OCULA giving a bit extra in 2022
In 2022, one of OCULA’s goals is to give a little extra help to the people who need the most.
We’ve created a series of fundraising events – dedicated days each month - where we will donate the money raised with the sale of specified products to Blind Low Vision NZ.
Uncomfortable eyes? You might need more tears…or have too much.
It’s called Dry Eye Syndrome, and more people suffer from it than you would think!
See tears aren’t just for crying. Your eyes constantly produce tears to help lubricate and protect your themselves. Each time you blink, the tears are spread out across the eye, coating it. For people who suffer from dry eye syndrome, the eyes just do not produce enough tears constantly to do the job, or those tears evaporate too quickly.
WE'RE EXCITED! INTRODUCING THE NEW ICARE EIDON ACROSS ALL OF OUR STORES
Do you have a favourite pairing? Or a dynamic duo that changed your world? Maybe it’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse, peanut butter and celery, or when a childhood favourite resurges (in a good way)...
At OCULA, we’re fanatic about eye health. So we’re excited to let you know about a new piece of equipment we have in each of our stores that allows us to see more of your eye and in greater detail than before.
Keep an ‘eye’ on young ones as we celebrate Te Rā O Ngā Tamariki - Children's Day
6 March is Te Rā O Ngā Tamariki - Children's Day, so we’re focusing on kids this month.
While we might all know that good vision and eye protection are important; did you know 64% of children’s visual problems go undiagnosed, leaving them struggling during class and sports?
Price Increase as at 1 January 2022
We wish to inform you that as of the 1st of January 2022, there will be a slight price increase on our clinical services.
VISITING OCULA UNDER "ORANGE"
OCULA is an essential primary healthcare provider, and so continues to offer a comprehensive and equal service to all regardless of vaccination status.
COULD YOU BE ALLERGIC TO SPRING?
It’s Spring, and with the changing of seasons come runny noses, those dreaded sneezes… and for some us, swollen, runny, red, and itchy eyes too!
While there is no hayfever “cure”, and you might feel like it’s holding you back from enjoying the great weather, there are certain steps you can take to lessen the effect, and offer slight relief.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO ENHANCE YOUR NATURAL (BE-SPECTACLED) BEAUTY
Makeup application can be quite a handful for most women. Add a pair of glasses into the equation (especially if it’s your first pair of glasses), and applying and maintaining makeup becomes rather tricky…
If, on the other had you’ve worn glasses for decades, you might just consider your glasses a part of you—something that makes you stand out from the crowd. Glasses can be a fun way to show off your personality and uniqueness.
In this blog, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you out!
GLASSES FOGGING UP GETTING YOU HOT & BOTHERED?
In many parts of the world, nearly two out of three people wear corrective eyewear. And ever since mask wearing has become mainstay, many of us have the same complaint: wearing a mask makes our glasses fog!
We get it - wearing a mask can be uncomfortable and frustrating, especially if you’re not used to it.
Our team put together some tips and tricks to make wearing a mask with your glasses a wee bit better...
STAYING SAFE IN LEVEL 2
Spring has arrived and so has Delta Level 2 of lockdown! This means that we can 'see' you all again in person! We are passionate about keeping you safe, so please read more here about the measures we have put in place, and what you can expect in clinic during this time.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING US IN LEVEL 3
While a lower alert level comes with a few more freedoms, a number of restrictions are still in place to keep everyone safe during this time. Planning on visiting us during Level 3 Lockdown? Read what measures we have put in place, and what you can expect in clinic.
AN ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Major eye injuries it seems can happen at any given time – all it takes is a flying champagne cork or a shooting rubber band or, in some cases, a piece of wire... Fortunately, most eye injuries are preventable if we follow eye safety instructions and use eye protection.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE SOUTH ISLAND
Last week, our OCULA Merivale team volunteered as part of the dinner program at Ronald McDonald House South Island.
This program was designed to help feed families staying at the house who have loved ones undergoing treatment at the Christchurch hospital, so they don't have to worry about cooking or providing their family a meal while going through one of the toughest times of their lives. It’s a great way to get actively involved in the community!
EVER WONDERED WHAT THE BACK OF YOUR EYE LOOKS LIKE?
Or just how healthy your eyes are? An OCT scan will provide just that.
SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON BLUE LIGHT
What is it? How does it affect us? And what are blu-blockers?! If you’re a child of the 80’s, you’d remember BluBlockers – the sunglasses that block blue light, and reduce squinting.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR GLASSES
Eyewear is an investment, therefore it's important to know how to care for your glasses or sunglasses to ensure they stay in great shape. we've put together some tips on how to keep your eyewear looking spec-tacular.
WHEN YOUR CHILD COMPLAINS ABOUT THEIR EYESIGHT, AND THE LINES ARE BLURRED...
Noticed that your little one has been squinting at the TV lately? Or complaining that they can’t see if you point at something? Are they not wanting to go to school because they have a headache? You might feel like they are joking around and trying to get a day off. Who doesn’t want to stay at home and watch Netflix?
