Why do I need to be fitted for contact lenses? Did you know your glasses prescription is different from your contact lens prescription? When an optometrist fits you for contact lenses, they are ensuring several things:
Your eye is healthy enough to be wearing contact lenses. Conditions such as dry eyes and allergic conjunctivitis need to be treated before you can wear contact lenses. Eye conditions such as corneal scars, dystrophies, and/or irregular surfaces may require a fitting with specialty lenses.
The contact lens is the right type for your life style. Based on your occupation, extracurricular activities, and other needs, we can help you determine whether dailies, bi-weekly, or monthly contact lenses will meet your needs.
Finding a comfortable fit with good vision. We take measurements of your eyes to fit you in a comfortable lens. Many companies make contact lenses, and each have a set of parameters they work with. We can check if a lens is too tight or too loose on your eyes, how the contact lens moves when you blink, and whether it is centered on your eye. We also ensure each eye sees well both at a distance and near.
In addition, we first train new contact lens wearers on how to safety insert and remove contact lenses. We will go over the cleaning process, to ensure that lenses are handled safely because any buildup of proteins and debris on the lenses can cause damage to the cornea.
Many people have experienced styes or have at least heard of it. But what really is a stye? How can we prevent or treat them?
Photo credit: Cleveland Clinic
A stye is a bacterial infection which involves one or a few of the glands at the base of your eyelashes. Often, it resembles a boil or a pimple, it may have a white head and be tender to the touch. Styes can be caused by buildup of Meibomian gland secretions or be idiopathic in nature (unknown cause). In rare worst-case scenarios, recurrent styes in the same spot can be a sign of sebaceous gland carcinomas.
It’s important to maintain good eyelid hygiene by using eyelid cleansers and warm compresses daily. This not only helps to prevent styes, but also alleviates symptoms related to dry eye and eyelash mites.
With styes, patients typically notice pain and discomfort that disappears within a few days. However, more serious cases can develop into pre-septal cellulitis with progressively worsening symptoms and require antibiotics.
Warm compresses help to speed up recovery and relieve discomfort, but if you don’t see improvements after 48 hours, you’ll want to contact your optometrist.
If we are lucky to live long enough, we will develop cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in our eye. Think about the process of cooking an egg, instead of being clear, the egg becomes white and cloudy.
Similarly, our lens becomes white and cloudy due to damage from the sun and UV rays. This is why it is important to wear sunglasses, hats, and UV protection when we are outside. These preventative measures can slow or delay the process of developing cataracts.
How will I know when it’s time to remove a cataract?
When vision is substantially affected, usually 20/40 or worse, or when it becomes difficult to drive at night due to glare from headlights, along with the appearance of the cataract itself, is when your optometrist will recommend surgical removal of the cataract.
Can cataracts be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict who will get cataracts at what age, and how fast they will progress, but the best way to delay the development of cataracts is to wear sunglasses, and use UV protection when outdoors. Fortunately, cataract surgery is an elective surgery that is not urgent. Overall, cataracts are very common diagnoses and are not a big cause for concern.
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:
There is too much intraocular fluid being produced within the eye, called the aqueous humor
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.
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
Flashes of light
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.
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.
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:
Blurry and Distorted Vision
Light Sensitivity
Prescription Changes
Halos and Glare
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.
Did your routine eye exam go well? Do you have 20/20 vision? That’s great! However, there’s so much more to vision than seeing with perfect acuity. In fact, seeing 20/20 is only 1 of 17 different visual skills we have. Routine eye exams do not usually cover all of these skills since they tend to focus on ocular health and visual acuity. Skills such as eye tracking, eye teaming, and eye focusing can be measured using a different set of tests that is done during a Functional Vision Assessment (FVA).
Here is a summary of some visual skills that you need in everyday life. FVAs test all of these skills and more.
Visual Skill
What Is It
Example
Fixation
being able to hold focus on one main target
finding an object and maintain eye contact with it
Pursuit (Moving Targets)
being able to focus and follow moving targets without moving one’s head
watching a ball through the air
Saccades (Jumping)
being able to jump from one object to another
reading; you usually read one to three words at a time and then move on to the next set of words
Accommodation (Eye Focusin)
being able to focus light that enters the eyes
seeing an image that’s close to you then looking at an object far away right away
Binocular (Eye Teaming)
coordinating both your eyes together as an object is moved from far to near and vice versa
watching a moving target come close and moving far away
If you have trouble focusing on objects or have recently been in an accident that have impaired your visual skills, a FVA and Vision Therapy might be an option for you. During vision therapy, you are given the opportunity to improve these visual skills.
