Category: Eye health

The Lifesaving Importance of Regular Eye Exams: Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Miss Them

Posted on by thien

Regular eye exams are just as important as any other type of medical check-up, such as visiting your dentist or your GP. “But I don’t even need glasses or contact lenses,” you may think. “My eyesight is perfect!” Alternatively, you may already have glasses or contact lenses, and don’t see the need to book an eye exam when you’re satisfied with your current prescription. While this may be the case, eye exams actually do more than check your eyesight—the secondary purpose of eye exams is to also monitor for signs of broader health issues. Early detection of these issues could even save your life.

The vital role of routine eye examinations

By making regular eye exams a part of your year-round health routine, you’re not only protecting your vision, but proactively maintaining your overall health. Here’s how routine eye exams can help you maintain your eye health.

1. Spotting early signs of vision problems

Optometry professionals are trained to spot the early signs of vision problems, which can affect various aspects of your visual function, including distance vision and peripheral vision. Through a routine eye examination, optometrists can identify issues that might not yet be obvious to you. Early detection allows for prompt management, helping to maintain your quality of vision and prevent further deterioration.

2. Tailored solutions for vision correction

One of the key benefits of regular eye exams is the opportunity for timely updates to your prescription glasses and
contact lenses. As your vision changes, which it inevitably does over time, these adjustments are crucial for maintaining optimal vision. Regular eye exams mean that you have the best prescription for your glasses or contact lenses.

3. Early detection of eye conditions and diseases

Identifying and assessing eye conditions at an early stage through routine eye examinations is crucial for the effective management and treatment of various conditions. These examinations allow optometry professionals to detect signs of conditions that, without timely intervention, could lead to significant and irreversible vision loss. Early detection is key to managing these conditions effectively, as it can allow for timely treatment and help prevent or slow down the progression of vision loss. Below are key eye conditions that routine examinations can help prevent or mitigate:

  • Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, critical for good vision, and often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye. Early detection treatments for glaucoma lower eye pressure and prevent significant optic nerve damage.
  • Macular Degeneration: A disease that causes blurring or loss of vision in the centre of the visual field, which is important for activities like reading and driving. Early intervention cannot stop this issue, but it can significantly slow its progress.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy: A diabetes complication that affects the eyes, caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Diabetic retinopathy can be managed more effectively when caught early, potentially preventing severe vision loss.
  • Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens that leads to a decrease in vision, which can develop slowly and affect one or both eyes. Cataracts are identified during routine exams, and their progression can be monitored for potential surgical removal when they significantly impact vision.
  • Dry Eye Syndrome: A common condition that occurs when the tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. Dry eye syndrome can be managed with various treatments once identified, improving comfort and preventing potential damage to the eye’s surface.

How eye exams can save lives

Did you know that many common diseases first present indicators within the eye? This means that early detection—and therefore, early intervention—is possible through a simple, routine eye exam. This reduces the risk of severe complications and emphasises the importance of regular eye exams. The following common diseases can be detected early during a routine check-up.

Diabetes

Early signs include changes in blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy. Identifying diabetes in its initial stages allows for immediate management strategies to be put in place, such as blood sugar control and lifestyle modifications.

Hypertension

Blood vessel damage in the eye may indicate high blood pressure, often without any other symptoms. Early detection of hypertension can be managed effectively through medication and lifestyle adjustments. This not only helps in preserving eye health, but also reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems, significantly enhancing life expectancy.

High cholesterol

Indicators include changes in the blood vessels of the eye or the presence of plaques in the retina. Early detection of high cholesterol through signs in the eye vessels can prompt dietary and lifestyle changes alongside medical treatment to lower cholesterol levels. This can prevent more severe cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Autoimmune disorders

Certain eye conditions, such as uveitis, can suggest an underlying autoimmune disorder. The early identification of autoimmune disorders through eye symptoms allows for timely immunosuppressive therapy, which can control inflammation and prevent tissue damage. In the long run, this can help to reduce the severity of the disorder and the risk of complications, improving the patient’s quality of life.

Thyroid diseases

Eye symptoms, such as bulging eyes or Graves’ ophthalmopathy, can indicate thyroid issues. The early, effective management of thyroid function can alleviate eye symptoms and prevent the progression to more severe conditions, such as vision loss or thyroid storm—a life-threatening state of hyperthyroidism.

The potential risks of neglecting regular eye exams

Nobody really likes going to the dentist. But you book yourself in for regular appointments because you know that checkups can prevent much larger problems later on down the track—such as an expensive crown or even an extraction.

You should treat eye exams in the same way. Regularly booking a routine eye exam can help in the early detection of various eye diseases as well as broader health issues, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, raised blood pressure, auto immune conditions, or even sleep apnoea. If these health issues are not detected early, then they can progress to a point where treatment options become more limited.

How often should you see your optometrist?

At Eyecare Plus, we recommend that adults have an eye test at least once every two years. For those over 50, an eye test should be booked at least once every year. When it comes to young children, we recommend testing them at ages 1, 3 and 5. At the very least, children should be tested before they start school. This ensures that any disadvantageous vision problems are detected before your child enters the classroom.

If you have further questions about eye tests and what to expect at an Eyecare Plus eye exam, then make sure you check out our eye test FAQ page.

