Dr Morris's Optometry BLOG

3D Glasses

2011-08-29T19:36:00.003-04:00

Had an interesting question from a staff member today that was asked... "If my child wears 3D glasses all the time, can it harm their eyes?" Answer - No. 3D glasses are made with special lenses (polarized) to designed to present different images to the right and left eye. The 'splitting' effect only occurs in the very special environment of a movie theatre. Out in the real world 3D glasses only just act like slightly tinted glasses. Some effect (not 3D but screen blackening) may be seen from polarized lenses if you look at a LCD display. dr.j

Better 1 or 2 for Kids

2011-07-18T11:46:00.002-04:00

Ever wondered how Optometrists check a child's vision before they are able to read an eye chart or answer the infamous "what's better 1 or 2"? Answer: There is an instrument called a retinoscope that your Optometrist can use to assess the way light bounces off the back your child's eye. By using lenses and a retinoscope, an educated guess as to the prescription can be formed. This is not as accurate as a full refraction (what's better 1 or 2) but using this less interactive technique, Optometrists assess for may types of vision problems. Every child should have an eye exam before their third birthday. dr.j

good eyeball blog

2011-06-14T20:03:00.001-04:00

I'm always looking for good eyeball info... www.seeforlife.blogspot.com Dr Randhawa - Vancouver

Kids Sunglass Warning

2011-05-20T20:33:00.002-04:00

Although cute, do not purchase the children's sunglasses in the shapes of stars and hearts! These do not [generally] have UV protection and the shading effect of their tinted lenses causes an increased amount of harmful UV light to enter your children's eyes (because of less pupil constriction)! It's like having no sunscreen on tender skin. Dr.j

Allergy Alert!

2011-05-14T14:36:00.001-04:00

Allergy Sufferers Contend with Longer Allergy Season:

The 2011 allergy season is expected to be 27 days longer in northernmost parts of North America, adding almost a month of suffering to the typical pollen allergy season of March-October, according to a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The longer allergy season could be particularly rough on eye allergy sufferers. Ocular allergies affect one in every five individuals and it is estimated that 50 percent of individuals with seasonal and indoor allergies also experience some degree of ocular allergy. Allergies result when the immune system mistakes pollens for harmful substances and then responds by releasing chemicals including histamines. Histamines are responsible for our allergy symptoms. The most common symptoms of ocular allergy are a red, itchy, watery eye.

Smart allergy season strategies include:

· Avoidance of allergens if possible by limiting outside exposure: Peak pollen hours are between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

· Thorough washing of hands to remove any outdoor irritants

· Reduce spreading of allergens by removing or washing outside clothes and shoes

· Use of anti-allergy eye drops such as Patanol (and now daily dosing Pataday) to control symptoms

· Switch to daily disposable contact lenses to reduce exposure of irritant buildup.

See your Optometrist! Dr.j

Cataracts

2011-05-06T18:21:00.003-04:00

Cataracts are a cloudy lens inside of the eye. They are typical in folks over 70 years but can occur in younger eyes due to trauma, medications, systemic conditions as well as eye inflammations. See your Optometrists with symptoms of increased glare! Dr J

Can eyes wear out?

2011-02-09T18:27:00.004-05:00

If you are in a job of have an interest that is visually intensive - don't worry - your eyes do not have a finite amount of vision that you will use up! Your eye health is not related to how much you use them. Dr J

eGadgets and Polarized Lenses

2010-11-18T10:38:00.002-05:00

Had a couple of folks this week ask why their phones or GPS etc do not look proper through their sunglasses.... Answer - Some sunglasses are polarized. This type of lens can compete with the screen and cause a splochy appearence that changes with the angle of the device. Now you know! Dr.j

Shame on you Shopper's Drug Mart

2010-10-13T20:47:00.003-04:00

Shame on Shopper's Drugmart - They are taking advantage of a loophole and selling contact lenses for Halloween. No power contact lenses fall through the cracks of regulation but are just as dangerous to eyeballs and the sight of individuals that use them without proper fitting or instruction. Is your $40 profit worth risking sight? Shame on you Shoppers :( Costume contact lenses are not only a risk to eye health but if you have ever actually tried them - comfort and vision stink! I would not sell these lenses even with a proper fit and instruction. Boooooo Shoppers - Unhappy Halloween Dr.J

Sun Gazing

2010-09-22T10:15:00.002-04:00

When I was a kid, we used to burn leaves with a magnifing glass. Did you know that the lens system of your eye is 2-3 times stronger that those little toy lenses. Beware! You can sizzle the back of your eye by staring at the sun just like those leaves & cause permanent vision loss! Dr.j

Allergies!

