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作者： Dr. Sherman Tung

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

What Causes Sudden Sharp Eye Pain?

You’re sitting at your computer when suddenly a sharp, stabbing pain shoots through your eye. The sensation feels like someone just poked you, and you can’t help but squeeze your eyes shut and wonder what just happened. At 眼科验光医生, our whole team knows that this type of sudden eye pain can feel alarming, especially when it comes out of nowhere.

Sudden, sharp eye pain can be associated with dry eye disease, corneal surface damage, environmental irritants, or nerve-related issues, though in some cases it may signal serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention.

Common Eye Conditions That Can Create Sharp Pain

Dry Eye Disease and Sudden Discomfort

When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, the surface of your eye can become exposed and irritated. This can create discomfort, and it often happens when you blink because your eyelid rubs across the dry surface. Some of the most common symptoms of dry eye include:

  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • Feeling like something is in your eye
  • Excessive tearing, which can be your body’s response to the irritation
  • Pain that worsens with blinking

Corneal Abrasions and Surface Injuries

Your cornea (the clear outer layer of your eye) is 1 of the most sensitive parts of the body. When something scratches this surface (whether it’s a contact lens, mascara brush, or tiny piece of debris), you may feel intense, sharp pain. Even microscopic scratches can create discomfort.

If you have a surface injury, you might notice:

  • Pain when blinking
  • 对光敏感
  • 眼睛流泪
  • A gritty feeling, like sand is in your eye 

When Sharp Eye Pain Requires Immediate Attention

Signs Your Eye Pain Is Serious

Some types of sudden eye pain indicate medical emergencies that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly. You should seek immediate care if you experience any combination of these symptoms along with sharp eye pain:

  • Sudden vision changes
  • Severe headache with eye pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • 灯光周围的光晕
  • Eye pain after an injury

Angle-Closure Glaucoma and Emergency Symptoms

Angle-closure glaucoma is a condition that happens when fluid builds up rapidly inside your eye. This puts a lot of pressure on your eye, which can cause intense discomfort and pain that can feel like someone is pressing on your eyeball from the inside.

The pain often comes with severe headaches, nausea, and rainbow-coloured rings around lights. Angle-closure glaucoma requires emergency treatment to prevent permanent blindness, but there is another kind of glaucoma (called open-angle glaucoma) that can develop slowly. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect early warning signs of this type of glaucoma, sometimes before you notice symptoms.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Behind Eye Pain

Digital Eye Strain and Screen Time

When you stare at screens for hours, you tend to blink less frequently, causing your eyes to dry out. Your eye muscles may also work harder to focus on the text and images.

This combination can lead to dryness, discomfort, and occasional sharp or stinging sensations, especially when you finally look away from your device. Following the 20-20-20 rule can help reduce strain from extended screen use.

Allergies and Irritants in Your Environment

Airborne particles can land on your eye, causing immediate, sharp pain. Your eyes may react to allergens by causing inflammation and excessive tearing, but the initial contact can feel like something suddenly got into your eye, causing sharp discomfort or irritation.

Some possible irritants can include things like:

  • Pollen and seasonal allergens
  • Dust or pet dander
  • Chemical irritants
  • Contact lens problems

“Ice Pick” Stabbing Pain in Your Eye

Sometimes you might feel a sudden, intense stab of pain that lasts only a few seconds, but is often described as an “ice-pick” jabbing into your eye socket. This type of pain often comes from nerve activity around your eye rather than from the eye itself, and typically appears without warning and disappears just as quickly.

Nerve-Related Eye Pain

The nerves around your eye can misfire or become irritated, sending pain signals to your brain even when there’s no obvious issue on the surface of the eye. This can happen due to stress, fatigue, or changes in weather pressure.

Even though the cause isn’t always easy to identify, discomfort feels very real, and you deserve to find relief.

Relief and Treatment Options

Immediate Steps You Can Take at Home

When sudden eye pain strikes, your first response can help reduce the discomfort and prevent further irritation. These simple steps often provide quick relief for minor episodes of eye pain. If your pain is related to dry eye disease, a warm compress or artificial tears can be particularly helpful.

If you’re experiencing allergy-related discomfort, try a cool compress, as it can help with inflammation and redness. Our team also recommends removing your contact lenses and avoiding eye rubbing while you look for relief, as touching your eyes can spread bacteria.

Professional Treatment for Persistent Pain

If sharp eye pain occurs regularly or doesn’t improve with at-home care, an eye doctor can identify the underlying cause or causes and provide targeted treatment. Specialized dry eye therapy and diagnostic tools can help address long-term discomfort that home remedies can’t always solve.

If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort that gets in the way of your life, it might be time to book an appointment with an eye care professional.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Sharp eye pain shouldn’t be consistently disrupting your life. Our team at Eyelab Doctors of Optometry is experienced in dry eye management and comprehensive eye care to help identify the cause of your eye discomfort. Schedule an appointment and get the relief you need for healthy, comfortable vision.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Why We Don’t Rely on Prescriptions Alone When Managing Childhood Myopia

If your child’s prescription keeps changing, it’s easy to feel like you’re always reacting instead of getting ahead of the problem. You see the numbers go up year after year, and it feels like you’re stuck watching from the sidelines.

At Eyelab, our team looks beyond the glasses prescription to measure axial length, which can help explain why myopia is progressing, how fast it’s changing, and how myopia treatment is working.

What Axial Length Means for Your Child’s Vision

Axial length is the front-to-back length of the eye, measured in millimetres. Parents often ask this first, so it’s important to understand what this means for your child’s vision.

In children with myopia, the eye grows too long lengthwise. That stretching can contribute to blurry distance vision and raise the risk of certain eye diseases later on.

