The 'Monocle' Blog

Why Do I Need Reading Glasses Now That I'm 40?

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:56:04 GMT

What happened? My eyes used to be perfect.

Presbyopia

This funny word is the reason why your eyesight changes around 40 years old. Presbyopia derives from Greek, meaning “old eye.” It occurs when the lens inside the eye loses its flexibility. In younger eyes, the lens is soft and flexible, allowing it to change shape easily to focus on objects both near and far. However, as we age, the lens becomes thicker and less elastic, making it more difficult for the eye to focus on close-up objects.

Symptoms

The first signs of presbyopia typically include needing to hold reading materials at arm’s length to see them clearly, blurred vision at normal reading distance, and eye strain or headaches after prolonged close-up work. These symptoms often start to appear between the ages of 40 and 50 and tend to worsen with time.

Diagnosis of presbyopia is usually straightforward during an eye exam. During the exam, we will measure how well you can see at different distances and determine whether you need corrective lenses, such as reading glasses.

Look familiar?

How to Tackle Presbyopia

1) Reading glasses are the most common and simplest solution for presbyopia. Unlike regular eyeglasses or contact lenses that correct vision for distance, reading glasses are designed specifically to help with near vision. For people who already wear glasses for distance vision, bifocal or multifocal lenses can be prescribed. Bifocals have two distinct sections: one for distance and one for near vision, while multifocal lenses offer a gradual transition between different focal lengths, eliminating the need for multiple pairs of glasses.

2) Contact lenses are also an excellent option! We can usually keep everything (distance and near) clear with contact lenses, and they even exist in multifocal options.

3) Surgery such as LASIK, Presbyond or lens exchange can also correct your vision permaently. However, it can be a tad tricky depending on age and prescription.

In Summary

Presbyopia is an inevitable part of aging, but it doesn’t have to interfere with your quality of life. With the right pair of reading glasses or other corrective measures, you can continue to enjoy reading, working, and engaging in close-up activities without discomfort. If you’re experiencing symptoms of presbyopia, a visit to Monocle Optometry can help you find the right solution to maintain clear and comfortable vision:)

Is Laser Eye Surgery Right for Me?

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 06:16:14 GMT

Laser eye surgery, am I eligible and what's new?

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, has revolutionized vision correction, offering freedom from glasses and contact lenses. The most common procedures, LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), have helped millions achieve clearer vision. Generally only taking a couple of minutes to perform, it's no wonder why it's so popular!

Eligibility

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery. Eligibility is determined by a comprehensive eye exam detailed scans measuring the thickness and elevation of the cornea. Key factors include:

Age: Candidates should generally be at least 18 years old, as vision typically stabilizes in early adulthood.
Stable Vision: It’s crucial that a person's prescription has been stable for at least one year before surgery. Significant changes in vision can affect the long-term success of the procedure.
Corneal Thickness: The thickness of the cornea is a critical factor, especially for LASIK. A thin cornea may increase the risk of complications, making PRK a better alternative for some.
Eye Health: Conditions like keratoconus, severe dry eye, or certain autoimmune disorders may disqualify someone from undergoing laser eye surgery. Additionally, those with cataracts or glaucoma need to address these conditions before considering refractive surgery.
General Health: Certain systemic conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases, may also affect eligibility.

Laser eye surgery taking place!

New Techniques in Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery has evolved significantly, with new techniques enhancing safety, precision, and outcomes. Some of the latest advancements include:

1) SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that involves creating a small incision in the cornea and removing a tiny piece of tissue to correct vision. This technique has been shown to result in faster recovery and less postoperative dry eye compared to LASIK. However, it has a smaller range of acceptable prescriptions which can be corrected. Smile can generally correct up to -10D of short-sightedness and 3D of astigmatism.