2010-09-16T13:13:00.003-04:00

This season has been especially bad for allergy eyes - red, itchy, watery and whitish, stringy discharge. If you are taking oral antihistamines and they are not enough, there are OTC and prescription eye drops that help a ton. Make sure that you ask you Optometrist about HOW to use the drops as different drops (e.g. Opticrom vs. Naphcon-A vs. Patanol) have different actions.

Also - please have a look as to what we're up to... YouTube Practice Video posted at: http://bit.ly/cHDuWM

Eyeballs vs. Computers

2010-07-25T15:06:00.002-04:00

Quicktips for success - [1] no bright lights / windows behind monitor [2] top of monitor ideally at eye level [3] 50min max then break [4] blink lots! [5] talk to you Optometrists if you wear bifocals and have to use a PC! Dr J

Looking to shed you specs?

2010-07-16T08:58:00.003-04:00

There are several refractive surgery options beyond LASIK - PRK, implantable contact lenes, CLE (clear lens exchange) and others. Talk to you Optometrist to help you decide. Dr. J

Extreme Heat

2010-07-07T16:56:00.002-04:00

The extreme heat of summer can damage your glasses! Lens coatings (like anti-glare/anti-scratch) can crack or split if left in a hot car. Now you know Dr.J

Eyeball Shots

2010-05-27T19:57:00.003-04:00

This is one of the craziest things that I have heard... teens pouring Vodka in their eyes in hopes of getting drunk faster... seriously?! This is so so damgerous and could lead to blindness not the desired result. Do not do this!! Dr.J

UV Protections

2010-04-10T10:52:00.003-04:00

Most people don't know that you can get 100% UV protection with clear lenses. You do not have to have a tint to get the protection. Now you know! Ask your Optometrist. Dr J

GPS Safety

2010-02-01T16:25:00.002-05:00

Window mounted GPS systems can cause some serious visual safety concerns. Mount these systems [1] low [2] out of your line-of-sight and [3] be sure to dim these systems at night as their glare can reduce your night vision. Do not clip to your visor! Dr J

Better without?!

2010-01-28T09:21:00.002-05:00

With time and age it is not that uncommon for people that wear glasses to start to see better without their correction in the disctance. This change is sometimes associated with developing cataracts. See your Optometrist for investigation. Dr J

I'll go blind!

2010-01-28T09:17:00.002-05:00

One of the most common espressions that I hear from patients is "If my prescription keeps going up... I'll go blind!"... Well... not exactly :) An increasing prescrition is not a predictor of ocular health or blindness. See your Optometrist for thorough ocular health assessment regularly. Dr J

Immaculate Degeneration

2010-01-27T14:42:00.002-05:00

One of the most common conditions of the older eye is macular degeneration not (as it commonly referred to)... immaculate degeneration. So if either :) is in your family history - please follow up with your Optometrist. Dr J

Gaming

2009-12-04T21:09:00.002-05:00

Contrary to every Moms' opinion... video games will not hurt the eyes. Prolonged playing can certainly cause stained, achy eyes but gaming does not cause any permanent damage. Dr J

Visual Ergo 101

2009-11-10T21:58:00.003-05:00

When you look at your computer next - consider this easy visual ergonomic adjustment... The top of your monitor should be at eye level. i.e. the screen should be fully below your straight ahead gaze. Dr J

High Definition

2009-10-14T22:55:00.002-04:00

There is a whole new class of single vision (non-bifocal) lenses which dramatically reduce side distortion in high prescriptions. These high definition digital lenses ease adaption and crisp side vision to a new level. Ask your Optometrist. Dr J

The Big 4

2009-09-13T23:48:00.002-04:00

Glaucoma, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration and Diabetes represent the top causes of vision loss in North America... do you know which are treatable?, preventable?, hereditary? Talk to your Optometrist and understand what you can do today. Dr J

3D Movies

2009-08-03T19:43:00.004-04:00

Have you seen one of the new 3D movies this summer yet? If you got had a headache - you are not alone. Many folks with eye muscle imbalances simply can not watch 3D flicks without discomfort... believe it or not - your Optometrist can help - this is the same reason why many people develop eyestrain using the computer. Dr J

