by Vision Care Centre | Dec 7, 2018 | Common Eye Conditions
With colder temperatures comes colder air, leading to dry eyes and nasal airways. This time of year does not have to be spent enduring burning and/or watery eyes though. There are a few products and tricks you can use to keep your eyes feeling refreshed and comfortable. What causes dry eyes? Your eyes are lubricated by a tear film that consists of three layers. The three layers are lipid (oil), mucus, and aqueous (water). Eyes become dry when these layers are out of balance. Dry eyes can be a constant problem, but it can also happen temporarily. When your eyes do not produce tears properly or when those tears evaporate too quickly, you end up with dry eyes. This condition not only causes you discomfort, but it can also make it difficult to do everyday tasks like using a computer or reading a book. Seniors are more likely to develop dry eyes, but it can occur at any age. Winter is the season when people experience this condition the worst. It is the time of year when the air has less humidity (moisture), and furnaces are used to heat the air, making it even drier. Those factors combined with windy conditions and sun glare can intensify dry eye symptoms throughout the winter. What are the symptoms? Dry eyes may cause your eyes to sting, burn, or feel scratchy. It can also cause these uncomfortable symptoms: ● Redness ● Light sensitivity ● Fatigue ● Excess mucus around the eyes ● Increased irritation of smoke or wind ● Feeling like something is in your eye ● Watery eyes ● Trouble wearing...
by Vision Care Centre | Nov 14, 2018 | Eye Clinic Langley
Eyesight is something most people take for granted until it’s too late. Make it your mission to keep your eyes as healthy as possible by regularly visiting your eye doctor. Not sure when you should go? Other than once a year, book an eye exam if you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms. Changes in Night Vision It’s common for the first sign of your eye health dwindling as an adult is when you start having difficulty seeing at night, especially while driving. This can be extremely dangerous if left untreated, for both you and other drivers. Seeing halos around light sources, having trouble recognizing objects at night or are unable to read signs are warnings that you need to talk to your optometrist, now. Health Conditions Certain health conditions can affect the way your eyes feel and function. Diseases like diabetes, lupus and other conditions can affect your eye’s functionality. Even your nutritional habits and sleep patterns can affect your eye health. Mention any conditions to your doctor during an exam. An Eye Infection Sitting through an eye exam gives the optometrist an opportunity to identify changes in your vision while checking your overall eye health. Some eye infections can clear up on their own. However, many can be contagious and lead to permanent eye damage if left untreated. Schedule an appointment right away if you experience itchy or red eyes, discharge or any other uncomfortable sensations. Constant Headaches Several things can cause headaches and migraines, but these conditions can also be a warning sign that something is wrong with your vision. An increase in headache frequency...
by Vision Care Centre | Oct 1, 2018 | Common Eye Conditions
If you are having difficulty focusing, have an eye that wanders inward or outward without control or you get abnormal results on your vision screening tests, it’s quite possible that you have a lazy eye or Amblyopia. Although it is common in all ages, amblyopia is the leading cause of vision loss in people under the age of 20. If detected in the first decade, children can have full resolution of this condition, with only partial resolution between ages 12 and 18. It occurs when the eye is not coordinated with the brain, causing loss of vision and depth perception. What is a Lazy Eye or Amblyopia? In this condition, the brain is unable to fully acknowledge the images seen by the affected eye. It typically affects one eye – hence the term “lazy eye” – but may reduce vision in both eyes. About 3% of children under six are known to have some form of amblyopia. The condition has emotional repercussions as well as physical. It can make the person highly self-conscious and prone to social and psychological disorders. The condition emerges in the early stages of childhood, hence early diagnosis and timely treatment plays a crucial role in treating it. Medical professionals say that it becomes increasingly difficult to cure the ailment after the first decade of life. How to Treat Lazy Eye? Physicians recommend treatment as soon as the condition is diagnosed. If there is a delay, vision can rapidly deteriorate, even leading to blindness. It becomes more difficult to improve the lazy eye in the teen years, with very low probability of any improvement in...
