• Low vision

    If someone you know suffers from low vision, we could change their vision, and their life, for the better

    While many vision problems can be treated some problems cannot be treated with glasses, contact lenses or surgery. Low vision can result from eye diseases, injury or other causes and the visual effects experienced vary depending on the cause of the low vision.

    Low vision has a great impact on a person’s life. Reading, using a computer and even recognising faces can cause serious challenges. Because low vision cannot be improved with lenses or surgery, many people feel helpless in dealing with the symptoms.

    What they are sometimes not aware of is that there are a large range of low vision aids which can significantly improve vision. Whitehouse specialises in low vision solutions and has had some excellent results, significantly improving the quality of life of our patients.

  • Eye Examination

    Our Optometrists play an important role in your eye health.

    If you have not had your eyes examined for quite some time you may not be aware of all the tests involved in a comprehensive eye examination. If it has been more than two years since your last eye test, we generally allow 45 minutes to complete a comprehensive consultation.

    Our team of experienced Optometrists detect, diagnose, and treat eye health and vision conditions that affect vision including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, lazy eye and cataracts.

    They can also identify general health conditions that are first detected via an eye exam, provide referrals to eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) and often help manage post-eye-surgery health.

    The majority of our services attract a Medicare rebate.

    Every consultation and eye examination is with an experienced Optometrist using the latest and most advanced eyecare procedures. With our full eye health examination (45 minutes), comprehensive internal and external eye testing is standard and includes:

    • Glaucoma testing
    • Retinal examination
    • Eye muscle control
    • Visual acuity measured at distance, near and computer distances 
    • OCT
    • Ability to focus
    • Ability to see colour
    • Field of vision

    We request you bring the following to your eye examination

    • Your medicare card
    • Your latest pair of prescription glasses
    • Your latest pair of prescription sunglasses
    • Any contact lenses you may use
    • Previous prescription details or Optometrist’s reports if you are new to our practice
  • FL-41 Tint & low vision tints

    Specialised tints can improve your vision and your life.

    We can supply tints that improve contrast for those with low vision.

    Research has shown that a medical tint called FL 41 filters certain wavelengths and thereby relieves painful light sensitivity. The Whitehouse Team, in conjunction with one of Sydney’s leading neuro-ophthalmologists has successfully trialled the efficacy of FL-41, to assist in the treatment of headaches, photophobia, blepharospasm and dizziness. Migraine sufferers have found a reduction in their symptoms with the use of FL-41 tints for general use or for specific tasks. Patients who are extremely photophobic, for example following cataract surgery, (to the extent that they want to wear sunglasses indoors), may also derive relief from FL41 tints.

    We offer a free trial of non-prescription FL-41 lenses. We tint the lenses in our on-site tinting lab and can adjust the shade according to the severity of the symptoms.

    We supply a range of tints that improve contrast for those with living with low vision. The typical symptom of a low vision patient is a world that appears darker. These tints, by increasing contrast,  brighten their world.

  • Childrens Vision- Myopia/VT/Amblyopia/Strabismus

    If your child has 20/20 or 6/6 vision, this is only a small part of having good vision. Your child must also be focussed in each eye, must have good eye movement control, good eye-hand co-ordination, good eye health and normal visual perception.

    At Whitehouse Optometrists we have a special interest in making sure that your child develops the best possible vision. We test all the visual skills necessary develop good vision.

    There are many vision problems that children can have. They include:

    • Strabismus
    • Amblyopia
    • Myopia
    • Hyperopia
    • Astigmatism
    • Muscle Inco-ordination
    • Colour Vision Defects
    • Visual Perceptual Deficits

    Some of these are very obvious and are picked up early in childhood and others are much less obvious.

    Strabismus is a condition that interferes with binocular vision because it prevents a person from directing both eyes simultaneously to align with each other at the same spot. This is often known as a squint. Strabismus is present in about 4% of children. Treatment should be started as early as possible to ensure the development of the best possible vision.

    Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a disorder of sight. It results in decreased vision in an eye that otherwise appears normal. Whenever the brain does not receive visual signals from an eye for a long period of time, there is a risk of amblyopia. It also can occur when the brain “turns off” the visual processing of one eye to prevent double-vision. It is common in children with strabismus.

    Detecting the condition in early childhood increases the chance of successful treatment; this disorder has been estimated to affect 1–5% of the population.

    Myopia is a condition of the eye where the light that comes in does not directly focus on the retina but in front of it, causing the image that one sees when looking at a distant object to be out of focus, but in focus when looking at a close object. It also known as short-sightedness.

    Hyperopia is a defect of vision causing difficulty focusing on near objects, and in extreme cases causing a sufferer to be unable to focus on objects at any distance. Children with hyperopia can experience blurred vision, headaches, accommodative dysfunction, binocular dysfunction, amblyopia, and strabismus. Most school age children are in fact slightly hyperopic and therefore must exert an extra effort to bring their vision into sharp focus for both far and near tasks. For some children it will interfere with their ability to do schoolwork.

    Astigmatism is a refraction error of the eye in which there is a difference in degree of power in different meridians. Astigmatism causes difficulties in seeing fine detail. Astigmatism can be often corrected by glasses with a lens that corrects for the difference in power.

    Muscle Inco-ordination occurs when the complex muscle system for co-ordinating the two eyes to work as a team are not properly balanced. They often occur together with other vision problems and if left untreated contribute to a worsening of the vision problem.

    Colour Vision Defects occur in about 9% of boys and 0.5% of girls. They are almost always inherited but can be the result of disease or injury. Almost all people with colour vision defects see most colours but due to the imbalance of their colour receptors they see them slightly differently to the way someone with normal vision sees them. They will therefore have difficulty in identifying some colours and will confuse some colours.

    Visual Perception is the ability to analyse and understand what the eyes are seeing. Children with vision problems are more likely to have difficulty with their visual perception; however these problems can occur with otherwise normal vision. If this problem does exist, the underlying vision problem is treated first and then a program of visual perceptual therapy is administered.

  • Diabetic retinopathy

    Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It can cause vision loss, and in some cases, blindness.
    There are two main types of diabetic retinopathy: non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

    NPDR is the milder form of diabetic retinopathy. It is characterized by the growth of small blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can leak fluid, causing swelling of the retina.
    PDR is the more advanced form of diabetic retinopathy. It is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels are fragile and can bleed easily. Bleeding in the retina can cause vision loss.
    There are a number of treatments available for diabetic retinopathy. The type of treatment that is best for you will depend on the severity of your retinopathy.

    Laser treatment is a common treatment for NPDR. Laser treatment can help to seal off leaky blood vessels and prevent them from growing.
    Injections of medications called anti-VEGF drugs can also be used to treat NPDR and PDR. These medications help to shrink new blood vessels and prevent them from leaking.

    Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that can be used to remove blood from the retina or to remove scar tissue that is causing vision loss.
    If you have diabetes, it is important to have regular eye exams. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can help to prevent vision loss.

  • Optical Coherence Tomography

    Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to create detailed images of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. OCT can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of eye conditions, including:

    • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
    • Diabetic retinopathy
    • Glaucoma
    • Cataracts
    • Retinal detachment

    OCT can also be used to measure the thickness of the retina and to assess the health of the optic nerve. This information can be used to track the progression of eye diseases and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

    OCT treatment is typically done in a practice. The patient will sit in a chair and rest their head on a chin rest. The Optometrist will place a contact lens on the patient's eye and then use the OCT machine to scan the retina. The scan takes a few minutes and is painless.

    The images created by OCT are stored in a computer and can be reviewed. We can use the images to diagnose eye diseases, to track the progression of eye diseases, and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

    OCT is a safe and effective imaging technique. There are no known side effects associated with OCT treatment.

    If you are concerned about your eye health, talk to our Optometrist about OCT treatment. OCT can be a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring eye diseases.

