HEALTH
DRY EYES NO SURPRISE
STUDY FINDS DIABETICS SUFFER STIGMA
DRY eyes is a common condition and ranges from mild to severe. It usually refers to an inadequacy of natural tears to properly wet and keep the cornea (the clear “windshield” at the front of the eye) moist. The cornea does not have its own blood supply, and so relies on the tears to nourish, protect and clean it for optimum and health and clear vision. There are three important layers in the tear film – mucin, water and oil. They must all be present in balanced quantities for the cornea to be adequately moisturised and for vision to be clear. The most common type of dry eye is evaporative in nature, usually as a result of the oil layer in the tears being inadequate. This leads to the watery layer evaporating, and an increase in salt concentration often leading to irritation and very commonly a stinging and a watery eye. In fact, the most common symptom of dry eye syndrome is an excessively watery eye. There are many causes of dry eyes, including increasing age, blepharitis, menopause, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, medications, some autoimmune conditions, cataract and laser eye surgery, environmental factors and sometimes simply dry eye syndrome with no known underlying cause.
A NEW study from the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) has found that four out of five people living with diabetes have experienced some sort of stigma and that having diabetes more than doubles the risk of developing depression. A recent US study also showed that the most widely reported experience of having diabetes was the perception of flawed character or failure of personal responsibility. While the rigour of managing diabetes is already challenging, the feeling of social judgement and potential guilt can lead to negative psychological, behavioural and physical consequences such as depression, anxiety and fear of negative feedback from blood glucose testing. People with diabetes or those at risk are urged to reach out for help and support to manage their condition. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, the
Treatment of dry eyes is varied, depending on the type and cause. It commonly includes the use of artificial tears, staying hydrated, and changes to, or control of, the surrounding environment. Treat blepharitis and/or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction with warm compress. Treatments also include massaging the eyelids and lid hygiene, taking Omega-3, and sometimes, using medicated eye drops and ointments. Most commonly, dry eyes are a chronic condition and require ongoing care. Visit Sunshine Coast Opthalmologists sconoosa.com.au
leading cause of preventable limb amputations and the leading cause of kidney failure. “Regular health checks can help identify early warning signs of disease and illness,” pharmacist and diabetes expert Claire Ross of Blooms The Chemist said. “With 1.4 million people in Australia living with diabetes, it’s important for people at higher risk to monitor their blood glucose levels. While this test will not confirm if you have diabetes, a high blood glucose reading may signal that there may be an issue.” Blooms The Chemist offers free Diabetes Monitoring (Blood Glucose Screening) to assist diabetics or those with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The testing process is simple. A small amount of blood is taken from the fingertip and applied to a testing strip. Within a few minutes, a result will appear and this can be shared with a GP to discuss if further treatment is needed.
REHAB UNIT TURNS 10 NAMBOUR’S Selangor Private Hospital has celebrated 10 years of inpatient rehabilitation. The multidisciplinary allied health team based has grown to around 20 full time professionals. Patients come for rehabilitation for a variety of reasons including general reconditioning, Parkinson’s patients, neurological including poststroke or brain injuries, and after a long hospital stay.
Dry eye can be tough and frustrating – you deserve a solution
A bright solution to your dry eyes Intense Pulsed Light improves your eyes’ meibomian gland function to help your tears be the best they can be.
Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common cause of dry eye disease IPL treatment is quick, non-invasive and is performed on the skin around the eyes No-downtime
Your friendly optometrist or GP can provide a referral to attend our doctor-led Dry Eye Clinic. Or to make a direct appointment call our clinic on 07 5345 5011. Insight Eye Surgery is conveniently located at 1/31 Thomas Street, Noosaville QLD 4566.
Reduced dependency on dry eye drops
www.insighteyesurgery.com.au | Telephone: 07 5345 5011 Our OptiLight IPL is clinically tested and the only US FDA approved IPL treatment for dry eye. Research shows that most patients report an improvement in dry eye symptoms after their second or third IPL treatment. IPL is not suitable for all skin types or for those with particular pre-existing health issues. Please call our clinic or visit our website to find out more.
Sunshine Coast
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