At Hansen’s Eyecare Plus in Parkes, we are excited to now be able to offer Orthokeratol­ogy, also known as Ortho K. We have been successfully using Ortho K in our Orange practice for nearly a decade and now have the equipment to also be able to provide the service at our Parkes practice.

Have you heard of Orthokeratology? Or­tho K is a safe and reversible non-surgical form of vision correction for myopia (short-sightedness) that eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day.

A specially designed contact lens is worn while sleeping each night. This lens gently flattens the shape of the cornea, allowing for clear vision that lasts throughout the entire day after the person wakes up and removes the lenses.

Ortho K is a great alternative to laser vi­sion correction surgery for those that are apprehensive about eye surgery or who find the costs associated with laser surgery too high. It is suitable for almost anyone with myopia especially those that find glasses or contacts not suitable to their work envi­ronment, people that play sports or are in­volved in water activities. It is also a great treatment for children as it is proven to stop or slow down the progression of their myo­pia.

Ortho K is a reversible procedure. The Australian Therapeutics Goods Administra­tion recognises the use of Ortho K lenses.

The risk of infection with Ortho K wear has been shown to be no higher to that of wear­ing soft contact lenses overnight.

The first step is to book an appointment today at Hansen Eyecare Plus in Parkes or Orange where one of our optometrists can check whether you are a suitable candidate for Ortho K.

Kids Helpline is encouraging boys and young men to take time to prioritise their mental health this week, as part of Interna­tional Men’s Health Week.

yourtown CEO Tracy Adams says this week is important for all members of the community, but particularly young men and those with young men in their lives, to build a positive culture around mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Data from Kids Helpline highlights that young males are less likely to engage in help-seeking for mental health concerns compared with females. On average during May Kids Helpline recorded 57 responses a day from young males compared with 195 females.

Counsellors at Kids Helpline respond to 21% males and 79% females on any given day, with males aged between 19 to 25 years of age representing the largest (37%) male help-seeking group.

Kids Helpline offers boys and young men a safe, inclusive space to connect with pro­fessional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Kids Helpline is Australia’s only na­tional 24/7 counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years – free call 1800 55 1800 or www.kid­shelpline.com.au

May is Macula Month, and a good reminder that if you are over 50 you should be having regular macula health checks.

The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina that deals with fine detail. A healthy macula is vital for good vision. Macular Degeneration is a disease affecting the macula causing central vision loss. This makes it very difficult to read, recognise faces, watch TV and even obtain a driver’s license.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia. It is more common as we age, and the risk of Macular Degeneration increases if there is a family history of macula problems, cardiovascular disease or you are a smoker.

DRY MD

Characterised by a slow, progressive loss of the RPE cells due to the build up of drusen at the macula. This makes up about 85% of moderate to advanced MD cases resulting in a gradual deterioration of the central vision. Diet and a special formulation of vitamins and high-dose antioxidants, such as MD eyes have been shown to slow down the progression of MD in those with moderate to advanced MD in at least one eye.

WET MD

This affects about two-thirds of advanced MD patients. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macular and these vessels can spontaneously bleed, leading to a sudden loss of vision requiring immediate medical treatment. Treatment often requires regular injections to shrink the blood vessels.

Like most diseases, early detection and treatment for Macular Degeneration is vital to maintain good vision throughout life.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is the gold standard for the early detection of Macular Degeneration. Unlike standard retinal photography, OCT enables detailed assessment of the deeper layers of the retina using optical ultrasound.

To have your macula thoroughly checked book online www.opticalbookings.com.au/hansen-optometrists-parkes/store, phone 6863 5577 or call in to make an appointment.

Beyond Blue welcomes renewed Federal Government funding to provide small business owners access to much needed mental health support.

The Federal Government’s investment of $7.7 million to extend Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) program is an acknowledgement that small business owners are struggling and are really doing it tough,” says Beyond Blue Chief Executive, Georgie Harman.

The NASBO program is available for free between from 8am to 8pm, to small and medium business owners nationally. The service uses evidence-based low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy and offers small business owners up to six sessions and two follow up sessions, working with a trained coach with a background in small business themselves.

Adapted specifically for small business owners, NASBO is based on Beyond Blue’s highly effective NewAccess program and is funded by Commonwealth Government. The program is not only effective at improving mental health but has also been independently determined to represent good value for money and delivers a positive return on investment.

