Eye conditions

Patient Eye Conditions

Adult patients:

Doctor Martin is on the Board of the American Academy of Ophthalmology which supports the site, EyeWiki (http://eyewiki.aao.org) which provides information on ophthalmic conditions. Follow the links for information on some of the more common eye problems that occur in adults.

Cataract

Macular Degeneration

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Botulinum Toxin Use In Oculoplastics

Thyroid Eye Disease

Ectropion

Blepharospasm

Dacryocystorhinostomy

Pterygium

Giant Cell Arteritis

Acquired Oculomotor Nerve Palsy

Patching/Occlusion Therapy is the mainstay of treatment for amblyopia worldwide. Amblyopia is a loss of vision in one or both eyes that can happen even if the eye is structurally sound, and is the most common cause of decreased vision in children. Amblyopia occurs when the brain learns to ignore one or both eyes, and normal brain to eye pathways do not form. Early detection and treatment of amblyopia is imperative, otherwise permanent visual impairment persists. The earlier treatment for amblyopia is commenced, the better the visual outcome. Patching must be recommended by an ophthalmologist, who will talk to you about how to patch, and monitor your childs progress regularly.

Orthoptic Exercises are indicated in certain cases of strabismus such as intermittent exotropia, and convergence insufficiency. The exercises consist of convergence exercises, anti-suppression treatment, active double vision awareness, and improving positive or negative relative fusion. These exercises can be beneficial for both children and adults with certain types of strabismus or eye strain. Your ophthalmologist will inform you if these exercises may be of benefit to you or your child.

Prisms are wedge-shaped pieces of plastic or glass that refract light and displace the image seen by one eye. Special stick-on prisms are available which can be attached to spectacles to eliminate and treat double vision in adults. Prisms are not suitable for everyone with double vision. The ophthalmologist is the best person to consult on management of double vision.

The Better Start for Children with a Disability Initiative is a national, government funded program which aims to provide disadvantaged children with a better start to life. Better Start provides funding for early intervention services such as orthoptics, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, audiology, physiotherapy, and equipment or resources that are essential to the child’s therapy when ordered by an approved provider.

Children are eligible for the Better Start program if diagnosed with one of the following disabilities: cerebral palsy, deaf blindness, down syndrome (including mosaic down syndrome), fragile X syndrome with full mutation, hearing impairment, sight impairment. From January 2013, children under the age of 6 years with a diagnosis of Prader Willi, Williams, Angelman, Kabuki Make Up, Smith-Magenis, CHARGE, Cornelia de Lange or Cri du Chat syndromes or microcephaly are also eligible for Better Start funding.

Early intervention therapists must be chosen from the government-approved, authorised provider panel. Children must be under six years old to be registered, and families will have until the child’s seventh birthday to use the early intervention funding. Our head orthoptist, Sarita Beukes is an authorised provider for Better Start services. If you feel your child may qualify for Better Start services due to vision impairment, please contact Sarita at Sarita@sosdoctors.com.au

StEPS – Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening is an initiative of NSW Health and offers all 4-year old children free vision screening. The StEPS program is a vision screening program and does not offer a full diagnostic assessment. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision you are recommended to have your child’s vision tested fully by an eye health professional. If your child has had their vision screened and it has been recommended you seek further advice, we offer a comprehensive, fully diagnostic assessment of your child’s eyes.