Welcome to the Transitions family of light adaptive lenses

Transitions truly have a lens for every light.

In a previous blog, I discussed the latest Transitions® GEN S lenses which react faster and go darker than ever before, along with the range of 8 exclusive colours which not only allow you to choose a tint to complement your frame choice but also choose the colour which provides your eyes with the most comfortable vision..

But what lens solutions are available for those occasions when your eyes need even more light protection?

Transitions XTRActive lenses have a slightly darker base tint- available in Grey, Brown or Graphite Green, they provide sensitive eyes with the best blue light protection indoors and block up to 90% of harmful blue light outdoors. They are extra dark in sunlight, achieving a category 3 level of darkness to help provide the best overall blue and sun light protection across light situations. These lenses will also react behind a windscreen- so ideal for people who are not able to invest in a second pair of sunglasses for driving. The XTRActive Transitions will block 50% of light to the eyes while driving, reaching a Category 2 sunglass level.

If, however, you spend a lot of your time behind the wheel or are an outdoor enthusiast, the ultimate choice would be Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses - these lenses are polarised when outdoors, thus blocking reflected glare and is also photochromatic, adapting to the different light levels you may be exposed to, reaching a category 3 sunglass level of darkness. It also changes colour, further adapting to lighting conditions and enhancing contrast while driving

Remember all our Transitions lenses provide 100 percent UV protection along with blue light reduction. With your eyes being as precious as they are, it is reassuring to have so many options to protect them!

The convenience of Transitions® GEN S

While we know that 9 out of 10 people are light sensitive, only 8 out of 10 people wear sunglasses and for those requiring prescription lenses this percentage would be even lower!

In a world where we are constantly exposed to necessary light; visible, ultraviolet or high energy blue light, it is nice to know there is lens technology available which adapts to our constantly changing lighting environment.

The latest Transitions® GEN S lenses work faster than ever before!

Transitions lenses are a clear lenses which respond to ultraviolet light exposure, darkening to sunglass levels when outdoors. Features of the new Transitions GEN 8 lenses;

• Darken outdoors in seconds, reaching a category 3 sunglass level

• Return to a clear state in 2 minutes- faster than before!

• Longer lasting performance - providing increased value for money over the lifetime of your prescription

• Provide 100% UVA & UVB protection

• Filter blue light both indoors and from sunlight

• Available in 8 exclusive colours which are optimised to be true to tone, enabling you to have the most comfortable vision.

The lenses are available in the iconic Grey, Brown and the popular Graphite Green. Along with Amber- which provides a more vintage look to a brown lens, along with Emerald, Sapphire , Amethyst.and Ruby.

As a Transitions wearer, I can attest to their convenience and the fact that they are ‘right in any light’. Therefore, I have less eye fatigue and light sensitivity with the one pair, no matter what the conditions.

From an Optometrist perspective, I recommend Transitions for my patients as a way to have seamless eye protection but also to ease adaption when going from one light condition to another.

As we get older, it can take longer for our eyes to adjust, for instance if we are coming from the bright outdoors to a darker environment indoors. With Transitions lenses the eyes have less difficulty as the retina is not disabled by the blinding glare while outdoors and therefore your indoor vision is immediately more comfortable, clearer and therefore safer.

We know that 8 out of 10 Transitions wearers would happily recommend these lenses to others and with our ‘Love them or exchange them ‘guarantee, there is simply no reason not to give the latest in lens technology a go in your next pair!

Adult onset Myopia- what we know

While myopia control is now considered the standard of care for our young short-sighted patients, it is still a relatively new movement in optometry, hence the science, knowledge and advice is continuing to evolve.

While anecdotally, I have known that some adults continue to progress, myopia control treatment has largely focused on children up until now.

Data shows that at least 10 percent of young adults develop myopia after the age of 20 years. With more than 30 percent of young adults progressing in one eye.

Risk factors for adult-onset Myopia

• East Asian descent- 6x risk vs Europeans

• Parental myopia – 60 percent increased risk of myopia onset and 25 percent increase in speed of  progression  for each myopic parent.

• Women- 80 percent increased risk vs men with increased speed of progression

• Reduced time outdoors

What do we now know about screen time and myopia?

• Television viewing makes no difference to risk of myopia onset or progression

• Computer use and prolonged close work such as writing at a desk increases risk

• No evidence relating to font type, size or contrast.

• Mobile phones- surprisingly due to their small screen size has actually proven to be mildy protective for children age 10 to 18 years! This is due to the varied focal length of the mobile phone versus the blur of the surrounding background. This peripheral blur is a preventative stimulus against the eye elongating and therefore reduces risk of myopia progression.

The latest advice

• For both young children and adults, time outdoors, away from prolonged close work is recommended.

• Have regular eye examinations (6-12 monthly)  if you have the risk factors mentioned

• If you are myopic, adopt a myopia control form of correction such as specialty spectacle lenses or contact lenses.

Contact Lenses

My vision is changing and like the rest of us over the magic age of 40 I am continuing to reach for my glasses more and more. While I love my vision with my glasses and the fashion statement they create, I realise it is not always the most convenient or practical option with my active lifestyle.

As an independent optometry practice we have unlimited access to new contact lens technology as it continues to evolve- allowing  us to treat each patient as an individual  and make the right choice for their precious eyes and their vision.

