EYESBE KIND TO YOUR

The latest in laser eye surgery and eye care services

Symptoms of and treatments for eye problems and diseases

Find out more about SMILE, a less invasive laser procedure

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTWednesday March 1, 2017

EDITOR Louise Allan WRITER Chloe Vellinga SUBEDITOR Andy Snelling DESIGN Cale Arnold ADVERTISING Eithne Healy 9482 3559, Garry Llewellyn 9482 3037

Go to walasereye.com.au to watch a video of Dr Rob Paul explaining the LASIK laser eye procedure.

Laser eye surgery options explained

Say goodbye to glasses

With many diff erent laser eye surgery procedures available today, it is important to do your research into which procedure will work eff ectively for you. Western Australian Laser Eye Centre Ophthalmologist and Director of Surgery Dr Rob Paul explained the diff erences in procedures available at his practice.

LASIKLaser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is still a premium treatment for most types of vision errors.

As we age, common conditions such as short-sightedness (myopia),

astigmatism, long-sightedness (hyperopia) and reading problems (presbyopia) can start to present. These conditions can, however, be successfully treated using LASIK.

A sophisticated femtosecond laser creates a fl ap on the cornea, which is the clear dome at the front of the eye.

This fl ap is then lifted and an excimer laser reshapes the eye within seconds. The wave light suite used at WA Laser Eye Centre is the fastest in the world.

The average total laser time for both fl ap creation and laser reshaping is 12 seconds.

There are many diff erent laser surgical options available to help you achieve visual freedom.

However, WA Laser Eye Centre Director of Surgery and Laser/Refractive Specialist Dr Rob Paul suggested thinking carefully about this life-changing procedure.

The most important decision is choosing the most appropriate surgeon.

Ideally, patients need to do their research and look for an experienced surgeon who has been formally trained in laser eye surgery and has performed thousands of procedures. Your surgeon not only needs to be an ophthalmologist but should also have spent a considerable amount of time in a formal fellowship at a respected laser and corneal surgery unit.

“The surgeons who have worked or trained at WA Laser Eye Centre have

all been fellowship-trained at the highest international standards,” Dr Paul said.

“The very high skills required for this surgery demand it.

“Procedures that seem excessively discounted or ‘special off er’ type centres often use more painful, outdated techniques with older lasers, requiring longer recovery times.”

The WA Laser Eye Centre is pleased to announce that the SMILE laser procedure will be introduced very soon.

“We already perform LASIK with the fastest laser suite in the world and now we are excited that the revolutionary SMILE treatment will be off ered to West Australians,” Dr Paul said.

“SMILE will give patients another fantastic option and will make WA Laser Eye Centre one of only a few

centres in Australia to off er the full gamut of refractive surgery options.

“We now have the complete package available for WA patients and not many places can say that.”

In addition to this, WA Laser Eye Centre off ers implantable contact lenses for 20 to 45-year-old patients who are not suitable for laser eye surgery.

For patients 45 and older who wish to get rid of readers, there is the option

of LASIK or multi-focal implants which allow for distance, computer and reading vision.

“At WA Laser Eye Centre, we try to off er the most honest and ethical opinion as it applies to each individual,” Dr Paul said.

“We use a personalised approach to everyone and in some instances surgery is not the best option at all.

“A good surgeon knows when to operate and when not to.”

This technique has evolved over 25 years and is the most commonly performed operation in the world.

Over 30 million people have benefi ted from this surgery including Tiger Woods, Usher, Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt and numerous AFL, soccer and cricket players.

The procedure has proven eff ective for myopia up to 12 points, hyperopia up to six points and astigmatism up to six points.

After LASIK, some patients experience temporary dry eye and haloes but these usually resolve after one to three months.

Patients with thin corneas cannot have LASIK.

PRK/LASEK/advanced ablation

This procedure was the original laser eye surgery.

It has been superseded by LASIK but has a useful role in patients who are not suitable for LASIK because of excessively thin corneas, and whose error is not more than six points of short-sightedness.

The procedure is also successful in re-treating patients who have had LASIK more than fi ve years previously.

The drawback is the pain that occurs for two days postoperatively, as opposed to the painless LASIK recovery.

For PRK there is a delayed improvement in vision, taking up to a month or more.

Haze or scarring can occur if a drop called Mitomycin is not used at the time of surgery.

Only Therapeutic Goods Administration-approved excimer lasers should be used for PRK.

SMILE/Relex/Flex

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) is the next generation in laser eye surgery procedures and is the most promising development in the last fi ve years.

It involves a femtosecond laser creating a crescent or lenticule of tissue under the corneal surface which is then removed through a tiny 2mm incision.

There is no LASIK-like fl ap or painful scraping of the surface such as in PRK.

A benefi t of this surgery is the procedure itself is essentially painless, even compared to LASIK, because of the very light suction applied to the eye.

Patients also experience minimal to no dry eye or halos and SMILE is theorised to have less of a weakening eff ect on the eye, compared to LASIK.

Early evidence suggests the results of SMILE are similar or better than LASIK for higher levels of myopia.

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Laser cataract surgery common in Australia

How Dr Rob Paul can make you SMILE Minimally invasive,

fl apless surgery

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, or SMILE for short, is fi rmly established as the third generation of laservision correction beyond PRK and LASIK.

