Pittwater Life June 2022 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Seeing is believing: freedom
of multifocal contact lenses
As you get older, you’ve
probably noticed that
close-up objects are
starting to appear blurry.
This is a sign of presbyopia,
a frustrating yet natural
condition that begins to
affect most people as they
enter their 40s. It impacts
many aspects of quality of
life, including difficulty with
near vision tasks such as
reading printed text, or using
a smartphone. It is estimated
that nearly two billion people
struggle with presbyopia
globally – but luckily new
multifocal contact lenses can
help win back the clear vision
you used to enjoy.
The advances in multi-focal
contact lens technology in
Australia over the past few
years have made contact
lenses more accessible to
everyone. In fact, if you wear
glasses, chances are you
can wear contact lenses too!
There are a wide range of
lenses available, providing
the flexibility to meet almost
every visual and lifestyle
need.
Contact lenses are made
from comfortable, breathable
materials, ensuring your
eyes remain fresh and
lubricated all day, providing
the freedom to exercise and
play sports whilst seeing
clearly. Multifocal contacts
enable clear judgment of
depth perception as well
as clarity of reading; for
example the computer on a
bike, or equipment set-up at
the gym… or even the menu
in a coffee shop after your
morning yoga class. Forget
pulling out glasses to read
labels and price tags when
shopping and imagine reading
a menu in low light… without
specs. Your presbyopia
doesn’t have to hold you back!
In addition to meeting your
visual demands, there are
many choices when it comes
to the type of contact lenses
you can select. The best
solution for you will depend
on how often you plan to
wear them, whether you’d
like to be able to sleep in
them, and your budget. Daily
disposable contact lenses are
simply thrown out at night
before bed and replaced in
the morning with a fresh
new pair; extended-wear
with Rowena Beckenham
contact lenses are lenses you
can sleep in (they’re great for
a busy lifestyle and seeing
clearly at any time, including
first thing in the morning);
while daily care contact lenses
can be used for 14 to 30 days
and are removed and cleaned
nightly for re-use the next
morning.
Not only can contact lenses
cater to your every need, they
are also relatively financially
viable, costing as little as $2
a day, which is probably less
than half the cost of your daily
cup of coffee!
Be empowered to enjoy the
freedom of contact lenses,
even as your eyes change
– so you’re always ready
to take on every day with
confidence. Book a contact
lens appointment today!
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 20 years,
in addition to working
as a consultant to the
optometric and
pharmaceutical industry,
and regularly volunteering
in Aboriginal eyecare
programs in regional NSW.
Mosquito alert updated
Mosquitoes carrying
dangerous viruses
harmful to humans continue
to be detected on the
Northern Beaches with
authorities updating a health
alert advising people to
protect themselves against
being bitten.
Council partners with NSW
Health to trap mosquitoes
at key locations to monitor
the numbers and types of
mosquitoes present and
determine if they are carrying
viral infections.
In late May, Ross River Virus
and Barmah Forest Virus
were detected in mosquitoes
trapped at Narrabeen Lagoon.
Ross River virus can cause
flu-like symptoms in some
people, including fever, chills,
headache, fatigue and aches
and pains in the muscles and
joints. Joints can become
swollen and stiff and a body
rash can occur. Symptoms
usually develop about 7-10
days after being bitten by an
infected mosquito.
You can protect yourself
and your family by taking the
following steps:
n Always wear long, loosefitting
clothing to minimise
skin exposure;
n Apply a repellent that
contains either Diethyl
Toluamide (DEET), Picaridin or
oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE);
n Be aware of peak mosquito
times at dawn and dusk; and
n Keep your yard free of
standing water in things like
pot plant trays where the
mosquitoes can breed.
Higher than average rainfall
due to La Niña has created
the perfect conditions for
mosquitoes to multiply and
numbers are up on previous
years.
NSW Health has advised
Council to continue trapping
mosquitoes at Warriewood
Wetlands and Deep Creek,
near the Narrabeen Lagoon
Trail, past the usual trapping
season based on the high
number of mosquitoes and
the detection of viruses. – LO
Health & Wellbeing
52 JUNE 2022
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2022 53