Ask your optometrist

Amblyopia* or Lazy Eye is the lack of development of vision in one eye that is not directly caused by any eye health problem. This condition occurs when there is a large difference in the prescription between the two eyes. It can also occur if the eyes suffer from a crossed eyed condition or when there is something interfering with the clarity of the various components of the eye.

When blurred vision in one eye is present, the image sent to the brain from that eye is poor. This will cause the brain to ignore the images from the affected eye. Over time the connections between the brain and the affected eye will be dramatically reduced. It is the lack of connections between the brain and the eye that causes the eye to become amblyopic. This is why lenses alone cannot correct this condition.

Most of the time, there are no symptoms of amblyopia. Since only one eye is affected, the other eye tends to take over all the visual tasks. Unless the good eye is covered, the patient will rarely notice the poor vision in the amblyopic eye.

 

The condition of amblyopia usually is the result of poor early vision development. Most of the time this condition occurs before the age of six. It is estimated that 2% - 4% of children under the age of six suffer from amblyopia.

A comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine the presence of amblyopia or lazy eye. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the greater the chance for a complete recovery. Treatment may involve covering the good eye so the brain is forced to recognize the amblyopic eye. This method of treatment will develop more connections between the brain and the affected eye and improve the vision in the eye. It should be noted that corrective lenses might also be necessary.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Astigmatism* is a common vision condition that occurs when the front surface of the eye or the lens inside the eye is slightly irregular in shape. The shape irregularity is due to the front surface of the eye or the lens being more oval in shape rather than round. This causes the light that enters the eye to have a refractive error, which inhibits images from focusing properly on the back of the eyeball (retina). Patients with this condition can have vision that is blurred at all distances.

Astigmatism is caused by small differences in the growth and alignment of the components of the eye. In some cases, there may be a hereditary component or this condition may result from such factors as pressure from the eyelids on the cornea.

 

Patients with severe astigmatism will usually have blurred or distorted vision at all distances. Patients with mild astigmatism may experience headaches, eyestrain, fatigue or blurred vision at certain distances.

This condition can be effectively diagnosed during a comprehensive eye health and vision examination done by your Optometrist. Almost all levels of astigmatism can be optically corrected with properly prescribed and fitted glasses or contact lenses. Laser surgery may be an option for some cases if the patient is interested in this treatment method and their Optometrist deems the patient an appropriate candidate for laser surgery.

If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, it may take a few days to adjust to wearing them. After that, having an astigmatic condition will probably not significantly affect the patient’s lifestyle. Regular optometric care will insure that proper vision is maintained.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

A cataract* occurs when the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque. Cataracts can vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that cause a noticeable loss of vision. This condition is most likely to occur in patients over 60, but occasionally can be found in younger patients including newborns. When cataracts form they usually develop in both eyes, but often at different rates.

 

Cataracts develop without eye pain or redness. 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. No one knows exactly what causes cataracts to form. It is known that a chemical change occurs within your eye that causes the lens to become cloudy. This chemical change could be brought on as a result of advancing age, heredity, eye injury or disease. Other risk factors are excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight (UV rays), cigarette smoking and certain medications.

Currently, there is no proven method to prevent cataracts from forming. Wearing UV protective sunglasses can shield the eyes from harmful UV rays that can accelerate cataract formation. A diet rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium and Magnesium are seemingly beneficial as well.

A comprehensive eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine if cataracts are forming. In the early stages of this condition your Optometrist can prescribe new lenses for your glasses to help obtain the sharpest vision possible. In the advanced stage of this condition your Optometrist will refer you to an eye surgeon who may recommend surgical removal of the cataracts. This surgical procedure is at least 95 percent successful.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Floaters*, often called spots, are small semi-transparent specks or particles within the eye that become noticeable if they fall within the normal line of sight. They are generally translucent and can be various sizes and shapes. Since they are within the eye, they move as the eye moves and can seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly. Floaters can also take the appearance of flashes of light.