It is a minimally invasive, fl apless procedure that combines the advantages of the two previous generations.

Requiring no fl ap, the outer corneal layer remains largely intact.

There is less incidence of dry eye and other post-surgical eff ects and visual recovery is normally fast.

Step 1:Creating the lenticule

A small piece of corneal tissue (lenticule) and a small incision are created inside the intact cornea.

Step 2: Removing the lenticule

The lenticule is removed through the small incision with minimal disruption to the cornea.

Step 3: Correcting the error

Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, correcting the refractive error.

The treatment steps

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 years of age and are the leading cause of blindness in the world.

There is thought to be more cases of cataracts worldwide than that of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration combined.

WA Laser Eye Centre Ophthalmologist Dr Rob Paul said the symptoms of a cataract could be likened to a smudge on a camera lens.

“A cataract forms when the eye lens starts to age and changes from a clear lens to a discoloured yellow or brown lens,” he said.

“The cataract formation aff ects only the lens of the eye and not any other structures such as the cornea, iris or optic nerve.”

Dr Paul said as part of the natural ageing process, most people would develop a slight degree of cataract, but younger people could develop premature cataracts due to trauma or factors such as diabetes.

He said cataracts were most commonin people over the age of 60, with the prevalence of cataracts rising from about 2.5 per cent of people in their 40s to 99 per cent of people in their 90s.

Early signs of cataracts include reduced vision or sensitivity to light, while patients in the later stages may observe halos around lights.

Dr Paul said it was usually after cataracts interfered with everyday life that patients underwent surgery.

“Removal of a cataract is the most common eye operation and one of the most common surgical procedures performed in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “It is becoming more common as people live longer.”

If the eye is healthy, there is a very high chance cataract surgery will restore good vision. Instead of the traditional manual blade surgery, WA Laser Eye Centre has off ered bladeless cataract surgery with the LenSx femtosecond laser to patients since November 2012.

Dr Paul said bladeless surgery allowed greater accuracy and predictability of outcomes.

Taking only 20 to 30 seconds on average to complete the laser component of the surgery, the ensuing cataract surgery takes only10 minutes and involves light sedation and local anaesthetic eye drops.

“The laser creates computer-generated incisions into the eye, as well as breaking the cataract up, making surgery easier and safer,” Dr Paul said.

“It is more benefi cial to vision afterwards and patients have minimal discomfort, if any.”

There are only 15 LenSx femtosecond laser machines in Australia that can make laser cataract surgery possible for patients.

Dr Paul was the fi rst surgeon in Perth to perform bladeless femtosecond laser cataract surgery and the fi rst in Australia to perform it on a public patient.

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9330 8463info@walasereye.com.auwww.walasereye.com.au

Say Goodbye to Glasses for less than $40 per week

Dr. Robert PaulMBBS (WA) FRANZCOMedical Director and

Principal SurgeonFellowship trained in

Laser Eye SurgeryBranches at Melvilleand NedlandsInterest Free Financeoptions available

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At WA Laser Eye Centre we know your decision to have laser eye surgery is important. That’s why we take time to understand your needs and are committed to providing a personalised vision solution for you.

Our centre offers laser eye surgery and intraocular lens implants to correct Shortsightedness, Longsightedness and Astigmatism as well as options for those who wear reading glasses.

Meet with Dr Rob Paul MBBS (WA) FRANZCO — our Fellowship trained Corneal and Laser Refractive surgeon, with over 15 years experience, to discuss your treatment options — Maybe you’ll see life in a whole new way. BUPA and HBF Ultimate Cover pays for your Laser Surgery with Dr Rob Paul.

Find out if it’s right for you — Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation.

SMILE LASER coming soon

may also lead to temporary blurred vision, while other factors could include headaches, sensitivity to light, or redness and irritation of the eye.

Cataracts A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Cataracts start out small and have little eff ect on vision at fi rst, but can escalate quickly. Besides ageing, cataracts can be caused by diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, high myopia or hormone replacement therapy.

Colour blindness Also known as colour vision defi ciency, colour blindness is an inherited condition that aff ects a person’s ability to see some colours and also causes them to see colours diff erently from other people. The usual colours that people have diffi culty with are greens, yellows, oranges and reds. There are varying degrees of colour blindness, with light intensity and distance aff ecting a person’s ability to correctly analyse colour.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Conjunctivitis is caused by infl ammation of the outer layer of the eye and inside of the eyelid, causing the eye to literally turn pink. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light, a discharge, usually yellow or green, crusty lashes and an itchy or burning sensation. The condition is highly contagious and it is important to seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness if it is not detected early. The disease aff ects the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain. When the drainage area at the back of the eye is blocked, fl uid builds up and causes increased pressure. Damage occurs when the intra-ocular pressure is too high. Glaucoma generally develops gradually over several years and a person may not experience symptoms until vision loss has already begun. The disease can also run in families and the risk increases with age.

Hyperopia (far-sightedness)

Far-sighted people can have poor near-vision or blurred vision at all distances. These people sometimes have headaches or eye strain and may squint or feel tired when working at close range. The condition is caused when light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina rather than directly on it.