Social Wear

2009-06-10T11:48:00.002-04:00

A new phrase is popping up in eyecare - Because of the dramatically lower costs and increased comfort in single use contact lenses, wearing contact lenses soley for social events and occations is more popular. Ask your optometrist if you could wear 1day contacts. Dr. j

Double Double

2009-06-10T11:43:00.002-04:00

Great coffee but not great if you see double. Double vision can be the sign of many serious systemic issues. If you ever have double vision, please see you local Optometrist to help sort of the cause. Dr. J

Early Warning

2009-05-05T10:43:00.002-04:00

The eyes are windows to your vascular system. It is the only spot in the body that you can view blood vessels without imaging or being invasive. Many conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol can be seen the eye... sometimes as as early warning. Dr j

Sunscreen for your eyes!

2009-04-13T11:52:00.002-04:00

The same sun rays that lead to skin cancer and premature aging of the skin are just as bad for your eyes. Children are the most vulnerable to damage. Don't forget the sunglasses! Dr j

Wive's Tale

2009-03-04T19:40:00.002-05:00

"You can loose a contact lens behind your eye"... Debunked! The front surface of the eye is continuous with the tissue of the lids. It is impossible to loose a lens behind your eye (but it can roll up under your lid!) Dr J

Side Effects

2009-02-15T23:04:00.002-05:00

Many medications (Rx & over-the-counter) have ocular side effects. These can range from blurry vision and teary eyes to cataracts and glaucoma. Please bring your list of medications to your Optometrist to discuss. Dr J

Cataracts

2009-02-13T09:16:00.002-05:00

Many factors influence the development of cataracts: medications, age, health, nutrition, smoking, heredity etc. They cause changes in your prescription, reduced vision and increased glare. There are new options and techniques for correction - please talk to your Optometrist. Dr J

Humidity

2009-01-22T12:09:00.002-05:00

Humidity and Dry Eyes - Cold, dry winter night are hard on eyes. If you are waking in the morning with tacky, dry eyes... try a humidifier on low in your bedroom and see your Optometrists about drops to use at bedtime. Dr J

Eczema and Glaucoma

2008-12-17T16:31:00.001-05:00

This time of year is especially difficult for those who suffer from eczema. Beware that steroid-based creams used to treat this skin condition can cause glaucoma especially if applied around the eyes. Please tell you Optometrists for the appropriate testing. Dr J

What is Welder's Flash?

2008-11-28T09:44:00.003-05:00

Unprotected exposure to a welding arc can lead to 2 ocular complications [1] Weld flash is essentially a sunburn to the outside surface of the eye - very painful but heals well [2] burn damage to the inside nerve layer of the eye (retina) - sight threatening. Be careful! Dr J

Diabetes Month

2008-11-03T10:32:00.001-05:00

November is Diabetes month - if you are Diabetic or "borderline" please promise yourself to make an eye exam appointment if it has been more than one year since your last assessment DrJ

Eye Examinations

2008-10-19T22:07:00.003-04:00

I am asked everyday about how frequently one should have their eyes checked. It's a great question and in an ideal world, insurance companies would have no say over the answer. My opinion is: Kids every year starting at 3, adults every two years and Seniors every year. Dr J

Better without specs

2008-10-13T11:32:00.003-04:00

With time and age, the lens inside of the eye naturally stiffens. As this happens, it can shift your prescription and cause you to see better without your glasses in the distance. Shifts in prescription can also be a sign of cataracts or diabetes so please see your Optometrist regularly. Dr J

contacts for kids (revisited)

2008-09-13T12:06:00.003-04:00

to continue the blog on contact lenses for kids... if appropriate, single use contacts are great for active kids in dance, gynastics, football and hockey. No solutions and no care makes these lenses a safe choice. Talk to your Optometrist.

Back to School

2008-08-16T13:33:00.002-04:00

Kids don't often complain about poor vision because they may not know what they are "supposed " to see... Please please have your children's eyes tested by an Optometrist to be sure that they are are ready for school.

Lasik?!

