You are invited to Glaucoma NZ Symposium - 15 August 2021

Glaucoma New Zealand - Annual Symposium Sunday 15 August 2021 9am-11.30am, in the Great Northern Room at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Glaucoma is often referred to as the ‘thief of sight’ because the most common form of glaucoma has no symptoms. The damage to the optic nerve happens over time and is irreversible.

The symposium is a chance for people living with glaucoma, and their families and/or caregivers, to access information and valuable insights regarding living with and managing the disease.

This is a unique opportunity to access the expertise as the meeting will be lead by Ophthalmologist and Glaucoma Specialists Dr Jim Stewart, Dr Hussain Patel and Dr Divya Patel.

Topics include: Treatment & Surgery in Glaucoma, Lifestyle Factors, Types of Glaucoma, The latest Glaucoma Research.

For more Information:

info@glaucoma.org.nz

Website: Glaucoma New Zealand

Registration for the Event

Phone number: 0800 452 826 (0800 GLAUCOMA)

Sally Adams Behavioural Optometrist - a profile

Behavioural optometrists understand that Vision is much more than the size of letters seen on a chart. Seeing “20/20” is no guarantee of comfortable, effortless, visual perception. Vision is a dynamic process, integrated with the rest of our senses and body. Vision encompasses how we interpret what we see and how we direct our actions in response to these inputs from throughout our body.

When a child or adult has poor focus ability, eye teaming or eye movements, vision becomes uncomfortable, possibly blurred or even double. This reduces attention for learning, driving, working or sporting activities.  Some of these deficits may be evident from an early age, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eyes misaligned). Or difficulties may become apparent in the early to mid primary school years as text becomes smaller and more demanding. Adults may develop binocular vision difficulties following a stroke or brain injury, or eye teaming problems may emerge as our focusing system wanes beyond our forties.

Recent research shows vision training has effects not just on eye muscles, but also throughout the visual pathways of the brain. Modern forms of amblyopia treatment are being developed based on the evolving understanding of neuroplasticity.

I often see young children and teenagers as well as adults who have developed visual discomfort, blur or double vision due to visual skill dysfunctions. With in-depth Binocular Vision Assessment, I can explore how their vision process responds when the visual system is placed under stress, highlighting areas of weakness or maladaptation. An individualized, age-appropriate Vision Therapy program is designed to address their needs. A primary aim in Office and Home Vision Therapy sessions is to have a sense of curiosity about how your visual system works and how you can change it. Each vision activity provides an opportunity to discover using your vision in a more efficient, effective way.

An Aperture Rule is used to work on eye teaming skills

Working with children and parents, who become  “home vision therapists”, is both challenging and rewarding for everyone involved. Daily home practice develops and consolidates vision skills. We meet fortnightly to review progress and go through activities that require specialised equipment or guidance not suitable for home practice. New activities are introduced as vision skills develop. As well as improved visual function, comfort and clarity, I often see self-confidence increase.

As we learn more about neuroplasticity, and new delivery methods are developed, Vision Therapy is becoming more widely recognised as an exciting vision treatment for all ages.

I have spent the past six years furthering my Vision Therapy skills and knowledge through ACBO (Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry https://www.acbo.org.au/ ) and OEP (Optometric Extension Program https://www.oepf.org/ ). You may like to visit these websites to learn more about Behavioural Optometry (also known as Developmental Optometry).

Book an Appointment Online

or call us on 09 425 9646

New Font Easier to Read

A new typeface – greater legibility and readability for low vision readers

Would you like to make things easier to read? There is a new typeface, designed to be more legible, available for free.

Atkinson Hyperlegible font is named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson.  What makes it different from traditional typography design is that it focuses on letterform distinction to increase character recognition, ultimately improving readability.  The Braille institute is making this free for anyone to use!

This is designed for people with low vision, but it will make it easier for everyone. Check out this link.

Winner of Fast Company’s 2019
Innovation By Design Award.

Is your child struggling because of vision problems? A checklist.

Do you have concerns about your child's eyes, vision, or learning? This checklist will help with your observations. 

Look out for these signs
□ Red or watery eyes
□ Red or crusted eyelids
□ Frequent styes on lids
□ One eye that turns in or out at times

Does your child complain of
□ Headaches with reading or writing
□ Burning or itchy eyes
□ Print blurs or double vision
□ Words move or “swim” on the page

When reading does your child
□ Hold their book close to their eyes
□ Lose place often or needs a finger to
   keep place
□ Re-read or skip lines or words
□ Confuse similar words
□ Have a short attention span

When writing does your child
□ Have untidy writing
□ Use their hand or finger to space writing
□ Repeat letters within words
□ Skip letters, numbers or words
□ Reverse letters, words or numbers
□ Squint, close or covers one eye
□ Tilt their head
□ Have their face close to desk / screen

Other problems
□ Must feel / touch things to understand
□ Often confuses right and left sides
□ Difficulty with similarities & differences
□ Blinks, squints, rubs eyes often

If your child is showing any of these signs, or you have other concerns about your child's vision or eyes, book a Behavioural Vision Assessment with Sally Adams.  

(Please bring this checklist with you to the appointment to help Sally with her assessment.) 
 

Book an Appointment Online

or call us on 09 425 9646

What we are wearing - Diane in Face a Face

Diane is wearing a stunning Face a Face frame, a bold acetate. The frame name, Mikado, is very apt for the facetted detailing. This is a departure from her recent frame choices - just what she wants, a change.

Frame: Face a Face Mikado colour 1502KN 35 eye

Lens: Hoya Mystyle Profile Modern progressive, 1.53 Phoenix, Clear lens a Diamond Finish anti-reflection coating.

Acetate (plastic) frame is a change from nosepads for you, how are you finding it?

Diane: The fit of the bridge just works in these ones.

How do you find the vision?

Diane: It is the same progressive design I have had previously, but this pair is so clear. A deeper and larger frame has given me better vision.

You have chosen a Chem Clip with this pair - how do you like it?

I got the rose tint which I like. The clip in it’s case it very compact and I like that it releases space in my bag if I am not carrying my prescription sunglasses with me.

With all your glasses you must have a special storage system?

Absolutely! All safely away in their cases in a drawer. Mostly in the original case but I have been known to swap cases too.

Eyelash serum information

A recent item on NZ TV program Seven Sharp highlighted potential side effect of using eyelash serums.

These over the counter products have been developed using prostglandins, a medicine used in glaucoma treatment. One of the side effects of using prostaglandin eye drops is eyelashes grow longer, stronger and darker. So serums have evolved to be applied to the lashes only.

However it good to read the fine print as there can be other side effects associated with long term prostaglandin use. These include darkening of skins and pigmentation around the eyes, and eye can become more deep set.

For more information see the following Consumer information.