 

Floaters occur in the inner part of the eye that is made up of a jelly-like fluid known as the vitreous. Occasionally, small flecks of protein and other matter become trapped in the vitreous fluid during the formation of the eye before birth. This matter remains in this eye fluid and can travel to an area of the inner eye where it is noticed by the patient. Floaters may also be caused by the deterioration of the vitreous fluid or its surrounding tissue. It should be noted that certain eye injuries and diseases are known to cause floaters as well.

Almost everyone will notice a floater at one time or another. They can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as the patient grows older. If there is a sudden change in the number or size of floaters, a patient should contact their Doctor of Optometry immediately. The Optometrist should be made aware of the symptoms in an effort to determine if the floaters are a result of a more serious problem.

 

Most floaters are normal and rarely are the cause of a serious eye condition. They are, however, an indicator of such eye conditions as retinal holes, retinal tears and retinal detachments.

 

A comprehensive eye health examination done by your Doctor of Optometry includes a thorough examination of the vitreous fluid and the retina. Your Optometrist uses specific instruments to examine the health of the inside of the eye where floaters may be detected. This is often done after the doctor puts special eye drops in the eye to make the pupils larger. This procedure is called dilation. When the doctor looks through a larger or dilated pupil, it allows for a fuller view of the inside of the eye, which aids in detecting floaters.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Conjunctivitis* is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a thin transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and a portion of the front of the eye. There are three main types of conjunctivitis namely: infectious, allergic and chemical. This eye condition can affect patients of all ages including children.

 

The cause of infectious conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye” is either a contagious virus or bacteria. If a patient has allergies to pollen, cosmetics, animals or fabrics, this can bring on the allergic form. Irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming pools may cause the chemical form of conjunctivitis.

The common symptoms of conjunctivitis are red eyes, inflamed inner lids, watery eyes, blurred vision and sandy or scratchy feeling in the eyes. There may be a pus-like discharge around the eyelids if the patient has contracted the infectious form.

 

Caution should be taken to avoid spreading infectious conjunctivitis to others. The hands should be kept away from the eyes and thoroughly washed before and after applying eye medication. Also, avoid sharing towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eye drops with others. Small children, who may forget these precautions, should be kept away from school, camp and the swimming pool until the condition is cured.

A comprehensive eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine if conjunctivitis has developed. If the patient is diagnosed with the bacterial infectious form, the Optometrist may recommend the use of antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment to treat the condition. If the diagnosis is viral infectious conjunctivitis, the virus will have to be fought off by the body’s immune system, but the use of an antibiotic may be recommended to prevent a secondary bacterial infection from developing. The ideal treatment for both the allergic and chemical forms of this condition is to remove the cause of the allergy or irritant. Prescription and over-the-counter eye drops are available to help relieve any discomfort.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Colour Deficiency* occurs when a person’s ability to distinguish colours and shades is less than normal. The term “colour blind” is often used, but usually incorrectly. Only a very small number of people are completely unable to identify any colours. It is important to note that colour deficiency is more common in males than in females.

 

This condition is usually inherited, but can also result from certain diseases, trauma or as a side effect of certain medications. Colour deficiency occurs when a person partially or completely lacks one or more types of the three cones in the eye needed to see colour.

There are three types of colour deficiency. Two different types of red-green deficiency exist, while there is only one type of blue-yellow deficiency. The red-green deficiencies are by far the most common and result in the inability to distinguish between certain shades of red and green. A blue-yellow deficiency is rare and results in the person not being able to distinguish between shades of blue and yellow. In very rare cases, some people may not be able to detect any colours at all. This person would see all things in shades of black, white and grey.

 

It is recommended that every child be checked for colour deficiency by at least the age of five. It is important to detect this condition early, because colour coded learning materials are used extensively in grade school. In addition, having this condition may affect the career path of the individual. Distinguishing colour is an important aspect of some jobs, such as pilots, electricians, police officers, military personnel and others.