Here’s the key difference: A glasses prescription tells you how blurry your child’s vision is today. Axial length tells you what the eye is physically doing over time.

Why Prescriptions Alone Can Miss the Full Picture

Your child’s glasses prescription can change slowly, quickly, or sometimes not much at all—even while the eye is still growing longer. This can be misleading for several reasons, including:

  • Prescriptions can change based on focusing effort
  • Growth can continue even when vision seems stable
  • Glasses don’t show whether treatments are slowing eye growth

According to International Myopia Institute consensus reports, axial length is the most reliable way to track myopia progression over time. That’s why many myopia-focused optometrists treat axial length as a core measurement rather than an add-on.

How Eye Growth Affects Your Child’s Future Risk

When your child’s eye grows longer or faster than expected for their age, several things can happen. Myopia may worsen more rapidly, making treatment decisions more time-sensitive.

Early intervention matters because research consistently shows that slowing axial elongation reduces future risk, even if some prescription change still occurs. The goal of modern myopia management isn’t perfection—it’s reducing the risk of high myopia later in your child’s life.

The Eyelab Approach to Myopia Care

At Eyelab, axial length measurement is part of how our eye doctors individualize care for your child. Our team doesn’t believe in a 1-size-fits-all approach to myopia treatment.

Instead, we use axial length data to:

  • Establish a true baseline 
  • Compare growth against age-based averages 
  • Track response to treatment over time 
  • Adjust strategies early

What the Measurement Process Looks Like

As a parent, it’s normal to worry about how your child will feel during a test, especially when it comes to their vision. At our practice, we take a caring approach to make sure you and your child feel comfortable every step of the way. Using the Topcon MYAH device, axial length measurement is quick, noninvasive, and completely safe for children.

Your child simply looks at a target while the instrument measures eye length using light. It’s that simple.

How Often Your Child Needs Follow-Up

Most children in active myopia management at Eyelab are measured every 3–6 months. That schedule helps the eye doctor to catch fast growth early, confirm whether treatment is helping, and decide when changes are actually needed.

This timing mirrors recommendations from professional optometry resources and international myopia management guidelines. Our eye doctors can help determine the right schedule for your child’s specific needs.

Where to Find Axial Length Monitoring Across Canada

Eyelab isn’t alone in Vancouver in taking this approach. Across Canada, clinics focused on evidence-based myopia care are using axial length to guide decisions, not just prescriptions.

If you’re looking for clinics that include axial length measurement as part of myopia care, here are examples across Canada:

The International Myopia Institute consensus reports emphasize early detection, consistent monitoring, and objective tracking, which is why axial length monitoring is a part of how our team cares for growing eyes.

Learn More About Our Approach

If you’re concerned about your child’s myopia (or want to make sure their current plan is working), Eyelab Doctors of Optometry can help. Book a myopia consultation to discover how axial length measurement can fit into your child’s care and help give you the clear answers you need to protect their vision for years to come.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

What Causes Myopia to Worsen?

Have you noticed your child’s prescription getting stronger each year? You’re not alone: Many parents watch with concern as their child’s vision seems to get worse, despite wearing glasses or contacts. At 眼科验光医生, we want to help families understand and manage these changes through myopia management solutions.

Myopia can worsen when your child’s eye continues growing longer than normal, and several everyday factors can influence this process, including too much screen time, not enough outdoor activity, and even how they wear their glasses.

How Your Child’s Eyes Change with Myopia

When your child has myopia, their eye grows too long from front to back. This makes distant objects look blurry because light doesn’t focus correctly on the retina (the back of the eye).

Myopia typically develops during childhood and the teenage years when the eyes are growing. Unfortunately, it’s a progressive condition—once it starts, the eye usually continues to grow longer over time.

Signs Your Child’s Myopia May Be Getting Worse

You might notice changes in your child’s behaviour between eye exams that signal their vision is getting less clear. These signs can help you catch progression early:

  • Squinting more frequently when looking at distant objects
  • Sitting closer to the TV or holding books very close
  • Frequent headaches or eye strain
  • Complaints about blurry vision at school
  • Rubbing eyes often or excessive tearing

Regular comprehensive eye exams can help track these changes and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Main Factors That Can Influence Myopia Progression

Too Much Screen Time and Close-Up Work

When your child spends hours looking at nearby objects for long periods, like computers, tablets, or smartphones, the visual signals received by the eye can be altered. These visual signals can influence myopia progression in some children. Fifteen minutes of a near task followed by a 5 minute break is a good idea for anyone spending time on screens.

Not Enough Outdoor Time

Research shows that outdoor time significantly helps protect children’s vision. Children who don’t spend at least 1–2 hours outside each day may face a higher risk of myopia progression. Natural outdoor light helps regulate healthy eye growth in ways that indoor lighting can’t.

Family History and Genetics

If you or your partner has myopia, your child has a higher chance of developing and experiencing faster progression. Genetic factors can influence how your child’s eyes grow and develop their shape over time.

How Glasses and Contacts Can Affect Progression

Regular glasses and contacts weren’t designed to slow progression—they just help your child see clearly. Specialized myopia-control lenses work differently from regular prescriptions by helping to slow eye growth. Learning about the different types of contact lenses can help you make informed decisions about your child’s treatment options.

What Happens if Myopia Keeps Getting Worse

Uncontrolled myopia progression can lead to serious problems later in your child’s life. Higher prescriptions mean thicker, heavier glasses that can affect your child’s confidence and activities.

Increased Risk of Eye Problems

Severe myopia increases your child’s risk of developing other eye conditions, such as retinal problems, glaucoma (high eye pressure, which can cause damage), and cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens) as they get older. These complications can permanently threaten their vision, which is why early intervention is important for their long-term eye health.

