General Archives - Optical Warehouse

Where’s The Best Place To Get An Eye Test In Queensland?

19/03/2023

Looking for the best place for an eye test or to have problems with your eyes checked in Queensland? Whether you are in Brisbane, Cairns, Mt Isa or somewhere in between there are various types of businesses across Queensland that offer basic eye testing, including walk-in pharmacies. It can be confusing to know what these tests offer and how they differ from eye tests offered by eye care specialists. If you’re unsure where you should go if you’re worried about your eye health, have wondered if you need glasses, or have noticed changes to your eyesight and want to determine if it’s normal or a potential cause for concern, here’s what you should know.

Simply put, standard pharmacy testing may tell you if you could benefit from basic, off-the-shelf reading glasses. The test is typically performed by retail employees with limited training and experience. An eye exam with a qualified eye care professional like those at the Optical Warehouse, however, is a much more comprehensive test that will give you significantly more precision on what is best for your eyes and vision, while also assessing your general eye health. It is performed by qualified eye care specialists. As the early signs of eye problems (like glaucoma or retinopathy) are often very subtle, having a qualified eye care professional and their knowledge with you through your testing can significantly alter the outcome of your test – and your quality of life for the long-term.

Here’s a closer look into how you and your eyes can benefit from a professional eye test, including why the Optical Warehouse is the preferred eye testing provider.

There Is No Substitute For A Professional Eye Test

The simplest analogy that we can use to explain the difference between a basic and a comprehensive eye test is merely looking at the symptoms versus looking at the cause (and all the implications from this cause). While basic eye tests may give you an overview of “what” the outcome of your vision currently is, it doesn’t give you insight into the “why” that considers your own personal factors and history. It also doesn’t tell you about your risks, it doesn’t tell you what you should be doing to help prevent your eyes from further deteriorating, and it doesn’t give you a customised solution – other than telling you to go see an eye care professional in many cases.

When we talk about basic eyesight tests, we mean those that are similar to what you may have seen in your doctor’s office or pharmacy. This test often involves standing a few metres away from a poster and reading out different sizes of letters while closing one eye at a time. Basic tests such as these can give a broad indication of some vision loss, however, they can tell little about:

• Why this vision loss is happening
• How to prevent it from worsening
• Your manageable risk factors
• How to best manage it with targeted treatment

More so, without the support and follow-up of a qualified eye care professionals, there are:

• No further investigations to explore what other conditions may be co-occurring within your eyes, unless a referral to an eye clinic is made which leads you into a comprehensive eye exam
• No resources or experience to provide effective treatments
• No continuity of care over time throughout your eye health journey, leaving many people with more questions than answers

In contrast, comprehensive eye exams such as those provided at the Optical Warehouse, go far beyond what this initial test can measure. In a comprehensive eye exam, a registered optometrist or eye care professional uses a gentle approach combined with innovative medical technology to detect:

• Refractive errors that make objects appear blurry such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (blurry vision for both near and far), presbyopia (mature vision), and amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Colour blindness
• Diseases and conditions such as Glaucoma, Retinal Detachment, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration
• Complications from diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol
• Early warning signs or risk factors for future concerns

Our Optical Warehouse clinics use a wide range of examination techniques, including Digital Retinal Photography and Optical Coherence Tomography scans, to go beyond simply assessing eyesight and help to identify diseases and conditions as early as possible.

How Often Should Australians Get Their Eyes Tested?

All Australians should have an eye test every two years with a registered eye care practitioner as per our national guidelines.^[1] This holds true even if you have no eye problems or risk factors. If you’re over the age of 65 years then your eye tests should be performed annually. If you’re already experiencing any disturbances or changes in your vision, then this test should be conducted promptly.

Many eyesight changes and symptoms of disease occur very slowly over time. This means that many people won’t notice the subtle changes until they become significant, and notable damage may have occurred. This is why regular comprehensive eye exams are important to best support your long-term vision and pick up on issues as soon as they arise, allowing the right, timely steps taken to help you get the best outcomes for your eye health.

