Category: Eye conditions

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world.

COVID-19 has disrupted the lives and routines of Australians like never before. These disruptions have carried through to the healthcare system where delays and cancellations have meant that many patients have not kept their scheduled appointments for eye assessments and exams. Other patients, out of fear of catching the disease, have neglected routine checkups.

It is important that, particularly for people in the high-risk group of getting glaucoma, that people keep seeing their eye care professional who can help manage their symptoms.

Glaucoma Australia has created a free, anonymous quiz to help you find out if you are at risk of glaucoma.

Protecting yourself: epidemic eyecare essentials

1. Get Your Eyes Checked

‘Perfect vision’ does not mean ‘perfect health.’ Only a comprehensive eye exam can determine signs of optic nerve damage. Remember that up to 50 per cent of those with early-stage glaucoma are unaware they have it.

If you are over 40, book a comprehensive eye exam. Although anyone can develop glaucoma, the risk increases with age.

If you have family members with glaucoma, you have an increased risk of glaucoma.

2. Managing your Glaucoma

If you have been prescribed glaucoma eye drops, do all you can to maintain your eye drop regimen.

Collect your prescriptions and use the eye drops as prescribed. Disruptions to care can lead to vision loss and permanent, irreversible blindness.

Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using your glaucoma eye drops.

Quit smoking and maintain a healthy diet with regular exercise. Good advice for the best of times, but increasingly important as we resume our ‘pre-COVID routines.’

3. Have Confidence in Eyecare Plus

Don’t put off an important eye exam. Eyecare Plus is doing all we can to balance our commitment to patient eye care with our commitment to patient safety.

Patient appointments times are staggered to prevent over-crowding or long queues in the waiting rooms.

All Eyecare Plus optometrists, dispensers and staff wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks and eye protection.

All Eyecare Plus locations undergo enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.

All patients are required to wear a mask to your appointment. If you don’t have a mask, we will provide one for you. Please be sure to keep your mask on throughout your visit, even if you are alone in the exam room.

We care about your overall health.

Contact your local Eyecare Plus optometrist to book an appointment.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 continues to change and evolve as it sweeps throughout the world, and, as it does our understanding of it is changing and evolving as well.

One of the things that is changing is our understanding of the relationship between COVID-19 and the eyes. For example, we know that COVID-19 can spread through the eyes when an infected person coughs or sneezes near your eye or if you touch an infected object before touching your eye. This is how flu viruses spread as well.

We also know that whilst the risk of transmission through the eyes is very low, healthcare professionals agree that taking precautions to avoid these transmissions is a good idea.

We also know that, in addition to being a portal for COVID-19, the eyes can also have coronavirus eye symptoms. And: the risk of that, too, is very low.

COVID Conjunctivitis

A very rare symptom of COVID-19 – which affects 1 to 3 per cent of people with COVID – is conjunctivitis (commonly called ‘pink eye).

Strictly speaking, if you are suffering with the symptoms of pink eye – redness or itchiness of the eye – without the symptoms of Covid 19, you probably just have pink eye or allergic conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by intense itching and happens to both eyes at the same time. Often, it’s seasonal; it’s not contagious.

Viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) starts at one eye and spreads to the other. It’s highly contagious.

Pink eye is not a stand-alone symptom of COVID-19. If you or your child has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or pink eye symptoms occur along with other COVID-19 symptoms like fever, breathing issues, lack of taste or smell, confusion, or cough, contact your medical provider for advice.

COVID-19 and Contact lenses

A number of experts and organisations have come forward to remind contact lens wearers that frequent handwashing with soap and water will protect them from exposure to the virus.

To drive the point home, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) recently re-released a series of images from a 2018 study that shows the dramatic effect of good hand hygiene.

All eyecare health professionals agree – proper hand hygiene is the most important factor in preventing infections, of any kind, for contact lens wearers. If you are healthy, and are practicing proper hand hygiene, there is no need to stop wearing your contact lenses.

COVID-19 and Glasses

Did you know that glasses can help protect you from the Omicron virus?

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, a Professor of Epidemiology of Hospital Infection and Infectious Diseases Control at the University of New South Wales, believes it is important to wear glasses to protect our eyes as they can be an entry point for the virus.

“With Omicron, one of the things I think we should be doing is telling people to look after their eyes – I ask them to wear glasses, sunglasses or anything to protect their eyes because their eyes have what’s called ACE2 receptor sites (entry points for the virus).

“If you are indoors in a shop and somebody has breathed out through their nose because they are not wearing their mask over their nose or not wearing a mask over their mouth then it could get into your eyes, so it would be great if people protected their eyes when they were indoors in a shopping mall,” said Prof. McLaws.

Eyecare Plus optometrists strictly adheres to all government health and safety advice to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This includes rigorous dedication to hand-hygiene and the use of PPE, such as surgical masks, gloves, eye protection and breath shields for equipment.

Eyecare Plus optometry practices carry out enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the patient environment on a regular basis.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is Australia’s leading cause of blindness with more than 1.4 million people showing evidence of the disease.

It is often regarded as a condition that only affects the elderly, which is why Karen Russell, a Sydney businesswoman, was so shocked when she was diagnosed with AMD in her late 40s.

Karen’s Story

Karen was originally diagnosed with AMD by her optometrist in 2014.

“I can’t tell you how outraged I was,” she said.

“I hadn’t even turned 50 and I was being diagnosed with a disease associated with the elderly. I felt it was something I shouldn’t have been diagnosed with for another 25 years.”

Karen has a family history of AMD, but she was unaware of the hereditary risk of the disease. Her mother Brenda was diagnosed with AMD in her 70s, which meant Karen had a one-in-two chance of developing the condition as well.

Family history is one of the four major risk factors for AMD, alongside smoking, being over 50 years of age, and failing to have regular eye examinations by an optometrist.

What is AMD

AMD is a chronic, progressive disease that destroys central vision, leaving peripheral vision intact.

There is effective macular degeneration treatment for the most aggressive form of the disease – wet (neovascular) AMD – but there is no cure. For most people living with AMD – those in the early or intermediate stage or living with late-stage dry AMD – there are no treatment options.

But lifestyle changes – such as regular eye exams to monitor any changes to your vision, as well as eating a macula-friendly diet rich in oily fish and dark leafy greens – can help keep your eyes healthy and can help slow the progression of AMD.

Early Action Saves Sight

Since her diagnosis in 2014 Karen has taken the right steps to maintain her vision.

She has had regular eye exams – including having her macula checked – by her optometrist, as well as implementing lifestyle changes, eating more oily fish and dark green leafy greens.

Today, Karen’s eyesight is good, and she is still able to drive, read and paint.

“It’s not something I struggle with on a day-to-day basis, but it is something I worry about – something that niggles at me. Every now and again, I’m confronted with the fact that in the future, there are things I might not be able to do,” Karen says.

“What scares me the most is losing the ability to read. I understand things by reading. I can’t absorb when people are telling me things – I need to read to understand.”

How to reduce macular degeneration?

You can reduce your risk of getting AMD and slow its progression if you have already been diagnosed, by following four simple tips.

1. Regular Eye Exams

To detect AMD early you need to have an eye test once every two years if you are over the age of 50, then once a year when you reach 65.

2. Do Not Smoke

Smokers have a three to four times higher risk of AMD than non-smokers. The disease will occur five to 10 years earlier for people who smoke.

3. Exercise

Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

4. Diet

Eat a macula-friendly diet including fish two or three times a week, dark-green leafy vegetables, and fresh fruit every day, a handful of nuts each week, low GI carbohydrates, and limit the amount of fats in your diet.

What is Your Risk?

May is Macula Month.

This annual initiative of Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) to raise awareness of macular disease is the perfect time to learn if you are at risk of this disease which destroys central vision.

This year, MDFA is encouraging Australians aged over 50 to head to Check My Macula to learn more about the disease.

Developed by MDFA, Check My Macula is a short online quiz that tells you your individual risk factors of macular disease, then helps you book an eye examination – including a macula check – with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist.

Sixty seconds could save your sight. One minute and five easy questions is all it takes to discover your personal risks, then take early action to preserve your vision.

To discover your level of risk for macular disease, go to Check Your Macula, then book an eye exam with your nearest Eyecare Plus optometrist. If you or a loved one have any questions about macular disease, contact the Macular Disease Foundation who are available to help you or call their free National Helpline on 1800 111 709.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Too many Australians have closed their eyes to diabetic eye disease, the leading cause of blindness among our working-age population, a new study has revealed.

A YouGov poll conducted early last year of 1,049 Australians commissioned by Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) discovered that only 29% of Australians aged 50 to 70 have heard of diabetic retinopathy (DR), while only 26% are aware of diabetic macular oedema (DMO), a complication of DR that threatens the central vision.

