Transition lenses – lenses that become darker when exposed to sunlight – are not a new invention. First released in the 1960s, they have become increasingly sophisticated in the five decades since their introduction. Many people require prescription eyeglasses to correct their vision. This same prescription applies to any type of corrective lens, yet many […]
Eye Allergies
Dealing With Eye Allergies: How to Find Relief From Your Symptoms For many people, the coming of spring and summer also mean the coming of seasonal allergies. It can make the warm weather bittersweet, as seasonal allergy symptoms make people miserable despite the beautiful weather outside. In Canada, it is estimated that as many as […]
Allergies
Many common allergens can affect the eyes, including pollen, animal fur and dander, and food-related allergies. On the surface of the eye, between the eyelid and the eye, a special type of mucus protects the eye from many microscopic particles. However, if a particle does make it through this mucus, it can cause an eye […]
Dry Eye
Dry eye disease is very common in Canada, affecting nearly one in three people to varying degrees of severity. While many of the less severe forms of dry eyes can be treated with over the counter eye drops, severe dry eye does require medical intervention. Many Canadians may be unaware they have severe dry eyes, […]
AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration)
AMD is a deterioration of the macula, a small area of the retina where the “straight ahead” focus of your vision lies. As the eyes age, the cells in the macula, known as cone cells, start to deteriorate. Should enough cells suffer damage, central vision can become blurry or even completely lost. There are two […]
Cataracts
According to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, over 2.5 million Canadians have cataracts in some way, shape, or form. Along with glaucoma, it is one of the primary, preventable causes of vision loss in Canada. Cataracts develop as the lens in the eye ages, as the crystalline materials that make up the lens […]
Conjunctivitis (Red or Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis is caused when the front surface of the eye becomes inflamed, and is commonly associated with an inflammation of the inner eyelid as well. Everything from viruses and bacterial infections to seasonal allergies are the most common causes, however chemical reactions such as swimming in chlorinated water, or encountering eye irritants in household cleaning […]
Glaucoma
According to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Canada. Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve at the back of the eye, and is caused when fluid builds up in and around the eye putting pressure on the nerve, eventually […]
Floaters and Flashes
Have you ever been looking at something bright, such as computer or television screen, and suddenly something seems to float across your vision? Floaters are microscopic particles in the fluid inside your eye, and if they pass between the light entering the front of the eye and the retina at the back of your eye, […]
Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK or PRK)
Laser eye surgery is a method of correcting vision issues using a fine focus refractive laser, and is a viable alternative for many patients instead of corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. The actual surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist. LASIK is conducted by first creating a small flap in the surface of the eye. Then, […]