Let’s Protect Your Child’s Vision Together

The team at Eyelab Doctors of Optometry can help. We can recommend myopia management treatments tailored to your child’s needs. Contact our team to learn how we can help protect your family’s vision and reduce the risk of serious eye problems in the future.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Can Your Vision Improve?

Many people wonder if their eyesight can get better, either on its own or with a little work. However, the answer to whether your vision can improve isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s possible to manage some vision conditions, thereby improving how you see the world, but issues like nearsightedness can’t be reversed naturally.

For instance, targeted treatments like 视觉治疗 can often help you manage issues related to your sight.

How Your Eyesight Can Change Over Time

It’s true that your vision can shift—and sometimes for the better. Your lifestyle, age, and overall health all play a part in how clearly you see.

Can You Train Your Eyes?

While eye exercises won’t help you get rid of your glasses, 视觉治疗 can improve issues related to eye misalignment and focus. This therapy can help both children and adults achieve clearer, more comfortable vision.

Is Perfect Vision Possible Again?

Reaching “perfect” 20/20 vision through natural methods like exercise isn’t a realistic goal. However, professional treatments and therapies can manage many vision conditions effectively. This can lead to significant improvements in how well and how comfortably you see.

What Causes Dry & Irritated Eyes?

A common reason for uncomfortable vision is dry eye syndrome. This happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when your tears are of poor quality. This lack of moisture can make your eyes feel scratchy, look red, and cause blurry vision.

Common Signs of Dry Eye

  • A scratchy or burning feeling
  • Redness
  • 对光敏感
  • Blurry vision or fluctuating vision
  • A feeling like something is in your eye
  • Watery eyes—which is the body’s response to the irritation

Options to Relieve Dry Eye Discomfort

Managing dry eye often involves a combination of at-home care and professional treatments. As your optometrist in Vancouver, we can help you find the right approach for your needs. This may include treatments ranging from eye drops to in-office therapies that address the underlying cause.

Professional Dry Eye Therapy

For more persistent symptoms, your eye doctor may suggest specific treatments. These can include therapeutic eyelid masks or special products to gently clean your eyelids. In-office procedures can also help improve the function of the small glands on the edge of your eyelids (the meibomian glands) that produce oil for your tears.

The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You may have heard about omega-3s for dry eye. These healthy fats are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. While some research questions their effectiveness, omega-3s may nonetheless help improve the eye’s oil film, which is a key part of healthy, stable tears.

How to Choose an Omega-3 Supplement

Getting enough omega-3s through diet alone can be difficult. If you’re considering taking a supplement, look for one that’s high in EPA instead of DHA. The form of the omega-3 also matters—triglyceride (TG) forms are absorbed more easily by the body compared to the ethyl ester form.

Active Ways to Support Your Child’s Vision

When it comes to your child’s vision, proactive care is key. Conditions like myopia—or nearsightedness—can get worse as they grow. While these conditions can’t be reversed, we do have strategies to manage them and support your child’s overall visual development.

An Introduction to Myopia Control

Managing childhood myopia involves treatments aimed to control the condition. This approach goes beyond standard glasses that just correct blurry distance vision and involves treatments like orthokeratology (ortho-k), prescription eye drops, or therapeutic eyeglass lenses that slow the rate at which myopia gets worse.

How Vision Therapy Can Help

Vision therapy is designed to help with issues like eye misalignment, eye coordination, focus, and other visual skills. Think of it like physical therapy for the eyes and brain—it helps them work together more efficiently.

When to See Your Eye Doctor in Vancouver

If you or your child experiences new or persistent visual symptoms, you should let a professional take a look. We can assess your eye health and find the source of the problem.

Beyond visits for specific issues, we also recommend regular eye exams. For children, annual exams help catch any issues early, from myopia to challenges with visual skills that can affect their learning. For most healthy adults, we recommend an eye exam every 1–2 years,

Protect Your Family’s Vision

Your family’s eye health is our primary focus. At Eyelab Doctors of Optometry, we’re here to help you navigate everything from dry eye discomfort to your child’s developing vision. Feel free to contact us to request an appointment and discuss your family’s needs.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Can Myopia Be Reversed in Children?

As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned when you notice your child’s glasses prescription getting stronger every year. It goes without saying that you want to do everything you can to protect their vision for the future. That’s why it’s not surprising that many parents ask us if we can reverse their child’s myopia.

While there is currently no cure for myopia, its progression can be effectively controlled with modern myopia management treatments. Our dedicated eye doctors can help you make informed decisions for your child’s eye health and protect their future vision.

Why Myopia Can’t Reversed

Myopia Involves Structural Eye Changes

Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eyeball grows slightly too long from front to back. This causes light to focus in front of the retina (a tissue at the back of the eye) instead of directly on it, making distant objects look blurry. Because this is a physical change in the eye’s structure, it cannot be reversed.

Control Is the Goal

The goal of modern pediatric eye care is to slow or stop the progression of myopia. This approach is called myopia control. By managing how fast your child’s prescription changes, we can help reduce the rate at which their nearsightedness gets worse.

How Myopia Is Managed

Management often starts with corrective lenses like glasses or contact lenses to provide clear vision. We can then create a customized plan with proactive treatments to slow the eye’s elongation. These methods are designed to help protect your child’s eye health as they grow.

Signs Your Child May Have Myopia

Sometimes children don’t realize their vision is blurry because it changes so gradually. It’s helpful to watch for subtle signs that they may be struggling to see clearly. If you notice any of these behaviours, it may be time for a comprehensive eye exam.

  • Squinting to see the television or the board at school
  • Moving closer to screens or holding books close to their face
  • Rubbing their eyes frequently
  • Complaining about headaches or tired eyes
  • A sudden drop in grades or difficulty concentrating on schoolwork

Effective Myopia Control Treatments

After a thorough eye exam, we can discuss the most suitable options for your child’s needs and lifestyle. As always, our goal is to find an approach that works best for your family. Here are some of the most common options.

Specialty Contact Lenses

These contacts correct blurry distance vision while also helping to slow down elongation of the eye over time.

低浓度阿托品滴眼液

A low-dose medicated eye drop used once a day can be an effective way to slow myopia progression. These drops are simple to use and are a great option for many children. Your child would still also wear their regular glasses or contacts to see clearly.

Myopia Control Glasses

For children who prefer to wear glasses, there are now lenses designed for myopia control. These lenses work by reducing signals that encourage the eyeball to grow longer.

Lifestyle Habits & Myopia Progression

Daily routines and habits also play a part in your child’s eye health. Incorporating a few simple changes into your family’s day can support their vision. These habits work alongside professional treatments to help manage nearsightedness.

The Importance of Outdoor Time

Spending time outside in natural daylight is beneficial for your child’s eyes. Aim for at least 90 minutes of outdoor play each day. This is one of the most effective ways to help slow down myopia’s progression.

Screen Time & Its Impact on Vision

Encourage your child to take regular breaks from digital screens and other close-up activities. While the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) can still be helpful, current research is shifting toward a more effective approach: after every 15 minutes of near work, take a 5-minute break.

These slightly longer breaks give the eyes more time to relax and may help slow down the signals that encourage the eyeball to grow longer—a key factor in the progression of myopia (nearsightedness).

Create Good Read & Study Habits

Ensure your child has proper lighting when reading or doing homework to avoid eye strain. Remind them to hold books and devices at a comfortable distance, about an arm’s length away. These small adjustments can make a big difference over time.

What to Expect As Your Child Grows

Myopia often begins during the school years and can continue to progress into early adulthood. Knowing what to expect can help you stay on top of your child’s changing vision needs. Consistent care is key to long-term success.

The Ideal Age for Intervention

Myopia control is most effective when it begins as soon as nearsightedness is identified. This is often between the ages of 6 and 12, a critical period of growth for the eyes. Early intervention gives us the best opportunity to manage the condition.

At What Age Does Myopia Usually Stop Progress?

In most cases, myopia progression slows down and stabilizes in the late teens or early twenties. The goal of early management is to keep the final prescription as low as possible. This approach supports clearer vision and healthier eyes for a lifetime.

The Goal of Long-Term Eye Health

By managing myopia progression today, you are investing in your child’s future eye health. Slowing the progression helps lower their risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life. These include retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy, which are significant risks associated with high myopia.

While we can’t reverse nearsightedness, there are tools available to manage it effectively. At Eyelab Doctors of Optometry, we are here to help your family navigate this journey. Contact us to request an appointment.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Does Omega-3 Help With Dry Eye?

If your eyes feel scratchy, burning, or just plain uncomfortable, you might be experiencing dry eye. This condition can disrupt your day and make simple tasks like reading or using a computer feel like a chore.

If you’re living with dry eye, you might be wondering if supplements make a difference. Omega-3 fatty acids can play a supportive role in managing dry eye symptoms by helping improve the quality of your tears. Your optometrist can offer advice about how much Omega-3s to take and what other supplements might support your health.

What Are the Signs of Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common medical condition that happens when your tears can’t provide enough lubrication for your eyes. This tear instability can lead to discomfort and a range of different symptoms. You might notice a few of these signs:

  • A stinging or burning feeling
  • Scratchiness
  • 对光敏感
  • Red eyes
  • 视野模糊或视力波动
  • Watery eyes (the body’s response to the irritation)

The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Eye Health

Types of Omega-3

There are three main types of omega-3s—EPA, DHA, and ALA. EPA and DHA are found in fatty fish and are thought to have the most direct health benefits for your body. ALA is found in plant sources like flaxseed and nuts, but your body has to convert it to the more useful EPA and DHA forms. Current studies show that EPA and DHA are more beneficial for improving the function and quality of the meibomian glands, while there isn’t sufficient data on the efficacy of ALA.

How Omega-3 May Affect Dry Eye

Omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the function of your meibomian glands. These glands are located in your eyelids and produce the essential oil layer of your tear film. This oil prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly, and better oil quality can lead to fewer dry eye symptoms.

Get Omega-3 from Your Diet vs. Supplements

Food Sources of Omega-3

You can increase your omega-3 intake by adding certain foods to your diet. Good sources include:

  • Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, & sardines (EPA/DHA)
  • Flaxseed & chia seeds (ALA)
  • Shellfish (EPA/DHA)
  • Leafy green vegetables (ALA) 

While a healthy diet is a great start, it can be difficult to get a therapeutic amount of omega-3s from food alone.

Why Consider an Omega-3 Supplement

Supplements offer a direct and concentrated way to get specific amounts of EPA and DHA. This makes it easier to achieve the dose that may help with dry eye relief, although research on their effectiveness continues to evolve. It also removes the concern of consuming too much fish, which often contains mercury.

How to Choose a Good Omega-3 Supplement

Look for the Re-esterified Triglyceride (rTG) Form

Omega-3 supplements come in different forms, and not all are created equal. The triglyceride (TG) form is the natural structure found in fish. rTG is a form of fish oil that has been purified and processed to be more easily absorbed by the body compared to other forms like the synthetic ethyl ester (EE) form.

Check EPA & DHA Amounts

Always read the label to see how much EPA and DHA are in each capsule or serving. For dry eye, a supplement with a higher ratio of EPA to DHA is often suggested. The right dose depends on your needs, so it’s a good idea to discuss it with your optometrist.

