The Eye Care Edition by National Pharmacies

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The Eye Care Edition WE' VE G OT A RECIPE YO U R E Y E S WILL LOVE

The Right Lenses for Your Lifestyle B L U E P R OT E C T & POL ARISED T E C H N O LO G Y. ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YO U ?

INTRODUCING:

Plant-Based Sunglasses from Zeal

Your membership benefits go further than you think. Become a member and join the community that cares for yours.

THE EYE CARE EDITION

Contents

In This Issue 4 Eye Care for Common Conditions. 10 Get Stylish this Autumn with National Pharmacies Optical.

18 The Latest Generation of Blue Light Protection from ZEISS.

21 Member Spotlight with Adelaide United Head Coach Carl Veart.

What You Need to Know About Your Child's Eye Health.

A Recipe Your Eyes Will Love. Charred broccolini, orange and kale salad with carrot, ginger and turmeric dressing.

The Eye Care Edition

Eye Care for Common Conditions Protecting our eyes from common afflictions is important, and staying on top of it can easily prevent small issues from turning into bigger problems down the track.

Factors such as the elements, environment or natural bacterias can wreak havoc on our fragile eyes. We look at how you can look after your eye health at home. The information provided here should not be used in lieu of speaking with a healthcare professional. If you're experiencing symptoms visit your GP or local National Pharmacies Pharmacist or Optometrist. 4

ealing with common conditions daily, our Pharmacists and Optometrists know how to alleviate your eyes from discomfort, allowing you to keep your eyes on the prize and free from bothersome eye conditions. When it comes to eye health, most of us don’t know there’s an issue until it’s too late. At National Pharmacies, we know there’s always more than meets the eye with afflictions like these. By helping countless families throughout the years, we are well versed in knowing what your eyes need for pain, prevention and futureproofing. Whatever your concern may be, you can feel relieved knowing the friendly team at your local National Pharmacies or National Pharmacies Optical are available to help.

and a gritty feeling. While there’s no cure for hay fever, you can manage symptoms and lessen the severity of your symptoms. Reduce your hay fever by staying indoors when pollen is high and wear glasses instead of contact lenses to protect the eye. Rinse your eyes with anti-allergy drops, and use cold compress to reduce swelling together with antihistamines. Chat to one of our Pharmacists in-store to find the right products to help you relieve your hay fever symptoms. Dry Eyes

Conjunctivitis

A common eye infection amongst children and adults, conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which causes a thick, sticky and then crusty discharge that lines the eyelids and lashes. Causing redness and itchiness, this irritating affliction is extremely contagious and easily spread through handto-eye contact. Contact lenses shouldn’t be used until the infection is gone. Antibiotic eye drops offer a fast recovery for bacterial conjunctivitis, however in most cases you won't need antibiotic eye drops as conjunctivitis is often viral. Other treatment options are usually focused on symptom relief and include; using artificial tears, cleaning your eyelids with a wet cloth, and applying cold or warm compresses several times daily. Washing hands regularly and using clean towels and pillowcases are other good measures. Hay Fever

Hay fever usually occurs during spring and autumn, when the seasons change, and can affect anyone. Itchy, watery eyes are one of the most common—most annoying—symptoms of hay fever. Due to different types of pollen, the eyes can produce excess tears to flush out irritants which can result in temporary blurred vision, puffy eyes

You won’t know how uncomfortable dry eye syndrome is until you’ve experienced it, and those suffering know this unbearable, sometimes long-term discomfort isn’t fun. Dry eyes happen when a thin film of tears that sweep over our eyes with each blink is no longer producing moisture to keep the eyes lubricated between blinks. Ageing, menopause, arthritis, climate, some medications, laser or cataract surgery, and lengthy screen-time are common causes of dry eyes. If you think you might be experiencing dry eye syndrome, chatting with an Optometrist and/or Pharmacist is a good place to start. Treatments include; eye drops, gels, ointments, and other lifestyle options such as blinking more, lessening screen time, and dry eye treatments. Allergies