Book an eye exam today with Eyecare Plus

The optometry professionals at Eyecare Plus are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of customer service. We are committed to delivering clinical excellence, which is why we offer Checkup Plus™ eye examinations. These exams generally last for 30 to 45 minutes, and will test for a range of issues, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and general physical health.

Find your local Eyecare Plus optometrist and book an eye exam today

Daily Contact Lenses vs Monthly – Pros and Cons

Posted on by ecp_super_admin

There are so many types of contact lenses on the market today, choosing the right kind can be difficult. After receiving your prescription, one of the first things a contact lens wearer must decide is what type of contact lens is right for me, dailies or monthlies?

As their names indicate, dailies are worn as daily disposable contact lenses, whereas a monthly disposable contact lens can be used for up to 30 days before being replaced. Each offers different advantages, and both have pros and cons. The choice you make should be based on your prescription, your lifestyle, and the recommendations of your optometrist.

To get the process going, Eyecare Plus has put together a head-to-head comparison of monthlies vs dailies.

Upkeep: cleaning, disinfecting, and storing

The main difference between dailies and monthlies is the amount of care they need. Monthlies require a daily cleaning routine, and they need to be stored in a little contact lens case each night.

Many eye infections can be prevented with proper contact lens wear and care. Cleaning your monthlies gets rid of debris and protein deposits from your tears that build up and can make the contact lenses uncomfortable and cause potential eye infections.

There is no maintenance for daily disposable lenses.

Advantage: dailies

Durability

Both daily disposable contacts and monthly contact lenses are soft contact lenses, though dailies are made of a slightly thinner material because they don’t have to last as long. The material to make most contact lenses these days is either hydrogel or silicone hydrogel.

Because monthly contact lenses are designed to last up to 30 days, they are slightly thicker than dailies, and are more resistant to rips or tears. Monthlies also usually offer more moisture retention so are more resistant to drying out.

Advantage: monthlies

Cost

Monthly lenses are usually considered the cheaper option because you buy fewer of them. It takes 24 monthly lenses (12 per eye) to supply a years’ worth of monthly disposable contacts, while a year’s worth of dailies is 720 lenses (or 360 pairs a year).

So, monthlies are cheaper. But the price difference is not as big as it seems. Monthly contact lenses need storage cases, travel supplies, and contact lens solutions too, and these items can add up. Still, even with these costs factored in, everyday contact lens wearers will usually get a slightly better value out of monthlies.

Advantage: monthlies

Performance

Because daily contact lenses are changed each new day, they don’t have time to wear out, as monthlies do. And there is no time for build-up to develop on daily lenses. Even with proper care, protein and lipid deposits can develop on monthly contact lenses, affecting the sharpness of vision.

Advantage: dailies

Young wearers

For first time contact lens wearers, especially teens or young people, most optometrists recommend daily disposable contact lenses. New users sometimes tear or lose their contact lenses, so for practical and economic reasons, daily disposables are preferable.

Teens (who are not usually known for their exacting standards of hygiene) are usually prescribed dailies.

Advantage: dailies

Overnight wear

Many people wrongly assume ‘monthly contact lenses’ means they put them in at the beginning of the month and take them out at the end of the month. But that is not how they work.

Leaving your contact lenses in can lead to irritation or an infection and deprive the eyes of oxygen.

During the day, eyes open, we are getting oxygen to our eyes constantly. However, when we sleep, the blood vessels in our eyelids are the only way to get oxygen to the surface of our eyes.

A contact lens is a barrier between the cornea (front of the eye) and the nourishing eyelids. While it certainly isn’t dangerous, it is not an ideal situation.

 

While there are several ‘extended wear’ contact lenses for overnight use, most eye care professionals agree: you should avoid sleeping with your contact lenses in, unless you have specially prescribed orthokeratology contact lenses.

Since contact lens wearers throw away their lenses at the end of the day, there is no temptation to keep them in overnight.

Advantage: dailies

Environmental impact

We all want to do our part, and with any disposable product, many people are concerned about the environmental impact of wearing contact lenses.

First off, contact lenses weigh about 30 micrograms, and it has been calculated that contact lenses only comprise about 0.5% of the total environmental waste. Probably more surprising, when you compare the environmental impact of dailies or monthly contact lenses to glasses, the contact lenses come out way ahead.

A year’s worth of daily disposables (365 pairs) would add up to about nine grams of plastic – a little less than the amount that goes into two credit cards.

At the same time, monthly contacts require plastic contact lens case, plastic bottles of multi-purpose solution throughout the year.

When the packaging and blister packs are properly recycled, and the contacts are properly disposed of (never flush contacts down the toilet or throw them down the drain), dailies are the surprise winner.

Advantage: dailies

Convenience

Dailies are not only more convenient than monthlies, they are also more convenient than almost anything, ever.

One time wear, put them in in the morning and throw them away at the end of the day. There are no solutions to buy, carry around and use.

Dailies also free you up to wear glasses one day and contacts the next.