by Vision Care Centre | Aug 23, 2018 | Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are expensive items, especially if they are prescription based. Cleaning them the wrong way may cause them to scratch or suffer other damage. Listed below are common steps which can be taken to ensure that your prescription glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, and sports eyewear remain in a good condition for an extended period of time. Clean Hands Prior to touching the lens, ensure that you get rid of all the dirt, lotion, and grime on your hands. Wash your hands with lotion-free soap and lint-free clean towel to avoid getting any specs of dirt particles onto the lenses. Rinsing Dust and debris can cause glasses to scratch while we clean them. Thus, it is important to gently rinse the glasses under a lukewarm stream of water. Completely avoid hot water since it can cause significant damage to the glasses. Washing Apply lotion-free dishwashing liquid to the lenses. Since dishwashing soaps are highly concentrated, a small amount of soap will be sufficient. Rubbing Gently rub all parts of the lenses for a couple of seconds. Ensure cleaning the nose pads, ends of the temple, and behind the ear rests too. Thoroughly cover the edges where lenses meet the frame, since skin oils, dust, and debris often accumulate in this area. Rinse again Clean the soap off from all areas of the glasses thoroughly, since failure to do so can cause the lenses to appear dirty after they dry. Shake Gently shaking the glasses will help eliminate most of the water. Drying Use a new dish towel or a cotton towel to wipe the lenses dry. Make sure the cloth...
by Vision Care Centre | Jul 17, 2018 | Children Eye Care
As your child develops, their eyes develop along with them. Many people think that children are born with a fully functioning set of eyes, but the reality is that when babies are born, they have about 20/400 vision. They see the world as very blurry. While this does dissipate within a week, to the point where they can focus around 8 to 12 inches from their faces, their eyes and eyesight still have a long way to go in their development. Here is a comprehensive explanation of how children’s vision develops. Babies As said before, babies cannot see very well after they are born, and their sight will not improve for about a week. At this time babies only hold their gaze for a couple of seconds. Also, newborns only see in bold colours and black and white. This is one reason that so many baby toys are brightly coloured. So while you may want to paint your babies room pastel, know that it is not a very stimulating colour. With babies, there are milestones for each month of their vision development. Month One Track objects horizontally Make eye contact Moves head and eyes towards light sources Months 2-3 Vertical and circular tracking Face recognition Eyes moving independently from the head Studies hands and feet Increased light sensitivity Makes eye contact for more extended periods of time Months 3-6 Moves gaze left to right Can focus almost to the other side of a room Can observe objects falling or rolling away Enjoys looking at their own reflection Months 7-10 Recognizing objects that are partially hidden Can see small objects...
by Vision Care Centre | Apr 26, 2018 | Eyeglasses, Eyeglasses Langley
Basking in the sun for rest of the summer sounds like a great Idea! But there are some dangers sunrays bring with them. Our eyes are susceptible and must be protected with a pair of Sunglasses at all times during the day. Sun-Related Health Problems Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to severe health problems, which sunglasses can protect us. Skin Cancer: The skin around our eyes and eyelids is susceptible and a significant degree of skin cancers are discovered near the eyes. Utilizing UV-protective sunglasses with large lenses will help protect your eyes and skin around them. Glaucoma and Cataracts: Lengthened exposure to sun’s UV rays contribute to glaucoma and cataracts. Cataracts are cloudy areas on eye’s lens, and Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to blindness. Sunglasses with complete UV protection will alleviate the difficulties associated with glaucoma and threat of cataract. Macular Degeneration: Types of UV radiation can worsen Macular degeneration – a condition in which part of the retina, named macula, deteriorates and poses a risk of blindness. Pterygium: Commonly known as surfer’s eye, Pterygium is growth on the eyeball and can be painful. It is usually treated with eyes drops, steroids and surgery. Optometrists recommend prevention by wearing sunglasses with UV protection, especially on clouded days when the sun isn’t as visible, but UV rays are present in the environment. Headaches and Migraines: Harsh sunlight can trigger severe headaches and migraines. While some people are more prone to experience headaches, protecting our eyes from overexposure to light can alleviate the severity and prevalence of these painful experiences. Hazardous Elements...
by Vision Care Centre | Nov 17, 2017 | LATISSE® Applications Langley
Not all of us are born with long, thick, or dark eyelashes. You can look at pictures online, you can read tutorials with helpful tips, you can use makeup products, but you still might need something more to give you the elegant look you want, especially without all of the fuss of mascara and eyeliner. While there are some things you can do to naturally improve the look of your eyelashes, when you want to go one step further and look for a prescription, LATISSE® applications may be just what you need. There is some great information out there about this medication, but it’s scattered and can be hard to get a clear answer. Well, here are answers to all of the questions you have about LATISSE® treatments. Is LATISSE® Covered by Insurance? Unfortunately, a LATISSE® prescription is not covered by insurance. This is because health insurance companies cover medication based on necessity. If you have madarosis, a condition that causes eyelashes to fall out, you can ask your doctor or insurance company if LATISSE® applications will be covered. If you are simply looking to increase the length, color, or thickness of your eyelashes for cosmetic purposes, the prescription is not covered. How to Get a LATISSE® Prescription The good news is that a LATISSE® prescription can be provided by any qualified doctor. There’s no need to “qualify” for using the medication, but your doctor will most likely have a few questions about your eyes, health, and why you’re looking for a LATISSE® treatment prescription. If you have a primary care doctor that you see, simply mention that you...
