Articles
Harmony VIsion Care has compiled the following articles in order to raise awareness of vision and eye conditions. We are a full-scope modern Optometry practice, and as such, you will find a wide variety of topics following. For further information please email us (click to email link).
An eye for kids eyes
Added: 18 January 2012
At Harmony Vision Care, we have an "eye for spotting kid's eye problems"! Read more about why Harmony VIsion Care are the local experts to trust your family's most precious sense to...... learn more
Why you can't use an iPod as a babysitter!
Added: 17 January 2012
As tempting as it may be to keep your little one entertained with your new small screen device, there is a downside. And it's not that they can crack it open with one smack on the coffee table either! Read more about the perils of these devices for children's eyes........ learn more
Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes – How to Manage Contact Lens Related Dryness
Added: 6 January 2012
Many people drop out contact lens wear due to issues with dry eyes. This article looks at managing and even eliminating the issue of contact lens related dry eyes through lens choice, drops & nutrition, and other laser eye surgery alternatives such as Orthokeratology or Ortho-K.... learn more
Reading, Attention and Vision Training for Convergence Insufficiency
Added: 15 December 2011
Recent studies have demonstrated improvements in Academic Behaviour Scores and reading comprehension after vision training for a common eye-teaming and focussing problem.... learn more
Vision training conference, by Paul & Meredith
Added: 10 December 2011
In October this year, Paul and Meredith Graham, optometrists from Harmony VIsion Care on the Gold Coast, presented a 3 day conference to Australian optometrists about diagnosing and treating a common eye teaming disorder called "Convergence Insufficiency". They presented new evidence about the need for more rigorous diagnosis to ensure proper identification, as well as their approach to vision training or vision therapy.... learn more
Learning Styles in Children
Added: 1 December 2011
Children are all different. It's something we celebrate every day, but then why is it, that children are all expected to learn in similar ways? What are learning styles, and why are they important? Optometrist, Meredith Graham discusses them here....... learn more
Sunglasses for kids
Added: 28 November 2011
Summer Eye Tip#1 Did you know more than 80% of a lifetime of UV damage occurs to the eyes before the age of 20? As unbelievable as it seems, it’s true! So, it’s important to start early with sun protection for the eyes. Training a young child to wear sunglasses is the same as wearing a hat – perseverance pays off! Seek advice from people who are experienced with fitting frames and sunglasses to little faces, as you want a comfy fit that avoids stray UV light getting to those little peepers!... learn more
Understanding NAPLAN results
Added: 21 November 2011
NAPLAN 2011 results have arrived in homes by now. Although they come with an explanation of how they are scored, it can be a confusing time for parents. Why do some children perform poorly on NAPLAN testing when they seem to do well with their homework? ... learn more
What is Behavioural Optometry?
Added: 14 November 2011
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to suffer a vision problem? Most people are unaware that many vision problems are hard to recognise & often remain undiagnosed!! As a result, many people with clear sight suffer unknowingly from vision problems. Behavioural Optometry may well be the answer. ... learn more
Taking Your Christmas Toy Budget Further
Added: 8 November 2011
Meredith Graham, an Optometrist at Harmony Vision Care talks about the importance of choosing "smart" toys this Christmas - and they may not be what you think! This is her article that appeared in the latest issue of Coast Kids - a parenting magazine for gold coast families. Meredith's interest in child development through play, stems from her work with children's vision problems that contribute to difficulties learning, reading and paying attention in class. Here are her thoughts...... learn more
The link between vision and learning
Added: 27 October 2011
Understanding how a vision problem affects learning can be complex. The trouble is you can’t see a vision problem. You can only see the effects of it. ... learn more
Coloured Lenses Assist Migraine Sufferers
Added: 26 October 2011
Precision Tinted Lenses (PTL's) or Precision Ophthalmic Lenses have been used extensively in the UK to reduce visual discomfort during reading. More recent studies indicate that PTL's can also reduce migraine symptoms in people with visual sensitive migraine. This matches the clinical experience here at Harmony Vision Care, the only Gold Coast practice to assess and dispense PTL's using the Intuitive Colorimeter.... learn more
Childrens vision
Added: 20 October 2011
Vision to learn. What does this mean? Many people think that good vision is the ability to read a shape or letter chart a few metres away. This is known as sight, but in fact, has been shown to have little correlation to how a child learns. So if this is not important, then what is? Read on to learn more...... learn more
Kid struggling to read?