2) Topography and Wavefront-Guided LASIK: This advanced form of LASIK uses detailed maps of the cornea’s surface to customize the treatment and reduce halos and glare. By addressing even the smallest imperfections in the cornea, topography-guided LASIK can provide better visual outcomes, particularly for patients with irregular corneas. LASIK can generally correct up to -10D of short-sightedness, 4D of far-sightedness and 5D of astigmatism.

3) If your prescription is out of range for LASIK or SMILE, ICL surgery, or Implantable Collamer Lens surgery is a great solution. While not necessarily new, not everyone would know that it exists. Unlike LASIK or SMILE, which reshape the cornea, ICL surgery involves implanting a specialized lens inside the eye to correct vision. This soft lens slips over the natural lens in the eye, rather than altering the cornea in any way or replacing the natural lens (ie. cataract surgery). One great feature of ICL is that it is reversible - the lens can be removed at any time if need be!

What We Do at Monocle

Once we've assessed your eyes, we can give guidance based on your prescription, eye health and corneal thickness. If we think you might be eligible for refractive surgery, we are more than happy to refer you to a great surgeon for additional measurements and to have a good chat about options!

What's New with Macular Degeneration?

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 06:16:11 GMT

Let's talk about macular degeneration.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among older adults, impacting central vision and the ability to see fine details. It is caused by an accumulation of waste material, called drusen, that the eye would normally shed. At times, new blood vessels can develop and leak as well. The condition primarily affects the macula, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision necessary for tasks like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Studies have shown that risk factors include UV exposure, smoking and a lack of anti-oxidants in one’s diet.

Dry vs. Wet AMD

There are two primary types of AMD: dry (atrophic) and wet (neovascular). Dry AMD is more common and progresses gradually as the macula thins with age. It typically results in the slow deterioration of vision. Wet AMD, while less common, is more severe and can lead to rapid vision loss. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood or fluid, leading to scarring of the macula.

I llustration showing dry AMD (yellow spots depicting drusen) and wet AMD (demonstrating new blood vessels).

Traditional Treatment Approaches

For dry AMD, there has historically been no cure. Treatment typically focuses on slowing progression with nutritional supplements containing antioxidants and zinc, based on the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formula. These supplements are particularly beneficial for people in the intermediate stages of the disease.

For wet AMD, the mainstay treatment has been anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. Medications like ranibizumab (Lucentis), aflibercept (Eylea), and bevacizumab (Avastin) work by inhibiting the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. While these injections have proven effective in preserving vision, they require frequent administration, which can be burdensome for patients.

Emerging Treatment Options

Recent advancements offer new hope for AMD patients, particularly those with the wet form of the disease. One of the most exciting developments is the introduction of longer-lasting anti-VEGF treatments. Faricimab (Vabysmo), a recently approved medication, is a bispecific antibody that targets both VEGF and angiopoietin-2, extending the duration between injections and offering improved outcomes.

Gene therapy is also on the horizon, aiming to reduce the need for regular injections. Treatments like RGX-314 involve injecting a viral vector carrying a gene that enables retinal cells to produce their own anti-VEGF proteins. This approach could provide a more sustained and consistent treatment, potentially lasting for years.

For dry AMD, research into therapies like pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) is showing promise. This treatment targets complement proteins that contribute to the inflammatory processes leading to retinal degeneration. Early trials indicate that it may slow disease progression in patients with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry AMD.

I njections aimed to halt blood vessel growth remain mainstay treatment for wet AMD.

In Summary

The landscape of macular degeneration treatment is always evolving New therapies are not only aiming to preserve vision but also to improve the quality of life for those affected by AMD. Early detection is always ideal, and we are able to detect even early stages of AMD with our equipment here at Monocle Optometry.

What's New with Glaucoma?

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:41:00 GMT

What is glaucoma and what's new?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, earning the nickname “the silent thief of sight” because it progresses gradually, often without symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred.

The two main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common, and angle-closure glaucoma, which is more acute and can lead to rapid vision loss. Other variants include normal-tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal IOP levels, and secondary glaucoma, which results from other conditions like trauma or steroid use.

