“Go play outside!”

In this digital age, kids often want to play on their screens rather than kick a ball around outside. But as parents we know that getting outdoors is important during childhood for their physical health and development…. But did you know that it is also good for their eyes?

Rates of myopia (shortsightedness) are on the increase, with half the world predicted to be myopic by 2050.  Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, so that distance objects appear blurry. Researchers have been working hard to solve the puzzle of what causes shortsightedness for many years. We now know that genetics is a component (thanks Mum and Dad) but another key factor is our changing lifestyle. People now spend less time outdoors, more time doing close work, such as reading, more time in school, and there are more people than ever living in cities.

Studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to become myopic, and if they are already shortsighted it can slow the progression of their myopia. The research has found that it is not so much the physical activity that is beneficial, but rather the brightness of the light which protects the young eye from growing too quickly. When outdoors, the eye is also able to look far into the distance and the whole retina is stimulated in a more equivalent way, compared to when we are indoors and looking up close, where we tend to use our central vision much more so.

Whatever the mechanism, one thing is for sure – going outside is good for your child’s eyes! We recommend that children play outdoors for at least 90 minutes per day. Just remember to be sun safe and slip, slop, slap while outdoors.

Narangba residents to have world-first eyeglass technology for summer
This summer Eyes @ Narangba optometry practice is reminding Narangba residents of the need to protect their eyes from the season’s harsh UV rays by offering them the chance to experience revolutionary eyeglass technology.

In a world-first, Transitions Optical is making it possible for clear lenses to darken and polarise outdoors, giving wearers remarkably improved vision, reduced glare and protected eye health this summer. The innovation comes as Practice Manager for Eyes @ Narangba, Ross Bakker, urges local residents to protect their eyes from damaging UV rays from the sun.

‘Long-term exposure to the sun can cause serious eye conditions such as cataract, eyelid cancers and ptergyium. The good news is you can help prevent these conditions by wearing glasses that block UV rays, and by having regular eye exams,” says Mr. Bakker.

Transitions Vantage adaptive lenses – like other adaptive photochromic lenses – are virtually clear indoors and go dark outdoors as they adjust to filter light. But unlike any other lens in the world, as they darken outdoors they also increasingly polarise according to the amount of UV rays present, meaning that even in the sunniest conditions, everything looks clearer, crisper and sharper.

‘This ground-breaking product takes Transitions adaptability from clear to dark to the next level in a world first, allowing our wearers to really enjoy a life that is more vivid, more vibrant and more true,’ says Eric Breda, Transitions Optical Business Director for Australia and New Zealand.

This summer, Transitions Optical and Eyes @ Narangba recommend Narangba residents protect their eyes in the following ways:
Wear glasses which provide protection from UV rays. Harmful rays from the sun are not only present in summer so it is important to get in the habit of wearing lenses which adapt to changing light outdoors all year round.

Make UV protection part of your everyday routine. In summer the majority of people use sunscreen or change their moisturiser for a cream that has a higher SPF. Integrating the correct eye protection into your routine is about making sure protection such as eyewear is worn whether no matter what you’re doing – working, playing sport, holidaying or just relaxing outdoors.

Get your eyes tested regularly. Eyecare professionals can offer the appropriate solution for your eyecare needs as well as detect eye conditions or diseases early to reduce vision loss. Eye exams can also uncover other general health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

About Vantage Technology
Until now, polarisation only existed as static film embedded in a lens. It was tinted and fixed, and thus unable to adapt to changing light and become clear. Transitions Optical has shattered science by creating lenses that simultaneously activate and orient to the angle at which light reaches the eyes. In other words, new Transitions Vantage lenses help control glare and light scatter by both darkening and increasing their polarisation in UV light.

About Transitions Optical
Transitions Optical was the first to successfully commercialise a plastic photochromic lens in 1990. Transitions® lenses, are the #1-recommended photochromic lenses worldwide, offering the most advanced photochromic technology with the widest selection of lens designs and materials.

Transitions performance sunwear line uses the same advanced photochromic technology, providing a visual advantage for outdoor activities. They not only provide blockage against 100% UV rays, but also adapt to changing light conditions with colour / contrast enhancement and improved depth perception, making them ideal for sports such as driving, golfing, cycling, boating and others.

For more information on Transitions Vantage adaptive lenses visit www.transitions.com or www.eyesat.com.au and make an appointment at Eyes@Narangba, (07) 3886 6061, 2/28 Main Street, Narangba, Queensland.

We are often asked to explain the difference between Optometry and Behavioural/Developmental Optometry.

Behavioural Optometry is an approach to vision care that aims to maximize visual function in all situations in life. From this, it is not just important that a person sees well, but are able to process what they see in a comfortable and stable manner, which will affect how a person views and responds to the world around them. The goal is to develop and enhance the visual skills needed to achieve more effective visual performance in the classroom, work place, when playing sport and following recreational pursuits.

More than clear vision…
When you look at an object and “see it” you need to understand what the object is, you should know where it is, and you should know how to react to it. To do this you must observe the colour, shape, size and the relation to other objects. This information must then be compared to previous experiences you have had and a decision is then made on what to do. This analysis must be completed accurately and quickly within a fraction of a second.

We use this to help us balance, walk, drive, play sport, talk to people, work and read. Some of these activities like balancing and walking can be done without sight, but the skills develop more slowly and less extensively than when we can efficiently visually understand the world we see. Talking to people does not require the ability to see but the visual aspects of communication like body language make understanding and developing of rapport with people quicker and easier. We also turn our words into images to ‘see’ what they are saying. Vision plays an important part in the development of many human behaviors. Equally, the way that humans develop their sensory motor skills, fine motor skills, eye hand co-ordination and the development of speech and language, affects the development of the visual skills that are used to understand the world around us.