Significant steps forward in eye care in PNG - May 2012

John Farmer has returned home to work with Leunig and Farmer Eyecare after spending almost two years training nurses and rural doctors in eye care in Papua New Guinea.

In June 2010, John took up a position with the Fred Hollows Foundation as PNG Education Manager. He was also the Head of the Department of Eye Care at the Divine Word University in Madang. Read John's story ..

Newest Diagnostic Technology at Leunig & Farmer Eyecare

Leunig & Farmer Eyecare now has the latest diagnostic technology for the diagnosis and management of a range of visual diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables Leunig & Farmer Eyecare optometrists to view extremely high quality, three dimensional images of the retina at the back of the eye. 

Ken Thomas, senior partner and optometrist at Leunig & Farmer Eyecare explains, “Many eye diseases are a result of changes to the retina.  By measuring the thickness of the retina and being able to differentiate the layers within it, the OCT enables the earliest possible detection of eye diseases.” 

“Conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration advance without pain or noticeable symptoms, particularly in the early stages.  This means that patients who are progressively and permanently losing vision due to these diseases are typically unaware,” says Mr Thomas.   

Treatment in the early stages is vastly more effective and can prevent vision loss before it takes place. 

OCT is brief, painless and completely safe.  It detects not only the early stages of visual conditions but due to its ability to detect the subtlest changes, is invaluable for the management of established eye disease.  

“We are absolutely thrilled to have acquired this innovative technology, “Mr Thomas said.  “There are currently only a handful of these units in optometry practices in Australia.  It was an important investment for us as the OCT allows us to provide the very best in optometric care; giving us access to the definitive tool is diagnostic technology.  This is just so important for diseases such as macular degeneration.  The mere convenience it offers our patients who would otherwise have to travel to into the city is fantastic.”       

Routine eye examinations at Leunig & Farmer Eyecare are vital for detecting problems.  Make an appointment at Leunig & Farmer Eyecare in Drouin, Moe, Pakenham or Warragul to protect your vision.