Colour Deficiency

What is colour deficiency?

Colour deficiency occurs when your ability to distinguish colours and shades is different than normal. The term colour blindness is often used, but usually incorrectly. Only a very small number of people are completely unable to identify any colours, a condition called achromatopsia. Colour deficiency is more common in males than females, with one in 10 males having a colour deficiency.

What causes colour deficiency?

Colour deficiency is usually an inherited condition, passed from mother to son, but it can also result from certain diseases, trauma or as a side effect of certain medications. Colour deficiency is the result of an imbalance in the three kinds of cones in the retina that allow us to perceive colour.

What types of colour deficiency exist?

There are three types of colour deficiency: two different kinds of red-green deficiency and one called blue-yellow deficiency. The red-green deficiencies are by far the most common and are usually inherited, resulting in the inability to distinguish between certain shades of reds, browns, pinks and oranges, or greens and blues. Blue-yellow deficiency is very rare and is usually acquired secondary to damage to the optic nerve and results in the inability to distinguish between certain shades of blue, as well as shades of yellow. People with complete colour blindness see objects in shades of black, white and grey.

How is colour deficiency detected?

Children who are colour deficient are generally unaware of their condition. They assume that everyone sees things the way they do. As a result, a complete optometric examination, including a test for colour vision, is recommended for every child. The test for colour deficiency is a relatively simple one, typically involving the viewing of a series of coloured plates with numbers or designs. The plates have been created in such a way that a person with normal colour vision can see certain figures in the designs. A person with a colour deficiency will either see a different number of designs or will be unable to distinguish the figures.

When should a person be tested for colour deficiency?

Every child should be checked for colour deficiency by at least age five. It is important to detect colour deficiency early because colour coded learning materials are used extensively in the primary grades. In addition, colour deficiency may affect the career path of an individual, since the ability to distinguish colours is an important aspect of some jobs, such as pilots, electricians, some military personnel, police officers and others.

Can colour deficiency be cured? Unfortunately, a cure for colour deficiency has not yet been discovered. A person with a colour deficiency can, however, be taught proper colour naming and to accurately distinguish colours. For example, you can be taught to recognize the brightness and location of a traffic light rather than the colour itself. It is sometimes possible to increase the ability to distinguish colours with the use of special filters.

Sign of the times: How your vision changes with age

The end of summer is near which means we’re quickly approaching Children’s Vision Month. Throughout October, Children’s Vision Month highlights the importance of monitoring children’s vision so they’re able to reach their full learning and development potential.

While Children’s Vision Month in October puts a particular focus on children, it’s important for parents to also prioritize their own vision health. As we grow older, our eyes might not show many signs of aging aesthetically, however, the same cannot be said for their functionality. Typically, beginning in early to mid-40’s, adults eyes start deteriorating and stop operating like they once did.

Here are some of the ways our eyes and vision change as we get older:

• Is that red or orange?- The cells in our eyes that control the way we see colour become less sensitive as we age, which results in less colour vibrancy making it harder to distinguish certain colour shades- all the more reasons to stop and enjoy the 7 shades of the rainbow while we can.

• Less tears- As we get older, the tear glands in our eyes produce fewer tears leading to more frequent stints of dry eyes and irritation.

• More light please- With age, our pupil sizes become smaller and less responsive to changes in light conditions, which means our eyes require more light than they once did to see clearly.

• Increase the font size- Small font sizes become a thing of the past as we age due the lenses in our eyes becoming less flexible; this makes near objects less clear and harder to focus on.

While some changes to our vision are a natural part of the aging process, it’s important to monitor changes to your vision that could be an indicator of a bigger eye health problem, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or cataracts. Make sure to book annual comprehensive eye exams with you one of our Doctors of Optometry to ensure you monitor your eye health as you age.

Lighting Tips For Less Eye Strain And Better Visibility

Light… it's the most essential element of vision. We are surrounded by it all day, whether it be natural or artificial.

So it’s no surprise that we frequently get asked if certain types of light can negatively affect our eyes. Here we’ve compiled some tips so you can protect your eyes and prevent strain!

Adjust Your Workspace To Reduce Eye Strain

The American Optometric Association reports that over half of office workers who regularly use computers suffer from eye strain. You may not know it, but it’s not just caused by staring at your computer. The lighting surrounding your workspace could be making it worse. Here are some tips: 

Reduce interior lighting: Most offices have harsh interior lighting that can contribute to eyestrain. If possible, use fewer light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. 

Minimize glare: If there is a window directly in front or behind you, your eyes are working much harder than they need to be due to the glare and reflections on your computer screen. You can move or adjust your workstation, close the blinds, or get an anti-reflective coating on your glasses to reduce glare. 

Adjust screen brightness: The blue light from the computer contributes to eye strain as well. Adjusting your brightness so it’s approximately the same as your surrounding workstation can help. 

Improve The Lighting In Your Home

Remember when your parents used to tell you that reading in dim lighting will ruin your eyesight? While reading in the dark won’t do any lasting damage, it can give you a nasty headache. Doing any task that requires more intense focus in poor lighting can result in eye strain and all the uncomfortable symptoms that come with it.

Here’s a hint: take advantage of task lighting around your home. Desk lamps, reading lamps, under-cabinet lighting for kitchen work areas, among other types of task lighting, can help reduce your risk of eye strain when you’re doing near-work for longer amounts of time.

Good Lighting Is Even More Crucial For Those With Low Vision

In general, lighting needs to increase as you age. Research shows that a 60-year-old needs almost twice as much light to see as a 30-year-old!

Lighting is even more important for those with low vision. People with macular degeneration, glaucoma and other vision conditions should consult with their eye doctor about specific lighting improvements they can make in their homes to improve visibility.

See Things In A New Light

Believe it or not, small changes can make a big difference! The right kind of lighting can improve our reading ability, create a more noticeable difference in colors and prevent eye strain. Make some of these small changes and we promise, you’ll start seeing things in a whole new light!

What the Pokémon GO craze means for our eye health

When optometrists recommended kids getting outside more as a way to improve eye health, they likely hadn’t factored Pokémon GO into the solution. Now, both children and adults are increasing the time they’re spending outdoors but they’re taking their video game screens with them.

The concept behind the digital game, Pokémon GO, that’s captured the world by storm is quite simple, really. Users track down Pokémon characters within their city using the app’s GPS technology, then catch them once they appear on the screen.

While there’s no harm in having a little bit of Pokémon fun, people often overlook the short and long term effects of prolonged screen time; this includes:

Digital Eye Strain (short-term) – staring at digital screens too long takes a physical toll on our eyes which results in the feeling of eye dryness and discomfort, and can also cause headaches.

Myopia/Nearsightedness (long-term) – recent studies suggest that 50 per cent of the population (five billion people) will develop Myopia by 2050. Myopia, or nearsightedness, can be caused by increased exposure and use of digital devices, such as cell phones, televisions, and computers. Over time, our ability to see objects in the distance decreases because our eye muscles become overworked focusing on objects in close proximity.

Like most things in life, screen time should be enjoyed in moderation. When looking at a digital device, make sure to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes- also known as the 20-20-20 rule. To maintain good eye health, embrace regular exposure to the real –Pokémon free- world in front of your eyes, in addition to booking regular appointments with one of our Doctors of Optometry.

Contacts for Teens

Contact lenses may be a perfect fit for teenagers. Contact lenses are more comfortable and easy to care for. Plus, there are many types of contacts to choose from. In other words, there are almost certainly contact lenses to fit a teen’s individual needs.

For active teens, glasses can get in the way, especially during sports, the arts or social occasions. Frames can interfere with peripheral vision. Contact lenses don’t steam up when you come in from outside on a cold day or slide down your nose. Plus, they eliminate that annoying pressure behind your ears.

Here are some truths about contact lenses for teens:

Fiction: Teen eyes are not “mature enough” for contacts.
Fact: Most eye care professionals agree that by age 13, even as early as age 8, most children’s eyes are developed enough for contact lenses. An eye exam by a Doctor of Optometry will confirm whether contacts can be worn or not.

Fiction: Contacts fall out a lot.
Fact: Soft contact lenses, when properly fit, conform to the shape of the eye and are held in place by the eyelids, so they usually don’t move out of place or fall out. Plus, they’re usually more stable than glasses, especially for sports.

Fiction: Contact lenses are expensive.
Fact: The price of contact lenses is comparable to that of an average pair of eyeglasses.

Fiction: Contact lenses are hard to care for.
Fact: Contact lens care systems are easy and quick to use. Contacts can be ready to wear in just five minutes.

Fiction: Contact lenses are not safe to wear for sports.
Fact: Contact lenses are very safe, as long as they are used as directed. They can’t be broken or knocked off the face during sports and they provide unobstructed peripheral vision. Goggles over contact lenses may be required for water sports.

Fiction: If I have contact lenses, I don’t need glasses.
Fact: Contact lenses do not replace glasses for all activities and cannot be worn by teens more than approximately 12 hours per day. Glasses are also required for school science labs and should not be worn if you are sick or have an eye infection or eye injury.

Protect your eyes during this popular summer activity

It’s mid-summer, which means we will be spending more time in the water. If you will be participating in water sports, such as rowing, snorkeling, or even fishing it is important to be extra cautious about what goes near, or in your eyes.

Pink eye – although not a serious condition, is highly contagious and more common than you may think. Also known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is when the white part of the eye gets swollen and appears red. There are three types of conjunctivitis; viral, bacterial, and allergic.

The conjunctiva (hence the name) is the thin, filmy membrane that covers the inside of your eyelids and the white part of your eye.

When the blood vessels in this area become irritated and swollen, they cause your eye to appear red. This irritation is typically caused by a bacterial infection, allergies, or even symptoms from the common cold.

Here are five tips to help minimize your chances of getting pink eye this summer:

Suit up – When swimming, wear activity appropriate goggles to protect yourself from bacteria in the water. 

Remove your lenses – Never share your contact lenses with others and remove them before submerging or playing in water of any kind to avoid trapping bacteria between your eyes and lenses. 

Scrub! – Frequently clean surfaces you use often with an appropriate antiseptic cleaner and avoid rubbing or touching your eyes before washing your hands thoroughly. 

Keep to yourself – Do not share personal care items that come in close proximity to the eyes. 

Wash – In the case that you are near others who show symptoms of pink eye, be preventative by thoroughly washing hand with hot water.

If you are experiencing a sensitivity to light, a burning or scratchy feeling, redness, and/or a pus-like discharge in or around the eye, you may have pink eye. Book an appointment with one of our Doctors of Optometry for diagnosis, and to help clarify which of the three types of conjunctivitis you may have for appropriate treatment. Please give us a call at 604.553.3900 or visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com to book an appointment.