Andrew Watkins Optometrist in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Sunglasses & eyewear shop

Andrew Watkins Optometrist

Locality: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Phone: +61 2 6247 7705

Address: City Wlk 2601 Canberra, ACT, Australia

Website: http://www.andrewwatkins.com.au/

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• Optometrist

25.01.2022 What is Cataract? A cataract is clouding of the crystalline lens inside the eye which typically occurs with age due to UV exposure over the course of our lifetime. Symptoms:... Decreased vision depending on the density of the cataract. Patients tend to report deterioration in their vision or a veil effect in their vision, glare sensitivity. Risk factors could be age, UV exposure, use of corticosteroids, trauma to the eye or diabetes. Management: To minimize progression, the eyes should be protected from UV exposure by wearing sunglasses and a wide brim hat. In advanced cases, cataracts can be removed with surgery. The technique nowadays is fast and effective and the quality of the vision is restored. Have your eyes tested regularly to monitor for changes.

25.01.2022 As you head out this weekend check the expiration dates on your make-up. Make-up products come with an expiry date for a reason and by using them beyond it you are putting your sight at risk. Expired makeup can cause irritation in your eyes and lead to infection. As experts say, you should not keep any eye make-up for more than nine months.

23.01.2022 Tune in at 1.41 minutes into the show to listen about the eye health, sunglasses and few other things Andrew Watkins discussed with Lish Fejer on Sunday brunch, ABC radio Canberra.

21.01.2022 Keep going - with Transitions light intelligent lenses to keep you running smooth.

21.01.2022 A child myopia working group for Australia and NZ has formed which aims to set a recommended standard of care for child myopia management. It coincides with today's release of a report in Myopia Awareness Week which reveals that myopia is a looming public health crisis for Australian children, most parents don’t know what it is and one-third of children have never been to an optometrist for an eye examination.

21.01.2022 What is Keratoconus? A condition of the eye where the cornea thins out and changes shape. This causes the image to be distorted due to the irregular shape of the cornea. This often requires hard contact lenses to achieve good vision and at worse, a corneal graft. Fitting contact lenses for keratoconus requires a skilled practitioner. Andrew Watkins has over 30 years experience fitting contact lenses for keratoconus.... Our practice is equipped with many contact lens fitting sets for keratoconus and has the latest diagnostic equipment including a Medmont corneal topographer and Pentacam scanner to aid in the fitting process and monitor progression of the condition.

20.01.2022 Our eyes become dry when there’s an imbalance in our tear film - the liquid layer that coats the eye’s surface. Wearing a mask can affect the tear film balance, due to the reduction of air spread outwards from the mouth and nose. If you are concerned about your dry eyes, first check with an eye care practitioner for advice and to rule out other causes. If there are no other causes, ensure that a mask is worn appropriately, particularly when wearing spectacles and sunglasses. A close-fitted mask, or carefully taped top edge that does not interfere with blinking, may help direct airflow downwards.

20.01.2022 Yes, we are open! Our modified opening hours are Monday to Friday 10 am to 4.30 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm and closed as usual on Sundays.

18.01.2022 What is Diabetic Retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is a long-term (chronic) condition in which blood glucose levels become too high because the body produces little or no insulin, or cannot use insulin properly. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. If diabetes is not controlled, it can lead to numerous complications including nerve damage, kidney disease, heart disease and damage to the eyes (retinopathy). Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the eye which... can lead to blindness if not detected early. If your blood glucose levels become high the small blood vessels at the back of your eyes can become damaged resulting in small bleeds and reduced oxygen supply to the back of the eye. When there is not enough oxygen to supply the lining of the eye new blood vessels often begin to grow. These new blood vessels are fragile and often leak causing further bleeding inside the eye. Symptoms: There are no symptoms in the early stages How to reduce your risk? By keeping your blood glucose levels within the target range as recommended by your doctor, the development of complications is significantly reduced. Also, you need to eat healthy, exercise regularly and have a regular annual dilated eye examination. Management: Any early signs of retinopathy will be monitored closely or referred to an ophthalmologist for treatment with laser, medical therapy, or occasionally surgery to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.

