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What is an eye examination?

Your optometrist will use a number of techniques to assess any potential vision or eye health problems, and will keep a file of that information in order to keep track of changes in your eye health or vision. Regular visits to your optometrist are recommended.

Take a proactive approach to your eye health!

Steps that you can expect in a typical optometric examination include:

Case history - you will be asked about your general health, medications you may be taking, your working environment, hobbies, etc. You will also be asked to describe any vision problems you may have been experiencing.

External eye examination - Your optometrist will examine the external area around the eye to ensure that there are no abnormalities.

Internal eye examination - Using the slit lamp microscope and an ophthalmoscope, your optometrist will check your eyes for indications of abnormalities, from front to back.
Some problems detected during an internal eye examination may indicate possible disease, such as diabetes or hypertension. If your optometrist sees any of these warning signs, you will be referred to a physician for further examination.

Tonometry - Tonometry measures the fluid pressure in the eye and is an important test in detecting glaucoma.

Vision tests - A number of tests are used to assess your vision:

Retinoscopy - The optometrist can determine the strength of your eyes using various lenses and the retinoscope. This is done without feedback from the patient and is therefore an invaluable instrument for assessing the vision problems of children and others who may not be able to read an eye chart.

Visual acuity tests - Using the familiar wall chart and hand-held charts, your optometrist will assess your ability to see small detail clearly at both near and far distances.
You may sit behind a phoropter, an instrument containing a combination of lenses. Lens choices are systematically changed until clear focus is obtained.

Eye Movement - Using a number of different tests, the optometrist will evaluate how well your eyes align or coordinate when working together and individually.

Peripheral Vision - The optometrist may evaluate how well you see targets which are not directly in front of you.

Other tests may be undertaken to evaluate your ability to change focus, see colour correctly, or perceive depth correctly.

The items above are typical of a routine eye examination.

Your optometrist will choose those tests required to adequately evaluate YOUR visual system!

Exam Frequency 

Regular Eye Examinations

The need for regular eye examinations has been recognized for many years. Vision and ocular health conditions are not always accompanied by recognizable symptoms, and there is often an increased risk to the patient if timely treatment is not initiated.

After initial examination, your optometrist will schedule regular checkups for you at a frequency that meets YOUR particular eye care needs.

Many factors will influence the frequency of your eye examination, and the optometrist will weigh these factors in deciding when you should be seen again. However, general guidelines have been established which can assist you in determining the need for follow-up examination.

Patients in each age group may be classified as being at low risk or high risk for ocular or vision problems. The minimum recommended frequency of examination for those at low risk is as follows:

Infants and toddlers (birth to 24 months) - By age 6 months

Preschool (2 to 5 years) - At age 3, and prior to entering elementary school

School age (6 to 19 years) - Annually

Adult (20 to 64 years) - Every one to two years

Older adult (65 years and older) - Annually

The frequency of examination for those at high risk will be determined by the examining optometrist on the basis of one's health and visual status at the preliminary examination. Some of the factors which may indicate high risk are as follows:

Infants and toddlers and preschool: Premature birth; low birth weight; mother's health during pregnancy; family medical history; strabismus; or congenital eye disorders.

School age: children experiencing difficulty at school; children exhibiting reading and/or learning disabilities.

Adult: diabetes; hypertension; family history of glaucoma; those whose work is visually demanding or who face eye hazards.

Older adult: diabetes; hypertension; family history of glaucoma; those taking systemic medication with ocular side effects.

Children's Vision

Your Eyes and Vision: Children's Vision

About 80 percent of all babies are born far-sighted. Approximately five percent are born near-sighted, or unable to see objects at a distance clearly. Only about 15 percent are born with nothing wrong with the refractive parts of the eye.

Farsightedness usually decreases as a child ages, typically normalizing to a negligible value by the age of 7-8.

After a child grows and the incidence of farsightedness decreases, that of nearsightedness increases. Many school-age children and teens first discover they are nearsighted when they have difficulty reading the writing on the board at school. Nearsightedness usually occurs before age 25.

Good vision involves many different skills working together to enable your child not only to see clearly but also to understand what he or she sees.

Those skills include:

Near Vision
 Ability to see clearly and comfortably at 13-16 inches, the distance at which school deskwork should be performed.

Distance Vision
Ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10 feet or more.

Binocular Coordination
Ability to use the two eyes together.

Eye Movement Skills
Ability to aim the eyes accurately, and move them smoothly across a page and quickly and accurately from one object to another.

Peripheral Awareness
Ability to be aware of things to the side while looking straight ahead.

Eye/Hand Coordination
Ability to use the eyes and hands together.

If any of these or other vision skills is lacking or not functioning properly, your child's eyes have to work harder. This can lead to blurred vision, headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain symptoms.

Why thorough vision examinations important?
Don't assume your child has good vision because he or she passed a school vision screening. A 20/20 score means only that your child can see at 20 feet what he or she should be able to see at that distance. It does not measure any of the other vision skills needed for learning.

Vision screenings are important but they should not be substituted for a thorough vision examination.

Things you can do

There are things you can do to help ensure that your child's vision is ready for school each year and to relieve the visual stress of schoolwork.

Be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision problem. Note if your child frequently:

• Loses his or her place while reading.
• Avoids close work.
• Holds reading material closer than normal.
• Tends to rub his or her eyes.
• Has headaches.
• Turns or tilts the head to use one eye only.
• Makes reversals when reading or writing.
• Uses a finger to maintain his/her place while reading.
• Omits or confuses small words when reading.
• Performs below potential.
• Closes one eye while reading.

Make sure your child's homework area is evenly lighted and free from glare. Furniture should be the right size for proper posture. During periods of close concentration, have your child take periodic breaks. Rest breaks are also recommended when your child is using a computer or playing video games.

