拍摄者 FORMAT arw不飞溅

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects our macula – the spot on our retina responsible for crisp central vision and color vision. As we age, debris can build up in the macula and create deposits known as ‘drusen’. The drusen are the first signs that macular degeneration are present and can cause blurry vision and distortion to one’s vision.

Symptoms to look out for:

  • Visual distortion (straight lines seem bent)
  • Trouble adapting to low light (eg. when entering a dark room)
  • Reduced intensity/ brightness of colors
  • Need for brighter light when reading/working
  • Blurriness of printed words
  • Difficulty recognizing faces
Adapted from: Photo by Senjuti Kundu不飞溅

Who gets macular degeneration?

This condition is most common in patients over 60 years old. Some other risk factors are those with high blood pressure, family history, smokers, Caucasian patients, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

How can I prevent macular degeneration?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise is the best way to ensure your eyes stay healthy for as long as possible. The AREDS 2 study has shown that certain vitamins are beneficial in preventing the progression of macular degeneration, however, these vitamins have the best effect in patients who have already began to show signs of macular degeneration.

It is important for everyone to get their eyes examined yearly in order to be able to see as clearly as possible, as well as check for any signs of eye disease or conditions that can affect one’s overall health in addition to the eyes.

拍摄者 泰勒·桑德罗斯不飞溅

眨眼是一种无需过多思考的非自主反射。虽然眨眼看似简单,但却非常重要。而且,信不信由你,眨眼也是有正确方法的。.

为什么眨眼如此重要?

  • 保护我们的眼睛免受碎屑和异物的伤害
  • 它能形成光滑的表面,使光线进入我们的眼睛并落在视网膜上,从而产生清晰的视觉。
  • 保持眼睛湿润,并均匀分布泪膜。

20/20/20 法则

当我们长时间盯着屏幕或持续进行近距离用眼工作时,眨眼规律就会被打乱。验光师建议每个人都遵循“20/20/20”法则,尤其适用于屏幕使用时间过长的人。“20/20/20”法则指的是每隔20分钟休息一下,将视线移至20英尺(约6米)远的地方,持续20秒。.

有一个 正确的 眨眼的方式

我们希望每次眨眼都是完全的,也就是说,上眼睑应该完全贴合下眼睑。很多人眨眼时只眨到一半,或者睡觉时眼睛没有完全闭上,这种情况很常见。这会造成问题,因为这样会使下半只眼睛暴露在外,影响泪液的有效分泌。正如你可能已经猜到的,这会导致干眼症状。.

遵循 20/20/20 法则,并更加注意眨眼的方式,可以大大有助于减少我们眼睛在一天中的干涩感。.

拍摄者 Ryoji Iwata不飞溅

Glaucoma is sometimes referred to as the “Silent Thief of Vision”, and if left untreated, is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada. Glaucoma is associated with elevated intraocular pressure, which consequently puts strain and pressure on the optic nerve. This excessive pressure will lead to optic nerve tissue damage, which could cause gradual vision loss. The peripheral vision is typically affected first, however could eventually lead to central vision loss if no treatment is initiated.

The increase in intraocular pressure could be the result of two main problems:

  1. There is too much intraocular fluid being produced within the eye, called the aqueous humor
  2. The fluid being produced is not being effectively drained from the eye through the trabecular meshwork

Therefore, initial treatment of glaucoma involves topical medications which work on these two anatomical structures. Surgical intervention could also be warranted to control high pressure within the eye.

The best way to detect and diagnose glaucoma is through annual eye exams with your optometrist. This will allow them to monitor optic nerve health, as well as measure intraocular pressure to ensure stability. It is especially important to be screened for glaucoma if there is a family history of the disease.

拍摄者 Al Soot不飞溅

Many patients are concerned about a constant “black dot” floating in their line of sight. Most tend to notice that it worsens when looking at a blank wall, bright lights, or the sky. Although quite bothersome, it is a very common complaint.

The eye is filled with a gel-like substance called vitreous, which allows the eye to keep its shape. Over time, the proteins within this gel begin to clump up and solidify, leading to formation of “floaters”.

