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COOPER & LOURIE FAMILY OPTOMETRISTS

DR. GEOFFREY N. COOPER

Hey, congratulations!  You are now listed as one of the Top 3 Optometrists in Perth, WA in 2020.

We would like to Thank You for providing consistent high-quality service in your area of business. Our review team either approved or updated your business listing using our rigorous 50-Point Inspection which includes everything from checking reputation, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, nearness, trust, cost, and general excellence.

Headache & Migraine Awareness is an opportunity to learn more about the difference between the two, what may cause them, how to manage them and how to seek help!

At Cooper & Lourie Family Optometrists, we have a strong interest in how headaches and migraines can be related to your eye health and vision!

Vision is a pivotal part of your perception and is linked to your nervous system. Changes in one can affect the other – so problems with your eyes might be the cause of the headaches you’re experiencing.

Common causes of headaches, related to the eye:

• Eye strain – simply by overusing the muscles involved in focusing, you’re at risk of developing strain around the eyes and head. Visual tasks that demand the intense use of your eyes for long periods are normally the underlying cause; but eye strain can also be linked to general vision problems.If you read, write, drive, or work in low-lighting environments for an extended period of time, then be sure to blink often and give your eyes a break every twenty minutes. This can be as simple as looking out the window for twenty seconds. This is particularly important if you work at a computer or use your smartphone for hours at a time.

• Eye-coordination – In some cases, both of your eyes may not coordinate well together because one is misaligned or out of focus. This can make activities that involve depth perception more difficult. For example, watching a 3D movie may cause headaches or nausea. At Cooper and Lourie, we are well experienced in binocular vision and are equipped and more than happy to help investigate any issues you may be having.
• Common eye conditions – These might also be linked to your headaches. Astigmatism, far and short-sightedness, and even glaucoma, are a few examples. If you’ve already scheduled an appointment with your general practitioner, it’s a good idea to also see your optometrist. They will identify and help treat any underlying ocular conditions or otherwise, aide in the process of elimination when investigating headaches/migraines.

Do you wear contact lenses? You should ask us about the new groundbreaking Acuvue Oasys Transitions contact lenses.

These are the first contact lenses with revolutionary technology to reduce blaring light to deliver effortless sight with less squinting from dawn until dusk!
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Available at both our Nedlands and Innaloo practices in a range of powers to suit your needs.

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What are the features?

• Reduces blaring light to provide all-day soothing vision
• Delivers more effortless sight with less squinting dawn to dusk
• Reduces the stressful impact that light can have on your eyes by helping vision recover from bright light up to 5 seconds faster
• With this contact lens, life looks more vivid, more vibrant and more true by providing up to 38% better colour contrast

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Contact us today on 94461887 (Innaloo) or 93868581 (Nedlands)

Our lovely optical staff spent this morning selecting the latest fashions for our fully covered optical range!
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These new HBF fully covered frames are coming soon to our Innaloo practice. Come and check them out if you would like to get a NO GAP pair of spectacles 😊

Whether we’re emotionally ready for it or not, the revival of fashion from the 2000s has begun. Yep, that’s right–better get ready to relive some of your best ‘what was I thinking?’ moments.

While some of the eyewear trends of the ‘naughties’ can stay well and truly buried (diamante-encrusted frames, anyone?), one iconic look has returned in full force–the glorious coloured lens.

Donned regularly by the likes of Drew Barrymore and the Olsen twins, with tones in vibrant red or blue, the tinted lens was hard to ignore.

Fast-forward 18 years, and coloured lenses are back on the catwalk. They were a celebrated summer trend, and don’t seem to be going anywhere fast.

Punctuating the attire of celebrities and style bloggers alike, statement glasses and tinted lenses are a great way to add an additional pop of colour to daily wear. Pair with complementary colours for a polished look, or create some visual interest with contrast.

Offering an equally practical and stylish way to embrace this trend is the Transitions® Style Colours Collection – a new range of bold-coloured lenses that are clear in low light, and come to life in the sun.

Available in four popular colours–amethyst, sapphire, emerald and amber–these prescription lenses offer a stylish approach to daily eyewear, and deliver protection from 100% of UV, as well as guarding against  potentially harmful blue light.