To make TV viewing easier on your child's eyes:

• Be sure the room has overall soft lighting.
• Place the set to avoid glare and reflections.
• Watch from a distance at least five times the width of the screen.
• Be sure your child's hours away from school include time for exercise and creative play. Both can help keep his or her vision skills functioning properly.
• Teach your child eye protection through these safety rules:
• Keep away from the targets of darts, bows-and-arrows, air guns and missile-throwing toys.
• Don't shine laser pointers into anyone's eyes. Teach them laser pointers are not toys.
• Don't run with or throw sharp objects.
• Wear safety goggles when using chemistry sets, power tools and household and yard chemicals. (Note: Be certain your child is mature enough to handle these items safely, and provide proper supervision.)

Thorough vision care is important
Because a change in vision can occur without you or your child realizing it, have your child's eyes examined every year.

A thorough eye examination should include:

• A review of your child's health and vision history.
• Tests for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, color perception, lazy eye, crossed-eyes, eye coordination, depth perception and focusing ability.
• An eye health examination.

If your child's eyes need help
After assessing your child's test results, glasses, contact lenses or vision therapy may be prescribed. Your optometrist may also recommend preventive measures, such as mild prescription lenses, to be worn only when doing schoolwork or watching television. These may help relieve stress on your child's eyes.

Vision therapy is prescribed for conditions that cannot adequately be treated with glasses or contact lenses alone. By reinforcing or re-teaching vision skills, conditions such as poor eye coordination and movement, lazy eye and perceptual problems can be improved.

Your care and concern for your child's vision can enrich his or her future while helping develop eye care habits for a lifetime of good vision.

Eye Diseases and Conditions

AMBLYOPIA (lazy eye)

What is amblyopia or lazy eye?
Amblyopia is the lack of development of vision in one eye that is not directly caused by any eye health problem. It is not correctable with lenses alone.

Who is likely to develop amblyopia?
Amblyopia is the result of poor early development, and as such, occurs before the age of six. It is estimated that 2-4% of children under the age of six have amblyopia.

What causes amblyopia?
Amblyopia results from a large difference in the prescription between the two eyes or it can occur when strabismus (crossed eyes) is present. It can also occur when something is interfering with the clarity of the various components of the eye. This causes blurred vision in the affected eye. Because the image that is sent to the brain from the affected eye is poor, the brain will ignore this eye. As the brain ignores the eye over time, very few connections are made between the brain and the eye. It is this lack of connections between the brain and the eye that causes the eye to become amblyopic. This is why lenses alone cannot correct the problem.

Is the amblyopic eye blind?
The amblyopic eye is never blind in the sense of being entirely without sight. Amblyopia mostly affects the central vision. Peripheral vision is still almost normal.

What are signs / symptoms of amblyopia?
Most of the time, there are no symptoms of amblyopia. Since only one eye is affected, the other eye usually has reasonably good vision and tends to take over all visual tasks. Unless the good eye is covered, the person will rarely notice the poor vision in the amblyopic eye. Sometimes amblyopia is associated with strabismus (crossed eyes), which may be noted as a sign/symptom.

How is amblyopia diagnosed?
A comprehensive optometric examination can determine the presence of amblyopia. The earlier it is diagnosed, the greater the chance for a complete recovery. That is why it is important to have your child's vision examined at six months of age, again at age 3 and then regularly thereafter.

How is amblyopia treated?
The most important part of amblyopia therapy involves covering the good eye so that the brain is forced to recognize the amblyopic eye. This will lead to the development of more connections between the brain and the amblyopic eye and improve vision. This is most commonly done by placing a patch in front of the good eye. Patching the stronger eye is necessary to stimulate and strengthen the amblyopic eye. If patching is not tolerated well or is unsuccessful, then prescription eye drops are sometimes used in the good eye as a way to blur its vision temporarily. Corrective lenses may also be necessary.

How will amblyopia affect a person's lifestyle?
Amblyopia will not interfere with most daily activities. However, some occupations and recreational activities require good vision in both eyes. This may limit someone with amblyopia from these activities. In addition, should the good eye become injured or develop vision problems, a person may have difficulty performing normal activities or may not be able to hold a driver's license.

ASTIGMATISM

What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the front surface of your eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye is slightly irregular in shape, resulting in vision being blurred at all distances. Astigmatism is not a disease, but is actually a vision condition that is quite common.

What causes astigmatism?
When the front of your eye or the lens inside the eye is more oval than round, light does not focus properly on the back of your eye (retina). Astigmatism is caused by small differences in the growth and alignment of the components of the eye. In some cases, it may be hereditary or it may result from such factors as pressure of the eyelids on the cornea.

How common is astigmatism?
Most people have some degree of astigmatism. However, only moderate to highly astigmatic eyes may need corrective lenses.

What are signs/symptoms of astigmatism?
People with severe astigmatism will usually have blurred or distorted vision. Those with mild astigmatism may experience headaches, eyestrain, fatigue or blurred vision at certain distances.

How is astigmatism diagnosed?
A comprehensive eye examination by your Doctor of Optometry will include tests for astigmatism.

Can astigmatism by corrected?
Almost all levels of astigmatism can be optically corrected with properly prescribed and fitted eyeglasses or contact lenses. Laser surgery may be an option for appropriate cases.

Does astigmatism get progressively worse?
Astigmatism may change with time. Regular optometric care can, however, help to insure that proper vision is maintained.

How will astigmatism affect my lifestyle?
You may have to adjust to wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses if you do not wear them now. Other than that, astigmatism probably will not significantly affect your lifestyle at all.

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 loss of vision.

Who gets cataracts?
Cataracts are most often found in persons over the age of 60, but they are also occasionally found in younger people, including newborns.

What causes cataracts?
No one knows exactly what causes cataracts. It is known that a chemical change occurs within your eye that causes the lens 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 smoking 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) is seemingly also beneficial.

