How eye disorders may have influenced the work of famous painters

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Visual art invites us to view the world seen through the eyes of the artist or creator. This concept is very familiar to us with modern art, there is a role for interpretation. However a few hundred
years ago, the artists of the day were typically creating more real life images of their subject matter.

There is a long history of scientists and clinicians arguing particular artists were affected by vision disorders, based on signs in their works. Included is the hypothesis that leaders of the Impressionist movement were short- sighted, for instance, and that their blurry distance vision may explain their broad, impetuous style.

The fact that Claude Monet had cataracts is well documented and seen in the changing colours of his paintings. In other cases supporting evidence of such disorders and their influence on artworks is often speculative, and hampered by a lack of clinical records to support the diagnosis. There is still fun in speculating, did El Greco suffer from astigmatism? Perhaps Australian painter Clifton Pugh had a colour vision deficit?

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What is an OCT and do I need to have one?

OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography. This scanning technology allows us to ‘see’ tissue behind the visible retina inside the eye. In the past 5 years OCT has changed the way we
can assess eyes, becoming invaluable in management of conditions such as Macular Degeneration (MD) and Glaucoma.

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When we see signs of MD in a regular examination we can take an OCT scan to ‘see’ what is happening in the underlying retina. In particular we want to spot Wet MD which can cause more devastating vision changes. When there is fluid  accumulating in the macula the OCT shows us where this is - very important to make timely referrals for treatment.

The detailed measurements of the nerve fibre layer in the retina are particularly helpful when we are looking for Glaucoma. Starting with signs in a routine examination, OCT is often the next step. Careful monitoring over time allows us to see changes, possibly before these have caused any vision loss, which is early detection.

But OCT is not a magic bullet, and it cannot stand alone. It’s a tool and interpreting the results needs careful consideration along with all other clinical findings. Recently there has been promotion of OCT at every examination and the benefits this will bring. At the end of the day an OCT scanner is not an optometrist. Scans should be recommended when they will provide useful additional information.

We are committed to using all our available diagnostic tools and we strongly believe the best place to start is our comprehensive eye examination. The simple, vital step of spending time to collect relevant history, which requires careful listening and no technology, guides us to the best combination of diagnostic testing needed including OCT.

Ortho-K lenses deliver clear result on the touch field

Rodney College student Georgia Brierly has just returned from a touch competition in Europe, where she represented the NZ Barbarians U18 Girls Sevens team against club sides from Sweden and the Netherlands.

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Conveniently Georgia has been able to ditch her glasses thanks to her orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses that correct her eyesight as she sleeps. Advances in Ortho-K, mean Georgia no longer has to wear glasses or contact lenses during the day.

Ortho-K involves gently reshaping the cornea of the eye to temporarily modify or eliminate refractive error - including short sightedness or myopia.

While the process has been practised for almost 40 years, results were quite variable and unpredictable. However, in the last 10 years new technology has become available to accurately map the corneal shape and manufacture lenses that will achieve a controlled and precise correction in the eye. In addition, new developments in lens materials have been made that enable safe overnight wear to be possible.

Optometrists fitting Ortho-K soon realised that young people wearing these lenses to correct short- sightedness didn’t progress or get worse like those who wore regular glasses or soft contact lenses. Numerous studies confirmed that wearing Ortho-K lenses stopped or slowed kids from getting more short-sighted.

“Rates of short-sightedness have been increasing worldwide; in the US rates of myopia (short-sightedness) have increased from 25 per cent to 42 per cent in 30 years and by 2050 it is predicted that 50 per cent of the population will be short-sighted, doubling what the rate was in 2000,” Claire McDonald says.

“Our concerns are also the more short-sighted you become, there is more risk your eyes will develop cataracts, retinal detachments, macular degeneration and glaucoma. So Ortho-K offers both short term and long term benefits”.

Ortho-k is now a safe, viable and reversible alternative to refractive surgery. The cornea, while being mouldable, will return to its original shape if lens wear is stopped.

“You simply sleep in your lenses, then wake up and remove them, and enjoy clear vision all day.”

Georgia said she enjoys playing touch while being able to see clearly without having to think about using corrective contact lenses, and her mum, Rachel, tells us “Ortho-K has changed Georgia’s life”.

Relief for Dry Eyes

Many things can cause dry eyes - the environment, medication, surgery, nutrient deficiencies and hormonal changes are some examples. And as we age our tear volume also decreases. There are two ways to approach dry eye treatment; 1) improve natural tear production, the tears your eyes produce, and 2) use supplementary eye drops, gels, sprays and ointment.

To improve your natural tear film we now have a new product - Lacritec.

Lacritec is a supplement so it works from the inside out, targeting the root cause of dry eye. It contains a patented blend of DHA & EPA Omega-3 essential fatty acid from Fish Oil, ALA Omega-3 sourced from Flax Seed oil, and gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA-Omega-6 faty acid) from Borage Oil. GLA cannot be easily obtained from diet alone.

Taking this supplement may replace the need for eye drops. Available in the practice now.  $45.90 (3 or more $37.00)