NEWS from cameron optometry children’s vision Selecting Kids Eyewear. Comparing Lenses. 2 Selecting the right pair of children’s glasses. Peru update. 3 Lenses - are you comparing apples with apples. A fresh year of optical benefits. 4 Children’s vision. selecting the right pair If your child needs glasses, where do you start? You want them to feel happy in their new eyewear, but you also want to get the most out of your investment. Keeping in mind a few simple tips will give you the confidence to know you’re making an informed choice. Trends If children like the look of their glasses, they’re more likely to want to wear them. Luckily these days there are plenty of options to choose from. Designs are colourful, creative and quirky so children can have fun expressing their personality. For those ‘mini-me’s’ out there, adult styling is now being translated into children’s sizing. Comfort and fit Although children will often prioritise colour and design over comfort, it is fundamental that your child’s new glasses fit correctly. With children’s noses not yet fully developed, each frame needs to be checked for its bridge fit. If they are too large they will slip down and ultimately defeat their intended purpose. That’s where the expertise of our staff is important. Differences in frame and lens materials will also contribute to comfort and fit as explained below. Material Children’s frames are commonly made from either plastic or metal. Plastic frames are generally considered to be durable, less likely to bend out of shape and lighter in weight. However, plastic frames are not always as easy to fit on a small child due to moulded nose bridges and solid temples (the arms of the glasses). Metal frames offer the benefit of adjustable nose pads and temples, so they can be fitted and shaped perfectly to any child. Latest metal technology also delivers ultra-light and memory metal frame options. DURABILITY Fortunately, many designs now incorporate spring hinges which allow the temples to flex outwards without damaging the frames. Tough, flexible materials, such as stainless steel and titanium are also highly durable. Frames incorporating these benefits are great for kids who are hard on their glasses. LENS MATERIAL Polycarbonate is most commonly recommended for children’s lenses due to its high impact resistance, lightweight qualities and built-in UV protection. Polycarbonate is also thinner than standard plastic lenses, so if a child has a strong prescription, lenses will be lighter and look better improving overall wearability. Please ask our experienced staff to recommend the most suitable glasses solution for your child. *Frame styles pictured may not be available in store. Contact us for more information. peru update On the 27th of October Craig set off for a return trip to Chivay, Peru. Set high in the Andes (altitude 3635 metres), Chivay is a quaint town of 5000 people nestled in the Colca Valley. In May 2010, a team consisting of health professionals mainly from the Shoalhaven region set off to conduct an eye clinic providing glasses and cataract surgery. This was a pioneering mission offering these services in the Chivay area for the first time. The mission was very successful and paved the way for the follow-up mission Craig has recently returned from. For 8 days in early November an expanded medical team consisting of 2 ophthalmologists, an optometrist, orthoptist, paediatrician, 2 general practitioners and a team of nurses, again mainly from Nowra and Ulladulla, returned to Chivay and conducted optometry, paediatric and general medical clinics as well as cataract surgeries. The people in the Colca Valley are mainly subsistence farmers and are of a low socio econimic status. Although many required cataract surgery the majority of people we saw just needed glasses to provide a significant improvement to their vision. We saw more than 400 patients in the optometry clinic and were able to provide glasses to more than 200 people. While most just required simple reading glasses we were surprised at the high percentage of people that had high astigmatic prescriptions. Many of these required specialised glasses that had to be organised back here in Australia and Essilor Australia and European Optical (2 of our Australian suppliers) generously donated frames and lenses for these glasses. Being able to travel to a location as beautiful as this was a great experience in itself but seeing the difference our team was able to make to these beautiful people was priceless. Our plan is to return again in 12-18 months time. Lenses are you comparing apples with apples? Why do lenses vary in price when they all look the same? Lenses are highly technical products that in many cases will Lens Index Determines the thickness and weight of lenses. 