What are the signs / symptoms of cataracts?
Cataracts develop without pain or redness. Some indications that a cataract may be forming include blurred or hazy vision, the appearance of spots in front of the eyes, or the feeling of having a film over the eyes. A temporary improvement in near vision may also occur and increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night may be experienced.

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 optometrist can 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 optometrist will refer you to an eye surgeon who may recommend the surgical removal of the cataracts. The surgery is relatively uncomplicated and has a success rate of at least 95 percent.

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, your optometrist will arrange a consultation with a cataract surgeon.

What happens after cataract surgery?
Intraocular lens implants, inserted in your eye at the time of surgery, serve as a “new lens” and sometimes give you good distance vision without glasses. Your near vision will still be blurred. Your Doctor of Optometry will prescribe new lenses for your glasses about 4 weeks after surgery to maximize your distance and near vision.

CONJUNCTIVITIS

What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and a portion of the front of the eye. This condition appears in many forms and affects people of all ages.

What causes conjunctivitis?
The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic, and chemical. The infectious form, commonly known as “pink eye” is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria. Your body’s allergies to pollen, cosmetics, animals, or fabrics often bring on allergic conjunctivitis. Irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming pools may produce the chemical form.

What are the signs / symptoms of conjunctivitis?
Common signs / symptoms of conjunctivitis are red eyes, inflamed inner lids, watery eyes, blurred vision and sandy or scratchy feeling in the eyes. With the infectious form, there may be a pus-like or watery discharge around the eyelids.

Since infectious conjunctivitis is contagious, what measure can be taken to prevent spreading this condition?
To avoid giving infectious conjunctivitis to others, keep your hands away from your eyes; thoroughly wash your hands before and after applying eye medication; do not share towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eye drops with others and seek treatment promptly. Small children, who may forget these precautions, should be kept away from school, camp and the swimming pool until the condition is cured.

Will conjunctivitis harm my eyes?
Certain forms of conjunctivitis can develop into a serious condition that may harm your vision. Therefore, it’s important to have your condition diagnosed and properly treated quickly.

How is infectious conjunctivitis treated?
Infectious conjunctivitis, caused by bacteria, is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment. Other infectious forms, caused by viruses, can’t be treated with antibiotics. They are fought off by your body’s immune system. But, some antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections from developing.

How are the allergic and chemical forms of conjunctivitis treated?
The ideal treatment for both forms is to remove the cause of the allergy or irritation. For instance, avoid contact with any animal if it causes an allergic reaction. Wear swimming goggles if chlorinated water irritates your eyes. In cases where these measures won’t work, other types of prescription and over-the-counter eye drops are available to help relieve the discomfort.

DIABETES & YOUR EYES

What is diabetes?
Diabetes, simply stated, is a disease that prevents your body from making or using insulin which in turn leads to increased sugar levels in your bloodstream.

How does diabetes affect the eye?
Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye. Diabetes can cause changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness and premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects). It can result in cataracts, glaucoma, paralysis of the nerves that control the eye muscles or pupil, and in decreased corneal sensitivity. Visual symptoms of diabetes include fluctuating or blurring of vision, occasional double vision, loss of visual field, and flashes and floaters within the eyes. Sometimes these early signs of diabetes are detected in a thorough optometric examination. The most serious eye problem associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.

What is retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina of your eye, resulting in blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes. If diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, blindness can result.

Can vision loss from diabetes be prevented?
Yes, in a routine eye examination, your optometrist can diagnose potential vision threatening changes in your eye that may be treated to prevent blindness. However, once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent. It is important to control your diabetes as much as possible to minimize your risk of developing retinopathy.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy is monitored through eye health examinations.
If necessary, it may be treated with laser therapy. A bright beam of light is focused on the retina, causing a burn which seals off leaking blood vessels. In other cases, surgery inside the eye may be necessary. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is crucial, as treatment is much more likely to be successful at an early stage.

Are there risk factors for developing retinopathy?
Several factors that increase the risk of developing retinopathy include smoking, high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and pregnancy.

How can diabetes-related eye problems be prevented?
Monitor and maintain control of your diabetes. See your physician regularly and follow instructions about diet, exercise and medication. See your optometrist, an eye care specialist, for a thorough eye examination when you are first diagnosed as a diabetic, at least annually thereafter and more frequently if recommended.

DRY EYE

What is “dry eye?”
The tears your eyes normally produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or produce tears which do not have the proper chemical composition.

What causes “dry eye?”
Dry eye symptoms can result from the normal aging process, hormonal changes, exposure to environmental conditions, problems with normal blinking or from medications such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives or antidepressants. Dry eye can also be symptomatic of general health problems, or other diseases or can result from chemical or thermal burns to the eye.

What are signs/symptoms of “dry eye?”
The common sign/symptoms include stinging, itchy, scratchy and uncomfortable eyes; and sometimes having a burning feeling or a feeling of something foreign within the eye. You may experience increased dry eye symptoms on awakening. Some people experience an overly wet eye. This is a natural reflex to comfort a dry eye.

How is “dry eye” diagnosed?
During the examination, your Doctor of Optometry will ask you questions about your general health, your use of medications and your home and work environments to determine any factors which may be causing dry eye symptoms. This information will help your doctor decide whether to perform dry eye tests. These tests use diagnostic instruments, which allow a highly magnified view of your eyes and sometimes use special dyes. Your doctor will evaluate the quality, the amount and the distribution of tears to detect signs of dry eyes.

Can “dry eye” be cured?
Dry eye usually cannot be cured, but your eyes’ comfort can be improved and eye health maintained through use of artificial tears. For more severe dry eye, gels and ointments can be used, especially at bedtime. In some cases, small plugs may be inserted in the corner of the eyelids to slow drainage and loss of tears. Treating any underlying systemic disease, or a change of diet can also be helpful at times.

