Story of a remarkable swimmer

Many NSW swimmers will know of James Pittar, he's a bit of a legend. He first became known in 2000 when he featured in a Martha's Vineyard local paper. He had completed a 15 mile swim across the Muskeget Channel from Martha's Vineyard to Nantucket.

Over the years, James has completed marathon swims on every continent. Why is that remarkable? Because James Pittar is blind. In doing what he does, James shows everyone that disability does not preclude one from having a go.

James Pittar on the beach on Marthas Vineyard after swimming the Muskaget Channel in 2000.

In doing his marathons, James swims with an escort paddler, who is equipped with a whistle: one blow for right (or maybe left); two blows for left (or maybe right); three blows for “Shark”, although James used to say he had never heard that one.

James is a big bloke: very tall, with long arms. He has a devastating left arm, which skims like a Scud missile across the surface of the water, ready to clock any idiot who gets in its way.

Anyway, James Pittar has written a book about his life. It’s titled, Blind Vision. Blind Vision is published by Inspiring Publishers. You can find out more about it, and order it… Click here

An invitation to watch the live stream of Glaucoma Patient Symposium

As part of World Glaucoma Week 2020 you and your family are welcome to watch the live streaming of the Glaucoma Australia Patient Symposium on Friday.

Glaucoma Australia is hosting this event in conjunction with Flinders University Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research.

Date: Friday 13 March 2020
Time: 11.00am - 12.30 pm ACDT (11.30am AEDT) (13.30 NZDT)

Bookmark the url for your preferred channel and set a diary reminder:

• www:  https://www.glaucoma.org.au/resources/glaucoma-live

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/QOjWB-8-zBA

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glaucoma.australia/

Glaucoma and Genetics

Glaucoma specialist Professor Jamie Craig will talk about the latest research into glaucoma and genetics.

Collaborative Care Discussion Panel

You will hear from health professionals in the fields of ophthalmology, optometry, pharmacy and orthoptics discussing the benefits of collaborative care for people with glaucoma as well the patients perspective.

New lens for driving - EnRoute

We are often asked for lenses which will help with driving vision - now we have an answer.

Driving is one of the most important activities in our daily lives according to data collected by Hoya. It is also very demanding on our visual system. Our eyes are processing huge amounts of visual data and shifting viewing focus quickly and often. Then add weather conditions, rain and sunlight. Driving in low light or at night is also challenging for many people. It is easy to be distracted by bright lights and glare. The increased luminance of modern LED and Xenon headlights is especially dazzling. Depth perception, the ability to distinguish colour and peripheral vision are all decreased. The blue light emitted by on-board equipment adds more challenge. It is estimated 90% of a driver’s reaction time depends on vision, so how can we improve this?

EnRoute lenses have a glare filter, as well as contrast-enhancing technology. This minimises stress on the visual system for a more relaxed driving experience. Some of the noticeable improvements are:

• Significantly reduced reflections and uncomfortable glare from oncoming traffic

• Improved contrast and brightness perception in low-light conditions, fog and rain

• Clear, unimpaired vision in the far distance, the dashboard, and mirrors

These lenses are perfect for everyday, or can be a dedicated driving lens. The lenses are available in single vision prescription, and also in progressives. Ask us how these lenses could help you.

Optimel

We have another product to help eye surface health, and reduce inflammation. - Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel. There has been a lot of research on the benefits of Manuka honey based products, and finally we have one here on our shelf. Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel helps by creating a micro environment to support healing and prevent further damage.

The gel contains a standardized antibacterial Manuka honey developed from Leptospermum sp. This barrier acts on bacteria that may potentially colonise the inflamed tissue - perfect for chronic blepharitis of the eyelids. The gel is applied at night, with a cotton tip. There is a cool tingling sensation, and the gel stays on overnight, and the lids are bathed in the morning.

Read the following comments about Optimel:

“I had an appointment with you in January for on going problems with blepharitis. You recommended I try Opti Mel as well as continue with my current treatment plan.”

”The Opti Mel has made a huge difference to my symptoms. Even the lumps in the middle of my eyelid and on the edge have completely disappeared.  I currently use it twice a day and only occasionally do I need other eye drops in between these times.”

Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel will be helpful for chronic dry eye as well as sore, irritated eyelids

Considering Myopia Profile - are these eyes at risk?

For much of our working careers helping young people who were myopic (short-sighted) was simply a matter of prescribing glasses or contact lenses. Then adjusting the strength of the prescription as eyesight continued to deteriorate through the teenage years.

These days we know so much more about myopia, and how to we can manage myopia to try to slow down the rate of progression.

The best time to start is before eyes have become myopic, when we can identify young eyes at risk.

This tool shows how we evaluate the risk of a child developing myopia.

The good news - we can modify environmental risk factors.

If you have any questions, or would like to know more please get in touch.

Sunglasses competition- November 2019

Print out the entry form below, fill it in and drop it into the practice to go in the draw to win a pair of non prescription Bolle sunglasses - it is that easy. Tell your friends, everyone can enter.