The new Transitions® Style Colours lenses modernise tinted lenses with up to date shades such as emerald, sapphire and amethyst

The coloured lenses can be used with almost any frame, which makes for plenty of choice when designing a pair of glasses that reflect your personal style.

Ask us about the Transitions® Style Colours Collection.

During winter your eyes are exposed to more challenging conditions. Here are our top 3 tips to help your eyes stay comfortable during winter.

1. Keep your eyes moist

   • During winter, the air becomes drier. This is made worse by wood fires and electric heaters.
   • This increased dryness can cause dry eyes or make pre-existing dry eyes worse
   • You can help reduce this dryness by using lubricated eye drops, sitting further away from heating sources and using a humidifier during the winter months

2. Limit your time spent in front of electronic devices

   • Most of us spend most of their day looking at some form of screen
   • When the weather is cold and wet we are much more likely to spend more time in front of the TV or other electronic devices such as iPads and computers
   • When you use an electronic device you blink less, which can cause digital eye strain and dry eyes
   • You can help reduce eye strain by following the 20-20-20 rule. This entails looking 20 feet into the distance for 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of computer work you do.
   • Doing this will also help to preserve your vision

3. Make sure you have enough light when reading or doing close work

   • During winter, there are lower levels of light which can make reading and close work more challenging, especially if you’re older or have problems with your vision
   • Make sure to have additional lighting if you are working or reading up close to make the experience more comfortable.

Having a balanced and healthy diet is the key to maintaining good eye health and reducing your risk of developing preventable eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Recent studies conducted by the national eye institute have found that foods containing the following antioxidants may actually reduce your risk of developing certain eye disease:

1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

   • The Omega 3 fatty acids help to support proper visual development and retinal function when consumed over a long period of time
   • Foods that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids include fish (they contain the highest levels) or raw almonds.
   • If you’re not a fan of these foods, there are many supplements on the market that contain Omega 3 fatty acids.

2. Vitamin C

   • Vitamin C has been shown to lower the risk of developing cataracts as well as age related macular degeneration which is one of the leading causes of blindness
   • Vitamin C can be found in a variety of foods including oranges and grapefruit

3. Glutathione

   • Glutathione is a natural antioxidant that has been shown to help prevent the development of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease and diabetic blindness
   • Eggs are a great source of glutathione
   • If you don’t like eggs, look for supplements that contain glutathione

4. Zinc

   • Studies have shown that a lack of zinc in your diet can increase your risk of cataracts
   • Zinc also helps transport vitamin A from the liver to your retina
   • Vitamin A is very important in the production of melanin which is an important protective pigment
   • You can find zinc in foods such as oysters, poultry, milk, shellfish, blackbeans, whole grains and pork

5. Vitamin E

   • Vitamin E is an essential vitamin that protects your eyes from free radical damage
   • Free radicals are unstable molecules that destroy healthy tissue cells
   • Kale is a fantastic natural source of vitamin E, otherwise there are supplements which you can take to get your daily dose of Vitamin E

If you’re a vegetarian or don’t like eating certain foods that contain these essential eye health vitamins, there are multiple supplements you can take to keep your eyes healthy. If you ever have any questions about vitamins and eye health we are always happy to chat. You can call us at our Innaloo practice on 08 9446 1887 or our Nedlands  practice on 08 9386 8581.

Our highly qualified Optometrists are passionate about providing holistic eye care and would love the opportunity to provide you with the information on how you can keep your eyes healthy and disease free.

At Cooper and Lourie Family Optometrists it is our highest priority that we provide you with the most comprehensive and technologically advanced eye examination available.

We also love taking the time to get to know each of our patients so that we can help them achieve their visual goals.

During a standard eye examination, your optometrist will ask you ask you questions about your vision and comfort and will perform a range of different tests to evaluate your vision and assess the health of your eyes.

