Jo-Anne's Ramblings

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Eye Diseases and disorders

This week we are looking at eye diseases or disorders at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment or eye condition that’s about 28% of the population. This figure doesn’t include things like dry eye or conjunctivitis or any other condition that doesn’t affect sight, if it did the percentage would be more like 50% of the population.

Eye diseases include any condition that affects the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, eyelids, or the visual pathways in the brain. Some are mild and temporary; others can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.

Eye conditions for into one of eight categories these are the following.

Refractive Disorders (Most Common Worldwide)

These affect how light bends in the eye.

Myopia (short‑sightedness) – distant vision blurred
Hyperopia (long‑sightedness) – near vision blurred
Astigmatism – uneven focus due to irregular cornea
Presbyopia – age‑related loss of near focus (40+)

Treatment: glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Lens Disorders

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens causing blurred or dim vision.

Extremely common with age
Treated with cataract surgery (one of the safest surgeries worldwide

Retina Disorders

These affect the light‑sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

Age‑Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Damages central vision
Leading cause of blindness in older adults
Two types: dry and wet

Diabetic Retinopathy

Caused by diabetes damaging retinal blood vessels
Can lead to blindness if untreated

Retinal Detachment

Retina pulls away from the back of the eye
Medical emergency
Symptoms: flashes, floaters, curtain over vision

Macular Hole / Macular Pucker

Distortion or loss of central vision

Optic Nerve Disorders

Glaucoma

Damage to the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure
Causes gradual, irreversible vision loss
Requires lifelong management

Optic Neuritis

Inflammation of the optic nerve
Often linked to autoimmune conditions

Corneal Disorders

Keratoconus

Cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape
Causes distorted vision
Treated with cross‑linking, contacts, or corneal transplant

Corneal Ulcer

Open sore, usually from infection
Painful and urgent to treat

Eyelid & Surface Disorders

Blepharitis

Inflammation of eyelid margins
Causes irritation, crusting, dryness

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Viral, bacterial, or allergic
Causes redness, discharge, irritation

Dry Eye Disease

Very common
Caused by poor tear quality or quantity

Childhood Eye Disorders

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Brain favours one eye
Treatable if caught early

Strabismus (Eye Turn)

Eyes misaligned
May require glasses, exercises, or surgery

Rare but Serious Conditions

· Uveitis – inflammation inside the eye

· Retinoblastoma – childhood eye cancer

· Graves’ Eye Disease – autoimmune swelling behind the eyes

· Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension – pressure on optic nerve

When it comes to our eyes people should seek immediate help if they experience any of the following

Sudden vision loss
Flashes or a curtain over vision
Severe eye pain
Sudden double vision
Chemical injury

These can indicate emergencies like retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or infection.

Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Snakes around the world, well some of the world

The post for today is about which country has the most snake species, and it is Mexico with 438 known species. This is due to the multiple climate zones from arid deserts to humid jungles; there is also two major coastlines and there are mountains.

The types of snakes include rattlesnakes, coral snakes, vipers, boas, sea snakes as well as dozens of tiny burrowing species.

Since many of my readers are in the States, I will add that there are about 100 native snake species of those 100 only 22 are venomous, these consist of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and coral snakes the only state that has no snakes is Alaska.

Moving on to the U K over there you will find only 3 native snakes and one established non-native snake. They are the Adder the UK’s only venomous snake found across England, Scotland and Wales, the Grass Snake and the Smooth Snake which is very rare and protected. The Aesculapian Snake is the non-native snake found in London and the north & south of Wales.

Lastly for those in Canada there are 25 native snakes these belong to three families the Colubridae the most common, Viperidae think rattlesnake and the Boidae rubber boa.

Because of the cold climate, snakes are concentrated in the southern parts of provinces such as: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec

The Common Garter Snake is the most widespread and can even be found near the 60th parallel in the Northwest Territories.

Australia has 215 species, but we have the highest proportion of venomous snakes in the world.

Around 60% of Australian species are venomous, compared to ~17% globally.

Monday, 9 March 2026

History of Blackbutt Reserve

As I stated last week this week’s post concerns the history of Blackbutt Reserve.

Blackbutt Reserve exists today because a coal mine failed, a land auction flopped, and a handful of determined Novocastrians fought for decades to protect the bushland. It is now Newcastle’s largest natural reserve at 182 hectares.

The land sat entirely within a huge Scottish‑Australian Mining Company lease. Mining began in 1863, but because operations were underground, the surface bushland remained largely intact.

As coal declined and taxes rose, the company tried to sell off small subdivisions in Lambton, New Lambton, and Kotara between 1915–1928. In June 1932, 52 lots were auctioned—only five sold due to the Great Depression. This

failure opened the door for councils to buy the land for public use.

This why the failed 1932 land auction saved the bush

Joe Richley, president of the Northern Parks and Playgrounds Movement, convinced New Lambton Council to buy 6 hectares in 1934—the first piece of what became Blackbutt Reserve.

