Post Pandemic eye health review

woman sitting with her little daughter on a kitchen with laptop computer

This year, like many other businesses, we had to close our doors at Ian Donald Optometrist in Manly for non-urgent services during the Sydney lockdown.

We did however continue to work behind the scenes to ensure we would be ready to respond to your eye health and optometry needs once our team was back on deck.

Whilst there has been quite a lot of discussion about the impact of lockdown and the pandemic on our physical and mental health, there has been less of a focus on ocular health – but it is vitally important.

In our annual wrap for 2021, we focus on the year’s potential impact on your eyes, we take a look back at our activities this year and we introduce something that may be the perfect gift for yourself or your family this Christmas – our new Ray Ban prescription sunglasses.

Businesswoman having a meeting using Webcam conference on laptop

The pandemic and eye health

The pandemic is affecting people’s eye health in a couple of ways, and the most obvious is to do with lifestyle changes.

As more people are working and studying from home and communicating and socialising online, it’s had a flow-on effect.

Lockdown essentially is not a good environment for our eyes, and both adults and children are facing eye strain, tired eyes and other eye health issues due to the significant uptake in screen time.

Dry eye, for instance, is one condition that may arise after extended periods in front of a computer. It can manifest as uncomfortable, stinging, red, sensitive or watery eyes with effects ranging from an inability to comfortably wear contact lenses to poor night-time vision. As with all eye health issues, the first step if you experience any symptoms is to book an eye examination.

Neglecting eye care

Even out of lockdown, many optometrists have seen a decrease in appointments during the pandemic, with patients hesitant to book in for eye examinations and avoiding regular check-ups. While this is understandable, it’s unfortunately not a good choice for our eyes.

Whilst our eye health has been suffering during lockdowns, the best way to monitor and treat any issues is still early detection.

Regular eye examinations can discover the early onset of eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes or the onset of eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

To help keep your eyes in good shape, it’s essential to have regular eye examinations, even during the pandemic. Should you experience an eye injury or eye pain, floaters or spots in your field of vision, red-eye or a sudden change in sight, then it’s very important that you make an appointment as soon as possible with one of our optometrists.

Young happy smiling pretty couple posing in hot summer day, wearing retro sunglasses,

Our eye health 2021 focus

At Ian Donald Optometrist, our team is dedicated to helping our customers look after their eyes over the long term, and one way we help achieve that is with our regular articles on eye health.

In 2021 we provided a range of blogs on eye conditions including myopia, macular degeneration and dry eye. We provided guides to Ortho-K and outlined all of your options for glasses and contact lenses. We also let you know why choosing an expert dispenser matters.

We will continue to keep you informed on eye health issues and the latest news from the practice, including our latest optometry technology – so that you’re in the best position to monitor and maintain your family’s eye health.

Ray-Ban for Christmas?

In June this year, we reported on the importance of sunglasses for everyday eye care. As the temperature and UV indicator continue to climb, that’s more imperative than ever.

So we’re also pleased to advise one of the newest additions to our range – Ray-Ban prescription sunglasses.

From Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Tom Cruise in Top Gun, from the Blues Brothers to Men in Black, Ray-Ban sunglasses have been making a mark for more than 70 years. Perennially popular on-screen and off, they feature classic styling and most importantly, premium materials and quality polarised lenses.

At Ian Donald Optometrist, we continue to follow NSW health procedures and our COVID-19 response to protect all of our valued customers. To ensure your eyesight is the best it can be, please contact us for your next eye assessment.

Leading Eyewear Fashion Brands

Prada  

Specialising in fashion and function, Prada eyewear features high-quality materials and meticulous design.

Anne et Valentin  

Born from the dream of two opticians, Anne & Valentin craft unique frames in Toulouse, France.

Sabine Be  

Sabine Be eyewear by French artisan Sabine Bégault-Vagner reflects her fervent passion for creation.

Tom Ford  

The Tom Ford Eyewear collection epitomises sophistication, innovation and style, encapsulating the essence of the entire brand.

Face a Face  

At Face a Face Paris, designers embark on a cultural and artistic journey, crafting stunning seasonal collections.

Moscot  

Moscot has a proud history spanning five generations and 109 years of eyewear excellence.

Garrett Leight  

Garrett Leight California Optical, established in 2010 by a team of eyewear enthusiasts, creates timeless designs blending craftsmanship and aesthetics.

Ogreen  

The foundation of good design is quality at Orgreen Optics. Established by three friends in Copenhagen, Denmark, Orgreen is now an international eyewear brand.

Mykita  

Mykita designer eyewear adopted its name from the former children’s day care, Kita, where they established manufacturing operations.

Vaanyard  

Conceived internationally, designed in Sydney, Australia, Vaanyard Applied Vision creates premium, handcrafted eyewear inspired by urban design and culture.

Have questions?
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Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095

Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm