Most people aren’t aware that common health problems can affect your eyes: Hypertension, Diabetes, and other chronic disorders often damage circulation within the eye and require preventative care and monitoring.

Some patients who have had cataract or retinal surgery, or laser vision-correction treatments require close monitoring of their condition as their eyes heal. Prescription drugs can cause side-effects or discomfort to the eyes also.

These are the types of problems which can often be treated if they’re examined during a routine optometric consultation. Such check-ups can also uncover any hereditary eye problems, as well as those disorders which are caused by environmental factors such as computer use, exposure to ultraviolet light and subjection to smoke or vapours.

If your working environment is hazardous to your eyesight, George Amaro Optometrists can advise you on how to best manage your risks.

optometry services

pterygium

When the conjunctival tissue in the front part of the eye thickens. It can grow across the cornea and eventually the pupil, causing blindness if it is not surgically removed.

conditions we look for include:

With regular eye tests, you can ensure early detection of any potentially harmful eye conditions. Eye examinations are quick, harmless and relatively inexpensive... an investment in your future health. Eye testing can detect eye conditions caused by exposure to the environment.

eye testing

age related maculopathy

Macular Degeneration is the damage or breakdown of the eye macula, which is located at the back of the eye. The macula is a very small part of the light sensitive tissue called the retina. 

While damage caused macular degeneration is usually permanent and irreversible, it won't cause blindness because some side vision will remain.

The Macular Disease Foundation has videos and brochures with more information about Macular Diseases.

cataracts

These cause cloudiness in the lens of the eye that can result in blindness. Fortunately these can be easily removed with surgery.

glaucoma 

Glaucoma causes irreversible vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve. The loss of sight is usually gradual and a considerable amount of peripheral (side) vision may be lost before there is an awareness of any problem. Early detection and treatment can save sight. More information from Glaucoma Australia

diabetic retinopathy

People with diabetes usually see their optometrist for eye examinations which detect changes that may lead to diabetic retinopathy and vision loss if not treated.   For more information about diabetes and eyehealth go to Diabetes Australia.

Now here’s another reason why diabetes patients should see their optometrist – they can help prevent foot amputations. Optometrists already use OCTs in diabetes patients to examine the retina - the nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. They can use OCTs to detect thinning of nerve fibres in the retina."

The thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer is a signal that the person could have nerve damage elsewhere in their body including the arms and legs.

Queensland University of Technology research by shows that retinal nerve fibre thinning is a very early marker of loss of fine nerve fibres around the body occurring at the same time as in the eye. Loss of fine nerve fibres in the feet could lead to loss of sensation.

Source: Helen Carter Optometry Australia

children's vision

myopia in children

Vision is our most important learning sense. Eighty percent of the information we gather from our surroundings is drawn in through what we see.

A child who can see 20/20 can still have a vision problem. Parents and educators often assume, incorrectly, that if a child passes a school screening, then there is no vision problem. However, many school vision screenings only test for distance visual acuity, lazy eye (amblyopia) or ‘turned’ eye (strabismus)*. The vision skills needed for successful reading and learning are much more complex.

Even if a child passes a vision screening, they should receive a comprehensive optometric examination if:

• They show any of the signs or symptoms of a vision problem

• They are not achieving up to their potential

• They are minimally able to achieve, but have to use excessive time and effort to do so.

Short sightedness or myopia in children is an increasingly prevalent condition in Australian children. By 2050 it is predicted that more than half of the world’s population will have myopia (short-sightedness) and 10% will have high myopia.

A 2022 report published by www.childmyopia.com recommends three key actions that parents/carers can take:

1.    Have children’s eyes tested regularly by an optometrist
2.    Be aware that myopia can be managed
3.  Know the questions to ask and start a conversation with the optometrist

Understanding the early signs of myopia may help delay its onset and slow its progression.

Evidence-based myopia management options range from:

• certain soft contact lenses featuring a special optical design which are worn during the day,

• contact lenses which reshape the front surface of the eye during overnight wear and are then removed during the daytime,

• through to certain spectacle lenses featuring a special optical design

• and low-dose atropine eyedrops varying concentrations which are usually applied at night before bed.

Optometrist and fellow founding member of the working group, Margaret Lam writes, "It's important to be aware of the different management options now available, because slowing the progression of myopia in children may prevent the development of high myopia. High myopia can cause serious eye health problems later in life.”

Vision changes can occur without your child or you noticing them. Therefore, your child should receive an eye examination at least once every two years - more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist 

regular check ups

lenses to slow myopia progression in children

Essilor® Stellest™ lenses slow down myopia progression in children by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day*

Reference: * Compared to single vision lenses, when worn by children at least 12 hours per day every day. Bao, J., Huang, Y., Li, X., Yang, A., Zhou, F., Wu, J., Wang, C., Li, Y., Lim, E.W., Spiegel, D.P., Drobe, B., Chen, H., 2022. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 140(5), 472–478.   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2790589

Transitions (Essilor® ) block of 100% UVA and UVB rays. Transitions for kids let children play outside with UV protection in all outdoor situations

Made from Airwear material for additional protection. Airwear is the same material that NASA uses to make visors for their astronauts! It is safe and durable and can withstand a blow from objects moving up to 150m/s.

A child's eyes absorb more blue-violet light than an adult's. Blue-violet light is at its peak outdoors, so when activated, Transitions cut at least 85% of blue –violet. Cildren's eyes are then protected from UV damage.

tough transitions lenses for children

contact lens consult

Quite a few different types of contact lenses are available today, and we will advise you on the types of contacts best suited to you. We will also ensure the correct fit, material, size, curvature and power, and use and care of your lenses for your eyes and lifestyle.

Contact lenses are clearer, more comfortable and more convenient than ever before.

They provide a full field of unobstructed vision, freedom of movement unmatched by glasses, additional flexibility to take on new activities with crisper vision

Whether you are already a contact lens wearer or are considering contact lenses for the first time, our professional advice will determine your contact lens prescription.

why get optometrist prescribed lenses

At GE we offer you all the latest in contact lenses including extended wear CL, disposable Astigmatism CL, mono vision CL and bi-focals CL. We've made these latest innovations more affordable to our loyal customers via our contact lens club. The contact lens club entitles you to preferred pricing and benefits on contact lenses and sunglasses.

The way this works is that your contact lens wearing schedule is pre-determined so each lot of contact lenses are automatically pre-ordered and you are never inconvenienced by running out. You can order on-line and we can also dispatch your contact lenses to anywhere Australia-wide. And the best part is that there is no membership or joining fees. We even have an automatic ordering system.

buy your lenses for less