Participation is free. Small business owners who are interested to know more can visit www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/small-business-owners or call 1300 945 301.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has expressed his dismay after learning Salvation Army Aged Care will close its residential aged care services in Central West New South Wales.

Rosedurnate Aged Care Centre and Retirement Village in Parkes will be closed, whilst Moyne Aged Care Centre in Canowindra will be acquired by Roshana Care Group.

“This is just dreadful and disastrous for the people of the Central West,” Mr McCormack said.

“With the closure of Parkes’ Rosedurnate Aged Care Centre and Retirement Village, about 45 residents will be displaced, with no clear facility at which they will be rehomed.

“I’m calling on the Government for urgent intervention into this matter to ensure no resident is left without adequate care.

“Just because a place such as Parkes or Canowindra is four or so hours from Sydney does not mean their residents are any less deserving of first-class aged care and retirement facilities.”

Myopia (also called short-sightedness) is an eye condition that causes blurry distance vision. A person with myopia can see clearly up close such as reading or looking at their phone screen, but to see when driving, watching tv or the smart board in class is blurry for them.

Myopia has always been around, but we are seeing a sharp increase in the prevalence of short sighted children in recent times. In Australia, the rate of short sightedness in 12 year olds has doubled in just six years and it is projected that by the year 2050, half of all people living in the world will be myopic! Not only are more children myopic today, but we are seeing them becoming myopic at an earlier age. This is not ideal, because we know that the earlier a child becomes myopic then the more severe their myopia is likely to become in the long run.

This can become a huge problem because myopia causes a host of different eye health problems in adulthood such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration and earlier cataract development.

You can help prevent your child’s risk of myopia by encouraging them to take regular breaks from close work, limiting their screen time to the recommended 2 hours maximum each day and encouraging them to spend time outdoors. Book them in for regular eye tests because the earlier that myopia is detected, the more that can be done to treat it and slow it down.

At Hansen Optometrists Parkes, we offer the full array of latest myopia treatments to help put the brakes on your child’s myopia progression.

It’s alarming that around 200,000 Australian children aged between 0 and 14 are now living with myopia. Here are some easy ways for parents and caregivers to be more proactive about their child’s eye health in 2024.

Make a date with your optometrist

Early detection is the cornerstone of maintaining good eye health in children.

“Regular eye examinations can uncover conditions such as hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism and eye movement & co-ordination issues, which, if left untreated, may impact a child’s academic performance and overall wellbeing.”

Prioritise green over screen

While technology does play a significant role in the realms of education and entertainment, for the sake of children’s eyesight it’s essential to balance screen time with outdoor activities.

Encourage a balanced diet

Foods like broccoli, oranges, mangos, spinach, carrots, kiwi fruit, strawberries and oil-rich fish like salmon and tuna provide essential nutrients like lutein, zinc, vitamin A, C and E as well as omega-3 fatty acids which all help to boost eye health.

Props for protective eyewear

In Australia, it has been estimated that sports-related eye injuries make up 11% of all paediatric eye injuries with boys twice as likely to sustain a significant eye injury compared to girls.

“Children’s eyes, with their wider pupils and clearer lenses than adults, are particularly susceptible to UV radiation especially before the age of two. By ages nine to 11, approximately 30 percent of young people exhibit UV damage, and by the age of 15, one in three will have developed pterygium or pinguecula.”

Be vigilant about any changes to vision

“Keep an eye out for signs such as squinting, excessive blinking, frequent eye rubbing or “knuckling”, complaining of headaches or eye discomfort or any noticeable changes in their academic performance, especially literacy skills, interest in reading and ability to concentrate on schoolwork generally.”

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has expressed serious concerns for the health welfare of regional, rural and remote Australians after the Minister for Health, Mark Butler, said Australians should just “ring around” to find a bulk-billing GP in their area.

It comes after the Minister moved the goalposts regarding Distribution Priority Areas for GPs – bringing Newcastle, Wollongong and some suburbs of Sydney into the scheme therefore stripping doctors from the regions – forcing of community pharmacies to pick up the tab for its 60-day medicine dispensing policy – putting services in regional communities under threat.

“The Health Minister, through his own words, has shown a complete disdain of those who live, work and pay taxes in regional, rural and remote Australia,” Mr McCormack said.

“This is cold comfort for those in the Central West who may only have access to one GP or have to travel many kilometres to even see a doctor, let alone have the luxury of choice.

“It is clear the Health Minister is being directed by the Australian Medical Association along with his fellow Labor Ministers who are led by the nose by their union puppet masters.