18.01.2022 Whilst it is incredibly important to ensure your kids have regular eye tests, it is equally important to not forget yourself! Having your eyes tested regularly allows for even minor changes in your eye sight to be detected. Make it a family affair, ensure your family members have the best quality of life possible, book in for an eye test today!

18.01.2022 Did you know, that if your eyes are blue, you share a single common ancestor with every blue-eyed person in the world? Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye colour of all blue-eyed humans alive on the planet today.

15.01.2022 The world's first 3D artificial eyeball -- capable of outperforming the human eye in some ways -- may help droves of people who are partially or fully blind in as little as five years, according to experts. Researchers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have devised an electrochemical eye whose structure and performance mimic those of the ones humans are born with. "The device design has a high degree of structural similarity to a human eye with the potential to achieve high imaging resolution when individual nanowires are electrically addressed," researchers of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology wrote in a paper published in the journal Nature.

15.01.2022 See your possibilities everywhere you go when you look through Transitions light intelligent lenses

15.01.2022 Did you know that your diet can have a powerful impact on your eye health? By eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens, you are giving your eyes all the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy

14.01.2022 According to Prevent Blindness, more than 25,000 people seek treatment for sports-related eye injuries every year! Get the right gear so you can continue your sports career safely! Call us 6247 7705.

14.01.2022 Eating fish on a Friday used to be the norm, but perhaps we should bring it back as Fish is extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are great for the health of your gut and body tissue. Some recent studies have actually found that fish oil can reduce symptoms of dry eyes, which is very common for those of us who spend way too much time in front of the computer.

13.01.2022 In celebration of good nutrition and Macula Month (1 31 May), we are thrilled to launch our Macula Menu e-cookbook Meals for 1 or 2. The e-cookbook features delicious and nutritious recipes to help Australians eat for their eyes. You’re sure to enjoy eating your way through these recipes, provided by Australian Healthy Food Guide. Don’t miss out, download now http://bit.ly/2PwEBOd

13.01.2022 What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. Sometimes referred to as the silent thief of sight, glaucoma commonly has no symptoms or pain in its earliest stages. Slowly the disease will cause irreparable damage to your eyes, all before you even know you have it. More than 300,000 people in Australia are affected by glaucoma. Half of them don’t realize they are affected. Are you at risk? If you are aged over 50, you are at a greater risk... of developing glaucoma. If you have a family history or are of African or Asian descent, the risk is even higher. Other risk factors include but are not limited to diabetes, high or low blood pressure, are short or long sighted, and have had an eye injury. To find out more, we recommend booking an appointment with your local optometrist. Can it be treated or cured? Eye tests are the only ways to identify glaucoma in its early stages. With early detection and intervention, glaucoma can be managed and treated to slow progression and reduce vision loss. If caught early enough, damage to your eyesight is often treated with prescribed eye drops. In later stages, operations on your eye may be needed to save your sight. However, there is currently no cure for glaucoma.

11.01.2022 Extended exposure to the sun's UV rays has been linked to significant eye problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, pingueculae, pterygia and photokeratitis. Damage to the eyes from UV radiation is cumulative, meaning it builds up over our lifetime and can have a permanent effect on our eyes and eyesight. In Australia, with our high levels of UV radiation, we need to take special care to protect our eyes. Even on cloudy days we should wear sunglasses to reduce the ...ultraviolet radiation reaching our eyes. We have extended range of newest fashion sunglasses and the best UV protection lenses! Don't delay, visit us now and start protecting your eyes straight away!

