 Michelle has been with us at the practice since Day 1!
She has been in optics for nearly 10 years. You may recognise Michelle from Tesco Opticians in Newbury where she and I worked together. A lifelong resident of Newbury, when not working Michelle enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoys knitting and walks with her energetic terrier. Michelle is here to help you with your frame selection. Michelle is also able to help answer any of your questions about contact lenses use and teach you how to insert, remove and care for your lenses. In addition to the expertise she has gained from working in optics, Michelle has also worn glasses and contacts for many years. She understands what issues patients may have with poorly fitted contacts and varifocals. She can work with you to solve those issues - even if you haven't gotten them from us. Michelle will tell you it is all about getting the measurements correct when you get fitted the first time so you are successful with glasses or contacts. Need your specs adjusted? Having issues with your varifocals from another opticians? Pop in and see Michelle or any of the rest of our team!
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 The eyes are the window to the soul, so wash them!
This is the slogan for We Love Eyes, a natural and non-toxic products we carry at the practice. It is the first optometrist-created cleansing system for the eyes and lids. It is:
Don't wear makeup? Do you wear eyelash extensions? Don't have to use mascara with your false lashes? The lashes and lids still must be kept clean. The solutions are gentle for the most sensitive skin and can be used with false lashes. Got dry eyes? Clean lashes and lids will promote less dryness of the eyes by keeping the glands that produce oils for our tears clean and clear and working at top performance. But I'm a man - why would I need to clean my eyelids? Cleaning your eyelids gently washes away sources of inflammations such as bacteria, pollen, dust and dirt to help your eyes appear whiter and brighter. The eyelids will look less red. There is also a popular men’s product, the Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser for Men Don’t forget the wand! This cleansing brush is the softest brush we’ve felt and is small enough for easy use. Pair the wand with one of the cleansers for the ultimate clean. Our eyelid and eyelash cleansing spray cleans the eyelids and eyelashes to help improve the appearance of the eyes while being Ph balanced to provide an effective clean. To purchase and to add this to your nightly cleansing routine, please stop by the practice. To learn more about We Love Eyes, visit our YouTube channel for an informative video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD0p5gleMaU  What is AMD?
AMD is a common condition that affects many of us later in life. Some can get it as early as their 40s but it is more common in our 70s, 80s and 90s. AMD affects the macula. The macula is responsible for our central vision. The peripheral vision is generally still good but try to imagine going through life only using your side vision. It is very difficult and can be very discouraging to patients as they may not be able to see the face of a dear loved one or read what is right in front of them. What can be done for AMD? There are some surgical treatments for wet AMD - that's AMD that has involved a bleed or fluid leak in the back of the eye affecting the macula. For dry AMD there is no treatment. Both conditions - dry and wet AMD - can exist together. And if you have one form, it doesn't mean you won't get the other form. There are some supplements that have been shown to reduce the risk of progression of AMD but it is not certain to work for everyone. Vision loss can be managed by an optometrist or in the low vision clinic at a local hospital. Magnification in glasses can help to enlarge the image but may not necessarily make it clearer. There is a home monitoring test that can be done. This is called an Amsler Grid and should be given to you by your eyecare provider. It can also be downloaded as a PDF online. Will I develop AMD? There is a known link of AMD and...
How do I know if I have AMD? Having routine eye examinations are key to learning if your optometrist suspects early AMD. If you have sudden changes to your vision, get seen right away. With AMD, you may experience...
Why would you see "people" who aren't there with AMD? There is a condition called Charles-Bonnet Syndrome. The best way to describe it is that with AMD vision loss, you don't really get the whole picture of what is going on around you due to lack of central vision. You may not get all the pieces to the puzzle so to speak. And what the brain doesn't see, it begins to make up. Blind persons can also suffer from this condition. My grandmother lost her sight to AMD and began to see people in her home that were not there. Some of my family wrongly assumed she may have developed dementia and she became very negatively affected by the experience. Is there any support for AMD in Newbury and West Berkshire? While the eye consultant works to "fix" the condition and the optometrist or opticians work to give you the best vision with glasses, many people with AMD feel helpless as they just may want some extra explanation and support. Fortunately, Newbury has a wonderful support group for people with AMD. Newbury and West Berkshire Macular Society meet monthly. For more information visit their website at https://www.macularsociety.org/groups/newbury-west-berkshire-support-group To find out if you have AMD or any other health condition that could be sight-threatening, book in for a comprehensive eye examination. Phone 01635 528844. |
Dr Valarie JeromeWriting and sharing interesting topics affecting patients in their daily life, our practice news and the profession of optometry. Archives
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Company49 Northbrook Street
Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1DT Company No: 09884393 |
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