Does keratoconus run in families? This case report, written by Alex Koutsokeras, showcases the journey of Jack* and his son Tyson, who both suffer from this condition.  *Names and personal details have been changed for this article.  Background Jack first visited The Eye Practice in 2007, when he was 33 years old. He had been previously diagnosed with fairly advanced keratoconus when he was about 22. Although glasses no longer gave Jack good vision, his Rigid Gas Permeable – RGP – contact lenses were providing excellent vision.   Jack was a keen soccer player, and although ..read more

What seemed like a novel idea a few weeks ago - home schooling your kids during lockdown - is starting to take its toll.  Restrictions on travel have also meant a new kind of school holiday - one that involves a lot of time at home. But what sort of impact does this have on our kids' health - especially their eyes?    Coping with change Any sudden, drastic change is a shock to the system. In the space of little over a month, we've gone from regular life to a new normal and a whole new jargon. Home schooling apps like SeeSaw and Google Classroom, social distancing rules and quara ..read more

The latest lock-down rules permit optometrists to keep their doors open but should you or shouldn't you be going? And how do you stay safe? Are you well? You should not be visiting your optometrist for an eye test, or any other reason, if any of the following apply: If you are over 65, unwell, undergoing cancer treatment or have any underlying illness such as diabetes, a respiratory condition or heart condition, you are at higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 illness and should not leave your house unless absolutely necessary. Arrange for a family member to collect your eye wear (or h ..read more

In these strange, unprecedented times, information is everywhere. But what most people want is direction on what they should actually do.   The Eye Practice has put together some helpful advice for taking care of your eyes during the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Consider your minimum contact lens needs While we are not suggesting that anyone stockpile contact lenses (and we will not be accepting large orders) we are encouraging people to consider their minimum needs over the next six months.  If you are heavily dependent on disposable lenses, especially if you do not have glasses, consider or ..read more

Eye strain (also known as asthenopia) is a common eye condition. As its name suggests, it occurs when the eyes get too tired due to intense use.  Your eyes use muscles to focus. Like any other muscle in the body, eye muscles tire from overuse. This can be brought about by activities like driving, reading or, especially, computer use. While eye strain should not be a cause for alarm, you should still avoid it as it can lead to more serious eye problems.  The Eye Practice has some tips to help you avoid this condition.  Avoiding eyestrain Glasses. If you are currently wearing eye glasses or ..read more

Visiting Sydney and you’ve broken your only pair of glasses? Or washed your contact lenses down the plughole?  The Eye Practice can help!  Single vision glasses: same day turnaround For some people, losing or breaking their glasses is not simply inconvenient – it can be devastating, especially if you’re travelling and they’re your only pair. Imagine visiting Sydney and not being able to see the Opera House or take a walk along Bondi Beach? But if you’re travelling and disaster strikes, we can help. The Eye Practice has an onsite lens edger and experienced technician who can make your new gla ..read more

If you suffer from moderate to severe dry eye syndrome, you know by now that there is no magic bullet or miracle cure for this disease. But a combination of professional treatments, the right therapeutic agents and at-home maintenance can bring a marked improvement in symptoms. This post looks at the latest innovations in dry eye therapy and technology that The Eye Practice will be introducing in 2020. Lumenis IPL for redness and dry eyes Ocular rosacea is a common skin condition associated with facial rosacea where the eyelids become red and inflamed due to the development of tiny new blood v ..read more

If you suffer from arthritis, you know that it not only affects your joints but also other connective tissues in your body.  This post looks at what effect arthritis can have on your eyes and how to manage it. Why the eye? The eye is completely different to your other organs, in that it contains transparent tissues (the cornea and lens) and other connective tissues that are not found elsewhere in the body. Your sclera (white of your eye) and crystalline lens are made almost entirely of collagen – the tissue attacked by some forms of arthritis. This is why arthritis can have such a devastatin ..read more

Suffering from eye irritation lately? If you live in New South Wales then bush fires could be to blame, and they can affect your eyes long before you’re even aware of the visible smoke.  Why does smoke irritate eyes? Although smoke contain gas and liquid particles, visible smoke consists of tiny solid particles of un-burnt material including soot (carbon), tar and ash. These airborne particles can travel thousands of kilometres and affect not only air quality but aggravate the delicate membranes of throats, lungs and eyes.  Fine particles are carried further and faster and can irritate eyes ..read more

The Eye Practice has become the first (and only) Sydney CBD stockist of the exclusive Sospiri luxury eye wear collection, from Italian design house Ottica Veneta.  This exquisite line is inspired by the rich architecture and art of Venice. These optical and sunglasses frames, the latest in European luxury eyewear, were sourced by The Eye Practice during their recent world optical trade fair tour and are only available through a very small number of select retailers around the globe.  What’s in a name? No, Sospiri is not the name of an Italian town. It’s actually the Italian word for the so ..read more