John Musumeci Optometrist

29/07/2026

If you’ve noticed your child squinting to see the board, sitting closer to the TV, or rubbing their eyes after school, you’re not alone.

Myopia (short-sightedness) is one of the most common vision conditions in children. It simply means distance vision can be blurred, while close-up vision is often still clear.

What I want parents to know is this: myopia today is about more than just prescribing stronger glasses. For many children, we can discuss ways to help slow its progression, which may support eye health in the long term.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll share clear, practical explanations—why myopia is becoming more common, what to look out for, and the evidence-based options that may help manage it.

If you’re a parent or grandparent, what questions do you have about childhood myopia? I’ll aim to answer them in this series.

Next in the series: Why are more children becoming myopic?

16/07/2026

Here's something we see from time to time in practice.

A patient comes in with a red, watery, irritated eye after spending the weekend in the garden.

Sometimes it's a grass or pollen allergy. Sometimes it's dust, mulch, or plant material that has found its way into the eye. And occasionally it's a scratch from a leaf, branch, or shrub that seemed harmless at the time.

Gardening is one of the great pleasures of life and a wonderful way to spend time outdoors, but it's easy to forget that our eyes are exposed to everything happening around us. Grass clippings, flying debris, pollen, dust, fertilisers, and overhanging branches can all create problems for unprotected eyes.

A simple pair of protective glasses or sunglasses can often prevent a painful injury or a few uncomfortable days of redness and irritation.

If you develop persistent redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or feel that something may have scratched your eye, it's important to have it checked promptly.

Most gardeners think about protecting their hands. Fewer think about protecting their eyes.

19/06/2026

Over the years, I’ve met many bright children who worked much harder than they should have to read comfortably.

Occasionally, the missing piece is visual stress. When identified correctly, precision coloured filters can help make reading more comfortable and less exhausting.

If your child complains that words blur, move or jump on the page, it may be worth investigating further.

Sometimes a simple question can change the course of a child’s education. “Do the words move when you read?”

If your child is bright but finds reading unusually tiring, frustrating or overwhelming, it may be worth exploring whether visual stress is part of the picture. Contact us to learn more.

This is why we love what we do

10/06/2026

📢 Practice Closure Notice

Our practice will be closed from 11 to 20 June while we undertake office improvements and take some time away from the office.

We will be back on 22 June. If you need to contact us during this time, please leave a voice message or send a text message to:

📱 0493 369 869
or email
[email protected]

Please include your full name and mobile number with your message so we can contact you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.
John & Ana Musumeci

04/06/2026

Do your contact lenses feel different in winter?

One thing I've noticed over the years is that I tend to hear more complaints about dry, irritated, or uncomfortable contact lenses during the colder months.

Indoor heating, lower humidity, windy conditions, and spending more time in front of screens can all affect the tear film that helps keep your eyes and contact lenses comfortable. Many people find their lenses feel drier by the end of the day, their vision fluctuates more, their eyes become tired sooner, or they occasionally notice an eyelid twitch that wasn't there before.

A few simple adjustments can often make a big difference:
• Use lubricating eye drops recommended by your optometrist.
• Take regular breaks from screens.
• Avoid sitting directly in front of heaters or air vents.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Follow good contact lens hygiene and replacement schedules.

If your lenses have become less comfortable, don't assume it's something you simply have to put up with. Sometimes a change in lens material, wearing schedule, or care routine can significantly improve comfort.

If you're experiencing dryness, discomfort, fluctuating vision, or increased eye fatigue with your contact lenses this winter, have a chat with your optometrist. A small adjustment may make all the difference.

👁️ Winter shouldn't mean putting up with uncomfortable contact lenses.

03/06/2026

How often should you really have your eyes checked?

This is the number one question from patients and the answer can vary from person to person, but for many people, an eye examination every 1 to 2 years is a good guide.

Your age, prescription, family history and even the way you use your eyes each day can all influence how often your vision should be reviewed.

It’s also important to pay attention to symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, light sensitivity or difficulty focusing. However, many eye conditions can develop quietly without obvious symptoms in the early stages.

Regular eye examinations are not just about updating glasses. They are an important part of monitoring your eye health over time and detecting changes early.

If it has been a while since your last eye examination, it may be the right time to book a visit with your optometrist to make sure your eyes are healthy and working as comfortably and as clearly as possible.

10/05/2026

Every day, mothers are looking out for everyone else. Mum notices the small things. She anticipates what’s needed, often before anyone else does. And sometimes, she carries so much… quietly, without asking for anything in return. That’s just her nature.

I want to say thank you, starting with my own mum. Even though she lives far away, she is always with me. She’s part of how I think, how I make decisions, how I move through life… because I learned from the best. And then there is my mother-in-law, John’s mum, who has spent her life caring for others and still does. The love she gives so freely reminds me how universal a mother’s care really is.

We feel incredibly privileged to have them in our lives… and also to care for so many mums here in our practice. Over the years, we’ve seen that same quiet strength, that same way of putting others first, reflected in so many of you.

This Mother’s Day is a gentle reminder to turn that care back toward her. To pause, to appreciate, and to make sure she’s looked after too.

From all of us here,
Happy Mother’s Day 🤍

07/05/2026

When the immune system affects the eyes 👁️

Autoimmune conditions don’t just affect the body, they can also impact the eyes. Dryness, redness, light sensitivity, puffiness, and blurred vision are sometimes part of the picture.

Conditions like Sjögren’s Syndrome, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Thyroid Eye Disease may quietly influence eye health.

Sometimes the eyes tell a story before words do.

Have you ever noticed your eyes changing alongside your health?

03/05/2026

Driving with glare? Your eyes work harder than you think

Many of my patients tell me driving into glare feels more tiring on the eyes, especially in the morning or late afternoon sun. Glare can reduce clarity, increase strain, and make it harder to react comfortably on the road.

A good pair of sunglasses with UV protection and polarised lenses can make a noticeable difference while driving.

With our current sunglasses promotion, it may be a good time to update your sunnies and give your eyes the protection they deserve.

30/04/2026