Although 82% identified the eyes as a body part that diabetes can affect – higher than feet (74%), kidneys (68%), and even the heart (53%) – the lack of awareness of what these conditions are called means many people who are at risk remain in the dark about these sight-threatening complications.

Macula Month

MDFA commissioned this study to mark ‘Macula Month’, an annual awareness campaign each May, urging those at-risk to visit their optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam – including a check of the macula.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic eye disease (DED) are the most common conditions that threaten the macula and detailed central vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and the top cause of blindness in working-age Australians, affecting between 300,000 and 400,000 people.

MDFA CEO Dee Hopkins is concerned that most people cannot even name the disease.

“Diabetic retinopathy claims the eyesight of more working-age Australians than any other eye condition, yet less than 30% of people know its name,” Ms Hopkins says.

“But we do know that early action can save sight. It’s crucial that everyone over 50 – and everyone diagnosed with diabetes – has regular eye checks with their eye health professional to detect any changes to the eye early.”

60 seconds Could Save Your Sight

This year’s Macula Month campaign will promote Check My Macula a short 60 second online quiz that reveals your individual risk factors for AMD and diabetic eye disease. It then helps you make an appointment with your nearest optometrist or schedule a reminder to have an eye exam in the future.

Everyone with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, and the longer a person has diabetes, the greater the likelihood of the disease.

Diabetic Retinopathy Numbers Surge

Around 1.7 million Australians live with diabetes – a figure expected to climb past two million by 2025, driving a surge in diabetic eye disease.

Almost everyone with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of people with type 2 diabetes will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy within 20 years of diagnosis. One in three people over the age of 50 with diabetes has the condition.

MDFA Ambassador and 2020 Australian of the Year, Adelaide ophthalmologist Dr James Muecke AM, says people with diabetes can take active steps to reverse their risk of vision loss.

“Diabetic retinopathy is the only reversible macular condition,” Dr Muecke says.

“If you control your diabetes, or if you are able to put your type 2 diabetes into remission, you can turn this blinding disease around. We want people to not only understand the name of the disease –we want everyone to take action to avoid its devastating outcome.

“This is easily done through regular eye examinations and managing your diabetes. When the disease is picked up early, you can make lifestyle changes and access good treatments that maintain sight and prevent severe vision loss,” he says.

Book an eye test with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist this Macula Month to have a comprehensive eye test and to check your macula.

Diabetes is regarded as the biggest health epidemic of the modern era.

More than 20 years ago, in 1994, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s declared that diabetes had reached epidemic proportions. Get the latest research information from CDC here.

They reported then that it should be considered a major public health problem. Now, more than 20 years later, diabetes is raging out of control with the incidence of type 2 Diabetes more than tripling in that time.

Tragic Experience

In Australia, our First Nation People are at the greatest risk as they are “four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and much more likely to develop serious diabetes-related complications. The gap in health outcomes for indigenous Australians is greatest in diabetes,” Professor Greg Johnson, CEO Diabetes Australia.

Wiradjuri woman Dr Tamara Power, member of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Nurses and Midwives working at the University of Technology Sydney, is one of Australia’s leading First Nations nurse academics.

Her experience with diabetes has been tragic.

“A pregnant cousin of mine, who lives with type 2 diabetes, gave birth to a full-term, stillborn baby and that was partly due to complications from high blood glucose levels during pregnancy,” Dr Power said.

“I have many family members and friends who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and are living with severe complications like cardiac and renal disease. As a First Nations person you generally know a lot of people with diabetes, that’s the reality of the diabetes epidemic.”

Type 2 diabetes: Leading Cause of Blindness

Eye surgeon and Australian of the Year, Dr. James Muecke, blames poor dietary guidelines which recommend low fat, high carb diets, as key reasons for Australia’s obesity problem – which effects 67% of Australians – and can lead to type 2 diabetes.

If obesity is eradicated we can reduce the number of people who get type 2 diabetes by over 40%.

Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Diabetic Retinopathy

A complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, the most widespread form of diabetic eye disease which can lead to vision loss. It is estimated that between 25 to 35% of people who have diabetes suffer from some form of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is an insidious disease. High sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina which, over time, leads to vision loss.