PUPIL

VITREOUS GEL (BODY)

IRIS

HYALOID CANAL

LENS

CORNEA

ANTERIOR CHAMBER

OPTIC NERVE

SCLERA

CENTRAL RETINA ARTERY

CENTRAL RETINA VEIN

CHOROID

MACULA

RETINA

Common eye problems and diseases explained

Amblyopia (lazy eye) Amblyopia is a vision development problem in infants and young children that can lead to permanent vision loss. This condition is caused when the eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity. In most cases, only one eye is aff ected, but in some cases it can occur in both eyes.

Astigmatism Usually caused by an irregular cornea, astigmatism causes a blur at all distances. Astigmatism is a refractive error, meaning it is caused by a problem with how the eye focuses light. In an eye with astigmatism, light fails to come to a single focus on the retina to produce clear vision.

Blurred vision Blurred vision refers to a lack of sharpness of vision and the inability to see fi ne details. It has many causes, from fatigue and eye strain to serious eye diseases such as glaucoma. Blurred vision can be experienced in one eye or both eyes, depending on the cause. A number of medications

The human eye explainedCornea

The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. It serves as a barrier against germs and dust and keeps out some UV.

Iris

The iris is the coloured part of the eye. Tiny muscles that surround the iris dilate and constrict the pupil size which controls light levels inside the eye.

Lacrimal glands

Above the outer corner of each eye are the lacrimal glands, which make tears. Tears help wash away germs and dust, but also keep your eyes from drying out.

eye. Each eye has about 120 million rods which see in black and white, and seven million cones which sense colour.

Sclera

The sclera, also known as the white of the eye, is the tough, opaque tissue that protects the eye from dirt and other harmful objects.

Vitreous body

The vitreous body forms two thirds of the eye’s volume, giving the eye its shape. It is fi lled with a thick, clear, jelly-like material called the vitreous humour. After light passes through the lens, it shines through the vitreous humour to the back of the eye.

Lens

After light enters the pupil it hits the lens which focuses the light rays on the back of the eyeball (the retina). The lens is suspended in the eye by fi bres.

Macula

Located roughly in the centre of the retina, it is a small and highly sensitive part of the retina, responsible for detailed vision.

Pupil

The black circular opening in the centre of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.

Retina

A very thin layer of tissue lining the inner part of the

Myopia (near-sightedness) Near-sighted people can see fi ne up close, but distant objects are a blur. This is the most common refractive issue with the eye. Myopia is caused when the eyeball is too long relative to the focusing power of the cornea and lens of the eye. This causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina rather than on its surface.

Presbyopia This is a normal, age-related loss of focusing ability that becomes noticeable after age 40. This condition is inescapable, even for people who have never had issues with their eyesight.

Stye

Described as a sore, red lump near the edge of an eyelid, a stye is commonly caused by an infection at the base of an eyelash. Most clear up within days and they generally do not cause any damage to the eye. It is important to not touch, rub or squeeze the stye as it can cause the infection to spread.

Source: allaboutvision.com and Better Health Channel.

Stye.

Conjunctivitis.

Eye treatment.

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*Terms and exclusions apply. Prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses only. See in store for details.

VISIT OPSM TODAY13 20 20 | opsm.com.au

with medical and surgical diseases of the retina.

He also holds a public appointment at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and has a wide range of research interests and involvement in clinical trials.

Dr Antony Clark brings expertise in general ophthalmology, cataract surgery, glaucoma, strabismus and paediatric ophthalmology to the LEI.

He completed his ophthalmology training in Western Australia and has returned to Perth after two years of further sub-specialty training in Toronto, Canada.

Dr Clark said it was an exciting time to be an ophthalmologist, with major technological advances improving outcomes for people with a range of

New doctors boost eye care expertise

The science behind love at fi rst sight

The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) has recruited three talented ophthalmologists to its experienced team.

Dr Chandra Balaratnasingam, Dr Antony Clark and Dr Hessom Razavi bring the number of ophthalmologists at the LEI to 17.

Their recruitment supports the growth of eye care services at the expanded clinic in Nedlands, at Murdoch and at a new service in Midland.

Dr Balaratnasingam has returned to Western Australia after completing fellowships in macular diseases and retinal surgery in Canada and the United States.

He practices at the Nedlands and Murdoch offi ces and treats patients

eye diseases.

“Our eyesight is so important to us all and having the privilege of being able to prevent blindness or improve a person’s vision is immensely satisfying and rewarding,” he said.

In addition to consulting at the LEI, Dr Clark is a consultant ophthalmologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital.

Dr Hessom Razavi specialises in indigenous eye health, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

He completed fellowships in Western Australia and Victoria – the fi rst with

Associate Professor Angus Turner’s Lions Outback Vision, where he spent a year providing eye care in remote Western Australian communities.

Dr Razavi practices at the new LEI Midland clinic and has a public post at Fremantle Hospital.

His research interests include diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and indigenous eye health.

He is also unit coordinator of ophthalmology teaching for medical students at The University of Western Australia.

The extra support comes as the LEI helps up to 60,000 patients each year.

– which triggers pupil dilation.

History also refl ects this research. Women living in Italy over 500 years ago used extract from the Belladonna plant to dilate their pupils because they believed it would increase their attractiveness.

