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

Vision care is something you should think about long before you struggle to read the fine print. It should be part of your overall health regimen to ensure that any issues are identified and treated early. Here’s what to look for at every stage:

Toddlers and kids. Vision plays a crucial role in how children learn about the world. But don’t rely on your little ones to speak up about vision challenges – they don’t have anything to compare their sight to and they might not realize they have a problem. Make sure your kids have their eyes checked at least once by the age of three and continue to see an eye care professional annually.

20s and 30s. Noticing a decline in your vision? Most people think blurry vision is a sign they need vision correction like contact lenses or glasses, but it is also a symptom of dry eye. According to a survey by Alcon Canada, 85 per cent of us have experienced at least one dry eye symptom. Don’t put up with poor vision, talk to your eye care professional about your symptoms. The solution could be as simple as an over-the-counter all-in-one eye drop like Systane Complete.

40s. Did your arms suddenly get too short to read your smartphone newsfeed? You’re not alone – more than 7.5 million Canadians are living with presbyopia, the gradual loss in the eye’s ability to focus on close objects. Talk to your eye care professional to go readers-free and see everything near, far and in-between with multifocal contact lenses.

50s and beyond. Reminiscing about the days when cloudy vision, light sensitivity and muted colour didn’t get in your way? More than 2.5 million Canadians are living with cataracts, a natural condition that forms when protein builds up and clouds the lens in your eye. To restore clear vision, talk to your eye care professional about cataract surgery and the lens replacement options available to treat multiple eye conditions at once. The right lens could mean seeing the world in vivid colour or not having to wear reading glasses.

​www.newscanada.com

It is important to teach your children about eye health and safety from a young age.  This includes awareness about how your overall health habits affect your eyes and vision as well as how to keep your eyes safe from injury and infection.  

Starting off with good eye habits at a young age will help to create a lifestyle that will promote eye and vision health for a lifetime.

10 Eye Health Tips: 

Eat right.  Eating a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables (especially green leafies such as kale, spinach and broccoli) as well as omega-3s found in fish, such as salmon, tuna and halibut, help your eyes get the proper nutrients they need to function at their best.

Exercise. An active lifestyle has been shown to reduce the risk of developing a number of eye diseases as well as diabetes – a disease which which can result in blindness.

Don’t Smoke. Smoking has been linked to increased risk of a number of vision threatening eye diseases.

Use Eye Protection. Protect your eyes when engaging in activities such as sports (especially those that are high impact or involve flying objects), using chemicals or power tools or gardening. Speak to your eye doctor about the best protection for your hobbies to prevent serious eye injuries.  

Wear Your Sunglasses! Protect your eyes from the sun by wearing 100% UV blocking sunglasses and a hat with a brim when you go outside. Never look directly at the sun.

Be Aware: If you notice any changes in your vision, always get it checked out. Tell a parent or teacher if your eyes hurt or if your vision is blurry, jumping, double or if you see spots or anything out of the ordinary. Parents, keep an eye on your child. Children don’t always complain about problems seeing because they don’t know when their vision is not normal vision.  Signs of excessive linking, rubbing, unusual head tilt, or excessively close viewing distance are worth a visit to the eye doctor.

Don’t Rub! If you feel something in your eye, don’t rub it – it could make it worse or scratch your eyeball. Ask an adult to help you wash the object out of your eye.

Give Your Eyes a Break. With the digital age, a new concern is kids’ posture when looking at screens such as tablets or mobile phones.   Prevent your child from holding these digital devices too close to their eyes.   The Harmon distance is a comfortable viewing distance and posture – it is the distance from your chin to your elbow.  There is concern that poor postural habits may warp a child’s growing body.  Also, when looking at a tv, mobile or computer screen for long periods of time, follow the 20-20-20 rule;  take a break every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, by looking at something 20 feet away.

Create Eye Safe Habits. Always carry pointed objects such as scissors, knives or pencils with the sharp end pointing down. Never shoot objects (including toys) or spray things at others, especially in the direction of the head. Be careful when using sprays that they are pointed away from the eyes.

Keep Them Clean.  Always wash your hands before you touch your eyes and follow your eye doctors instructions carefully for proper contact lens hygiene. If you wear makeup, make sure to throw away any old makeup and don’t share with others.
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By teaching your children basic eye care and safety habits you are instilling in them the importance of taking care of their precious eye sight. As a parent, always encourage and remind your children to follow these tips and set a good example by doing them yourself.