1.50 index (or CR39) is the base option and the one advertised in most package deals. As you increase the index (eg. 1.56, 1.60 and 1.67) lenses become thinner, lighter and more aesthetically pleasing. Lens Type Refers to the type of vision correction. Single vision lenses are the most common lens type. They correct either near or distance vision and are included in most packages. Multifocal lenses (or progressives) offer multiple distance correction, and cost more as they are more complex to produce and fit. require a greater investment than your frames. As the differences between them is Lens Design not always apparent, comparing like for like Basic lenses common to low-cost packages are typically spherical. They have steep curves that result in a thicker appearance. Aspheric lenses are can be difficult. It basically comes down to which options are selected from the Following categories. a fresh year of optical benefits? New Year is a great time to make some positive changes. So why not get your year started off on the right foot with a fresh new look or make it easier for yourself with a handy second pair? Alternatively, it could be a great time to try the latest generation of ultra breathable and comfortable contact lenses. If your health fund optical entitlements were renewed on January 1, then you’ll only pay the gap on any prescription frames and lenses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses. We also have a new No Gap range of frames and lenses that will enable you to purchase a spare pair at no out of pocket expense for you provided you have made no other optical claims in the same year. To make claiming fast and convenient, we offer Hicaps processing, so there is no need to fill out any paperwork or visit your health fund provider. We look forward to assisting you in getting the most from your optical benefits in 2012. Applicable to health funds in which annual entitlements begin on 1st January 2012. a premium alternative, producing a flatter, thinner, more comfortable and appealing finish. Multifocal/Progressive Design The ease of progression between near, intermediate and distance vision as well as the quality of peripheral vision is another lens consideration for multifocal/ progressive wearers. The latest sophisticated designs will deliver more seamless and natural vision, less distortion, and provide greater flexibility in frame choice over standard options. Lens Enhancements Lens options including Transitions, anti-reflective coatings and polarising technology will enhance your visual performance, safety and the look of your lenses. These are generally treated as package extras. children’s vision FAQs Good vision is essential to a child’s growth, development and everyday performance. Undetected vision problems can interfere with a child’s ability to learn and meet their full potential. Q When should children have Q How do I know if a child The Optometrists Association of Australia recommends children have a comprehensive eye test with an optometrist before starting school and regularly as they progress through primary and secondary school. their eyes tested? Q What are the most common vision problems in children? • Short-sightedness – difficulty seeing objects in the distance • Long sightedness – difficulty seeing objects up close • Astigmatism – when the front part of the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball as opposed to a tennis ball, distorting their vision. A child can have 20/20 vision but have other vision-related learning problems. Amblyopia (lazy eye) is one example that affects some children and for which early detection is important to avoid long term damage. Q When is a child old enough to wear contact lenses? Contact lenses can be a practical option for children, providing them with the freedom to participate in daily activities without having their glasses get in the way. We take into account a child’s maturity to handle and care for their contact lenses when considering this corrective option. has a vision problem? Being aware of some of the possible signs of a vision problem can assist you to identify potential vision issues in your child or someone else’s. If you notice any of these, a comprehensive eye examination is recommended. • One eye turns out while the other points straight ahead • Frequency blinking • Red or watery eyes • Sensitivity to light • Frequently rubbing the eyes • Difficulty concentrating • Titling head noticeably • Covering or closing one eye • Difficulty learning to read • Holding a book very close to read • Leaving out or confusing words when reading • Squinting or sitting very close when watching television • Difficulty recognising familiar people in the distance • Complaints of headaches, blurred or double vision Q Does prolonged use of computers or hand-held electronic devices harm a child’s vision? Increased use of technology in the classroom and at home can place additional pressure on a child’s visual system. A condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) can result from prolonged use of technology. Although not resulting in any permanent damage, it can cause eye strain, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and head or neck pain. Good ergonomics and teaching children to give their eyes a break at least every 15 to 20 minutes to rest them and change their focus from near objects to something in the distance will help to avoid CVS. Regular, longer breaks will be required for extended periods on computer devices. Q Does wearing glasses weaken a child’s eyes or make them more dependent on them? There is no clinical evidence to suggest that this is the case. Keep in mind also that a child’s inability to see well can cause learning difficulties which can affect them for the rest of their life. If you have any other questions about children’s vision and eye health, please contact our practice. SHop 17 SHop 14 43 Berry street rowen’s Arcade citi centre arcade nowra princes highway orient street nsw 2541 ulladulla batemans bay (02) 4421 2723 nsw 2539 nsw 2536 (02) 4455 1288 (02) 4472 7088 www.cameronoptometry.com.au We belong to ProVision, the largest national network of independent optometrists, sharing a commitment to clinical excellence and high quality products and services. www.provision.com.au