The news this month that yoga poses such as downward dog may be risky for people with glaucoma surprised some yoga fans – but it’s not the first time that eye experts have raised the alarm. Warnings about too much pressure on the optic nerve caused by head-down poses such as headstands rang out in 2007 when…
Excessive Use of Electronic Devices Blamed for Increase in Children’s Eye Problems
Excessive use of electronic devices and a lack of time outdoors are two factors being blamed for an alarming increase in eye problems in children. Professor Brien Holden, from the Brien Holden Vision Institute at the University of NSW, warned short-sightedness, or myopia, should not be underestimated. “Putting your four-year-old in front of an iPad or…
Smoking & Your Eyes
While it is common knowledge that smoking can be damaging to our health, many people are unaware that smokers are at a much greater risk of developing eye health problems compared to non-smokers. Early onset of Age-related macular degeneration and cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Tobacco smoke…
Glaucoma- You and your Family
Scientists have identified six genetic variants associated with the eye condition glaucoma in people from around the world including Australia. The discovery, in three major studies, could help identify people at higher risk of the disease and lead to earlier screening and treatments. All three studies, published today in Nature Genetics, identify gene sequence variations of…
New guidelines for management of glaucoma
Optometrists will no longer be able to independently manage glaucoma patients, according to new guidelines from the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA). Instead ophthalmologists will take the lead in treating the disease, in collaboration with the patient’s optometrist. The new guidelines follow a long-running dispute between ophthalmologists and optometrists over the optometry guidelines for glaucoma…
Napthine’s multi-million dollar promise to help prioritise senior citizens’ surgeries
Seniors will be given priority access to hip, knee and cataract surgery, as part of $85 million dollar plan being promised by Denis Napthine. But while the Coalition was targeting the “grey vote”, it was also trying to neutralise the Greens. It took three trains for the Premier and wife Peggy to travel from Parliament…
Alex Dennis, the former boxing champion who had his vision restored thanks to life-changing surgery
ALEX Dennis was in his early 40s when his vision started becoming cloudy and blurry. Within a short space of time he had gone from living a full and independent life to completely relying on his wife Daphne and children to get around. The singer, guitarist, and former Australian boxing champion was diagnosed with blinding…
U2 frontman Bono says trademark sunglasses are for glaucoma
U2 frontman Bono says the real reason he wears sunglasses is because he suffers from glaucoma. The 54-year-old singer said he has lived with the condition – which is caused by increased pressure in the eyeball causing gradual loss of sight – for around two decades. Read more here.
Are Your Sunglasses Up to Standard?
The quality of sunglasses does not necessarily relate to their darkness or cost, so you must check the label to ensure they meet Australian Standards. Sunglasses that fit well and transmit very little UV radiation will ensure your eyes are protected. For the best UV eye protection, choose sunglasses that: Meet Australian Standards for UV…
Six gene variations linked to glaucoma risk
Scientists have identified six genetic variants associated with the eye condition glaucoma in people from around the world including Australia. The discovery, in three major studies, could help identify people at higher risk of the disease and lead to earlier screening and treatments. All three studies, published today in Nature Genetics, identify gene sequence variations of…