Archive for category: News

The goodwill and service we have provided since 1980 will continue at FOCUS EYE CLINIC, 2 Middle Street Kingsford.

It is with some sadness that we announce the closing of FOCUS EYE CENTRE Double Bay on the 23rd November 2022.

We have served the Double Bay community for over 40 years. However, given changing times and proliferating technology, we have decided to consolidate and strengthen our services at our larger FOCUS EYE CENTRE Kingsford location.

We invite our Double Bay patients to attend the Kingsford rooms. Our same team of wonderful administrators, doctors and orthoptists will provide continuity of care at this beautifully appointed clinic. All medical records and diagnostic information are seamlessly shared to the Kingsford site.

Parking at Kingsford is easy and light rail bus services also provide access.

Please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.

Here at FOCUS eye centre we encourage you to follow our five natural ways to improve your eyesight.

1. Get enough key vitamins and minerals

Vitamins A, C, E, and mineral zinc, contain antioxidants that can help prevent macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a condition in which the macula deteriorates.

These nutrients can be found in vegetables and fruits, such as:

• Carrots
• Mangoes
• Spinach
• Kiwi
• Strawberries
• Red peppers
• Broccoli
• Sweet potato
• Citrus

We also recommend foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, sardines, tuna and flaxseed for better eye health.

Don’t forget the carotenoids

Lutein and zeaxanthin can also improve your eyesight. Eat leafy green vegetables, broccoli, brussels sprouts, corn, nectarines, oranges, squash, zucchini, and eggs to improve your eyesight.

Lutein and zeaxanthin can also be taken in supplement form. These carotenoids help protect the macula by improving pigment density in that part of the eye and absorbing ultraviolent and blue light.

2. Stay fit

Exercise and maintaining a healthy body can improve your eyesight. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye. Poorly controlled blood sugar is a risk factor.

Checking your blood sugar levels regularly and staying fit can lower your odds of developing type 2 diabetes and its many complications.

3. Manage chronic conditions

High blood pressure and multiple sclerosis can affect your eyesight. These conditions are linked to chronic inflammation.

Inflammation of the optic nerve can cause pain and even complete vision loss. Multiple sclerosis cannot be prevented however, you can try to manage it with healthy habits and medications.

High blood pressure can be effectively treated with a heart-healthy diet, exercise and antihypertensive medications.

4. Wear protective eyewear

Wear tough, protective eyewear if there is a possibility of chemicals, sharp objects, or materials making eye contact with you.

Most protective goggles are made with a type of polycarbonate, which is ten times tougher than other forms of plastic.

That includes sunglasses

Sunglasses are cool and the right sunglasses can block out 99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

Sunglasses can protect your eyes from conditions that stem from eye damage, such as; cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can also help protect your eyes from sun damage.

5. Follow the 20-20-20 rule

Your eyes work very hard and need a break now and then. The strain can be especially intense if you work at a computer for long stretches at a time. To ease the strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule.

Every 20 minutes stop staring at your computer and look focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Most of us do not associate eating vegetables, managing chronic conditions and resting our eyes as key steps toward avoiding eye problems and improving our vision, but they all play a role.

Protecting your eyes from injury is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your vision healthy throughout your life.

Protective Eyewear

Are you taking steps to prevent 90 percent of eye injuries? Wearing protective eye wear greatly reduces your risk of an eye injury and vision loss.
According to a National survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only 35% of respondents wear protective eyewear when performing home repairs or maintenance. Even less while playing sports.

How to Care for an Eye Injury

If you have an eye injury, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Some problems, like a detached retina, can only be seen during a medical examination. An increase in eye pressure or slow bleeding only become obvious once they get really serious.
Eye injuries can cause vision loss or blindness.
Common causes of eye injuries include:
• Punches
• Blows from hands, balls or other sport equipment
• Flying pieces of material from explosions or industrial work
• Flying objects like darts
• Chemical splashes
DO NOT attempt to treat a serious eye injury yourself.

