How can wearing prescription sunglasses be beneficial?

How can wearing prescription sunglasses be beneficial?

While sunglasses are usually thought of as a fashion accessory or a way to look cool, prescription sunglasses can provide important benefits for eye health and vision. If you need corrective lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, prescription sunglasses allow you to see clearly while protecting your eyes from UV rays.  The UV rays from the sun can damage your eyes over time if they are not protected. Prescription sunglasses filter out 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, which can enter and damage the eyes. Benefits of wearing Prescribed Sunglasses Studies have shown that limiting UV exposure to your eyes through prescription sunglasses may lower your risk of developing cataracts compared to not wearing any sunglasses at all. Cataracts occur when the eye’s clear lens becomes cloudy, leading to vision problems like blurriness, sensitivity to light and glare, and decreased night vision. They are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB radiation helps prevent damage that could lead to cataracts later in life. Another benefit of prescription sunglasses is that they allow you to enjoy outdoor activities comfortably without the hassle of taking off your regular prescription glasses and putting on contacts with sunglasses. For example, if you play sports like golf, tennis, cycling, or hiking, having sunglasses that already have your prescription built-in means you won’t have to switch between glasses and sunglasses or deal with contacts during physical activity or sweating. They provide clear, uninterrupted vision under bright sunlight or shaded areas.  Some outdoor occupations, such as construction, roadwork, and landscaping, also benefit from prescription sunglasses. Spending long...
What Eye Conditions Does a Visual Field Test Detect?

What Eye Conditions Does a Visual Field Test Detect?

A visual field or perimetry test is an important exam that optometrists at Vision Care Centre Langley commonly perform. This test evaluates your peripheral or side vision for visual field defects or abnormalities. It can help detect various eye diseases and conditions in their early stages, allowing for prompt treatment. In a visual field test, you are seated in front of specialized testing equipment with one eye covered. The machine projects flashes of light into different areas of your visual field while you keep your other eye focused straight ahead. You press a button each time you see a light flash. This assessment maps out the boundaries of your visual field and checks for any blind spots or areas of reduced sensitivity. Some common eye conditions that a visual field test can detect include: Glaucoma This group of eye diseases slowly damages the optic nerve, resulting in irreversible vision loss over time. Early glaucoma often has no symptoms, so a visual field test is crucial for detection. It can identify subtle losses in peripheral vision long before noticeable vision changes arise. Timely treatment from the eye doctors at Vision Care Centre Langley can help prevent further damage. Optic nerve damage The optic nerve transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. Any injury, inflammation, infection, tumour or other condition affecting this nerve can impair vision. A visual field test can uncover defects caused by optic nerve damage and help doctors determine the underlying cause. Retinal problems Diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetes can impact the retina – the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A...
8 Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

8 Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

Our eyes are important yet delicate organs that allow us to see the beautiful world. However, it’s easy to take our eyesight for granted and not focus on keeping them as healthy as possible. But worry not; we’ve got you covered! The following tips will keep your eyes fresh and allow you to see clearly.  1. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.  What you eat significantly affects your overall well-being, including your eye health. Your eyes need certain nutrients to function correctly, and eating various healthy foods helps nourish them. Your eyes rely on essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C is vital – it acts as an antioxidant to protect your peepers from damage over time. Citrus fruits like oranges are a tasty source, as are tomatoes and broccoli. Zinc also supports clear vision. Adding pumpkin seeds, nuts or beans to meals provides a boost in this mineral. Your eyes also need vitamin E, which, along with zinc, safeguards them from harmful sunlight. Almonds are a crunchy snack packed with vitamin E. Avocados and sunflower seeds are added to dishes. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit many parts of the body, including the eyes. Fatty fish like salmon, flaxseed oil and walnuts are excellent sources of these healthy fats. Focusing on colour, variety and balance in your diet supplies your precious peepers with what they require to see well. Feed your eyes nutritious whole foods for vibrant vision naturally. 2. Schedule routine eye exams Getting your eyes examined once a year is highly recommended. An optometrist can detect changes in your eyes and spot eye diseases early. They can provide the...