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Am I A Good Laser Candidate?Yes, if you’re at least 18 years old, in good general health, and have good eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. Laser vision correction can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness. In many cases, even patients with the most severe degree can be treated. Good candidates must have realistic expectations about their results.
What Are The Advantages Of LASIK Compared To PRK?Both are effective laser procedures for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Most doctors and patients prefer LASIK because of the following advantages:
Your optometrist, together with your laser surgeon, will help determine the most suitable procedure for you, based upon your examinations and consultations. All pre- and post-operative care will be provided by the optometrist and the surgeon will perform the procedure itself.
At What Age Can A Person Wear Contact Lenses?The deciding factor for teens who want to wear contact lenses is not age but maturity. They must be able to follow strict instructions about wearing schedule, cleaning routine and follow-up visits. Otherwise, eye health problems could develop. The enjoyment and convenience of wearing contact lenses also applies to adult patients. Almost any patient is a prospective contact lens wearer provided they have good eye health. Many first time wearers are interested in them for specific visual needs, including sports, leisure activities and everyday aesthetics.
Should I Consider Daily Disposables?Many people have given up contact lens wear because of tedious cleaning regimens. Over the past few years advancements have been made in both lens wear convenience and all-in-one solutions. A patient who wishes to wear lenses infrequently will probably be best suited for daily disposable contact lenses. These are the ultimate in convenience and cost effective when worn on a part-time basis. For full-time use, some patients may choose to wear a more traditional, two week disposable lens. In these cases, patients can use an effective and convenient all-in-one cleaning system recommended by your optometrist.
My Child Sees 20/20 At The Doctors Office So He/She Must Be OKAY, Right?Don’t assume your child has good vision because they pass a vision screening with 20/20. This means only that a child can see at 20 feet what they should be able to. It does not relate to any of the other vision skills needed for learning and is not a guarantee that your child’s eyes are healthy and disease free.
My Child Never Complains, What Can I Look For?Children rarely complain of vision problems, or are even aware of them. In addition to a regular eye health check-up, look for everyday signs that your child may need help
Why Should I Wear Sunglasses?Even though people often think of sunglasses as a fashion accessory there are two main reasons for wearing sunglasses. 1) To protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun and 2) to reduce the amount of light and glare that reaches the eye thus providing more comfortable vision.
Can Ultraviolet Radiation Really Harm My Eyes?While the body has a natural defence mechanism to protect against infrared radiation under normal outdoor conditions, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that ultraviolet radiation is harmful to the eyes. Certain risk factors are known to contribute to your risk such as 1) cataract surgery 2) certain prescription drugs such as oral contraceptives and tetracyclines and 3) those who spend most of their day outdoors, work near snow, sand and water, live at high altitudes or near the equator, or use sunlamps or tanning salons.
What Should I Look For In Sunglasses?Lenses should be free of distortion and imperfections. Lenses should be colour matched. They should be large enough to protect your eyes. Temples should not block side vision and frame should fit comfortably.
I Work At A Computer. What Can I Do To Help?Things to help eliminate computer eyestrain are:
What Does 20/20 Mean?When visual acuity is measured, each eye is always checked alone while the other is covered. In the term 20/20, the first number represents 20 feet – the distance between the eye being tested and the eye chart. The second number represents the distance that the average eye can see the letters on a particular line of the chart. Thus, 20/20 indicates that the eye being tested can read a specific “normal” size letter when it is 20 feet away. You may have 20/20 vision without corrective glasses or only when wearing your proper correction, so that fact needs to be noted. It is a person’s corrected vision that is most important in determining best vision capacity. Your 20/20 vision describes visual acuity, and nothing else. It does not guarantee the absence of any eye disease or any other eye problems. However, it has proven to be a surprisingly reliable indicator that the eyes are normal.
What Does 20/40 Mean?If your vision is 20/40, at 20 feet from the chart you can only read letters that a person with 20/20 vision could read at 40 feet away. (The letters are twice the size of 20/20 letters.) Although, 20/40 sounds like one-half of 20/20, it does not mean 50 percent vision. (Based on 20/20 as a 100 percent visual efficiency standard, 20/40 vision is actually 85 percent efficient.