Will “dry eye” harm my eyes?
If dry eye is untreated, it can harm your eyes. Excessive dry eye can damage tissue and possibly scar the cornea of your eye, impairing vision. Dry eye can make contact lens wear more difficult due to increased irritation and greater chance of eye infection. To keep dry eye symptoms in check, you and your Doctor of Optometry need to work together. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. If you have increased dryness or redness that is not relieved by the prescribed treatment, let your optometrist know as soon as possible.

FARSIGHTEDNESS

What is farsightedness?
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close objects are not brought into proper focus.

Why does farsightedness occur?
If the length of your eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, near objects cannot be brought into a sharp and clearly focused image. Some theorists believe that farsightedness is hereditary and others believe that it may result from environmental factors.

How does farsightedness affect vision?
If you are farsighted, you involuntarily exert extra effort to maintain clear distance vision and even greater effort to see clearly at close range. This extra effort can cause fatigue, tension and discomfort. If the crystalline lens of the eye cannot bring the object into focus, blurred vision occurs.

How common is farsightedness?
Many people have some degree of farsightedness. The condition is only a problem if it significantly affects a person’s ability to see. It is estimated that over half the people who wear glasses are wearing them because of a focusing problem due to farsightedness or presbyopia, a natural decrease in focusing ability.

What are the signs / symptoms of farsightedness?
Common signs / symptoms of farsightedness include difficulty in concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects, blurred vision, eye strain, fatigue and / or headaches after close work, aching or burning eyes, poor reading ability and general tension.

How is farsightedness detected?
Farsightedness can be effectively diagnosed during a comprehensive optometric examination. Common vision screenings, often done in schools, are generally ineffective in detecting farsighted people. This is because these individuals can identify the letters on an eye chart with little difficulty.

How is farsightedness treated?
In mild cases, your eyes may be able to compensate adequately without the need for corrective lenses. In more severe cases, your optometrist may recommend glasses or contact lenses. For appropriate candidates, laser surgery can be considered.

How will farsightedness affect my lifestyle?
If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, it may take a few days to adjust to them. After that, farsightedness will probably not significantly affect your lifestyle.

FLOATERS & SPOTTERS

What are floaters and spots?
Floaters (often called spots) are small, semi-transparent specks or particles within the eye that become noticeable when they fall within the line of sight. They may also appear with flashes of light.

Does everyone have floaters?
Almost everyone sees a few floaters at one time or another. They can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as you grow older. If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of floaters, you should contact your Doctor of Optometry right away, so you can be sure they are not the result of a more serious problem.

What causes floaters?
The inner part of your eye is made up of a clear, jelly-like fluid known as the vitreous. Occasionally, small flecks of protein and other matter become trapped in the vitreous during the formation of the eye before birth and remain in the vitreous body. Floaters and spots may also be caused by the deterioration of the eye fluid or its surrounding parts, or by certain injuries or eye diseases.

What do floaters look like?
Floaters are generally translucent specks of various shapes and sizes. They may also appear as bugs, threadlike strands or cobwebs within the eye. Since they are within the eye, they move as the eye moves and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.

Can these floaters cause blindness?
Most floaters are normal and rarely cause blindness. But, floaters can be indications of more serious problems, such as a retinal hole, tear or detachment, and if you see them you should have a comprehensive optometric examination to determine the cause.

How are floaters detected?
As part of a comprehensive eye examination, your Doctor of Optometry will thoroughly evaluate the vitreous and retina of your eyes. Your optometrist uses these instruments to examine the health of the inside of your eyes and may also observe the floaters within your eye. This is often done after the doctor puts special drops in your eyes to make the pupils larger (called dilation) to allow a fuller view of the inside of your eyes

GLAUCOMA

What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which it is thought the internal pressure of your eye rises to a point that the optic nerve is damaged. The pressure that builds up is due to a problem in the production, flow or drainage of fluid normally produced in your eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.

What causes glaucoma?
The exact cause of glaucoma is not known. For some reason, there is an overproduction of fluid and / or the passages that normally allow fluid within your eye to drain out become clogged or blocked. This results in fluid building up within your eye and increasing pressure on the optic nerve. The nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve can easily be damaged by this pressure. An injury, infection or tumor in or around the eye can also cause the pressure to rise.

Who gets glaucoma?
Glaucoma most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40 and there is a hereditary tendency for the development of the disease in some families. Primary open-angle glaucoma causes damage at an earlier age and leads to blindness at a much greater rate. There is also a greater risk of developing glaucoma when you have diabetes, high blood pressure and eye injuries. Regular optometric examinations are important for all ages to assess your risk for glaucoma.

Why is glaucoma harmful to vision?
The optic nerve, at the back of the eye, carries visual information to the brain. As the fibers that make up the optic nerve are damaged, the amount and quality of information sent to the brain decreases and a loss of vision occurs.

Will I go blind from glaucoma?
If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can be controlled and little or no further vision loss should occur. If left untreated, side awareness (peripheral vision) and central vision will be destroyed and almost complete blindness
may occur.

How can I tell if I have glaucoma?
Primary open-angle glaucoma often develops painlessly and gradually. There are no early warning signs. It can gradually destroy your vision without you knowing it. Acute angle-closure glaucoma may have symptoms such as nausea, eye pain, red eyes, blurred vision and haloes around lights.

How is glaucoma detected?
A comprehensive ocular health examination is often the only way to detect glaucoma. Your optometrist can include in your examination a simple and painless procedure called tonometry, which measures the internal pressure of your eye. Your optometrist will also look into your eye to observe the health of the optic nerve and
measure your field of vision.

How is glaucoma treated?
Treatment via eye drops and surgery is usually effective in maintaining your remaining vision. Once vision is lost due to glaucoma, it cannot be restored. This is why regular preventive eye exams are so important.

