What Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Involve?

A comprehensive eye health examination performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist should involve an assessment of two main areas: a visual assessment and an ocular health assessment. A visual assessment evaluates how well you are presently seeing and checks for any need for spectacles, contact lenses or laser eye surgery. The visual assessment would involve the following types of tests:

• Visual Acuity Testing – Your eye doctor will ask you to read an eye chart. Usually this test is done one eye at a time, and can be performed with or without your eyeglasses. For small children or people with difficulty reading an eye chart, pictures or numbers may be substituted.

• Refraction – Your eye doctor will assess your need for visual correction using a machine called a phoropter, which is really just a large pair of eyeglasses filled with thousands of lens combinations.

• Binocular Testing – Your eye doctor will do various tests to see how well your eyes work together as a team.

The ocular health assessment part of your eye exam does just that – it tests to see how healthy your eyes are, inside and out. Here are some of the tests your eye doctor will perform:

• Slit Lamp Examination – Your eye doctor will examine the front part of your eyes using a special microscope known as a slit lamp. This instrument is used to evaluate the external health of your eyes while screening for eye conditions like cataracts. Most optometrists also use the slit lamp along with special high plus lenses to evaluate the internal health of the eye and the retina.

• Tonometry – Your eye doctor will use this test to measure the intraocular pressure or fluid pressure within your eye. An elevated intraocular pressure reading may be an indication of glaucoma. This eye test can be done using a number of different instruments. One of them is known as a non-contact tonometer or NCT test. Here you’ll focus on a light and then feel a gentle puff of air against your eye. While the sound and sensation may startle you, don’t be afraid – no harm is being done. Other tonometry tests may require the use of eye drops to numb the surface of the eye. These tests are done when more accurate readings are required.

• Ophthalmoscopy – Your eye doctor will use various lights to examine the internal structures of your eyes and your retina. These tests can either be done during the slit lamp examination (as noted above), with a separate hand held ophthalmoscope or with a head mounted binocular indirect ophthalmoscope. Your eye doctor may choose to use eye drops to dilate, or widen your pupils. This procedure allows for a much clearer view of the retina to make absolutely certain that everything is healthy. While the eye drops will tend to blur your vision and make your eyes slightly light sensitive for a few hours, it is the best way to detect any possible retinal eye disease. Kingsway Optometry highly recommends that patients have a dilated eye examination at least every 2 years. Learn more about a medical eye health examination.

• Visual Field Testing – Your eye doctor may wish to check the sensitivity of your peripheral, or side vision. This simple test can reveal any subtle loss of your peripheral vision that may be a sign of diseases more serious eye diseases like glaucoma, stroke, or neurological problems.

Schedule your comprehensive or medical eye exam with an eye doctor at Kingsway Optometry today.

 

Comprehensive Sight Testing with Kingsway Optometry

Comprehensive sight testing is only one component of our comprehensive eye health examinations at Kingsway Optometry. Our optometrists provide an extensive sight test for every patient with every complete eye exam. Sight testing helps to ensure that you can see your best both in the distance and up close. If your sight test determines that you require a prescription for eyeglasses then our eye doctors will provide you with a copy of your eyeglass prescription at no additional charge.

Sight testing however without a comprehensive eye health evaluation is simply unethical eye care. Providing our patients with a prescription for new eyeglasses without determining the underlying cause of their vision changes is not what Kingsway Optometry is about. So rest assured that the eye doctors at Kingsway Optometry will conduct a thorough eye health exam prior to dispensing your eyeglass prescription.

An eye exam performed by a licensed optometrist is about more than just updating your eyeglasses or contact lenses, it’s about peace of mind.

Schedule your eye exam with an eye doctor at Kingsway Optometry today.

Do you drink enough water?

It’s a big issue that you should all be asking yourself every day. Water is the fundamental building block of your body, making up about 60% of it. Therefore you need to be careful to ensure that you are getting enough water in your daily diet. 

The simple act of drinking a glass of water can have profound effects on your life. Water can help you to control your weight, control your blood pressure, regulate your sugar levels, reduce water retention, alleviate headaches and help with the proper digestion of food. Dehydration can also reduce dry eye symptoms.  

So how much water should you drink?

The answer varies depending on the source. Most experts recommend 8 glasses of water per day. While the National Academies of Medicine gets a little more accurate and recommends that a man should get at least 3.7 litres and a woman should get at least 2.7 litres of water per day. These values, however, include water intake from everything, including food. The bottom line is that it's more than what most people get on a regular basis.  