What Is Legal Blindness?In all Federal, State and Provincial visual codes, individuals whose best corrected acuity is 20/200 or poorer are classified as “legally” blind. The level of poor acuity qualifies them for some defined social services. If your vision is correctable to better than 20/200, you are not legally blind no matter how poor your uncorrected vision is.
What Additional Dietary And Supplementation Considerations Are There For Macular Degeneration (AMD)?Newer studies continue to find that lutein both alone and combined with other supplementation may reduce the risk of AMD progression. Lutien is sometimes recommended for smokers with AMD as a substitute for beta-carotene which is contraindicated for smokers. Only lutein and zeaxanthin are found as macular pigments in the retina and they may play a protective role. Results from observational studies and the natural presence of these carotenoids support the investigation of the effect of adding lutein and zeaxanthin to an AMD supplementation program. Dietary fat intake may also play a role in the progression of AMD. One multi-center study showed that higher vegetable fat consumption was associated with an elevated risk of AMD. The highest intakes of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and higher intakes of linoleic acid were associated with higher risk. High fish intake reduced risk of advanced AMD, while higher intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and fish combined with low linoleic acid intake lowered the risk of AMD. Nuts also reduced risk. There is still much to learn about the impact of diet and supplementation on the progression of AMD as well as on the risk for the development of the disease. Many studies are ongoing and being planned.
Do Omega-3 Fats Have An Impact On Infant Visual Development?There are, indeed, a wide range of health benefits associated with these fats, including support for early visual development. Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat. There are three main Omega-3 fatty acids: ALA, EPA & DHA. Results from various studies indicate that intake of the higher levels of DHA are associated with greater visual ability in breastfed infants and formula-fed infants. Researchers from the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas, concluded that the effect of duration of a dietary supply of DHA and ARA resulted in a difference in visual acuity at 52 weeks of age equivalent to 1.5 line on a standard eye chart between infants who never received DHA and in their diet and infants who received DHA and ARA throughout the first year of life. The study also suggested that infants benefited from continuous supply of DHA and ARA up to one year of age, suggesting the brain may not have the adequate reserves to support the continuous maturation of the visual cortex. It therefore, seems reasonable to support recommendations for increasing dietary intake of Omega-3 fatty acids to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
What Is Conjunctivitis, Better Known As Pink Eye?It is when the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and inner surface of the eyelids, becomes inflamed. It can be infectious, allergic or irritant in origin. Infections can be either bacterial or viral in nature. Viral conjunctivitis can occur during a common cold or flu. Although all types of conjunctivitis will cause your eyes to be red and irritated, they can have different symptoms. Bacterial infections usually have a thick, coloured discharge, while viral conjunctivitis often produces a thinner or clear discharge. All of the infectious conjunctivitis types are contagious and proper hygiene is necessary to prevent the spread of infection from one eye to the other, or to another person. Treatment for most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis consists of antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Viral infections typically do not require antibiotics. Instead, treatment with artificial tears and cool or warm compresses often provide relief from eye irritation. If you suspect you or a family member may have conjunctivitis remember it is important to first see your optometrist or family doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?The macula is a small area at the very centre of your retina which is responsible for fine, detailed central visual tasks such as reading. By damaging the macula, AMD can slowly take away your central vision, sometimes to the point of being unable to drive or even read. Risk factors are:
Why Should I Have A Retinal Photograph Taken?Today digital retinal screening is an improved technology in which your doctor can take high-resolution digital photographs of the interior portion of your eye called the retina. The colour photograph shows detailed images of the various structures of the retina including the optic nerve, blood vessels, nerve fibre layer and the macula. It can show abnormalities that may threaten normal vision. This new technology can greatly aid in accurately diagnosing and documenting many diseases. It also provides a baseline for comparison with previous and future visits, which aids in monitoring disease progression and response to therapy. Other benefits:
Is Buying Over The Counter Glasses (Cheaters) Okay?No, not in the majority of cases. Very few people actually have two eyes that require the identical prescription, which makes any pair of over the counter reading glasses the wrong prescription. People must also be aware that a change in your vision may not be simply due to a refractive change or ability to see at certain distances. Blurred vision or difficulty seeing can be the sign of an eye disease or a systemic condition. Therefore, it is important that any change to your vision be examined by an eye doctor. Any extended, demanding near visual tasks such as reading, sewing or computer work should be done with properly prescribed eyeglasses. Eyeglasses that are prescribed by your optometrist will have accurately ground optical lenses, aligned properly with your eyes and fitted properly on your face. This will result in more comfortable vision, improved reading efficiency and reduced stress on your eyes.
