Lid Care Update

Regular cleaning of the eye lid margins is useful for Meibomian gland dysfunction, MGD, and anterior blepharitis where scaly material accumulates at the base of the eye lashes.

Using a warm flannel or cloth can be a start, but there are product formulations which work more effectively. We recommend foam cleaners (Sterilid or Blephadex), or wipes (Systane Lid Wipes or Lid ‘n Lash). Using the cleaner or wipes at least 3-4 times per week will get the best results.

Previously people were advised to use diluted baby shampoo. This is no longer recommended as this can exacerbate inflammation.

Using the correct product can help relieve blepheritis.

Tasty Treats for Warkworth Low Vision Support Group

The April meeting of the Low Vision Support Group was made a little sweeter with the gift of home baking from the local Good Bitches Baking (GBB) group.

GBB support a number of groups in our area and offered to bring tasty treats to these monthly meetings.

Who are these fairy bakers? Founders Nicole Murray and Marie Fitzpatrick were talking, and feeling helpless, and reflecting on a small moment of kindness someone had shown to them recently. From this they came up with an idea for a way to let people going through a hard time know that others in their community cared.

They dropped a post on Facebook to see if anyone else was keen, and almost overnight, hundreds were putting their hand up to be involved. That’s how GBB started. Since then, they say they have spread like warm icing around Aotearoa, with 30 chapters and more than 3,000 GBB treats for about 400 recipient organisations.

GBB say they do get a bit of push back on their name, mostly from people who don't really get what they do or why. For this group their name has played a critical role in the extraordinary growth they’ve seen since the day they began. The thought was that ‘Marie and Nic’s Baking Circle’ just wasn’t going to cut it.

The organsation, which aims to spread kindness through their baking, has underatken research into the concept of kindness itself.

The baking was well received by the Low Vision Group, and we look forward to more treats at our monthly meetings - 1.30 pm, Summerset Falls Lounge, the third Monday of each month.

GBB spreading the love around New Zealand

Screens Down, Eyes Up - Myopia Awareness Week 19 - 25 May 2025

This year’s Myopia Awareness Week theme is ‘Screens Down, Eyes Up’, highlighting the lifestyle changes necessary to keep healthy sight.

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an increasingly common eye problem, and the leading cause of visual impairment in children. Studies have predicted that the global prevalence of myopia will rise from 28% of the world’s population, or two billion people in 2010, to 50% of the world’s population, or five billion people in 2050. Uncorrected shortsightedness is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.

There are two take home messages this year:

• Screen Smart, Vision Strong: Promoting healthy screen and near-work habits, having daily outdoor time and using screen time reduction tools on smart phones and electronic devices.

• Check In for Clear Vision: Regular eye exams are the best strategy for early detection and effective management of myopia.

We hope to spread the message that children who don’t spend enough time outdoors are at greater risk of developing myopia, which can progress to irreversible vision loss.

Welcome to our new Optometrist Emily

We are delighted to introduce Optometrist Emily Kamimura, who has recently joined our team at McDonald Adams. Emily has completed her five year Bachelor of Optometry degree at the University of Auckland in 2024 with first-class honours, and is enjoying day-to-day life in the consulting room.

She has a keen interest in Dry Eye Management and Myopia Control. Emily is passionate about helping people understand the importance of eye health.

Outside of work, Emily loves exploring what our local area has to offer, from shopping at farmers' markets to discovering community events. She is eager to try her hand at pottery at a local studio and looks forward to setting out on more tramps through our region’s stunning landscapes.  

We are thrilled to have Emily as part of our team and look forward to the enthusiasm and expertise she brings to McDonald Adams!

McDonald Adams Science Scholarships 2024

It is so lovely to experience prizegiving nights at Mahurangi College and Rodney College. These events have a sense of occasion and celebration.

Mahurangi College student Fern Julian wrote a lovely email to thank us for her scholarship;

Your commitment to supporting students with their future studies in all areas of science has made a meaningful difference towards my university experience. I am excited and optimistic to start this new chapter in my life.  

Fern Julian with Claire McDonald, Mahurangi College

At Rodney College our award went to Erin Oftermann, who is now studying Optometry at Auckland University.

Erin Oftermann with Sally Adams, Rodney College

We wish Fern and Erin all the best for their studies this year.

Do you have floaters?

Many people will be nodding in response to the question “Do you have floaters?” Floaters are black spots, shapes and wispy ‘things’ which seem to float in your vision. Your perception of floaters can vary depending on what you are doing e.g. looking down to read you may be more aware of floaters in your vision. Sometimes when looking at a plain coloured background floaters are more apparent, e.g. the bedroom ceiling. Or if your head position is not upright, e.g. swimming in a pool you may notice floaters in your field of vision.

Floaters most commonly occur with ageing. The transparent vitreous humour, or jelly, in the back half of the eye changes, liquefying and contracting, causing microscopic collagen fibres to clump together. The result is shadows on the retina.

Once we have checked and ruled out any pathology, we can offer reassurance, and the hope you will adapt to this visual phenomenum with time. But now we have something new to offer. VitroCap is a supplement which has been shown in a clinical trial to reduce floaters.

VitroCap has a formulation of antioxidative and antiglycation micronutrients. In the trial, patients who used the supplement for six months reported “significant improvement in contrast sensitivity… following supplementation”. This was compared with the placebo group, which reported no change.

The recommendaed treatment is one capsule a day for six months. Vitrocap is $100 per 90 pack.