Anyone that suspects that they have a colour deficiency should have a comprehensive eye health examination preformed by their Doctor of Optometry. The Optometrist can include a test for colour vision, which typically involves the patient viewing a series of coloured designs. The designs have been created in such a way that a person with normal colour vision can see certain figures in the designs. A colour deficient person will not be able to distinguish the figures in the designs.

 

A comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine the presence of amblyopia or lazy eye. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the greater the chance for a complete recovery. Treatment may involve covering the good eye so the brain is forced to recognize the amblyopic eye. This method of treatment will develop more connections between the brain and the affected eye and improve the vision in the eye. It should be noted that corrective lenses might also be necessary.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Diabetes* and its complications can affect vision. It can cause changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness and cause premature presbyopia, which is the inability to focus on close objects. Having diabetes can increase the chance of developing cataracts, glaucoma, paralysis of the nerves that control the eye muscles or pupil, and cause decreased corneal sensitivity. The most serious problem associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye. This may cause blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes in the retina. If this condition is present and left untreated, blindness can result! There are several factors that increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. They include smoking, high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and pregnancy.

 

Some of the visual symptoms associated with diabetes include fluctuating or blurring of vision, occasional double vision, loss of visual field and flashes or floaters within the eye. Sometimes these early signs of diabetes are first detected by your Optometrist.

 

Vision loss from diabetes can be prevented by having routine comprehensive eye health examinations done by your Optometrist. Your Optometrist can diagnose potential vision threatening changes in the eye that may be treated to prevent blindness. It is important to note, however, that once damage has occurred the effects are usually permanent. See your Optometrist when you are first diagnosed as a diabetic, at least annually thereafter and more frequently if recommended.

 

Controlling the diabetes as much as possible is important in order to minimize the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The early stage of 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.

A comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine the presence of amblyopia or lazy eye. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the greater the chance for a complete recovery. Treatment may involve covering the good eye so the brain is forced to recognize the amblyopic eye. This method of treatment will develop more connections between the brain and the affected eye and improve the vision in the eye. It should be noted that corrective lenses might also be necessary.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Glaucoma is an eye disease of which the exact cause is not known. It occurs as a result of the internal pressure of the eye rising to a point that the optic nerve is damaged. The pressure that builds up is usually due to a problem in the production, flow or drainage of the fluid normally produced in the eye. An injury, infection or tumour in or around the eye can also cause the internal eye pressure to rise. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.

Glaucoma most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40 and studies point to a possible hereditary component. Primary open-angle glaucoma can show up at an earlier age and leads to blindness at a much greater rate. Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and eye injuries are at greater risk to develop glaucoma.

 

Primary open-angle glaucoma often develops painlessly and gradually. There are NO early warning signs! Acute angle-closure glaucoma may have symptoms such as nausea, eye pain, red eyes, blurred vision and haloes around lights.

 

If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can be controlled and little or no further vision loss should occur. Treatment via eye drops and surgery is usually effective in maintaining the remaining vision. If left untreated, side awareness vision (peripheral) and central vision will be destroyed and almost complete blindness can occur.

 

A comprehensive eye health examination done by your Optometrist is often the only way to detect glaucoma. Your Optometrist can include in your eye exam a simple and painless procedure called tonometry, which measures the internal pressure of the eye. Your Optometrist will also look into your eyes to observe the health of the optic nerve and may measure your field of vision.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Hypertension or high blood pressure leads to many changes in the blood vessels of the body. These same changes in blood vessels affect the eyes in many ways. It can cause the following problems in the eye:

Many of these conditions may not have any symptoms in the initial stages. Therefore it is important to have a periodic eye exam to detect these.

The eye is the only organ of the body where one can observe the blood vessels directly. Using an ophthalmoscope, your Optometrist can view the retina and blood vessels. Thus examining the eyes helps your Optometrist to observe changes in blood vessels because of hypertension. This gives an idea about the severity of the disease elsewhere in the body.