Suffering from eye allergies (also known as allergic conjunctivitis) impacts many Australians, though it is different to bacterial or viral conjunctivitis that occurs infrequently. Having eye allergies is a feeling that something is in your eye; they are constantly over-sensitive, red, irritated or itchy. Outdoor allergens such as pollen and grass, indoor allergens such as dust, mold or pet hair, and irritants such as perfume and pollution can all trigger a reaction. There is hope however – when symptoms occur, try and identify what the trigger is and manage accordingly. You can stay in closed, air-conditioned spaces during high-pollen days, use mite-proof bedding, wear glasses where possible, use artificial tear drops, antihistamines, or see an Optometrist. 5

The Eye Care Edition

Focus On: Norwood Optical After making a small move in November 2021, this fresh and bright new store has a bustling atmosphere from the moment it opens each day.

ational Pharmacies Norwood is your one stop shop for wellbeing, health and now eye care with the new Optical store right next door and easily accessible from within the store. Optical Manager Vicki Leane, is excited to see this new chapter for the Norwood store. Working with National Pharmacies Optical for 23 years now, Vicki shares her joy for the change of scenery, “Everyone is enjoying it for many reasons; it’s a nice, bright new store, with a range of new brands as well and we have a lot more foot traffic now as we are more visible and further up The Parade.” Fitting frames with the perfect lens means seeing resident Optometrist, Philip Milford. We sat down with Philip to discuss what eye issues may come up and how to protect your own eyes. What made you want to be an Optometrist? Well, this goes back many years but my father was an Optometrist and it seemed like a good idea, which turned out to be a good idea! The reason I am an Optometrist is because I enjoy helping people; there's rewards when you can ease people's discomfort or improve their vision, and even stop them from going blind, it's very rewarding. 6

Philip Milford Optometrist

Vicki Leane Optical Manager

What is the most common eye concern that you deal with?

Any tips or measures we can take to protect our eyes?

Cataracts are very common and dry eyes. Dry eyes are common as we get older but there's new technology that we can use to treat it and improve the comfort so that people don't have to suffer. Dry eyes are odd because people don't understand what it is until you suffer from it; it's a debilitating and constant sandy, gritty, grinding feeling in your eye.

Having regular eye tests. The biggest cause of preventable vision loss is from people not getting their eyes tested. We pick up diseases and issues when people don't expect it, even if you don't need glasses you should still get an eye test on a regular basis. It prevents a lot of problems… and your eyesight is invaluable. Most eye diseases run in families but can happen to anyone, so regular checks are wise as we can control or stop diseases from developing into a major problem.

hen it comes to attracting all walks of life to their bright, spacious new store, Optical Manager, Sara Acic shares her experience and new atmosphere of National Pharmacies Golden Grove. With that, Optometrist, Gemma Ji also discusses common concerns from patients and what makes being an Optometrist so special. With Optical relocating to National Pharmacies Golden Grove in the Village Shopping Centre in October 2021, Sara explains “It's been great being in a new store and having a bigger team!” Customers can expect to be wowed by the optical range at Golden Grove, “We have a great range of brands to suit everyone. Maui Jim is popular with our customers, as well as Tiffany & Co – we have many brands that are household names that people love and come back for.” Seeing all walks of life throughout the day, Optometrist, Gemma Ji shares her experiences. What made you want to pursue a career in Optometry? I was very young when I made the decision as I was legally blind without glasses when I was 12! I wanted to understand my own eyesight better, and I will always remember the first glorious moment putting on my first pair of spectacles and seeing out the window clearly. I knew out of high school I wanted a career in which I helped people. What do you find most satisfying about being an Optometrist? It is rewarding to help everyone improve their vision, but I find it particularly rewarding helping children. Sometimes kids who exhibit distracting or unsettled behaviour during school or learning activities

Gemma Ji Optometrist

Sara Acic Optical Manager

Focus On: Golden Grove Optical National Pharmacies Golden Grove has recently added Optical to their pharmacy family, now offering locals a place to have all of their eye care, health care and lifestyle needs met. are unknowingly suffering from poor vision. It is actually very difficult to tell if you see as well as you're meant to, especially reading because you don’t know any other way! It's always a very humbling moment to be able to improve a child's sight so that they can have greater confidence. Do you have any tips when it comes to looking after our eyes? As someone who refused to wear their glasses for 2 years during Primary School, I really suffered from my shortsightedness. My top tip is to listen to your Optometrist; if you don't understand their recommendations, ask questions until you do. The best way for you to look after your eyes is to understand them. 7

The Eye Care Edition

KID'S EYE HEALTH

Your Child's Eye Health: What You Need to Know By Optometrist, Renee Slunjski

Visiting the Optometrist should be on your priority list for your child’s health care screenings, much like your GP or Dentist visits. Having your children’s eyes checked early creates a baseline for their vision and your Optometrist will be able to pick up conditions early that develop over time and treat them accordingly.