This may include

1. Checking the back of your eyes (the retina)

   • This is one of the most important parts of your eye examination as it allows the optometrist to look for signs of vision threatening conditions such as macular degeneration, retinal tears and glaucoma.
   • During this part of the examination the Optometrist may want to take a digital image of the back of the eye.
   • Photographs of the retina allow the Optometrist to look at the back of the eye in a great amount of detail and even pick up abnormalities that may not be seen in a standard eye test
   • These images also provide our Optometrists with a base line so that they can easily detect changes at your next annual eye check up
   • (Please note that digital retinal photography is not included in the standard Medicare eye examination and will incur additional charges at the time of consultation)

1. Checking the front of your eyes (Cornea, Iris and Lens)

   • The Optometrist will also check the front of your eye with a specialised instrument called a Slit Lamp
   • The Slit Lamp provides the Optometrist with a highly magnified view of the front of the eye including the cornea, iris and lens
   • Thorough assessment of the front of the eye can help the Optometrist Detect conditions such as corneal abrasions and cataracts

2. Measuring the pressures inside your eye

   • This test can be done in a number of ways, but is most commonly done with a specialised instrument called a non-contact tonometer.
   • This instrument blows a gentle puff of air onto the front of the eye (although painless, it may make you jump)
   • This allows the Optometrist to check for glaucoma

3. Specialised tests

   • At Cooper and Lourie, we have invested in the latest technology to provide you and your family with the highest level of care
   • The OCT (ocular coherence tomography) is a specialised piece of equipment that allows us to pick up conditions that can threaten your vision extremely early
   • This can be vital in preserving your vision

If you would like to book in for a comprehensive and technologically advanced eye examination with Optometrists who want to take the time to explain all of your options you can call us at the Nedlands practice on (08) 93868581 or our Innaloo practice on (08) 94461887. If you would like to learn more about our family practice please feel free to give us a call or visit our website at www.cooperandlourie.com.au

We look forward to helping you achieve clear and comfortable vision.

Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an exciting new technology that allows us to look deep into your eyes. The OCT is a fantastic piece of equipment that allows our Optometrists to diagnose conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, posterior vitreous detachments and retinal tears whilst they are in their early stages. In many cases, early detection and management can save vision that may have otherwise been lost.

How does the OCT work?

• The OCT works by using a special wavelength of light to allow the machine to construct a 3D image of all the layers of the retina
• This enables the detection of subtle changes and abnormalities
• Also provides the Optometrist with a baseline so that they can detect any changes when your return for your annual eye checks

What conditions can be detected with the OCT?

The OCT is excellent at detecting

1.  Glaucoma
2.   Macular degeneration
3.   Posterior Vitreous Detachments
4. Retinal Tears
5. Macular Oedema
6. Epiretinal Membranes
7. Macular Holes

What is involved in an OCT examination?

• As the OCT scan is non-invasive, it is very quick and painless

Why Should I Ask for an OCT Scan?

• If the Optometrists suspects that you have a condition at the back of the eye, they will often suggest that you have the OCT scan performed at the time of your consultation
• As many eye conditions don’t produce symptoms during their early stages, its important to get your eyes checked even if you can still see clearly
• By having a comprehensive eye examination and requesting an OCT examination at the time of your consultation, can help ensure that your eyes remain healthy and that any problems with your eyes are detected in a timely manner.

To inquire about the OCT scan or to book an appointment with Cooper and Lourie Family Optometrists you can call us at our Nedlands practice on (08) 93868581 or our Innaloo practice on (08) 94461887. We look forward to helping you with your eyes.

Blue light is everywhere, with the sun being a major source of blue light. Now it’s important to note that not all blue light you are exposed to on a daily basis is bad.

In fact, some blue light exposure is good for our health as it helps to:

1. Increase your alertness
2. improves your memory and cognitive functions
3. Elevates your mood
4. Regulates your circadian rhythm which is your sleep/wake cycle

But with the increasing use of blue light emitting technology we are being exposed to increasing amounts of man made sources of blue light including:

If you are exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) and blue light bands over time it can have a damaging effect on your eyes and can lead to:

Why does blue light have such harmful effects to the eye?

If you would like to reduce the amount of blue light you are being exposed to book an appointment and ask our highly qualified Optometrists about the new blue light lens technology. You can make an appointment at our Nedlands or Innaloo practice by phoning (08) 93868581 (Nedlands) or (08) 94461887 (Innaloo). We look forward to helping you see clearly and more comfortably.