Cairns Optometrist

Michael Chu Optometrist offers digital retinal imaging to detect the earliest signs of eye disease. The procedure is painless and designed to keep patient comfort a priority. This instrument produces a high quality colour digital image of the retina, instantly displaying it on a high-resolution monitor that can be used to detect the earliest stages of retinal change. It ensures that clinical information is comprehensive and facilitates in the proper diagnosis and management of a wide range of eye diseases.

Macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachments, and diabetic retinopathy are just a few of the common eye diseases that the imaging system is helpful in identifying and tracking over time. An additional benefit this system brings is the ability to e-mail images to other specialists for review, if needed.

Investing in this type of technology is just one of the many ways we demonstrate our commitment to providing patients with the best diagnostic care available today.

Get tested today!

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in older Australians. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that diabetics may face as a complication of their diabetes. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness.

Diabetic eye disease may include:

• Diabetic retinopathy - occurs when the tiny blood vessels inside the retina at the back of the eye are damaged as a result of diabetes. This can seriously affect vision and in some cause blindness
• Cataracts - occurs when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes.
• Glaucoma - is associated with an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision. A person with diabetes is nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma as other adults.

During your eye appointment we will provide a thorough eye examination including a digital photograph.

Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, nor is there any pain. Don't wait for symptoms.

In order that sight threatening changes can be detected, and treated, before vision is lost, it is essential that people with diabetes have an eye examination at least once a year if not more.

Book your eye examination today!

Assessment And Fitting

Do you want the freedom of not having to wear glasses?

Contact lenses may be an option worth considering. Contact Lenses are not as expensive as you may think and there are many options available.

Contact lenses are placed in direct contact with the eyes and as a result of this they must be individually prescribed to ensure that they are correctly fitted to the eye. Lenses that are poorly fitted may lead to severe eye problems such as infection.

They must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Contact lens wearers may need more frequent examinations in order to prevent problems developing. Michael's training and experience will ensure that you are correctly prescribed and fitted with the contact lenses best suited to you.

So feel free to contact us to make an appointment to see Michael so we can organise a contact lens appointment. We can also organise a free pair for you to try if you are a first time wearer and unsure if contacts are for you.

Consultation fees may apply. Call us for more information!

Frames & Lenses

If glasses are prescribed by Michael, appropriate frame and lens selection is critical to getting the most from your new spectacles. Michael and his highly trained dispensing staff will work with you to ensure you get the frame and lenses best suited to your individual needs and lifestyle requirements.

Being an independent optometry practice we are not restricted in what we can and cannot recommend. We stock a diverse range of spectacle frames which enables us to have something to suit every taste and budget.

With so many different options in both frame and lens brands, materials and styles, let us help you take the guesswork out of your decision.

Please come into the practice and talk to our experienced optical trained staff about what is most suitable for your individual requirements. Or, give us a call to book an appointment.

Frame Adjustments, Repairs & Cleaning

At Michael Chu Optometrist we aim to provide you with exceptional after sale service. All our frames are custom adjusted to fit your face on collection, we will take special care to ensure that the spectacles fit comfortably and securely.

Frames should fit straight and level and not slide down your nose. This is particularly important for progressive wearers because movement of the frame can affect the visual performance.

Over time your frames may become out of alignment usually due to general wear and tear. We are more than happy to readjust your frames to bring them back to their best possible fit.

To protect your spectacles, we recommend that you always keep them in their case when they are not being used. Where possible avoid putting them in your handbag or pocket without first putting them in your case. This will avoid unnecessary scratching of the lenses and damage to your frame.

To clean your glasses we advise never to wipe the lenses dry or with a tissue, this can cause serious scratching of the lenses. Where possible we recommend you rinse the glasses under the tap or use a spectacle lens spray and dry with a microfibre lens cleaning cloth.

At Michael Chu Optometrist we believe that everyone should own a pair of good quality sunglasses ideally polarised!

To take advantage of our outdoors lifestyle and diverse range of outdoor activities here in the North Queensland tropics, don't let the fact that you need vision correction stop you enjoying all that this area offers. We have all the options for your prescription sunglasses.

There is no need for you to feel limited in sunglass frame choices, we stock some of the popular names in sunglasses such as Maui Jim, Guess, Nautica, Nike and so many more. A word of warning though not all types of sunglasses can be fitted with prescription lenses.

Prescription sunglasses can make such a difference to your outside viewing. There are many options available from tinted, self-tinting and polarised lenses.

Polarised lenses can dramatically reduce the effects of painful reflected glare from surfaces such as water, snow and even our roads and they can cut out virtually all harmful UV rays. Protection from the discomfort of sun glare ranks as the number one benefit people are looking for in sunglasses.

So why sacrifice your outdoor activities any longer, come and see our experienced staff and let us discuss what is best suited for your individual needs.

We know it is important to protect our eyes from the sun, but it is just as important to protect our eyes from workplace or even home and outside hazards. Anyone utilising power tools, saws or any other equipment that may release airborne particles needs to be wearing safety eyewear to reduce the risk of suffering an eye injury.

"Most eye injuries at work can be prevented with simple precautions and by ensuring employees have appropriate eye protection" Optometrist Association Professional Services Manager, Shirley Loh stated.

If you are a DIY enthusiast or even just the odd jobs person at home you should consider taking precautions with safety eye protection. It is well known that many odd jobs should not be performed without adequate eye protection, not even just once. Whether it may be for example whipper snipping the lawn, trimming trees or doing some woodwork, it is important that eye protection be worn.

Don't wear your everyday glasses or even sunglasses as a substitute for proper safety eye protection. We can supply you with Prescription Safety Glasses. We stock an assortment of frame styles and materials and any combination of lens requirements.

Just as specialised tools are developed for a job's specific task, your safety eyewear also needs to be customised to allow you to have the maximum positive results.

Come in and talk to our experienced staff today about your safety glasses requirements.

Optical Coherence Tomography or more commonly referred to as OCT, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to give a detailed layered view of your retina, the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.

The OCT is among the most advanced methods available for diagnosis and monitoring of eye diseases including Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma.

The OCT scan is safe, painless and does not touch the eye.

For more information or to book, please give us a call today!