"Sight is precious. Protect it."

We get that you are busy. Life is rushed. There are deadlines to meet. Shopping lists to tick off. That unfinished project that needs to be completed. Now.

But here at Eyestore, we want to stress the importance of frequent eye checks.

Just like part of an annual body checkup, we encourage our patients to visit us frequently. Regular eye checks are the only way we can help detect issues early on, as 90% of eye diseases are often painless.

If you are an Australian resident and hold a current Medicare card then you are eligible for a bulk-billed eye test. 

HOW OLD ARE YOU? HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR EYES TESTED?
Under 7 years old 2 years
7 to 21 years old Every year
22 to 40 years old Every 2 years
41 to 65 years old Usually every 2 years, but sometimes every year
Over 65 years old Every year
YOUR HEALTH HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR EYES TESTED?
If you are Diabetic or suffer from Hypertension Every year
If you or are a member of your family has Glaucoma or Macular Degeneration Every year

 

Some description

It takes more than sipping carrot juice and munching on apples to ensure your little vegemite has good vision.

In fact, 1 in 51 children in Australia have undetected vision problems and if left untreated can impact their educational, physical and social development.

The good news is that once detected from an early age we are often able to track their progression and keep their vision healthy.

Here are some early signs that could indicate some vision problems:

  • Rubbing eyes and squinting
  • Poor hand eye coordination
  • Reading books too close
  • Missing words when reading
  • Avoiding close up work
  • Turning or tilting the head to one side
  • Falling behind in class or performing below potential
  • Frequent headaches
  • Difficulty in identifying objects or people from a distance

A good way to remember is to keep the kiddies dental and eye checkups close together and regular. That way not only will they have healthy, bright eyes but sparkly pearly whites too.

Here are some tips to ensure good vision in children. (you’re welcome!)

  • Ensure they always study in a well lit room
  • Form good habits from an early age i.e.: wear sunglasses when out
  • Monitor their vision and be aware of how long they are spending on one task i.e.- playing on the computer, watching TV
  • Give their eyes a break – relax their eyes by taking a break every 20-30 minute interval for 10 minutes so their eyes can relax and refocus.
  • Eat for good vision.
    Eating food that is rich in vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc have shown to play an important role in maintaining good eye health.  Food that is good for eyes include
    • Oily fish : salmon, herring and sardines for their omega -3 fatty acids
    • Fruit : blueberries, prunes, raisins and strawberries as they are rich in antioxidants
    • Leafy green vegetables: spinach, broccoli for their essential vitamins and minerals
    • Eggs for fatty acids, lutein, B-vitamins and zinc
    • Dark chocolate for antioxidants and flavinoids
    • Garlic to enhance blood flow and boost immune system
Some description

 This is the age where children live with their digital shadow.

Social media, electronic gaming, internet and mobile phones are a part of their everyday lives. Too much use can cause eye strain and cause myopia.

Frequent eye checks at this age are important. 

This is also the age they have extracurricular activities and play sports. Contact lens can also be an alternative for active teens. 



Some description

We want all our patients to have healthy vision because it is essential to living a happy life. 

Your eyes will tell us a lot about your overall health and wellbeing.

When you come in for an initial eye check these are the following things we will check for;

  1. The health of your eyes.
  2. Screen your eyes for eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
  3. Establish whether or not you need glasses to improve your vision.
  4. Check for sun damage in your eyes.
  5. Check for eye health issues, such as detached retinas
  6. Allows you to tell us if you are experiencing any issues such as dry eyes

Some eye conditions can be passed down through your family genes so it’s worthwhile to check your family history before coming in. Some common heredity conditions include:

  • Macular Degeneration
  • Glaucoma
  • Any family member that is vision impaired.
Some description

If you are over 40 years of age you will start to notice some changes to your vision.
In low lit areas you may find it hard to read and may need to extend your arms when reading a menu or sending a text message. 

Good news is that you can be assured that this is all part of the natural ageing process.

Our eyes lose its ability to focus clearly onto close objects.

This is known as presbyopia and can be easily sorted out with a pair of reading or Multifocal glasses. Don’t panic, these changes happen over a decade and plateau in your 50’s, where you can hang on to your glasses for years on end.



Some description

As you reach your senior years regular eye exams are important to ensure good vision.

You need to be attentive to possible warning signs of age- related eye problems that may lead to a loss in vision.

Many eye diseases develop painlessly and may have no early symptoms until the condition is quite advanced. To maintain good healthy eyes in yours 60s and beyond regular eye exams, maintaining a good diet and wise lifestyle choices are crucial.

An OCT is highly recommended.

Come book an eye test and speak to us about age related vision problems, driving safely after 60 and dealing with a loss in vision.