Read the Label for Quality & Freshness

A quality supplement should be purified to remove toxins like heavy metals. It’s also important to check the expiration date. Fish oil can go bad, and rancid oil is less effective and may even be harmful to your health.

Other Supplements & Professional Dry Eye Treatments

Can Supplements Replace Eye Drops?

Omega-3 supplements are not a replacement for other dry eye treatments like artificial tears. Instead, they can be part of a broader, personalized plan to manage your symptoms effectively. Think of them as one helpful tool in your toolbox for eye comfort.

Other Options for Dry Eye Relief

Besides omega-3, other supplements like lutein and zeaxanthin can support your overall ocular health. Your treatment plan may also include preservative-free eye drops, eyelid warming masks, or in-office therapies.

Your Personalized Plan from an Optometrist in Vancouver

Dry eye has many causes, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work. That’s why the first step toward relief is should be a comprehensive eye exam. We can determine the cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan just for you. This plan might include nutritional advice, supplements, or in-office therapies to help you find lasting comfort.

At Eyelab Doctors of Optometry, we’re here to support your family’s eye health with a friendly and knowledgeable approach. Contact us to request an appointment and take the first step toward comfortable vision.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Can Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?

Smiling patient wearing new glasses, with a hand filling out paperwork in the foreground.

If you’ve recently started wearing 眼镜 or updated your prescription, someone might have said to you, “Be careful, glasses can make your eyes worse.” It’s a common myth that can cause hesitation, especially if you’re already adjusting to the feel of new lenses. But here’s the truth: glasses themselves don’t inherently weaken your eyes. In fact, they support your vision and help you avoid unnecessary strain or discomfort.

That said, the answer does depend on age and condition. Let’s break down where this myth comes from, why glasses are essential for eye health, and how different conditions respond to glasses.

Do Glasses Weaken Your Eyes?

For most people, glasses do not make vision worse. They are medical tools designed to correct refractive errors, like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia. By properly focusing light onto the retina, glasses help you see clearly — without changing the structure of your eyes.

The idea that glasses “make your eyes lazy” or lead to dependence is largely a misunderstanding of how vision works. The reality is more nuanced, and it depends on the condition:

  • Children with Myopia (Nearsightedness): Standard single-vision glasses correct distance vision, but they can create hyperopic defocus in the peripheral retina. This signals the eye to elongate, which can accelerate myopia progression and lead to stronger prescriptions over time. This is why myopia-control strategies (specialized contact lenses, orthokeratology, or spectacle designs) are now recommended for children.
  • Children with Lazy Eye (Amblyopia): For amblyopia due to uncorrected refractive error, glasses are essential. Providing full correction allows both eyes to send clear signals to the brain, helping them work together binocularly. In these cases, glasses do not make vision worse; in fact, withholding proper correction risks permanent vision loss in the weaker eye.
  • Adults with Presbyopia (Age-Related Near Vision Decline): For early presbyopes, reading glasses don’t cause worsening vision. The gradual decline in near focus is due to the natural weakening of the ciliary muscle starting around age 40, progressing steadily until about 65. Glasses simply address the symptoms — they don’t speed up the process.

In summary: glasses themselves don’t inherently “weaken” the eyes, but in children with myopia, traditional single-vision lenses can indirectly contribute to progression through optical design. In other conditions like amblyopia or presbyopia, glasses are necessary and beneficial.

Understanding Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is a condition where the shape of the eye causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry. It usually develops in childhood and can progress during the growing years.

Wearing glasses doesn’t cause myopia to progress, but as noted above, standard single-vision glasses don’t slow the condition either. Without correction, children may experience eye strain, headaches, or learning challenges in school.

This is why myopia-control strategies — like Ortho-K lenses, atropine eye drops, or specialized spectacle designs — are increasingly recommended to slow progression and reduce long-term risks.

What Is Myopia Control?

近视控制 refers to specialized lenses or treatments that aim to slow the progression of nearsightedness, particularly in children and teens. Slowing myopia progression is important because high levels of myopia increase the risk of long-term eye conditions like:

  • Retinal detachment
  • 青光眼
  • 白内障
  • Myopic macular degeneration

While regular glasses correct blurry vision, myopia control lenses are designed to do both: improve visual clarity and reduce the rate at which myopia worsens.

Why Do New Glasses Feel Weird?

If you’ve ever put on a new pair of glasses and felt dizzy, disoriented, or uncomfortable, you’re not alone. These temporary effects don’t mean your glasses are hurting your eyes. They’re part of your brain’s adaptation process to a new way of seeing. To make this adjustment easier, it’s important to invest in high-quality lenses and get them fitted properly by an eye care professional — not just purchased online. The right lenses and a proper fit can make all the difference in your comfort and vision.

Common symptoms during the adjustment period include:

  • Mild headaches
  • Light dizziness
  • Eye strain
  • A “warped” feeling or altered depth perception

This adjustment usually lasts a few days to a week. It’s your brain learning to work with the new prescription — especially if it’s a significant change or your first time wearing multifocal lenses.

Tips for Adjusting to New Glasses

Adapting to a new prescription can be a smooth process with a few simple strategies:

  • Wear them consistently: The more you wear your new glasses, the faster your eyes and brain adjust. Try not to switch back and forth between old and new lenses.
  • Take breaks: Use the 20-20-20 rule when working on screens or up-close tasks. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Check the fit: Poorly fitting frames can cause strain or pressure points. If your glasses feel uncomfortable, visit your optician for an adjustment.
  • Transition gradually: For more complex prescriptions, it may help to wear your glasses for short periods at first, gradually increasing wear time.
  • Speak up: If discomfort persists beyond a week, or something just doesn’t feel right, your optometrist can recheck your prescription or fit.
Optometrist smiling at a child wearing glasses during an eye exam in a clinic setting.

