Lynne Fernandes Optometrists this month

What else is happening at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists this month?

At the other end of the age range to those that will benefit from our “free macula risk assessment” are children. We feel part of our remit as a community practice is to educate. With this in mind we’ve had the pleasure having our Bishopston practice filled with 30 small children on regular occasions with our “Year 1” school visits. We’re getting fairly experienced at this now with five schools visiting or due to visit this year. We even were given an award by one class for their favourite trip! These are relaxed visits with the classes split into 4 groups alternating between learning about different aspects of eyes, vision, glasses and their manufacture. We hope to encourage all our local children to be confident in having regular eye checks, also to reinforce the benefits of accurate vision (and if appropriate vision correction) to education. My hope is when these kids meet Optometrists through work or socially they will have a different view to my interviewer.

AMD

I was at a meeting last night being interviewed as a suitable candidate for a community group I help with. One of the interviewers, on hearing I am an Optometrist, said “don’t say anything about my glasses…my wife’s always saying I should have a sight test…but I can see perfectly well with these…”

I let that one go. Was I right? I’m passionate about eye care, but there is a time and a place. At Lynne Fernandes Optometrist we think the semantics are important. We call our service an examination because we look at vision and health. Even if my interviewer can “see perfectly well” they should still have an eye examination. In my role in the new patient clinics at Bristol Eye Hospital I see too many people who waited until they were symptomatic before having an eye examination. Let me say this loudly “Eye diseases rarely give obvious symptoms in their early stages”. This is particularly true of glaucoma which is well screened for in most opticians and Optometry practice, but also for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This month at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists in our Bishopston practice on the Gloucester Road we are delighted to be able to a free risk assessment for your macula.

Let’s consider some facts on AMD

* AMD is Britain’s leading cause of blindness in those aged over 65.
* AMD affects some 500,000 people in the UK today, principally those aged 65 years of age or older.
* Risk factors include poor diet, smoking, any family history of AMD and age.
* There are two distinct types of AMD (Wet and Dry)
* Wet AMD: can be treated if diagnosed early and referred urgently
* Dry AMD: it is possible to reduce your chance of developing it and slow its progression.

We can give you guidance on how to minimise the likelihood of developing the condition and we urge anyone in this higher risk group to make an appointment.

Reading glasses

"...reading glasses...where do I start...
....here's what Michael McIntyre thinks....

...but really if you do one thing next year: if you ever think you might need reading glasses...then you do..."

Exciting new contact lens trial

Here at Lynne Fernandes we are proud at keeping up to date with all the latest developments in the Optometry world and right now we are so excited to be involved with a fascinating new clinical trial into contact lenses at our Gloucester road branch. We are currently recruiting our existing contact lens patients so if you are interested and want to be part of something amazing then please pop in, ring up or send an email.

Myopia development

Dr Kathryn Saunders from the University of Ulster was recently talking on BBC 4’s Today programme about the latest research in the development of myopia in children.

Recent research has suggested that exposure to sunlight has a protective effect against myopia.

A large scale study comparing myopia in Northern Ireland to myopia in Australia found that children in Northern Ireland were 3 times more likely to become short-sighted during their teenage years. The difference couldn’t be explained by other factors, so the suggestion is that sunlight plays a protective role against myopia.

Further research is needed to determine why this is the case. And it is important to remember U.V can also damage the health of the eyes so remember to wear sunglasses.

Clariti one day varifocal contact lens

Over the last week, we've had some great news Sauflon have launched a new daily disposable varifocal lens. Which is very exciting because it is years since the last daily disposable varifocal lens was launched.

The new Clariti- 1 day multifocal is made from a silicone hydrogel which means its a lovely breathable lens which lets through lots of oxygen and helps to keep eyes healthy. It also offers UV protection which is excellent as U.V exposure is a large risk for AMD and cataracts in later life.

We've fitted a few patients with them and the results so far are very promising, this lens appears to offer good vision (both distance and near), good comfort, convenience of daily disposables (being able to throw them away), and the health benefits of silicone hydrogel.

Its brilliant being able to offer our patients a great new product.

With summer round the corner (we hope) is the time to be scrabbling round in old coat pockets and handbags for last seasons sunglasses and seeing if they are still fashionable! But really what we should be thinking is how well are these sunglasses protecting my eyes from UV rays. Sunglasses that may appear to be cheap and cheerful often don’t have the UV protection required, and as our pupils get bigger behind dark lenses. The UV will positively flood in!

So please be fashionable but also be safe check that the lenses comply with EU regulations and have a strong enough UV filter, to keep your eyes in tip top condition and less likely to develop cataracts in later life!

Also please be extra careful when choosing children’s sunglasses and this is even more important!