The Optical Warehouse For Eye Tests In Queensland

Our team combines years of expertise with the latest technology and treatments, to give you the best care for your eyes with our eye care professionals. Our clients love:

• Our focus on prevention

With up to 90% of all vision loss being preventable, we strongly believe in taking a preventative and proactive approach to each person’s eye care, as well as utilising early detection techniques and technology to help protect and promote vision and overall eye health. We know how important your eyesight and eye health are for your overall well-being, and your ability to stay independent and enjoy doing the things you love.

There are many eye diseases that have few or no early symptoms, and they can develop at any age. This is why we recommend having regular eye health checks with our team of experienced optometrists, who use their comprehensive knowledge paired with digital tools to help track subtle changes in your eyes over time, and pick up on any concerns as soon as they arise, so you can start your treatment and management plan as soon as possible.

• Our innovative equipment and advanced specialist services

We offer specialised vision testing, alongside advanced treatment options and preventative strategies. Our optometrists can fit you with uniquely tailored prescription lenses, frames and contact lenses to best correct your eyesight and suit your vision needs, your lifestyle, and your preferred aesthetics, including designer eyewear with many leading international and independent brands.

Our optometrists have expertise in treating refractive errors effectively to reduce vision-related headaches and eye strain, and help give you the freedom to do the things you love. In children, treatment for amblyopia may also include eye patches, eye drops, or visual therapy, and consultations for contact lenses or for people with specific health requirements can also be easily arranged.

As well as our comprehensive eye exams, we offer a variety of specialist services using modern equipment for maximum comfort, including Retinal Photography and Optical Coherence Tomography, which can help identify a range of eye diseases in their early stages, including:

• Diabetic changes or retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Retinal vascular changes
• Retinal detachment

We also offer targeted care for a wide range of eye conditions, whether you suffer from dry eyes, colour impairment, eye strain, or a medical condition such as diabetes, high-blood pressure or glaucoma, and more. Every treatment plan is designed uniquely for your needs, preferences, and to help optimise your quality of life.

• Our friendly, experienced and highly-qualified staff

Beyond our innovative equipment and evidence-based optometry care, we have a world-class team of passionate and dedicated eye health professionals that understand that everyone has different preferences and priorities for their glasses and optical care, and so work closely with you to help you stay comfortable and confident at every step of the journey.

We understand how unnerving it can feel to experience a disturbance or problem with your eyes and vision, so we ensure we take the time and care to explain our findings carefully, answer all of your questions, and leave you feeling confident about the best approach to treatment and the outcomes you can expect.

• Our flexible payment options

We offer bulk-billed comprehensive eye exams for all eligible Australians with a valid Medicare card, and we also work extensively alongside the DVA, NDIS and health funds. If any additional costs may be incurred due to your individual eye conditions that require additional testing, we will advise you of this at your appointment.

• Our range of stores across Queensland

We have a range of stores across Queensland, including in the Brisbane CBD on George Street, Browns Plains, Capalaba, Hervey Bay, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Stafford and Strathpine.

Don’t delay treatment, get your eyes checked today. To book your comprehensive eye exam, contact one of your local clinics here.

^[1] https://www.visionaustralia.org/information/eye-health/eye-care

Top Tips For Maintaining Healthy Eyes

31/01/2023

Our eyes never stop working when it comes to helping us get about and enjoy our daily lives, from the moment we get up in the morning to the time we get to bed. This is why it’s so important to be proactive when it comes to looking after our eye health to keep them healthy. Here are some top tips from our eye care professionals here at The Optical Warehouse in Queensland that you can start implementing immediately to best support your eyes and maintain their health.

**Tip: Nourishing Your Eye Health Starts From The Inside Out**

Diet and exercise play a bigger role in eye health than many realise. Regular exercise paired with a healthy diet can not only reduce your risk of developing eye diseases and complications but can also help you stay at a healthy weight, which lowers your risk of obesity and the diseases that are associated with it, such as type 2 diabetes – the leading cause of blindness in adults.