If your visual skills are adequate, you can actually improve them further! This is especially applicable if you play competitive sports. Many activities in vision therapy are directly applicable to sports such as basketball, volleyball, football and soccer. It can improve your reaction time, hand eye coordination, and visualization. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out we will be more than happy to provide you with more information.
Migraines are often associated with pounding headaches, but they can also affect your vision. Ocular migraines, also known as retinal migraines or visual migraines, are a unique type of migraine that primarily manifests as visual disturbances. This means that the symptoms revolve around your eyes and the way you perceive the world around you. The visual disturbances associated with ocular migraines are short-lived, lasting less than an hour.
Visual disturbances can include:
Flickering lights
Shimmering or zigzag lines
Temporary blind spots
Momentary loss of vision in one eye
Triggers can include:
Stress
Hormonal fluctuations
Specific foods
Exposure to bright lights, or even distinct patterns
Although ocular migraines are relatively benign, it’s essential to distinguish them from more serious conditions that can cause similar visual disruptions, such as retinal detachment.
Always seek prompt medical attention if you experience sudden visual changes.
When ensuring optimal health for your child, it is crucial to include eye exams as a routine component. As a parent, it may be unclear when to get your child tested and what to expect. Fear not! Here we outline all the information you must know.
Why should my baby’s eyes be checked?
Vision develops rapidly after birth. Any undetected vision problem can have a significant impact on infant and childhood development. The earlier a problem is detected and treated, the less likely it is that other areas of development will be affected. As your infant grows, they increasingly engage with their surroundings, requiring the use of their eyes to focus on objects near and far and to coordinate body movements.
When should I bring in my child?
An eye exam is recommended within the first 10-12 months of life. At this age they are able to sit on their own, fixate on objects, and follow light. If there are known cases of eye diseases within the family, such as glaucoma, strabismus (eye turns), or eye tumours, it may be in your best interest to bring your child in for an exam earlier. Routine eye exams can mitigate the progression and severity of potential eye conditions if caught early!
Brandon Day on Unsplash
What to expect in an infant eye exam
If you’re concerned that your child may not be mature enough to communicate sufficiently, there is no need to worry! These exams are largely objective, meaning an optometrist needs to simply observe and measure your child’s eye response to various stimuli.
In a typical eye exam for infants, one can expect:
The infant will be sitting on the parent/guardian’s lap
Preferential Looking to test how well the infant can see
Looking and following different objects or lights
Lights shone into the infant’s eyes
What are the optometrists looking for during the eye exam?
Prescription
Are they farsighted or nearsighted? How much?
Is there a large difference between the two eyes?
For example, your child may have large amounts of far-sightedness in one eye but none in the other
It is important to note, children are unlikely to complain about this phenomenon because they cannot tell the difference
Large prescription differences between both eyes may require an optometrist to put in eye drops to get a more accurate assessment
Eye Turns
Eye turns can manifest at different stages of your child’s life, such as during infancy and commonly between the ages of 2-3 years old, where children are more engaged and aware of their surroundings
Assess the eye health
To check for infections, redness, in-turned lashes, tumour growths, cataracts, or glaucoma in the back of the eye
What to look for as a parent
It is important to observe your child’s eyes in order to determine any concerns worth bringing up.
Symptoms to look for and consult an eye doctor if observed
Excessive rubbing of eyes
Eye redness
Watery eyes
Eye discharge
In pictures, their eye reflexes look different
One is red one is white
Eye turns – either in or out
Clumsy – bumping into objects in their surroundings
Developmental delays can be a sign of vision issues
Have not been crawling at their expected age
What can parents do to help ensure their baby learns to see well?
Birth – 6 months:
Lots of tummy time
Follow faces up, down, sideways, closer, farther
Make noises to the side so baby turns toward them
Change position frequently so their view of the world changes
Let baby bounce on the bed with support for both hands to encourage balancing
Lots of toys to touch, grasp, listen to and find with eyes and ears
Hold and feed your infant from alternating sides to promote development of both eyes
6 – 12 months:
Lots of creeping and crawling time – do not rush your baby into walking
Creeping on all fours is very important for developing coordination of both the body and the eyes