Am I at risk?

Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history, high IOP, certain medical conditions like diabetes, and ethnicity (e.g., African, Asian, and Hispanic populations are at higher risk). Regular eye exams are crucial since early detection significantly improves management outcomes.

Traditional Glaucoma Management

Historically, glaucoma treatment has focused on lowering IOP to prevent further optic nerve damage. The primary methods include:

Medications: Eye drops like prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors help lower IOP. However, adherence can be challenging due to the frequency of application and side effects.
Laser Therapy : Laser trabeculoplasty is a common procedure for open-angle glaucoma, where the drainage angle of the eye is treated to improve fluid outflow, reducing IOP.
Surgery: Traditional surgical options like trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage implants are reserved for advanced cases or when other treatments fail.

Eyedrops have traditionally been the first line in glaucoma treatment.

However, we now have some alternatives that may eliminate the need for eyedrops altogether.

Latest Advances in Glaucoma Management

Recent advancements have revolutionized glaucoma care, offering more personalized, less invasive options.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): MIGS procedures, such as the iStent, Hydrus microstent, and Xen gel stent, are designed to reduce IOP with fewer complications than traditional surgeries. These devices improve fluid drainage through the eye’s natural pathways and are especially beneficial for patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma.
Laser Procedures: Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is gaining traction as a first-line treatment. SLT uses low-energy lasers to target specific cells in the eye's drainage system, enhancing fluid outflow with minimal tissue damage. It can be repeated if necessary, offering a long-term solution.
Drug Delivery Innovations: Sustained-release drug implants like the Durysta (bimatoprost implant) are emerging as alternatives to daily eye drops. These biodegradable implants gradually release medication over several months, improving patient adherence.

Future Outlook

The future of glaucoma care is focused on precision medicine and early detection. Ongoing research into neuroprotective therapies and artificial intelligence (AI) for earlier diagnosis holds promise. AI algorithms are being developed to analyze imaging data and detect glaucoma progression earlier than traditional methods.

Regular eyetesting is the best means of prevention! We have some of the most advanced equipment at Monocle Optometry and can often detect glaucoma before it causes a problem.

Newer procedures such as implantable stents and laser treatment offer an alternative to traditional eyedrops in certain patients.

Myopia (short-sightedness) Management

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:26:19 GMT

Let's talk about myopia!

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects remain clear. Over the past few decades, the prevalence of myopia has surged, especially among children and young adults. This trend is concerning because high myopia can lead to severe eye health issues later in life, such as retinal detachments, glaucoma, and cataracts. Fortunately, novel myopia control methods have emerged over the last few years to slow down the progression of this condition. We're big fans of being able to offer the latest technology here at Monocle Optometry!

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia typically occurs when the eyeball is too long. As a result, light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry. Genetics play a significant role—children with myopic parents are more likely to develop myopia themselves. However, environmental factors such as insufficient time outdoors (less than 2 hours per day) are increasingly recognized as key contributors to the rise in myopia rates.

Myopia Control Methods

We now have several options to curb myopia progression. While it’s not possible to reverse myopia, it can be slowed by about 60% by using any the following:

Myopia Control Glasses : Lenses such as Hoya’s MiyoSmart lenses are an innovative spectacle lens option designed specifically for myopia control. These lenses incorporate D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology, which creates a treatment zone on the lens surface that provides peripheral defocus, thereby slowing eye elongation. They are easy to adapt to and are a practical, non-invasive solution for children.
Multifocal and Peripheral Defocus Soft Contact Lenses: These lenses are designed with different power zones that focus light in a way that reduces the stimulus for the eye to grow longer, which is a key driver of myopia progression. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness and ease of use. Currently Coopervision's Misight and NaturalVue's daily multifocal lenses are excellent choices.
Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine drops have been found to reduce myopia progression. Although the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, studies suggest that atropine affects the eye's growth rate. The drops are typically administered before bed and have minimal side effects at low concentrations.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses: These specially designed hard contact lenses are worn overnight. They temporarily reshape the cornea so that during the day, vision is clear without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Why Myopia Control Matters

Slowing down the progression of myopia is critical to prevent future eye health complications, not to mention the annoyance of frequently having to update glasses! High myopia significantly increases the risk of sight-threatening conditions. By intervening early with myopia control strategies, we can reduce these risks and improve long-term eye health!