You can monitor your water intake by looking at the colour of your urine and how frequently you need to go to the washroom. If your urine is just slightly yellow, you're right on track.  

Still not convinced that you need to drink more water? Here are five more reasons: 

1. Weight Control – Drinking water helps to curb your hunger. We often reach for food to satisfy our hunger cravings, so instead reach for a glass of water first.  
2. Cleanse – Water helps to pull toxins away from your body
3. Water retention – Water helps to reduce bloating
4. Headaches – Dehydration is one of the most common causes. In our busy lives, we often reach for caffeinating beverages such as coffee, tea and soda to help keep us awake. These beverages, however, also pull even more water away from our system, further dehydrating us.
5. Energy – Seriously! Try it! Try drinking 2-3 litres of water every day, and you will notice a sudden increase in your energy levels.

So challenge yourself to drink a small glass of water every hour for 7 days and see how you feel.

Good health doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes the simple things are the best medicine. As a result, I’ve made it my goal to adjust my owns habits with regards to water consumption. Good general health begins with the basics and that includes adequate balanced water intake throughout the day.

Book an Eye Exam at Stonewire Optometry Today
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Coloured Contact Lenses

If you are looking to change your eye colour or enhance your eye colour then coloured contact lenses may be a great option for you. Coloured contact lenses are designed to bring added attention to your eyes. They can make blue eyes bluer, green eyes greener and brown eyes, well, not brown.

Enhancer coloured contact lenses such as focus soft colours help to bring a little extra pop to your own natural eye colour. They are designed for people with light coloured eyes such as blue and green and will not work for people with darker eyes. A light tint is added throughout the entire lens and enhancer contact lenses tend to provide the most natural appearance. The downside to enhance contact lenses is that they can change your colour vision and you may not be able to accurately judge subtle colour variations or you may fail a colour vision test when you wear them. 

Opaque coloured contact lenses such as the Freshlook Colorblends are used when people want to change their own eye colour. They are best designed for people with darker coloured eyes but can still be used in people with lighter eyes. A paint like finish is applied to the outer edge of the lens that closely resembles the natural human iris, but the centre of the lens in front of the pupil is left clear. Unlike enhancer lenses, opaque coloured contact lenses will not impair your colour vision. However, due to the peripheral colour they can impair a person’s peripheral vision and should never be worn for sports.

Circle lenses from companies such as Geo Medical are the newest craze in contact lens wear and have started to pop up in many of the Asian countries. Circle lenses are used to produce the illusion that a person’s eye is larger than it really is. This is achieved by making the contact lens slightly larger in overall diameter. The challenge with these contact lenses arises in the fact that they are made with older conventional style contact lenses materials, which do not allow the same amount of oxygen to the cornea. In fact, most of these contact lens materials have not been used in our optometry clinics in over 10 years. So as an optometry clinic we cannot endorse our patients wearing these lenses as these contact lenses as they may compromise the overall health of your eyes.

So if you would like to try enhancer or opaque coloured contact lenses then book an appointment for a professional contact lens fitting at Kingsway Optometry.

Book an Eye Exam with an Eye Doctor at Kingsway Optometry Today

Optometrists - Eye Exams - Contact Lenses - Medical Treatment

Photos via CibaVision.ca

Eye Disease Warning Signs

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you really should have your eyes examined as soon as possible.

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes (complete or partial)
• Seeing flashes of light in your eyes
• Seeing large numbers of spots or “floaters” in your eyes, especially if the number has increased dramatically recently
• Double vision
• Pain in or around the eyes that worsens
• Temporal/Forehead Pain

If you should ever experience any of these problems outside of normal clinic hours, please proceed directly to the Royal Alexandra Hospital - (MAP). The Royal Alexandra Hospital is considered the hub for ophthalmology in Edmonton and there is always an eye surgeon or ophthalmology resident on call. If you feel that your vision problem can wait, please call our office or walk-in first thing the following morning. We never turn away an ocular emergency.

Book Your Next Eye Exam with Stonewire Optometry
Kingsway Mall | Edmonton | Alberta

How Often Should I Go for an Eye Exam?

Everyone age of 3 and up should have a yearly eye health exam by an optometrist.