Advantage: dailies

Dailies vs Monthly contact lenses: pros and cons

Monthly Contact Lenses PROS

  •       Great value for money, especially if you wear your contacts everyday
  •       Durable
  •       Lower annual cost on average than daily disposable contact lenses

Monthly Contact Lenses CONS

  •       Performance goes down the longer they are worn
  •       Wearers need to adhere to a replacement schedule
  •       Need to be cleaned daily

Daily Contact Lenses PROS

  •       Hassle free. No need to clean and store
  •       No need for contact lens solutions
  •       A fresh pair every day
  •       Great for new contact lens wearers and young people

Daily Contact Lenses CONS

  •       More upfront costs than monthlies

Talk to your Eyecare Plus optometrist

No matter what you decide, there are plenty of daily and monthly contact lens options. When it comes to choosing the right contact lens types for you, it is important to see a well-trained and qualified optometrist.

Book an appointment with your local Eyecare Plus optometrists who will make sure you choose the right contact lenses in terms of the fit, size and material that matches with your lifestyle and are healthiest for your eyes.

 

How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?

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Typically, your eye check schedule depends on two things: your overall health and your age. While advice on specific health conditions can vary, there are general guidelines for the frequency of your eye checks based on your age that we all should follow…. 

Infants

It is recommended that a child’s first eye exam should take place at six months. Children rarely report vision problems because they just assume everyone sees the same way they do.

An eye exam for an infant (up to three years of age) is different from that of adults and older children, there are a series of tests adapted to suit the age of the young patient. (The charts are different, obviously, they include shapes instead of letters or numbers).

Pre-schoolers

The second eye exam for a child should take place at age three. Getting your child’s eyes tested before school starts gives a child the best chance of success in school, sports, and their young social lives.

Vision problems can affect a child’s behavior, learning and confidence. Frequently, a child’s struggle with reading and learning is traced back to a simple inability to see the teacher’s whiteboard. In the same way, a child who struggles to see objects at distance may be excluded from sports or group activities simply because they can’t see well enough to participate. With early detection, these problems can be prevented.

eyecare-plus-optometrists-child-eyes-checked

School-age children

Eye Test: annually

In general, children (aged 5 to 17) who are prescribed corrective eyewear or who have been diagnosed with vision problems should have annual eye exams, especially if they wear contact lenses. 

Adults

Eye Test: once every two years

Adults (aged over 18) who wear glasses or contacts should visit their optometrist at least once every two years. Usually, your prescription will expire in this length of time, and it is important for your optometrist to perform a comprehensive eye exam for any evidence of eye diseases. Frequent eye exams can help prevent eye disease and vision degeneration, particularly if you have High blood pressure. Routine eye examination is the only way to tackle the eye.

During pregnancy is also a good time to visit your local Eyecare Plus optometrist as the fluctuations in hormone levels can lead to dry eyes, blurry or distorted vision, or spots and floaters. 

Seniors

Eye Test: annually

For seniors, annual eye checks are often the only way to identify eye problems and intervene before they get worse.

It is especially important for people aged 60 and over to schedule annual eye exams. Age brings changes to your vision and to your eyes.

People over the age of 60 are susceptible to a range of age-related eye disorders, those being:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)  is a disease that affects the back of the eyes (the macula). It develops gradually, and, if left untreated, can cause the loss of central vision. You may have a family history of AMD, but also the older you get, the more likely you are to get AMD.

In the early stages of the disease, vision is unaffected, which is why it is so important to schedule a comprehensive eye check every year.

Approximately one in seven Australians over the age of 50 have some evidence of AMD.

eyecare-plus-optometrists-eyes-checked-AMD

Cataracts

Cataracts are the clouding of the lenses of the eyes. As the cloudiness increases, it becomes more and more difficult to see at night and to drive. The risk of cataracts increases as you age – while approximately 30% of people over 50 have cataracts, almost 80% of people over 80 have them. 

During a scheduled annual eye check, the optometrist will be able to check for cataracts and discuss treatment options before vision is lost. 

It is crucial to take part in regular eye checks to avoid any eye problems and check your risk of developing eye problems in the future.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye which causes damage to the optic nerve. It’s known as ‘the sneak thief of sight’ because, in the early stages of the disease, there are no symptoms.

The only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to have a comprehensive eye exam. Your optometrists may do a visual field test which determines whether you have difficulty seeing anywhere in your overall field of vision. Eye tests are regular general health checks, they are important to our overall well being.

eyecare-plus-optometrists-eye-test

No matter what your age, family history or general health scheduling a routine eye examination with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist is an important part of staying looking after your eye health and staying healthy and active in order to help you live your life to the fullest.

Contact your local Eyecare Plus Optometrist today as we recommend at least a bi-annual comprehensive eye exam. Getting your eyes tested regularly is vital to your overall eye health and general health.

 

 

How to Choose Contact Lenses: Which Type is Right for You

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We live in the golden age of contact lenses. But with all these innovations and styles, it is easy to get overwhelmed. If you are wondering which contact lens type is right for you and why, read on and let us make things clearer for you.

Ever since German Ophthalmologist Dr Adolf Fick made the first pair of contact lenses in 1888, contact lenses have been getting better and better. Dr Fick would be amazed at the wide range of styles and materials for contact lenses available now: daily disposable contact lenses (‘dailies’), monthly contacts (‘monthlies’), hard contacts, soft contacts, extended wear contacts, multifocal contact lenses and many more.

There are two main categories of contact lenses: hard and soft. Both contact lenses are made of plastic, and both can correct near-sightedness and farsightedness.

Hard contact lenses are made of ‘rigid gas-permeable’ plastic and soft contacts are made of silicone hydrogel.

