Amblyopia, or Lazy Eye, is poor vision, generally in one eye. The condition usually results from abnormal development of the parts of the brain involved with vision. This can be caused by an eye turn (strabismus) or a large difference in prescription between the two eyes (anisometropic amblyopia).

Children with amblyopia will have reduced depth perception and may often be clumsier than other children the same age.

Treatment for amblyopia will vary depending on the cause and age of detection. Glasses or contact lenses may be required along with patching, eye drops and/or vision therapy. The treatment goal is for each eye to have equal visual acuities and skills.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Astigmatism is an out-of-roundness of one or more surfaces in the eye’s optical system.

An eye with no astigmatism is spherical in shape, like a marble. On the other hand an eye with astigmatism has a distorted shape, slightly like a grape.

In lesser degrees this can cause strain and discomfort after visual concentration; while in higher degrees astigmatism causes images at all distances to be distorted or blurred.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

A cataract is an opacity or clouding of the lens inside the eye, then distorting the light as it enters. Cataracts are often confused with pterygium but cataracts cannot be seen on the surface of the eye.

Symptoms of cataract may include a gradual painless decrease in clear vision, hazy vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and even double vision.

Special tints or filters can often improve vision and UV protection can help to slow development of this condition.

The eventual “cure” is surgical removal of the lens with cataract and replacement with an artificial lens (intra-ocular lens implant).

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Colour blindness is almost always inherited, although it can be acquired condition as a result of some diseases or injuries.

The abnormality is sex linked, recessive, and carried on the X chromosomes. This means that males need only have their one X chromosome affected to be colour blind while females must carry the condition on both their X chromosomes to be colour blind. If females have it only on one X chromosome they will carry the condition but still have normal colour vision themselves.

As a result, about 8% of males and 0.5% of females have colour vision deficiencies. Almost all colour deficient people do see most colours but they will have difficulty identifying particular ones, confusing certain shades of red and green for example.

As children, few of these people will be aware that they have a colour vision deficiency but the detection of these problems is important, especially when career choices are affected.

Ask us about testing your colour vision at your next appointment.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eyestrain are terms used to describe vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet and/or mobile phone use.

In our modern world, we increasingly use information presented on digital screens rather than printed material. Digital screens are usually located at a near or intermediate distance and present similar tasks to reading. Adequate near focussing and eye alignment skills are required to maintain comfortable vision for all near tasks.

As optometrists we offer services to help you maintain good eye health and manage any conditions that arise due to use of digital screens.  We've also put together some useful information on this topic here.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0439 during business hours.

The health of the retina is very dependent on a good blood supply to the eye. Diabetes compromises this circulation and can cause serious damage to the retina (diabetic retinopathy).

Diabetes needs life-long management to prevent ongoing damage. Early diagnosis, reduction of risk factors and ongoing treatment are very important in preventing complications. Your optometrist is an important member of the health team monitoring diabetic patients.

We've also put together some useful information on this topic here.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Happy and healthy eyes require good quality tears to lubricate and protect their surface.  Dry eye disease is a common condition affecting about 20% of the population which occurs when our tear film is either insufficient or non-existent.

You can read more about this condition here.

Treatment of dry eye disease depends on the type and severity.  Your optometrist can detect dry eye and offer a range of effective treatments, both at home and in office to relieve your symptoms and treat the underlying cause. To arrange an appointment, simply book online or call us on (07) 3463-0349.

When you look at an object at any distance, your two eyes must both be pointed in a coordinated manner at the object to provide a single image. Inefficient eye teaming can result in headaches, eye strain, poor attention and concentration, slow reading and even avoidance of close work.

Common eye teaming dysfunctions are convergence insufficiency and convergence excess. Convergence occurs when the two eyes turn slightly inwards to point on an object at near for single vision eg a book.

Convergence insufficiency is used to describe an eye teaming system that struggles to get both eyes to align on the object; with one eye drifting slightly outwards. The extra effort required to keep the eyes aligned when looking up close causes fatigue and symptoms of eye strain with extended periods of near work. Convergence insufficiency can affect people of any age and can commonly occur after a concussion or traumatic brain injury.

On the other hand, convergence excess describes the situation whereby the eyes work too hard when looking at near and aim closer than the object they are pointing at. Similar symptoms as described above can result.
Eye teaming inefficiencies are commonly associated with trouble focussing.

Treatment for difficulties with accurate eye teaming may involve a combination of anti-fatigue lenses and/or vision therapy.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Glaucoma is a disease where the pressure within the eye is typically increased (although not always). This can damage parts of the eye, and if left untreated may result in blindness.

Many times the symptoms are not noticeable until damage to the eye has already occurred. Diagnosis consists of having regular eye examinations which include a pressure measurement (usually every 2 years for patients over 40), to enable early detection of possible problems.

Lower your risk of Glaucoma

• A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet benefits overall physical and mental well-being, as well as the eyes. Eat a varied and healthy diet. There is no scientific evidence suggesting that certain vitamins and minerals prevent glaucoma or delay its progress. However, carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin), antioxidants (vitamins C and E), vitamins A and D, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids may all contribute to better vision.
• Carotenoids are found in dark green, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, including spinach, broccoli, green beans, papaya, oranges, mango, sweet potato, corn, peaches and apricots.
• Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, leafy greens, sweet and white potato, broccoli and capsicum.
• Vitamin A is found in liver, carrots, sweet potato, mangoes, milk and egg yolks.
• The main dietary sources of vitamin D are cod liver oil, ‘oily’ fish, fortified milk and cereal and egg yolks.
• Zinc can be found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, wholegrains and dairy products.
• Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, sardines, walnuts and flaxseed oil.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Hyperopia, or Long-sightedness, causes a person to see clearer at far than at near.

