Nutrition and its place in eye health - looking at the patient as a whole
| Sunday, November 3, 2024 |
| 10:50 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Panorama Rooms 2 & 3 |
Overview
Peggie Moynihan
Speaker
Peggie Moynihan
Sydney Ophthalmic specialists
Nutrition and its place in eye health - looking at the patient as a whole
Abstract
In any health profession we tend to stick to what we know and that is generally what we should do. However, sticking to eye health alone can sometimes mean we lose sight of the patient as a whole. If we consider the patients nutrition and lifestyle as well as their overall eye health, we might find that we can help them so much more.
We know that there are certain conditions which impact the eyes that can be directly affected by the patient’s nutrition and lifestyle e.g. Diabetes, Aging, obesity, cardiovascular disease etc. We tend to see these patients when they have the problem but forget about what steps we could have taken to help prevent that problem.
There is more research that needs to be done into the area of nutrition and eye health specifically but there is so much evidence to suggest that, if we look at the patient as a whole the benefits that come from promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle can have a huge impact. The research that has already been conducted tells us that promoting a healthy diet can help patients with so many issues i.e. reduction in depression, heart disease and diabetes.
Working within our scope of practice is of the utmost importance and knowing when there is need to refer to a dietician or nutritionist is key. However, knowing the basics and offering simple advice could help improve our patients lives.
We know that there are certain conditions which impact the eyes that can be directly affected by the patient’s nutrition and lifestyle e.g. Diabetes, Aging, obesity, cardiovascular disease etc. We tend to see these patients when they have the problem but forget about what steps we could have taken to help prevent that problem.
There is more research that needs to be done into the area of nutrition and eye health specifically but there is so much evidence to suggest that, if we look at the patient as a whole the benefits that come from promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle can have a huge impact. The research that has already been conducted tells us that promoting a healthy diet can help patients with so many issues i.e. reduction in depression, heart disease and diabetes.
Working within our scope of practice is of the utmost importance and knowing when there is need to refer to a dietician or nutritionist is key. However, knowing the basics and offering simple advice could help improve our patients lives.
Biography
Peggie is a UK qualified, Irish Orthoptist. She studied at the University of Liverpool where she completed her undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science with Honours in Orthoptics.
Peggie worked in Ireland for three years between the private Galway Clinic and the public University Hospital Galway. Within these clinics she was shown a wide variety of work in orthoptics from paediatrics and motility clinics, to diabetic, retinal and refractive clinics. She is very lucky for all the experience she gained there as it led her to Australia. Here, Peggie worked in a private clinic for seven years seeing once again a wide range of patients and continuing her learning.
Through all of this Peggie's love for health and fitness simmered in the background and she completed her Crossfit Level 1 certification and precision Nutrition certification. This only ignited her interest in Nutrition and encouraged her to begin a Level 5 diploma in Advanced Nutrition science with MNU which she is currently undergoing
Peggie has now moved to the Sydney Ophthalmic specialists where she see a wide range of patients - primarily paediatric and also dealing with ocular motility and Neuro ophthalmic patients. As her love for Orthoptics grows even more at SOS so does Peggie's love for all things health and lifestyle which is why she is so keen for both aspects to compliment each other to help her patients as much as possible.