Hard Contact Lenses

At first, hard contacts were the only kind you could get, but today, hard contact lenses are usually chosen by people who have eye conditions that won’t allow them to wear a soft contact lens. If your optometrist determines that you have an irregular-shaped eye or a condition called ‘keratoconus,’ hard contacts will be recommended.

In general, hard lenses last longer and are less expensive in the long run. They tend to suit wearers who are more comfortable with a daily cleaning regimen. With proper care, hard contacts can be worn for up to a year without being replaced. 

Soft Contact Lenses

There are many great contact lens types but soft contact lenses are the most comfortable and the most popular. Soft contact lenses are typically thinner and lighter than hard contact lenses; they’re also easier to care for and they have less risk of infection.

Soft contact lenses come in three main varieties…

Daily disposables or ‘dailies’ are made for one-time wear and are the most convenient contacts. 

Fortnightly disposables are soft lenses worn for up to two weeks (taken out each night). They must be cleaned and stored in solution overnight.

Monthly disposables can be worn for 30 days. Although you need less lenses, you need to ensure they are cleaned and stored in contact lens solution overnight.

It is important to care for your contact lenses. Our contact lens guide provides you with the best ways to care for your contact lenses.

Which type of contact lens is right for me?

The right contact lenses depend on the level of your eye health. There are plenty of contact lens types to suit every individual. An example is toric contact lenses, these contact lenses are designed to help people with Astigmatism. Also choosing contact lenses to suit an active lifestyle is best as it is the common choice for active people. Although the best answer to this question will come from your Eyecare Plus optometrist. A consultation with an Eyecare Plus optometrists will make sure you choose the contacts with the fit, size and material that match your lifestyle and are healthiest for your eyes.

What contact lens type is right for you? Here are five questions to consider:

There are many innovative contact lenses on the market so which is right for you?

The two main categories of contact lenses are hard and soft. These are both made of plastic, and they can both can correct near-sightedness and farsightedness.

Hard contact lenses are made of ‘rigid gas-permeable’ plastic and soft contacts are made of silicone hydrogel.

Your Eyecare Plus optometrist (eye doctors) will conduct contact lens fittings as part of every standard eye examination for contact lens wearers.

During the fittings, they will determine the correct size and fit for your contact lenses. That said, your local Eyecare Plus optometrist will still rely on you to ensure that your contact lenses fit you best. It is crucial to pick the best contact lenses to suit your lifestyle.

Here are a few questions to consider to help your optometrist to determine the contact lenses that will work best for you…

  1. Do you suffer from allergies?

Daily disposable contact lenses are the best for people with allergies and are the usual recommendation.

Because daily disposable contact lenses are replaced each day (instead of cleaned and stored), there is no chance of any allergen build up on the surface of your contact lenses. This reduces the chance of infection and alleviates the symptoms of eye allergies.

  1. What sports do you participate in?

Contact lenses are a common choice for active people, but the type of lens you choose will differ based on your favourite way of staying fit. Daily-wear contact lenses are the best option for weightlifting and yoga as well as on-field activities like soccer, rugby, or footie.

Hikers or mountain climbers might find extended wear lenses a better choice. Swimmers, on the other hand, are encouraged to wear goggles, not contact lenses.

  1. How often will you wear your contact lenses?

Many people who wear glasses like to have the option of wearing contact lenses occasionally – for a night out or special events. Soft contact lenses (daily, extended or disposable) are usually recommended for glasses wearers who like to change it up from time to time. Rigid gas permeable lenses are more durable than soft contact lenses, they are also more breathable, this type of lenses will suit a daily contact wearer who prefers to wear contact lenses than frames.

  1. Be honest: will you follow the recommended care routines?

Will you clean, rinse, and store your contacts each night using the recommended cleaning regimen? Don’t forget to clean your contact lens case too!

Remember that proper lens care takes time, so it is best to choose the lens that fits your life rather than try to change your life to fit the contact lenses.

  1. Are you approaching 40?

As we age, we inevitably begin to lose the ability to focus up close. It is a natural part of getting older, and it’s called presbyopia Like most other vision problem, presbyopia can be managed.

Multifocal contact lenses or bifocal lenses, provide vision correction for both near and far and are available in a range of options: hard or soft, extended wear and daily disposable.

Collaboration with your optometrist means you will make the best possible choice of contact lenses.

Eyecare Plus optometrists will prescribe the contact lens that fixes your vision problem and will fit your contact lenses for maximum comfort.

It is up to you to follow the recommendations and replacement schedules that will preserve your eye health and help you get the most out of your contact lenses.

Do I need a contact lens fitting?

Yes. Contact lenses fit on the cornea (the clear, domed window in front of your eye). Your corneas need oxygen from the air to stay healthy, so when a contact lens is fitted on the cornea, it’s important that the cornea is still getting the oxygen it needs.

Contact lenses today are ‘oxygen permeable.’ That is, they allow oxygen to reach the cornea while you wear them. But without a proper fitting, you may get a contact lens that is too tight, which could limit the oxygen flow and lead to problems. On the other hand, if your contact lens is too loose, it will feel like you have a constant eyelash stuck on your eye and could cause an abrasion.

When it comes to choosing the right contact lens types for you, it’s important to see a well-trained and qualified optometrist.