To support your eye health, our eye care professionals recommend focusing on:

Diet
Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, to improving vision and overall eye health, and reducing the risk of certain serious eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration.^[1] To help prevent vision loss and support eye health, try to incorporate key vitamins and nutrients into your diet such as:^[2]
• Essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 are an important nutrient for visual health. Studies have suggested that getting enough omega-3 fatty acids is essential for optimal visual development, and may even help to prevent retinal damage and degeneration.^[3] Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally found in fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, squid, scallops and mussels, and plant-sourced omega-3s are found in walnuts, linseed/flaxseed, chia seeds and oils such as canola and soybean.
• Vitamin C can also slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and visual acuity loss. Highest sources include oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.
• Zinc is an important mineral for maintaining the health of the retina and overall vision and eye health.^[4] Impaired vision, such as poor night vision and cloudy cataracts, has been linked to zinc deficiency. For natural dietary sources of zinc, try red meat, oysters and other shellfish, and nuts and seeds.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are the most potent antioxidants for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, and they may help to reduce the risk of other chronic eye diseases. These are found in dark green leafy vegetables as well as other colourful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, corn, peas, persimmons and tangerines.
• Vitamin E helps to protect the cells in our eyes from unstable molecules called free radicals, which break down healthy tissue. Excellent sources of Vitamin E include vegetable oils, nuts, wheat germ and sweet potatoes.
Exercise
Exercise as simple as a 20-minute daily walk, attending a group fitness class at the gym, or spending a few hours in the garden – staying active can help to prevent various health problems or conditions that can lead to eye problems, conditions, or vision changes. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, among others.
Smoking
While most of us recognise the detrimental effects that smoking has on your lungs, heart and risk of cancer, it can also cause damage to your optic nerve, which is responsible for transporting images from your eyes to your brain – and can result in age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration.

**Tip: Easy Steps To Protect Your Eye Health From The Outside In**

Unsurprisingly, our eyes are among the most delicate organs in the body. This means that they’re prone to being damaged by external factors in our everyday environments, whether it’s the sun’s harmful UV rays, hazards at work like chemicals or wood chips, or even old or expired make-up, putting the eyes at risk of developing infections, injuries and a range of eye conditions.

Practical ways you can protect your eyes from the outside in include:

Reducing screen-related eye strain: Using computers, screens, smartphones or televisions can increase your chance of experiencing blurred vision and other troublesome visual symptoms, such as eye strain, headaches and dry eyes.^[5]^{,^[6]} To keep your eyes healthy when using screens:

• Minimise blue light exposure from screens by seeing your optometrist, who can provide specialised lens tints and coatings to reduce the harmful impact that blue light can have on your eye health, and improve clarity and comfort

• Use the 20/20 rule when working on a computer: every 20 minutes, close your eyes for 20 seconds. If needed, try a post-it note on your computer screen reminding you to blink, or set a timer on your phone to step away from your computer to blink and give your eyes a rest.

Protecting your eyes from UV rays: Exposing your eyes to large amounts of UV radiation from the sun’s natural rays can contribute to photokeratitis, a type of sunburn of the eye, which can increase your risk of developing cataracts, pterygium (known as surfer’s eye), macular degeneration, and even eye cancers. To maintain healthy eyes:

• Wear specialised sunglass lenses that block out 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation, and screen out 75 to 90% of visible light
• Consider wearing wraparound frames for additional protection from the harmful sun rays, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat whenever you spend time outdoors, and do your best to seek shade
• Talk to your optometrist about contact lenses that can provide additional UV protection when renewing your prescription. Optometrists are there to ensure your contacts are the right fit for your lifestyle and level of sun exposure
• Be aware about indoor risks: Artificial sources of UV light including tanning beds, lasers and welding machines at work. As part of your annual comprehensive eye exam, be sure to mention your exposure to indoor risks as well as outdoor activities so that your optometrist can assess your level of UV exposure and provide you with the appropriate UV-absorbing lenses

Disposing of old makeup: Make-up, including mascaras, eye shadows, and even foundations and brushes can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can cause infections in the eyes. To avoid this, ensure you replace your make-up products at least every three months, avoid sharing cosmetics with others, steer away from make-up testers and samples in stores, and wash your make-up brushes regularly.

Maintaining correct contact lens hygiene: If you wear contacts lenses, it’s important to take steps to prevent eye infections from bacteria entering your eye, which includes washing your hands and drying them well on a clean towel before putting them in or taking them, and take the time to disinfect your contact lenses and replace them regularly, alongside the support of your optometrist who can guide you on how to do this effectively.