Glasses Aren’t the Only Option

For some people, glasses aren’t always the most practical or comfortable solution. Thankfully, there are several options to correct your vision and support eye health:

  • 隐形眼镜: A popular alternative that offers clear, natural vision without the need for frames.
  • Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Special overnight lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea to correct myopia during the day.
  • Laser eye surgery: Procedures like LASIK or PRK offer permanent vision correction for eligible candidates.
  • Myopia control glasses or contacts: These are great for younger patients with progressive nearsightedness.

Your optometrist can help you explore which vision correction method best fits your lifestyle, age, and long-term goals.

When to Visit Your Eye Doctor

Wearing glasses supports your vision — but they’re just one part of your overall eye health strategy. Annual or biannual eye exams are essential to monitor changes in your prescription, assess for early signs of eye disease, and determine whether additional treatments like myopia control are necessary.

If you’re experiencing visual discomfort, notice rapid prescription changes, or have questions about your glasses, your optometrist can guide you with expert advice tailored to your needs.

At Eyelab in Vancouver, our team is here to help you see clearly and comfortably at every stage of life. Whether you’re adjusting to a new prescription, exploring myopia control for your child, or simply due for a check-up, book your comprehensive eye exam with us today!

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Is Vision Therapy a Hoax?

A patch covers one child's eye for a vision therapy activity that involves a game.

A common misconception about vision care is that it solely focuses on glasses or contact lenses. While these tools significantly support your eyes, they can’t do it all. Here’s where 视觉治疗 steps in.

First and foremost, let’s set the record straight: vision therapy is not a hoax.

Vision therapy is a scientifically supported and legitimate treatment that can improve visual skills and address a range of concerns that glasses and contact lenses can’t correct alone.

The Basics of Vision Therapy

视觉治疗 is a program that uses activities and tools to strengthen visual skills. Think of it as physiotherapy for your visual system.

Just as you work with a physiotherapist to strengthen certain muscles, vision therapy helps strengthen and coordinate the complex network of muscles, nerves, and brain pathways involved in vision.

What Are Visual Skills?

Having healthy eyesight isn’t always about 20/20 perfect vision. It’s about making sure this interconnected system works seamlessly together.

Having strong visual skills means you can process and interpret your surroundings, making sense of what you see. When one or more of these areas aren’t functioning properly, vision therapy can help retrain and strengthen these abilities.

Eye Movement Control

Tracking a moving object or quickly shifting your gaze from one point to another requires eye movement control. Poor control can make reading exhausting or cause you to lose your place frequently.

Focusing Ability

Your eyes should be able to quickly and accurately adjust focus between near and far objects. Kids often struggle with this when copying notes from the board.

Eye Coordination

Both eyes need to work together as a team. When this system breaks down, it can cause double vision, eye strain, or difficulty judging distances.

Visual Processing

Visual processing is how your brain interprets and makes sense of what your eyes see. It’s a set of skills that includes visual memory, spatial awareness, and the ability to distinguish essential details from background information.

The Science Behind Vision Therapy

The driving force behind vision therapy is neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, form new neural connections, and adapt throughout your life.

In other words, vision is a skill you learn rather than something innate. Like any other skill, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument, this means you can practice and improve any area that needs a little more help.

How Vision Therapy Works

Vision therapy works by using repetitive, graduated exercises to challenge and improve specific visual skills. These activities stimulate the neural pathways responsible for visual processing, gradually building stronger and more efficient connections between the eyes and brain.

A typical session is interactive and engaging. You’ll work one-on-one with an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy, or a trained vision therapist, who will guide you through various activities designed to target these skills.

It’s a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Vision therapy isn’t about straining or forcing your eyes—it’s about gradually building skills through practice and repetition.

Most programs last between 12–24 weeks, with sessions typically occurring once or twice per week. The exact duration depends on several factors:

  • The specific condition being treated
  • How severe the visual skill deficits are
  • Your age and  how quickly you respond to treatment
  • Your commitment to doing prescribed home exercises
An optometrist guides a young adult patient through a vision therapy activity.

What Conditions Can Vision Therapy Help Improve?

Not everyone needs vision therapy. However, for those who do, this treatment can make a significant difference in their visual health, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Treatment commonly focuses on addressing conditions such as:

  • Convergence insufficiency, or eye misalignment, makes it difficult for the eyes to focus and work together, leading to symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, & difficulty concentrating while reading. 
  • 弱视（懒惰眼） means one eye is “weaker” or ignored by the brain when processing vision; through exercises and tools, therapy helps improve visual acuity and develop improved coordination between both eyes.
  • Strabismus (eye turn) can often improve with vision therapy, particularly in cases of functional strabismus, where strengthening focusing and coordination skills helps correct the eye turn.
  • Visual processing disorders that affect reading, learning, and sports performance can benefit from vision therapy approaches that target specific processing skills.
  • Post-concussion vision problems represent a growing area of vision therapy application, as brain injuries often affect the complex visual system.

Why Invest in Vision Therapy?

You might wonder why vision therapy is necessary when glasses and contact lenses can correct vision problems.

The answer lies in understanding that glasses primarily address refractive errors—problems with how light focuses on the retina. Vision therapy addresses functional problems—issues with how the visual system performs tasks.

Beyond What Glasses Can Do

Glasses are like giving someone a perfectly tuned piano when the real problem is that they don’t know how to play. Vision therapy teaches the “playing” skills that glasses cannot provide.

Consider a child who struggles with reading. If astigmatism is the problem, the right glasses will help them see the text clearly.

However, if the problem is poor eye tracking that causes them to lose their place, or convergence insufficiency that makes focusing on close work uncomfortable, glasses alone won’t solve these issues.