When your Eyecare Plus optometrist fits you with your contact lens prescription, they will ensure that your corneas are getting the oxygen they need and the lenses you select will not lead to complications.

Book an appointment with your local Eyecare Plus optometrists who will make sure you choose the right contact lenses in terms of the fit, size and material that match your lifestyle and are healthiest for your eyes.

contact_lens contact_lens_application Contact_lens_case contact_lens2

Protecting your eyes in summer

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Sunglasses for summer

Australians, as everyone knows, love summer. More than 85% of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the beach, and we take full advantage of that – as summer approaches, the most talked about topic is always which beach we plan to go to.

Unfortunately, there is a downside. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can be dangerous to unprotected skin – and to unprotected eyes. It is a message that has taken Australians a long time to learn.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and sun damage is the leading cause of visual impairment in Australia.

It is well known that long-term exposure to UV rays can cause serious damage to our eyes. Vision impairments, like macular degeneration, ocular melanoma or cataracts – a clouding of the lenses – are common complications. In the short-term, over-exposure to UV rays can cause ‘snow-blindness’ – a condition known as ‘photokeratitis.’

Our attitudes about sun protection are changing, and healthy sun behaviours are becoming more and more common.

Even though rates for skin cancer are declining, it is not the case for eye damage caused by the sun.

Today, experts predict a sharp rise in the number of Australians who will develop cataracts in the next 20 year

Eye Cataracts

There are many possible causes of cataracts, but prolonged overexposure to the sun has been determined as a major factor. This doesn’t happen in one afternoon at the beach without sunglasses, cataracts are built up cumulatively, through years of repeated overexposure. That is why small measures, like developing sun-safe habits are so important.

The 5 S’s of sun safety

Launched in 1981, the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’ campaign by the Cancer Council of Australia has become a regular part of every Australian summer. It is one of the most successful public health campaigns in the world, and it is a message that we, at Eyecare Plus, strongly support and encourage.

Remember to…

Slip on clothing that provides a barrier between you and UV rays.  

Slop on sunscreen, preferably SPF30+ and reapply every two hours.

Slap on a hat that shades the whole face – a proper hat can reduce the amount of UV rays that reach your eyes by 50%.

Seek the shade of trees, bushes or pergolas and shade sails. Babies under 12 months should always be kept out of direct sunlight.

Slide on some close-fitting sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard for UV protection.

Sun protection for kids

The risk of eye damage from over exposure to UV rays is particularly high for children, so the earlier they develop the habits of protecting their eyes, the better.

When selecting sunglasses for children, remember that the most important thing is: do they provide sun protection?

Choose sunglasses that fit closely to the child’s face – wraparounds are often the best option.

Avoid toy sunglasses or sunglasses bought at costume shops for dress-ups. They may look funny or cool, but they won’t help at the beach.

Schedule an appointment with Eyecare Plus

Sunglasses don’t have to be pricey to be effective. In Australia, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) established a mandatory safety standard for all sunglasses and spectacles sold in the country. It goes by the official designation of ‘AS/NZS 1067.1:2016.’

Admittedly, it is not easy to remember ‘AS/NZS 1067.1:2016,’ however, it is easy to remember that all sunglasses sold at Eyecare Plus locations meet these standards and they can be trusted to provide the protection you need.

Be sure to speak with your Eyecare Plus optometrist or optical assistants at your local Eyecare Plus location. Let them know about the types of sunglasses you are looking for and how you intend to wear them – there are different categories for sunnies across a range of activities: for beach and sport, for driving and for fashion.

Eyecare Plus will be able to best advise you on what to wear and when to wear it to ensure you make the most out of this summer – and many summers to come.

Why do My Eyes Keep Watering?

Posted on by ecp_super_admin

Usually, we only think about our tears at the end of a sad movie or when something bad has happened to someone close to us, but we are constantly making them. In fact, it is estimated that the average person produces between 56 and 113 litres of tears every year. In this article we will cover why you might develop watery eyes, the three types of tears, the symptoms, and the surprising causes of watery eyes.

All throughout the day and night, the lacrimal glands (located just the upper eyelids) produce tears that coat and nourish our eyes with every blink. These tears keep our eyes from getting dried out and inflamed and they protect our corneas from damage. Typically, the system works smoothly. But sometimes, we can get too much of a good thing. Like when we get too many tears. Watery eyes are frustrating and inconvenient. 

Three types of tears

The tear system is important, but it can create excess tears. To understand how watery eyes come about, it’s helpful to know that there are actually three different types of tears: emotional, reflexive and basal. 

Emotional tears

When we are overcome with emotion, we produce emotional tears, which are a form of stress relief. Emotional tears contain hormones, including the stress hormone adrenocorticotropic (ACTH). Crying is not just an emotional release, it helps the body get rid of this hormone, and literally pours the stress out of our bodies.

Reflexive tears

When your eyes are exposed to irritants, like smoke or chopped onions, they produce tears in response. These are reflex tears, and they well up in your eyes spontaneously. Reflex tears contain antibodies and enzymes to ward off infection and eliminate irritation. 

Basal tears

Basal tears act like a shield for your eyes. Every time you blink, these tears are spread across the surface of our eyes, constantly nourishing, protecting, and lubricating them.   

