RMO (Rashmi Mathur Optical)

28/07/2024

Eye examinations have changed so much in the past 20 years with the advent of technology, knowledge and skills. The biggest leap for us at RMO has been myopia management in children which changes the expected trajectory of myopia (an increase of 0.75 Dioptre per year up to the age of 18-20). For example, a child of 5 years starting to wear glasses with say a -2.00 prescription will end up being (0.75D X 13 years of change) - 11.75 D at age 18 years. The consequences of high myopia are:
1 A financial cost of changing glasses annually.
2. A reluctance on the childs part to try sports/ outdoor activities with glasses.
3. The development of the myopic personality- preferring indoors and doing things at a close working distance.
4. Most importantly - a change to the physical structure of the eyes making the eyes more vulnerable to retinal changes with ageing (starting ~ 40 years).

Myopia management in children reduces progression by 60-80% using eyedrops, specially designed contact lenses and/or spectacle lenses which incorporate technology allowing "defocus" in the retina.
In order to offer this specialised service we have set it as a priority at our practice and invested highly in education and equipment to be up to date with all that is current in the myopia field.

A childs world is completely different now than it was 20 years ago.

01/07/2024

Due to Hurricane Beryl, RMO will be closed today. For emergencies please WhatsApp 686-7877. Be safe everyone.

22/11/2023

Good morning everyone. Our office suffered some smoke damage after a fire at Atlantic Plaza on Monday night . We are working towards reopening as soon as possible . The phone lines are down but we can be reached at (868) 686-7877 for calls and WhatsApp.

02/09/2023

Long overdue photo updates for us thanks to Damian Luk Pat.
Optometrists: Rashmi Mathur
Dispensing Opticians: Meena Chickoree-Samlal, Marsha Bhagan, Mala Bhudan

21/05/2023

Myopia or shortsightedness (not being able to see in the distance) has been classed as an epidemic by the WHO. Its estimated that in just 25 years 50% of the worlds population will be myopic. Myopia is not just about having to wear glasses or contact lenses (which at worst is an inconvenience ), its about the profound changes that can happen to the health of the eyes. The earlier a child becomes myopic, the higher the prescription is likely to be by age 18. High myopia increases the risk of retinal holes, tears, detachments , glaucoma and other conditions which are potentially sight threatening.
Myopia has increased at such a level with social and environmental changes in the last decade in children because of reduced outdoor time and increased screen time. Kids need sunlight, vitamin D, dopamine and a break from their ocular muscles focused at 20 cm with digital devices.
In view of the danger that high myopia presents and the risk to sight, there are changes in the way we practice as optometrists. Myopia can be managed in children and progression reduced by 50-70% with eyedrops, orthokeratology ( night lenses ) and daytime multifical lenses.
This week starting tomorrow is MYOPIA AWARENESS WEEK - founded by the BHVI (Brien Holden Vision Institute) in 2018. All of this week we will continue the conversation on myopia management.

07/02/2023

HEALTHY CARNIVAL EYES
Everyone wants clear eyes that don’t feel dry or itchy, ones without dark circles, puffiness or bags. Honestly there’s no easy fix but that there are some things you can do which may help. Let’s start with the lids- the skin around the eyes is thinner that elsewhere on the face/ body so this makes it more prone to showing changes so definitely needs special care. PUFFINESS comes from salt and alcohol. Choose your foods carefully. Processed food is HIGH in salt and causes fluid retention. Alcohol dehydrates the body and skin making the especially thinner skin around the eyes look more affected (as the body ages there is less fat in the orbital area so this looks more obvious) . When there are breaks in the tiny capillaries under the eye area they appear as DARK CIRCLES. This is part of aging but the eyelid skin can be looked after with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Exfoliate and use sunscreen around the eyes. RED EYES come from irritants and dry eyes. Remember if you smoke, the chemicals in ci******es are toxic and highly irritating to the eyes so ideally you should not. Allergies can be caused by the atmosphere but also make-up, eyelash extensions (glue) and so many other things. Stay conscious of allergy triggers. If you suffer from seasonal allergies talk to your GP about oral medication. For the eyes, you can use OTC anti histamine drops.
Do this!
1. Drink water
2. Eat healthy
3. Use an ice compress for allergies and puffiness
4. Wear sunscreen around the eyes to protect the thinner skin.
5. Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Look for the UV/ polarised sticker- otherwise don’t get them.
6. Sleep. Less than 6 hours will show in your eyes with heavy lids and sore eyes. For those who can’t fall asleep (or stay asleep) stopping screentime at least 1 hour before bed will allow your body to settle into the circadian rhythm ( this is the body’s internal clock that follows a sleep-wake cycle ). Artificial light with screens especially late at night means our circadian rhythms are no longer linked to day and night.
7. Screentime : the more screen time you have , the less you blink, which in turn dries out the eyes. Set your phone to check your screen time – may more than you think!
8. Eye creams. Use these to help with keeping the eyelid skin hydrated but bear in mind they are not a fix for dark circles, puffiness, or bags

02/11/2021

How do babies see?
Newborn babies see the world around them through fuzzy eyes. By around 8 weeks of age, most babies can easily focus on their parents’ faces when 8-10 inches away. They start to see colours around 3 months as well as their eyes are getting better at co-ordination, so they start following toys and faces around.
By 6 months the eyes are fully developed and can judge depth and dimension.
Be on the look out for your baby rubbing the eyes, being sensitive to light, or not reacting to visual stimulus. Talk to your paediatrician or eyecare professional if you are worried.

02/11/2021

“You once told me that the human eye is God's loneliest creation. How so much of the world passes through the pupil and still it holds nothing. The eye, alone in its socket, doesn't even know there's another one, just like it, an inch away, just as hungry, as empty.”

― Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

24/10/2021

Do a simple eye check on yourself from time to time; cover each eye in turn and make sure you're seeing the way you're used to. The eyes are usually stable between the ages of 25-40. After 40, the risk of developing glaucoma, retinal pathology and cataracts increases and so the need for an annual eye exam becomes much more important .
Always pay attention to pain, decreased vision, flashing lights, floaters & any new symptoms.

22/10/2021

A daily reminder from Mary Oliver.

08/10/2021

Ortho-k: Our Exciting New Alternative to Glasses and Contact Lenses for Short-Sighted People - https://mailchi.mp/311eff9eeea0/re-opening-post-covid-19-lockdown-652970

Please note our two new numbers  235-5576 New Office Number 686- 7877 Mobile & WhatsApp We have our original number 679-7877 as well.  

08/10/2021

Anoushka Mathur-Fairfield
"I started wearing glasses when I was 12 years old and switched to contact lenses some years later- but long hours on the computer with studies and work made my eyes feel very blurred and dry by the end of the day. In the last few years, it became more of a hassle, so I very rarely wore my lenses. With my glasses, I would take them off to give my eyes a break and then invariably couldn’t find them afterwards because I couldn’t see them!
I started wearing Night Lenses a month ago which I was a bit nervous about initially because of my dry eyes but really, they have been the best thing I could have done. I put the lenses on just before I go to bed and wake up to sharp vision- no glasses and no lenses in the daytime!
I love this newfound freedom. No fogging of glasses with masks, no dry eyes, nothing on my face."

For more see our website https://www.rmoptical.com/orthokeratology-night-lenses