They thought that bigger pupils would make their eyes dreamier and entice men to fall in love with them.

An increased blink rate is also a strong indicator of

feelings of love and attraction.

In some cases blink rates spike well beyond the average 10 blinks per minute, coinciding with strong emotions and excitement.

So is it love or simply lust? We

may never fi nd out. But the answer

generally lies in the eye of

the beholder.

It’s a common thread in many a romantic novel or fi lm – ‘love at fi rst sight’.

But do these types of connections exist in real life?

Science increasingly suggests our brains are hardwired to both display and notice visual clues when it comes to a romantic interest.

One of the biggest indicators is the increase in size of the pupils.

Our eyes naturally dilate to allow more light in, but studies show that our pupils also dilate when we feel excitement and attraction.

According to research, when our gaze falls on a person or object of interest to us, the brain releases a surge of dopamine – a chemical message that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centres

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Lions Eye Institute’s newest ophthalmologists (L-R) Dr Chandra Balaratnasingam, Dr Antony Clark and Dr Hessom Razavi.

Artist’s impression of Lions Eye Institute main lobby.

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3419

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MIDLANDOutpatient clinic, 1st fl oor,

St John of God Hospital, 1 Clayton Street(08) 9462 4000

NEDLANDS2 Verdun Street

(08) 9381 0777

MURDOCHSuite 24, Murdoch Medical Clinic,

St John of God Hospital, 100 Murdoch Drive(08) 9381 0765

enquiry@lei.org.au • www.lei.org.au

Providing an unrivalled skills base17 specialised opthalmologists

• Cataract• Cornea/refractive• Diabetic retinopathy• Glaucoma• Infl ammatory disorders

• Laser vision correction• Macular degeneration• Oculoplastic surgery• Paediatric ophthalmology• Vitreo-retinal

Tips to reducing eye strainFor many people who work or study in offices or classrooms, spending long hours looking at a computer screen is an everyday occurrence.

Excessive screen time can cause our eyes a great deal of strain, causing bothersome visual symptoms which can lead to a range of problems in our professional roles. These can include physical fatigue, decreased productivity and an increased number of errors, as we struggle through eye twitching, red eyes and general eye strain.

If you are finding that you are suffering with headaches and sore and itchy eyes at the end of your work day, then you may want to put some of these tips into practice at your workplace.

Get a comprehensive eye examWorking a routine comprehensive eye exam into your yearly schedule is one of the best things you can do for your eye health, especially if you suffer with computer-related vision problems. During your eye exam, be sure to tell your doctor how often

you use a computer both at home and at work. Measure how far your eyes are from your screen when you sit at the computer, and bring this measurement to your exam so that your doctor can test your eyes at that specific working distance.

Make sure your space has proper lightingEye strain can sometimes be caused by excessive lighting, either from harsh interior sources or sunlight coming through a nearby window. When using a computer, your ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that typically found in most offices. To improve your lighting situation, eliminate excess outdoor light, use lower intensity bulbs and tubes to reduce indoor lighting and try and position your screen with external light coming in on the sides instead of in front or behind it.

Avoid glareGlare on walls and finished surfaces can cause unnecessary reflections on your screen. These reflections can cause unwanted eye strain. If

you wear glasses, look at purchasing lenses with an anti-reflective coating to reduce the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your lenses.

Update and adjust your display

LCD screens are much easier on the eyes and usually include an anti-reflective surface. Old-fashioned screens can cause a noticeable flicker, which can cause eye strain and fatigue. Adjust the brightness, text size, contrast and colour temperature for a clearer image. The size of your display is also important to avoid squinting at the content on the screen. Look for a desktop computer that has a display of at least 48 centimetres diagonally.

Blink more often

Blinking helps to moisten the surface of the eyes and prevent dryness and irritation. On average, people blink about one-third as often as they normally do, when looking at a screen. To combat this problem, try blinking 10 times every 20 minutes. This will help to re-wet your eyes.

Exercise and take frequent breaks

Fatigue will take hold if you are spending too long focusing on the computer screen. To reduce your risk of fatigue, look away from your computer screen at least once every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object for at least 20 seconds. Looking far away for a short period of time relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye, reducing focusing fatigue. Frequent breaks from your computer screen will also help to reduce your risk of neck, shoulder

and back pain. During your ‘mini-break’, stand up, move about and stretch your arms, back, neck and shoulders to reduce tension and muscle fatigue.

Modify your workstationYour chair, the positioning of your mouse and keyboard and how you sit at your workstation are all factors that can contribute to eye strain. Having your mouse too far away will make you lean closer to the screen, increasing focusing strain, while bad posture caused by sitting with your back rounded and chin jutting forward will reduce the distance between your eyes and the screen. Make sure your computer screen is at least 50 to 60cm away from your eyes and ensure the centre of your screen is about 10 to 15 degrees below your eyes for comfortable positioning of your head and neck.

Keeping an eye on your eye healthYou can keep your weight down by exercising and eating healthily and you can keep your teeth clean by brushing twice a day, but many might be surprised to know that your eyes also need regular care to ensure long-lasting eyesight and prevention of eye diseases.

While you can’t improve your eyes by lifting weights or brushing them with a toothbrush, it is important to look after them and not take them for granted.

