Visual Arts on the Gold Coast

One of the things we're passionate about at Envision Optical is the visual arts. Our friends at 19 Karen are a seriously cool local independent gallery who support and focus primarily on up and coming artists. They are always having feature shows and their next one is Saturday Feb 19 6-8pm.

It's a fun way to start your Saturday night by dropping into the gallery at Mermaid and checking out the latest cutting edge art and then heading out for dinner. I highly recommend it. Excellent brain food!

Contemporary Artspace
19 Karen Avenue, Mermaid Beach Gold Coast Q 4218
OPEN Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am - 5.00pm & by appt.
Tel: 07 555 45019 | Fax: 07 5575 3058

Latest Eye Research Breakthrough!

 
RESEARCHERS USE STEM CELLS TO CREATE RETINA.

• Optometric Physician reports that Scientists at the University of California, Irvine, have created an eight-layer, early stage retina from human embryonic stem cells. The Keirstead team utilized a process called differentiation, which they originated in previous studies, to create the multiple cell types necessary for the retina. To mimic early stage retinal development, the researchers needed to build microscopic gradients for solutions in which to bathe the stem cells to initiate specific differentiation paths. They are testing the early stage retinas in animal models to learn how much they improve vision. Positive results would lead to human clinical trials.

This clinical breakthrough means we are a step closer to restoring the retina in people who have scarring from conditions like Macular Degeneration. This could lead to regaining vision. Some years away but closer than before!

February Promotion

Don't let your kids fall behind! Learning is now a life-long process. Upskilling, career changes and even study in retirement are normal in modern life. All students from primary school through to university/TAFE and post-graduate studies depend on clear, comfortable vision and healthy eyes to ensure efficient, productive learning. At Envision Optical, our optometrists ensure that comprehensive vision and eye examinations will detect any visual problems that may interfere with your learning ability.

Optometrist and children's vision specialist Sally Stevens says,

"If your child is struggling in any way in the classroom and with their learning, then a comprehensive vision examination is one of the most important investigations that must be done. Multiple studies have shown that as many as 1 in 4 children have some form of vision problem. Most of these can be easily treated if detected early enough. All of them may hinder the ability to learn if neglected."

Ensure you and your children are operating at maximum ability by having a comprehensive vision examination at Envision Optical. All Envision Optical optometrists will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your child's vision, and Sally provides specialty children's vision care for those with more complicated learning problems. She is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry and a member of the National Fellowship Examination Board. As well as her general patients, Sally consults on any specialty vision problems including:

• Vision related learning difficulties
• Myopia Control
• Vision Therapy
• Binocular vision dysfunctions

Before your kids go back to school ensure their eyes won't let them down in the year ahead. Book an examination today. All initial examinations are bulk-billed to Medicare. No referral is needed.

Specialised Vision Correction

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know our Envision Optical contact lens guru Celia is currently in the USA attending the Global Specialty Contact Lens Symposium. This is the world's only conference on the latest research and technology in specialised contact lenses, covering topics such as ortho-K vision correction therapy, keratoconus, post surgical traumatic corneal lens fitting, inherited corneal disorders that require specialised contacts to see clearly, and contact lenses for infants. 

The conference is attended by 400 clinicians from over 25 countries, so Celia will return even more advanced in her knowledge of fitting complex contact lens cases. If you or any of your friends or family have specialised vision correction needs please contact us at Envision Optical and we can evaluate al the latest options to maximise your vision to help you enjoy life.

January Promotion

December Promotion

December is the time of year when those of you with health fund optical coverage need to think about using your entitlement for 2010. Midnight December 31 means most or all of this years claim $ will expire, so if you need a spare pair, a new look or some contacts or prescription sunnies, make an appointment and we can assist you in expanding your optical wardrobe.

New Years day will also mean a new years worth of claim $ so many of our patients use this rollover to claim a second pair. Our staff are experts in helping you maximise your rebate so you can receive back your full entitlement. We have a full range of options available including "no-gap" ranges where you can pay nothing out of your own pocket, or you can choose from our unique designer brands like Dilem, Von Zipper, Versace and Prada and just pay the gap.

Make sure you drop by before December 31 to check what you are able to claim!

Von Zipper Optical Now Available From Envision

Von Zipper is a surf and lifestyle brand well known to the surfers of the Gold Coast as a preferred brand of sunglasses. We're excited to let you know that the new Von Zipper optical range is now available at Envision Optical Burleigh Heads. 

This funky range is full of appealing retro and urban styles that will make your latest optical frames a talking point. Mainly a mens orientated range in this initial launch collection, the Von Zipper Optical range offers some serious styling for your next pair of readers. 

Drop by Envison Optical Burleigh next time you're in James Street and Mike or Sam will be glad to show you the collection. The range will be available in our other stores early in the New Year.

Image via Von Zipper

November Promotion

As part of our "My Eyes" eye health focus, protecting eyes from the sun and UV damage is a major part of our daily job as eyecare professionals at Envision Optical. We ask you a number of lifestyle questions when you come in for your appointment and some of these are aimed at ensuring your eyes are being protected whenever you are enjoying the outdoor lifestyle on the Gold Coast.