Extra effort is required to try to clear the focus at all distances, resulting in eye strain and fatigue. This “strain” can manifest itself as headaches after close work, blurred near vision, tired eyes, difficulty adjusting focus from distance to near and near to distance, avoiding close work and short attention span for near tasks.

Common symptoms are associated with tasks which require continued visual concentration. It becomes a problem to maintain a clear focus on near objects; causing headaches and tired or aching eyes.

In some age groups a prescription for hyperopia often works to relieve the strain, rather than clearing the vision.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Macular Degeneration (MD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision. Central vision occurs at the macula on the retina, at the back of the eye. Because it is the central part of vision, it is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common everyday tasks such as reading and driving.

As your optometrist, we can help identify and manage macular degeneration.  We've also put together some information on this topic here.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

You can also visit the website of the Australian Macular Degeneration Foundation here.

Myopia, or short-sightedness as it is often called, is a visual condition where an individual struggles to see clearly in the distance but generally still retains good vision up close.  Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows to a length that is too long for the power of the eye.  The earlier the onset of myopia, the faster the progression tends to be and if left untreated, this ultimately results in higher myopia, stronger glasses and greater lifelong eye health risks.

Worldwide, myopia is on the rise, and as your optometrist we can help identify and manage this condition.  We've also put together some additional information on this topic here.

If you would like to know more about myopia control, or if you are concerned that your child is either developing myopia or that their myopia is progressing rapidly, our optometrists are here to help.  You can make an appointment by booking online or phoning the practice on (07) 3463-0349.

Presbyopia is a gradual loss in the focusing ability (accommodation) of the eye and is part of the normal vision changes we all experience as we age.

This condition is caused by a natural hardening of the eye lens, so that by the early 40’s it does not respond as well to the muscles intended to change the focus of the eye.

As a result people in this age group start to have difficulty with near tasks like reading small print, threading a needle, etc. This is especially true at the end of the day when lighting levels are poorer and the individual is more likely to be tired. Correction consists of reading spectacles, bifocals or the newer progressive lenses.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

A pterygium is a triangular growth of degenerative tissue on the white of the eye (sclera), usually on the nasal side, that may extend onto the clear window of the eye called the cornea.

A pterygium results from irritation due to long term exposure to ultra-violet light (UV), wind, glare or dust. Treatment is by eliminating the irritation with protective eyewear, eye-drops or surgery.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Refractive surgery describes a group of procedures where surgery is used to correct the focus of vision rather than spectacles or contact lenses.

The most modern techniques use computer controlled lasers to remove a layer of the cornea (window at the front of the eye) and to reshape it to correct vision.

Refractive surgery is best suited for patients who wear spectacles or contact lenses all the time. Most patients do not need spectacles for general wear after the surgery but it is likely that a prescription will often be needed for fine work or as focussing problems (presbyopia) develop naturally in the 40’s.

Originally, laser surgery could only correct short-sightedness. Now it also offers hope to those suffering from astigmatism (distorted vision) and long-sightedness. Laser surgery gives speedy results with minimal pain. But this procedure is not suitable for everyone. If you are under 18 years old, pregnant, or have had changes to your prescribed corrective lenses in the past year, we usually do not recommend laser surgery.

Cost is an important factor: laser surgery costs up to $3000 per eye and is not covered by Medicare or any other private health fund (though in some cases it is partially tax deductible). Most laser clinics offer finance plans or interest-free terms.

While laser techniques in refractive eye surgery have been years in the making, only in this decade has laser surgery become truly widespread. It is estimated that up to one and a half million people worldwide have had such operations, many thousands of those in Australia.

Reputable eye surgeons emphasise that not all laser patients will attain 20/20 vision. This depends on various factors, including the severity of the patient’s original vision problem. Some patients may still require glasses or contact lenses after laser surgery.

Those with presbyopia or “ageing eye” which often occurs in one’s early 40’s, cannot generally be treated by laser surgery, although in some cases monovision laser treatment may be used for one eye only.

Our expert optometrists will be glad to assess your suitability for this procedure, refer you to a qualified provider, and even provide follow up care after the surgery.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Spots and floaters are semi-transparent specks of natural materials inside the eye, which sometimes can be seen floating in the field of vision.

Some patients comment that they look like cobwebs or threads, and most usually notice floaters when looking at a bright clear background like a ceiling or plain coloured wall.

They can be caused by debris left over from before birth, injury or eye disease. A full eye examination will determine the cause and whether any follow-up is needed. If treatment is needed, there are several options including surgical draining of the eye and destruction of the floating material with a laser.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of the optometrists at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.

Many children we see for visual learning assessments have excellent eyesight, but poor ability to use their eyes to gather information in an efficient and meaningful way. Moving and teaming our eyes together can take practice and experience.

During vision therapy, we work on developing sound visual efficiency and visual processing skills, as well as working on integrating vision with other sensory inputs.

Visual therapy may be used in the treatment of such conditions as:

• Eye turn (strabismus)
• Lazy eye (amblyopia)
• Poor eye movement or eye focussing skills (fine visual motor therapy)
• In traumatic brain injury (accident and stroke)
• Enhance specific visual abilities. (ie. required in a sport)
• Developmental and visual perceptual deficits.

In our vision therapy program, skills are developed from a lower to higher order, until they become more automatic for the person to draw upon.

Interested to know more? To make an appointment with one of our behavioural optometrists or our vision therapist at Eyecare Plus Ashgrove simply book online here or call 07 3463 0349 during business hours.