The in 1937 more land was purchased, and by 1938, the NSW Government resumed additional parcels. In 1938 there was a council shake up and the land came under Newcastle City Council trusteeship.

By 1940, the reserve covered 144 acres, from the 1950’s to the 1970’s there was expansion damage from fire and restoration started. In 1966 Community groups successfully fought off a proposed expressway through the reserve.

From the 1970’s saw captive animal displays, picnic areas, barbecues, and walking tracks.

The old mining pit closed in 1985 and was later redeveloped.

The renovated area reopened as Richley Reserve, named after Joe Richley, 1993.

Then in 2014 construction at Carnley Avenue uncovered a 19th‑century brick‑lined mine shaft that had never appeared on any official maps—an unexpected archaeological find.

Today, Blackbutt spans 182 hectares, making it Newcastle’s largest and most ecologically significant reserve.

Sunday, 8 March 2026

Week 10 of 2026

Here we are at the start of March and Autumn; I slept well getting just under 7hrs. It is a wet morning I hope it doesn’t rain all day.

Did the usual housework and cleaned off Tim’s bed side table and packed away the Cpap machine I knew he wouldn’t use.

It has been a cool dry day, saw Blain when he came to see his mum, looks like he may be moving home while they look for somewhere else to live.

This afternoon has been lovely and warm.

Steps:6,637=3.3k’s or 2 miles

Good morning, all, I slept well till 3.20am after that I was in pain and hot and tossing and turning till 4.20am when I had enough and got up.

My BGL was 5.5 and the temp at 4.30am was 22c or 71f. At 11am it was 27c or 80f.

Tasha came down and asked if they could store some of Blain’s stuff here as she doesn’t have enough room at her place.

By 2pm it was 30c or 86f and I had to turn the air con on. Thankfully I only need it on for an hour.

Steps: 7,028 = 3.5k’s or 2.1 miles

Good morning anyone reading this, I have been up since 4am but I was in bed early last night and had a good 9hrs &30minutes of sleep.

My BGL was 5.5 and it was 21c or 69f, by 6am it started raining, also had T (Blain’s gf) come down looking for milk which I gave her.

What a morning Tasha had a skip bin delivered this morning and when he got home from work Tim started taking stuff up and tossing it into the bin, in helped by placing items on the walker and taking them to the bin. I decided to remove items allowing me to get out an old cupboard I then opened the front wooden door.

The mess behind the cupboard and door was awful so I cleaned that up it all took over an hour to do it. I cleaned the front of the wooden door but as I am short, I couldn’t reach the top of the door, I will see if Sam will come and finish it for me.

It is 5pm and I am feeling really unwell, I am very tired and really just not with it.

No steps as my watch died, it will not charge.

Been up since 4.10am, I am feeling much better this morning, I had a around 7.5hrs of sleep. My BGL was 5.8 and it is currently 22c or 70f.

Jess came over when she got home and asked if I could wash her work shirts as she has OT for the next two nights.

At midday I had to turn the air con as it was 30c or 86f.

By 4pm I was ratshit and felt like crap due to tiredness I am now going to bed and it is only 6.30pm

Another early start and damn my body is moving a lot this morning and my let knee is crackling.

Tim has called in sick for work he hopes he will be ok by lunch time to do his arvo shift.

I went shopping with Sue and in was ratshit all morning, I left the house wearing a long skirt and shoes and I had to remove the skirt yes, I had shorts on under it and also took my shoes off.

I had an hour-long nap between 12 & 1pm, also Dawson came over for a visit he was here are 45 minutes.

Tim isn’t working at all today even though he started feeling ok by 10am.

This afternoon I wasn’t the best but I ate something and started to feel much better.

Steps:5,509= 3.7k’s

Up far to early for my liking 4.10am as I wasn’t able to get comfortable in bed with my left arm hurting and my right hip hurting.

It is 21c or 70f, but we are looking at a top temp of 30c. I got around 6hrs of sleep and my BGL was 6.6.

Went shopping with Sue after her doctor’s appointment, I was not the best, I think it was due to the heat and my swollen feet.

I had a one-hour nap and have been great for the rest of the day.

I emptied the money boxes I have been putting money in since 2021 which I will use as spending money on our cruise next month. Total amount $300.

Steps: 5,426 = 3.5k’s

Good morning, another damn early start I was up at 4.15 and had a shower before starting my day. It is 21c or 69f my BGL is 6.6 and I had around 7hrs of sleep.

I went back to bed at 7am for an hour, I feel ok after that nap. At 9.45am I was watching TV and started to fall asleep and my back was aching. Then my hearing aid battery died so got up and changed seats.

After having another nap between 11 & 12 I am feeling great.

Tim is working tonight.

A late night for me it has just gone 9pm and I’m to bed, fingers crossed I sleep better.

Steps:3.939=2k’s

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