2008-08-01T15:07:00.002-04:00

Curious about refractive surgery but not sure where to start? Contact your Optometrist to learn the refractive surgery lingo, fully understand your options, and get an unbiased discussion of your candidacy. Maybe hockey this fall with no glasses?! Dr J

Weed Whackers

2008-07-29T12:01:00.002-04:00

Be careful of those weed whackers! I have seen 3 injuries this summer from debris thrown be trimmers. Please wear eye protection and beware of those - especially children - that may be nearby! Dr. J

Eye Transplants

2008-07-12T14:56:00.002-04:00

I am asked occasionally if it is possible to do eye transplants. The optic nerve that connects the eyeball to the brain has ~1 million nerve fibres. These would be impossible to plug in so transplants are as of yet impossible. There is however research with implants to stimulate optic nerve fibres in the blind.

Hairspray

2008-07-04T12:54:00.003-04:00

A very very common cause of damage to the anti-reflective coatings used on many spectacle lenses is... hairspray. Be careful if wearing your glasses (or even if set them down) that they are shielded from the plume of aerosol.

What the heck is 20/20?

2008-06-23T13:08:00.002-04:00

20/20 is a common score of visual ability. The simple definition is that the top # (in feet) is your test distance and the bottom # is the standard test distance. So 20/20 means that you see what others do at 20 feet while 20/50 means what other see at 50 feet... you need at 20 feet.

Itchy Red Eyes

2008-06-17T18:15:00.001-04:00

It seems to be a particularly bad year for environmental allergies – lots of red, itchy eyes. You can try cool compresses but if that does not work… did you know that there are ocular antihistamine eye drops? These targeted drops rapidly relieve ocular allergy symptoms like redness and itchiness with only rare systemic side effects. See you Optometrist!

Essential Equipment

2008-06-11T11:32:00.004-04:00

Hockey/Baseball/Golf/Ringette all have expensive equipment. Single use contact lenses just for sport activities are viewed as expensive but when put in perspective with equipment, these contacts only cost $1.00-$1.35 per use or $80-$120 for the season. See your Optometrist for options.

Changing Eye Colour

2008-05-26T13:12:00.001-04:00

I had an interesting question this past week: "Can my eye change colour?" Yes! The eye's iris has many blood vessels and depending upon blood flow, eyes can shift colour like a mood ring. Green <-> Brown is a common shift.

Animal Eyes

2008-05-22T16:50:00.002-04:00

Fun Animal Facts - At 18" across, the eyeball of the giant squid is the largest in the world. An ostrich's eye is 2" across but weighs more than its brain!

Hypertention and Glaucoma

2008-05-20T10:38:00.001-04:00

Hypertension and Glaucoma are both related to high pressure. While hypertension refers to blood pressure and glaucoma refers to eye pressure, these are not correlated. i.e. high eye pressure can occur with low blood pressure. See your Optometrist regularly for important glaucoma screening.

Yellow Lenses

2008-05-06T12:24:00.001-04:00

You may see adds on late night TV for yellow lenses... What do they do? Yellow filters block blue light. Because of its wavelength, blue light scatters inside the eye the most... No blue light = less scatter = better acuity. These lenses deliver better acuity but the intense yellow colour distortion is not well tolerated by most folks.

Computer Fatigue

2008-04-26T17:12:00.003-04:00

Sustaining focus at your computer monitor's relatively close distance for hours usually will cause fatigue. TIP - when you take a break from the computer, try and do a task that is distant to relax your focus. Taking a break by reading is not a break!

Lens Coatings

2008-04-25T17:22:00.002-04:00

Spectacle lenses come with lots of confusing coating options - single and multiple sided scratch coatings, warranty coatings and anti-reflective coatings. Sometimes more $ is not always better. Ask your Optometrist for their recommendation.

Bulletproof

2008-04-20T21:07:00.002-04:00

I had an interesting question this week "Are there bulletproof lenses"? And yes there are! Both polycarbonate and Trivex spectacle lens materials are essentially bulletproof. Cool eh?

Green Eyes

2008-04-07T20:31:00.003-04:00

Studies suggests that the antioxidants - lutein and zeaxanthin - that are found in leafy green vegetables may provide your eyes with extra protection from sun damage.

Cataract and Lasers

2008-03-16T16:03:00.001-04:00

Contrary to popular belief, cataract surgery is not done by laser. It is a surgical procedure to remove a cloudy, natural lens and replace it with a new, clear, artificial one. It is one of the most common surgical procedures in North America and locally, 8-10 cases a week are done at Elgin General Hospital.