Floaters can occur in one eye or both eyes. Typically, floaters are a benign finding. However, it becomes worrisome when the vitreous is strongly adhered to and pulls on the retinal layers. It could potentially lead to retinal holes, tears, or potentially a retinal detachment. These occurrences could be detrimental to vision, so it is important to see your optometrist immediately if these symptoms arise.

Symptoms to look out for:

  • A sudden increase in the number of floaters
  • 闪光
  • Curtain over vision

How are floaters treated?

Unfortunately, there is no way to remove floaters unless you surgically remove the entire vitreous. This procedure has more risks than benefits and it typically not done to treat this condition. The good news is that, with time, the brain gets accustomed to the floaters and is able to ignore them, allowing them to become less bothersome and noticeable.

拍摄者 Matt C不飞溅

Did you know that diabetes is one of the most common causes of blindness?

You may be surprised to learn that optometrists can detect diabetes before primary care doctors and before the patient even knows they have it. This is because the eye is the only organ in our body where we can directly see blood vessels without invasive techniques. Since many systemic diseases affect our arteries and veins, the eye is a great way to look into what is happening inside our body.

Photo source: Cleveland Clinic

Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in North America, and it is important to be aware of its effect on ocular health. Once diagnosed with diabetes, it becomes much more important to receive yearly eye exams, to monitor for diabetic retinopathy. This is a condition in which buildup of sugar in the blood causes blockages or damage to blood vessels, resulting in decreased oxygen supply to the eye. To compensate, new blood vessels develop. However, instead of helping, these new blood vessels are weak and leaky, leading to retinal bleeding. Although a diabetic eye exam is very similar to a regular comprehensive exam, there is more emphasis on inspecting the health of the retina and blood vessels.

How will I know if I have diabetic retinopathy?

Symptoms like floaters, blurred or fluctuating vision, dark spots in your vision, and vision loss could be signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent diabetic retinopathy. Some of these preventions include:

  • Yearly eye exams with your optometrist (even if you think your vision is fine!)
  • Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
  • Proper dosage and compliance of medication provided by your Family Physician
  • Engaging in regular daily activity and exercise
  • Eating a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain healthy body weight

Photo credit: Casey Horner不飞溅

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited eye disorder that affects the retina – the back of our eyes responsible for capturing light and sending visual signals to the brain. The condition, which is inherited through genetic mutations, can lead to gradual loss of vision as the photoreceptor cells within the retina deteriorate over time. While some individuals may experience slow vision loss over decades, others might face more rapid deterioration.  

Symptoms

One of the most distinctive symptoms of RP is night blindness, where individuals struggle to see in low-light conditions or darkness. As RP progresses, it often causes tunnel vision, a narrowing of the visual field, and can even impact color perception.  

Treatment

No cure currently exists for RP, but researchers are actively exploring possibilities. Gene therapy aims to introduce normal genes into the retina to replace the mutated ones. Another avenue of research is retinal implants, which seeks to restore vision by using electronic devices to stimulate the remaining normal cells.  

Individuals with RP should work closely with eye care professionals to manage their condition. Regular eye exams help track disease progression and determine the best strategies for preserving vision. Additionally, patients can explore low-vision aids and technologies that improve daily life.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition which causes distant objects to appear blurry. It is a particular concern with children, because myopia results in the lengthening of the eyeballs. As children’s eyes continue to grow, so does the progression of myopia. As a result, the retinal tissues gradually stretch, which can increase the risk of eye diseases later in life. Luckily, CooperVision’s MiSight 1 day lenses are an effective and child-friendly solution to managing myopia progression!

Source: CooperVision

它们如何工作?

The MiSight 1 day lenses are the first soft contact lenses proven to slow down the progression of myopia, through the use of ActivControl technology. When inserted on the eye, the center of the lens improves distance vision by correcting the refractive error and the concentric peripheral rings allow for myopic defocus. This defocusing is what is believed to reduce further lengthening of the eyeball, effectively impeding the progression of myopia. Not only have the MiSight 1 day lenses been clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia by 59%, they are also comfortable to wear and easy to handle. In a three-year long study conducted on the MiSight 1 day lenses on children ages 8 -15 years, 90% of children reported that they preferred their MiSight 1 day lenses compared to their glasses and 90% of children were able to insert and remove the lenses on their own. Further, 100% of parents stated that their children were happy with their overall experience with the MiSight 1 day lenses, including the comfort, vision, ease of use, and freedom from glasses!

