxic effects of UV rays, and although protected by the lens and the cornea, excess contact with the sun leads to an increase likelihood and severity of AMD. To prevent UV related damage of the eyes it is very beneficial to invest in good quality 100% UV absorbing / reflecting sun wear in which the lenses provide complete coverage both from the front as well as the top and sides. Protection from the sun is critical for healthy eyes especially under the harsh Australian sun. At Mobile Eye Clinic we source only the top quality sun glasses, including the revolutionary Fitovers™ to wear over your ordinary prescription glasses. Call us on 1300 393 392 or email clinic@mobile-eye-clinic.com to find out more about our range and prices. Blindness and life expectancy Blindness can decrease life expectancy by as much as 67%, says Dr David Chang, keynote speaker at the International Opthalmology Session. He stresses the need to develop more efficient systems of treatment for the mass number of patients around the world who will suffer from blindness.

Mobile Eye Clinic Newsletter #18

Apps for Low Vision With the technological revolution in full swing, it's time low vision sufferers also benefited from the millions of apps that are available to smartphone and tablet users. We have reviewed 5 apps that make life easier for patients with low vision. 1. Accessibility This is an inbuilt feature for all Apple products (iPod, iPhone, iPad & Mac). It includes VoiceOver (speaks items on the screen), Zoom (magnifies the entire screen), Invert Colours, Larger Type, and options to increase contrast. All these options are designed to create a smoother user experience for low vision patients. Read more here. 2. Vision Assist This makes your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into a handheld electronic magnifier that you can use to easily read small print. With options to increase contrast and use your phone's flash to increase brightness, it is a must for low vision patients. Available here. 3. Voice Dream Reader This app converts text into speech so that you do not have to strain your eyes reading books but can have them read to you. It works with many file types and you can even get it to read text from webpages. There is a lite version to test the app, but it limits the reading to just 300 characters. Available here. 4. Talking Calculator Evident from the name, this app is a calculator that speaks the answer to you. It also has colourful, high contrast buttons for easy input, and the ability to record your own voice to speak the answers. Available here. 5. AidColors This is another simple but useful application that tells you what colour the item in front of you is. Hold the iPhone/iPad/iTouch camera 10-15cm away from the surface of the coloured item, and it will tell you what colour that item is. It can be useful for wardrobe choices to know what colour shirt you are putting on. Available here.

Remember the Retina Scan Optimel Eye Drops: The power of Manuka Honey to improve eye health. Visiolux: The ultimate stand magnifier Our Aged Care Facilities Partners:

Mobile Eye Clinic Newsletter #17

Obama recognises optical innovator
Professor Gholam Peyman received an award from the US president for his extensive work in vision. Peyman developed new technology for easier treatment of Glaucoma patients, among many other things. More…

New 'Privacy Visor' in development
The future is now here with glasses that can stop cameras from seeing your face. The visor emits UV rays that block critical areas of the face that are used in Facial Recognition Software, without hindering the vision of the wearer. Full story here.

New Mars Fashion Ultem Frames

- Super light & flexible with strength
- Very high heat & flame resistance
- Exceptional resistance to
environmental forces
- Complementing calming neutrals
with bright colours for perfect
harmony
- See it for yourself! Video.

Mobile Eye Clinic Newsletter #16

Regular Aspirin use linked to AMD
"Regular aspirin use was significantly associated with an increased incidence of neovascular AMD" states new research by Sydney University scientists. Others note that more research needs to be conducted before any changes are implemented.
More info here.




Higher road toll for elderly
Over 60 year old's are the only age group that have not decreased their road deaths over the past five years. "People think they are as capable in their 60s as they were in their 20s" says John Hartley of the NSW Police. Full story here

We encourage elderly drivers to ensure their eyesight won't fail them on the road, by taking regular optometrist check-ups as they get older.


Find the right glasses for you!
Glasses become a part of your fashion style, so it's important to choose wisely. But physical comfort should be first priority.
Read article here.

Mobile Eye Clinic Newsletter #15

World First Bionic Eye A blind woman has been fitted with an early prototype bionic eye, which sends her brain flashes of light in response to stimulus. Researchers are finding out exactly what she perceives with different forms of stimulus and will use this information to further develop the technology. This confirms the viability and potential for such a device.

Alzheimer's just a normal part of ageing A mental health specialist says that just like our other body parts - eyes, bones, and heart - degenerate as we age, so does our brain. He warns agains the fear against Alzheimers and wants patients to focus on the things they can do instead of mourning the loss of previous abilities. The whole story here.

Your eyes are what you eat A groundbreaking study - the AREDS study - shows that one dose of anti-oxidant formula had the ability to slow AMD progression, and bring a much higher quality of life to the sufferer. Blackmores have produced two supplements, Macuvision and Lutein Vision Advanced, that have ingredients proven to be beneficial to eye health. Read more here.

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