  • Macular Degeneration

    Macular degeneration is a condition that causes progressive damage to the macular, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia and will affect 1 in 7 people over the age of 50 and the incidence increases with age*. Those with early macular degeneration may have no noticeable symptoms but the disease can cause central vision loss if not treated early.

    Early detection of macular degeneration is aided by having regular eye tests. At Whitehouse Optometrists we utilise Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging test to detect macular degeneration. OCT uses light waves to take cross-sectional images of your retina. OCT allows the Optometrist to see each of the retina’s distinctive layers and pick up early signs of macular degeneration, which can include fatty deposits known as drusen, pigment cell disruption or leaking blood or fluid.

    For optimum eye health, it’s recommended that everyone over the age of 40 have their eyes tested every two years.

    * Source: Macular Disease Foundation

  • Therapeutics

    Therapeutic treatments for eye conditions can include:

    Medications: Eye drops, ointments, or oral medications may be prescribed to treat infections, inflammation, allergies, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, or other eye-related conditions.

    Laser Therapy: Laser treatment may be used for various purposes, such as correcting refractive errors (LASIK or PRK), treating glaucoma, or managing certain retinal conditions.

    Intraocular Injections: In some cases, medications are directly injected into the eye to treat conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or retinal vein occlusion.

    Surgical Interventions: Therapeutic eye surgeries are performed to address specific eye conditions, such as cataract surgery to remove a cloudy lens, corneal transplant surgery to treat certain corneal disorders, or retinal surgery to repair retinal detachments or tears.

    Therapeutic Contact Lenses: Specially designed contact lenses may be used for therapeutic purposes, such as managing corneal irregularities or promoting healing in certain eye conditions.

    The specific therapeutic approach depends on the diagnosis and the underlying eye condition being treated. It is important to consult with an optometrist, to determine the most appropriate therapeutic treatment for an individual's specific eye condition.

  • Sports Vision

    We supply sport-specific tints for golf, tennis, sailing – in fact any sport! For golfers, the ball and lay of the land become clearer, even when shadows are present. Apply this to your sport: the yellow ball (tennis players), the road (cyclists), the sea (sailors), the rock-face (climbers)…

    We also supply: Prescription snow skiing goggles, prescription swimming goggles and prescription shooting glasses (for competition level shooters). 

  • Nutrition

    Good nutrition is important for health and eye health is no exception. There’s the old maxim about carrots being good for your eyes! (They are in fact!) But your eyes can benefit from you eating a balanced diet. A variety of foods (including carrots) contain antioxidants which are good for your eye health.

    Sometimes vision problems can be a result of dietary deficiencies but nutritional supplements should only be taken in consultation with your optometrist or health professional.

    How nutrition helps your eyes

    ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES
    Vitamin E
    Seeds, fruit and seed oils
    Vitamin E is important for the health of the retina. This is the part of your eye which collects light.
    Vitamin C
    Fresh fruit and vegetables
    Long term consumption of vitamin C has been proved to reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
    Zinc
    Nuts, beans, seafood and meat
    Zinc has been proved to reduce the risk of macular degeneration as well as slow the progression of the disease in existing cases.
    Lutein & zeaxanthin
    Corn, spinach, cabbage, oranges, celery and red peppers
    These antioxidants may reduce the risk of developing cataracts and play other crucial roles in maintaining eye health; helping to filter out damaging blue light and keeping the macula healthy.
    Selenium
    Bread, fish and brazil nuts
    This is a trace mineral. It helps keep the retina functioning well.
    Coenzyme Q10
    Fish, meat, peanuts and whole grains
    This coenzyme has been shown to stimulate the immune system and maintain eye health.
    Glutathione
    Asparagus, onion, garlic, watermelon, avocado and eggs
    Glutathione has been shown to prevent cataracts in animal studies. It may also help to reduce eye pressure in those with glaucoma.
    Lipoic Acid
    Yeast, red meat, potatoes and spinach
    There is some promising, emerging evidence that lipoid acid reduces the incidence of cataracts.