My eyes water and tears stream down my cheeks in the mornings or when there is a change of light or temperature. Why is that? Watery eyes often mean dry eye It might seem counterintuitive, but watery eyes are a common symptom of Dry Eye. When your tear make-up is imbalanced, your eyes may overproduce watery tears as a reflex to irritation. These reflex tears, however, lack the necessary components to hydrate and protect your eyes effectively, leading to a cycle of excessive tearing without relief. The tear cycle When your eyes detect dryness or irritation, your brain triggers reflex
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Archives for Eye Conditions
Can your child see clearly?
Is your child having trouble seeing close-up objects such as their phone? Are they struggling to read small print? Do they rub their eyes often or complain they feel tired or sore? Do you suspect they might be long-sighted or have hyperopia? As parents, your child’s health and development is a huge focus. While doctor’s visits are regular occurrences, eye exams are sometimes overlooked. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a common vision issue affecting children’s learning and development, but it can often go undiagnosed. What is Hyperopia? Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, means that a person can see distant objects more
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OCT Machines and their role in eye health
At John O’Connor Optometrists, a new high-tech machine is helping us protect and improve Aucklanders’ eye health. Our OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) machine helps our optometrists spot eye diseases and conditions early, so they can treat them before they worsen. And that’s got to be good! What is an OCT Machine? An OCT machine uses light waves to take detailed pictures of the different layers of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. It’s like an ultrasound, but instead of sound waves, it uses light waves so we can see what’s going on inside your eye
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Staring Down the ‘Silent Epidemic’ of Myopia in Children
Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is rapidly becoming a global health concern. Once believed to be solely genetic, recent studies highlight increased indoor time as a significant contributor, particularly among children whose eyes are still developing. Shanti Mathias, in an article for The Spinoff, Staring Down the ‘Silent Epidemic’ of Myopia in Children, discusses the alarming rise in myopia and the need for preventative measures to protect children’s vision. Winning a 2024 Science Journalism Award for excellent reporting on science-related topics, this is what this article tells us about the silent epidemic of myopia. The rise of myopia Myopia has reached epidemic
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Pros and cons of atropine eyedrops for myopia control
Myopia, or nearsightedness, impacts millions of individuals worldwide. Particularly concerning is its impact on children, whose eyes are still developing. Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry, making activities like reading the board in school or participating in outdoor sports challenging. At John O’Connor Optometrists, our team is committed to providing comprehensive solutions to help manage and control myopia. One solution gaining attention is the use of atropine eyedrops. In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of atropine eyedrops for myopia control, so you have the information needed to make informed decisions about your child’s eye care. Understanding
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SteriLid anti-microbial cleanser for the health of your eyes
If you’ve been dealing with persistent and highly irritating blepharitis or dry eyes, you know how much they can impact your daily life. The discomfort, inconvenience, itching, and blurry vision that come with it can drive you crazy. SteriLid Anti-Microbial Spray might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Understanding Blepharitis Blepharitis is not just a minor irritation; it’s a condition caused by an overgrowth of bacteria around the eyelids, leading to inflammation of the oil glands, redness, itching, crusty debris at the base of your eyelashes and eyelids and a constant need to blink and rub your eyes.
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Managing Dry Eye | Causes & treatments
Dry eye is a common eye condition that can really impact how you see the world. Read on to learn more about its causes and, most importantly, effective treatments to keep your eyes feeling refreshed. What is Dry Eye? Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is compromised. Tears play a crucial role in maintaining the health and comfort of your eyes. They lubricate the ocular surface, reduce the risk of infection, and provide essential nutrients to the cornea. Common causes
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Treating dry eye with Optimel Manuka Eyedrops and Gel
Dry eye can be bothersome and uncomfortable and affects many people. Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, the tears evaporate too quickly or there are issues with the meibomian gland. This can result in symptoms such as: Irritation and redness Itching or burning sensation Sensitivity to light Blurred vision Eye fatigue Dry eye can be really irritating It is painful and due to the increased risk of eye infection, like bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis, dry eyes can result in permanent life-changing damage. Dry eye is an inflammatory condition: the surfaces of the eyes and eyelids
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Protecting your child’s vision: managing myopia with outdoor time and screen limitations
Myopia, also known as near-sightedness, is a growing health concern worldwide. There has been a dramatic increase in its prevalence, particularly among children. Research has shown this rise can be blamed in significant part on the changing lifestyle of many children. Namely, the amount of time spent indoors and on screens. A child or teenager’s visual environment significantly increases the risk of myopia onset and progression. If your child, or someone in your care, suffers from myopia, or shortsightedness, there are things you can do to make a difference. In this blog, we’ll explore factors influencing myopia development and recommendations
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Treatment option overview for myopia control
Shortsightedness, also known as myopia, is a condition that is rapidly increasing worldwide. Different treatment options are available to manage and control the progression of myopia. John O’Connor Optometrists, in Auckland, provides various innovative treatments to combat myopia progression. This blog looks into five treatment options, briefly evaluating their advantages and disadvantages. Hoya Miyosmart Glasses Hoya Miyosmart glasses incorporate innovative lens technology to slow down the progression of myopia. Pros: Designed for children and teenagers, providing clear vision and myopia control in a single solution Uses innovative Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) technology to reduce eye elongation Lightweight, comfortable, and
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