Hoya's Miyosmart lens - a real game changer!

We've found that most children stop progressing once they've made the switch. And don't worry, you can't see those spots :)

Say Hello to the DNEye scanner (and sharper vision)!

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 05:14:03 GMT

Your world is about to get a whole lot clearer.

“Wow” was all I could say when I put on my glasses equipped with the newest Rodenstock lenses. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was different, but the world was crisper and clearer than I had ever seen it before, as if my vision was now high definition. I was sold.

Prior to this moment, I was already thoroughly impressed by the lenses that this German company was producing – after all, that’s one reason why we chose them to be our main supplier! However, these lenses were different: they were made based on my individual eye anatomy using information from the Rodenstock DNEye scanner.

I wouldn’t blame you if you had never heard of this machine before, but allow me to elaborate. The DNEye scanner is a machine that measures the anatomy of the eye and gathers data that has previously been unmeasurable. This data, collected from 7000 points across the eye, is then integrated into highly customizable, individual lenses for your glasses.

The ultimate goal of the DNEye is to minimize blur and distortions that are found in traditional lenses. While some people may become accustomed to these flaws, they can be common hurdles for those who wear glasses regularly. When corrected for, it reveals the sharpest contrast vision, the best night vision, the largest field of vision, and the most comfortable vision that can be found in a lens.

Sounds pretty fancy, and trust me, it is! Somehow, Rodenstock managed to put even more icing on the cake. This is really a pivotal moment in optics as this level of intricacy hasn’t existed in lenses, it really is tailor-made for your eyes.

It may seem like Rodenstock is promising a lot with this new device, and that’s why I had to try it for myself. Once I was impressed, we welcomed it with open arms into the practice and wanted our customers to experience that same revelation that I did.

Since having the DNEye in Monocle Optometry we’ve had nothing but very happy customers! We find that people are coming far and wide to try out these lenses that seem to promise the clearest vision possible. Some people are content with their vision in their current glasses while others still struggle to find clarity. However, the lenses made with the DNEye all yield the same outcome: the “wow” moment.

It’s easy to become complacent with certain things, and our vision is no exception. Quite often we don’t realize what we’re missing until we have something to compare to. Thankfully, that something is now the DNEye derived lenses.

We now offer the DNEye scan with every eye test. We don’t want people to just be content with their vision, we want them to be blown away by what they’ve been missing!

Our First Year!

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 15:24:35 GMT

Goodbye 2020!

Wow, year one done! It's been a heck of a ride, but truthfully, it actually came and went pretty quickly! Everything we had aspired to create finally came to fruition on February 29, 2020 when we first opened our door to the public. All of the planning, designing, researching and anticipation came to a hush as that door swung open to give Monocle its first breath of fresh air. We didn't know who was going to step foot in our practice, but that's half the fun! From that day, we saw new faces as well as familiar ones, and we are beyond thankful for everyone that has graced Monocle with their presence. However, one month later came Covid-19, and with heavy hearts we were forced to close that very same door which we had worked so hard to open.

When people mention the obvious - that it was a tricky time to open right before the pandemic, I always say "That's OK, we like a challenge!". Having to close our door made us work even harder in the background (not to mention catching up on paperwork!). Carla and I came to the practice each day, and were watching online lectures in order to keep ourselves sharp for when we we able to open again, and caught our breath for when that moment arrived. Eventually it did, and we were back in the saddle! From there we've done nothing but grow - both in patient number and as new business owners. We were finally able to show clients what proper eyecare entails, and were able to find faces for the amazing eyewear we had so diligently hand selected.

