Surgical & Non-Surgical
ORTHOKERATOLOGY
Orthokeratology enables active people to go about their daily work, recreation, and sports without any interference from glasses or contact lenses, and without the significant costs of invasive surgical correction.
Another remarkable aspect of orthokeratology is the evidence emerging that it slows by about 50% the progression of short-sightedness in young eyes. Orthokeratology has been shown to be a viable option for correcting vision as well as slowing the development of myopia in the future. This claim has been reinforced by results in many clinical studies, follow-up studies and retrospective reviews of cases.
MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
Myopia, commonly called short-sightedness
(“sight set too short”) makes it difficult to see distant objects
clearly. It is a very common condition. Myopia’s onset is typically
in the mid-teens and less frequently later in the twenties. There is
considerable debate about whether myopia is inherited or whether it is
exacerbated by excessive close work.
The prevalence of myopia has increased significantly over the past few decades, especially in certain population groups of East Asia. As a result, considerable efforts and research has been conducted into how myopia occurs and how the progression of myopia can be halted or at least slowed. Current evidence supports a number of treatment methods for reducing the progression of myopia. There are currently three main treatment strategies to slow down the progression of myopia:
Options for managing myopia:
Atropine eye dropsRecent studies such as the Atropine in the Treatment of Myopia (ATOM) project provide strong evidence to support the use of low concentration atropine eyedrops to retard the progression of myopia. Atropine is a prescription-only medication, the main effects of which are usual to dilate the pupil and relax the eye’s focusing (accommodation) system.
The most recent studies into atropine and myopia control show that atropine in low concentrations can significantly slow the progression of myopia without the usual side effects of pupil dilation and reduced functioning at near. It is believed that this effect is not due to the blocking of accommodation, but rather atropine’s effect on the receptors responsible for controlling the length of the eye.
Orthokeratology
(“ortho-K”)
Orthokeratology has increased in popularity over the past few decades, especially since a steady stream of evidence that indicates as well as correcting myopia in the short term, this therapy also slows the progression of myopia in the longer term.
Soft
multifocal contact lenses
KERATOCONUS
Most people who are diagnosed with keratoconus
have never even heard of it. They often assume the worst – that because it
usually gets worse over time, therefore they will probably go blind.
But … this is not the case if it
is managed and treated properly from the start.
Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea, or
front surface of your eye. The incidence in Australia is about 1 in 2,000 (so
there are at least 10,000 Australians with the condition). It usually appears
around puberty and progresses (gets worse) during your teens and
twenties.
During the progressive phase of the eye disease, your cornea becomes thinner and weaker and the surface becomes irregular or conical in shape. Your vision becomes more and more affected depending on the position and size of the conical shape.
What is
forme fruste keratoconus?
Getting the
right diagnosis
Your keratoconus may be worse in one eye than the other – sometimes much more so. This explains why a wrong diagnosis sometimes occurs. If your practitioner doesn’t see keratoconus often, they may explain the poor vision in one eye as amblyopia (or lazy eye). It is only when the vision in the other eye starts to deteriorate that they might look more closely and discover the real cause.
We are aware of many patients that have been
diagnosed later in life but originally have been mistaken as having a lazy eye.
They have then been allowed to go through life with no binocular vision and all
the associated issues that can occur.
Today this should never happen as we have at
our disposal, highly sensitive measuring technology, but also an effective
procedure called collagen cross-linking that can nip keratoconus in the
bud.
This makes it more important than ever to
diagnose the keratoconus patient as early as possible. It is especially
important if the patient is under the age of 25 years of age, when progression
is most likely.
Diagnosis of keratoconus is based on
assessment of symptoms and on ocular signs. The definitive diagnosis is given
by mapping the cornea by topography imaging. Corneal Topography is
available on site at Central Coast Eyecare.
Once a diagnosis is
made your optometrist will discuss options for management. In initial stages
spectacle lenses may offer good vision, but as the condition progresses most
patients with keratoconus will be fitted with rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact
lenses. Advances in RGP contact lenses have made comfort and vision
significantly better for patients with keratoconus.
If you have keratoconus that is shown to be progressive in nature, your optometrist may discuss a referral for corneal cross linking. Corneal Cross Linking is a specific treatment option undertaken by a specialised ophthalmologist. Central Coast Eyecare’s Optometrists work closely together with local ophthalmologists to offer patients the best outcome should a referral be indicated.
CO-MANAGEMENT OF EYE DISEASE
Co-management involves sharing your care
between closely co-operating health practitioners.
Some systemic and ocular diseases and/or the
medications used to treat these conditions may require you to be under the
ongoing care of a medical specialist such as an ophthalmologist, rheumatologist
or endocrinologist, as well as your general medical practitioner.
The most common co-management arrangements are
those between us and ophthalmologists. In these circumstances we perform
some of the ongoing work of regularly monitoring your condition and report back
to your ophthalmologist. This is an area we have considerable experience
in.
There are a number of
benefits to co-management. From your point of view, we are often more
accessible and it is frequently easier to make an appointment with us than your
specialist. Your costs are also reduced. Co-management also frees up the
ophthalmologist’s time so that they can be involved in procedures that fully
utilise their skills.
Examples of conditions that we are frequently involved in co-managing with ophthalmologists and other health professionals include glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, pre- and post-cataract or laser refractive surgery, and monitoring for side-effects of medications such as Plaquenil.
DRY EYE MANAGEMENT
Dry eye is a chronic condition affecting about
one third of Australian adults and half of those aged over 50. Females are at
greater risk of developing the condition.
Normally, a film of tears covers the surface
of the eye to keep it moist, and meibomian glands in the eyelids secrete oils
to slow evaporation of these tears. Dry eye results if there is an insufficient
supply of tears or if the tears evaporate too quickly.
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the
glands don’t function properly either due to blockage or oil deficiency, is a
leading cause of dry eye.
Sufferers have difficulty reading, using a
computer, watching TV and driving. In its most severe form, dry eye can be
accompanied by inflammation of the eye surface, sleep disturbances and depression.
The detrimental effects (physical, emotional, financial) can be quite
significant. If left untreated, some people may develop corneal ulcers, corneal scars and, rarely, even
loss of vision.
Dry eye is commonly confused with other
conditions, in particular allergies. It can be tricky to diagnose because
symptoms vary, are subjective and can be described in many different ways (e.g.
‘feels gritty’ vs ‘feels like something in my eye’).
The condition can’t be cured, but available
treatments aim to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. The earlier dry
eye is detected, and treatment started, the better.
Treatment may include the following measures to relieve symptoms and prevent complications:
DRIVING VISION ASSESSMENTS
For a person to continue to meet the Austroads
(Roads and Maritime Services NSW) criteria for driving they must meet certain
standards. At Central Coast Eyecare we keep up-to-date with the latest
eligibility requirements to hold a licence to drive (both for car and
commercial licences).
With our testing that is specific for driving, we can assess your level of capability to meet the requirements, and to discuss alternative strategies when the standards are not met. We are fully equipped with perimetry for visual field analysis and comprehensive measurement of binocular vision, visual acuity, colour vision and glare.
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