The Importance of Eye Care

Your eye sight is one of your most important senses and it is estimated that 80% of what we perceive comes through our sense of sight. It is important to protect your eyesight to ensure many more years of enjoying your vision.

By protecting your eyes and regular eye examinations you will reduce the odds of vision loss and the risk of developing untreated eye disease for the rest of your life.

Myopia (Near sighted)

Myopia is caused when light is focused in the eye in front of the retina rather than on the retina.

If you are myopic you will see better up close than at far distances. Myopia often develops in children and may progress as they grow. It is corrected using concave spectacle or contact lenses.

Myopia Control:

It is estimated that by 2050 half the global population will be affected by myopia.

There are several theories regarding myopia development with no exact mechanism. It is widely accepted that a mixture of environmental and genetic factors are involved.

There is a greater chance of sight threatening complications particularly in people with higher amounts of myopia. For this reason it is important that especially where a child has two parents who are myopic, efforts are made to reduce the progression of myopia in children.

Methods used to try to control the progression of myopia include:

MiSight dual focus soft contact lenses are specifically designed to control myopia progression. Recent studies show that this reduction in progression of myopia may be as much as 50%. MiSight contact lenses are available at Devonport Optometrists.

Pharmaceuticals. Low dose atropin eye drops shows promise in slowing progression of myopia.

Spectacle Lenses. Bifocal and progressive lenses may be used and show promise in reducing myopia progression. Hoya MyoSmart lenses are not yet available in New Zealand. Studies claim a reduction in up to 50% progression of myopia when using these spectacle lenses. The lens is designed with a central optical zone and multiple defocus segments surrounding this central zone.

Lifestyle changes. Studies show that children who spend more time outdoors exhibit less myopia progression when compared to less active children. It is also thought that light intensity may play a role in reducing myopia progression.

Hyperopia (Long Sighted)

Hyperopia is the result of the visual image being focused behind the retina rather than directly on it. A farsighted person sees faraway objects clearer , while objects that are near are blurred or may cause eye strain. This often becomes more of a problem as we age.

Farsightedness is often present from birth. Children can often tolerate moderate amounts of farsightedness without difficulty, however farsightedness may result in learning difficulties, a “lazy” eye in the case where the eyes have different degrees of farsightedness, or an intermittent or constant inward “squint”.

It is important to have children tested for eye conditions as early as possible.

Farsightedness is corrected using convex spectacle or contact lenses.

Astigmatism

In astigmatism the cornea has different curvatures, rather like the surface of a rugby ball. This gives a blurred distance and reading image.

Astigmatism can occur by itself, but more usually it is associated with short or long-sightedness.

Astigmatism is corrected using spectacle lenses, rigid or soft toric contact lenses.

Presbyopia

As we age the lenses in our eyes become less flexible.

This causes problems with close up focus and convex spectacles or contact lenses are used to correct this problem.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma symptoms may be difficult to spot, so it’s important to know when you’re at risk, and what to look out for.

Glaucoma is often called the silent or sneak thief of the sight, because it affects your vision gradually, often without being noticed. If left untreated, it can eventually cause total blindness. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in New Zealand.

The progression of glaucoma can be controlled with ongoing treatment. Because early detection of glaucoma is so important, regular eye examinations are advised. If you are over 40 one should have a two yearly eye examination and if one has a family history of glaucoma a yearly eye examination is advised.

At Devonport Optometrists we are able to perform goldmann tonometry, digital retinal photography and we have an automated visual field perimeter. All important in the detection and monitoring of glaucoma.

Contact lenses

We stock and supply an extensive range of contact lenses. Contact lenses are available online or in store. We are often able to match the cheapest New Zealand contact lens internet sites.No courier fees within New Zealand apply.

Spectacle Frames and Prescription Sunglasses

Our frames are our pride and joy. We take pleasure in finding the perfect spectacle frame for your face. We stock many spectacle frame brands such as Calvin Klein, Prodesign, Rayban, Fendi, Cat, Silhouette, Adidas, Gucci and Dior in our practice.Where not available are happy to order any spectacle frame for your approval.

We have an ongoing offer with most of our sunglasses frames. This involves either free prescription single vision lenses or progressive tinted lenses at half their normal price.