It can often be very overwhelming and stressful as a parent to find that your child is having learning difficulties at school. Children often have different ways of expressing their helplessness if they are struggling in school. They may turn to bullying, or they may hide their frustration and withdraw from classmates and friends. If your child’s learning difficulties are vision-related, then there are several things you can do to help them.

We recommend taking a look at these simple tips to get your child back on track with their learning:

• Take your child for a thorough eye exam. This may solve more than half of the problems, as some learning difficulties are caused by bad eyesight and, when corrected, an improvement may be noticed in your child’s performance in school.

• If your child has been diagnosed with a learning related vision problem like nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, follow up immediately by doing whatever has been recommended by your optometrist. It could be getting your child glasses or contact lenses, or in some cases, going for surgery.

• Create a support team. Get teachers involved in overcoming the challenge. Become a buddy. Also get the optometrist fully involved. You can encourage your child to reach out to the school for help and support. Siblings should also encourage their brother or sister. Together as a team, the challenge can be overcome.

• Always be sure to show them love, encouragement and support during this process. Help them to understand why they need to have their eyes checked, and how it is going to help them with their learning.

• Ask questions and listen intently. Encourage them to talk about how they are feeling, and when they do, listen and act on what they present. Also, in order to get more of understanding on what your child is experiencing, ask them things like “Where do you sit in class?”, “Can you see the board clearly?”, “Do you feel your eyes go fuzzy or blurry sometimes?”, “Do you find it hard to see the ball or classmates faces during sports class?”

• Provide other means of expression like music, drama classes, computer classes and the arts to help them with this process.

• When you want to buy them toys, get those that can help their motor and eye-hand coordination skills like puzzles, building blocks, modelling clay, pegboards, stringing beads and art tools like pencils, paint, crayons, finger paints etc.

If you suspect your child may be having vision-related learning difficulties, please do not hesitate to book an appointment with Dr. Jean-Pierre Guillon here at Eye5. He has a special interest in children’s vision and learning difficulties, and would be only too happy to help you and your child with this process.

Diplopia, commonly known as double vision, is the simultaneous perception of two images, usually overlapping, of a single scene or object.

Seeing people or things as single objects is something we assume as normal, but a change in parts of the vision system can lead to double vision. In this article, we explore the causes, symptoms and treatment of double vision.

Causes of Double Vision

Double Vision can be caused by any defect on some parts of the vision system like the lens, the cornea, the brain, the muscles of the eyes and the nerves that take information from the eyes and send them to the brain. Some of the main causes include:

• Cataracts, which can affect the lens, causing light from an object to split into two, thus leading to double vision.
• When the muscles of the eye are affected, it can lead to ocular myasthenia, which can cause ocular misalignment, and hence, double vision.
• Diabetes or multiple sclerosis can lead to damage of the nerves connected to the eyes and this can cause double vision.
• Strokes, aneurysms, migraines and brain tumors all affect the brain and any of these can cause double vision.
• Infections of the cornea, corneal scars or dryness of the cornea can also cause double vision. 

Symptoms of Double Vision

The symptoms of double vision include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Cross-eyed appearance
• Eye weakness
• Weak and flabby eyelids and pain when you move your eyes
• Double vision can also occur with no other symptoms, except that you are seeing most things double. 

Treatment of Double Vision

The treatment of diplopia depends on what caused it in the first place. 

Some treatments include wearing eye patches on the lens of your eyeglasses or on your eyes; temporary prisms can be used to cut down the double vision, and if this works out, they might be replaced by permanent prisms grounded into the lenses of your eyeglasses.

In extreme cases, your optometrist may also suggest resorting to surgery if there is no progress after 12 months of using other methods to treat it. Furthermore, for some diplopia cases that respond to drugs or medicines, the doctor will suggest that for their treatment.

Please remember, no matter how slight the symptoms may be, don’t hesitate to go and see your optometrist if any of these symptoms appear!