Many eye conditions including cataracts, pterygiums and Macular degeneration can be related to UV exposure, so loving your eyes by wearing sunnies will help your eyes stay as healthy as possible well into old age. Your sunnies need to block invisible UV to protect your eyes, but they also need to have a good quality tint, and preferably be polarised to reduce the glare and give you comfortable vision in the sun.  We have an excellent range of sunglasses at each of our stores including the premium polarised brand Maui Jim, and stylish fashion brands like Fendi, Guess, CK, Gant and Emilio Pucci.

This month is the perfect time to update your sunnies for summer because we are offering 20% OFF ON ALL NEW SEASON SUNNIES IN STORE, full warranties apply. Even greater discounts are available on selected stock from last season. If you have a prescription the 20% also applies to the cost of your tinted lenses, so it really is a great time to update!

We look forward to helping you protect your eyes and update your look.

Experts in Contact Lenses

Our resident contact lens guru, Celia Bloxsom is currently attending the three day 13th International Cornea and Contact Lens Conference in Sydney. 

This meeting attracts contact lens experts from around the world, to talk and learn about the latest developments in contact lens technology. Celia will no doubt return full of ideas to further improve the specialised contact lens practice she is able to offer the lucky patients of Envision Optical.

Our Resident Children's Vision Expert in Melbourne

Sally Stevens has gone to Melbourne for two days to act as an examiner for the Fellowship Program exams for the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry. 

This prestigious role reflects Sally's status as a leading expert in children's vision, developmental vision and visual perception disorders. This rigorous examination process ensures that an optometrist is a true expert in this challenging area of vision care, to be able to achieve a Fellowship to the College. 

We are very proud to have her as a member of our team, and to enable us to offer such quality vision care in the area of Vision related learning difficulties and Visual Perception Disorders.

October Promotion

One of our core reasons for existing at Envision Optical is to ensure that every person we look after experiences the clearest possible vision to enjoy their life. This month our promotion helps everyone experience the best in lens coating technology which enhances your vision through your new glasses.

A Multicoat is a multilayered coating applied to the surface of the lenses which reduces reflections and glare off the lens surface and maximises the light reaching the back of your eyes. This means your vision will be as clear as possible! 

These coatings are used routinely on camera and telescope lenses to ensure sharp pictures, and we are so confident that they deliver the same with your glasses that for October we are offering the coating with our compliments on every pair of lenses we dispense. This represents a saving of UP TO $80 ON YOUR NEW GLASSES. And the great part is the lenses almost disappear in your frames, so your new frames will look as fabulous as possible!!

We look forward to explaining the benfits to your vision of multicoat technology when you next visit one of our stores.

Expert Childrens Vision Care

Envision Optical is proud to announce Sally Stevens has joined our optometry team bringing her expertise in childrens vision and disorders of visual perception and function. She is available for consulting on any specialty vision problems including:

• Vision related learning difficulties 
• Myopia Control 
• Vision Therapy
• Binocular vision dysfunctions

Sally has extensive experience in specialty private practice having worked at Roberts Alexander Optometrists, the largest behavioural optometry practice in Queensland from 2002 to 2009. In 2008 she received a Fellowship to the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry. Sally is currently a member of the Fellowship Examination Board. She attends national and international behavioural and general optometry conferences every year to keep abreast of the latest developments and thinking in effectively treating these common problems. 

Sally has significantly enhanced our ability to offer expert childrens vision care, and she would love to see you if you have any concerns about your childs vision or learning.

Dilem Range Has Arrived

 Dilem is a revolutionary and patented system with interchangeable temples.

The Dilem style is modern and fundamentally fashion when it comes to design, colours and temple decorations.

Dilem is a top of the range collection with XP2 (a very hard wearing technical polymer) temples, hand polished, specific surface coatings... etc

Show your colours!

Images and info via Dilem

A New Look at Burleigh Heads

Our long standing store at Burleigh Heads reopened its doors with a fresh face this week. With great attention to detail, we've given the store a new look with hand-painted furniture, custom artwork,  hand-crafted eyewear stands and a touch of glam with accessories.

We hope you like it! Pop in and check it out at 21a James Street, Burleigh Heads. Be sure to take in the relaxed vibe of the street, do some window shopping and grab a coffee while you're there.

August Promotion

To celebrate our launch we're offering 25% off frames for the month of August! Visit us at one of our 4 locations and treat yourself to a new look.

Envision Optical Launch

Welcome to our new blog! I'm very excited to launch the Envision Optical brand today. We are transforming our 4 practices to ensure we become the choice for eyecare and eyewear for Gold Coasters who love to be treated differently. 

Envision Optical fuses comprehensive eyecare with a memorable retail experience.

We spoil our patients with great service, beautiful design, and leading technology.

The Envision in-store experience is all about you - unique individuals who want the best for your health, lifestyle, and image.

Our patients aspire to be different, are health conscious, and love new experiences. They know the value of first impressions and seek out eyewear to complement their individual style.

Envision Optical invites you to experience a holistic optical solution that will enhance your ability to do the things you love.

Our tagline: My eyes, My style, My life reflects this desire to ensure your individual needs are met by my team every time.

We look forward to seeing you and helping you enjoy your life through clear vision!

Andrew Bowden
Director Envision Optical