We are happy to see kids below the age of 3 if you have any concerns or there is a strong family history of eye problems. Things to watch out for include: an eye turn (“crossed eyes” or “wall eye”), squinting, excessive tearing or rubbing of the eyes, or any signs of poor visual development. If there is a family history of any eye conditions or an older brother or sister with vision problems, then eye exams should be started at 6 months of age.

FACT: Kids eye exams are covered by Alberta Health Care. 

Some optometrist may recommend an eye exam every two years for young and middle aged adults, but we believe it is better to check yearly. Certain eye conditions such as glaucoma can develop in people as young as 20 to 40. Since glaucoma is a disease without any symptoms, why take a chance of having it for as long as two years without knowing it?

Anyone who wears contact lenses should have an annual eye exam to ensure that the contact lenses are providing you with clean crisp vision and are not causing any problems. It also provides an opportunity for you and your eye doctor to ensure that you are wearing the newest and healthiest contact lenses on the market.

Book Your Next Eye Exam with Stonewire Optometry
Kingsway Mall | Edmonton | Alberta

Do You Need Eyeglasses to Drive?

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators or CCMTA sets out the medical standards for driving.  The list of medical conditions that may preclude a person from safe operation of a motor vehicle is quit extensive and includes things such as: vision, hearing, heart disease, drugs, alcohol and general aging issues.

Eye doctors typically only involve themselves in the vision component of these tests, and leave the remainder of any evaluations up to a family physician, specialists or occupational therapist. The re-evaluation of a driver license can often be a very emotional process for a person to go through. Having the ability to drive may provide a person with independence or employment.

The CCMTA has a fairly strong stance on vision and driving. In their manual the opening paragraph begins “Good visual function is essential for safe driving. Any significant loss of a visual function, such as visual acuity or visual field will diminish a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safety on today’s congested, high-speed roadways. A driver with a marked visual defect may fail to perceive a potentially dangerous situation altogether or see it too late to react appropriately.”

Even though the CCMTA guidelines are fairly standard and easy to interpret, doctors are still given some leniency in applying the rules. Occasionally your eye doctor may restrict you from driving at night, for long distance, on highways, during rush hour or within limited distances from home.

Visual requirements are broken down based on the type of license a person holds, and must be periodically re-examined throughout ones life. Certain licenses such as class 1-4 have fairly high visual requirements. Failing to meet these standards does not prevent you from holding a lesser license such as a class 5 or 6.

In recent years, special situations have arisen because of patients undergoing refractive eye procedures such as LASIK, PRK, or cataract surgery. Patients who otherwise would normally have worn glasses to drive may no longer require them. Patients who have undergone these types of surgical procedures should consult their laser surgeon, cataract surgeon, or co-managing optometrist before resuming normal motor vehicle operation. In general patients who have undergone uncomplicated LASIK surgery can usually resume driving within 3-4 days after the procedure. While patients who have undergone uncomplicated PRK surgery can usually resume driving with 2-3 weeks after the procedure.  Patients who have undergone uncomplicated cataract surgery can usually resume driving with 3-4 days as well.

To download the most current medical list at time of publications for this article

PDF Format or visit Service Alberta – Drivers License for complete information.

Book an Eye Exam with an Eye Doctor at Kingsway Optometry

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Image taken of Dr. Ross McKenzie at the Aston Martin Driving School in Gaydon England, where he learned to drive the new 2010 Aston Martin DBS. Experience of a lifetime.

Sunglasses

Believe it or not, sunglasses can be considered a form of protective eyewear. They protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

UV rays are an invisible part of the sun’s radiation spectrum. There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC is no problem as it is absorbed by the atmosphere. UVA rays are absorbed by the lens of the eye, but there is no documented evidence of any resulting disease because of this. UVB radiation, though, is of greater concern to the eyes.

UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and can damage the eyes. When combined with cold wind and snow, UVB rays cause snow blindness, a temporary but painful condition of corneal inflammation. Some experts also believe that UVB radiation may play a part in cataract formation.

To protect your eyes from these UV rays, I recommend you wear a pair of quality sunglasses. Good sunglasses usually have a label that states how much UV light they’ll block. To provide the best protection for your eyes, look for sunglasses that block at least 98% of the UVA and UVB rays.