We want our patient’s eyes to look good, see well and feel great. With the vast range available to us at Eyes of Howick it is very rare to not be able to achieve both clear vision and a comfortable fit. Lens materials are more breathable than ever before so there is simply no need for red, irritable eyes just because you choose to wear contact lenses.

Contact lenses may be worn with a daily replacement schedule- the most hygienic and convenient option; fortnightly or monthly replacement or even monthly extended wear- whereby the lenses are only removed from the eye one night per month.

Prescription availability is extensive with both astigmatic and multifocal prescriptions available. We even have access to the amazing Acuvue Transitions contact lens which has adaptive tint technology- perfect for our glare sensitive patients and even those who have difficulty driving at night.

As part of the contact lens fitting process we spend time with you to teach you not only how to insert and remove your lenses safely but also how to best care for your lenses. We appreciate it can be quite a new experience learning to insert a lens into your eye but we have found with our expert coaching most of our patients become masters in no time!

Feel free to contact us with regard to any queries you may have or book a consultation with one of our Optometrists. We can even offer a free contact lens trial to allow you to experience the world through contact lenses!

Night driving and your Vision

Dark winter months make night driving a challenge. It is a physiological fact that our vision is best in daylight- so our eyes need all the help we can give them while driving at night. Furthermore our eyes require a full 5 minutes to adapt to the dark. While driving at night, light conditions are variable and can change rapidly. This ability to adapt to differing light levels will slow as we get older and some eye conditions impede this process.

How to maximise your night driving experience;

Get your eyes tested- regular eye exams ensure your vision is at its best. Even small focussing errors can have great effect on night vision- so even if you meet the minimum vision requirement to drive without glasses, you may still experience difficulty with night driving. Conditions such as cataract can increase glare sensitivity while driving at night, but also decrease your contrast of vision.

Check your glasses- Visit Eyes of Howick for a free glasses WOF including fit adjustment and ultrasonic cleaning. We can inspect the lenses for any lens defects which may impact  your vision. Clean your lenses daily with cool to luke-warm water and a soft, clean cloth to keep them smudge free. Or better yet, use recommended products such as our lens spray cleaner, wipes of peeps- the carbon lens cleaner. See our online store for our lens cleaning options.

Choose the right lens-Ensure your lenses have an antireflective coating- this improves light transmissibility through the lens and reduces disabling glare while night driving. Crizal Sapphire HR lenses are the most transparent anti-reflective lenses. Furthermore, Crizal Prevencia blue blocking lenses are reported to reduce glare discomfort for night drivers.

Clean your windscreen- on the inside and out! That greasy film can be a real distraction, particularly with oncoming headlights and sun strike through the day. Replace your wiper blades as required and keep the washer bottle topped up.

Clean your headlights- any dirt will reduce their effectiveness at night. Also check for yellowing of any polycarbonate headlamp covers- this can be cleaned off with the appropriate product.

Use your headlights effectively – from 30 minutes before sundown and 30 minutes after sunrise. Don't be hesitant to use high beam while travelling at night except for when approaching and following other vehicles and this can cause disabling glare for other drivers.

Avoid the glare -If you find glare of oncoming traffic a problem- avert your eyes to the left side of the road to avoid this direct glare source while at the same time remain aware of oncoming vehicles. Also don't travel at night with the internal vehicle light on as this will cause extra visual fatigue.

Slow down-Drive at a speed so you can see the road at least 2 seconds ahead.

Remember if you have any queries about your vision difficulties or your eyewear, we are always happy to help at Eyes of Howick. Here's to happy and safe driving!

An Eye on Melanoma

What is melanoma?

Melanoma occurs when Melanocytes- the pigment-producing cells that give colour to the skin become cancerous. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body, with the eye being the second most common site after the skin.

Signs may include a new, unusual growth or a change in an existing mole or naevus. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, medication or in some cases, chemotherapy.

Ocular melanoma

As an optometrist, I frequently note pigmented spots and lesions in eyes of my patient’s. These can range from benign iris freckles (small pigmented spots on the surface of the coloured part of the eye), through to large choroidal naevi (large moles situated beneath the retina at the back of the eye).

Posterior uveal melanoma- choroid and ciliary body

Being the most common site for ocular melanoma and occuring inside the eye, they are only detected during an eye examination. Symptoms may include blurred vision or blind spots, new floaters or flashes- however, these usually occur when the melanoma is well advanced.

Conjunctival melanoma

The conjunctiva is the delicate, vascularised tissue that overlays the sclera (white of the eye). Accounting for 10 percent of eye melanomas, treatment outcomes are favourable. However, recurrence is high so regular reviews are important.

Iris melanoma

Generally found during routine eye examinations and often occurring from pre-existing iris naevi- New Zealand has the highest known incidence in the world. If caught early, treatment options are favourable.

Risk factors

·        Fair skin- although 4% of Uveal Melanoma in an Auckland Clinic occurred in Maori patients

·        Light coloured eyes

·        Having a pre-existing mole within the eye

·        Ultraviolet light exposure

·        Older age

Recommendations

Wear sunglasses, ensuring they provide 100 percent UV protection. A hat is also beneficial to further shield ambient light exposure around the eye.

My strongest recommendation would be to those who have never had an eye examination to book one! This enables the Optometrist to screen you for any risk factors of eye cancers and advise a time frame for any further reviews. As mentioned, as many of these lesions are not visible to the naked eye, it is only during a routine eye exam that they may be detected.