Central Coast optometrist and advocate for preventative eye care, Dr Amanda Rungis, recently established a new practice, Sure Eye Care, at Riverside Park, West Gosford.
Dr Rungis ran a practice in Lisarow, Sure Optical, before considering a new location that was readily accessible to patients and close to allied health-care professionals who share the vision that prevention is the best medicine.
The new practice includes custom-designed technology. Dr Rungis said: “From the day we opened our doors, patients have been commenting favourably on the CAPTIV8 screen and Rodenstock lens-hub.
“They say they are learning things they never knew about their eyes. “These include the damaging long-term effects on our eyes, especially our kids’ eyes, of spending excessive time looking at a digital screen and how to minimise that risk using special lenses or lens coatings.
“They’re even learning things like the difference between long- and shortsightedness. “It may sound obvious, but it’s amazing how many people today are prescribed glasses but have no idea why they need to wear them.”
The general manager of Rodenstock, Australia, Mr Tim McGann said: “Amanda has installed a full dispensing-experience for patients. “We have serviced many practices over the years and Amanda’s is at the cuttingedge of technology and service when it comes to eye-wear dispensing.”
Dr Rungis said: “In 2004, almost 575,000 Australians over the age of 40 were blind or vision-impaired. “That figure is expected to double by 2020. “Most significantly, 75 per cent of blindness and vision impairment is preventable or treatable.
“These statistics, together with my own personal experience, are the reasons why I am so passionate about prevention and early intervention. “Macular degeneration claimed my grandfather’s vision in early 2003.
“At the time, I knew about the many, new exciting things that were emerging in the early detection of eye diseases that cause preventable blindness.” Dr Rungis was the first in Australia to invest in the MPOD; a machine that quickly and painlessly identifies those at greatest risk of macular degeneration.
She is particularly interested in a non-surgical process that may stop, or at least slow down, the progression of myopia, or short-sightedness.
The treatment, OrthoK, is a non-invasive alternative to laser eye-surgery. It eliminates the need to wear glasses during the day by wearing special contact lenses overnight. As a board member of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania, and a lecturer in the field, Dr. Rungis is qualified and experienced to fit OrthoK for all ages.
Dr Rungis said: “OrthoK is one of the most exciting developments in optometry in recent years. “Not only does it deliver crisp, clear vision all day without the need to wear glasses or contacts, recent studies have shown it may also stop or slow the progression of shortsightedness.”
Media release, Feb 2 2016 Phaedra Pym, A Way With Words