Your Eyewear Prescription

Your prescription, provided to you by your Doctor of Optometry, is only one piece of information that will be used to determine the final composition of, and how well you see with, your new eyewear. During the normal process of selecting and being properly fit for your new eyeglasses, your Doctor of Optometry will determine a number of things to make sure your new purchase is customized to give you clear and comfortable vision while ensuring you look great. This includes:

• Accurately measuring the distance between your pupils so that your new lenses will be properly located in the new frames relative to the center of your eyes;
• Determining the height to place the optical centre of the lens in your frames;
• 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;
• Measuring how high to place the multifocal (if you wear a multifocal lens); and
• Properly adjusting the frame to your face.

If the above are not done correctly and specifically for you, it’s not uncommon to have problems with your glasses that may be immediate, or appear after using your new eyeglasses for an extended period of time. Common complaints for improperly ordered or fit eyewear can include blurriness, headaches, fatigue, an “eye pulling” sensation, nausea, and pain or pressure marks on your nose or around your ears.

For more information please visit us at www.visionsourcenw.com or call us at 604.553.3900.

Cocktails, Cookies and Connections A Smashing Success!

Last week we were so pleased to host a networking event at our Vision Source New Westminster clinic. It was an absolute pleasure meeting so many other business owners and members of this great community.

A huge thank you to the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce who helped plan this great event. There were well over 100 registrations and we appreciate everyone coming out to enjoy such an eventful evening.  Another major thank you to Thrifty Foods who provided outstanding food and prizes.

Eyes contain the body's only exposed blood vessels which can offer important insights into many other ailments in your body. Regular eye exams can help spot underlying health concerns, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and many others.

At Vision Source New Westminster our Doctors of Optometry play an essential and ongoing role in ensuring the health of you and your family.

To book an appointment please call 604.553.3900 or visit us at www.visionsourcenw.com.

Below are some pictures from the event!

Blueberry and Ricotta Pancakes!

If you ever find yourself craving something sweet and delicious for breakfast, why not whip up some blueberry and ricotta pancakes. Ricotta is a good source of zinc which is an important mineral supporting the macula. Zinc also enables vitamin A to create a pigment called melanin, which protects your eyes. 

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
3 tbsp (45 mL) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
3/4 cup (175 mL) extra-smooth ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 cup (250 mL) milk
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted butter, melted
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) finely grated lemon rind
3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice
1 cup (250 mL) fresh blueberries
2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil

Preparation

In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Place ricotta in bowl; whisk in egg, milk, butter, lemon rind and lemon juice; pour over dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Fold in blueberries. 

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat; brush with some of the oil. Pour in about 1/4 cup (60 mL) batter for each pancake, brushing skillet with remaining oil as necessary; cook until underside is golden and bubbles break on top but do not fill in, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until underside is golden, 30 to 60 seconds. 

Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Opticians. Who should I see?

The difference between a Doctor of Optometry (optometrist), an ophthalmologist and an optician is a common question among both healthcare professionals and the general public. The levels of training and expertise, and the core competencies, are different for each type of eye care provider.

Doctors of Optometry

When it comes to vision and eye health, the primary healthcare provider is your Doctor of Optometry. A Doctor of Optometry has completed a Bachelor of Science degree or higher, followed by a four year Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited university’s school of optometry. A Doctor of Optometry is educated, clinically trained and licensed to deliver the best standard of comprehensive primary eye care. Your Doctor of Optometry will:

• Provide an optometric eye exam to examine, assess, measure and diagnose disorders and diseases within the human eye and visual system, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration;
• Recognize and co-manage related systemic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and brain tumors;
• Fit and dispense eyewear – including glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, safety eyewear and low-vision aids – to ensure they meet your vision and eye health needs;
• Most can prescribe medications (this varies by province – so ask your Doctor of Optometry for details);
• Remove foreign bodies from the eye;
• Provide referrals to secondary specialists, such as ophthalmologists, for treatment of systemic disease or eye surgery when necessary;
• Co-manage pre- and post-operative care for laser vision correction;
• Co-manage ocular diseases with ophthalmologists; and
• Conduct research and promote education and advancement in the visual sciences.

Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists are surgeons and specialists in eye disease. They have completed a Bachelor Degree and four years of medical school at an accredited university, as well as a residency in medical and surgical care of the eyes in an accredited university hospital. They are secondary-level healthcare providers and patients usually require a referral from their Doctor of Optometry to obtain an appointment for medical or surgical treatment such as cataract surgery.

Opticians

Opticians are the third member of the eye care team. They are trained through a college program to fabricate and fit vision aids, such as glasses, based on the prescription of a Doctor of Optometry or physician. Opticians are licensed to provide spectacles, and they may also dispense contact lenses and other optical aids. They do not assess, diagnose, or treat eye conditions, nor can they check or write prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

For more information, please call us at 604.553.3900.

Vision Source New Westminster Website

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Vision Source New Westminster on Twitter

Braised Chicken with Kale Recipe

Kale is often praised as a superfood and we couldn't agree more. Packed with high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, kale can help protect your eyes from UV damage and help prevent cataracts.

Braised with kale, garlic, and fire-roasted tomatoes, bone-in chicken thighs come out of the oven tender and superbly moist. Bake chicken leg quarters in a broth mixture along with kale and tomatoes for an easy one-dish dinner.

• Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided 
  
• 4 chicken leg quarters, skinned 
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1.1 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/4 cup) 
• 5 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 (16-ounce) package cut prewashed kale
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. 2. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons canola oil. Sprinkle the chicken with black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place flour in a dish, and dredge chicken. Place 2 leg quarters in pan, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove from pan. Repeat procedure with 2 teaspoons oil and remaining 2 leg quarters. Remove from pan.
3. 3. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil to pan. Add garlic; cook for 20 seconds. Add half of kale; cook for 2 minutes. Add remaining half of kale; cook 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and broth; bring to a boil. Return chicken to pan. Cover and bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove chicken from pan; stir in vinegar. Serve chicken over kale mixture.

A Tour of Vision Source New Westminster!

Have you had a chance to come visit Vision Source New Westminster? Today's blog post is to provide our readers with additional information and images.

Optometrists at Vision Source New Westminster are committed to improving and managing the ocular and visual health of our patients. With enhanced attention to customer service and state-of the-art diagnostic equipment, Vision Source Optometrists are able to satisfy all of your eyecare needs. Our optometrists offer consultations as well as pre and post-operative management services for a variety of medical procedures and they work closely with the finest ophthalmologists to ensure the best quality of overall patient care. Our patients are our top priority. Optometrists at Vision Source New Westminster have special interest in family eyecare, ocular diseases, and patient education and eye health. Our optometrists have built an undeniable reputation for their thorough and compassionate approach to eyecare, catered to the individual needs of each patient, regardless of age. Not only do Vision Source New Westminster optometrists provide advanced eyecare, they are also passionate about humanitarian work, both locally and internationally. Our optometrists are happy to bring their experience and dynamic personalities to the Vision Source practice in New Westminster. At Vision Source New Westminster we offer excellence in full service eye care, including: • Comprehensive Eye Exams • Advanced Vision Care Technology • Emergency Eye Care • Pediatric and Diabetic Ocular Assessments • Glasses - Sunglasses - Contact Lenses • Experienced and Reputable Doctors of Optometry    Come in to Vision Source New Westminster to experience excellence in full service eye care. At Vision Source we offer only the highest quality products and services to our patients, and we look forward to taking care of all your eye care needs.

Take a loot at some images of the clinic!

 

Call us at 604.553.3900 to make an appointment!

Vision Source New Westminster Website
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Vision Source New Westminster on Twitter

Diabetes and Your Vision

Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people under the age of 65 in the United States? Diabetes can cause a wide range of vision problems from mildly blurred vision to irreversible vision loss. Fortunately, early detection and careful monitoring can reduce the risk of vision loss due to diabetes.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic Eye Disease is not a single disease, but rather, the name for a group of eye problems that can result from having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Anyone who has diabetes has a higher risk of vision complications than someone without diabetes. The severity of diabetic eye disease is not always linked to the control of blood sugar. However, the longer someone has been diabetic, the more likely it becomes that he or she will experience vision complications.

Possible problems include:

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
High blood-sugar levels from diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina—nerve tissue at the back of the eye—and result in incomplete or blurry images. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy. In the early stages, there may be few or no obvious symptoms; however, your eye doctor can detect early damage during a dilated eye exam, so annual eye exams are critical for diabetic patients.

CATARACTS
Cataracts—a clouding of the lens—typically develop in older adults, but people with diabetes tend to get cataracts at a younger age than the general population and have them progress faster than is typical in non-diabetic patients.

SCRATCH PROTECTION
Protects the lenses from everyday wear and tear. Polycarbonate, highindex and several new plastic lens materials have scratch-resistant protection.

GLAUCOMA 
Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up inside the eye. People with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes. The longer someone has had diabetes, the more likely he or she will develop glaucoma.

Don’t Wait for Symptoms

Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease, so it is important that you don't wait for symptoms to appear before having a comprehensive eye exam. However, if you suddenly see specks or spots floating in your vision, experience blurred or double vision, pain or a feeling of pressure in your eye or notice any change in your vision that lasts for more than a couple of days, you should see your eye doctor immediately.

TREATMENT

Laser surgery is the most common form of treatment for diabetic retinopathy. There are also medications that can be injected directly into the eye to shrink abnormal blood vessel growth and decrease swelling within the retina.

• Cataracts are commonly treated by surgically removing the clouded natural lens within the eye and replacing it with a clear, artificial lens. Cataract surgery is the most common vision surgery in the United States and is typically performed on an outpatient basis.
• Glaucoma treatment may consist of the use of medications delivered daily in eye drop form, or may be treated surgically through the use of a laser or other surgical procedure.

Have a Yearly Eye Exam

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, and more often if you have been diagnosed with some form of diabetic eye disease. Early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease will dramatically reduce your chances of sustaining permanent vision loss.

Source: http://www.visionsource.com/yourhealthyeyes/diabetes.aspx