KERATOCONUS

Poor vision that cannot be corrected fully with glasses may indicate a condition known as conical cornea or keratoconus. A rare condition, keratoconus primarily affects people in their early 20's.

With keratoconus, the cornea, the "clear window" at the front of the eye, may become thin and bow outwards. It is this irregular distortion of the cornea that makes vision correction with glasses less than optimal. For this reason other means of correcting vision are often necessary.

Vision correction with rigid gas permeable lenses.
Mild to moderate keratoconus is best corrected with rigid gas permeable contact lenses, which provide a smooth surface in front of the cornea, making clear vision possible. Because the lens is rigid, the tears between the lens and the cornea form a 'liquid lens,' which smoothes the irregularities of the cornea and makes clear vision possible again. Soft lenses, which 'wrap' onto the cornea and take up its shape much more closely than rigid lenses, are less successful at correcting keratoconus.

Corneal replacement surgery may be necessary
As keratoconus progresses, some scarring of the cornea can occur. Eventually, contact lenses may no longer be a successful treatment. Instead, the cornea may need to be replaced surgically with a cornea of more regular shape. The prognosis for corneal replacement surgery is generally very good.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

What is macular degeneration?
The macula is the central most part of the retina that is responsible for detailed sharp vision. It is used for reading, driving, recognizing people's faces and fine work. Macular Degeneration is a condition that causes the centre of your vision to blur while the side or peripheral vision is unaffected. It is generally related to the aging process, and is also commonly referred to as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It is the leading cause of blindness in North America in adults over the age of 55.

What are the symptoms of Macular Degeneration?
Initially, the most common symptom is slightly blurred vision when performing tasks that require seeing detail. A blurred spot or sense that there is dirt in the way of clear vision may develop. Over time, the blurred spot may increase in size and interfere with reading and recognizing faces. Wet AMD causes a straight line to look wavy or distorted, and dark spots may blank out portions of the central vision. There is no pain with AMD.

Are there different forms?
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The most common is the dry form. This is the milder form where there is a gradual degeneration of the tissue cells that make up the macula and symptoms generally develop slowly over time. The wet form is a severe leakage, or even bleeding, from weak blood vessels under the macula and symptoms progress rapidly. Wet AMD accounts for approximately 10 percent of all cases, but the dry form can develop into the wet form over time.

Who is at risk of developing Macular Degeneration?
The risk of developing AMD increases with age. High risk groups include smokers and people who have had extensive UV exposure. AMD is also associated with conditions such as high blood-pressure, arteriosclerosis, and those with a family history of AMD.

How can I prevent Macular Degeneration?
Lifelong UV protection and general nutrition are believed to play a key role in preventing AMD. Living a healthy lifestyle by keeping your blood pressure down, reducing your intake of fatty foods and not smoking are all recommended. A diet high in antioxidants such as beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A), vitamins Cand E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and selenium can also help prevent AMD. Most of these antioxidants are found in fruits and leafy green vegetables. Regular eye examinations are also important in the early detection of AMD. Early stages of AMD may be found during an eye examination even if no symptoms are noticed. Your optometrist can discuss ways to minimize the possibility of vision loss due to AMD.

Is there treatment for Macular Degeneration?
Currently, dry AMD has no treatment. Many cases of wet AMD can be treated with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Early detection and prompt intervention are crucial to the success of PDT for wet AMD. Certain vitamins can assist in slowing down the progression of AMD. It is important to realize that the use of vitamins will not reverse any vision loss that has already occurred, nor will it stop the progression of AMD completely. Regular eye examinations and counseling from your optometrist will let you know of any new treatments that become available.

Is there help available?
Many patients with sight loss due to AMD can benefit from low vision aids. Your optometrist can prescribe magnifying devices to enhance both distance and reading vision. These aids will not restore sight to normal levels but they allow people to maximize their remaining vision. Your optometrist may also train you to use the Amsler grid, which is a tool that can assist in testing the progression of AMD.

NEARSIGHTEDNESS

What is nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness, or myopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects do not come into proper focus.

Why does nearsightedness occur?
When your eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, light entering the eye is not focused properly. Some evidence supports the theory that nearsightedness is hereditary. There is some evidence that nearsightedness may also be caused by the stress of too much close vision work.

How common is nearsightedness?
Nearsightedness is a very common vision condition that affects nearly 30 percent of the Canadian population. It normally occurs in school age children. Since the eyes continue to grow during childhood, nearsightedness usually occurs before the individual reaches the age of 20.

Will I have to wear glasses?
You may need glasses part-time or full-time to enable you to see more clearly. If your condition warrants, your Doctor of Optometry will prescribe corrective lenses for you. You may only need them for certain activities, like watching television, going to a movie or driving a car.

Will glasses/contact lenses cure nearsightedness?
Eyeglasses or contact lenses optically correct the problem by altering the way the light images enter your eyes, but they do not cure nearsightedness. At present there are no proven cures for nearsightedness. Surgical procedures such as LASIK and / or ocular implants may eliminate your need for glasses.

How is nearsightedness diagnosed?
Nearsighted people will often have trouble seeing the chalkboard, the movie screen, the television set or other distant objects. When your optometrist gives you a comprehensive eye examination, it will include a test for nearsightedness.

How will nearsightedness affect my lifestyle?
If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, it may take up to 2 weeks to adjust to seeing clearly with them. Some nearsighted people may find that they are restricted from some occupations e.g. police officer or fire fighter, due to their nearsightedness. In these cases, laser surgery may be useful for some people. Contact lenses are very helpful for correcting nearsightedness and are ideal for people with more active lifestyles.

PRESBYOPIA

What is presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a vision condition in which the crystalline lens of your eye loses its flexibility. This results in difficulty in focusing on close objects.

What causes presbyopia?
The lens in your eye continues to grow and produces more and more cells. Eventually the lens loses most of its elasticity and, therefore, loses most of its focusing ability.

