KEEP AN EYE ON IT
Hindsight may be 20/20, but you’d be better off having an accurate picture of your eye health sooner rather than later. Optometrist Mariam Baissy from Bay Eye Care explains why silent eye diseases often go unnoticed.
Hindsight may be 20/20, but you’d be better off having an accurate picture of your eye health sooner rather than later. Optometrist Mariam Baissy from Bay Eye Care explains why silent eye diseases often go unnoticed.
PHOTO SALINA GALVAN
As we age and our eyes change, serious conditions can develop long before we notice anything’s wrong. Helpfully, optometrist Mariam Baissy of Bay Eye Care is here to explain why some eye diseases can go unnoticed and how early detection and preventative measures can protect your vision.
UNO: Mariam, why do eye conditions such as these often go unnoticed until it’s too late? Mariam: Many eye conditions develop gradually and often without obvious symptoms. For example, glaucoma slowly damages the optic nerve, and macular degeneration affects central vision subtly at first. Because early changes are painless and vision loss can be gradual, people may not notice anything until the condition is advanced. If you have a family history, your risk is higher, making regular eye checks especially important, as they can detect these conditions early before noticeable vision loss occurs.
What exactly is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure inside the eye. It’s called the ‘silent thief of sight’ because it often develops slowly with no early symptoms. Peripheral vision is affected first, so many people don’t realise they have glaucoma until significant vision loss has occurred.
How does ageing increase our risk of conditions like this? As we age, the tissues and structures of the eye naturally change, which can increase susceptibility to disease. For glaucoma, the drainage system of the eye may become less efficient, raising eye pressure. In macular degeneration, cumulative damage to the light-sensitive cells in the macula – responsible for sharp, fine-detail vision – affects central vision. Genetics and lifestyle factors such as smoking and high blood pressure also contribute, but ageing remains a major driver.
What are the early warning signs of macular degeneration? Macular degeneration primarily affects central vision, so early signs can include blurry or distorted sight, difficulty reading or straight lines appearing wavy. Glaucoma can advance silently, whereas macular changes, especially central distortion, may stand out more to the person experiencing them.
How much do lifestyle choices really influence the risk of eye disease? Lifestyle habits do matter for eye health. Diets rich in leafy greens, colourful vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids support retinal health. Smoking is a major modifiable risk factor for macular degeneration, and high blood pressure and obesity also increase risk. Even though genetics and age still play a major role, protecting eyes from UV light, staying active, and managing overall health can help slow vision- threatening changes.
What can be done for someone who’s diagnosed with glaucoma or macular degeneration? Early diagnosis is key. Glaucoma can be managed with prescription eye drops, laser treatment or surgery to reduce eye pressure and protect vision. For macular degeneration, lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements and in some cases injections or laser therapy can slow progression. For those with a strong family history, genetic testing, such as that offered at Bay Eye Care, can help assess risk and guide monitoring. Although these conditions can’t always be fully reversed, treatment can preserve remaining vision and maintain quality of life.
DRY SPELL
Bay Eye Care’s Alex Petty on why dry eye is becoming the new norm and how to combat it.
Bay Eye Care’s Alex Petty on why dry eye is becoming the new norm and how to combat it.
PHOTO KATIE COX
If your eyes feel gritty, irritated or tired by the middle of the afternoon, you’re not alone. One of the most common issues we see in clinic nowadays is dry eye disease, which affects everyone from all walks of life and all ages. What was once a problem of the older population has got a new group of co-conspirators in recent times: our screens, our indoor environments, and, for many women, a change in life chapters.
However, most people don’t know that dry eyes aren’t as simple as not producing enough tears. And, surprisingly, for around 80 percent of people who have this problem, the cause has nothing to do with watery tears. At the edge of your eyelid there is a series of little glands called meibomian glands that secrete healthy oil, similar in consistency and appearance to olive oil, to prevent the tears from evaporating away too quickly.
But modern lifestyles are working against them. When we’re looking at screens, our normal blink rate can drop to as little as one tenth. That means less natural pressure on the glands, poorer oil flow and more rapid tear evaporation. It’s the perfect recipe for stinging, redness, blurry vision and that persistent “sand in the eye” sensation. Hormonal shifts, certain medications, air-conditioning, make-up use and even conditions like rosacea can all further inflame or block these glands.
Left unmanaged, the condition can progress. Using only lubricating drops often provides short-term relief but doesn’t address the root cause. In the last few years, with the help of advanced imaging, we’re seeing more patients whose glands have become permanently atrophied simply from years of untreated dysfunction.
That’s why early care matters. In our clinic, treatment often focuses on restoring natural gland function. In 2017, we pioneered the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for dry eye, a therapy which helps calm inflammation and abnormal blood vessels around the lids. More recently, we are the first Tauranga clinic to offer Lipiflow; a gentle thermal in-clinic procedure, that melts and clears thickened oils to 'reset' the glands. The best chance of long-term improvement for many people is to combine the two. Alongside this, recommendations include environmental tactics, targeted eye drops, lid hygiene and omega-3 supplements.
If you’re noticing dryness, irritation or fluctuating vision, a comprehensive assessment can identify the exact cause, and prevent years of discomfort.
Dry eye might be common, but living with it shouldn’t be.
WAKE WITH CLARITY
Bay Eye Care’s Alex Petty reveals life-changing technology that literally transforms how you see the world.
Bay Eye Care’s Alex Petty reveals life-changing technology that literally transforms how you see the world.
PHOTOS GARY MARSHALL AT BLUE CHILLI
Explaining Ortho-K to patients sounds a bit like something out of a sci-fi movie. You wear a custom lens while you sleep, and by morning your vision is clear. No glasses or contacts during the day, and no surgery needed.