Long story short: we've found our feet. We love Monocle, our clients love Monocle, and most importantly, we love our clients. The North Fremantle community has been beyond welcoming to us, and we are truly humbled to be in our position. We've made genuine friends with those that have walked through our door, regardless of whether they came from down the block or from hours away, and we look forward to making many more friends in the years to come! We've invested in more of the latest equipment to give the best possible eyecare and precision to our clients and we're always on the hunt for even more toys which will allow us to expand our services even further. Lastly, we also gained a new family member, Watson the Swedish Vallhund who greets everyone with a smile and a cuddle! We're definitely making Monocle our very own, and we wouldn't have it any other way:)

Cheers to all that 2021 has to bring!

Astigmatism : The Hurdle to Perfect Vision

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 10:14:03 GMT

Stigma? Stigmata? No no. Astigmatism .

Everyone’s heard about astigmatism, but what actually is it? Well, once it's differentiated from its other misnomers, we can learn a bit about it!

Astigmatism isn’t a scary disease, it's actually quite common! It refers to how light bends when it comes into the eye. Because the eye is generally a spherical shaped structure, if it’s not perfectly spherical, then light scatters when it comes into the eye. This leads to starburst effect on lights and shadowing of objects in our vision (sound familiar?). In a nutshell, this is astigmatism!

Astigmatism comes from two structures in the eye:

The cornea – the front surface of the eye. If this is a bit steeper along one meridian, then we’d call it corneal astigmatism . Some people have been told their eyes are shaped like a rugby ball rather than soccer ball, which is certainly one way to think about it!

The lens – housed inside the eye is a lens that does a lot of our focussing. This too can have an unequal curvature to it which can scatter light. We call this lenticular astigmatism .

So how do we correct astigmatism?

With glasses or contact lenses!

There are certain situations where one works better than the other, but generally speaking, astigmatism is easily corrected and is quite stable. So, i f you have blurry vision or you've been told you have astigmatism, we can find the best solution for your eyes!

Why You CAN Wear Contact Lenses!

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:28:31 GMT

The odds are in your favor.

We hear it all the time: “I’ve been told I can’t wear contact lenses” or “I wear multifocal glasses, so I don’t think contact lenses are for me” and “I can’t wear contacts because of my astigmatism”. We’ve heard it so much it makes our eyes roll (pun intended). However, the truth is that there is a contact lens for nearly everyone!

So let’s clear a couple of things up:

Multifocal contacts – soft multifocal contact lenses came out in 1982. No they’re not new. 1982! They have different zones for distance and reading vision, and because they sit on the eye it doesn’t matter where you’re looking, the vision is always clear. If you had some difficulty getting used to multifocal glasses this doesn’t mean you will have the same dilemma with contact lenses. They exist in monthly and daily disposables.

Lenses for astigmatism (aka. toric lenses) – Keep in mind that astigmatism generally refers to a steep or uneven cornea (the front surface of your eye). Soft lenses that correct for this came out in the late 1970’s. Since then they have evolved to cover a wide range of astigmatism and exist in monthly and daily disposables. In the last few years they have become even MORE comfortable, so if you have previously stopped wearing them due to discomfort now is the time to try again!

Having both multifocal and toric lenses at our disposal means that we can fit MOST people with soft contact lenses .

However, there are a few exceptions where a ‘hard’ lens is required:

Very high astigmatism or an irregular cornea – sometimes there is too much astigmatism or an unusual shape of the cornea due to injury or surgery. In these cases, a soft lens moves around too much to allow for stable vision. However, a smaller but firmer ‘hard’ contact lens is the best option. These lenses, also known as rigid gas permeable or RGP’s for short, were first invented in 1979. These are actually great lenses and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon! For some people this is the only way they can see clearly even compared to glasses. In more elaborate cases, scleral lenses also may be needed. These lenses actually vault over the cornea and sit on the sclera (white part of the eye)!