1 in 5 Australian kids live with some type of eye condition, and many of them don't know it. That's why we're offering all National Pharmacies members, 12 years and under, free glasses at any National Pharmacies Optical. Chat to our team in-store for more information. 8

ur eyes are complex organs, not only does the eye need to develop itself, but it also needs to coordinate with the other eye to develop good binocular vision, which is important for depth perception (3D vision) and peripheral vision. How children see

Almost every baby is born hyperopic (long-sighted), and this is something we grow out of by the age of five. However, a genetic cause, family history or environmental factors can disrupt normal development of the eye and a child may not ‘grow out’ of their longsightedness. Symptoms can include eye turns (strabismus), squinting, trouble focusing, headaches and eyestrain.

Ages 0-7 are a critical time for your child’s eye health, so if their vision is not corrected in this period they can develop a weaker eye which will not see as well as the other ever again. Hyperopia can be diagnosed by an Optometrist, commonly requiring the use of an eye drop to temporarily dilate your child’s pupil and disable the focusing component of the eye so that we can perform an objective examination. If hyperopia or another condition such as astigmatism, myopia, droopy eyelid, squint or eye turn, is not diagnosed, your child may develop amblyopia, otherwise known as lazy eye. Common eye conditions of neglected eyes

Ages 0-7 are a critical time for your child’s eye health, so if their vision is not corrected in this period they can develop a weaker eye which will not see as well as the other ever again. This can have implications on what career your child can go into, and means they don’t have 3D perception which we need as we grow older for hand-eye coordination, driving and other daily tasks. Another common eye condition is myopia, or short-sightedness. It is estimated that myopia affects 80 million children worldwide, a figure which is expected to rise rapidly to 9.8 percent of the global population by 2050¹. This condition affects a person's long-distance vision; this has increased over the decade with use of close screens which neglects development of distance vision. Symptoms can include holding objects close to the eyes, moving closer to the TV or board in a classroom, reduced performance at school, squinting and tired eyes or headaches. Along with extended periods of near work, myopia can also be inherited – if both parents have it, there’s a 50 percent chance it can be passed onto children, or 25 percent if one parent is myopic.² Along with the need for glasses or contact lenses, complications like retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma are more likely,³ so you want to slow down the progression as soon as possible. Our Optometrists recommend eye tests from

the age of three to keep track of expected milestones, and annual examinations if there is a family history of myopia, or other visual problems. Glasses with a graded lens that helps focus on various distances have been developed that slow down the progression of myopia. Contact lenses have also been designed which help slow down myopia progression. A third method in conjunction with glasses or contact lenses is low-dose Atropine eye drops, prescribed by your Optometrist. Eye tests from an early age are vital to detect these common eye conditions and optimise your child’s eye development. Our Optometrists have a variety of enjoyable, interactive tests they can use to assess your child’s vision including colour and 3D perception, picture-naming, tracking and comprehensive eye health assessments including a photograph of the back of the eye.

References 1. Williams K, Hammond C., High myopia and its risks. Community Eye Health. 2019;32(105):5-6. 2. Morgan P., Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? The Optician 2016. 3. Annechien E. G. Haarman, Clair A. Enthoven, et al., The Complications of Myopia: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2020;61(4):49.

The Eye Care Edition

Face Time Autumnal tones are back. Dark greens, shades of burgundy and the traditional tortoise shell can be found in many shapes and styles to fit any face.

