Reframe your future with Vision Therapy, and learn how preventative measures and early intervention can help slow the development of myopia and avoid potential problems.
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Healthy Vision includes a range of things we can do to care for our eyes with good habits such as limiting screen time, wearing protective gear when doing risky activities, getting regular eye checks and having a healthy diet and exercise.
At Panoptic Vision, we are focused on supporting families in their eye health for everyone.
Reframe your future with Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is a specialised field within optometry that focuses on improving visual skills and abilities. It is often used to treat conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), and problems with eye teaming, tracking, and focusing. Traditionally, Vision Therapy involved in-person sessions with a trained therapist, but technology is changing the landscape.
Panoptic Vision provides Vision Therapy for children and young persons in the Mid North Coast, New South Wales. Our vision therapist uses age-appropriate, enjoyable tasks to demonstrate and improve specific areas of visual function. The activities are then practised at home so that they become automatic and then the patient is ready for new activities at the next visit.
Learn more about our Vision Therapy programs here.
Meet Eddie, our Vision Therapy STAR!
Eddie is one of our patients who has been an absolute STAR working through his Vision Therapy program. Julie Currie, our Vision Therapist, has been working with Eddie through exercises such as Stereo or 3D Training, Binocular Training, Bunt Ball Visual Attention, Brockstring Training, Anti-Suppression.
Vision Therapy is a proactive and holistic approach to vision care, which promotes long-lasting visual health and wellness. Eddie has been having fun in his sessions, and we are so proud of his progress! Follow his story here.
Myopia Awareness Week
Myopia Awareness Week fell on May 13-19 this year and it is an annual event that has become an important platform for raising awareness about myopia. It is important to learn about the causes, common symptoms and management techniques of myopia. When our communities gain a better understanding of its impact, we can improve eye health for everyone.
Globally speaking, myopia is on the rise, and it is particularly worrying as it is increasing particularly among children. When myopia is undetected and untreated, it can have an adverse impact on the quality of life of children and on their academic achievement.
As myopia is not a condition that can correct itself, early detection and careful management can make a difference in slowing its progression and help prevent long-term visual problems.
Warning signs of myopia
There are 3 S’s to look out for in children:
Sitting closer to the front of the class in order to see the board.
Squinting when having to see further away.
Schoolwork performance is declining.
When one has myopia, one has blurred vision when looking at faraway objects. That is why people with myopia tend to strain or squint their eyes to try to focus. Some get frequent headaches or eye tiredness as well, especially after heavy visual work. This can affect their ability to drive or do sports. When your eyes are trying to tell you something, it is best to listen and book an eye check.
Treatments for myopia
Many children spend too much time on the mobile phone or tablet, which is affecting and worsening their eye health. Make sure children get sufficient and regular breaks and spend 1-2 hours outdoors getting some sunshine and fresh air. This can help them develop healthy eyes (and a healthy body!).
There are various treatments available for myopia at Panoptic Vision.
Ortho-K has been successful in children and young adults. It consists of individually designed contact lenses which are worn overnight to re-shape the eye. In the morning the lenses are removed and daily activities can continue without the need for any vision support.
MiYOSMART award-winning lenses correct the visual defect on the entire surface and has a ring-shaped treatment area to slow down myopia progression. The alternation of the focus and defocus area provides clear vision and manages myopia at the same time.
MiSight® 1 day – the first soft contact lenses proven to slow the progression of short-sightedness (myopia) in children by 59%, utilising special ActivControl®Technology.
Optometry Australia recommends all children have an eye exam before they start school and receive regular eye checks every 2-3 years (Source: Optometry Australia 2022 Vision Index). Have you booked an eye assessment for your child?
How to ease anxiety about eye exams for children
Children may be hesitant about eye exams. It is a good idea to help set them at ease by telling them what an eye exam entails and the different things that they may be asked to do. At Panoptic Vision, our friendly staff are highly experienced and know how to help children to relax, and even have fun at our eye exams! Read our blog to learn how to speak to children about eye exams.
💡Panoptic Vision Staff Spotlight
As our focus is on myopia this month, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to Jesse Nixon, who is helping so many children feel completely at ease during eye tests!
Meet Jesse Nixon, our Behavioural Optometrist and Orthokeratologist at Lake Cathie.
Jesse has a passion for children’s vision as he himself has needed glasses from a young age and spent many hours in the optometrist’s chair as a kid. He loves to make eye-tests fun and engaging for children of all ages so that no child misses out on the care they need.
He has lots of experience in wearing, fitting and teaching about many types of contact lenses, including orthokeratology “night contacts” which he himself has been wearing since 2016. He believes that anyone can learn to use, and benefit from, contact lenses, whether young or old!
Contact Panoptic Vision
Panoptic Vision Lake Cathie
1459 Ocean Drive, Lake Cathie, NSW 2445
Tel: (02) 6584 8900
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday By appointment only
Email: info@panopticvision.com.au
Panoptic Vision Bellingen
2/58-60 Hyde St, Bellingen, NSW 2454
Tel: (02) 6655 2768
Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm