How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Don't take your eyes for granted. Take these easy steps to keep your peepers healthy.

1. Eat Well

Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. To get them, fill your plate with:

• Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards
• Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
• Eggs, nuts, beans, and other nonmeat protein sources
• Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices
• Oysters and pork

A well-balanced diet also helps you stay at a healthy weight. That lowers your odds of obesity and related diseases like type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

2. Quit Smoking

It makes you more likely to get cataracts, damage to your optic nerve, and macular degeneration. If you've tried to kick the habit before only to start again, keep at it. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask your doctor for help.

3. Wear Sunglasses

The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare while you drive.

If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It's still a good idea to wear sunglasses for an extra layer.

4. Use Safety Eyewear

If you use hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles.

Sports like ice hockey, racquetball, and lacrosse can also lead to eye injury. Wear eye protection. Helmets with protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses will shield your eyes.

5. Look Away From the Computer Screen

Staring at a computer or phone screen for too long can cause:

• Eyestrain
• Blurry vision
• Trouble focusing at a distance
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain

To protect your eyes:

• Make sure your glasses or contacts prescription is up to date and good for looking at a computer screen.
• If your eye strain won’t go away, talk to your doctor about computer glasses.
• Move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. That lets you look slightly down at the screen.
• Try to avoid glare from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.
• Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.
• If your eyes are dry, blink more.
• Rest your eyes every 20 minutes. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Get up at least every 2 hours and take a 15-minute break.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit us at www.visionsourcenw.com.

UV damage you can’t see, but impacts your vision

Summer is officially upon us and Canadians across the country are excited to get outside and enjoy the sun. While most Canucks recognize the importance of sunscreen to prevent sunburns and skin cancer, many are unaware that UV light can cause serious eye damage. In fact, overexposure to UV rays has been linked to a variety of eye problems, one of which is cataracts, a condition where the normally clear lens of the eye become cloudy and opaque.

June is Cataract Awareness Month, and with an estimated 3.2 million Canadians living with the eye condition[1], Doctors of Optometry are urging residents to book an annual eye exam with an optometrist and take the necessary precautions to protect your vision from the sun’s harmful rays.

 

What can you do?

• Avoid sources for UV radiation. Don’t stare directly at the sun and be aware of reflections from snow, water, sand and pavement. If you’re a welder, hairdresser, lighting technician, paint and resin worker, or work outdoors, be sure you’re in the know about potential risks and how to avoid UV exposure.
• Protect your peepers. Wear sunglasses that are 100% UV blocking against both UVA and UVB rays, and are close-fitting with a wrap-around style frame to help keep light out. If you wear corrective contact lenses, consider wearing UV-blocking contact lenses for an added layer of UV protection. In addition to cataracts, these steps help protect against:
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Eyelid skin cancer
• Corneal sunburn
• Age spots
• Tissue growths on the surface of the eye
• Stay informed. Get regular eye exams to monitor eye health, maintain good vision and keep up-to-date on the latest in UV protection (Check out the UV Canada smartphone app for up-to-date info on UV radiation in your location).
• 10-4. Keep out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Children are at high risk. It’s estimated that 50% of lifetime exposure to UV happens before the age of 18. Keep children younger than six months out of direct sunlight, ensure children of all ages wear sunglasses and sun hats when outside and consider using a canopy or umbrella as a sun-shield when at the beach or in the back yard.
• Recognize the symptoms. If you’re experiencing immediate pain, an inflamed cornea, or an aversion to light, see your Doctor of Optometry right away.

Your Doctor of Optometry can make specific recommendations to ensure your eyes are well-protected and to fit you with your perfect pair of sunglasses. Booking a comprehensive eye examwww.visionsourcenw.com can identify early onset of eye-health conditions related to UV that may not have apparent symptoms.

Cataracts

What is a cataract?

When the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque, it is called a cataract. Cataracts vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that cause a noticeable blurring of vision.

Who gets cataracts?

Cataracts are a function of aging and are most often found in people over the age of 60, although they are also occasionally found in younger people, including newborns. If a child is born with a cataract, it is referred to as a congenital cataract.

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts are the result of aging changes that occur within your eyes that cause the lenses to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age or it may be the result of heredity, an injury or a disease. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (present in sunlight), cigarette smoke, certain systemic conditions, or the use of certain medications are also risk factors for the development of cataracts. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but often at different rates.

Can cataracts be prevented?

Currently, there is no proven method to prevent cataracts from forming. Wearing sunglasses is a tremendous benefit as they protect your lens from harmful UV rays, which can speed up cataract formation. A diet rich in antioxidants (such as Vitamins A, C, E, Zinc Selenium & Magnesium) can also be beneficial.

What are the signs/symptoms of cataracts?

Some indications that a cataract may be forming include blurred or hazy vision that cannot be corrected by changing the glasses prescription, or the feeling of having a film over the eyes that does not go away with blinking. A temporary change in distance and/or near vision may also occur. An increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night may be experienced. Cataracts develop without pain or redness.

How are cataracts diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye examination by a doctor of optometry can determine if you have a cataract forming.

How are cataracts treated?

In the early stages of a cataract, where vision is only minimally affected, your doctor of optometry can sometimes prescribe new lenses for your glasses to give you the sharpest vision possible. When the cataracts start to interfere with your daily activities and glasses cannot improve this vision, your doctor of optometry will refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) who may recommend the surgical removal of the cataracts.

When will I need to have cataracts removed?

Cataracts may develop slowly over many years or they may form rapidly in a matter of months. Some cataracts never progress to the point that they need to be removed. When a change in glasses can no longer provide functional vision, and the cataract is starting to interfere with your daily activities, your doctor of optometry will arrange a consultation with a cataract surgeon.

What happens after cataract surgery?

The old cloudy lens is removed and an intraocular lens implant, inserted in your eye at the time of surgery, serves as a new lens. Sometimes the lens implant can give you good enough distance vision that you may not require glasses. Your near vision will still be blurred, so you may need glasses to read. Your doctor of optometry will prescribe new lenses for your glasses about four to six weeks after surgery to maximize your distance and near vision. Before surgery, your doctor of optometry may recommend lens implant options with new “specialized” intraocular lenses designed to minimize your need for glasses following the surgery.

Detecting Underlying Health Conditions

During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor of optometry does much more than just determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. He or she will also check your eyes for common and rare eye diseases, assess how well your eyes work together as a team and look for indicators of many potentially serious health conditions that affect other areas of the body.

Health Conditions Visible in the Eyes

The connection between vision and other systems of the body make routine eye exams an important part of preventative healthcare— regardless of your age or your physical health. Comprehensive eye exams provide optometrists with a close-up look at your blood vessels, the optic nerves, and other complex eye structures, all of which may contain clues to conditions that could pose a serious risk to your health. A number of underlying health conditions can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam, ranging from high blood pressure and diabetes to certain forms of cancer. Other health conditions that may show signs in the eyes include tumours, aneurysms, autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, sickle cell disease, liver disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological or brain disorders.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms, but if left untreated is a major risk factor for life threatening conditions like heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Because the eye is the only part of the body in which blood vessels can be viewed without invasive techniques, it can be the first place that high blood pressure is detected.

The retina is a tissue layer lining the inside of your eye. This layer transforms light into nerve signals that are then sent to the brain for interpretation into images. When your blood pressure is too high, for a prolonged period, changes to the retina’s blood vessels occur. During an eye exam, your optometrist will look out for damage to the blood vessels in the retina, helping to detect signs of high blood pressure and identify risks for stroke or heart attack.

Diabetes

Like high blood pressure, diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina. If undetected or not controlled effectively, diabetes can impact your vision and put you at risk of other life threatening complications such as heart disease and kidney failure. With as many as one million Canadians living with undiagnosed diabetes, an eye exam can play an important role in early detection of diabetes and assist in effective management of the disease.

Cancer

A comprehensive eye exam can identify unusual structures and growths inside or around the eye, including a rare form of cancer called choroidal melanoma which develops within the cells that make pigmentation in the eye and can be life threatening if it spreads to other parts of the body.

Brain tumours, depending on their location in the brain, can cause loss of peripheral vision, optic nerve changes, abnormal eye movements, double vision, or other changes in vision. A comprehensive eye exam includes tests of peripheral vision and eye muscle function and can often be the first line of detection of a brain tumour.

Skin cancer can also be detected through an eye exam, as lesions called basal cell carcinomas can show up on the eyelid and, in rare occasions, can spread to the brain through the eye. The eye and its surrounding tissues are one of the most common areas of the body where skin cancer is first diagnosed.

Neurological Conditions and Brain Injuries

The optic nerve in the eye is essentially an extension of the brain and carries signals from the retina’s nerve cells to the brain for processing. Neurological conditions that affect nerve cells, such as multiple sclerosis, may affect vision and be detected through an eye exam.

The muscles attached to the eye that are responsible for coordinated eye movements are controlled through nerves that arise directly from the brain. Several neurological conditions, which affect the brain, including Parkinson’s disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, can affect eye movements and even cause double vision.

Mental health conditions and brain injuries, including strokes, may affect the parts of the brain that control eye coordination and tracking. Strokes can also cause peripheral vision loss. Diabetes can cause nerve damage that can result in double vision. A comprehensive eye exam can detect problems with eye movement, and vision training or spectacle (eyeglass) therapy can improve the ability of the eyes to track and work together.

Prepare Your Eyes For Allergy Season

Spring is on the horizon and we couldn’t be more excited!

Chirping birds, blooming flowers, and warmer weather are just a few of the things we look forward to when spring comes around. We have to admit though, there is one thing about the season that’s not particularly appealing, and that’s allergies.

What Your Eyes Can Expect This Spring

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that approximately 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Many of you have experienced it… you walk outside to enjoy the fresh air of a new spring day, only to find yourself sneezing and congested soon after. Not only that, but your eyes suffer too! If you struggle with allergies, your eyes might experience the following symptoms:

• Redness
• Swelling around the eyelids
• Sensitivity to light
• Itchiness
• Tearing, or watery discharge

We know that nothing can ruin your spring fever quite like an allergy attack, so read on to find out ways to protect yourself this season!

Tips To Help You Survive Allergy Season

The best way to treat allergies is prevention. Here are some tips to protect your eyes when seasonal allergies strike!

Avoid Allergens

This goes without saying. Be aware of the pollen count in your area and try to stay indoors when pollen counts are at their highest, usually mid-morning and early evening. Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning at home and in your car. If you have to go outdoors, wear wraparound sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.

Try Home Remedies

Applying a cold compress to your eyes can bring a surprising amount of relief. This reduces eye itchiness and swelling. You should also remove your contacts if you feel your allergies are getting the best of you. Allergens can get trapped in between your contact lenses and the surface of your eye, causing constant irritation.

Use Over-The-Counter Medication

Artificial tears can help wash out any allergens in your eyes, so keep these on hand. You can also use over-the-counter allergy eye drops or oral antihistamines. If you feel that these aren’t helping you, visit your local Vision Source® member practice and they can write you a prescription for stronger medication that may provide more relief.

To get a more in-depth look at what causes those pesky allergies and what you can do to avoid them, check out the video below!

Don’t Let Allergies Get The Best Of You

We know how difficult spring can be for some of our patients because of allergies. We want you to know that we’re here for you!

Keep in mind that many eye infections can mimic the symptoms of eye allergies. So if you’ve never had seasonal allergies and suddenly experience them or you’re simply unsure, contact your optometrist and get your eyes checked. We’re here to get you through allergy season with a smile on your face!

To learn more, visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com or call us at 604.553.3900.

Digital Eye Strain

Research is showing a rise in the detection of visual problems because of the number of hours spent in front of a computer. Uncorrected hyperopia or myopia, astigmatism and wearing multifocals can all make computer use less comfortable and efficient. Depending on your condition, your eyes could be exerting extra focusing effort or be forced to work harder to maintain a clear image when viewing the screen. Even people with perfect vision may experience symptoms such as blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches with improper computer use. To ensure comfortable and efficient computing, visit your doctor of optometry for a thorough eye exam. Your doctor of optometry will need to know:

• How many hours a day you use a computer
• The distance from your eyes to your screen
• The overall set up of your workstation and your main work tasks
• The type and location of lighting in your computer area

A doctor of optometry will advise you if you suffer from digital eye strain, or if your ocular discomfort is the result of a more serious vision or health problem. To help reduce the risk of digital eye strain, consider the following tips:

• Position your screen about an arm’s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level.
• Set colour and contrast tones to suit your eyes and match the brightness of your screen with your surroundings.
• Minimize reflected glare on your screen by using dimmer switches on lights and a protective anti-glare screen cover. Also consider positioning your screen so that it sits perpendicular to windows and other bright light sources. If you are having trouble locating the source of the glare, turn off your monitor to reveal a darkened screen and tilt/swivel your monitor until the reflection disappears.
• Keep your screen free of fingerprints and dust, as both can reduce visual clarity.
• If you alternate between looking at your screen and paperwork, consider obtaining a clipboard that attaches alongside your monitor so that the two are at the same working distance.
• 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 (the water cooler, possibly?). This will give your eyes a much-needed break and reduce some of the symptoms mentioned earlier.
• Remember to blink! Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute, but when we’re on the computer, we only blink five times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial teardrops or gels and remembering to blink. Consult your optometrist to determine which eye drops are best to relieve your dry eyes.
• Ask for anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses, which can be applied at the time of manufacturing, which allow for more comfortable viewing of screens, fluorescent and LED lights. Your doctor of optometry will talk to you about eyewear designed specifically for computer use.

Symptoms of headaches, eye strain, blurred vision, eye irritation, double vision, excessive tearing or dry eyes and excessive blinking or squinting are all common effects of digital eye strain. Any time you experience these symptoms, you should visit your doctor of optometry for a comprehensive eye health examination to rule out a more serious vision problem.

Detecting Underlying Health Conditions

During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor of optometry does much more than just determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. He or she will also check your eyes for common and rare eye diseases, assess how well your eyes work together as a team and look for indicators of many potentially serious health conditions that affect other areas of the body.

Health Conditions Visible in the Eyes

The connection between vision and other systems of the body make routine eye exams an important part of preventative healthcare— regardless of your age or your physical health. Comprehensive eye exams provide optometrists with a close-up look at your blood vessels, the optic nerves, and other complex eye structures, all of which may contain clues to conditions that could pose a serious risk to your health. A number of underlying health conditions can be detected through a comprehensive eye exam, ranging from high blood pressure and diabetes to certain forms of cancer. Other health conditions that may show signs in the eyes include tumours, aneurysms, autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, sickle cell disease, liver disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological or brain disorders.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms, but if left untreated is a major risk factor for life threatening conditions like heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Because the eye is the only part of the body in which blood vessels can be viewed without invasive techniques, it can be the first place that high blood pressure is detected.

The retina is a tissue layer lining the inside of your eye. This layer transforms light into nerve signals that are then sent to the brain for interpretation into images. When your blood pressure is too high, for a prolonged period, changes to the retina’s blood vessels occur. During an eye exam, your optometrist will look out for damage to the blood vessels in the retina, helping to detect signs of high blood pressure and identify risks for stroke or heart attack.

Diabetes

Like high blood pressure, diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina. If undetected or not controlled effectively, diabetes can impact your vision and put you at risk of other life threatening complications such as heart disease and kidney failure. With as many as one million Canadians living with undiagnosed diabetes, an eye exam can play an important role in early detection of diabetes and assist in effective management of the disease.

Cancer

A comprehensive eye exam can identify unusual structures and growths inside or around the eye, including a rare form of cancer called choroidal melanoma which develops within the cells that make pigmentation in the eye and can be life threatening if it spreads to other parts of the body.

Brain tumours, depending on their location in the brain, can cause loss of peripheral vision, optic nerve changes, abnormal eye movements, double vision, or other changes in vision. A comprehensive eye exam includes tests of peripheral vision and eye muscle function and can often be the first line of detection of a brain tumour.

Skin cancer can also be detected through an eye exam, as lesions called basal cell carcinomas can show up on the eyelid and, in rare occasions, can spread to the brain through the eye. The eye and its surrounding tissues are one of the most common areas of the body where skin cancer is first diagnosed.

Neurological Conditions and Brain Injuries

The optic nerve in the eye is essentially an extension of the brain and carries signals from the retina’s nerve cells to the brain for processing. Neurological conditions that affect nerve cells, such as multiple sclerosis, may affect vision and be detected through an eye exam.

The muscles attached to the eye that are responsible for coordinated eye movements are controlled through nerves that arise directly from the brain. Several neurological conditions, which affect the brain, including Parkinson’s disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, can affect eye movements and even cause double vision.

Mental health conditions and brain injuries, including strokes, may affect the parts of the brain that control eye coordination and tracking. Strokes can also cause peripheral vision loss. Diabetes can cause nerve damage that can result in double vision. A comprehensive eye exam can detect problems with eye movement, and vision training or spectacle (eyeglass) therapy can improve the ability of the eyes to track and work together.