Welcoming back our valued customers, starting this Wednesday, June 3, we are accepting appointments!

Please call ahead to book your eye exam with Dr. Kar (905) 751-0169 or book online!

Our re-opening will be implemented in stages with social distancing and disinfecting processes to be strictly adhered to.

​Your safety is our priority.

With the majority of the population stuck in isolation, many of us are spending a great deal more of our time staring at screens from laptops, computers, smartphones, gaming systems and televisions. This can put a lot of strain on our eyes and cause eye fatigue.

To protect your eyes when using your screens, you must remember to give your eyes a break! Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away. 

This video from the Canadian Association of Optometrists explains the 20-20-20 rule very well.

The human eyes are sensitive to a narrow band of light wavelengths that range from blue (short wavelength and high energy) to red (long wavelength and lower energy). Blue light makes up approximately one third of the visible spectrum. The sun is our main and natural source of blue light. However, with advances in technology, we are also being exposed to other sources of blue light such as computer monitors, smartphone screens, flat screen televisions and LED lights.

While these sources generate blue light at much lower intensity than the sun, we are exposing ourselves to them for longer periods of time and at much closer distances. This can cause eye strain because blue light scatters more in the eye and is not focused as easily as lower energy wavelength light.  This scatter creates “visual noise” that reduces contrast and can contribute to digital eye strain.

Natural blue light from the sun is important for maintaining the circadian rhythm (our natural sleep/wake cycle). It also helps to boost mood, memory and cognitive function. Exposure to too much artificial blue light, especially at night, from electronic devices may lead to poor sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, and daytime fatigue because it has been shown to suppress melatonin production, sleepiness and morning alertness  This is especially problematic for adolescents, who prefer sleep/wake cycles that are considerably delayed compared to younger children or adults. 

Extended exposure to blue light over a lifetime, particularly from the sun, is likely to cause harm to the eye. It leads to conditions such as cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye resulting in decreased vision) and signs resembling macular degeneration (a deterioration of the central part of the retina, which is essential for reading, driving and recognizing colours and faces). Studies have shown that it is the cumulative exposure to blue and ultraviolet light that causes these effects. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of ultraviolet and blue light because their eye lenses are less able to filter out high energy blue light

Staying Healthy

Evidence suggests that exposure to blue light in the 470-490nm wavelength range (lower energy) is less damaging to the eye than blue light in the 400-470nm wavelength range (higher energy) and essential for maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm.  Development of LEDs with a peak emission in the safer range may represent an important advancement for ocular health.

While there is no clinical evidence of a damaging effect of exposure to artificial high energy blue light, children’s exposure to artificial light from electronic devices should be monitored and controlled.  Over time, there might be accumulated damage to the eye from blue light exposure.

A healthy diet, rich in leafy green vegetables and colourful fruits, is important for general good health as well as for vision health. A healthy diet provides the vitamins and minerals that are essential for vision health and contribute to the eyes’ own natural defenses against the effects of blue light.

Good sleep is also essential for attention, learning, mood, and general well-being.  The effects of blue light on the sleep cycle may be minimized by avoiding bright screens for two to three hours before bedtime and seeking outdoor light exposure earlier in the day.

Do I need blue-blocking lenses?

Research has demonstrated that extended exposure to sunlight is damaging to the eye. Therefore, it is good practice to protect the eyes from the sun, including wearing UV-blocking sunglasses. There is no clinical evidence that artificial blue light at low intensity and shorter exposure periods is harmful to the eye. Research suggesting a damaging effect of blue light on eye cells has only been conducted in vitro (in the lab) rather than on the living human eye.

There are filters and apps that reduce blue light from screens without affecting visibility and special glare-reducing lens coatings that block high-energy visible blue light.  Whether or not to add blue-blocking coating on your prescription lenses is an individual decision that should be made with an optometrist, who as a primary eye care provider, is your best resource for making an informed decision.  Together you can discuss your individual risk factors such as age, risk and length of exposure, history of or current eye conditions, and general eye health. 

Who caught the Oscars last night? From the red carpet to the after party we've rounded up a few of the spectacular fashion eyewear photos. Spike Lee and Elton John caught our eyes in particular... it might be the purple though! We're pretty fond of the lavender hues here at Inisght Eyeworks!