At what age does presbyopia occur?
It varies from person to person. Although presbyopia may seem to develop suddenly, the actual decline takes place over the course of many years. Presbyopia usually becomes apparent to people in their early to mid-forties.

What are signs/symptoms of presbyopia?
Some signs/symptoms of presbyopia include the tendency to hold reading materials at arms length, blurred vision at normal reading distance and eye fatigue along with headaches when attempting to do close work.

Can presbyopia be prevented?
Unfortunately not. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process.

How is presbyopia diagnosed?
A comprehensive eye examination by a Doctor of Optometry will include testing the quality of your near vision. This will determine the extent, if any, of presbyopia.

How is presbyopia treated?
To compensate for presbyopia, Doctors of Optometry prescribe reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals or contact lenses. Since presbyopia can complicate other common vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, your optometrist will perform other tests to determine the specific lenses that will allow you to see clearly. Laser surgery can be used to provide “monovision” for patients. By doing this, one eye is corrected for distance vision and one eye is corrected for near vision. This can also be done with contact lenses. Monovision does not work well for all people. People who require good distance visual acuity with both eyes, such as pilots or police officers, may not be suitable candidates for monovision. Your optometrist can discuss monovision with you to help determine if this is the right option for you.

Will I have to wear glasses all the time?
This will depend on a number of factors, including any other vision conditions you have. You may only need your glasses for reading, sewing or other close work. However, you may find that wearing your glasses all the time is more beneficial and convenient for your vision needs.

Can I still wear contact lenses?
You will likely be able to wear contact lenses part time or full time, depending upon your prescription and your daily visual needs. Your Doctor of Optometry will tell you about your options and help you decide what is best for you.

Why are frequent lens changes necessary after 40?
The effects of presbyopia constantly change the ability of the crystalline lens to focus properly. As a result, approximately every 2-3 years, changes in your eyewear are necessary to maintain correct vision between ages 40-60.

STRABISMUS (crossed-eyes)

What is strabismus?
Strabismus, more commonly known as crossed-eyes, is a vision condition in which your eyes are not properly aligned with each other. For a variety of reasons, one or both of your eyes turn in, out, up or down.

What causes strabismus?
Coordination of your eyes and their ability to work together as a team develops in your first six years. Failure of your eyes (or more precisely, your eye muscles) to adjust properly can lead to crossed-eyes. Strabismus may also have a tendency to be hereditary.

Who is affected by strabismus?
Children under 6 are the ones most affected by crossed-eyes, but this often first appears between birth and age 21 months. It is estimated that five percent of all children have some type or degree of strabismus. Although rare, strabismus sometimes begins in adulthood, but this is usually the result of a stroke, tumor or other vascular disease.

Will a child outgrow strabismus?
This is a common misconception. A child will not outgrow crossed-eyes. In fact, the condition may get worse without treatment.

What are the effects of strabismus?
Children with strabismus may initially have double vision. This occurs because both eyes are not focusing on the same object. In an attempt to avoid double vision, the brain will eventually disregard the image from one eye. In time, the ignored eye will become unable to function normally and will become largely unused. This may result in the development of lazy eye (amblyopia).

How is strabismus diagnosed?
Parents may be the first to notice a slight wandering of one or both of a child’s eyes.
A comprehensive vision examination by a Doctor of Optometry is recommended by the age of three, as parents often will not notice it. The examination can determine if strabismus is present.

How is strabismus treated?
Treatment for strabismus can include eyeglasses (regular or bifocal), prisms, vision therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Strabismus can be corrected with excellent results if detected and treated early.


Vision and Aging:
A guide to good eye health and vision

Eyes often benefit from having more than one pair of prescription eyewear to meet special vision requirements. Your optometrist understands the special demands of aging and will offer specific recommendations so you can enjoy clear and comfortable vision.

As your golden years approach, it is especially important to make regular eye examinations part of your plan for maintaining good health and vision.

As you age, there are a few common conditions you and your optometrist need to look for. There’s nothing uncommon about noticing changes in your vision.

Here is a short list of the most common and troubling conditions:

Presbyopia is very common among this age group. It is the loss of ability to change focus from far to near. It is often the first wake-up call that our eyes “aren’t what they used to be”. The most common signs or symptoms include the tendency to hold reading materials at arm’s length, blurred vision at normal reading distance and eye fatigue when attempting to do close work.

Glaucoma can result when excessive fluid pressures damage the optic nerve. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada. Glaucoma can be effectively treated with prescription eye drops, and in some cases, surgery may be required. A simple and painless procedure allows your optometrist to measure the internal pressures of your eye. Early detection is the key to success when fighting glaucoma. Most glaucomas offer no pain or symptoms.

Cataracts are another common condition you may encounter. Cataracts occur as the lens becomes cloudy, distorting our vision. Cataracts are most often found in persons over the age of 55, but can occur in younger people as well. This condition often requires a corrective lens change or surgical removal. After surgery, you, along with your Optometrist, can decide on the best type of vision correction for you.

Macular Degeneration is a disease that obscures a person’s central field of vision.
It is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness for seniors in North America. Early detection is the key to managing the disease – that’s why yearly exams with your optometrist are recommended.  

The value of prevention… Health, nutrition and prevention are the keys to quality of life. Maintaining excellent general health can often delay and reduce the effects of aging on our eyes.

Even with the best preventative efforts, some changes in our vision should be expected. There is often a greater need to rely on glasses for tasks such as reading. Special filters and sunglasses can also help with problems associated with glare or light sensitivity. Extra lighting or special magnification may be helpful for people with reduced or low vision.

Several common health conditions, such as high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes often require medications – some of which affect the eyes and vision. In their early stages, many conditions associated with aging may not cause symptoms or create problems, and therefore, can go undetected. Regular optometric care is vital.