Curious to see if MiSight lenses are right for your children? Book an appointment with Eyelab to chat with one of our doctors. You can also get in touch by calling us at +1 (604) 260-1166 or via email at frontdesk@helloeyelab.com.

Dr. Sherman Tung

Dr. Sherman Tung
OD FAAO FIAOMC

验光师 |角膜塑形+近视管理
電話 6042601166
電郵 drsherman@helloeyelab.com

拍摄者 Sigmund/ 不飞溅

The cornea plays a crucial role in focusing light onto the retina. In individuals with keratoconus, the cornea progressively thins and bulges, taking on a cone-like shape. As a result, vision becomes distorted and blurry, often accompanied by nearsightedness and astigmatism.  

Symptoms

Keratoconus doesn’t appear overnight; rather, it develops gradually, usually during adolescence or early adulthood. As the condition progresses, several symptoms become noticeable:

  1. Blurry and Distorted Vision
  2. Light Sensitivity
  3. Prescription Changes
  4. Halos and Glare
  5. Eye Strain and Headaches

Treatment

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include

  • Eye glasses
  • Soft contact lenses
  • Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses
  • Surgical interventions like collagen cross-linking or corneal transplant

If you suspect you have keratoconus or experience any unusual changes in your vision, it’s crucial to consult an eye doctor. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can make a significant difference in preserving your vision and overall well-being.

摄影:新非洲/Shutterstock

偏头痛通常与剧烈头痛有关,但它们也会影响您的视力。眼部偏头痛,也称为视网膜偏头痛或视觉偏头痛,是一种独特类型的偏头痛,主要表现为视觉障碍。这意味着症状与您的眼睛和您感知周围世界的方式有关。与眼部偏头痛相关的视觉障碍是短暂的,持续时间不到一个小时。  

视觉障碍可能包括:

  • 闪烁的灯光
  • 闪烁或锯齿形线条
  • 临时盲点
  • 一只眼睛暂时失明

触发器可以包括:

  • 压力
  • 荷尔蒙波动
  • 特定食物
  • 暴露在明亮的灯光下,甚至是明显的图案下

尽管眼部偏头痛相对良性,但必须将其与可能导致类似视觉障碍(例如视网膜脱离)的更严重疾病区分开来。

如果您的视力突然发生变化,请务必立即就医。

您的 Ortho-K 隐形眼镜或 RGP 镜片是否开始变得刺激和不舒服?您是否曾感觉眼前一片模糊?正在寻找一种简单有效的方法来深度清洁您的镜片?在 Eyelab,我们员工最喜欢的产品之一是 Progent 镜片清洁剂。

它是如何工作的?

Progent 通过松开和去除隐形眼镜上随着时间的推移而积累的蛋白质沉积物来清洁镜片。它可以有效去除所有 Ortho-K 隐形眼镜和 RGP 镜片上的表面蛋白质,而无需手动擦拭,以免损坏镜片。该产品不仅提高了镜片佩戴的舒适度,还有助于维护眼睛健康并延长镜片的使用寿命。 Progent 深层清洁镜片比日常清洁产品更有效。

它配有两种解决方案:Progent A(次氯酸钠)和 Progent B(溴化钾),它们在氧化还原反应中协同作用,深层清洁表面涂层,无需典型清洁中使用的研磨剂或机械摩擦。只需三十分钟,它就能有效消毒所有可能污染镜片的微生物,包括酵母、霉菌、细菌和病毒。

来源: 明尼康网

说到这里,你可能想知道这个清洁器到底有多少复杂的步骤?简单的答案是,只需混合 A 和 B 溶液,摇匀,然后等待!只需将镜片浸泡 30 分钟 – 无需擦拭。通过每 3 个月使用一次这种清洁剂(或者根据需要更频繁地使用),您的隐形眼镜可以保持抛光和良好维护,以更好地服务于您的视力。