The 7 Surprising Causes of Watery Eyes

Watery eyes are a symptom of an underlying problem. Most are fairly common, but here are seven surprising reasons that can trigger watery eyes…

1. You have spent too much time on the computer

It is scientifically proven that people blink less when they are working or just relaxing in front of screens. Remember the 20-20-20 rule to relieve digital eye strain: each time you use your digital device, take a 20 second break from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away.  

2. Your contacts

If you are wearing your contact lenses for too long or if they aren’t the right fit, it could cause your eyes to overproduce tears in response. 

3. Your makeup

When eyeliner is applied between the eyelashes and the eyes, it can hit the eyeball and cause irritation, which causes tears to flush out the irritation. 

4. Sleep apnoea

Millions of people are affected by sleep apnoea, a chronic condition that interrupts breathing during sleep. Instead of the eyes staying closed throughout the night, they flop open and dry out, which causes more tear production.

5. Environmental factors

It might be too dry where you are. Your eyes are extremely sensitive organs that are constantly adjusting to changes in humidity, heat and allergens in the air, as tears wash away irritants. Chances are, you are overproducing tears because your eyes have noticed a change in your environment before you have. 

6. You have scratched your eye without knowing it

Your sensitive corneas are producing tears in response to a scratch you don’t remember. 

7. Ironically, it could be dry eye

One of the most common reasons for watery eyes is chronic dry eyes. And although patients are routinely surprised to learn their eyes are watering because they are dry, the explanation makes sense. Because of an imbalance in the tears that are being produced, your eyes get irritated, which causes the overproduction of tears to fix the problem, which continues the cycle.

If your dry eye symptoms persist, make an appointment with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist who can determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan to address it.

Symptoms of watery eyes

Simply put, the main symptom of watery eyes is excessive water in your eyes. Your eyes feel overly moist, tears pool up, or spill onto your cheeks and your vision can be blurry. 

Watery eyes is formally known as ‘epiphora,’ and it can be caused by many reasons, but usually, it comes down to a problem with your tear drainage system or overproduction. That is: either your eyes aren’t draining tears properly, or your eyes are producing too many tears. If you have insufficient tear film drainage from the eye they can overflow onto your face.

Drainage

In the inner part of the eyelids near the nose, we have tear ducts. These little openings act like storm drains for tears, the tears drain from your eyes through tiny openings (called ‘puncta’). Blocked tear ducts are the most common cause of watery eyes. 

Problems with our tear ducts is a common cause for watery eyes in older people. 

As we age, our eyelids often sag away from the eye, making it hard for tears to move through their proper path toward the drainage ducts. Then the tears just pool up in the eye and drip out instead of draining away down the tear ducts. While the condition can sometimes be addressed medically, sometimes it is just the result of getting older. 

Overproduction 

Anything that irritates the eyes can cause the production of tears. Often allergies or viral infections– like conjunctivitis (‘pink eye’) or any type of inflammation can cause watery eyes to persist for several days. In other cases, the overproduction of tears is triggered by an injury, a scratch, or debris in the eyes. 

There are also a number of surprising things that can cause your eyes to water (see our list of ‘7 Surprising Causes of Watery Eyes’ above).

Watery Eyes Treatment

Treatment of watery eyes usually involves medication, removal of irritants or unblocking the blocked tear duct. For many people, their watery eyes are a mild case of epiphora, and they get better without treatment. 

However, if watery eyes are affecting your ability to see clearly, or your eyes are painful and will not stop watering, schedule a consultation with an Eyecare Plus optometrist nearest you. 

Your local Eyecare Plus optometrist will be able to examine your condition, determine the underlying problem and offer you the best and most appropriate treatment options for your watery eyes.

Why is My Eye Twitching?

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Most adults have experienced the annoyance of a twitching eye. Usually, it goes away on its own after a few seconds or minutes. But sometimes – very rarely – an eyelid twitch is the sign of a more serious underlying condition.

Eyelid twitches or eyelid spasms can affect the upper or lower eyelid, but most frequently, it only affects the lower eyelid. Eyelid twitches are more common in middle-aged women, but no one knows why.

Why is my Eyelid Twitching? Blame the orbicularis oculi.

Eye twitching happens when the fine muscles of the eyelid (called the ‘orbicularis oculi’) involuntarily and repeatedly contract. The medical term for this is ‘eyelid myokymia.’

Many of the triggers of eyelid twitching are lifestyle related. Some of the known causes are…

Eye Strain

Long periods of staring at your computer screen and bright lights cause eye twitches as you hold your eyelid muscles tightly for extended periods of time. Remember the 20-20-20 rule, take a 20 second break from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away. 

You need an eye test

If your eyelids frequently twitch when you’re reading or focusing close-up, it could be a sign that you need a new prescription for your glasses. In cases like this, your eye muscles are doing extra work to provide the focus you require. This extra burden can create minor spasms of the eyelid muscles.  

Stress

The link between stress and an eyelid spasm is well known. Stress causes muscle tension, muscle spasms and micromovements from extended muscle tension. Sometimes you might even notice the stress in your facial muscles, it can appear as facial spasms or just eyelid spasms. This causes eyelid twitch.

Often others notice your eye twitches before you do because they show your stress condition to others. Although life is often stressful, and hard to get away from, it’s important to do what you can to treat the underlying cause. Activities such as exercise, yoga or hobbies are often recommended as good ways to lower tension and stress. 