 

Optometrists - Eye Exams - Contact Lenses - Medical Treatment

Safety Glasses

If you work with power tools of any kind, from saws to sanders, you need protective eyewear. Even when using a hammer, it’s a good idea to wear safety glasses for the odd time when a glancing blow sends a nail flying. Ideally, your safety eyewear should include side shields to prevent debris from hitting your eyes from the side.

Protective eyewear can be as simple and inexpensive as a pair of goggles or shields that fit over your own glasses. These can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store. However, if you work with power tools a lot, you may wish to invest in a pair of specially fitted safety glasses made with polycarbonate lenses. These can be made by your eye care professional. They can even incorporate your own prescription to give you clear, comfortable vision as well as safety.

To qualify as true safety glasses, the frame and lenses must pass a strict set of criteria set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) known as ANSI standards or the Canadian CSA Z94.3 safety standard. The frames must be sturdier than standard “dress” eyeglass frames and the lenses must pass a “drop ball” test. In this test, a small metal ball is dropped onto the lens from a specified height. The lens must survive impact without any chipping or cracking.

If your work requires using power tools or machinery, or if you work in an area with any kind airborne particles or noxious chemicals, your employer needs to provide safety eyewear for you. They may even provide prescription safety glasses for you, so be sure to check with your employer. But no matter what type of protective eyewear you choose, the most important thing is that you wear it!

Optometrists - Eye Exams - Contact Lenses - Medical Treatment

What Diseases Can Be Detected During An Eye Exam?

Detecting Eye and Systemic Diseases Through Routine Eye Exams

Routine eye exams are not just about assessing vision and prescribing eyewear; they also serve as vital diagnostic tools for identifying various eye and systemic diseases. Stonewire Optometry in Kingsway Mall is dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care services, including early detection of these conditions. In this article, we will focus on the eye diseases that can be uncovered during a standard eye examination, as well as the systemic diseases that may manifest in the eyes.

Common Eye Diseases Identified in Routine Eye Exams

1. Cataracts: Routine eye exams can reveal the presence of cataracts, a condition characterized by the clouding of the eye's natural lens, potentially leading to vision impairment.

2. Glaucoma: Elevated intraocular pressure, a hallmark of glaucoma, can be detected during an eye exam. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent irreversible optic nerve damage and vision loss.

3. Macular Degeneration: Changes in the macula, a crucial part of the retina, can lead to central vision loss. Regular eye exams are essential for monitoring its progression.

4. Retinal Detachment: This sight-threatening condition may present visible symptoms during an eye examination, prompting immediate intervention.

5. Dry Eye: Chronic dry eye, often dismissed as a minor issue, can be diagnosed and managed through an eye exam to provide relief and prevent complications.

6. Corneal Degeneration: Alterations in the cornea's structure can lead to vision problems. Early diagnosis during an eye exam allows for timely treatment.

Systemic Diseases Detected Through Eye Exams

Beyond eye-specific conditions, routine eye exams can unveil systemic diseases and disorders, including:

1. Diabetes: Diabetes affects the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy. Early detection during an eye exam is essential for effective management.

2. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): High blood pressure can cause damage to the delicate blood vessels in the eyes, which may become evident during an eye exam.

3. Hypercholesterolemia (High Cholesterol): Elevated cholesterol levels can manifest as deposits on the eyelids or within the eye's blood vessels, detectable during an eye exam.

4. HIV/AIDS: Certain ocular manifestations, such as cytomegalovirus retinitis or Kaposi's sarcoma, can indicate the presence of HIV/AIDS and are identifiable through an eye exam.

5. Multiple Sclerosis: This autoimmune disorder can exhibit symptoms in the eyes, such as optic neuritis, which can be diagnosed during an eye examination.

6. Graves Disease: An autoimmune thyroid disorder, Graves' disease can cause bulging eyes (exophthalmos) and other eye-related symptoms, making them apparent during an eye exam.

7. Herpes Simplex/Herpes Zoster Infections: These viral infections can affect the eyes, leading to conditions like herpes keratitis or herpes zoster ophthalmicus, which can be diagnosed through an eye exam.

8. Carotid Stenosis: A narrowing of the carotid artery can increase the risk of strokes. Eye exams can sometimes reveal cholesterol plaques in the eye's blood vessels, offering a warning sign for this condition.

In conclusion,

Routine eye exams at Stonewire Optometry in Kingsway Mall extend beyond vision correction. They serve as essential tools for early detection of various eye and systemic diseases. By choosing comprehensive eye care, you not only prioritize your vision but also invest in your overall well-being, ensuring that any potential health issues are identified and addressed promptly. Remember, your eyes are not just the windows to your soul; they are also windows to your health.