So as you can see, contact lenses have most people covered! They also come in a variety of colors, and don’t forget, you’ll never know if you can wear them unless you ask!

Monocle in the Making: Building Our Baby

Fri, 29 May 2020 08:21:09 GMT

It's our story and it's worth sharing.

When we finally saw our clinic completed, we were humbled by how great it looked! However, it took a lot of hard work from some very special people in order to get to that stage, and we’d like to share that journey with you.

We always knew what kind of optometry practice we wanted to run, from the care we offer, equipment we use and even which frames to have on our shelves. However, we never knew what we wanted it to look like! Well, we had some vague ideas, but the underlying notion was that we wanted something different. After all, we knew we’d be spending a lot of time in this place! In addition, after travelling across the world to select some incredible frames that embody tradition and countless hours of effort, we didn’t just want to stick them on any old shelf. Sure, they’ve got a voice of their own, but we wanted them to sing!

So how did Monocle Optometry end up looking like it does?

We reached out to a longtime architect friend, Clint from M3architecture in Brisbane to help brainstorm some design ideas. The interesting thing is that Clint has rarely set foot in an optometry practice, so he was a breath of fresh air in the design process as he was going off sheer creativity. After many discussions about shapes, curves, and functionality, we came up with a concept that we loved. Clint had the idea to make it seem as though you were walking into an optical illusion with the curved display wall and roof. Yep, that qualifies as different! From this initial idea, the rest of the shop seemed to fall into place, including the monocle shaped front desk!

Now that we had the blueprints for the shop, it was time to begin the actual fit out. However, this was easier said than done! With a lot of curves and delicate materials, it wasn’t for the faint hearted. Thankfully, our friend Michael owns ABG projects and has a ton of experience with shop fit outs. Michael was up for the monumental challenge and having his own CNC machine was a big help in cutting out some tricky shapes. Michael and his team worked tirelessly for months on end, and somehow brought the counter in through the front door in 2 separate pieces and subsequently joined them on site which was a feat of its own! They finished up the herringbone flooring, and the fabrication of porthole glasses to hang in the window was the icing on the cake!

So that’s how Monocle Optometry came to look like it does now, and we couldn’t be happier! 

Take 5 with Monocle (Frames that is!)

Tue, 19 May 2020 07:45:27 GMT

Here are the top 5 frames we are loving right now, and why we love them!

#1 Paul Smith 'Brompton'

Why we love it: Vintage design meets angles – a beautiful combination. We always swoon over a matt finished metal, but PS went one step further and added an extra pop of colour at the lens edge. Colour me happy!

#2 Tavat 'Round Mask'

Why we love it: Inspired from a poster in which the 1930’s crop sprayers wore goggles, or were they soup cans? Whatever they were wearing, that obscure connection resulted in the industrial elegance seen in this frame and we couldn’t be happier. It’s not just Andy who can reinvent the soup can.

#3 Dandy’s 'Bill Rough'

Why we love it: Rough is the new smooth baby. Dandy’s incorporates a final rough finish, all done by hand, and redefines what qualifies as a ‘finished product’. Navy blue, rough and smooth, loved by the Monocle crew and ain’t that the truth!

#4 Dior 'Homme 180'

Why we love it: Dior’s edgy take on the aviator. Maybe it’s the fact that Top Gun is being remade this year. Maybe it’s the fact that the temples have been turned upwards. Whatever it is, Monocle is more than proud to show off this Dior wardrobe staple!

#5 Kuboraum 'Maske H11'

Why we love it: Kuboraum pushes boundaries and we are more than OK with that. This Maske is delicate and subtle yet demands attention (how is that even possible?!).

Folks, this is one that needs to be seen in real life to be fully appreciated and a personal favourite of Carla.

Brand Feature: Veronika Wildgruber

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 00:59:28 GMT

Veronika Wildgruber.