When to Explore Vision Therapy

Although vision therapy is often associated with kids (since their growing eyes are more responsive to treatment), adults can also significantly benefit from vision therapy.

It’s never too late to start. But implementing these strategies sooner can help improve the chances of positive visual outcomes.

Vision therapy might be for you if you have:

  • Difficulty reading 
  • Headaches or eye strain 
  • 复视 
  • Poor depth perception
  • Difficulty concentrating on visual tasks 
  • Clumsiness or poor coordination

The key is discussing your symptoms with your optometrist, who can identify whether they stem from an underlying condition that vision therapy can help address.

The Truth About Vision Therapy

视觉治疗 is a legitimate, evidence-based treatment that can target and improve certain visual skills. It’s far from a hoax. Not everyone requires vision therapy, and it won’t magically improve your vision, but with dedication and effort, it can be transformative for those who need it.

If corrective lenses aren’t fully addressing your vision concerns, it might be time to talk to your optometrist about vision therapy. If this treatment is right for you, the sooner we begin, the sooner you can start seeing the difference.

Connect with our Eyelab Doctors of Optometry team to book a consultation.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

Astigmatism vs Myopia: How Are They Different?

Two cheerful kids with prescription glasses standing in front of a chalkboard.

Noticing your child squinting at the television or holding books unusually close can generally mean one thing: it’s time to visit their eye doctor.

Astigmatism and myopia are 2 common refractive errors affecting children today. While both cause blurry vision and eye strain, they’re fundamentally different conditions that require distinct treatment approaches.

Myopia leads to blurry distance vision, while astigmatism can lead to blurry vision at all distances. Other key differences include:

  • Underlying cause 
  • Progression patterns 
  • Visual symptoms 
  • Age of onset

Staying on top of your child’s health includes keeping up with annual eye exams. The sooner we identify any concerns, including refractive errors, the sooner we can take action.

What Is Myopia?

Better known as nearsightedness, myopia occurs when your child can see nearby objects with ease, but distant objects, such as the TV or whiteboard, appear blurry. It happens when the eye grows too long or when the cornea is too curved. As a result, when light enters the eye, it focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, hence blurry distance vision.

With more screen time and less exposure to natural light, myopia is on the rise, particularly in children, as it usually begins in childhood and tends to worsen over time.

Watch for these common indicators of myopia:

  • Sitting too close to the television or computer screen
  • Complaints of headaches or eye strain
  • Difficulty seeing the board at school
  • Holding books or devices very close to their face
  • 经常揉眼睛

Children with myopia typically find it easy to focus on tasks like reading or drawing, but struggle when it comes to seeing the board or keeping their eye on the ball during recess. Because children with myopia may struggle to see clearly during physical activities, they might feel less confident participating. Combined with less time outdoors, this could contribute to myopia progression.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism stems from an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. Instead of being perfectly round, the cornea or lens has a more oval shape, similar to a football. This irregularity prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, resulting in blurry or distorted vision, typically at all distances.

Unlike myopia, which has a single focal point in front of the retina causing distance vision to appear blurry, astigmatism involves two focal points—either in front of the retina, behind it, or one of each. This causes the eye to constantly shift focus between these two points, leading to symptoms like headaches, eye strain, and visual blur. The goal of vision correction is to align both focal points directly onto the retina, and the treatment depends on where those focal points fall.

Children with astigmatism might experience:

  • Eye strain and fatigue
  • Headaches, especially after reading or close work
  • Difficulty with night vision
  • Squinting or tilting their head to see better
  • Trouble distinguishing between similar letters like “H” and “N”

Because astigmatism affects vision at all distances, children might not realize their vision isn’t normal. They may adapt by squinting or tilting their head to find the clearest point of focus.

This is precisely why annual routine eye exams play a monumental role in children’s vision, and in turn, their learning and development. The sooner we detect these concerns, the better we can support them.

A young child sitting in an exam chair at the eye doctor, wearing trial lenses to help assess their vision.

Astigmatism vs Nearsightedness

Though the changes in eye shape may seem subtle, they cause important differences between astigmatism and myopia in how they affect vision:

  • Visual acuity patterns: With myopia, close-up vision remains clear, and distance vision is blurry. Astigmatism can cause blurry or distorted vision at all distances, depending on its severity.
  • Underlying cause: Myopia develops because the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved. Astigmatism stems from an irregular, oval cornea or lens. 
  • Progression patterns: Myopia often worsens during childhood and adolescence, while astigmatism can remain stable in many children, but it may also change over time, especially during growth spurts, after surgery, or with eye disease (e.g., keratoconus). 
  • Visual symptoms: With myopia, vision becomes blurrier as distance increases. With astigmatism, blurriness and distortion stay the same, regardless of the distance. 
  • Age of onset: Myopia usually develops between the ages of 6 and 14 and often worsens during adolescence, while astigmatism is often present from birth, though it can also change or appear later in life.

On a greater note, children can have both conditions simultaneously. When this occurs, they may experience symptoms from both myopia and astigmatism, underscoring the importance of routine exams for an accurate vision prescription.

How to Treat Astigmatism

A better way to frame this is how we correct or manage astigmatism. Treating a refractive error tends to push the notion that we can go in and alter the eye’s shape, which isn’t the case.

The good news is that we can easily correct astigmatism with a few options. It’s our role to find the option that aligns with your child.

眼镜

Glasses are likely the treatment people are most familiar with. These have cylindrical lenses that correct the irregular curvature, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.

Modern lens technology has made glasses lighter, more durable, and more comfortable for children. The fun part is always finding a new pair of frames!

Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses can be a great option for older children who are active or prefer the “no glasses” look. That said, contact lenses require proper hygiene and care, making them ideal for older, responsible children.

Orthokeratology Lenses

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are specialty contacts that are worn overnight. As you sleep, these lenses gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.