Added: 20 October 2011
There is nothing worse as a parent, than wondering how to help your child when they struggle with reading. There are divided opinions as to why children have difficulty reading, and in reality, the research is still unable to find a "cause". Reseachers in reading difficulties are able to correlate many conditions with poor readers, but none have yet been proven to be the underlying cause. So how should you go about helping a child with a reading difficulty?... learn more
Dyslexia - we can help
Added: 11 June 2011
Suspecting that your child may have dyslexia or a reading difficulty can be a confusing and frustrating time. It is vital that people understand that when dyslexia is suspected, vision must not be overlooked. ... learn more
Homework made easy
Added: 11 June 2011
Want to make the most your time at home with your kids? Want to de-stress over homework? Here are 3r top tips from your local vision and learning experts.... learn more
Your Lasik Eye Doctor probably won’t tell you about this………
Added: 11 May 2011
Most people will have already heard of lasik eye surgery. Lasik and other forms of laser eye surgery have been available for over a decade now, but most people don’t know that there is a non-surgical alternative that has been available for just as long. It’s called Orthokeratology or Ortho-K. ... learn more
Eye glasses for children
Added: 6 April 2011
With over 80% of our patients under 12 years of age, it stands to reason that when it comes to kids glasses, there is no better place for advice than Harmony Vision Care.... learn more
Healthy Vision Advice - Tips for Reading
Added: 6 April 2011
Don’t Just Teach Them to Read.....Teach Them to Love Reading with these great tips from Harmony Vision Care's Optometrists.... learn more
TV or no TV?
Added: 6 April 2011
Meredith discusses the pros and cons of TV watching for children. As seen in Coast Kids April issue. ... learn more
Tips for a Healthy Desk Space
Added: 9 March 2011
Do you ever stop to marvel at how your child’s life is different to your own childhood? It is easy to get carried away with the benefits of modern living with technology and miss the hazards that they may cause. As someone who works with children, I see the effects of these environmental changes everyday on young bodies, and it is not always positive.... learn more
Recent Advances in Technology & Research Give New Hope to Those with Short-Sight
Added: 8 February 2011
Gone are the days of “simple sight-correcting glasses”, says an Optometrist from Harmony Vision Care. New technology gives patients the benefits of earlier detection and a way to slow down the deterioration to their sight. Ultimately, the aim of Optometrists at Harmony Vision Care, is to have patients avoid the potential future cost associated with myopia, including thicker lenses, laser surgery or complications to their eye health. ... learn more
Eye Hand Coordination - Is Your Preschooler Ready for School?
Added: 7 February 2011
Starting school is such a big event in your child's life. There is so much to prepare for, yet it is easy to overlook whether your child has in fact developed the necessary skills to participate successfully in the classroom. Good eye hand coordination is just one of the vital skills necessary for pencil paper tasks. Read more about making sure your preschooler is ready for school...... learn more
Short-sighted Children and Teens - New MiSight Correction Technology
Added: 10 January 2011
Contact lenses are a common correction for short-sightedness to help see distant objects clearer. But until recently, attempts to actually reduce how quickly short-sight gets worse have been mixed. There are a number of products recently released that not only provide clear sight, but also reduces the likelihood of progression of short-sight in children and teens. MiSight is the latest and one of the most convenient to use of these products.... learn more
When Will My Baby’s Eyes Change Colour?
Added: 10 January 2011
It shouldn’t be surprising that a baby’s eye colour is a very popular conversation topic with parents. “Most precious sense”, “windows to the soul”, and “the eyes have one language everywhere” are age-old quotes that indicate our long fascination with eyes. A popular query from parents of babies is wanting to know when their child have their "final" eye colour.... learn more
Kid's Eyeglasses - What Should You Look For?
Added: 8 January 2011
“Your child needs glasses” - is not something most parents want to hear! If you wear eyeglasses yourself, you are probably familiar with what’s involved, but if not, the idea can be pretty daunting...... learn more
Things about your child's eyes you can't afford to miss....
Added: 6 January 2011
A child may have perfect sight, yet poor vision. Understanding the difference can be complex and confusing, but to give yourself an idea of whether your child may have a hidden vision problem, first ask yourself the following ten questions:... learn more
Meredith's talks on ABC radio about kid's eye problems.