Lack of sleep

The eyelids are the most sensitive muscles in the body, especially the upper eyelid, so even small imbalances can disrupt them. When you don’t get an adequate amount of sleep, your eyes feel tired and the muscles will twitch.

Dry eyes

Irritated, gritty, dry eye conditions that create eye irritation can contribute to eyelid twitching. Dry eye lubricants are often prescribed to moisturise the eyes which will, in turn, relax the eyelid muscles and stop the twitching.

Caffeine

The most commonly used drug in the world, caffeine, can increase your heart rate and elevate your metabolism. Caffeine can also trigger your facial nerve, especially the upper eyelids causing our eyes to twitch. Your sensitive eyelid muscles are much more susceptible to the effects of caffeine than most other muscles in the body. If you find your eyelids twitching frequently after use of caffeine, lower the amount and frequency.  

Drugs or medications

Some medications can cause eye twitching and eyelid spasms or minor eyelid twitches. If you are concerned that a drug you have been prescribed causes eye twitching, ask your health care provider about the ocular side effects.

Like any other changes to your body, it is helpful to keep track of when your eyelids are twitching, always check for minor eye twitches and to make a point of noticing any of the contributing factors. 

This could potentially help when speaking with your eye care professional to see if they can determine a pattern which can provide the key to alleviating the problem. 

More serious conditions

It is worth repeating – usually, (almost always), eye twitching is temporary and nothing to worry about. In fact, worrying about it can exacerbate the frequency of it.

However, when eye twitching is persistent, lasts longer than a week, a visit to your local Eyecare Plus optometrist is recommended.

Your Eyecare Plus optometrist will be able to differentiate the eye twitch from more serious conditions that could require further treatment.

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Why should I look out for cataracts?

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First off, what is a cataract?

Right behind the pupil in your eyes is one of the most important parts of your eye’s anatomy: the lenses.

Made up of water and proteins, these lenses bend and focus light to create sharp images. Your ability to see depends on these lenses being transparent and flexible.

As we age however, the protein in these lenses slowly begins to get stiff and coagulate. This makes the lenses cloudy, like you are looking through a frosty windowpane. That is what a cataract is.

Cataracts can happen in one or both eyes, but they don’t spread from one eye to the other. By the age of 80, most people either have cataracts or have had surgery for cataracts.

Symptoms

At first, you might not know you have cataracts. Over time, however, your vision gets dull, blurry, hazy, or less colourful. It becomes harder to see – and drive – at night. Cataracts don’t hurt, but they can cause discomfort because your eyes are more sensitive to light.

The good news is, vision correcting cataract surgery is one of the most common and safe procedures performed in Australia.

If you are looking out for cataracts, there are things you can do that will slow down their development.

Sunglasses for you and your children

The easiest, most inexpensive cataract-prevention method is – wear UV-blocking sunglasses.

Eye cataracts develop slowly and cumulatively, and, because of that, it is important to remember that the hours, weeks and years of unprotected exposure to UV rays of the sun add up.

When outdoors, be SunSmart: wear a hat, and slide on some UV-blocking sunglasses, like the ones you will find at Eyecare Plus locations.

Statistically, children get more UV exposure than adults. And because their eyes are still maturing, they are less effective than adult eyes at filtering out harmful effects of UV rays. Choose a pair of durable, comfortable sunglasses for your children and make wearing them a part of their routine. Then, set a good example by consistently wearing sunglasses yourself.

Self-care and cataracts

No matter what your age, there are definitely ways to prevent cataracts and slow the progression of cataracts.

Optometrists and doctors agree, what’s good for the body is good for the eyes. In other words, to keep your ability to focus, keep the focus on your overall health.

  • Eat healthy.

Eat plenty of fruit and green leafy vegetables – especially spinach and broccoli.

  • Stay fit.

There is a link between obesity and eye disease. If you are carrying too many extra kilos, the body’s immune system can get overwhelmed, which can harm lens proteins. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise can make a difference.

  • Don’t smoke.

Smoking doubles your risk of developing a cataract at an earlier age, and, the more you smoke, the greater the risk.

Get regular eye check up

Too many people wait too long between eye checks. Because cataracts grow slowly, it is hard to notice any changes in your vision. All adults should get an eye exam once every two years until age 65, and every year after that.

Your Eyecare Plus optometrist will use a slit lamp microscope to examine your lenses and catch a developing cataract early. In the early stages of cataract, the lost eyesight can be helped with eyeglasses, magnifiers and stronger light.

Like the rest of your body, your eyes lenses change as you age. Although we can’t slow down time, everyone has the ability to make choices necessary to minimize the impact and delay the onset of cataracts.

What is ‘20/20 Vision’?

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Have you ever wondered why we refer to a person as having ‘20/20 vision’?

When you go to an optometrist, the first thing you usually see is one of those charts on the wall with a big ‘E’ at the top. These charts are called ‘Snellen Eye Charts.’ They’re named after the Dutch ophthalmologist Herman Snellen, who developed them in 1862 to measure visual acuity.

With these charts, Snellen set a standard for measuring visual acuity that is still in place today all over the world. Globally, almost everyone uses the Snellen chart to check visual acuity.