Our eyes are precious and we need to ensure we look after them as best we can. After all, good eyesight helps us to see and admire the beauty around us. Here are 8 tips to help you take care of your eyes:

1.‘Feed’ your eyes

By this we mean eat very nutritious foods that will help maintain a good eye health. Nutrients like Vitamins C and E, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc help in preventing and control of eye diseases like macular degeneration, cataracts and Dry Eye Syndrome. You can find these nutrients in food like salmon, leafy greens, eggs, nuts, citrus fruits and legumes. We recommend trying to eat a healthy and balanced diet as a means of taking care of your eyes.

2. Get your eyes tested regularly

Doctors recommend that we have a comprehensive eye examination every two years. Some major eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy can show up without symptoms, but regular examinations can detect any risks and help prevent vision loss. Along with this, you should also go for regular physical examinations to check for diabetes and high blood pressure, especially if you have a family history of such diseases, as they affect the eyes.

3. Avoid looking at a computer or tablet screen for extended periods of time

These days, we spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, whether it be for work or leisure. This can strain the eyes and cause headache, blurry vision and dry eyes. One rule of thumb to follow to prevent the computer from damaging your sight is the 20-20-20 rule. Simply rest your eyes every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.

4. Stop smoking

Optic nerve damage, macular degeneration and cataracts are developed or made worse when you smoke. To help save your eyes and your life, do not smoke.

5. Exercise regularly

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studies have shown that regular exercise like walking can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by up to 70%.

6. Be alert to warning signs of change in your vision

If you start noticing signs like blurry vision, swelling, pain in the eye, or inability to read sizes of print you were reading comfortably before, then it’s time to see your doctor, as these could be pointers to a more serious eye health challenge that needs immediate attention.

7. Wear sunglasses and safety eyewear

Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays from the sun. This can help to prevent the development of cataracts. Also, if you work with airborne or hazardous material at home or at work, ensure you wear safety eyewear or goggles.

8. Get your 8 hours every night

Not having enough sleep causes eye fatigue which shows up with symptoms like pain in the neck, shoulders and back, blurred vision, red eyes, dryness or excessive tears, or light sensitivity. Make sure you sleep enough every night. Adults require about 7-8 of sleep every night.

Some eye problems occur naturally and become worse as we age. Such eye diseases like Cataracts, Glaucoma and Macular degeneration fall under this category, but generally for these, there are simple steps we can take to slow them down.

Here are 8 tips to help prevent eye diseases:

1. Go for regular eye examinations: We recommend scheduling an eye exam to be taken at least every one to two years. Occasionally some symptoms of very serious eye problems do not show up until you go for a thorough eye-check. Early detection will go a long way to prevent further complications.

2. Attempt to eat a healthy and balanced diet: Foods rich in nutrients for your eyes help to prevent eye diseases. Such foods like whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, cold water fish, coloured fruits and supplements that contain fish oil can aid in the prevention of eye diseases. You can also read our article on foods to eat for your eyes here.

3. Quit smoking: Smoking can cause heart diseases and cancer. It can also worsen Cataracts and can lead to blindness. For good vision and longevity, we recommend ditching the habit ASAP.

4. Wear protective eyewear and a wide brimmed hat when you are in the sun, as the sun contains UV rays that are harmful to the eyes. We recommend polarised sunglasses.

5. Always clean and replace your contact lenses when due to prevent further eye problems. Remember to always use the prescribed cleaning solution, which serves as a cleanser and disinfectant. Never use saliva, saline or water of any type, as they can contain bacteria and viruses which may be absorbed by the contact lens and cause eye infections.

6. Go for general body check-up to be sure you do not have other diseases that can lead to eye problems.

7. Lose or maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity can cause a lot of pressure on the blood vessels in the eyes, and in turn can cause poor vision.

8. Visit your Optometrist immediately if you notice any trouble with your eyes. Some symptoms we take as negligible can turn out to cause serious harm to your eyes, so it is better to confirm with your Optometrist that they are not serious.