Added: 29 December 2010
More than 80% of the patients at Harmony Vision Care are under 12 years old! As such, Paul and Meredith have gained a reputation for being the people to see with any kid's eye problems. Listen to full broadcasts of Meredith's interview on Gold Coast ABC radio here.... learn more
How to enhance your baby's eye and visual development
Added: 29 December 2010
When your baby is born, their eyes and vision are less well developed than their other senses. However, there are many things you can do to help your baby's visual development - even from a few weeks old! Here's how...... learn more
Meredith talks on ABC radio about kids eye problems
Added: 6 November 2010
Today on ABC Coast FM (91.7FM Gold Coast), Meredith Graham an Optometrist from Harmony VIsion Care talks about a common childhood eye disorder - "Convergence Insufficiency". The problem, says Meredith, is that even though it's a common problem, it continues to be commonly overlooked and the effects can be devastating on a child's performance.... learn more
Convergence Insufficiency
Added: 12 October 2010
Convergence insufficiency is a common but often overlooked vision problem that is estimated to affect between 5-10% of the population. It has been linked with “ADD-like” behaviours in children due to the person’s inability to sustain two-eyed alignment and focus during near visual tasks such as reading and writing. It also persists into adult-hood. The bad news is that it is under-diagnosed, but the good news is that convergence insufficiency is easy to treat!... learn more
Dyslexia & Reading Difficulties - Reduce the Frustration with Good Vision
Added: 7 September 2010
The word 'dyslexia' comes from the Greek and means 'difficulty with words'. “Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which mainly affects the development of literacy and language related skills”* We still don’t know why it occurs. Opinions on dyslexia vary greatly, and despite strong claims from some, its origins are still unknown. Current research is divided as to whether it is phonological in origin, visual in origin or a combination of factors. It is clear that it is a complex diagnosis.... learn more
Is It Really an Eye turn? So What is Pseudostrabismus?
Added: 10 August 2010
Over the course of a year we see Gold Coast infants and children who have been brought in for an eye test because their parents had concerns that their child had an eye-turn. Many times we discover the children have perfectly normal sight and no eye-turn. The appearance of an eye-turn in this case is called "Pseudostrabismus".... learn more
New revolutionary contact lenses for keratoconus now available on the Gold Coast & Tweed Region
Added: 5 August 2010
Good news for people with keratoconus. You now have a more comfortable alternative to rigid contact lenses. ClearKone by SynergEyes has the comfort of a soft lens but the sharp vision of a rigid contact lens.... learn more
What is keratoconus?
Added: 4 August 2010
Good news for Gold Coast and Tweed Heads residents who have keratoconus. There are two new advancements in technology that will help you see better. This article covers "what is keratoconus?" and has a brief look at these new advancements.... learn more
Want Laser Eye Surgery to Get Rid of Your Reading Glasses? – Wait. There may be a better choice!
Added: 4 August 2010
If you are looking for alternatives to wearing glasses, laser eye surgery may not be the best option…………Recent advances in orthokeratology technology means you have more choice in how you achieve clear sight for reading without glasses or laser eye surgery.... learn more
What can I do if my child is shortsighted?
Added: 20 July 2010
Orthokeratology or Ortho K is quickly proving to be a solution that may help slow how rapidly children and teenagers become shortsighted. On top of this, this non-surgical treatment gives you freedom from glasses and is more comfortable than normal contact lens wear. The science is complex but the process is relatively simple once you have been fitted with your ortho k lenses. Sleep with lenses, wake up, take them out and see clearly all day.... learn more
Can't See 3D?
Added: 8 July 2010
Why the 3D experience can be a little "flat" or uncomfortable for some people... And what you can do about it.... learn more
Reading Glasses for Children
Added: 1 July 2010
Most people associate glasses with aging eyesight, and many also mistakenly believe that wearing glasses can make their eyes weak, or dependent on them. However, glasses carefully prescribed for reading when someone is young can actually make life easier, and prevent further problems that affect study and work.... learn more
Harmony Vision Care Success Stories
Added: 17 January 2010
Ever wondered what the impact of an untreated vision problem is? Our patients tell their stories about how correcting a vision problem has improved their ability to work, learn, live and play!... learn more
Ph: 07 5520 5900