Keratoconus is a condition of the Cornea which causes the shape of the Cornea to change from a regular and spherical shape to a more conical shape. Collagen fibres within the cornea usually provide structure and strength to the cornea. In Keratoconus they are abnormal and cause the structure of the cornea to be weakened. This can cause significant changes to vision, causing symptoms such as blurring of vision and bright lights appearing to be streaked.
NQ Eye Specialists now offer Corneal Collagen Cross-linking. This procedure is used to slow down or halt the progression of Keratoconus.
The procedure is performed under a topical anaesthetic. Firstly, the outer layer of the cornea is removed. After this, Vitamin B2 drops are applied to the Cornea and the Cornea is then exposed to Ultra Violet light. This process causes a chemical reaction, resulting in an increased number of bonds between collagen fibres resulting in a strengthened Cornea.
May 21-27 is Macular Degeneration week. It is a week that allows us to reflect on all Australians suffering with Macula disease. This week increases awareness of all macula diseases including age-related Macular degeneration, Diabetic eye disease and other diseases of the macula. Macular degeneration is responsible for 50% of blindness across the general population. Prevention, detection and diagnosis is the key to achieving optimal eye health. Degeneration of the eye affects a special layer of the cell in the eye called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In later stages of life, the RPE can die this can cause vision loss as there is a lack of blood supply to the eye.
There are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet. Wet macular degeneration can be treated effectively through intravitreal injections in combination with laser or monotherapy. These do not cure the disease however they focus on maintaining and stabilising vision. Some clinical trials have been used to indicate vision improvement. Dr Goodwin has seen various positive outcomes associated with improved vision from the use of Intravitreal Injections.
For more information on this please click the link below:
Despite the rain, another successful education evening was held at NQ Eye Specialists Wednesday night for our local Optometrists. Dr Todd Goodwin presented “Neuro-ophthalmology – staying out of trouble”, whilst special guest Professor Lawrence Hirst presented on P.E.R.F.E.C.T for PTERYGIUM, a technique he has pioneered over the last 15 years. Thank you to all those who braved the weather to attend – remember, we’d love to get your feedback on the event and any ideas for future educational sessions.
Professor Hirst discussing P.E.R.F.E.C.T for PTERYGIUM
NQ Eye Specialists is a locally owned and operated solo ophthalmic surgeon run practice in North Queensland. We strive to stay at the forefront of ophthalmic science and technology to provide the very best outcomes in eye care for our patients. We treat a wide variety of conditions ranging from cataract, pterygium, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macula degeneration, paediatric visual problems, as well as plastic/cosmetic ophthalmic concerns.
Our practice is looking to create a new role within our clinical team of Full Time Orthoptist. The successful candidate must:
Have a Bachelor of Health Science Degree / relevant Orthoptics qualification;
The ability to work well in a multidisciplinary clinical team involving medical, nursing and optometry staff; and
Be flexible and willing to assist in all areas of the practice as required.
Recent graduates are welcome to apply as on the job training can be provided.
Although not essential, it would be desirable if a candidate had dual qualifications in optometry and/or prescribing rights.
If you’d like to discuss this role further please contact Danielle Goodwin, Practice Manager via email Danielle@nqeyespecialists.com.au providing your contact number and best time for a call back to discuss.
https://nqeyespecialists.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sailing-whitsunday.jpg9981500NQ Eye Adminhttps://nqeyespecialists.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NQ-Eye-Specialist_cmyk-01-1.pngNQ Eye Admin2018-01-09 05:45:012019-09-24 01:32:12Orthoptist Position Available
NQ Eye Specialists will be closed from Friday the 23rd of December 2017 and will reopen on Monday the 8th of January 2018. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout 2017.
We would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
One of NQ Eye Specialists main objectives is to provide outreach ophthalmology services in rural areas. Dr Goodwin started Ophthalmology to endeavour participating in such opportunities. Over the last month he has been very busy working along-side Dr Bill Glasson and Professor Denis Stark providing care to patients in Western Queensland. During this time, he has visited many places including Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach and Winton. He participates every year to ensure patients in rural areas have direct access to affordable ophthalmic services. Travelling long distances for treatment can be daunting for rural patients. These services range from general consultations to ongoing diabetic retinopathy treatment, along with cataract and glaucoma detection. We believe early detection is vital in maintaining and achieving quality eye health. During his time in Western Queensland he was fortunate enough to see quite a lot of rain, whilst eating dinner with some of the locals under the stars at their stations.