Tip: Get To Know Your Risk Factors

Have your parents experienced eye problems or had eye surgery? Some eye health problems can be related to your genes, which are inherited from your family, and others can be related to other health conditions you have. It’s important to be aware of the risks you have of developing certain eye diseases, so that you can work alongside a trusted optometrist to put preventative strategies in place and keep an eye on changes over time, before symptoms may even be noticeable. Our eye care specialists recommend:

• Talking to your family members about their eye history and any problems they’ve experienced throughout their lifetime: glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye conditions can be inherited, meaning that if you’re related to someone with these conditions, you’re more likely to develop them as well over time.
• Talk to your optometrist about your other health-related risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which can also increase your risk of some eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy – an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness.

Tip: Annual Eye Exams Can Detect Eye Problems Early

Even if you have no concerning symptoms or known conditions, annual eye assessments with an optometrist are recommended every two years here in Australia,^[7] and every year if you’re over the age of 65. These exams can detect changes in your eye health and vision problems early, so that effective treatment and preventative strategies can be put in place as soon as possible – even before you develop any symptoms to suggest that something may be wrong.

Eye health conditions that cause vision loss such as glaucoma, for example, are usually painless, so people don’t typically realise they have it until their eyesight begins to significantly deteriorate. Unfortunately, with glaucoma, any vision you lose cannot be regained, so it’s essential to catch it early and stop it in its tracks. Other eye conditions can also develop over time without pain and only subtle vision changes, but with an annual exam, this can be picked up promptly.

What To Expect At Your Optometrist Appointment

In a comprehensive eye exam such as those provided at The Optical Warehouse, your eye care professional uses a gentle approach combined with innovative medical technology including Digital Retinal Photography and Optical Coherence Tomography scans, to go beyond simply assessing eyesight, with the power to help to identify more than 270 serious health conditions, including diabetes, brain tumours, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and even some kinds of cancer.

Your comprehensive exam may include:

• Tests of your eye health which may include depth perception, colour vision, peripheral (side) vision and how your pupils respond to light
• Visual acuity measurements using reading charts to assess exactly how clearly each eye can see
• Going through your personal and family health history, detailing when your symptoms began, medications you’re taking, work and environmental factors, and more
• Assessments to measure which power of lens you require to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism
• Eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement activities to examine how well your eyes focus, move and work together
• Eye health examination using a range of technologies to detect underlying conditions

After your exam is completed, your eye care professional will be able to discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan options with you to protect your eye health and prevent vision loss, to help give you the freedom to do the things you love.

Here at The Optical Warehouse in Queensland, our friendly optometrists offer targeted care for a wide range of conditions. No matter your eye concerns, every treatment plan is designed uniquely for your needs, preferences, and to help optimise your quality of life.

Don’t delay treatment, get your eyes checked today. To get your eyes assessed and detect any early changes, contact us via your local Queensland clinic here.

^[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523787/

^[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523787/

^[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11888/

^[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3693724/

^[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18708259/

^[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21480937/

^[7] https://www.visionaustralia.org/information/eye-health/eye-care

Should I See An Optometrist Or Ophthalmologist For Contact Lenses?

06/12/2022

Where do you start in getting contact lenses in Queensland? Whether you’ve noticed your vision declining over time and want an ‘invisible’ solution, or want an alternative to wearing your prescription glasses at times, a common inquiry we get is whether an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is the best person to help you.

See Your Optometrist First

Optometrists are Australia’s go-to primary healthcare provider for all regular and routine eye assessments and prescriptions. This means that they are the first place you should go for new contact lenses, and are the team who have everything you need to get these to you promptly.

Most people will not need to see an ophthalmologist, as their field of expertise is eye surgery and complex eye problems. Most ophthalmologists do not issue contact lenses, but instead, refer back to an optometrist once they have performed any vision-related surgical procedures and care. From there, your optometrist is the one who will reissue your contact lenses, reassess your vision over time, and generally continue to care for your eye health needs.

In your contact lens prescription, your optometrist will support you in correcting any vision errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, or presbyopia (farsightedness related to ageing) – and keep your eye health and vision at an optimal state.