1. Burberry #40081848

2. Dolce & Gabbana #40083165

3. Ray-ban #40087918

4. Tiffany & Co #40080694

5. Gucci #40073788

6. Caroline Abram #40084826

7. Versace #40082071

The Eye Care Edition

SUSTAINABILITY ZEAL OPTICS

Plant-Based Sunglasses While other lenses are made from petroleum-based materials, Zeal Optics Ellume Polarised lenses and Z-Resin frames use a unique plant-based polymer as the bonding agent. This material, made from the castor plant, delivers incredibly light, durable frames and high-purity lenses for cleaner, crisper vision, with a smaller environmental footprint. All of Zeal Optics sunglass packaging as well as all printed material, are made from FSC-certified recyclable paper and soy-based ink to further reduce their environmental impact. REUSE. REGROW. REIMAGINE

Zeal Optics new See Grass frames combine 70% recycled plastics and 30% grass fibers in a closed-loop system to create their most sustainable sunglasses yet. This fibrous base is combined with recycled plastics to reuse waste material and keep it out of landfills. See Grass allows Zeal Optics to create beautiful, durable sunglass 12

frames, each of which is unique, while finding alternative uses for what was previously considered trash byproducts. Recycled Plastic + Grass Fiber + Bio Gas = Sunglasses reimagined. Zeal Optics Ellume Polarised Lenses.

More Colour. Less Polution. Zeal Optics' unique plant-based lens is built with colour filtration to accentuate detail and eliminate colour confusion. Featuring industry leading polarised protection and clarity, Ellume Polarised eliminates 99.9% of glare and blocks 100% of harmful UV rays. • Blocks 100% UVA/B/C rays • Impact resistant • Hardcoat • Hydrophobic/Oleophobic • Backside AR on select styles • 99.9% Polarised • Blocks 95% HEV light • Colour Filtration

POLARISED

Reflected light and UV exposure can cause glare, eye fatigue, and sensitivity, all which disrupt your experience outdoors. Ellume Polarised eliminates 99.9% of glare and blocks 100% of harmful UVA/B/C rays, protecting against the risk of long-term damage to your eyes from the sun’s harsh rays. PLANT-BASED

See the world more clearly with Ellume Polarised. While other lenses are constructed of petroleum-based materials, Ellume Polarised uses a unique plant-based polymer as the bonding agent to deliver a high-purity lens for crisper, cleaner vision. BLUE LIGHT FILTRATION

Ellume Polarised is built to control specific wavelengths of visible light by reducing harmful high-energy blue light (HEV). This process eliminates colour confusion so you can see the colours of the spectrum more vividly and with greater depth. perception.

Top Foods For Eye Health Enjoying a nutritious, well-balanced diet is not only great for your inner health, it’s also fantastic for your eye health. By Optometrist, Renee Slunjski

ne of the most common eye diseases, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is known to result from a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. In-depth research into slowing down the progression of AMD has been conducted over the last few decades as it is a condition that affects 8.7% of the world’s population, which is projected to be around 288 million people by 2040¹. AMD impacts a person's central vision, meaning their ability to read and drive become weak, and conducting everyday activities become difficult. Alongside lifestyle modifications like wearing sunglasses and not smoking, dietary

changes can also slow down the progression of AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study group (AREDS) conducted extensive research into which Vitamins and Minerals our macula requires to function properly. Within a healthy diet, they suggest adding a range of Antioxidants and Vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Zinc². Foods readily available include a variety of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, silverbeet, broccolini, peas, lettuce as well as citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, oysters, brazil nuts and seeds. These are important to support a healthy macula – plus they are super tasty! Having a great diet in place helps with another common eye condition, Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). There are multiple causes for DES, the most common being Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which is a form of Blepharitis. Watery, weepy, crusty, sore eyes and eyelids are a result of the build up of oils in the meibomian glands (that keeps our tears healthy) located in our eyelids. Not only are there targeted treatments for MGD, but diet plays a large role in helping the glands secrete healthy oil into our tears. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids have been shown to improve signs and symptoms of MGD³. Adding fish, such as fresh salmon and tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring and anchovies, which are high in the Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as flaxseed, eggs, walnuts, soy beans, tofu and avocado, to your diet is recommended to keep the tears healthy and the dry eyes hydrated.

References 1. Saunier V, Merle BMJ, Delyfer M, et al. Incidence of and Risk Factors Associated With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Four-Year Follow-up From the ALIENOR Study. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2018;136(5): 473–481.

2. AREDS2 Research Group et al. “The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2): study design and baseline characteristics (AREDS2 report number 1).” Ophthalmology vol. 119,11 (2012): 2282-9.

3. Ziemanski, Jillian F et al. “Relation Between Dietary Essential Fatty Acid Intake and Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women.” American journal of ophthalmology vol. 189 (2018): 29-40.

The Eye Care Edition

Charred Broccolli, Orange and Kale Salad with Carrot, Ginger and Turmeric Dressing Recipe & styling by Emma Reeves

SERVES 4

Serving suggestions: • Grilled or pan fried salmon. • Buddha bowl by adding tofu, additional greens such as snow peas, brussel sprouts and raw sprouts • Poke Bowl served with sliced raw salmon or tuna • Serve as a side salad with grilled chicken, pork or beef • Swap out lentils for brown rice, quinoa or cous cous

Salad ingredients: • 1 bunch broccollini • 1 small bunch kale or 4 large leaves • 2 oranges cut into thick slices • 1 avocado • To garnish, micro greens or any fresh herbs at hand, coriander or mint

Lentils • 1 cup cooked dried black belugar lentils or (fast track) 1 can your choice of lentils • 1 clove garlic • 1 bay leaf or a piece of kombu • 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or flavoured vinegar like sherry or balsamic) • Pinch of salt and pepper

Seeds • 4 tablespoons pumpkin seeds • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds • 1/3 cup almonds roughly sliced • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

For the carrot, ginger and turmeric dressing: • ½ teaspoon turmeric or 1 table spoon fresh turmeric • 1 tablespoon honey • 3 tablespoons carrot grated • 1 tablespoon ginger grated • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 2 tablespoons/30g nut butter • 3 tablespoons/45ml water • Pinch of salt and black pepper

To make the dressing: Using a blender or an immersion blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to thin the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside until ready to use. Dressing can be made in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered, for up to 5 days. To cook the lentils: Rinse lentils, then place in a medium sized saucepan with garlic and bay leaves, cover with cold water by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils are tender for about 30 minutes. Add additional liquid if needed. Drain the lentils, discarding the garlic and bay leaves. Once drained add the olive oil, diced onion, vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. (Some lentils cook faster than others, so we recommend checking after 18 minutes).

To char the broccolini, kale and orange: Wash the greens, pat dry, then toss separately with olive oil, salt and pepper. Heat grill plate on stove top or BBQ until smoking hot. Turn down heat to a medium flame and char for 5 - 10 minutes, just until its charred slightly, remains bright green and just tender to bite. Once it is hot and charred it will keep cooking after you take it off the burner, so by just keeping it slightly under done, you can keep it quite al dente!

Season orange slices with salt and pepper, char until lightly caramelised on the outside. Maple toasted nuts and seeds: Preheat your oven to 180c for 5 - 8 minutes. Toss the almonds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds with maple syrup. Place ingredients onto a baking tray covered with baking paper. Lightly toast for 8 - 10 minutes. When lightly golden, take out of the oven and allow to cool completely. Once nuts are cooled, they will be crunchy and ready to toss through the salad.

To assemble: serve individually or as one big platter to share. Place a spoonful of the lentils on your serving plate or cover base of platter. Layer with charred vegetables and charred orange, arrange sliced avocado on top. Spoon over dressing, and scatter over with toasted seeds. To garnish add a few extra herbs, micro greens, coriander or mint.

The Eye Care Edition

Ask Our Experts National Pharmacies Optical Optometrist, Cameron Girgenti and National Pharmacies Pharmacist, Kerry-Anne Casanova answer your questions about eye care. The following questions have been answered by Optometrist, Cameron Girgenti.

How old should you be to get your first eye test? Prior to school, around the age of 3 years, to ensure optimum vision for the learning environment and normal ocular development. What should you expect in your first eye examination? An eye examination involves a discussion about any visual problems, assessment of vision on a chart, comparing a series of lenses for clarity and a series of lights shone into the eye. There are no painful procedures. What are those floaty things in your eyes? Unsurprisingly they are called floaters! These are particles that float around in the jelly substance at the back of the eye. Although they are common and mostly benign, floaters can be the sign of a more serious problem and an eye examination is recommended if floaters are detected, particularly if they are new. Why should you get your eyes tested? When? How often? You only have one pair of eyes and vision is our most precious sense. An eye exam is important whenever a change to your eyes or vision is detected. Following the guidance of your Optometrist a routine eye exam should occur every 1 to 3 years depending on your age, vision problems or health status. Is it a myth that wearing glasses weakens your eyes, becoming more dependent? Yes. There is no evidence that this is true.

Often people in their early forties link the changes to their vision over time with spectacle wear. Unfortunately, this is an unavoidable age-related problem that occurs regardless of spectacle use. In fact, for certain visual problems in children, not wearing spectacles can actually be harmful to the eye’s development. How does diabetes affect your eye health? Diabetes causes the blood vessels at the back of the eye to become leaky, which can cause permanent damage to the vision if left undetected. A simple eye examination can lead to early intervention which may make all the difference.

2. AREDS2 Research Group et al. “The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2): study design and baseline characteristics (AREDS2 report number 1).” Ophthalmology vol. 119,11 (2012): 2282-9.

What are the signs to indicate you need an eye test? Blurry vision, headaches and problems concentrating on visually demanding tasks. Although sometimes there are no symptoms at all. The latter highlights the importance of regular eye examinations regardless of symptoms.

The following questions have been answered by Pharmacist, Kerry-Anne Casanova.

How do I clean my newborn’s eyes? Removing secretions and crusted matter around a newborn’s eye can be done safely by using a hypoallergenic and pH balance cleansing eye wipe. Ensure that it is preservative and fragrance free so that it will not harm little eyes. Why are my eyes red? And what can I do to relieve them? Red eyes can occur for various reasons, including allergies, irritations and fatigue. Rest, cool compress and some over the counter eye drops will help to relieve the red eye. However, if the red eye is persistent a visit to the Optometrist is highly recommended to rule out any more serious conditions. Are there any medications that can affect my eyes? Many medications can have an adverse affect on your eyes. It is important to take the time to discuss medications with your Pharmacist, especially if you have not had them dispensed previously.

Red eyes can occur for various reasons, including allergies, irritations and fatigue. Rest, cool compress and some over the counter eye drops will help to relieve the red eye.

Does it matter what solution I use with my contact lenses? Contact lenses can be damaged if the wrong solutions are used. It is important to ensure that the solution used is compatible with your contact lenses. Most products are labeled if they are safe to use with contact lenses. Can I get ready made glasses from the pharmacy? We have a large selection of ready made glasses with various magnifications available. We also have a good selection of Cancer Council approved sunglasses available, including a children's range. Can I share my eye drops and do they expire? You should never allow others to use your eye drops. This ensures that infections are not transferred from person to person. Bottled eye drops are convenient if used every day. For occasional use, I recommend single-use vials as bottles will need to be discarded 4 weeks after opening. My eyes are itchy, what do you suggest? Most commonly a result of an allergy, there are several products available to reduce irritation. Cool eye washes and antihistamine eye drops will assist to give relief, some with a rapid onset. Itchy eyes with a sticky discharge could indicate either a viral or bacterial infection. Speak with your Pharmacist who could suggest an alternative Pharmacist only treatment available.

The information provided here should not be used in lieu of speaking with a healthcare professional. If you're experiencing symptoms visit your GP or local National Pharmacies Pharmacist or Optometrist.

The Eye Care Edition

The Latest Generation of Blue Light Protection In today’s society, working from home or mobile working scenarios, has become a daily routine for millions of people worldwide. Video conferencing with colleagues, online lectures, and home schooling all challenge the eyes.

he increasing use of digital devices is skyrocketing, in addition to more time spent indoors this often exposes us to modern LED lights. A global survey conducted in March 2020 indicated that the pandemic has had a direct impact on in-home media consumption. According to the survey, 44 percent of global respondents reported that they spend more time on social media channels, as well as 36 percent more time on the computer. In general, high-energy visible light (i.e. part of the blue light spectrum), is presumed to have an influence on sleep and alertness, on mood and concentration. The use of electronic devices, whether in small or large format, changes viewing habits. ZEISS BluePro, a new generation of blue light blocking lenses has been introduced to the market addressing today's technology and media use in the context of the "new normal". The blue light blocking properties are now incorporated into the lens material itself. As a result, ZEISS BluePro Lenses provide excellent lens clarity as well as the blocking of up to 40 percent of the potentially harmful and irritating blue light, which is known to be linked to digital eye strain.