Common Symptoms of Eye Injury

Possible serious eye injury signs that require medical help:
• Pain in the eye
• Blurry vision
• Cut or torn eyelid
• One eye does not move as well as the other
• One eye sticks out of the eye socket farther than the other
• Pupil size or shape is unusual
• Blood in the eye
• Matter in the eye that cannot be removed by blinking

First Aid Treatment for Eye Injuries

What To Do If You Get Sand or Other Small Particles in Your Eye:

Usually it is not an emergency if you get sand, dirt, dust or other small natural particles in your eye. Blinking and tears usually flush out natural particles.
However, metal, glass or other man-made materials can be serious. These kinds of objects can become embedded in the surface of the eye and cause ongoing irritation and more damage.
• DO NOT rub the eye.
• Blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle.
• Lift the upper eyelid over the lashes of your lower lid to let the eyelashes try to brush the particle out.
• Use eyewash, saline solution or running tap water to flush the eye out.
• Visit your doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

For All Other Eye Injuries

Injuries other than grit in the eye or small scratches to the eye should be considered potentially serious.
• DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
• DO NOT try to remove any objects stuck in the eye.
• Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye.
• Over-the-counter eye drops can be more painful or make the injury worse.
• Prescription medications should only be used for exactly the condition they were prescribed for, not for emergency treatment.
• See a doctor as soon as possible.
• If you can’t get to an ophthalmologist right away, go to the emergency room.
If You Get Hit in the Eye
• Gently apply a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
• Don’t use steaks or other food items. These can get bacteria into the eye.
• DO NOT apply any pressure.
• If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow, immediately contact your ophthalmologist or emergency room. Even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury, like a retinal detachment.
If Your Eye Has Been Cut or Punctured
• Gently place a protective cover over the eye.
• Do not press the cover against the eye.
• DO NOT rinse with water.
• DO NOT remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.
• DO NOT rub or apply pressure to eye.
• Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase bleeding.
• After you have finished protecting the eye, get emergency medical help.
Chemical Burns and Splashes in the Eye
• Immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water.
• Seek emergency medical treatment right away.
• Look for information on the chemical that got into the eye as some chemicals cause more eye damage than others.

Eye Injury Facts

• Most eye injuries happen at work- especially in factories and on construction sites.
• 40% of eye injuries happen at home- doing home repairs, cleaning and cooking.
• Many eye injuries are related to sports.
• Men are more likely to get an eye injury than women.
• Sun can damage eyes just like objects, chemicals and dust. You can wear sunglasses or UV- protective googles to prevent sun damage.

Don’t find out the hard way; Protect your vision and use the above recommendations to prevent an eye injury. If you have any further questions, contact FOCUS Eye Centre today.

Eye supplements are simply the vitamins and minerals that are related to eye health and healthy vision. These include supplements like vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Are supplements essential for eye health?

These days, the supplement market is huge and there is a vitamin and mineral endorsed for every part of the body. Pharmacies are stocked full of products that claim to help you look and feel better and live a longer, healthier life. However, just like the rest of our body, with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, we are able to gain enough nutrients to satisfy our eye health.

So, are eye supplements an exception? The short answer is no. For a healthy person with a balanced diet, there is no need for any extra supplement to sustain eye health. However, there are exceptions. If, for example, you find that you are particularly low in any essential nutrient for the eyes like vitamin C, E or lutein, you have the option to take a supplement to fulfil this need.

How to know if you need eye supplements?

The best way to find out if you are lacking in any essential vitamins or minerals for eye health is to be examined by your GP. It is likely that you will undergo a blood test and find out if there are any vitamins or minerals that you are lacking in. You will then have the option of fulfilling this nutritional gap in your diet by simply eating the foods that contain this vitamin/mineral, or, if this is something you will struggle with for any reason, that is where the supplements come in. This is why all supplements exist – to fill nutritional gaps. So next time you’re thinking you need an eye supplement, the best place to go is to your GP and get a test.

Experiencing physical eye symptoms?

