Dry Eyes? Try Wheat!

Research suggests that many dry eye sufferers have a lipid deficiency in their tears. This is the layer that keeps the watery layer from evaporating away so fast. It is particularly vital if you work under air conditioning and stare at computer screens all day and even more vital if you wear contact lenses! The small glands that produce this oil are studded across the lid margin and often block up – usually due to an imbalance of Omega-3 to Omega 6 in your system. You could take fish oil tablets and certainly this is recommended but an adjunctive therapy is daily use of these wheat filled heat packs. Zap them in the microwave with a cup of water for 30 seconds and you’ve got 5-10 minutes of oil melting action. Simply lie with the ergonomically shaped wheat pack over your closed eyelids and relax. The heat melts away the blocked oils and your eyes feel more moisturized for it.

Ask your optometrist about the brand new wheat packs available for purchase at Mortimer Hirst. 

In Love With THEO

Loving the new Theo frames. Frames from Belgium. Quirky, humorous with their outrageous rainbow palette,THEO eyewear has redefined the window-frames to the blinkers of those daring enough to standout…

Optometrist Kerry Atkinson Joins Mortimer Hirst

Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist Kerry Atkinson joins the clinical team at Mortimer Hirst.

A former partner at Atkinson and Kearney Optometrists with practices in Otahuhu and Mairangi Bay, Kerry has an esteemed history in the profession, specifically in contact lenses.

Kerry has lectured internationally, was employed by Allergan as an industry educator, was a contributor to the world renowned textbook “Contact Lenses” through five editions and a lecturer, teacher and examiner for undergraduate optometrists at the Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland.

As well as being qualified in ocular therapeutics which enables Kerry to prescribe therapeutic medication for superficial eye infections, inflammations and allergies, Kerry is also one of only a few Optometrists in New Zealand who is a CAA certified examiner. Hence Kerry is certified to undertake visual examinations for pilots as part of their flying licence and is also an eyesight examiner for entrance into the New Zealand Police Force.

Kerry still teaches at Auckland University on a part-time basis as a Professional Teaching Fellow, teaching clinical skills and also runs a specialist contact lens clinic for final year students.

Kerry is based in the St Heliers practice.