Your optometrist understands the changes in your eyesight, the importance of early detection in eye disease and the implications of medications you may be taking. Annual eye health assessments are important to identify your individual needs, assist you in understanding your conditions, and allow your eye doctor to make specific recommendations for you.

Did You Know?

When it comes to your eyes and your vision, expect to experience some signs of aging as you near your 40th birthday. Now before you start feeling old before your time, relax.

Your optometrist will help you manage these natural changes in your vision, and monitor your eye health at the same time!

Optometrists are specially trained to help you as your eyes get older and can expertly prescribe eyewear that will allow you to maintain your best possible focus at any distance. You may need reading glasses, or some form of multi-focals, bi-focals, tri-focals or progressive lenses. Today’s eyewear is stylish, comfortable and easy to wear. There are even contact lenses available in multi-focal form for some prescriptions.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses free you from your glasses! They don't fog up in winter, or fall off during recreation activities, and provide excellent vision! Because contact lenses are inserted into the eye, they require more detailed design than a pair of spectacles. Contact lenses also require a higher level of care.

Some of the adverse responses to contact lenses do not produce symptoms, but may still harm the eye. For this reason, regularly schedule check-ups are recommended for all contact lens wearers.

Ask your optometrist if contacts are right for you!

Are Contacts For You?

• The vast majority of people requiring vision correction can wear contact lenses without any problems. New materials and lens care technologies have made today's contacts more comfortable, safer and easier to wear. Consider the questions and answers below to help assess whether they're a choice you should consider.
  
  Contact lens wear may be difficult for the following reasons:
• Your eyes are severely irritated by allergies.
• You work in an environment with lots of dust and chemicals.
• You have an overactive thyroid, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe arthritis in your hands.
• Your eyes are overly dry due to pregnancy or medications you are taking.
• After a thorough eye examination, your suitability for contact lenses and the specific contact lens option that best meets your requirements will be determined.

What are the advantages of wearing contact lenses?

• Many wearers feel that contact lenses show their eyes in a better light or they don't like the appearance of eyeglasses.
• Better vision correction is possible due to the reduced obstruction from eyeglass frames.
• They provide excellent peripheral vision.
• There is no fogging up in warm rooms.
• There is no splattering during rain showers.
• There is less hassle as they don't get in the way during sports and other recreational activities.

What are the disadvantages?

Contact lenses require getting used to. New soft lens wearers typically adjust to their lenses within a week. Rigid lenses generally require a somewhat longer adjustment period.

Except for some disposable varieties, almost all lenses require regular cleaning and disinfection, a process that, although requiring only a few minutes, is more than some people want to undertake.
Some types of lenses increase your eyes' sensitivity to light.

What lifestyle do you lead? What kind of work do you do?

For those involved in sports and recreational activities, contact lenses offer a number of advantages. In addition to providing good peripheral vision, eliminating the problem of fogged or rain splattered lenses, and freeing you from worries about broken glasses, contact lenses also mean you can wear non-prescription protective eye wear. Looking sideways through the lenses of glasses leads to prismatic effects because you are not looking through their centers. Your eyes have to coordinate differently to cope with this. This does not happen with contact lenses because you always look through the centers of the lenses as they move with your eye movements.

Your occupation and work environment should also be taken into consideration. People whose work requires good peripheral vision may want to consider contacts. Those who work in dusty environments or where chemicals are in heavy use are likely to find spectacles more comfortable.

Do you like wearing glasses?

Do you like the way glasses feel? Do you like how you look in them? No longer is it really necessary to choose between either contacts or glasses. Some of today's contacts are so easy to wear that you can use them intermittently -- for special occasions, while participating in sports or to match your fashions.

New single-use, one-day disposable lenses are comfortable and do not require cleaning. They may be easily interchanged with glasses.

How Contact Lenses Correct Vision

Contact lenses are designed to rest on the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye. They are held in place mainly by adhering to the tear film that covers the front of the eye and, to a lesser extent, by pressure from the eyelids.

As the eyelid blinks, it glides over the surface of the contact lens and causes it to move slightly. This movement allows the tears to provide necessary lubrication to the cornea and helps flush away debris between the cornea and the contact lens.

Contact lenses are optical medical devices, primarily used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. In these conditions, light is not focused properly on the retina, the layer of nerve endings in the back of the eye that converts light to electrochemical impulses. When light is not focused properly on the retina, the result is blurred or imperfect vision.

When in place on the cornea, the contact lens functions as the initial optical element of the eye. The optics of the contact lens combine with the optics of the eye to properly focus light on the retina. The result is clear vision.

Types of Contacts

Confused about contacts? Advances in contact lens technologies have created many options in addition to hard and soft lenses. Today, contact lenses are likely to be described in one or several of the following ways.

By their prescribed wearing period: The time that the lenses are left in the eyes.

• Daily Wear (Up to 18 hours)
• Extended Wear (For overnight use, up to seven days)
  

By their replacement schedule: The time interval for replacing lenses.

• Planned - (Frequent replacement: 1 month, 1-2 weeks; daily disposable)
• Unplanned, or Conventional Replacement - (No specific time schedule before lenses are replaced)

By the type of vision correction for which they are designed:

• Spherical (For near- or farsightedness -- myopia or hypermetropia)
• Toric (For astigmatism)
• Bifocals (For presbyopia)

By the Type of Tint They Have:

• Tinted to improve handling only
• Tinted to enhance your eye color (For light-color eyes)
• Tinted to change your eye color (Opaque tints for light or dark eyes)
• Clear - without tints

Of course, contact lenses are also still described by the basic type of material of which they are made:

• Soft (hydrophilic)
• Rigid Gas Permeable

By Wearing Period

• Daily Wear: Lenses prescribed for daily wear are to be worn only during waking hours, usually up to a maximum of 18 hours. Daily wear lenses are removed at night and cleaned and disinfected after each removal.
• Extended Wear: Extended wear lenses may be worn on an overnight basis for up to seven consecutive days (six nights). You should wear your lenses on an extended wear basis only on the advice of your optometrist. Extended wear lenses generally have a higher water content or thinner center thickness than other lenses and permit more oxygen to reach the eye. However, their use has been linked to a higher incidence of eye problems. Extended wear lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected at recommended intervals or discarded after use.
  