11.01.2022 Eye health is an essential component of overall health and well being. Don't put off what you could do today! Call us now to book an appointment and get your eye health in order www.andrewwatkins.com.au

11.01.2022 According to Vision Australia, it is estimated that over 60% of people who report having ‘poor vision’ actually only need glasses to improve their vision and their quality of life! Don't delay, book in for your life changing eye appointment today! 02 6247 7705

10.01.2022 Moments with family and friends create memories that last forever. Make sure you can see them! Book an appointment with us today 02 6247 7705

10.01.2022 A pair of glasses should be as unique as the person wearing them. That’s why you need a thorough visual needs analysis from an optometrist to get the right lenses. Call us today to make your next eye appointment!

10.01.2022 Astigmatism is where the inside of your eye shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, so light is focused at more than one place in the eye. It can lead to blurred vision, headaches and eye strain...think of it like a Monet painting. A visit to our optometrists can help

08.01.2022 How can sleeping in your contacts regularly cause damage? Over time, your eye can become susceptible to different infections from viruses, bacteria, amoebae or fungi. Commonly, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and keratitis (painful inflammation of your cornea) can happen from sleeping in your contacts.

08.01.2022 Myopia or short sightedness is a progressive condition that is said to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. In recent years there has been an increase due to the fact that children are spending more time in front of a screen. As this is Myopia Awareness week, encourage your kids to have a little less screen time and a little more outdoors fun! It'll be good for their health and their eyes!

07.01.2022 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE We would like to reassure you that we are doing our very best to maintain a clean environment at our practice. Clinical rooms are wiped down with alcohol-soaked wipes before and after each patient. In the dispensing area, regular cleaning is also happening. When you are selecting a frame, all frames tried on will be cleaned with alcohol before going back on display. All of us that work in the practice genuinely enjoy serving our patients. We respectfully as...k that you do not come in if you are not feeling well, or if a house member or close acquaintance has been unwell. We would love to see you when you are feeling better again. Please use our hand cleansing products we have in the practice. We wish you all the best during this difficult time. For now, the government is telling us that we can remain open and we will follow that advice. Hopefully, we don’t have to close but we accept that this is a possibility in the near future. Andrew Watkins

07.01.2022 In the first 12 years of a child's life, vision is responsible for 80% of their learning! Without proper eye tests before school, children will just assume their vision is correct. Get involved in Children's Eye Health Month and give your child the best start by booking them in for an eye test today! Contact us on 02 6247 7705 to enquire.

05.01.2022 Did you know that 1 in 7 Australians over the age of 50 have some form of Macular disease? It's time to take care of your eyes and make eye tests part of your yearly routine so don't delay, make your appointment today! www.andrewwatkins.com.au

04.01.2022 Melbourne-based Bionic Vision Technologies has been running a clinical trial for a bionic eye system since 2018. The technology is a combination of external input from a pair of glasses connected to an implant in the eye.

04.01.2022 There is a relationship between the human eyes and brain via the optic nerve, so when you excessively strain your eyes to see objects, it can result in headaches because you will be straining the optic nerve too.

03.01.2022 OUR OPENING HOURS COVID-19 Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we have updated our operating hours effective from 14th April, 2020 as the following: Monday 10am 4:30pm... Tuesday 10am 4:30pm Wednesday 10am 4:30pm Thursday 10am 4:30pm Friday 10am 4:30pm Saturday 10am 1pm Sunday Closed *Please note that hours are subject to further changes as per future government advises/restrictions

03.01.2022 As we head into the warmer months it is important to be aware of UV damage to the eyes, this recent study by Zeiss found that MILLIONS of adults in the UK have "no idea" UV rays can damage their eyes. Hopefully, here in Australia, we are a bit wiser...but you never know!

02.01.2022 Andrew Watkins talking on ABC radio Canberra

01.01.2022 More than 60 per cent of Australians are unaware of the strong familial risks associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) has found. AMD - a painless, progressive eye disease that destroys central vision - is the most common macular disease in Australia. The MDFA commissioned two surveys, which found that among Australians diagnosed with AMD, only half were aware of the hereditary connection.