Here are some health and maintenance tips to help you be kind to your eyes.

1. Quit smoking

Smoking makes you more susceptible

to cataracts, optic nerve damage and macular degeneration. Try to quit smoking not just for your general health, but to keep your eyes healthy.

2. Wear sunglasses

Choosing the right kind of sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Too much UV exposure could cause cataracts and macular degeneration. Look for sunglasses that block 99-100 per cent of both UVA and UVB rays.

3. Use safety eyewear

If you have a job working with hazardous or airborne materials, make sure you wear safety glasses or protective goggles every time your

eyes could be in danger. You should also use safety eyewear if you are doing jobs at home with equipment such as drills, angle grinders or circular saws. Wearing protective gear during sport is also a good decision.

4. Look away

Staring at a computer for too long can cause eye strain, blurry vision, trouble focusing at a distance, dry eyes, headaches and pain. Make sure you take a break from usage every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds. At least every two hours you should get up and take a five to 10-minute break. It is also wise to invest in an anti-glare screen for your computer if needed.

5. Visit your eye doctor

Regular visits to your optometrist can catch developing problems when they are easier to treat. Eye exams can reveal some diseases such as glaucoma, which have no visible symptoms.

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Celebrating 30 years of excellence in eye careIt has been 30 years since a group of Western Australian eye surgeons fulfi lled their vision to establish a specialist private hospital for eyes only.

These pioneering ophthalmologists saw the need for a fi rst-class facility that all eye surgeons could access and use.

The vision was simple.

Create a space where patients benefi ted from the latest technology and where specialists could adopt techniques that greatly minimised discomfort and recovery time compared to traditional methods.

This drive, coupled with a unique plan for an organisation that would reinvest proceeds into eye research and eye charities, resulted in the Eye Surgery Foundation, and so began their fi rst operations in South Perth.

The foundation, now located on Ord Street, West Perth, changed its name to Perth Eye Hospital in 2015 to better refl ect the hospital’s broad catchment area, its specialisation and the substantial scale and multi-faceted nature of the organisation.

While many things have changed since the hospital’s inception, its focus has never wavered, according to its Chief Executive Offi cer Andrea LeGuier.

“Guided by the vision of our founding surgeons, Perth Eye Hospital has grown from humble beginnings to become WA’s largest specialist day hospital for eye surgery,” she said.

“Our surgeons were amongst the fi rst in Australia to utilise state-of-the-science equipment and cutting edge technologies, off ering the people of Perth the most up to date procedures, performed by highly trained and specialised surgeons and ophthalmic nurses.

“Fast forward several decades and we are still proudly committed to exceptional patient care; performing the full breadth of eye procedures in a specialised environment, supporting vital eye-related charities and mentoring future leaders of our fi eld.”

Almost half of the state’s ophthalmologists choose Perth Eye Hospital because its sole focus is eyes.

The private day hospital attracts many surgeons and patients each year because its facilities are world class.

With four operating theatres, the latest and most complete surgery lasers for vision correction, cataract surgery and medical treatment, a fi ve-bay recovery suite and luxurious patient and carer lounges, the hospital is well equipped.

Speak to patients and they will tell you

they are surprised by the hospital’s calm, fi ve-star ambience and grateful for the high level of attention they receive from admission to discharge.

From the relaxing lounge chairs, free Wi-Fi and complimentary coff ee to a dedicated patient transport service; patient comfort is always front of mind.

Looking to the future, Ms LeGuier said Perth Eye Hospital remained committed to providing Western Australians with a specialist private eye hospital delivering the best practice in ophthalmic and patient care.

Thousands benefi t from charitable visionFrom the very beginning, Perth Eye Hospital (formerly known as the Eye Surgery Foundation) has given back. It’s part of the hospital’s DNA.

The initial vision of the men and women who founded Perth Eye Hospital has never changed, and profi ts from the hospital continue to support vital research, preventative education and training.

In the past decade alone, the hospital’s charitable foundation, Eye Hospital Foundation, has donated almost $3 million to groups that support blindness prevention and sight-preservation programs.

As a result, thousands of patients around the world now have improved vision.

“We wholly appreciate the diff erence that good sight brings to a life and the fact that many people around the world don’t have access to quality eye care,” Perth Eye Hospital Chief Executive Offi cer Andrea LeGuier said.

Current benefi ciaries include Glaucoma Australia to support various research programs, eye clinics in Indonesia run by the John Fawcett Foundation, funding for surgeon training through the East Timor Eye Project and salaries for nursing staff at St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital.

A See and Touch program coordinated by disability services provider VisAbility and a Food Rescue van are just some of the Perth charities to benefi t.

According to Perth Glaucoma Support Group Coordinator Gaela Hilditch, the foundation’s support has been invaluable, with the group’s

numbers rising steadily since the sponsorship began.

“A lot of our members, many of whom are 65 or older, travel long distances by public transport to attend our meetings,” Ms Hilditch said.

“The delightful afternoon teas and support off ered – from providing a room for one of our meetings each year, to helping us fi nd knowledgeable guest speakers – makes everyone feel warmly welcomed after all that travel.”

State-of-the-science technology, luxurious facilities and 5-star care awaits patients at WA’s premier specialist eye hospital.