If you would like to be seen by one of our optometrists, you can call us at 780-628-6886 or you can book your eye exam appointment online.

 

Have Your Eyes Examined Regularly

Of course! It seems obvious on the surface that one of the best things you can do to prevent vision loss from eye disease is to have your eyes checked regularly. Many eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can be easily controlled if detected early enough, thereby preventing or limiting any loss of vision. It just makes sense that regular eye examinations would be the number 1 thing you could do to prevent vision loss. And yet still, it’s astounding just how few people regularly have their eyes checked.

In a study by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, it was found that up to 25 percent of school-age children have some form of vision problem that may affect learning, but only a small percentage of children ever receive a comprehensive eye exam. With the new Eye See Eye Learn program by the Alberta Association of Optometrist, our clinic is working to change this by improving patient education and public awareness.

Even people with known eye problems aren’t getting eye exams. A study conducted at Duke University showed that only 70 to 90 percent of patients with glaucoma had a yearly check-up. Glaucoma is an eye disease that can slowly and silently cause blindness over a period of time. These patients often need to be followed at least two to three times a year. And yet a full 10 to 30 percent of them aren’t even going to the eye doctor yearly.

Similar numbers were found in patients with macular degeneration and diabetes. Only 65 to 80 percent of patients with macular degeneration have yearly eye exams and only 50 to 60 percent of patients with diabetes have them. Many of these people will very likely become legally blind from their untreated conditions. With the new medically necessary vision testing under Alberta Health Care your optometrist is able to follow these conditions (glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration) at no charge to yourself.
The evidence speaks for itself – the number one recommendation is to make sure you have your eyes examined regularly!

Who Should I Go to For My Eye Exam?

There is often much confusion regarding whom to see for an eye exam – after all there are three different “O’s” that care for eyes in various ways. Who should you choose? To answer this question, let’s first define who the three “O’s” are:

• Optometrists (O.D.’s) – A doctor of optometry receives his degree after four years of post graduate training in a college of optometry. Optometrists are licensed to perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses and to treat many types of eye disease including conjunctivitis (pink eye or red eye) and glaucoma. Optometrists typically do not perform surgery. Instead they receive additional training on understanding and treating the functional aspects of vision – how to help people see the best they can in their day to day lives.

• Ophthalmologists – Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.’s) or osteopaths (D.O.’s) who take a three to five year residency in eye care after they receive their medical degree. In addition to providing comprehensive eye examinations, ophthalmologists are able to prescribe eye medications and perform surgery. Some ophthalmologists go on for additional training and become specialists in certain areas such as retinal, corneal, cataract and glaucoma treatment.

• Opticians – Opticians are professionals specially trained to fit, fabricate and dispense eyeglasses. Many states also allow opticians to dispense contact lenses. Opticians do not perform comprehensive eye health examinations.

Which one should you choose for your routine comprehensive eye exams – an ophthalmologist or an optometrist? Obviously I may be biased, but I know today’s optometrists are well trained and skilled at detecting eye disease. If specialized medical or surgical treatment is ever needed, we will quickly arrange for you to see the right ophthalmologist who specializes in your particular eye care problem.

What Does 20/20 Vision Mean?

This is a common question that people seem to always ask eye doctors at social events. Typically optometrists and ophthalmologists refer to visual acuity in terms of the Snellen acuity eye charts. The Snellen acuity eye charts displays letters which become progressively smaller from the top to the bottom. In terms of Snellen acuity, 20/20 is considered normal vision for most people. From a statistic point of view what does this mean? In basically means that approximately 68.2% of the normal healthy population is able to have their vision corrected to this level. It also however means that approximately 15.9% of the normal healthy population has correctable vision that is better than this and that 15.9% of the normal healthy population has correctable vision that is worse than this.

In general 20/20 means that a person sees the same line of letters at 20 feet that a normal person sees from 20 feet. If a person has 20/40 vision, than this means that they can see the same line of letters at 20 feet that a normal person sees from 40 feet away. Therefore their vision is worse than normal. If a person has 20/15 vision, than this means that they can see the same line of letters at 20 feet that a normal persons sees from 15 feet away. Therefore their vision is better than normal.

Recap:

20/20 – Top number is where you are standing and the bottom number is where a normal person stands to see the same sized object or line of letters.

Now you know!

What contact lens solution are you using?

Patients and eye doctors often took contact lens solution for granted, or at least we all did in the past. Contact lens solutions have been shown to be a vital component of your overall contact lens comfort and ocular health. They can lead to or contribute to ocular irritation, blurred vision, allergic reactions and dry eye symptoms. Patients often present to our clinic looking for newer or different contact lens brands that provide more moisture, when the problem may be in the contact lens solution they use to store them in at home.

In 2007, Bausch and Lomb’s initiated a voluntary recall of their Renu Multi-purpose solution, after concerns that it may have been related to an increase in fungal eye infections. Other companies soon followed, with voluntary recalls of their own. The positive side of this story though is that new more stringent guidelines have been developed, and solutions most finally underwent rigorous eye care testing to ensure their efficacy and safety.

There are three categories of contact lens solutions: Multi-Purpose, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Saline Solution.

Multi-Purpose Solutions

Brand Name - Multi-Purpose solutions

Brand name multi-purpose products are used for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your contact lenses overnight. All of these branded solutions use the latest in medical technology and disinfecting techniques to ensure optimal contact lens performance. They are all FDA approved and have undergone rigorous trial processes and lab testing. 

• Optifree-Replenish by Alcon
• Optifree-Express by Alcon
• Renu by Bausch and Lomb
• Solo Care Aqua by Ciba Vision
• Complete by Advanced Medical Optics
• Sensitive Eyes by Bausch and Lomb

Private Label - Multi-Purpose solutions

Private label multi-purpose products are used for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your contact lenses. In most cases private label or no-name products tend to be older versions of contact lens solutions, which offer fewer added benefits to consumers. Products within these bottles can change, as manufacturers bid for contracts. So, really patients and doctors have no idea what they are using, which can lead to solution sensitivities and reactions over time.  These products are FDA approved, and have gone through rigorous FDA approvals in the past. 

• Equate by Wal-Mart
• Lens Care Multi-Purpose Solution by Life Brand
• Eye Assist by Rexall

 

Brand Name -Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

Brand name hydrogen peroxide solutions are used to clean, disinfect and store your contact lenses over night. Hydrogen peroxide cleaning systems are great for patients with preservative allergies or dry eye. However, these products have very specific instructions that need to be followed. Talk to your eye care professional prior to using them. 

• Clear Care by Ciba Vision
• AoSept Plus by Ciba Vision
• OxySept by Advanced Medical Optics

 

Saline Solutions

These products are only designed for rinsing contact lenses. These products are not designed to clean or disinfect your contact lenses. 

• Sensitive Eyes Saline Plus by Bausch and Lomb
• Softwear by Ciba Vision
• Saline Solution by Life Brand

Still confused? Talk to your optometrist at your next annual contact lens examination.

What is nearsightedness and how is it corrected?

Myopia or nearsightedness is a common vision disorder where by people can see objects up close, but are unable to focus clearly on objects in the distance. 

Nearsightedness is the result of two things, either a person's eye grows too long, or the outside of the eye is too steep or round, causing images to focus in front of the retina.

Symptoms of Nearsightedness

Typically, people will start to notice problems with their distance vision in their school years, but nearsightedness can develop at any age. It may also be a sign of a more serious medical problem, such as diabetes or cataracts, especially if the onset of nearsightedness is very sudden and dramatic.

Initial symptoms of nearsightedness include problems focusing on small objects far away like road signs or the channel guide on TV. People can find themselves squinting or developing frontal headaches from having to squint. Children often complain about being unable to see the board at school, while adults often complain about poor night vision or increased glare. Symptoms almost always worsen in low light level situations.

What Causes Nearsightedness?

There has been increased research in the area of nearsightedness in recent years, as the world has seen a sudden surge in the number of people requiring eyeglasses for distance vision correction. 

Early research studies suggest that nearsightedness may be related to near point stress, and numerous studies show that myopia increases along with a person’s level of education. 

Newer studies out of China also point towards dietary factors and excessive indoor time may play a significant role in the development of nearsightedness. However, these studies are far from complete. 

A study out of the UK at the St. Thomas Hospital also showed the genetics probably plays a significant role in the development of nearsightedness while environmental factors may only play a small or limited role.