Every so often, there is a pair of glasses unique enough to stop us in our tracks. This is what happened when we saw the model “James” by Veronika Wildgruber and that feeling flourished as we viewed the whole collection.

By whom you say? While she may not be a household name, Veronika Wildgruber has a pretty unique resume which includes a collaboration with luxury brand Hermes designing silk patterns for ties and shoes. Born in Germany, she studied product design in Italy and started getting noticed for her one of a kind concepts like a wooden chair meant to look like a cushioned seat (see photo below) and a hanging wardrobe system that won an International Forum Design award.

Outside the box mindset.

Now that we know a bit about Veronika Wildgruber and her outside the box mindset, let’s talk about her glasses! She made a splash in the optical world in 2010 when she unveiled four handmade frames in Paris at Silmo, the world’s biggest optical fair, which subsequently won the Silmo d’Or Special Jury Prize (equivalent to winning Rookie of the Year). Utilizing her design background, she continued making glasses which are known to create intervening spaces by crossing lines, and evoke depth by varying thickness throughout the frame. Very cool. In 2017, she one-upped herself and went on to win the Silmo d’Or for Best Designed Sunglasses in 2017.

As we browsed through the collection at a viewing in Paris, we couldn’t stop trying the glasses on because they truly were something different. In person, the glasses looked and felt even better. They were bold, brave and in a category of their own. The added tactility confirmed the quality of the craftsmanship and we were in love. That love deepened when we became aware of their transparent manufacturing process: each frame is handmade entirely in Italy and comes with a manufacturing card detailing the origins and places of production of each component of the frame. In other words, traceable from start to finish. We loved this ideology and felt that it solidified our intentions to have her frames on our shelves.

Monocle Optometry is proud to be one of the only Australian stockists to showcase Veronika Wildgruber! In fact, we love them so much that both Carla and Claudy proudly wear them!

The Quick and Blurry - The Latest Trends in Optometry

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 03:46:54 GMT

Those blue light lenses

A very hot topic at the moment, but also a bit misleading. As we live in a digital age, most people have heard about lenses that block blue light. But what do they actually do?

In short, they block blue light which is emitted from our screens (computers, phones, tablets), which reduces glare and supposedly helps with our sleep patterns.

Blue light is a short wavelength, higher energy light, and there’s a lot of it in our natural environment, even from the sun. We can now put a coating on a pair of glasses that will reflect blue light. Recent studies have suggested that excessive amounts of blue light from our digital devices alters melatonin production, a hormone responsible for regulating our sleep cycle.

So, we always tell people that if your eyes are fatigued and you feel your sleep patterns aren’t great after screen time, then a blue light filter might help.

But isn’t blue light harmful?

This is the misleading bit. While blue light itself is harmful to the eyes, our devices simply don’t emit enough blue light to cause any damage. We don’t have any evidence to suggest that the intensity of blue light that comes from our screens is actually going to hurt our eyes.

We want everyone to have all the facts before they make the decision to get a blue light coating on their glasses. So, if you’re thinking of getting it, do so for the right reasons: eyestrain and poor sleep patterns.

Myopia (short/sighted) control

Another very hot topic at the moment. Quite often we see children who are getting more and more myopic each year. This means that the eye is effectively growing longer, making the vision blurrier and putting the eye at risk of retinal detachments. If their parents are also myopic, the children are at a greater risk of progression. But what can be done about it?

Well, some places are working their butts off trying to figure out how to stop the progression of myopia. So far, they’ve come up with a few solutions:

1) Eye drops before bed. These are very special eyedrops, made from 0.01% atropine. They have been shown to slow myopia progression by about 60%. Interestingly, the exact mechanism by how they work isn’t greatly understood.

2) Hard contact lenses overnight. This is called ortho-keratology, and having a firm contact lens on the eye while the child sleeps effectively flattens the cornea, which will slow progression by about 60% as well. The bonus here is that the next day, the child can often see without wearing glasses because of the flattening effect.

