NZAO - Eye Health

Early detection prevents serious eye damage.

Nearly one million eye exams are performed by optometrists in New Zealand annually. As at 31 March 2001, there were 498 optometrists practising in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Association of Optometrists is an incorporated society whose objects include a commitment to high quality eye health care for all New Zealanders. The NZAO membership includes around 94% of the practising Optometrists in this country thus represents nearly all the primary providers of eye health services for New Zealand.
Sixty percent of those patients examined are prescribed glasses or contact lenses.
The remaining forty percent require eye health care, such as visual training, eye hygiene, and medical treatment.
For exceptional cases, optometrists refer patients to an eye specialist, for reasons including saving sight. In the last two years it is estimated that 10,000 referrals by optometrists in New Zealand resulted in the saving of sight.
Eye exams screen for conditions related directly to eye health. They also can detect diseases that may not be visible to the patient at all but are observed through examination of the eyes, for example diabetes.
A change in vision may be normal, although it may also be the result of a more serious condition. More subtle symptoms could be related to vascular, neurological, or other medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Optometrists undertake the visual exam to observe the physiological condition of the eye in its natural state. During the exam, the patient interacts with visual stimuli.
An optician sells glasses or is the place where eye glasses are sold.

info@nzao.co.nz
49 Boulcott St
PO Box 1978
Wellington
Tel: 0800 4 EYECARE
Tel: 0800 439 322
Tel: +64 4 473 2322
Fax: +64 4 473 2328

The Optometrists Role - Helping People to See Clearly

An eye exam conducted by an optometrist will determine the condition of your eye, and the results of the test will determine the options for improving your sight. In many cases prescription glasses or contact lenses will be recommended, although current research offers a range of options after the examination has been completed. Some professionals maintain a specialist interest such as contact lenses, geriatric vision or children’s vision.

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Children's Eye Health

Ninety percent of learning in young children is through the senses. Eighty percent of all information processed by the brain is collected by the eyes, so improved vision has a large impact on learning difficulties. Early detection of long-sightedness (hyperopia) is important in young children that are learning to read and optometrists are equipped to carry out the exams. These exams are subsidised in some cases for low income families.

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The Ageing Eye

Eye health for the aged is not always picked-up without visiting an optometrist regularly. Cataracts and glaucoma are the common conditions affecting an aged person. Many people over the age of seventy years have some macular degeneration. Those with other medical conditions, for example diabetes, require more attention to maintain good vision. Even where degeneration of the eye has occurred, help is possible to improve sight in most cases.

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Do you need sunglasses?

Sunglasses are bought and worn for many reasons. Some people buy sunglasses purely as a fashion accessory while others have special lenses made specifically to suit their vision needs. This pamphlet provides information about different parts of the eyes, UV (ultra-violet) radiation, and things to look for when thinking about purchasing sunglasses.

Regular Examinations: Healthy eyes are more than clear vision

Part of an optometrist's profession is helping people from all walks of life who have concerns about their eyes. Optometrists are friendly and approachable and are here to help you with your vision care.

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Presbyopia

Normal healthy, young eyes have a wide range of focus from far distance to a few centimetres. In a young eye the lenses very flexible. Muscles within the eye have the ability to change the shape if the lens and by doing so, change its focus. This change happens so quickly that we don't even know our eye is refocusing!

As we get older, the lens of the eye thickens and slowly loses its flexibility, making it difficult to hold objects very close and see clearly. Around the age of 40 to 45, vision at our normal reading distance becomes blurry. We have to hold print further away to avoid tired eyes.

This loss of focusing ability is called PRESBYOPIA. It is not a disease, but a normal change which affects everyone. Presbyopia doesn't occur suddenly. It doesn't affect distance vision. It is a change which begins in adolescence and can not be prevented.

Myopia (means "short sight")

Myopia causes blurred vision. The most common problem for those who are shortsighted is difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Some myopic children have never had clear distance vision and so are not aware of what they are missing. School vision screening will often detect myopia. Frowning and screwing up the eyes in an effort to see better is common and this may cause headaches. Shortsighted children will sometimes hold reading material quite close. In their mid to late forties most people with perfect distance vision need reading spectacles, however many people with myopia can see close work clearly without them.

Hyperopia (means "longsight")

A young "normal" eye looking into the far distance sees clearly without making any focussing effort. A hyperopic (longsighted) young eye looking into the far distance can only see clearly if the muscular focussing system inside the eye is used.

A normal eye begins to use its focussing system as an object comes closer. A longsighted eye has to make the same focussing effort for near work as a normal eye, but this is in addition to the effort it makes to keep distance vision clear.

With hyperopia, a long sighted eye has to "work harder" than a normal eye at all distances.

Good light helps your vision

Eyes need light. Eyes adapt to different levels of light very well. From the brightest light on a sunny day to the extremely low levels of light at night, we can still see. This pamphlet provides information about glare, the correct positioning of lights and the impact of poor lighting on your vision.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma usually comes without any warning. Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the fluid pressure inside the eye causes progressive damage to parts of the optic nerve. The pressure usually increases when there is inadequate drainage of fluid from inside the eye. A gradual but permanent loss of vision occurs unless the condition is treated.

Floaters and Flashing Lights

Floaters (or spots) are particles which float inside the eye and cast shadows on the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the Retina) reducing vision. Usually nothing more than a nuisance, floaters can result from eye disease or injury and need to be assessed by your optometrist.

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Driving - Your Vision Warrant of Fitness

Statistics show that one driver in five has a vision defect which may affect driving performance.

Just as your car needs regular checks to ensure that it is functioning normally, your eyes need examining to ensure that your vision meets the LTSA eyesight standards. Most drivers can reach the standard necessary for safe driving with spectacles or contact lenses.

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Colour Vision

A person with 'normal' colour vision sees approximately six bands of colour (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet). A person with colour deficiency will possibly only see four colour bands (yellow-orange, grey, blue and violet). Distinguishing pastel colours may prove difficult for someone with colour deficiency. Blue-green and red-purple shades can be confused with grey, while yellow, brown and green may also be confused for each other.

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Spectacle Care

If you have just purchased a new pair of spectacles then congratulations! We are confident you will be happy with your spectacles and how they wear. However, we ask that you take the time to read this pamphlet carefully for tips on how to make the most of your new purchase.

First of all, a word of advice: handle your spectacles carefully. Your spectacles are custom made, high-tech appliances that serve a very important function - they help you see. If they become maladjusted, your ability to see clearly or comfortably may be compromised. It is common sense to suggest that you take special care of your glasses, both on and off your nose.

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Astigmatism - Blurred Vision and Tired Eyes

Astigmatism is a very common focussing error of the eyes which causes blur. It is caused by the shape of the eye, usually due to the cornea's surface or occasionally due to the eye's lens being tilted. Sometimes astigmatism can be inherited but it often happens as a normal characteristic of growth.

Blur from astigmatism is not like that from myopia where all of an image is equally blurred, because some parts of the image are more out of focus than others. If you look at the line diagrams, you can see the effect of astigmatism by tilting the tip the page down and facing away from you the lines running across the page are less distinct than those running away from you.

The blur of astigmatism makes things uncomfortable to look at, difficult to focus and may cause headaches, tiredness and poor concentration.