Optometrists Are General Eye Health Professionals

Aside from contact lens prescriptions and fitting, optometrists can help support you in a range of ways, including through their comprehensive eye exams, prescribing other eyewear or low-vision aids, monitoring eye problems related to diseases like diabetes and age-related macular degeneration, diagnosing and treating a range of medical eye conditions such as dry eyes, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, retinopathy and more, prescribing medications for certain eye condition and performing minor eye procedures.

Working alongside ophthalmologists, optometrists support patients after surgery with eye care and education.

What Can An Ophthalmologist Help Me With?

Ophthalmologists are specialists in their field, much like cardiovascular surgeons – just focusing on the eyes instead of the heart. This means their area of focus is complex eye conditions and problems that are often treated with intricate eye surgery. Despite being eye specialists, they generally do not offer the same base services as optometrists, instead working alongside them and using an optometrist’s assessment to guide their further investigations and clinical decision-making, and then referring back to an optometrist for ongoing standard eye care following the resolution of the specific complaint that led to the referral.

Your ophthalmologist may also help you with:

• Medical eye care for conditions like iritis, chemical burns and glaucoma
• Surgical intervention for serious or complex diseases and concerns such as strabismus, cataracts, corneal transplants, trauma, crossed eyes, and retinal detachment
• Laser eye surgery
• Plastic surgery, including blepharoplasty to raise droopy eyelids or other procedures to smooth out wrinkles
• Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research to investigate different eye diseases and vision disorders.

Getting Contact Lenses

Contact lenses offer our clients a lot of freedom by giving them a choice of what they want to wear and when, without always having to wear glasses. The first step to getting the right contact lenses is to ensure that they fit both your eyes and your vision properly (yes, they have different fits!), ensuring you can see clearly while feeling comfortable.

Our team here at the Optical Warehouse offer customised contact lens consultations to give you the best outcome from your lenses while helping you feel fully informed about how to care for your lenses and your eye health. During your appointment with our eye care professionals, we’ll always take the time to explain our wide range of contact lens types to best support your needs and lifestyle. These may include:

• Continuous wear lenses – for those that are busy, always on the go or forgetful. Continuous lenses can be worn during the day and into the night without needing to take them out for sleep.

• Daily disposable lenses – simple one-day use packets for when you need them, especially if it is infrequent. These are also great for travelling as there are no cleaning solutions to pack. It is also good for those who have hay fever or allergies and find relief from a fresh lens every day.

• Monthly disposable lenses – these can be worn daily for up to a month, only being removed for sleep. This is a good value option as you only need 12 pairs each year

• Multifocal contact lenses – much like glasses that combine multiple prescriptions, multifocal contact lenses can accommodate different prescriptions within one lens, which helps optimise your vision, and do things like switch focus from close vision to distant in an instant

• Toric contact lenses for astigmatism – to suit cases where the lens of the eye is slightly oval-shaped

• Coloured lenses that can enhance the natural beauty of your eyes with depth and definition, or allow you to try any colour on the spectrum, from bright blue to warm brown

Optical Warehouse Contact Lens Consultation

Your consultation with us starts with an eye exam. As contact lenses are medical devices, an eye examination is needed to determine the best prescription for your lenses. Here, your optometrist assesses your vision. If you already have a glasses prescription, your contact lens prescription may differ, so you’ll typically need to have a separate contact lens assessment to ensure your lenses will be right for your eyes and your vision.

Part of this exam will include taking measurements, such as the curvature of your cornea, which is the clear front surface of your eye where your contact lens will sit. Your pupil and iris size may also be measured. Your tear film may also be evaluated, particularly if you’re prone to having dry eyes. This will ensure that, if needed, the lenses we prescribe will help keep your eyes moisturised and not irritate them further.

We understand that everyone’s lifestyles and preferences are different. There is a wide range of lenses available with today’s advancing technology, and some contact lens types may be better suited for athletes with active lifestyles, whereas others may be better for frequent travellers who might need to occasionally sleep while still wearing their contacts. All of this will be considered during your exam.

Your Optical Warehouse eye care team will also guide you on how to use and care for your contact lenses hygienically to help support the health and comfort of your eyes. We understand how important the option to be able to wear contact lenses is to many, so we always take a great time and care in helping you get the best contact lenses for your needs.

To learn more about the benefits of wearing contact lenses or to make an appointment to find a lens style which best suits you, contact us via your local Queensland store here.