3) Special soft contact lenses. These contact lenses have multiple zones of power in them which tricks the eye into not growing as long each year. We prefer to use the MiSight lens by Coopervision, which has shown to slow myopia progression by about 50%.

4) Multifocal glasses. There is evidence to suggest that multifocal (extra power for reading in the bottom), rather than single vision (one power throughout the lens) will also slow myopia progression. Keep in mind that a multifocal doesn’t have any lines on the them like a bifocal does, but rather looks just like a regular lens. The reported effectiveness of multifocal glasses varies, with some studies suggesting a reduction in progression of about 50%.

So that’s a quick snapshot of what we can do for myopia progression. To put this into context, if your child’s myopia is progressing, and they are -2.00 for example, then the next year they may only be -2.50 with the above methods rather than -3.00 without.

Vive la France

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 03:11:50 GMT

We went the extra mile for eyewear - 8866 miles to be exact!

We hopped on a plane this year to Paris in search of the coolest eyewear! Once a year, the optical community descends on Paris to emerge themselves in all things eyewear at Silmo, the world’s largest optical fair. This year Monocle Optometry loaded up on baguettes and macaroons in search of the newest trends.

We spent four days talking trends, sustainability, durability and transparent design processes. Not only did we try, try and try on frames, and then tried some more, but the designers walked us through the why, where and how of their design process, as well as their motivation and ethics. The brands Monocle showcases are not only fashionable but handcrafted from beautiful quality parts.

Veronika Wildgruber inspired us with styles we have never seen before: bold brows and chunky acetate. They are strong, independent and distinct. She designs for Hermes so you know these frames are quality pieces that will transcend the years.

Tavat use a Tactile hinge to build frames in a way that is totally unique. They also take inspiration from the soup can to produce revolutionary frames. Timeless, functional and iconic; Andy Warhol eat your heart out!

Gotti showed us that rimless frames can be unbelievably trendy and completely customisable, with numerous colour and lens shape designs. Think minimalistic with character, a refined aesthetic with Swiss precision.

Everything you’ll see in our store was hand selected by us, which is a really cool feeling! We chose eyewear that excited us, and we are sure it will excite you too!

Where It All Began

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 03:03:21 GMT

Why did we start Monocle Optometry?

Carla and I love connecting with patients of all ages and as a husband and wife team it just made sense to combine our skills and experience under one roof. After many years at both corporate and independent optometry practices we wanted to be able to provide our patients the best clinical experience at a pace where no one feels rushed. Being able to invest in the latest technology as soon as it becomes available is very important to us. We also love independent eyewear (who doesn’t!) are proud to offer the perfect frame for each person that walks in the door! 

Hold on a minute. Sam is from Canada, and Carla is from Brisbane. Why are you in WA?

After Carla graduated from QUT in Brisbane, she was offered a job in Mandurah, WA. Happy to have a change in scenery, she moved over with a few other friends to enjoy the WA life! I (Sam) was fortunate enough to find another practice in Mandurah looking for an optometrist, so I signed the contract and booked a flight to the land down under! We worked in Mandurah for over 4 years, and eventually the commute from Perth got too tiring. We are yet to meet anyone who likes being stuck in traffic on the Kwinana freeway!

A few more years passed by while we both worked at independent and corporate practices in Perth. The more we expanded our skills, the more we wanted to be able to provide better eyecare to the people of Perth. Why not Canada? Well, we do have a soft spot for poutine and caesars, but we decided to call Perth home for both us and the practice. We love Australia’s west coast as it’s not as cold as Canada (+40°C is still more pleasant than -40 °C!), and certainly isn’t as humid as Brisbane. While we still miss our friends and family back in Brisbane and Canada, we are now proud to call Perth our home.

What’s your hidden talent?

Carla: I have all the world flags memorized and can recite the words to Gangsta’s Paradise by heart!

Sam: I’m a huge Simpsons fan (until season 10) and love a good Simpsons reference. I’m also a guitarist in an Alice in Chains cover band!