Perth Glaucoma Support Group Coordinator Gaela Hilditch.

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THERE ARE 152* WA HOSPITALS WHICH WILL LOOK AFTER ALMOST ANY PART OF YOU.

BUT ONLY ONE WITH OUR UNIQUE FOCUS.

As our name makes clear, ours is a specialist team.

We’ve designed our entire facility for only eye patients.

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Wouldn’t you rather have your eye surgery at a

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To see more of why we’re the leading specialist

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easy and you will not need eye drops in most cases.

An ultra-wide digital retinal scan captures an image covering more than 80 per cent of your retina.

If this delicate lining at the back of your eye is damaged, it may aff ect your vision.

The scan helps us identify any issues and also reveals any blood vessel abnormalities that could indicate early signs of disease.

Diabetes and your eyes Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in working age adults in Australia?

If not managed appropriately, diabetes can trigger an array of eye complications, including eye disease and vision impairment or loss.

To heighten awareness of diabetes and the signifi cance of eye health, Diabetes Australia has partnered with OPSM.

With leading-edge technology like

How does diabetes aff ect eyesight?If you have diabetes you may be at risk of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy causing damage to the very small blood vessels on the back of the eye.

However, maintaining optimal blood-glucose levels and blood pressure and undergoing regular screening can help reduce the risk of eye damage.

For people with diabetes, it is particularly important to have regular eye examinations to monitor eye health and help detect any issues early.

What are the symptoms?Not everyone with diabetes will have symptoms of eye damage. That is why regular checks are important.

Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision

• Floaters and spots

• Blank or missing areas in the vision

• Double vision

• Diffi culty seeing well at night

• Problems with balance, reading, watching television and recognising people

If you have any of these symptoms, regardless of whether or not you have diabetes, we recommend on eye examination as soon as possible.

*Standard scan refers to a 45-degree retinal scan using fundus photography.

the exclusive Optos Daytona, OPSM promises to deliver unparalleled clinical advice about your eye health.

The Optos Daytona Digital Retinal Scanner, which is exclusive to OPSM, helps to detect general health issues and eye conditions.

An ultra-wide digital retinal scan allows for a huge 200-degree range within a single scan – four times more than a standard digital retinal scan*.

The examinations are just as fast and

Did you know?There is more to the human eye than, well, meets the eye.

First and foremost, our eyes allow us to distinguish diff erent shapes and fi gures. A complex neural pathway carries signals via the optic nerve from the retina at the back of the eye to the brain.

Your eyes are often one of the fi rst things people notice when they look at your face and the eye itself can come in all shapes and sizes depending on your genetic build. Below are a few facts that might surprise you about the human eye.

Drink plenty of water

Without enough water, you can’t produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist and well nourished. Tears are made up of three diff erent components, namely fat, mucus and of course, water. If these three components are not in exactly the right quantities, your eyes could become dry.

Eat your greens

A diet rich in fruits, leafy greens and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce your risk of dry eyes, macular degeneration and other eye diseases.

They don’t grow

Although ears and noses grow throughout a person’s life, eyes remain the same size from birth. Your eyes start to develop two weeks after you are conceived.

Lightning fast

The average blink lasts for about one tenth of a second and humans blink about 12 times every minute.

Great healers

Eyes heal quickly. With proper care, it only takes about 48 hours for the eye to repair a corneal scratch.

Blind spot

Each of your eyes has a small blind

spot in the back of the retina where the optic nerve attaches. You don’t notice the hole in your vision because your eyes work together to fi ll in each other’s blind spot.

Unique features

A fi ngerprint has 40 unique characteristics distinctive to one individual, but an iris has 256 characteristics. This is one of the reasons retina scans are becoming increasingly popular for security purposes.

Plenty of hair

The entire length of all the eyelashes shed by a human in their life measures on average 29m, with each eyelash having a life span of about fi ve months.

Seeing red

Although your retinas have red, green and blue colour receptors, the ‘red’ receptor only detects yellow-green,

and the ‘green’ receptor detects blue-green. Your brain combines these signals and turns them into red.

Eye tests reveal more than eye health

Diabetes is often fi rst detected during an eye test by an optometrist. Those who suff er from type 2 diabetes are often symptom-free, meaning they often don’t know that they have got it. This type of diabetes is normally picked up during eye exams where it can be seen as small haemorrhages from leaking blood vessels at the back of the eye.

Heterochromia

This is a term used to describe people who have two diff erent coloured eyes. It is not classed as a disease and having two diff erent coloured eyes does not aff ect your visual acuity. The condition also occurs in animals.

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How do FineVision lenses work? FineVision intra-ocular lenses let you look at the world with a fresh pair of eyes, helping you to see without glasses.

The trifocal intra-ocular lenses feature a series of rings which diff ract light to provide Far, Intermediate and Near vision – lending to the name FineVision. FineVision features an innovative trifocal structure designed to signifi cantly improve performance for intermediate vision.

The design of FineVision is diff erent to multifocal or bifocal glasses.

You don’t have to worry about moving your head to see clearly, as the lens is implanted into the eye. With FineVision you may no longer need glasses for the simplest of everyday tasks.

Many patients with FineVision implanted no longer need to wear glasses for everyday tasks such as driving, reading the car speedometer or even using their smart phone.