Eye checkups are important if you have hypertension. Ask your Optometrist today!

Nearsightedness, or Myopia, is a vision condition whereby near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects do not come into proper focus. This condition occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature. This causes the light that enters the eyeball to have refractive error, which inhibits distant images from focusing properly on the back of the eyeball (retina). Some evidence supports the theory that this condition has a hereditary component or that nearsightedness may be caused by the stress of too much close vision work. This condition affects about 30% of the Canadian population.

The symptoms of nearsightedness normally occur in school age children and will most always occur before an individual reaches the age of 20. Some of the common symptoms to watch for are trouble seeing the chalkboard, the movie screen, the television screen or other distant objects.

 

Nearsightedness can be effectively diagnosed during a comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist. Your Optometrist may recommend glasses or contact lenses in order to correct the refractive error in the distant vision. Glasses or contact lenses may only have to be worn for certain activities like watching television, when at a movie theatre or driving a car. Laser surgery can also correct this condition and could be considered if the patient is interested in this treatment method and their Optometrist deems the patient an appropriate candidate for laser surgery.

 

If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, it may take a few days to adjust to wearing them. After that, nearsightedness will probably not significantly affect the patient’s lifestyle.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Dry Eye* occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears with the proper chemical composition. It is important to note the tears that eyes normally produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. Dry eye symptoms can result from the normal aging process, hormonal changes, exposure to environmental conditions and problems with regular blinking. It can also be caused by medications such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants. Dry eye can also be a symptom of general health problems or can result from chemical or thermal burns to the eye.

 

The common signs or symptoms include stinging, itchy, scratchy or uncomfortable eyes and sometimes can give the patient the feeling that a foreign object is in the eye. Some patients may experience increased dry eye symptoms on awakening, while others may experience the natural reflex of an overly wet eye when awaking.

 

Dry eye usually cannot be cured, but the comfort of the eye can be improved and eye health maintained through the 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 the loss of natural tears. Treating any underlying general health disease or a change of diet can also be helpful in some cases.

 

If dry eye is left untreated, it can harm the eyes. Excessive dry eye can damage tissue and scar the cornea of the eye and could lead to impaired vision. Dry eye can make contact lens wear more difficult due to increased irritation and a greater chance of eye infection. In order to keep dry eye symptoms in check, the patient and the Optometrist need to work together. It is recommended that the patient follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. If the patient develops increased dryness or redness that is not relieved by the prescribed treatment, it is advised to let your Optometrist know as soon as possible.

 

A comprehensive eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine if a patient has developed dry eye. The doctor will ask questions about general health, use of medications and the home and work environments to determine any factors which may cause dry eye symptoms. This information will help your Optometrist decide whether to perform dry eye tests. These tests use diagnostic instruments, which create a highly magnified view of the eyes.

The doctor may also use special dyes to assist in determining the quality, the amount and the distribution of tears in order to diagnose signs of dry eye.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Presbyopia is a vision condition in which the crystalline lens of the eye loses its flexibility resulting in difficulty in focusing on close objects. The loss in flexibility occurs because cells in the lens continue to grow as the eye ages. The increase in cells will eventually cause the lens to lose its elasticity and most of its focusing ability.

 

Some signs and symptoms of presbyopia include the tendency to hold reading material at arms length, blurred vision at normal reading distance and eye fatigue. Also, headaches may develop when attempting to do close work.

This vision condition is a natural part of the aging process and therefore is unpreventable. Although it may seem that this condition develops rapidly, the actual decline in vision takes place over the course of many years. Presbyopia usually becomes apparent to patients in the early to mid-forty age range.

 

The extent to which a patient is affected by presbyopia can be effectively diagnosed during a comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist. In order to compensate for the loss in vision, the doctor may prescribe reading glasses or glasses with bifocal, trifocal or progressive lenses. Contact lenses can also be prescribed to compensate for presbyobia. Since presbyopia can complicate other common vision conditions, your Optometrist will perform tests to determine the specific lenses that will allow the patient to see clearly.