Of course don’t forget the most important tip of all – get each member of your family’s eyes checked regularly by a qualified eye doctor! Remember, school eye screenings and screenings at a pediatrician’s office are NOT eye exams. They are only checking visual acuity but could miss health problems, focusing issues and binocularity issues that are causing health and vision problems.

Book an eye exam today with our Optometrist

The development of the visual system is continuous. Often eye glass prescriptions don’t stabilize until the age of about 18. Until that time, children may struggle with symptoms of blurry vision, trouble focusing or poor binocular vision, which is the ability for the two eyes to work together.

Since children are still learning how to see, and are so adaptable to visual disabilities, many children’s visual problems can go undetected if not checked.
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There are a few signs that may indicate a child needs glasses. For example, squinting the eyes when trying to focus, tilting of the head, rubbing the eyes or covering one eye while reading or watching television may be signs of an uncorrected refractive error and the need for glasses.

Children may also complain of blurry vision at a particular distance, or they may have trouble in school. If the two eyes are not working well together, a lazy eye can develop and may cause double vision. If caught early, this can be managed and treated with eyeglasses.

An optometrist can use a variety of tests to help determine if there is any need for glasses or if there are any signs that glasses may be needed in the future. It is especially important for a child to be seen before starting school and yearly afterwards to ensure that they have optimal vision for learning.

If you haven't booked your back-to-school eye exam yet, there is no time better than the present! 

Give our office a call and we'll be happy to help you arrange a day that works. 

​Source: OPTO.ca

If you have thought about purchasing your next pair of prescription eyeglasses online, there are a few things you need to know.

Ordering eyeglasses online may seem easy, but it is very different than ordering your average consumer item. It is important to know that your optometrist is trained in the proper fitting, measuring, manufacturing and dispensing of eyewear. When ordering online, the consumer is, in essence, taking on the role of a trained optical dispenser. This includes taking critical measurements and making critical decisions with respect to frame, lens and material selection.

There is an inherent risk associated with making these determinations without the proper skills and education. Your prescription given to you by your doctor of optometry is only one piece of information that will determine how well you see with your new eyewear. During the normal process of selecting and getting properly fit for your new eyeglasses, your doctor of optometry is determining a number of things to make sure your new purchase is custom made to give you clear and comfortable vision, while making sure you look great, including:

Accurately measuring the distance between your pupils so that your new lenses will be properly located in the new frames relative to your eyes

• Selecting the right size of frame for you
• Selecting the right shape of frame for you
• Determining what curvature of lens to use
• Determining what type of lens material to use
• Determining what coatings to use on your lenses that best suit your needs
• Determining the height to place the optical center of the lens in your frames
• Measuring how high to place the bifocal or progressive (if you wear a multifocal lens)
• Properly adjusting the frame to your face

If all of the above are not chosen specifically for you, it’s not uncommon to have problems that begin immediately or develop after using your new eyeglasses for an extended period of time. Common complaints regarding improperly ordered or fit eyewear can include headaches, fatigue, an “eye pulling” sensation, nausea, and pain or pressure marks on your nose or around your ears.
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As a consumer, you have a number of choices when it comes to purchasing eyewear. Working with your optometrist from the initial optometric eye exam to the final fitting will ensure you receive accurate, quality manufactured eyewear that is best suited for your eyes and your lifestyle.

​Source: Canadian Association Of Optometrists

New season, new garden. Whether it’s your first seed or you’re an accomplished vet, here are the must-have pieces you’ll need to be equipped for a successful gardening season.

Utility belt. A handy addition to keep your gardening essentials within reach and accessible. Should be comfortable and be able to hold all the things you’ll need. Beats putting things in your pockets.

Mosquito-repellent clothing. Instead of using a sticky mosquito spray, try Canada’s first mosquito repellent clothing WindRiver No Fly Zone is a clothing line exclusive to Mark’s that is proven to repel mosquitoes.

Gloves. Don’t let the dirt get under your nails. Look for waterproof gloves with grips that are true to size, helping to keep your hands safe from scrapes or cuts.

Eyewear. Sunglasses or protective eyewear will keep the dirt (and sweat dripping off your forehead) out of sight and out of mind. They’ll also increase your coolness factor by at least 20 per cent.

​Boots. Waterproof and comfortable boots will take you from one pot to the next. From low top to high top, rubber to leather, choose a style and fit that suits your needs and will keep you moving and grooving.