As the year is quickly drawing to a close, we recommend booking an eye test with us today if you haven’t already had one this year!

Our eyes are the windows through which we see the world. We only have two of them, so if we don’t take care of them, who will?

One way by which we can take care of our eyes is by feeding on foods that can boost our eye health, especially as we age. Below are ten food groups that can do that:

1. Egg Yolk

One raw organic pastured egg yolk contains about 0.25mg each of luthein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants, in a highly absorbable and nearly ideal form. These antioxidants lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

2. Bell peppers, Tomatoes, Cantaloupe, Corn and Pumpkin

Apart from carrots, these other colorful fruits and vegetables really boost the eye health as they are great sources for vitamins A and C. The lack of these vitamins in your system can cause serious health issues which can affect your eyes as well. Carotenoids are the compounds that give these fruits their color, and they are thought to reduce the risk of many eye diseases.

3. Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel and Tuna

These are coldwater fish and they contain a high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help in healthy tear production and prevention of macular degeneration, Dry Eye Syndrome and cataracts. They do this by promoting healthy blood vessel growth and circulation in the eyes.

4. Sunflower Seeds and Wheat Germ

Sunflower seeds contain high levels of vitamin E and zinc which promote overall eye health. Snacking on them can be very beneficial to our eyes as they help in the production of red blood cells, thereby reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases, which in turn helps to maintain good eyesight.

5. Nuts

Almonds, walnuts, pistachios and any other nut you can think of! They’re all very good for our eyes as they are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, which can help to produce new cells and significantly improve our eye health. A handful of these nuts provides about half the required daily dose of vitamin E.

6. Spinach, Romaine Lettuce, Mustard Greens and Kale

These green leafy vegetables are packed with luthein and zeaxanthin that act as antioxidants, which help to keep your eye cells healthy and also keep the lens in your eyes clear. They lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. Other greens that can help too are turnip greens and collard greens.

7. Whole Grains

In order to boost our eye health, we should swap refined carbohydrates for brown rice, whole oats, and whole wheat bread and pasta. These wholegrain meals have a low glycemic index (GI) and can help reduce the risk for age- related macular degeneration. They also contain vitamin E, zinc and niacin.

8. Fish oil, Flaxseed oil and Black currant seed oil

These are great supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Taking them will help to prevent or control Dry Eye Syndrome. They also help to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. A word of advice here: Consult your GP before you take any vitamin or mineral supplements.

9. Black peas, Kidney beans and Lentils

These are good sources of bioflavonoids and zinc, which can help protect the retina and lower the risk for developing macular degeneration and cataracts. Other legumes too like kidney beans and lentils can also serve the same purpose.

10. Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruits and Strawberries

They are packed full with vitamin C, which has been shown to reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.  Also, taking a daily multivitamin helps make up for not taking them as required from foods. Again, your doctor’s advice is needed here.

Are you new to wearing contact lenses, thinking of wearing them, or already wear them but are having a few issues? Not to worry, we have put together some tips on what to do and what not to do in order to enjoy wearing your contact lenses.

THE DO’S

• Make sure your hands are always clean before you handle your contact lenses (when you want to put them in and when you want to remove them). Wash your hands with mild soap and water, then dry them.
• Clean the lenses properly, as directed by your optometrist.
• Keep your fingernails short so you don’t injure your eyes.
• Learn to apply the contact lenses the correct way so you don’t wear them inside out. You eyes will feel uncomfortable when you wear them inside out.
• Learn to handle the same lens first so you don’t mistake one for the other.
• Always clean and disinfect your lens storage cases.
• Always put your contact lenses on before applying your eye makeup as it will be difficult to get makeup out of your eyes with contact lenses on.
• If possible, use eye-friendly makeup.
• Throw away old lens care solutions.

