Eye Health Education

Computer Vision Syndrome is one of the most common health complications in the workplace. It’s caused by staring at a computer screen for extended periods of time. Pixelated images cause your eyes to constantly refocus on different objects resulting in eyestrain, blurred vision, headaches, neck and back pain. Avoiding Computer Vision Syndrome is simple if you follow a few guidelines from your eye doctor. We offer lenses that are specifically designed for computer use. They can help improve your vision and eliminate eyestrain.

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you may be at risk of diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness among North American adults. The disease is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina (the part of your eye that transmits visual information to your brain). In some cases, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other cases, abnormal new blood vessels may grow on the surface of your retina.  If you suffer from diabetes, you may have diabetic retinopathy and not even know it. Symptoms often go undetected at first, but they gradually worsen and result in vision loss and even blindness in one or both eyes. There is currently no cure for diabetic retinopathy, but the disease can be treated and its symptoms slowed and managed if caught early. If you have diabetes, you should schedule an eye exam every year.

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 that do not have the proper chemical composition. Dry eye symptoms can result from the normal aging process, hormonal changes, environmental conditions, excessive computer work, medications, and other health conditions such as diabetes. 
The common symptoms of dry eye include, stinging, gritty, scratchy and uncomfortable eyes, fluctuating vision, burning sensation and excessive tears.

Through additional testing your optometrist can diagnose your dry eye condition and provide treatment options.  While this is usually a chronic condition, your comfort can be improved and eye health maintained; if left untreated, excessive dry eye can damage tissue and impair vision.

Eye floaters and flashes are small moving spots that may appear in your field of vision and are particularly noticeable when you look at bright lights or single colour objects (such as a piece of white paper or the sky). While eye floaters can be incredibly annoying, they generally don’t interfere with your sight and many people learn to live with them. The condition often improves over time. Eye floaters can, however, be indicative of a more serious condition, particularly if they’re accompanied by sudden flashes of light or a sudden loss of peripheral vision. If you experience these symptoms, or want to learn more about eye floaters and flashers, you should book an eye exam.

Glaucoma is a serious condition that damages your optic nerve. Untreated glaucoma can result in permanent loss of vision. Glaucoma tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life. It is also often asymptomatic until the late stages of the disease. If you’re over the age of 40 and have health problems such as diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, you should have an eye exam every year.

Keratoconus is a slowly occurring, progressive eye disease in which the normally round cornea (the clear outer part of the eye) thins and begins to bulge into a cone. It then bends the light as it enters the eye and results in blurred vision. While the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, many doctors suspect that it is due to a combination of genetics and environmental conditions. Early detection is key in minimizing the more severe symptoms of the disease.

Your retina is located at the back of your eye and is responsible for focusing on objects and transmitting visual information to your brain. Retinal detachment is an extremely serious disorder in which your retina actually peels away from the underlying layers of tissue that hold it in place. In most cases, this is caused by other vision problems or a serious injury in or around your eye. Without immediate treatment by an eye care professional, retinal detachment can lead to vision loss and even blindness. If you think you may have a retinal detachment, contact us immediately.

The vitreous is the fluid that makes up the majority of the inside of your eye. As you age, your vitreous may decrease in volume, pulling on your retina at the same time. This is known as vitreous detachment and can result in a possible retinal tear, leading to a loss of vision and even blindness. Have your eyes examined especially if you are over the age of 60.