A common disadvantage of many blue light blocking solutions is irritating and disturbing reflections in the lens surface. As blue light blocking properties are now incorporated into the lens material, ZEISS BluePro Lenses come standard with ZEISS DuraVision Platinum UV. This premium anti-reflection coating with its subtle blue residual reflection ensures the wearer does not get annoyed by irritating reflections and the eyes are clearly visible behind the lenses. The result is high lens clarity with significantly lower visible reflections of digital blue light.

1 Watson A. (2020). In-home media consumption due to the coronavirus outbreak among internet users worldwide as of March 2020, by country. www.statista.com, URL https://www.statista. com/statistics/1106498/ home-media-consumptioncoronavirus-worldwide-bycountry/. 2Inhouse measurements and calculations based on the BVB (Blue-Violet-Blocking) metric. Analyses by Technology and Innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE, 2020.

Polarised Sunglasses:

Comfortable Vision Without Distracting Glare

With modern technology, it’s possible to apply polarisation filters to almost any type of lens. This includes prescription sunglasses for conditions such as myopia, presbyopia, or astigmatism.

Glare reflected off transparent or wet surfaces is not only annoying and distracting – it can also affect your vision. Polarised lenses may support and improve your sight in the following instances:

Polarisation also works very effectively within dynamic sun lenses such as ZEISS AdaptiveSun. These kind of special sun lenses work with photochromic technology and can adapt their intensity to changing light conditions. These lenses change their colour intensity depending

hether you’re a sports enthusiast, water sports junkie, or you simply enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors – polarised sunglasses can significantly reduce reflections and glare, to help you see better.

on the level of UV exposure. Your lenses should offer full UV protection, and you need to know UV protection doesn’t come standard with all lenses. To protect your eyes from UV rays that are harmful to the eyes and surrounding skin, your lenses need to at least block rays up to 400 nm. Remember to ask your Optometrist about clear lenses that offer full UV protection, so you’re always protected, even on cloudy days. All clear lenses from ZEISS come with full UV Protection.

• General light-sensitivity. Those who are sensitive to bright light will benefit from these lenses, as well as the UV protection it offers. ZEISS lenses offer 100% UV protection. • If you love to fish, row, boat, or do other water sports, polarised sunglasses will allow you to see better below the water’s surface. This may come in handy when you want to reel in that fish, or if there’s an obstacle below the water that can be potentially dangerous for your boat. • Driving. When we’re on the road, we’re often distracted by glare, caused by sunlight reflected off wet roads, windshields and car hoods. • Post-surgery. You may find that your eyes are more light sensitive for a few months after eye surgery such as cataract removal. Wearing polarised glasses can make you feel more comfortable and can help you see contrast better.

The Eye Care Edition

Member Spotlight

National Pharmacies members, mother daughter duo Carla and Imogen, and Adelaide United Head Coach Carl Veart, share their eye health journeys and why it is so important to care for your eyes. Imogen and Carla Membership status: National Pharmacies Family Membership for 25+ years Local Optical store: Modbury

What do you love most about being a National Pharmacies member? The in-store service and knowledge of the staff, you can’t forget the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, an amazing event! Imogen, when did you first notice you needed glasses? I was only 3 years old when Mum and Dad saw that I had a lazy eye and that is what got me into wearing glasses. How do you find adjusting between contact lenses and glasses? I started wearing contact lenses when I was 9 years old. At first they felt a little bit uncomfortable but over time I got used to wearing them. I find it easy to adjust between glasses and contact lenses because it is something that you eventually get used to. Contact lenses have been great for the days I play sport or surf; I don’t have the fear of breaking my glasses. How did you select your frames? The way that I select my frames is by trying on different types of frames and seeing how they look on me and I have to try a few on to decide the frames that I like the most. 20

What's your favourite thing about wearing glasses? I think that the best part of wearing glasses is that I get to choose the type of frame that I like the most, and the ones that I think suit me the best. What advice would you give to other kids your age who might need an eye test? The advice that I would give to other kids would have to be to not hesitate and get your eyes tested, it’s for the better in the long run.