THE DONT’S

• Do not swim with your contact lenses in (unless you are wearing secure goggles).
• Do not wet or clean your contact lenses with saliva or water.
• Do not allow soaps and creams or other chemicals to come in contact with your contact lenses.
• Do not wear your lenses for longer than the prescribed time.
• Do not share your contact lenses with anyone.
• Do not mix different types of lens care solutions.
• Do not share your eye makeup with others.
• Lastly, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or queries regarding your contact lenses.

Please note, these are just general tips for wearing contact lenses. Your optometrist’s advice is always best for you.

All over the world, more and more people are wearing contact lenses as a means of treating eye defects or for cosmetic use. They are generally safe to use as long as they are used correctly, however from time-to-time, one may encounter a few problems while using contact lenses.

The problems that arise are usually discomfort and infections. Wearer-related problems can often arise due to: wearing of the lenses inside out; improper wear schedule or not replacing lens when due; sleeping in lenses not designed for use to such extended time; mishandling of contact lenses; improper cleaning and disinfection of the lenses.

To avoid these problems, you should consider the following tips:

• Ensure your contact lens looks like half of a ball, not a soup bowl with a rim.
• Make sure the period for the lenses to be worn is maintained. If you are unsure of the lens wear duration, be sure to contact your Optometrist to clarify.
• Do not sleep with contacts that are meant for daily wear.
• Handle your contact lenses with clean, dry hands. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses.
• Make sure you always change the solution. Clean, rinse and disinfect your contact lenses with fresh solution. Do not top up the solution in the case.

Other problems could be caused by the contact lenses itself. The lenses might be too tight or too thick. The edge design can also make them uncomfortable to wear. Old lenses may have scratches or may be developing deposits.

An existing eye disorder can also be the cause of problems for the new contact lenses user. Such conditions as dry eye, eye allergy, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, eyelid problems, iritis etc. are the main culprits here. Pregnancy and hormonal changes can sometimes bring up challenges for women using contact lenses.

For problems caused by the contact lenses itself, your best bet is to meet with your Optometrist, who will recommend a change of lenses. You also need to see your Optometrist if you suspect the infection, redness or discomfort is caused by an already existing eye problem.

Think it’s time for an eye test? Call us today and speak to one of our friendly staff to book an appointment.

It is crucial for parents to understand the importance of eye testing for their children. Recognising if your child has vision difficulties at a young age is imperative, as children are usually more responsive to treatment at an earlier age (meaning any vision difficulties they may have can be fixed sooner rather than later).

Infants:

The vision of an infant changes rapidly over the first 6 months. When we check an infant’s eyesight, we want to make sure their eyes appear healthy, that there is no leukocoria (white pupil), no obvious strabismus (turned eye) or high refractive error that could lead to a lazy eye (amblyopia).

What tests can be used to examine an infant’s eyes?

For an infant’s first eye examination, an approximate measure of their vision can be taken using special cards called preferential looking cards. These have one side that is blank and one side with stripes. The infant will look at the side that interests them the most for a longer period of time.

We can also conduct an external examination, which tests if their pupil reactions are normal and there is no gross abnormality of their eyes.

A good indication of healthy vision is if the infant is able to watch you move something interesting or eye-catching around the room. This can be a colourful toy, shiny object or brightly coloured balloon.

What tests can be used to exam a pre-schoolers eyes?

There are several tests we can undertake to examine your child’s eyes. For example, using an auto-refractor (a computer controlled machined used to measure how light is changed as it enters the eye) is a great way to measure your child’s vision without them having to read an eye chart. Because the test is quick and easy, it gives us great results about their vision without them having to explain it to us themselves.

For children who cannot yet read the letters of the alphabet, a Lea symbol chart is used to assess the visual capabilities of near vision and distance vision. This test consists of four test symbols: the outlines of an apple, a pentagon, a square, and a circle. Because these four symbols can be easily identified as everyday objects (“apple”, “house”, “window”, and “ring”), they can be recognized at an earlier age than abstract letters or numbers can be.