How to Treat Myopia

We can’t “cure” myopia, but we can prevent it from worsening by using myopia control therapies. The sooner we start, the better, as children’s eyes tend to be more responsive to these treatments.

Correcting Myopia

Comfortable and easy to maintain, glasses are a tried and true option for managing myopia in children (and people of all ages).

Contacts can be a great option for older children who are ready to take on the responsibility of contact lens care. Daily lenses are a great option for first-time wearers.

Myopia Control Strategies

Whereas standard glasses and contacts focus on correcting the refractive error, myopia control therapies focus on slowing its progression. Here’s a closer look at the therapies our clinic offers:

  • Low-dose atropine eye drops 
  • Orthokeratology lenses 
  • Multifocal contact lenses 

A consultation with our team helps us tailor the right treatment plan for your child.

Support Strong, Healthy Vision

If you notice your child squinting or rubbing their eyes, it might be time for an eye exam. Thankfully, we can correct refractive errors, including astigmatism and myopia, with the right prescription and strategies.

Creating a supportive environment for your child’s eye health involves more than making sure they wear their glasses or contacts. It also means working closely with their eye doctor. Connect with our Eye Lab Doctors of Optometry team to book an appointment for your child’s routine eye exam today.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

孩子眼科检查期间应注意什么

A smiling kid gets an eye exam to determine if they have any refractive errors.

Ensuring your child’s eye health is essential for their well-being and development. Clear vision is pivotal in every aspect of their life, from academic success to extracurricular activities.

Your child should see their eye doctor for the first time at around 6 months. During your child’s eye exam, you can expect the following:

The exact process may vary depending on your child’s age and needs. But this gives you an overall picture of what to expect.

What Is a Children’s Eye Exam?

A child’s eye exam checks much more than whether or not your child needs glasses. It’s a thorough evaluation of their vision and eye health, ensuring that their eyes function correctly as a team and are free of abnormalities or diseases.

Children’s eye exams assess several key factors, including:

  • Visual acuity: Clarity of vision at varying distances
  • Eye alignment: Ensures both eyes coordinate correctly for comfortable, clear vision
  • Eye health: Evaluations to rule out infections, injuries, or underlying conditions related to eye health
  • Focus and tracking: Determines how well your child’s eyes focus on up-close objects and track moving objects

Most eye doctors personalize these exams to meet children’s needs. They often use child-friendly language, interactive techniques, and age-appropriate tools to make the process comfortable and engaging.

How Often Should Your Child Get an Eye Exam?

According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, the recommended frequency for pediatric eye exams depends on your child’s age and medical history. Here’s a guideline to follow:

  • Infants (Between 6 and 9 months): The first comprehensive eye exam should happen in this window to ensure your baby’s sight develops properly
  • Toddlers (2 to 5): A second eye exam before starting school can help detect and address vision issues early on
  • School-aged children (6 to 19 years): Annual eye exams are essential during these years, as your child’s eyes may change due to growth or prolonged screen use

Proactive and regular eye exams help identify issues before they become roadblocks to your child’s learning and overall development. It’s worth noting that many provincial health plans in Canada cover children’s eye exams fully or partially, making it even easier to prioritize their visual health.

What to Expect at Your Child’s Eye Exam

First-time visits to the optometrist can feel daunting for kids and parents alike. But rest assured, the process is designed to be engaging, comfortable, and thorough.

Discussion of Medical & Developmental History

Your child’s visit typically begins with a conversation between you and their optometrist. We’ll ask about your child’s health history, noticeable vision problems, family history of eye-related conditions, and any concerns you may have.

A parent sits with their child as the eye doctor examines the kid's eyes.

Vision Tests

We’ll assess your child’s ability to see clearly at various distances using age-appropriate tools. This might involve identifying pictures or shapes instead of reading a standard eye chart for younger children.

Eye Health Examination

We evaluate the overall health of your child’s eyes using various pieces of specialized equipment. This step looks for infections, injuries, or early signs of diseases like cataracts that are present.

Functional Eye Tests

These tests check how well your child’s eyes work together. We may assess alignment, depth perception, and focusing abilities.

Consultation & Recommendations

If an issue is detected, we’ll provide potential solutions, such as glasses or further treatments. You’ll also typically receive advice on how to support your child’s visual health at home.

Common Eye Conditions in Children

Children’s eyes can be susceptible to a range of different conditions. Early detection is key to managing these effectively.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, causing blurry or distorted vision. Kids with astigmatism might struggle to see both near and far objects clearly. Glasses or contact lenses can help correct this issue, allowing for clearer vision.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

近视 is when objects up close are clear, but distant objects appear blurry. It often progresses during school years, especially with frequent screen use. Tailored treatments like orthokeratology lenses or myopia control therapies can slow progression of the condition.

Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)

斜视 is a condition in which the eyes don’t align properly, resulting in one eye pointing in a different direction than the other. If left untreated, this can cause depth perception issues and may eventually lead to lazy eye. Treatment might include vision therapy, glasses, or, in some cases, surgery.

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Amblyopia occurs when one eye develops weaker vision than the other. Often stemming from strabismus or uncorrected refractive errors, it can lead to long-term visual impairments if untreated. Early interventions like corrective lenses or vision therapy usually yield successful outcomes.

Book Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

An eye exam can make all the difference in your child’s health, education, and overall confidence. Don’t wait for them to complain about vision problems. Early prevention is always better than late correction.

Our compassionate optometrists at Eyelab Doctors of Optometry are great at working with children, and we strive to make every visit engaging and stress-free. From first assessments to finding the perfect pair of stylish frames, we’ve got all your family’s eye care needs covered.

Request an appointment for your child today, and take the first step toward bright, healthy vision for your child.