World Sight Day was established by the World Health Organisation in order to raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment for VISION 2020. This year’s theme is to Make Vision Count. Please keep your eyes peeled for information highlighting the important work of the 2020 Vision sector.
Vision 2020 Australia’s main advocacy focuses on the Right to Sight. This is the national peak body working in partnership to prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality in vision. Vision 2020 represent over 50 member organisations involved in local and global eye health. Their aim is to assist vision care, health promotion, vision rehabilitation, eye research, professional assistance and community support.
Blindness and vision loss are preventable if diagnosed and treated at early stages. Vision 2020 focuses on the elimination of vision loss and the full participation of people who are blind or vision impaired in the community. In order to accomplish this Vision 2020 encourages its members to created collaborative partnerships in order to raise awareness for ocular health. They work closely alongside governing bodies to advocate improved eye health and vision.
It is exciting to attend the second annual Asia-Pacific Tele-Ophthalmology Society (APTOS) symposium in Hong Kong. The next few years promises quantum leaps in providing access to specialist eye care for regional and remote patients. We are hearing from the very best minds in the world just how close we are to achieving this by using artificial intelligence. It is amazing to see how technology really is overcoming the tyranny of distance suffered by people in the far reaches of our beautiful country. For anyone with diabetes who has had to travel a 1000kms (or more) for an eye examination, I am sure this is welcome news.
During the symposium ophthalmologists from China, the USA, India, Nepal and Australia presented on how things are developing in this field and what challenges we face. We heard from software and hardware engineers how anything is possible with the right levels of collaboration. We viewed presentations from Google and Apple which provides hope that collectively we can tackle the health related issues created by a growing population.
At NQ Eye Specialists, our patients travel from all corners of the state, not to mention those from interstate, to seek care. We are always looking for better ways to minimise such extensive travel. Our hope is that some day soon we can use this technology to better serve our patients from afar.
Further things worth keeping a watch on are:
CNNs – These are a type of Artificial Intelligence known as Convolutional Neural Networks and are the very basis of what we are using to create machines that learn. For example a machine that can look at a photograph of the retina of someone with diabetes and tell that person just how severe their diabetes is.
Google DeepMind – This is Google’s project to create a machine so smart that it can mimic the human brain. Ambitious but exciting prospect. Recently this machine was able to beat the worlds best player in the worlds most complex game “Go”.
Seeing AI – This is an application just released by Microsoft (sadly not yet in Australia but watch this space) which helps the blind to see by explaining what they are pointing their smart phone at. What a game changer for so many people who have lost their sight.
So brace yourself for the brave new world that is coming in the world of tele-ophthalmology and rest assured that we are doing our best to stay abreast of all the opportunities that are coming.
Always looking for ways to meet the needs of our patients, especially those in regional/remote QLD.
Good eye health starts with regular eye examinations from birth. Studies have shown parents are putting their children eyesight at risk, as they believe it is not detrimental to their overall health. The most critical time period for eye development is in the first ten years of life. This is where the foundation of quality eye health is formed. If a child has an eye condition that goes undiagnosed during this period, it can lead to permanent damage and vision loss. Parents must be aware of the importance of regular ocular health checks to achieve a good quality life for their child. JulEye aims to encourage parents to obtain regular eye checks for their children. At NQ Eye Specialists we strive to deliver quality care to all ages.
Below are 5 simple tips used in JulEYE from the Eye Surgeons Foundation to ensure imperative eye health is achieved for your children;
Be Eye Aware: Know your childs behaviour, make sure you watch out for excess rubbing of eyes, headaches, nausea, dizziness.
Green is Good: Make sure your childs diet has a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, this will help optimise your child’s ocular health.
Hats Help: Broad brim hats are an imperative preventative used against UV Rays. Make sure you are taking all preventative measures for your child when they are out in the sun.
Specs Appeal: Make sure your child wears sunglasses to protect their eyes against the UV sunlight.
Balls Galore: Ensure appropriate precautions are covered and identified prior to contact sports.
For more information on Paediatric eye health, you can go to The Eye Surgeon’s Foundations JulEYE page by clicking the link below.
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