I have worn glasses for around ten years now. I always saw them as something I needed but nothing that really affected my life that much. I would even leave them at home if I went out for an evening, ‘to give my eyes a break’.

I use the computer every day and have found that I had been getting extremely tired eyes, frequent headaches and a general fatigued feeling. Given that it was only 6 months since I had my eyes tested, I did not think that could possibly be the problem. I was referred to Gary and Eyes InDesign by a business colleague who mentioned that Gary was a Behavioural Optometrist. I was intrigued and made an appointment.

After answering a few questions and going through the standard eye checks, I was indeed wondering what the difference would be. Then, during the same appointment, Gary proceeded to explain to me certain aspects of my vision that I had not been aware of and described some of the key problems I was having and why. He then began further, simple testing, explaining all the way what he was doing and why. At the end of this appointment Gary gave me my glasses back and asked me to put them on and read. He then put another lens in front of my glasses and the change was amazing. It was almost like my eyes could finally relax. This, he said, was how I should be seeing all the time. I was truly amazed and to be honest, have not looked back. I now have two pairs of glasses, one for every day use and the other specifically for computers and close up work. It took a while to get used to two pairs but the difference is amazing. No more headaches, no more tired eyes, I feel refreshed and awake. Who would have thought my vision could be the cause of all this.

After my initial appointment, I then needed to discuss the frames that were appropriate for me. I had always been left to my own devices with this process and generally picked the safe and not necessarily most flattering option. Their Eyewear Stylist knew exactly what to look for and very quickly I was amazed at the choice I had made. My glasses now make a statement about me and I love them. They are a part of who I am and no longer a chore to wear. I would highly recommend Gary and his team to anyone, young and old, as the thorough nature of the checkup and the advice provided is priceless.

Clinical assessment and diagnosis by Gary Rodney

Alison presented for vision assessment with difficulties involving the following:

• Headaches increasing over the last two months worse toward the end of the day.
• Variable sight with intermittent blurring even though the distance glasses are being worn.
• Sore tired eyes
• Eye drops of no help.

Routine optometric sight, optical error and eye health examination were all unremarkable. A slight change in distance prescription glasses was required but the real answer to the symptoms was not revealed until we performed functional vision skills testing.

Vision skills testing showed very poor visual efficiency. Alison had a focusing range of function that represented 2/16ths of what an efficient focusing system would have. This meant that whilst she was still wearing her prescription sight compensatory glasses she was not able to attend to near tasks on the computer and reading without very excessive effort.

We prescribed separate computer reading glasses which had specific focal points in the lens to recalibrate the eyes focusing at the plane of demand. This meant instantly that no mental effort was required to sustain visual attention and immediately the whole visual system can relax.

The impact on reading is quite phenomenal because all of a sudden we can process information easier at a higher level in the brain without fatigue and without mistakes.