 

If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, they may be needed only for reading or close work. You may find, however, that wearing them all the time is more beneficial and convenient for your vision needs. Regular optometric care will insure that proper vision is maintained.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a vision condition whereby the patient can focus clearly on distant objects, but close objects are not brought into proper focus. This condition occurs when the length of the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature. This causes the light that enters the eyeball to have refractive error, which inhibits the near images to focus properly on the back of the eyeball (retina). This is a very common condition with many people having some degree of farsightedness.

Some of the common signs or symptoms to watch for are blurred near vision, difficulty in concentrating and maintaining clear focus on near objects, eye strain, eye fatigue, eye aching or burning, headaches after close work, poor reading ability and general tension.

 

Farsightedness can be effectively diagnosed during a comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist. Common vision screening methods are generally ineffective in detecting farsighted people. This is because farsighted individuals can usually identify the letters on an eye chart with little difficulty.

 

The treatment of farsightedness takes place after a comprehensive eye health examination done by an Optometrist. Your Optometrist may recommend glasses or contact lenses in order to correct the refractive error in a patient’s near vision. Laser surgery can also correct this condition and could be considered if the patient is interested in this treatment method and the Optometrist deems the patient an appropriate candidate for laser surgery.

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 the patient’s lifestyle.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometry recommends that all children have their eyes examined before the age of three years. Children three years old to eighteen years old should see their Optometrist a minimum of once per year. Individuals over eighteen years of age should visit their Optometrist a minimum of once every two years or sooner if recommended by their Optometrist.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

Strabismus or 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 eyes could be turning in, out, up or down. Coordination of your eyes and their ability to work together as a team develops in the first six years of life. Failure of the eye muscles to adjust properly in that time can lead to crossed-eyes. Strabismus may also have a tendency to be hereditary.

 

Children under the age of six are the ones most affected by strabismus. The condition often appears between birth and twenty-one months of age. 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.

 

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. This may result in the development of yet another eye condition called amblyopia or lazy eye.

It is a common misconception that a child will outgrow crossed-eyes. A child will not outgrow crossed-eyes. In fact, the condition may get worse without treatment.

 

A comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine the presence of strabismus or crossed-eyes. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the greater the chance this eye condition can be successfully corrected. Treatment can include eyeglasses (regular or bifocal), prisms, vision therapy and in some cases, surgery.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

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.

 

Symptoms and Treaments:

The most common symptom is slightly blurred vision when performing tasks that require seeing detail. Over time, the blurred spot may increase in size and interfere with reading and recognizing faces. 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. Currently, dry AMD has no treatment. However, cases of wet AMD can be treated with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Early detection and prompt intervention are crucial.

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.

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 a 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 to a routine eye examination.

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

 

*Information taken from The Canadian Association of Optometrists

Similar to processes that occur with other types of allergic responses, the eye may overreact to a substance perceived as harmful even though it may not be. For example, dust that is harmless to most people can cause excessive production of tears and mucus in eyes of overly sensitive, allergic individuals.

Common signs of allergies include: red, swollen, tearing or itchy eyes. Airborne allergens can get on your lenses, causing discomfort. Even if you are generally a successful contact lens wearer, allergy season can make your contacts uncomfortable.

Ask your Optometrist about eyedrops that can help relieve your symptoms and keep your contact lenses clean: certain drops can discolour or damage certain lenses, so it makes sense to ask first before trying out a new brand. Another alternative is daily disposable contact lenses, which are discarded nightly. Because you replace them so frequently, these types of lenses are unlikely to develop irritating deposits that can build up over time and cause or heighten allergy-related discomfort.

Ask your Optometrist about solutions for contact lens wearers suffering from allergies.

With so many of us spending time in front of the computer 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.

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 treatments 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.

Your Optometrist can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers frequently