Treatment options for nearsightedness

Treatment options for people affected by myopia or nearsightedness are numerous. Traditionally, eyeglasses have been the primary treatment option. However, patients also have access to contact lenses, laser vision correction, and intra-ocular lens implants. It is important to always discuss lifestyle and your work situation with your optometrist or ophthalmologist when determining your best treatment option or options.  It is also recommended that patients with nearsightedness receive regular eye health examinations by an optometrist or ophthalmologist every one to two years to ensure the health of their retina's. 

Meibominitis & Dry Eye

Meibomianitis is an inflammation of the oil glands or meibomian glands along your upper and lower eyelid margins. These oil glands produce the lipid or fat layer of your tear film, which coats the surface of your eye. The purpose of this lipid layer is to help prevent the water layer below from evaporating. When these meibomian glands or oil glands become inflamed, they no longer produce nice smooth clean oil. The oil can come out bubbly or thick, thus improperly coating the front of the eye.

Meibomianitis typically does not cause serious visual problems, but it can cause numerous comfort and cosmetic issues. Meibomianitis can cause your eyes to dry out, burn, itch, and water. All of which can lead to reduced vision, blurred vision, vision that fluctuates or vision that clears up with strong blinks. Meibomianitis can also cause your eyelids to swell or thicken and turn red, which can eventually lead to madarosis (eyelashes falling out). It can also lead to external hordeolums more commonly known as styes, which are simply clogged oil glands that have become inflamed.

TREATMENT OR PREVENTION:

The treatment for meibomianitis is fairly straight forward, and we encourage all of our patients to perform this treatment on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not they have meibomianitis.

Steps:

• Prior to getting in the shower in the morning, take a washcloth and heat it up under the tap with warmwater. Close your eyes, and lightly hold the warm washcloth over your eyes. Hold the cloth there until it cools off. Repeat this process for approximately 2 minutes.
• Than, lightly rub your eyelids with the wash cloth to force out all the old oil
• If you eyelids are really swollen than in the shower, take your washcloth and apply a small amount of baby shampoo to it (baby shampoo is used so that you eyes won’t burn, if they actually come in contact with the soap). Foam it up. Than lightly scrub you eyelid margins to remove any oil build up. Ensure that you thoroughly rinse away any soap residue.

Occasionally meibomianitis can get very bad, and medical therapy may be required. If this is the case, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may provide you with a topical antibiotic ointment. In some situations, oral antibiotics may also be used. 

To learn more about meibomianitis or to find out if meibomianitis is the cause of your vision problems, please contact one of our eye doctors and book and eye exam. 

Routine Eye Health Exams

Routine eye health exams are an important part of a person's overall well-being. Eye health exams should be part of your annual complete physical and booked alongside visits to both your family physician and dentist.

Routine eye health examinations by an optometrist are important for people who wear eyeglasses, contact lenses, or who have had laser eye surgery to ensure that their visual acuity is stable. Eye health exams are also important, however, for people who have various medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or arthritis. All of these medical conditions can directly impact your overall eye health and may put you at increased risk of developing certain eye care conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. People with a family history of eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or cataracts should also schedule an annual eye health examination by an optometrist. Early detection of these conditions by your eye doctor allows them to provide better treatment options and produces better visual outcomes.

The risk of developing eye conditions does increase with age, making annual eye health examinations more crucial. 

In our 40’s presbyopia(loss of focusing) sets in, and people find themselves transitioning into the world of reading glasses, bifocals or progressive lenses. 

In our 50-60 we often see the onset of cataracts or other age-related or lifestyle-related illnesses such as heart disease and type-2 diabetes. 

In our 70’s we start to see the beginning of macular degeneration. It is important to remember that these conditions are simply more prevalent with age, but can occur at any stage of our life.

As a child, annual eye health exams are required to determine how our eyes are developing along with determining any visual problems that may hold a child back in school. Children live in an increasingly visual world, and the ability to see clearly is vital to a child's academic success.

High Blood Pressure and Your Eyes!

Having high blood pressure or hypertension (HTN) can have a serious impact on a persons overall well being along with the overall health of their eyes. It is estimated that approximately 22% of Canadians have hight blood pressure, but that only about half actually receive treatment for it. High blood pressure is considered to be a silent killer, as it often has no symptoms at all.