In an increasingly digital world, we are exposed to artificial lighting more than ever before.  Artificial lighting not only causes issues such as eye strain, headaches and blurred vision, but also impacts one of our most important internal biological processes: sleep.

Our sleep cycle is regulated by our internal body clock or circadian rhythm, which uses the light sensors in our eyes to track what our body perceives as daylight in order to match our schedule to our environment.

This process can be disrupted when exposed to artificial light, which contains blue light. Blue light is used by LED screens including televisions, computers and our phones, and can be problematic as it closely mimics natural sunlight. Because of this, our body interprets blue light as sunlight and sends signals to the brain that we should be awake. This can throw off our circadian rhythm and contribute to insomnia and other sleep-related issues.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help alleviate some of the issues caused by blue light to ensure a good night’s sleep:

1. Invest in special blue-light-filtering glasses: These special-purpose glasses are available without an eyeglass prescription, so you can use them even if you have no need for vision correction or if you routinely wear contact lenses. [or ask about our blue light lens coating]
2. Avoid the use of LED screens in the evening: Substitute phone time or watching television with blue-light-free activities, such as reading a printed book. Use specialized lighting such as the Dyson Lightcycle, a task light that continually adjusts its colour temperature and brightness in relation to your local daylight, providing the right light for the right time of day.
3. Use a blue light filter app: Available for smartphones, tablets, and computer screens, blue light filters tint your screen to neutralize the blue light emitted – a fast and effective way to instantly reduce exposure. Some phone companies, realizing the importance of blue light filtration, have even included built-in blue light filters within their operating systems. Search the features on your smartphone to see if a “night shift” setting is available.

​www.newscanada.com

Your eyes are your window to the world – they allow you do everything from performing everyday tasks to enjoying the most precious moments life has to offer. That’s why it’s important to be proactive and make vision a priority. Check out these simple tips to keep your eyes healthy:

• Book an annual eye exam: Stay on top of regular eye exams. Only half of Canadians seek treatment for symptoms of potential eye disease.  Eye care professionals can spot underlying issues even if one’s vision seems fine.
• Take a break from screen time: Between smartphones and other devices, our eyes need a rest. Consider following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to minimize eyestrain.
• Eat healthy: Like our bodies, our eyes need nutrients to maintain good health. Increasing intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E can help prevent vision issues. Try foods like fish, leafy greens, and citrus fruits.
• Get enough shuteye: Lack of sleep reduces the amount of oxygen in our eyes. The result? Red eyes and blurry vision. A good rest can replenish your eyes, ensuring you start the day fresh.
• Protect from UV light: Sunglasses and hats are not just fashion statements – they protect eyes from harmful UV light, which can contribute to the development of certain eye conditions.
• Stay vigilant: Vision changes as we age, and common conditions like presbyopia, cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma can develop. Cataracts affect 2.5 million Canadians every year and are the leading cause of blindness and low vision in age-related eye diseases. Minimize damage to your eyesight by learning the signs of treatable eye conditions like these. Find out more at seethefullpicture.ca.

Detection for cataracts starts younger than you think. As you age, your eyes undergo natural changes. However, if this includes blurry vision, difficulty seeing in dim light or extra sensitivity to light, these might be symptoms of cataracts.

Recent studies have found that more than 2.5 million Canadians have cataracts. This common eye disorder is typically caused by aging, though other risk factors include a family history of the condition, diabetes, some medications and prolonged sun exposure without proper protection.

As we grow older, the lenses of our eyes thicken and become cloudier. Cataracts are detected when vision is obstructed, similar to looking through a dirty car windshield. Eventually, those suffering from cataracts may find it more difficult to read, and colours of the objects around them may begin to appear dull or muted. Fortunately,  the disorder can be corrected with surgery and risk can be lowered by using adequate sun protection and quitting smoking.

Since cataracts start small and grow over time, visual impairment may be underestimated by the person with the problem. The Canadian Ophthalmological Society recommends scheduling regular eye exams to be evaluated for the presence of cataracts and other potentially blinding eye disorders. If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s important to see your eye care practitioner for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment.

It’s no secret that as we age, our bodies and health change in ways that can slow us down, but prioritizing healthy vision can help to ensure we see clearly later in life. Learn more at cos-sco.ca.

​www.newscanada.com