By Replacement Period
Contact lens are often prescribed with a specific replacement schedule suitable to your specific needs. Planned (or Frequent) Replacement contacts are disposed of and replaced with a new pair according to a planned schedule. Unplanned replacement lenses (often called conventional lenses) are not replaced according to a pre-determined schedule. They are typically used for as long as they remain undamaged, usually around 12 months for soft lenses.

Why replace lenses frequently?
Almost immediately after they are inserted, contact lenses begin attracting deposits of proteins and lipids. Accumulated deposits, even with routine lens care, begin to erode the performance of your contacts and create a situation that presents a greater risk to your eye health.

A specific replacement schedule helps to prevent problems before they might occur. Contact lens wearers, in turn, enjoy the added comfort, convenience and health benefits of a planned replacement program. Planned replacement lenses are generally a thinner design or are made of different, more fragile materials with a higher water content than unplanned replacement or conventional contact lenses.

Based on a complete assessment of your needs, a prescription for planned replacement lenses may call for replacement:

• Quarterly
• Monthly
• Every 1-2 weeks
• Daily

Except for daily disposables, planned replacement lenses require cleaning and disinfection after each period of wear unless they are discarded immediately upon removal. Planned replacement lenses can be worn as daily wear -- removed before sleep -- or as extended wear, if recommended by your practitioner.

By Type of Vision Correction Required
Contact lenses may be identified by the type of refractive error they are designed to correct:

• Spherical contact lenses for nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hypermetropia)
• Toric contact lenses for astigmatism
• Bifocal lenses for presbyopia, the loss of ability to focus on reading or close-up activities
• As an alternative to special bifocal contact lenses, many practitioners use a system called monovision where one eye is fitted with a distance lens and the other with a reading lens. Approximately two-thirds of patients adapt to this type of contact lens wear
  

By Type of Tint

Contact lenses may be described as clear or tinted. Tints are used to make lenses more visible during handling, or for therapeutic or cosmetic reasons. Tints can enhance eye color, or change it altogether.

Three categories of tinted contact lenses are available.

• Cosmetic enhancement tints are translucent and are designed to enhance your natural eye color. They are best for light-colored eyes (blues, greens, light hazel or grays). When wearing these tints, the color of your eye is a blend of the lens tint and your natural eye color and iris pattern.
• Opaque or "cosmetic" tints change the color of your eyes whether they are dark or light. The pattern on the lens, which is colored, overlies the colored part of your eye, resulting in a color with a natural look.
• Visibility tints are very pale, colored just enough to make the contact lens visible while you are handling it. They usually have no effect on eye color.

Soft vs. RGP Lenses

Below is a brief comparison of Soft and Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses. A thorough eye examination and a better understanding of your specific vision requirements will help determine the best options for you.

Soft Contact Lenses

Advantages

• Greater initial comfort than hard or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses
• Shorter adaptation period for new wearers
• Ideal for intermittent wear
• Less susceptible to the intrusion of foreign objects under the lens, such as dust
• Less sensitivity to light than with hard or RGP lenses
• Rarely fall out of the eye, making them ideal for sports, particularly contact sports such as football or basketball
• Available in tinted versions

Disadvantages

• Less durable than hard or RGP lenses
• May dry out, causing discomfort for some, especially under a hair dryer, in hot rooms, or in windy, dry weather
• More involved lens care, especially for conventional soft lenses
• Susceptible to more protein or lipid deposits, that reduce lens performance in the long term
• May absorb chemicals from the environment, which can cause irritation

RGP lenses are, as the name implies, rigid, but the plastics of which they are made are somewhat more flexible than hard lenses. Newer RGP lenses offer the advantage of allowing more oxygen to pass through to the eye. Sometimes they are referred to as "Oxygen Permeable Lenses". They are available in daily wear and extended wear options.

Advantages

• Good vision
• Correct most corneal astigmatism
• Good durability
• Good handling characteristics
• Easier care

• Less initial comfort than soft lenses
• Longer adaptation period required than soft lenses
• More easily dislodged
• Can scratch and break
• Intermittent wear less feasible

Vision and Computers

Your vision and computers: A guide to protecting your eyes

With so many of us spending time in front of computers and televisions every day it’s no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can you do? First, it’s important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits.

The connection between computers and eye problems:

Being far or near-sighted, having astigmatism or wearing bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses can all make computer use less comfortable and efficient. Depending on your condition, your eyes could exert extra focusing effort or be forced to work harder to maintain a clear image on the screen. The results are eye strain and fatigue.

Your Optometrist is your first line of defense in comfortable computing
The first thing you need to do to ensure comfortable and efficient computer use is to visit your optometrist for a thorough and painless eye health exam. Your doctor of optometry needs to know the following:

• how many hours a day you use a computer or VDT
• 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

Helpful tips to take the sting out of computer use

Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm’s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don’t forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot.

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Taking a break from your work isn’t just a nice idea, it’s essential to the health and comfort of your eyes. Optometrists recommend 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 coffee machine possibly!). This will give your eyes a much-needed break and reduce some of the symptoms mentioned earlier.

It’s all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we’re on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!

Work or play, when it comes to computers, think eye health!

Remember, whether you’re watching television, working at a computer or playing at one, your eyes need you to take care of them. Visit an optometrist and keep your surfing time, or your working time, comfortable. Talk to an optometrist today, your eyes will thank you.