There are also lots of other ‘fun’ tests we can conduct, such as measuring colour vision and 3D vision (stereopsis), along with cover testing to measure binocular vision function, pupil assessment, ocular motility and fixation as well as accommodation.

As your child gets older, more of the tests that form a “normal” eye examination can be performed. We try to keep it fun, but we also ensure we perform all the tests required to measure your child’s eyes in detail.

On that note, did you know one of our optometrists Jean-Pierre is an expert in children’s vision and learning difficulties? His strong research background means that the solutions he offers are proven to help your child see better.

Contact us today to book an appointment with Jean-Pierre.

How old does my child have to be before they can wear contact lenses?

The answer is that there is no age limit. Babies can wear them, and so can seniors. However the real issue with young teenagers and contact lenses is whether or not they are responsible enough to wear and take care of their lenses properly.

Most eye care professionals encourage contact lens wear from the age of 11 to 14, however parents, the teens themselves, and their eye care practitioner must make this decision together.

Are contact lenses safe?

For teens, contact lenses may be safer than eyeglasses in many situations (if cared for properly). This is most likely the case while playing weekend sport, especially if it is a contact sport. It is important to note that your teenager should never swap lenses with friends or wear them longer than prescribed, and regular eye examinations are important.

How can I ensure my teenager wears their contact lenses safely?

Follow these guidelines to reduce your teenager’s risk of most contact lens related eye problems. If a problem does occur, seek immediate advice from your optometrist.

• Always wear contact lenses under the supervision of a qualified optometrist who should examine your teenager’s eyes at least every six months.

• If the contact lenses are worn only for a special purpose (for example at soccer once or twice a week) it is fine for you to help your child or teen with insertion and removal of the lenses. However if lenses are worn most days then your teen should master this themselves.

• If your teenager has contact lenses that require cleaning after every wear, choose a preservative free cleaning system.  Most all-in-one cleaning systems are preserved and harsh on tender young eyes.

• Supervision by a parent or responsible adult is essential. If the lenses require cleaning, teach your teen how to do this effectively and reiterate the importance of hygiene in safe contact lens wear.

• Avoid cosmetic contact lenses such as novelty or party designs, which encourage poor hygiene habits.

• Take regular breaks from contact lens wear. For example, the contact lenses are only worn at school or sport rather than full-time.

• Make sure your teen understands that contact lenses should not be worn over-night, not even occasionally.

• The same goes for swimming in contact lenses, especially in swimming pools. Prescription goggles are a better alternative.

How can Eye5 help your child?

Did you know our very own Andrew Godfrey is an expert in contact lens fitting? In fact, he was responsible for introducing hybrid contact lenses to Western Australia to help people who find RGP or hard contact lenses uncomfortable. There are very few practitioners around who specialise in fitting custom contact lenses!

To see if contact lenses are right for your teenager, book an appointment with Andrew today.

Guideline points courtesy of All About Vision

Studies show approximately 1 in every 4 children have an undetected vision problem. To ensure your child has healthy vision, it is imperative they have regular eye tests.

When should my child have their first eye test?

It is recommended that your child has their first eye test at 6 months of age, their second at the age of 3, and again before starting school. As they get older, some problems can become harder to fix, that’s why it’s important to monitor your child’s vision regularly to ensure any vision problems can be corrected immediately.

What to expect?

During their eye test, your child will have the following things examined:

• A thorough eye health examination of the front and back of their eyes
• Distance vision
• Reading vision
• Binocular vision or how both eyes work together
• 3D vision or stereopsis
• Eye movements
• Focussing ability

Some children are more at risk of eye problems than others. If you child has the following then it is important to book an eye test as soon as possible:

• Born prematurely
• Delayed motor or sensory development
• Excessive blinking or eye rubbing
• Not keeping eye contact
• Inability to track moving objects
• Inability to keep their eyes still if required

It is also important to know of any family history of eye problems, such as wearing glasses, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (turned eye) or eye disease.

When was the last time your child had an eye test? If you can’t remember, we recommend contacting us today to make an appointment.