What Safety Tips Do You Recommend To Prevent Summer Eye Injuries?Before venturing out, keep in mind these tips: Gardening - Cutting grass and pruning bushes and hedges can result in painful injuries to the eye. It is recommended that people wear protective glasses or goggles when using any kind of power tool or cutting device. In the case where a foreign body has entered the eye, don’t rub it. Attempt to flush the eye with water, cover and head for help. Spreading chemicals or fertilizers on plants can result in chemical burns to sensitive eye tissue. Read the manufacturers guide before you begin in case any of the chemical enters your eye. Normally, if you detect any problems, flush the eye out immediately with water and head to your optometrist or emergency room for further treatment. Sports - Any sporting activity can put eyes at risk at any age. Special sports goggles should be worn when playing sports. Injuries can even occur with soccer balls to the eye. Impacts from a soccer ball strike can result in serious retinal tears down the road. Overall Sun Exposure - Long-term exposure to the sun could result in conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunglasses or regular eye glasses should have the protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Ensure the pair you buy has a label indicating protection.
How Can I Help My Child’s Visual Development In His/Her First Year?Birth to 4 months:At birth, babies see patterns of light and dark but objects are blurred. They will begin to follow slowly moving objects and start to reach for objects. Hand-eye-coordination and depth perception begin to develop.
4 to 6 months:During this time, eye movement control and eye and body coordination skills should further development.
6 to 8 months:At this stage a baby should be beginning to crawl and explore and both eyes should focus equally.
8 to 12 months:Your baby should be much more mobile at this point. They will begin to use both eyes together to judge distances and can grasp and throw objects with greater accuracy.
If you notice any crossing or turning of the eyes at this age then have them checked immediately.
What Type Of Lenses Are Recommended For Children?A youth’s vision is very important since more than 80% of the information used in every day life is visual. Reducing visual fatigue factors like annoying reflections contributes to easier learning. As with skin, children’s eyes are sensitive to cumulative damage caused by UV up to age 12. The eye’s crystalline lens allows UV to pass directly through to the retinas. Also, children are very active and more vulnerable to injuries. That is why it is essential to ensure the lens quality and impact resistance to limit the risks of injury in case of impact. For all these reasons we recommend polycarbonate lenses with a scratch-resistant and reflection-free coating. Benefits include: Protection:
Comfort:
Aesthetics:
Cataracts – What Are They?The eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris, focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens works much like a camera lens, adjusting the eye’s focus allowing us to see things clearly both up close and far away. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. Instead of focusing the light, a cataract scatters the light and allows some colours to pass through to the retina more easily than others; thus making it more difficult to focus on objects and distorting colours.
How Common Is Glaucoma?The latest studies show the global toll of glaucoma is set to reach 60 million by 2010, rising to almost 80 million by 2020. Women, who will make up almost 6 out of 10 cases and people living in Asia. Africa and India are expected to be the worst affected. It is estimated that the disease is most likely to increase most rapidly in India.
What’s Blepharitis?Blepharitis is a common and persistent inflammation of the eyelids. There are several types of blepharitis most of which are caused by bacterial infection. However, allergies, toxins and viral infection can also lead to its development. SymptomsCommonly, your eyelid margins are red with scales and flakes apparent at the base of the lashes. There may be irritation or the sensation of a foreign body in the eye with redness, burning and itching of the eyelid margins. On awakening in the morning, your eyelids may feel sticky with crusted scales and debris caused by an oily discharge from the eyelid glands. Untreated, these glands may become plugged and infected, potentially leading to recurrent styes, dry eye syndrome and a loss of lashes. CuresUnfortunately, blepharitis is usually a chronic condition for which there is no known cure. However, early diagnosis and proper treatment is the key to controlling the symptoms and to prevent worsening of the condition TreatmentTreatment requires a program of daily eyelid hygiene which usually includes:
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