Lazy Eye

2008-03-08T10:39:00.002-05:00

Someone with a 'lazy eye' generally does not see well from one of their eyes - the eye may be straight or turned. The uncorrectable poor vision is rooted in either poor eye muscle alignment or unequal nearsightedness/farsightedness between the eyes. Kids need to be checked for lazy eye before age 3!

Wet vs. Moist

2008-02-28T23:58:00.001-05:00

When the humidity is low in the winter, you may have teary eyes that feel gritty or sandy. Even though you have lots of wetness in your eyes you may not have the moisture to make them comfortable – just like running water over dry hands is of no help! See your Optometrist for advice on the best moisturizing eye drops.

Focus Focus

2008-02-26T22:10:00.003-05:00

Your eye works like a camera. Higher degrees of focus power are required for closer distances. With age, this natural system becomes stiffer and less elastic. If you are are over 40 and find your arms suddenly too short... see you optometrist!

Run out of Sight?

2008-02-22T21:28:00.001-05:00

Many patients ask "Should I do less 'knitting' or 'reading' or 'computer work' or 'gaming'"? Although these activities may strain and make your eyes tired, they will not cause damage. You do not have a limited amount of vision that you will eventually use up. Go ahead and enjoy these activities... you will not harm your eyes.

No Tint UV Protection

2008-02-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

Did you know? There are many lens materials for glasses which will protect your eyes 100% from damaging ultraviolet light without tinting or colouring the lens. Ask your Optometrist.

I have a Stigma?

2008-02-15T21:17:00.001-05:00

Simple astigmatism is a common eye condition. It means that the shape (and therefore power) of the eye is not symmetrical. Hold your non-bifocal glasses away from your face and look at an object as you turn the glasses clockwise. If the object appears to gets blurry with rotation... you have astigmatism. It is just a descriptive term... not something bad!

Topping-Up?

2008-01-30T23:21:00.001-05:00

The primary purpose of your contact lens solution is to sterilize your lenses. Reusing or failing to dump solution (topping-up) reduces a solution's effectiveness and has been identified as a major risk factor in studies of severe eye infections. Always empty and rinse your contact lens case after use.

Hi-Tech Lenses

2008-01-30T22:17:00.001-05:00

Progressive (no-line bifocal) lens technology has taken a giant leap forward. New free-form lens technology is like buying a tailor made suit vs. one off-the-rack. Free-form lenses are individualized to deliver superior vision with less side distortion. Even if you have had prior trouble using progressive lenses, ask your Optometrist about free-form lenses.

Too small?

2008-01-18T22:14:00.001-05:00

Your type of correction (reading glasses vs. bifocals) impacts greatly on the style of glasses that you can (and should) choose. It is extremely important for folks selling glasses to ask the right questions to avoid you paying for glasses with wrong frame size for the intended purpose.

You can test a toddler?

2008-01-10T11:48:00.001-05:00

Children should have their first eye exam before the age of three. Tests are modified and the appointment may be short but the information acquired during that visit could save your child's sight. Call an Optometrist for an appointment today even if you feel that your child has no trouble!

Replace Your Case

2008-01-06T09:13:00.001-05:00

Washing your hands, switching your lenses regularly and using proper lens care solutions are all important for contact lens safety but if you are storing your lenses in a case more than 3 months old... you are putting your eyes at undue risk. Replace your case!

Prescription vs. Eye Health

2008-01-04T21:40:00.001-05:00

Your prescription (i.e. near/farsightedness etc.) is a very poor predictor of eye health. You could have a high or increasing prescription with thick lenses yet perfectly healthy eyes or conversely no prescription and serious eye health problems. Even if you do not require glasses, please remember so see your Optometrist.

Cataracts

2007-12-31T06:10:00.001-05:00

Cataracts form for many reasons. Ultraviolet exposure, diet, smoking, diabetes and medications can all play a role in cataract advancement. Cataract treatment involves removing the natural lens from the eye and replacing it with a clear, artificial lens.

Contacts and Airplanes

2007-12-20T21:52:00.001-05:00

Consider wearing your glasses on flights. The cabin dryness and overhead vents are especially hard on your ability to wear contacts. If you put a rewetting drop in your eyes just before you board (contacts or not) you will arrive with more comfortable, whiter eyes.

Cruisers Alert

2007-12-20T00:37:00.001-05:00

If you are headed for a vacation cruise this winter, be careful to wash your hands if you use a motion sickness (scopolamine) patch. This medication will dilate your pupils and make your eyes light sensitive if you touch your eye after application