Detection

There may be no obvious symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

The only way you can find out if you have diabetic retinopathy is from a comprehensive eye examination. It is a simple test where the optometrist dilates your pupils in order to see details inside your eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy symptoms include:

• Blurred, distorted or patchy vision (that cannot be corrected with prescription glasses)
• Problems with balance, reading, watching television, and recognising people
• Being overly sensitive to glare
• Difficulty seeing at night

Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is critical in order for the disease to be treated. By doing this you can reduce the incidence of severe vision loss by 95 percent.

Diabetes can cause serious health problems. It is important that people who live with diabetes see their local Eyecare Plus optometrist every year for a comprehensive eye test so that diabetic retinopathy can be identified and treated early.

With no single treatment regime, dry eye disease, is difficult to treat creating frustration for both optometrists and patients.

Early recognition of the symptoms of dry eye disease are important so do not let the discomforting symptoms continue until they become painful and debilitating.

 We speak with two Eyecare Plus optometrists, Glenn Vessey and Denise Lee, who discuss the treatment process of dry eye disease.

Often underdiagnosed, dry eye is quite a common eye condition. Many people who have the dry eye symptoms are often not aware that they have them. Studies show that the prevalence of dry eye increases with age, occurring in up to 30% of elderly people.

The Treatment Processes

Glen Vessey, an optometrist for more than 30 years, has been particularly focussed on the treatment of dry eye disease since 2013.

“The equipment and technology we have to diagnose and treat dry eye has improved markedly over the last five to10 years… and we are steadily finding new ways to improve its diagnosis and management.

“It is essential to accurately diagnose the condition. Correct classification of the type of dry eye is equally important,” says Glenn.

During the eye examination, your optometrist will look for signs of the disease and ask you questions about their symptoms, including grading their symptoms.

“Once the optometrist accurately diagnoses and classifies the condition, the next step is to determine the most suitable treatment regimen for each patient,” says Glenn.

This leads to a more detailed discussion about dry eye disease and prescribed management.

Optometrist Denise Lee says that “mild cases of dry eye disease are prescribed lubricating eyedrops, whereas moderate to severe cases are invited to return for further testing to ascertain what other management and treatment options should be done.”

Treatment options include “a variety of medications (both prescribed and over the counter), Intense Regulated Pulse Light (IRPL), Blephasteam, heat compresses on the eyes, expression of the meibomian glands and natural oral supplements to improve tear production,” says Glenn.

“As a chronic eye condition,” Denise points out that it is important for patients to be educated, specifically, about “how to slow down its progression”.

Dry eye can become “debilitating for some, and difficult to manage in the advanced stage,” she says.

Treatment Improvements

In the past, management for dry eye involved lubricating drops, gels, and ointments, as well as bandage contact lenses and punctal plugs. Glenn Vessey states that, “if we diagnosed someone with dry eye we simply treated the condition by giving the patient additional (artificial) tears, which only treated dry eye symptoms, not the cause of the dry eye (the tear glands not producing enough tears).”

Now there are many more treatment options for dry eye.

“Now we identify those patients who would benefit from unblocking, stimulating, and rejuvenating the tear glands; reversing the process by which the glands become blocked, stop producing tears, atrophy and eventually die off. This not only provides improvement in the dry eye symptoms but reverses the deterioration of the disease over time.”

Denise Lee says that, “modern day management encompasses a myriad of options depending on the type and severity of dry eye disease”.

Treatment options today include “meibomian gland expression, intense pulse light, scleral contact lenses, amniotic membranes and drops, blood serum drops, and new formula eyedrops that target inflammation, infection, and immune suppression.

As well as these, Denise Lee uses “LipiFlow and Rexon-Eye dry eye treatments”. LipiFlow is an automated thermal heating massaging system and Rexon-Eye is a non-invasive cellular regeneration treatment.

Individual Treatment Options

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease.

The treatment of each person with dry eye disease is unique to their own situation.

Glenn Vessey implores that, “accurate diagnosis of the type of dry eye is essential.” Once that is achieved the best possible treatment can be tailored to the individual patient’s condition using a combination of treatment options.

When seeing an optometrist, you need to ensure that “they are continually updating their knowledge and skills relating to diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease,” says Denise.

Dry eye is one of the most underrated diseases.

Symptoms in severe cases can be debilitating and have a detrimental impact on a patient’s lifestyle. Like many diseases, prevention is the best form of treatment.

If you want to find out more about dry eye disease book an appointment to see your local Eyecare Plus optometrist.