Elevated blood pressure is defined as having a systolic pressure of greater than 140mmHg or a diastolic pressure of more than 90mmHg. In the vast majority of people, there is no specific cause for their elevated blood pressure, but studies show that high blood pressure is more common in African Americans than in Caucasians and more common in the elderly. High blood pressure is also more likely to develop in people suffering from obesity or diabetes.

If blood pressure is aloud to remain elevated for any length of time, it can start to impact your health

The heart may become larger or weaker, which may lead to heart failure. Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body

Aneurysms can form in blood vessels. Aneurysms are abnormal bulges or ballooning of an artery wall. Common locations are the brain, legs, stomach and spleen

Blood vessels in the kidneys can start to narrow, leading to kidney failure

Blood vessels can start to narrow throughout the body, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, or kidney failure.

In men, high blood pressure can also cause erectile dysfunction

Blood vessels in the eyes can burst or bleed, which can lead to vision changes or blindness.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS:

• No symptoms
• Headaches or Morning Headaches
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness
• Nose Bleeds
• Chest Pain
• Flushed or Pale Skin
• Nausea/Vomiting

EYE SYMPTOMS:

• Papilloedema (swelling of the optic nerve- can cause pain with eye movements or loss of colour vision)
• Blurred Vision
• Double Vision

TREATMENTS:

• Lifestyle 
• Lose Weigh
• Quit Smoking
• Eat a healthy diet
• Reduce Salt intake
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Medications

**There are numerous types of high blood pressure medications on the market today. Only your family physician and yourself can determine the best type of medication for you.

For more information on High Blood Pressure or Hypertension, please visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation. If you are concerned that High Blood Pressure may be affecting your vision, please see your optometrist. Your optometrist has the knowledge and skill to work along with your family physician when managing your blood pressure. 

ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses

Up to $150.00 OFF

on ACUVUE brand contact lenses when you purchase a 1-year supply. Thanks to manufacturer mail-in rebates from ACUVUE and in-office volume discounts from Kingsway Optometry you may be able to save significantly on your next contact lens. We also offer FREE home delivery on any one-year supply of ACUVUE Brand contact lenses

Additional savings over our already low contact lens prices:

ACUVUE OASYS, ACUVUE OASYS for ASTIGMATISM, and ACUVUE OASYS for PRESBYOPIA*
1-Year supply – Save $50
6-Month supply – Save $20
 
1-DAY ACUVUE TruEye Brand  or 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST*
1-Year supply – Save $150 – 2 X $75.00 rebates per year
6-Month supply – Save $75
 3-Month supply – Save $25

Purchase any other one- year supply of ACUVUE Brand contact lenses such as Original ACUVUE, ACUVUE 2, ACUVUE 2 COLOURS and ACUVUE BIFOCAL and save at least $25.00 over our already everyday low prices.

See, it’s a myth that you’re eye doctors office is more expensive! Start saving your money today! To quote Johnson & Johnson, the makers of ACUVUE Brand contact lenses "Switch to an exceptional contact lens experience and SAVE”.

Talk to one of the optometrists at Kingsway Optometry on how you can join the evolution of ACUVUE Brand contact Lenses. 

Book an Eye Exam with an Eye Doctor Today!

*Ask one of our associates for details and a mail in rebate certificate at time of purchase.  See rebate for details. Rebates expire December 31, 2010. A valid contact lens prescription is required. Fitting fee’s not included for new wearers or people looking to try a new brand. 

Smoking is a Real Problem

Smoking always seems to get a bad rap for causing numerous medical problems, and probably for good reason. Smoking has been linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease, two conditions that can directly impact your overall health not to mention your overall ocular health. Most people don’t realize that your eyes require more blood than your heart to survive, and are directly impacted by heart disease.

Smoking has been shown to increase one's risk of developing glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and cataracts. In fact, studies show that individuals who smoke are five times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss amongst North Americans.

Studies by the Canadian government show that approximately 15-22% of Canadians age 15 and older smoke on a regular basis. A small non-scientific analysis of our clinic revealed that about 32% of our patients were regular smokers.  This means that our patient base is nearly two times more likely to develop severe eye disease like macular degeneration.

We firmly urge all of our patients to look closely at their lifestyle choices and re-evaluate the long-term consequences. If you’ve determined that it is now time to quit, please talk to your family physician about ways to help kick the habit.

Book Your Next Eye Exam with Stonewire Optometry
Kingsway Mall | Edmonton | Alberta