If you are experiencing any physical eye symptoms such as blurriness, tired eyes, dry eyes or lack of focus in short or long distance, it is important to visit your optometrist. An optometrist can undertake a full eye check to ensure you are free from any serious eye

issues and may diagnose you with something minor like short or long sightedness. This will lead to a simple solution of finding the lenses that suit your everyday life, which you will either wear for particular tasks or throughout the day.

In summary, the best thing to do if you want to get on top of your eye health is to check in with both your GP and your optometrist for a full check-up. This way, any serious diagnoses are ruled out and/or prevented early. Staying on top of eye health is just as important as any other part of the body.

If you would like to check your eye health with an optometrist, call Focus Eye Centre on 02 9663 3927 today!

What is pink eye?

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, causes swelling and redness in the inside of your eyelid and the white part of your eye.

ALERT WARNING: Pink eye in newborns. Pink eye can cause serious health problems for newborn babies. Call a doctor now if your baby has:

• Unusual fluid (discharge) coming from the eye
• Puffy red eyelids

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

The most common symptoms of pink eye are:

• Pink or red eyes
• Itchy or burning eyes
• Watery eyes
• White, yellow, or green discharge
• Crust along your eyelids or eyelashes

Pink eye may also cause:

• Swollen eyelids
• A feeling like something’s stuck in your eye
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Blurry vision
• A lump in front of your ear

If you wear contact lenses, you may notice that they feel uncomfortable or don’t stay in place.

Am I at risk for pink eye?

Anyone can get pink eye. It’s one of the most common eye problems for both children and adults.

What causes pink eye?

Most of the time, pink eye is caused by a virus or bacterial infection. Viral pink eye is the most common type.

You’re more likely to get pink eye if you:

• Come in contact with someone else who has pink eye
• Have recently been unwell
• Wear contact lenses
• Have allergies

How can I prevent pink eye from spreading?

Viral and bacterial pink eye spread very easily from person to person — but you can take steps to keep pink eye from spreading.

If you’re around someone who has pink eye:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Wash your hands after you touch the person with pink eye or something that person used.
• Don’t share personal items that the person with pink eye has used — including pillows, towels, makeup, or glasses.

If you have pink eye:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Be extra careful about washing them after you touch your eyes or use eye drops or medicine.
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
• If you have discharge, wash the area around your eyes 2 or 3 times a day. Use a clean, wet washcloth or a fresh cotton ball each time. Be sure to wash your hands before and after washing your eyes.
• Don’t share personal items with other people — including pillows, towels, makeup, or glasses.
• Clean your glasses regularly.
• If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye doctor’s instructions for cleaning, storing, and replacing them.

You can also take steps to prevent getting pink eye again:

• Throw away any makeup that you used while you had pink eye. This includes eye makeup, face makeup, and brushes or sponges.
• Throw away contact lens solution, contact lenses, and cases that you used while you had pink eye.
• Clean your glasses and cases.

Do I need to see a doctor?

Most cases of pink eye get better on their own. Go to the doctor if:

• You have a lot of pain in your eye
• Your eye is very red
• You notice a lot of mucus coming from your eyes
• Your vision is blurry or you’re sensitive to light — and it doesn’t get better when you wipe away discharge from your eye
• Your symptoms don’t get better after a few days — or they get worse
• You have a health condition that weakens your immune system, like cancer or HIV
• You have symptoms of pink eye and you wear contacts, or you recently scratched your eye

The doctor will look at your eyes and ask you some questions to find out what caused your pink eye and decide on the best way to treat it.

What is the treatment for pink eye?

Viral pink eye often gets better on its own after 7 to 10 days. Bacterial pink eye may require antibiotics. 

There are some things that help relief discomfort such as:

• Non-preserved artificial tears – these can help with comfort and flush out the virus. 
• Cold compresses – applying a cool pack to closed eyes regularly throughout the day can reduce inflammation and bring symptomatic relief. 

For more information, or if you have any questions you can always contact us at Focus Eye Centre on: (02) 9663 3927