“Wearing glasses reduces my risk of getting any eye conditions which would affect my career.”

Day to day what do you do to care for your eye health? I need to use glasses for reading, using my laptop and, at times, my mobile. Making sure I use my glasses for those types of things is definitely important. How important is eye health to you in your career?

Carl Veart

Head Coach, Adelaide United Membership status: National Pharmacies Member for 15 years Local Optical store: Henley Beach

What is your favourite thing about being a member of National Pharmacies? My favourite part about being a member are the discounts and benefits, as well as the service you get from National Pharmacies employees. Members like me receive free health checks, have exclusive access to equipment hire, receive member benefit on vaccinations, and we also get regular promotions providing greater value. It’s also good for other things like my pets because members receive discounts on pet products and pet prescriptions.

Can you tell us a bit about your eye health and why you use the services at National Pharmacies Optical? My eye health is generally quite good, but I do need glasses for reading. I like to use the services at National Pharmacies Optical because it's local and very easy to go and see. With the optical care, I also receive benefits on glasses and my kids do as well, which is also a plus. How long have you been wearing prescription glasses and what made you realise you needed them?

Eye health is very important for everyone. For me, it doesn’t matter if it's work related or even personal life because without my glasses I can't really read anything effectively. It’s also important because wearing glasses reduces my risk of getting any eye conditions which would affect my career. Do you carry your glasses with you all the time? I do try to carry my glasses with me all the time because when I forget I cannot see what I am reading so it’s vital that I have them with me for example, when I go to a restaurant and forget my glasses, I find it hard to read the menu and it’s quite frustrating.

I have been wearing my prescription glasses for three or four years and noticed that I needed them because I had to keep increasing the text size on my phone to be able to see anything on the screen. 21

The Eye Care Edition

Top 5 Tips for Taking Care of Your Eyes During The Winter Months By Optometrist, Peter Dixon

SO AP

Wash your hands Winter is a time of year when people are more susceptible to viral infections such as conjunctivitis or pink eye which is spread through direct contact. Protect your eyes from cross infection by washing your hands regularly throughout the day and do not rub your eyes.

4 Apply the 20

Wear sunglasses in winter It is important to wear sunglasses all year round, particularly in winter as the sun can still be damaging. Wearing sunglasses in winter is important to protect your eyes from harmful effects of UV rays. The sun sits lower on the horizon and can be as damaging as in summer. Prolonged exposure to the sun can damage your eyes slowly over a lifetime resulting in serious eye conditions such as photo keratitis, cataracts, pterygium and macula degeneration.

2 Use artificial tears eye drops for dry eyes With more time spent indoors in air conditioning and in front of the fire your eyes can become dry and irritated. If you suffer from dry eyes in winter, try to sit further away from heat and use recommended artificial eye drops to relieve the soreness that comes from having dry eyes.

20 rule

To give your eyes a break when using a screen for extended periods of time, apply the American 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you spend in front of a screen, look at an object in the distance, 20 feet away (or 6 metres away), for 20 seconds. This will give your eyes a break and help alleviate dry eyes.

5 Get your lighting right With the reduced daylight hours we rely a lot more on artificial lighting. Poor lighting conditions can cause unnecessary eye strain, redness, and fatigue headaches. Use multiple light sources in a room to increase the amount of light without relying on a super bright overhead light.

If you have further questions about how to best care for your eyes this winter, contact your local National Pharmacies Optical Optometrist. 22

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Terms and Conditions: To obtain Member pricing you must be a current financial member and produce your membership card (or National Pharmacies Mobile App) at point of purchase. Non Member Retail price is our current Retail price available to non members. Savings may vary in stores and online, as some products may already be priced above or below the normal National Pharmacies retail selling price or the Suppliers Recommended Retail Price (SRRP). Limits per customer may apply. Trade not supplied. Products may vary from store to store and online and are subject to availability and while stocks last. Not in conjunction with any other offer. The right to correct pricing errors is reserved. Rainchecks are not available but we will always do our best where stock is available to transfer stock to meet our Member expectations. Refer to website for full Terms and Conditions..

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The Eye Care Edition

Articles inside

Member Spotlight with Adelaide United Head Coach Carl Veart.