Ortho-K can be a game-changer. Those who have vision problems suddenly have the freedom to swim in the sea, play sports and go to school or work, without worrying about their glasses or contact lenses.
Short for orthokeratology, it involves wearing a specially designed rigid lens overnight. While you sleep, the lens reshapes the front surface of your eye. When you take the lens out in the morning, the temporary reshaping allows you to see clearly all day. For many, that means they can ditch their glasses or contact lenses altogether.
I’ve been fitting these lenses for over 15 years. In fact, as I write this, I am just returning from a weekend conference in Australia lecturing and teaching other optometrists about Ortho-K. These days, I mostly fit these lenses to treat myopia (short-sightedness), but also for long sightedness, astigmatism and even presbyopia, which is that frustrating shift in vision that hits in your 40s or 50s when reading becomes difficult.
Around the world, we’re seeing a sharp increase in short sightedness developing in children. Right now, roughly 30 percent of the global population is myopic, and research suggests that could reach 50 percent by 2050. Much of it comes down to lifestyle, such as increased screen use, more time indoors and not enough exposure to natural light. But over the past decade, Ortho-K has been proven to slow myopia progression in children.
As myopia worsens, the risk of serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma and macular degeneration increases significantly. That’s why we now monitor not just prescription, but actual eye growth. Ortho-K can help slow that down, so we’re protecting long-term eye health.
People are often curious about comfort. Since Ortho-K lenses are rigid, there’s an adjustment period, but because they're worn while sleeping, most people get used to them surprisingly quickly. Once it becomes part of your nightly routine, it feels normal. Long-time users often tell me they wouldn’t dream of going back to glasses.
Of course, it’s a commitment. This isn’t a one-time fix. It only works as long as you wear the lenses each night, but that’s also part of its strength. It’s completely reversible and flexible. If your eyes change, we adjust the lenses, which makes it great for growing children or adults who aren't ready to commit to permanent solutions like surgery. All you need to get started is an initial visit to discuss Ortho-K and check your eye health to see if Ortho-K is right for you.
I’ve had patients come in because a friend or co-worker raved about how much Ortho-K changed their life. It spreads by word of mouth, and for good reason. It’s about being able to live your life without constantly thinking about your eyes. For me, I believe that’s a gift worth sharing.
Clear vision
Optometrist Alex Petty opens our eyes to smarter eye care, new tech and lifelong sight.
Optometrist Alex Petty opens our eyes to smarter eye care, new tech and lifelong sight.
PHOTOS KATIE COX
Alex Petty.
When it comes to eye health, most of us don’t give our eyes a second thought until something feels off. Blurry mornings, tired evenings or a mysterious twitch that won’t quit usually puts our eye health on the radar.
Now Alex Petty, director of Bay Eye Care in Tauranga and UNO’s newest expert voice on all things vision, is here to shift your perspective, both literally and figuratively.
Originally from Auckland, Alex returned to New Zealand in 2016, after years working in Australia. The pull was a love for the Bay lifestyle and the chance to fill a crucial gap in specialist eye care. Nine months later, Bay Eye Care opened its doors. Today, it’s a nationally recognised clinic with a reputation that stretches across the ditch.
“What sets us apart is that we don’t sell glasses,” Alex explains. “We focus 100 percent on clinical care.” That means no upselling and no retail pressure, just expert advice grounded in what’s best for your eyes. It’s an approach that’s earned the clinic a growing fanbase of families who’ve stayed with Alex for years.
The Bay Eye Care team from left: Grace Elliot-Brown and optometrists Aidan Quinlan and Alex Petty.
And it’s not just about what he does, it’s how he does it. Alex’s philosophy combines personal connection with cutting-edge innovation. “No two people, and no two sets of eyes, are the same,” he says. “Understanding someone’s story helps us offer truly tailored care.”
That blend of empathy and expertise has turned Bay Eye Care into a go-to destination for advanced treatments. We’re talking Ortho-K (overnight lenses that reshape your cornea while you sleep), custom lenses for keratoconus, high-tech solutions for dry eye and the clinic's latest investment, LipiFlow, which treats dry eye at its root by unblocking the oil glands in your eyelids.
They're also ahead of the curve with genetic testing for glaucoma, using a simple cheek swab to assess your risk and personalise your treatment plan. It's science, but with a heart.
Still, for Alex, the real reward lies in the long-term relationships. “I’ve watched kids grow up in my clinic, coming in shy at age eight, then at sixteen they’re tall, confident and talking about their future. That connection is what it’s all about.”
In 2020, when Alex faced a sudden cancer diagnosis, he was forced to step away from the clinic for three months.
While away, he was overwhelmed by the messages of support. “People wrote to say I’d changed their life or helped their child see again. I never expected that. It reminded me why we do what we do.”
Now, he’s bringing that same passion to the pages of UNO, kicking off a four-part series to bust myths, share insights and answer the most common questions about eye health.
First on his list? Contact lens hygiene. Alex warns that wearing lenses longer than prescribed or sleeping in them is a major no-no. “Even if you’ve never had a problem, all it takes is one bad bug, to risk a potentially blinding infection. You only get one set of eyes!” Alex warns. He’s also ready to set the record straight on reading glasses. “They don’t make your eyes worse. That’s a myth,” he laughs. “As we age, our eye structures naturally change, causing vision issues. Putting off help just leads to more strain and frustration. The good news is that there are amazing solutions, from high-tech contact lenses to surgery.”
Alex's new column will cut through the jargon, offer practical advice and answer the questions many of us didn’t even know we had. Keep an eye out for it in the next issue.