Pittwater Life January 2019 Issue

More documents

Info

Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing Reduce sun exposure to manage pterygium risk pterygium (pronounced teridge-ee-um) is a triangular- A shaped lump of tissue with blood vessels that grow from the conjunctiva (the thin membrane that covers the white of the eye) on to the cornea (the clear central part of the eye). They frequently occur in both eyes, usually on the side of the eye closer to the nose. A pterygium is not a cancer. People sometimes confuse pterygia with cataracts, but a cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye and cannot be seen easily with the naked eye. The development of pterygia is strongly associated with exposure to UV radiation and hot, dry environments. Surfers, farmers and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are more susceptible, but anyone can develop a pterygium. Pterygia are not dangerous, but they can cause irritation and redness. They may also interfere with vision as their growth can distort the surface of the eye, and if the pterygium grows on to the central part of the cornea it can begin to block light from entering the eye. Although a pterygium is not dangerous, it should be checked to make sure that it is not something more serious. If you have any area of tissue on or around the eyes that changes rapidly or that you have not had checked previously you should make an appointment with an optometrist. In cases where the pterygium is not actively growing on to the cornea, protecting the eyes from UV light will often stabilise its growth. In many cases, provided it is not threatening vision and it remains stable, this may be all that is required. If a pterygium causes discomfort, eye drops and ointments may be useful and your optometrist can advise you on the use of eye drops to assist in making the eye less red and more comfortable. In cases where a pterygium is actively growing on to the cornea and threatening to distort the vision, the only effective treatment is surgical removal. This surgery is usually performed under a local anaesthetic. It is best to have surgery before the pterygium progresses to the point where it interferes with vision. Your optometrist can assess the pterygium and refer you to an eye surgeon as required. Optometrists are often asked if those with pterygia are suitable for contact lens wear. Assessment of the individual situation is important as these cases may require more regular contact lens follow-up to monitor changes in corneal shape that may indicate progression of the pterygium and review of the ongoing suitability of the fit of the contact lens. The best way to reduce your risk of developing a pterygium, or to slow the progression of an existing pterygium, is to protect the eyes from UV exposure. UV radiation can also cause cataracts and other eye diseases, as well as skin cancers, so reducing exposure is a wise move. The best ways of doing this are to: Avoid the sun – UV radiation with Rowena Beckenham is strongest between between 10am and 3pm and we all know that staying out of the sun between those times will significantly reduce your UV exposure. Wear a hat – a broad-brimmed hat will not only protect your head from sunburn, but will reduce by at least half the amount of UV radiation reaching your eyes. Wear sunglasses – a good pair of sunglasses will reduce the amount of UV reaching your eyes and cut the amount of glare. Wrap-around sunglasses are best as they block UV radiation that can slip around the sides of conventional sunglasses. Parents should ensure that they protect the eyes of babies and children from ultraviolet light through the use of hats and children’s sunglasses that meet the Australian Standards. Pterygia can grow back after they have been surgically removed so it is important to follow the recommendations above for the prevention of pterygia. Comment supplied by Rowena Beckenham, of Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon (9918 0616). Rowena has been involved in all facets of independent private practice optometry in Avalon for 16 years, in addition to working as a consultant to the optometric and pharmaceutical industry, and regularly volunteering in Aboriginal eyecare programs in regional NSW. 46 JANUARY 2019 The Local Voice Since 1991
All fore one on beaches It’s on again – the annual Barrenjoey Week of Golf, an amateur women’s tournament held every February across seven Northern Beaches golf courses. Organisers are calling for entries for the event, which runs from February 11 to 15 at Bayview, Cromer, Long Reef, Manly, Mona Vale, Monash and Wakehurst Golf Clubs. This year marks the 37th staging of the popular week which has attracted thousands of women golfers, including an anticipated 600 in 2019 from all around Australia (last year women from 62 different clubs entered). The event kicks off with individual stroke competitions on the Monday and Tuesday, with teams of four players on Thursday and fun foursomes pairings on the Friday. Top amateur golfers are attracted to the event, which is part of the Jean Derrin event for low handicappers run by Golf NSW. As well as the trophies on offer there’s also a major charity raffle with great prizes donated by golf clubs and local businesses – with all money going to Manly Warringah Women’s Resource Centre. The event presentation is held at Mona Vale Golf Club on Thursday February 14, including six perpetual trophies presented by supportive sponsors including Hire a Hubby and Arcadia Pittwater Private Hospital. Information and registrations at barrenjoeyweekofgolf.com Health & Wellbeing The Local Voice Since 1991 JANUARY 2019 47
Page 1: The Local Voice Since 1991 JANUARY
Page 4: FREE LOCAL MONTHLY INDEPENDENT DIST
Page 9 and 10: on on Station Beach drawn to the ar
Page 11 and 12: distraction pedestrians who might b
Page 13 and 14: BUSY: Newport’s Maddie Spencer Ph
Page 15 and 16: 5THINGS THIS MONTH Lagoon eco paddl
Page 17 and 18: Congrats to local students Two of P
Page 19 and 20: een poured, totalling over 100 cubi
Page 21 and 22: suspicious about this new-found fam
Page 23 and 24: KEEP IT CLEAN Our waterways and bus
Page 25 and 26: Ettalong Beach Known for its kid-fr
Page 27 and 28: Frenchs Forest Organic Food Market
Page 29 and 30: views. Narrabeen Headland - Peal Pl
Page 32 and 33: Summer Guide is one of the best in
Page 34: Summer Guide Holiday Reading I Buil
Page 37 and 38: Local Call His is the Life! Anyone
Page 39 and 40: Find the ‘Tiny Doors’ The hunt
Page 41 and 42: Offshore art show Re:Publik Café a
Page 43 and 44: PL’s JANUARY SURF CALENDAR 15-17/
Page 48 and 49: Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbei
Page 50 and 51: Health & Wellbeing January marks a
Page 52 and 53: Business Life: Money Business Life
Page 54 and 55: Business Life: Law Business Life Yo
Page 56 and 57: Trades & Services Trades & Services
Page 58 and 59: Trades & Services RENOVATIONS CONT.
Page 60 and 61: Dining Clubs & Guide Pubs Clubs & P
Page 62: Tasty Morsels To market, to market.
Page 65 and 66: For more recipes go to www.janelleb
Page 67 and 68: Pittwater Puzzler Compiled by David
Page 69 and 70: Beware Root Knot nematodes Root kno
Page 71 and 72: Times Past NO CUTTING CORNERS: The
Page 74: Travel Life Travel Life New Virtuos

Pittwater Life January 2019 Issue

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?