FineVision is also available with the additional toric correction for astigmatism. FineVision Toric can potentially correct presbyopia, astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia in one surgery, eliminating the need for glasses.

Following the surgery, many people no longer need glasses for reading, writing, computer work, cooking or even for looking at distances of 40cm to 1m.

FineVision lenses are the perfect solution for patients who are interested in sports where wearing glasses can be quite dangerous. They also reduce the need for glasses in everyday activities like going for walks

or going to the movies.

Many patients fi nd that their vision improves over time as the brain learns to adapt to the trifocal lens following implantation.

Vision improvement is also more rapid when both eyes are implanted with the lens.

Halos and glare may be present at night and are often experienced prior

to surgery, however these eff ects will improve and decrease with time.

While individual results may vary, it is important to talk to your ophthalmologist to see if FineVision intra-ocular lenses are the right solution for you.

Any surgical procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek further advice from a qualifi ed eye care practitioner.

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INSTEAD OF ANOTHER PAIR OF GLASSES,

WHY NOT A FRESHPAIR OF EYES?

Are you over 45 and need glasses?

With FineVision® Trifocal Intraocular Lenses, you can be freeto see the world through your own eyes - without spectacles.1

From a distant street sign to a close-up smart phone and everything in between.

This involves a surgical procedure that happens thousands of times around the world every day.2

Go to fi nevision.com.au, fi nd your nearest ophthalmologist and ask them about FineVision. And you could be looking at the world with a fresh pair of eyes.

1. Daya S, Espinosa M; The FineVision Trifocal Lens, ESCRS 2011 2. The 2014 Compliance Report for the Global IOL Market. © 2017 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. ®/TM denote trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated and its affi liates. Other product names/ brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited. ABN 88 000 222 408. Level 10, 12 Help Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 Australia. (Ph 1800 251 150) LOTJ 2017-02-009

Your ophthalmologist will advise whether this product is suitable for your condition. Any surgical procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek further advice from a qualifi ed eye care practitioner.

MURDOCHSuite 26 Wexford Medical Centre3 Barry Marshall ParadeMurdoch 6150

ROCKINGHAMSuite 8 Waikiki Specialist Centre

221 Willmott DriveWaikiki 6169

• Cataract Surgery• Pterygium Surgery• Macular Degeneration• Diabetic Eye Disease• Glaucoma• Dry Eyes• Watery Eyes• Blepharitis• Uveitis• CASA Examinations• Comprehensive Ophthalmology

For your Specialist Medical and Surgical Eye Care

Dr Michael Wertheim MBChB FRCOphth FRANZCOConsultant Ophthalmic SurgeonDirector and Principal Surgeon of Perth Eye ClinicSenior Lecturer University of Fremantle and UNSWCASA Designated Ophthalmologist

Blueberries Everyday may keep the Eye Doctor AwayRecent research suggests that blueberries are one of the highest food sources of antioxidants and are a very healthy food for your eyes. Blue-berries are packed with multiple vitamins and minerals that may help prevent certain eye diseases. Blueberries are full of Vitamin A and Vitamin C which are antioxidants. The antioxidants help protect the eyes from free radicals which can damage the eyes and cause eye disease. Vitamin A helps fi ght infl ammation and may even be benefi cial in helping dry eye. One cup of blueberries contains around 0.24 milligrams of Zinc which can help protect against macular degeneration. Zinc also helps the body absorb Vitamin A more effi ciently.

CONTACT FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS 9312 7222 • info@pertheyeclinic.com.au

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SMILE with your eyesAn advanced option is available to correct distance vision beyond traditional laser vision correction techniques.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, or SMILE, is a less invasive procedure that enables patients to quickly get back to work, sport and life.

SMILE is exclusively available in Perth at Aculase.

The high-precision procedure is painless, and allows a rapid recovery. A 25 second laser treatment is applied directly inside the cornea and the excess tissue is extracted through a micro-tunnel incision.

In traditional laser eye surgeries the laser is applied to the surface or under an open fl ap and therefore requires a larger wound.

In SMILE, less corneal tissue is disrupted and the stronger outer layers remain intact.

The SMILE keyhole incision is 10 times smaller than the incision used in traditional laser eye surgeries. As a result, there is less disruption to nerves and tissue, leading to numerous advantages including a lower incidence of dry eyes, faster healing and a more comfortable recovery.

Even advanced cases of myopia can

be corrected if corneal thickness allows.

SMILE has been available internationally for more than fi ve years and has successfully treated more than half a million patients.

Aculase Principal Surgeon Dr Ian Chan said patients considering laser vision correction should seriously consider SMILE.

“We have been providing SMILE surgery for over a year in Perth and the results have been excellent,” Dr Chan said.

“Other laser treatments and lens implant surgeries certainly still have their place in modern vision correction surgery. Naturally, various factors need to be considered for each individual patient before determining the best course of treatment.”

Why SMILE?

Painless, comfortable, quick recovery

• 25 seconds of laser, micro incision.

• No burning smell during surgery.

• No eye dressing or protective shield is required, even immediately after surgery.

• Return to life, sport or work quicker.

High accuracy

• Excellent predictability of the visual outcome resulting in a low rate of post-surgical re-treatments.