THERE'S A NEW OPTOMETRIST IN TOWN
We are excited to welcome a new member to our Merivale team, optometrist Amy Lee. Amy will be working alongside Roberta to care for our OCULA Merivale patients for all...
WHY EVERY PAIR OF EYES NEEDS AN EYE TEST
EYE DISEASE - THERE'S MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
WHAT IS IRLEN SYNDROME?
Imagine that you're reading a book but slowly the words start to fall down the page or maybe, bright lights and flashes distract you from being able to write properly...
PREGNANCY AND EYE HEALTH: THE FACTS
With the news of our Director and Principal Optometrist Danielle Winstone (née Ross) expecting her first baby, it seems fitting to chat about the changes that women go through during...
PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM SCREENS AND BLUE LIGHT
As much as we try to slow down our intake of technology, it can be very difficult, especially in a time where other activities are limited.
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE!
With New Zealand being in Stage 4 lockdown due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have closed our physical doors but we are still here for you thanks to technology!...
WEARING CONTACT LENSES DURING COVID-19
With strict hygiene regimes being put in place during this time, it is no wonder that people begin to question everything they do - and whether it is safe.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT ATTENDING YOUR APPOINTMENT
We've put in place extra measures to keep you safe. Please read the points below, as we need your help to action these safety measures!
WALK FOR WIGGLY EYES - NYSTAGMUS AWARENESS
Walk for Wiggly Eyes is a charity fundraiser for the condition Nystagmus and is being completed by Mike Sheen who will be walking the full length of New Zealand from...
How To Protect Your Eyes in The Water This Summer
We are so close to the holidays and firing up our BBQ's for an epic Summer with family and friends, and fingers crossed for a hot one! But first, let's...
Top Tips for Relieving Hay Fever
The Summer season is so close we can almost taste it! Ice cream cones down at the waterfront and the hot sun on our backs, pure bliss.
Apple And Raspberry Oats
Known as nature’s candy, raspberries are loaded with antioxidant power to help keep eyes healthy by providing protection against UV light damage.
Scroggin Mix Snack
This is the perfect snack for in between meals, not only do these seeds and nuts contain zinc, selenium and loads of vitamins which are excellent for eye health, they...
Macular Degeneration – Omega 3 and 6
The latest research has found that dietary intake of omega-three fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), has a beneficial effect in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Raw Carrot Salad
Oh my goodness- where to start? Not only is this raw carrot salad packed full of antioxidant nutrients and omega-3, it’s absolutely delicious.
Kale, Tomato And Quinoa Soup
Popeye was on to a very good thing, but he shouldn’t have stopped with spinach. He should have also included kale.
Tropical Breakfast Smoothie
This simple and refreshing treat is packed with lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C. In addition to feeding your eyes, the coconut water will replenish your body with electrolytes, and the...
Prawn, Fennel And Spinach Salad
The eyes are rich in blood vessels, fed by the heart, so a heart-healthy diet that’s low in trans and saturated fat is important to keep the blood vessels of...
Everything you need to know about Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of blinding eye conditions characterised by damage to the optic nerve. In most cases of glaucoma, the nerve damage is gradual and often goes unnoticed until...
All about Ortho-k: Everything you wanted to know about corneal lens reshaping
Orthokeratology (or Ortho-k) is ground-breaking technology that treats vision conditions such as myopia (short sightedness) and astigmatism (refractive error) and allows for clear daytime vision without the need for eye surgery.
Top Makeup Tips for Glasses Wearers
This week, OCULA's bespectacled clients learnt how to create a stunning look with their eyewear and makeup by using these top tips.
The ever-changing prescription: Why Myopia in children needs to be closely monitored
Myopia - also known as near-sightedness or short-sightedness - is a common condition affecting both adults and children alike.
OCULA Wanaka has moved!
It's hard to keep a secret in a small town, and OCULA moving to Helwick Street quite possibly was one of the worst kept! But that's because we're just so...
How much screen time is unhealthy for my eyes?
"How much screen-time is unhealthy for my eyes?"
9 common types of visual distortion
In my previous blog, I discussed some useful tips on reducing visual stress and distortion. But it occurred to me, often people don't know that the way they see is...
Seven top tips on reducing visual distortion
Visual distortion is when either the eyes or the vision centre of the brain dont see normally.
Three simple ways to minimise the effects of Glaucoma
Hester Duplessis, one of our experienced Wanaka and Queenstown optometrists discusses the how a few small lifestyles changes can have big effect on controlling Glaucoma.
Seven top tips to protect your eyes from allergies this Spring
‘Welcome to NZ!’ they said, when I first arrived. ‘Nature’s paradise! Clean! Green!’ Yeah, ok, I admit they were right.
Attention: All naughty contact lens wearers! (yes, YOU who leaves them in overnight)
Hester du Plessis is OCULA’s newest, internationally renowned optometrist and comes with a boatload of clinical experience.
Tips for Good Vision in the Modern World
My Iphone is an extension of my arm. Seriously. My Macbook is a close second, and if I had an Ipad, well, you can bet it wouldn't be far away.
Boredom Busters that Help Visual Skills
Here are some great Christmas gift ideas that will not only keep the kids happy and entertained over the holidays, it will also have them developing great visual skills.