HOW THE EYE WORKS
When the eye presents no visual defects, images of objects close or far away focus clearly on the retina. These images are then transmitted to the brain.

WHAT DOES A VISIQUE OPTOMETRIST DO?
When you have your eyes examined, Appleyard Visique Optometrists has two aims. They are to solve any vision problems you have and to look for any signs of eye disease.

During an eye examination a number of tests and instruments are used to measure distance and near vision. The co-ordination of your eyes, eye movement and near focusing ability is also checked. Other tests are used to measure things such as colour vision visual fields and eye pressure.

External and internal tissues of the eye can be examined; the appearance of these may indicate eye disease or general health disorders. If there are signs of eye disease or health problems you will be advised to see an Ophthalmologist or General Practitioner for further tests or treatment.

Many of the changes caused by eye disease occur slowly and without obvious signs or discomfort. Regular eye examinations greatly improve the chances of detecting eye problems. As with general health disorders, early detection allows prompt treatment, which gives a better chance of curing or controlling the disorder.

If you need corrective treatment, spectacles or contact lenses, Appleyard Visique Optometrists will explain when these should be used and advise on the most suitable type of lenses for your particular circumstances.

EYECARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
YOUR FAMILY'S VISION
Your vision changes throughout your life and the different vision changes occur more often at certain ages.

Myopia. – short sighted. Distant objects are not seen clearly. Myopia can occur at any age but often begins during the teenage years, or in the early twenties.

When it occurs at a very young age, visual development is not usually hindered as the child can do close tasks happily and much of their interest is in objects nearby. It is often not until school blackboards need to be read that blurred distance vision becomes a problem. Once a driving licence is sought significant myopia must be corrected.

Hyperopia – long sighted. Difficult to focus on near objects. 

People with hyperopia need to make a greater effort than normal to focus. With hyperopia the effort needed to focus may cause the eyes to turn in resulting in crossed eyes, sometimes a “lazy eye” may develop.

A child with hyperopia might get more tired when reading or writing or may suffer headaches when copying from the blackboard. They may experience blurry vision at times, more often when doing close work.

With age the focusing mechanism of the eye becomes less flexible requiring reading glasses earlier than is normal in middle age. Eventually there may also be a need for distance spectacles.

Presbyopia – middle-aged sight. There is a gradual deterioration in the eyes’ ability to focus, as we get older. Symptoms first appear in the forties, sometimes tiredness and headache occur.

At this stage some help is required in the form of reading glasses, or for those who already wear spectacles, there are multi-focal and progressive lens options. 

Phorias and Tropias – problems getting the eyes to work together. Squint, (or Tropia) is when the two eyes do not work together at all. When both eyes work together but a greater than normal effort is required to do this, it is called phoria. Your Name Optometrist can detect these problems and treat them with glasses or eye exercises.

Astigmatism – When the curvature of the eye is not spherical. The result of this is that light is focused differently depending on its direction. Light hitting the eye is distorted making it hard to see clearly. Imagine a balloon with writing on it stretched in parts and not others. This is the effect of astigmatism.

Glaucoma  - the silent thief of sight. Glaucoma is an eye disorder causing progressive damage to the optic nerve. It is frequently caused by the increase of pressure in the eye. Chronic glaucoma develops slowly, no symptoms are present in the early stages and severe loss of peripheral vision may occur before the sufferer realises there is a problem.

Early detection is important for effective treatment. Glaucoma is usually only detected in the course of an eye examination. Regular eye examinations are important.

DIABETES AND YOUR EYES
Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar and can cause many health problems including diabetic retinopathy in the eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish your eye’s retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of the eye. These blood vessels may begin to leak, swell or develop brush-like branches.

The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred vision. As the disease progresses, you may notice a cloudiness of vision, blind spots or floaters. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness and one reason why Appleyard Visique Optometrists recommends regular eye examinations, particularly if you are a diabetic or if your family has a history of diabetes.

To detect diabetic retinopathy Appleyard Visique Optometrists can look inside your eyes with an ophthalmoscope that lights and magnifies the blood vessels in your eyes. Early treatment is important because once damage has occurred the effects are usually permanent. 

If you or your family has a history of diabetes and have not had a full eye examination you should contact Appleyard Visique Optometrists for an appointment as soon as possible.

CATARACT
A cataract is a clouding of all or part of the normally clear lens within your eye, which results in blurred or distorted vision. Cataracts are most often found in persons over age 55.

Although cataracts develop without pain or discomfort indications of cataract development may include blurred or hazy vision, the appearance of spots in front of the eyes, increased sensitivity to glare or the feeling of having a film over the eyes. 

During an eye examination Appleyard Visique Optometrists will diagnose any cataract development. Currently there is no proven method to prevent cataracts forming, however, Appleyard Visique Optometrists can monitor its development and prescribe spectacles or contact lenses to maintain good vision.

If the cataract develops to the point that it affects your daily activities Appleyard Visique Optometrists can refer you to an eye surgeon who may recommend surgery to remove the natural lens and replace this with a new plastic lens.

ONE OF LIFE’S CHANGES
As we grow older, the efficiency of our eyes deteriorates. Commonly, the optical tissue becomes less transparent and changes in the retina reduce the sensitivity of the nerves, which convert light into tiny electrical impulses for the brain. Spectacles make up for any change in optical focus, but to compensate for the loss of transparency within the eye, increasing intensities of light are required in later life.

A common condition that causes diminished sight is macular degeneration. Macular degeneration occurs slowly often causing distorted wavy central vision. People with this condition do not go blind, as side or peripheral vision is not affected. People with macular degeneration may find visual tasks such as driving, reading, writing and sewing difficult.

According to Appleyard Visique Optometrists, macular degeneration can produce a slow or sudden painless loss of vision. If straight lines look wavy, or your vision seems fuzzy, or there are shadowy areas in your central vision, you may be experiencing early signs of age-related macular degeneration.

Just as it is important that we have regular medical examinations, regular eye examinations help to make the most of vision and to detect any conditions that need treatment. It is important to report sudden visual loss urgently.

WE HAVE FLY BUYS
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Just present your Fly Buys card when you make any purchase at Appleyard Visique Optometrists and you can collect Fly Buys points. You don't need to spend any extra to collect Fly Buys points - it's all about where you shop. 

When you purchase at Appleyard Visique Optometrists you will receive one standard Fly Buys point for every $20 you spend. If you are not currently a member of Fly Buys, we have instant cards so you can join and collect your points immediately.

Looking after your eyes has never been so simple and so rewarding. Make your appointment today - Phone (07) 8896916 - Fax (07) 8896905 - Appointment Booking Form