Measurements of visual acuity are known as ‘Snellen fractions.’ The first number – 20 – refers to the distance between the patient and the chart in feet. The second number refers to a line of text on the eye chart. The big letter ‘E’ at the top of the chart designates 20/200 visual acuity.

The phrase ‘20/20 vision’ is still used colloquially by most Australians, even eye doctors, even though Australia uses the metric system (20 feet equals six metres). Visual acuity is officially recorded as ‘6/6’ in most countries throughout the world.

A common misunderstanding is that ‘20/20 vision’ means ‘perfect vision.’ Actually, it only means that a person has visual acuity within the normal range.

If you have ‘20/20 vision,’ you can read a letter from 20 feet away that average people can also read from 20 feet away. If you have 20/200 vision, you can read a letter from 20 feet away that the average person can read from 200 feet away – which would mean you have very poor visual acuity.

A person with a visual acuity score between 20/70 and 20/400 has ‘low vision,’ while visual acuity worse than 20/400 would be considered ‘legally blind.’

Better than ‘20/20?’

Basically, the further you can read down the Snellen chart, the better your visual acuity. If you can read to line 8 on the Snellen chart (‘D E F P O T E C’), you have 20/20 vision. If you can read the line below that, you have ‘20/15 visual acuity,’ which is superior.

It is generally accepted that ‘20/10 vision’ is as high as you can go in visual acuity in humans — that occurs in less than 1% of the population (comparatively, eagles and other birds of prey are thought to have 20/5 vision).

There is more to vision than acuity

Most people are surprised to learn that visual acuity is one aspect of a wide range of skills and abilities that can affect the quality of your vision and your eye health.

Visual acuity is only one of the tests performed by optometrists during a comprehensive eye exam. They also test for…

  • Peripheral awareness
  • Eye coordination
  • Tracking
  • Depth perception
  • Ability to focus
  • Colour vision

Beyond 20/20

Too many people assume that they don’t need an eye exam because they believe they have ‘20/20 vision.’ However, visual acuity is only a part of overall eye health.

Among the most dangerous misconceptions that people have is that when there is something wrong with your eye health, you will immediately discover poor vision symptoms. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Regular eye examinations are essential for your to be able to detect degenerative eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy in the early stages.

The best thing you can do for the well-being of your eyes, regardless of your visual acuity, is to book a regular eye exam with your local optometrist — especially if you are over 40, have diabetes or have a family history of glaucoma or cataracts.

Diabetic Retinopathy: How to Prevent Vision Loss

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Diabetes is the forgotten epidemic of the 21st century and stands as one of the biggest ongoing challenges confronting Australia’s health system.

Diabetes remains the number one cause of blindness in Australian adults.

The disease causes a range of serious health problems in the body; some of the most serious problems are the ones that develop in the eyes, otherwise known as diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness. The worst thing about the condition is that there are often no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy during the early stages, so people don’t even know they have it.

If you have diabetes, the only way to know if you have diabetic retinopathy is to have a diabetes eye test done by your optometrist.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes complications fall into two groups: ‘microvascular’ and ‘macrovascular.’

Macrovascular complications involve large blood vessels; microvascular complications involve small blood vessels.

When a person has diabetes, they have high levels of glucose, or blood sugar. High blood glucose levels over long periods of time damages blood vessels. Basically, the blood vessels lose elasticity and that causes them to narrow, which restricts blood flow.

Examples of macrovascular diabetic complications would be conditions such as heart disease, stroke, or the loss of feeling in the legs, hands, or feet.

Diabetic retinopathy is an example of damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, which is located at the back of your eyes. The retina is a thin tissue that contains millions of nerve cells, which are responsible for detecting light, shapes, and colours.

In the first stage of diabetic retinopathy, (called ‘non-proliferative’), the damaged blood vessels in the retina become weak and leak. In the second, more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy (called ‘proliferative’), the damage to the retinal blood vessels is more widespread. That causes the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels. When that happens, there is severe loss of vision, increased eye pressure leading to glaucoma and the potential for total blindness.

Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Anyone with diabetes can develop it, but the risk of vision loss can go up based on the following factors:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking
  • Long periods of elevated blood glucose levels
  • The longer you have diabetes

People with diabetes are not powerless to stop the advance of diabetic retinopathy. It’s important to remember that regular eye exams and dedication to maintaining control of blood sugar and blood pressure are the best ways to prevent diabetes vision loss.

Vision Loss Prevention

Most vision loss from diabetic eye disease can be prevented if it is caught early enough.

If you or someone you care about has diabetes, don’t wait for visual diabetic retinopathy symptoms to develop to book an eye check. Often, by the time vision problems are experienced, the disease is in the advanced stages, and it will be more difficult to manage.

As a rule of thumb, people with diabetes should have their eyes checked after being diagnosed with the condition, and then at least once every two years. Often, some people will need to have eye checks more frequently. Speak with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist to determine the schedule that is right for you.

In July each year, Diabetes Australia focusses on raising public awareness about the seriousness of diabetes and to encourage all Australians to check their risk. The 2022 National Diabetes Week takes place from 10 to 16 July and focuses on the emotional health and well-being of the 1.8 million Australians living with the condition.

Too many Australians have already lost their sight as the result of diabetes. In recognition of National Diabetes Week 2022, let’s all commit to changing these statistics.

For more on diabetic retinopathy, go to the Eyecare Plus Eye Health and Conditions page on our website.

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