by Vision Care Centre | Oct 19, 2017 | LATISSE® Applications Langley
Women can spend a lot of time in the morning getting ready for the day or hours in the bathroom before a big event. We have tubes of mascara, eyeliner, blush, eyeshadow, makeup foundations, and medicine cabinets that are full of unused products that may have been sitting around for months. All in an effort to add some definition to our faces and create a focal point. That focal point is our eyes. We love to show off this feature that is unique to us. But some women have short, light colored, and thin eyelashes that make it hard to create a beautiful look, even with piles of makeup products. That’s where LATISSE® applications come in. Keep reading for tips on how to naturally nourish your eyelashes and see how LATISSE® eyelash treatments can help. Reduce Stress We understand that reducing stress isn’t as easy as it sounds and it can take time to remove stressful triggers from our lives. But when you can take some time to relax each day and give your mind a break from the daily grind, it may help improve the look of your hair and eyelashes. Our bodies can react to stress in various ways, including a higher chance of getting sick. Stress can also affect the process of hair growth. So after a long day of work or a stressful weekend filled with chores, give yourself an hour to take a long bath or watch a movie on the couch. Your eyelashes may thank you. Lubricate Your Lashes Just like we want to moisturize our skin to prevent it from becoming dry...
by Vision Care Centre | Sep 23, 2017 | Optometrist Langley
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not staring at a computer can harm your eyes, or if you’ve ever slept with your contacts in, you’ll want to read this blog. An optometrist isn’t just there to check on your glasses prescription and have you read the tiny letters on the wall, but your eye doctor can learn a lot about the health of your eyes and your body with a quick visit. There’s also a lot your optometrist can teach you about your eyes and the habits and myths you may have picked up on. Computers Don’t Damage Your Eyes While sitting at your desk and working on a computer all day can cause your eyes to feel tired, strained, and even cause temporary blurriness, it doesn’t actually cause any damage or harm. This doesn’t mean you should work longer and push your chair up closer to the screen though. Any optometrist would recommend giving your eyes a break by looking away from the screen every 20 minutes for two to five minutes. Closing them regularly will also help them to stay moist with natural tears. Glasses Don’t Make Your Eyes Weaker If you’ve noticed that you, friends, or family get fitted with glasses and then need to regularly go back to get an updated prescription, it’s just a coincidence. Our eyes can change depending on our age and other circumstances, but it’s not because we got glasses. If you’re experiencing difficulty reading, a hard time reading street signs, or blurred vision, it’s time to visit the optometrist for another look at your prescription. Your Eyes Are Brown Even...
by Vision Care Centre | Aug 25, 2017 | Eyeglasses Langley
There’s something wonderful about the summer months when the sun is shining strong and the air is warm. Since the days are longer and the weather is nicer, people spend more time outside during the summer than during other months. Whether it’s packing up for a trip to the beach or heading out on the town for a day, one thing that lands itself on everyone’s list is sunglasses. Sunglasses can be worn for style, like our favourite designer sunglasses, or they can be worn for eye health. Whatever your reasoning may be, it’s important to remind yourself that the sun can easily damage your precious peepers, even in the depth of winter. The powerful light energy from the sun doesn’t waver after summer ends. The harmful UV rays from the sun can cause serious damage to unprotected eyes. We recommend wearing sunglasses anytime you go outside during the day so you can protect your eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. Cataracts: The lens of the eye develops a cloudy layer that leads to foggy vision. It is estimated by the National Eye Institute that 20 percent of cataracts cases are caused by UV exposure. That means about 500,000 of the 2.5 million Canadians with cataracts could have prevented the disease by wearing sunglasses. Macular degeneration: A disease that can lead to blindness is not one to be reckoned with. Macular degeneration is generally caused by either the middle of the retina deteriorating, fatty deposits under the retina accumulating, or leaky blood vessels growing under the retina. Pterygium: A piece of tissue grows over the white part of...
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