• Able to treat higher degrees of short sightedness.

Less side eff ects

• Most of the upper layers of the cornea are unaff ected. The treated eye is more stable and heals faster.

• Lower incidence of dry eye syndrome and lower risk of infection.

• Less visual side eff ects at night.

Flapless

• SMILE surgery requires no fl ap, meaning there are no fl ap-related

complications or side eff ects.

• Being fl apless, SMILE is an excellent option for fl ight crews, military and rescue personnel and athletes engaged in contact sports.

Why Aculase?

Aculase is the only clinic in Western Australia off ering the full range of refractive surgeries, ensuring unbiased advice on which surgery is best for you.

In addition, all procedures are performed at the renowned Perth Eye Hospital, an accredited private hospital off ering patients safety, hygiene and comfort.

LASIK PRK SMILE

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Eye tests examinedSpecsavers Morley Optometrists and Co-Owners Klaus Vollrath and Long Dang explain what you can expect from a bulk-billed eye test at Specsavers and why you should book a routine visit.

An eye test is not just about getting glasses – it is a vital health check for your eyes.

At Specsavers, we recommend that everyone should have an eye test with an optometrist every two years, and more often if you notice any changes to your vision or eyes.

From 65 and beyond, a full eye test is recommended every year, as the risk of eye disease increases dramatically.

Optometrists check for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.

A routine eye test can also pick up systemic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain brain tumours, so it is important to have your eyes tested whether you wear glasses or not.

So what can you expect in a bulk-billed eye test from Specsavers?

Here we have explained just a few of the dozens of possible tests that your optometrist may tailor to suit your individual needs in a Specsavers eye test.

Measuring the pressure of your eyes

When you fi rst arrive at your local Specsavers store we will take you through a number of preliminary measurements and scans to give the optometrist more information about your eyes.

One of the fi rst tests you will receive measures the intra-ocular pressure of your eyes with an instrument called a non-contact tonometer.

This instrument will blow a puff of air at each of your eyes and then

measure the force of the air that bounces back at the instrument.

This is an important test as high intra ocular pressures indicate high risk for glaucoma, much like high blood pressure can indicate a higher risk for heart disease.

Nicknamed the ‘thief of sight,’ many of the early symptoms of glaucoma are unnoticeable for the suff erer, but if detected early through routine eye tests, the disease can be managed very eff ectively.

Photographing the back of your eyeUnlike many other optometrists, at Specsavers, digital retinal photography is free with every standard eye test.

Digital retinal photography technology allows optometrists to screen for abnormalities, which can help with the early detection of diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinal changes that may be associated with diabetes.

Digital retinal photography uses sophisticated equipment to produce a high-resolution photograph of your retina, optic nerve and blood vessels.

Any detected abnormalities can then be monitored and treated to better protect the quality of your sight and overall eye health.

These images are stored by our optometrists to track your eye health over time.

This means photos can be compared to help identify subtle changes in the eyes that could indicate serious eyes diseases.

Measuring how the eyes focus

To measure how your eyes focus on things, we begin with an instrument called an autorefractor.

The autorefractor takes an electronic measurement of how well your eyes focus and gives a read-out of your approximate prescription for the optometrist.

The exact prescription is then found through a series of tests.

When the optometrist uses the autorefractor you will be asked to focus on a picture through two

lenses. The picture might be of a hot air balloon at the end of a long straight road, for example.

The machine makes the balloon appear to be closer and then further away.

As it does this, the machine calculates an estimation of your prescription based on how well your eyes focus on the image.

It’s more than just an eye test

Did you know that through an eye test, optometrists can detect health problems that could aff ect the whole body?

Alterations in retinal blood vessels are common signs of high blood pressure, while diabetes can sometimes be identifi ed through haemorrhages and other microscopic changes in the retinal blood vessels. Even certain types of cancer can be found during routine eye tests, from common skin cancers around the eyelids to melanomas in the retina.

Routine eye tests allow for earlier diagnosis, which can lead to better treatment outcomes of many diseases and even prevent loss of vision.

Specsavers stores have experienced local optometrists available seven days per week to give bulk-billed eye tests.

If you need glasses as a result, we off er no or low-gap on designer frames.

Specsavers Optomitrist Klaus Vollrath.

Digital retinal photography is included free in every bulk-billed eye exam at Specsavers.

Specsavers Optomitrist Long Dang.

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*Available at over 295 stores nationwide with all eligible comprehensive eye test.

FREEDIGITALRETINALPHOTOGRAPHYWITH EVERY STANDARD EYE TEST*

Visit specsavers.com.au to find your local store.

Branches at Melville and Nedlands

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LASIK is an approved medical procedure.Beware of centres claiming latest technology at low cost.

You know you are in safe hands with WA’s firstFellowship trained Laser Eye Surgeon.

Dr Rob Paul MBBS (UWA) FRANZCO is a leader invision correction surgery. For over 20 years, LASIK hashelped 22 million people achieve visual freedom.

The world’s fastest laser suite combined withAdvanced skills means WA Laser Eye Centre can offera quick, painless, safe procedure for those wishing tofree themselves from glasses or contacts.

Our Multiple Lasers can treat

For the best results you should see a CornealSpecialist like Dr Rob Paul.

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