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Category: Eye Exams

Cataract – Treatments, Complications, and Prevention

Cataract – Treatments, Complications, and Prevention

Cataract is an eye condition characterized by cloudy lens and blurry vision. The lens of our eyes play a vital role in our vision. It is where the light pass through. It bends the light rays to form a clear image to the retina. Once the bent light ray enters the retina, it is converted into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. People dealing with cataract have cloudy lens which prevents the retina of their eyes to receive sharp image.

The most common cause of cataract is aging although in some rare cases, it may be present at birth. It may also occur due to trauma, radiation exposure, or after an eye surgery for a different eye condition. The reason why aging is the most common cause of cataract is because as we age, some of the proteins that make most of our lenses clump together and start to cloud some areas of the lens. The clumped proteins grow larger over time clouding more part of the lens and thus, making the vision blurry.

Cataract Treatments And Complications

Eye doctors and optometrists often advise patients to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses at the early onset of the disease. However, if cataract is detected late, the only possible treatment is cataract eye surgery.

Cataract eye surgery has a high percentage of success with most of patients achieving desired results after the surgery. This is if the surgery is done by a qualified eye doctor.  During the surgery, the clouded lens will be replaced with an artificial lens called intraocular lens. The artificial lens will replace the work of the cloudy lens.

The cataract surgery approximately takes 10 minutes, but the recovery time is roughly six weeks. The eye implanted with intraocular lens must adjust seeing without the cataract. If only one eye has undergone a cataract surgery, then a recovery time will be needed for both eyes to learn working together again.

Nine out of ten patients have claimed that their cataract surgeries were successful; however, there are rare instances when surgeries led to complications.  One of the most common infections that are linked with cataract surgery is Endopthalmitis. It is a serious eye infection that can occur after a cataract surgery and it is usually the result of a bacterial infection. The most common bacteria that results to this serious infection is staphylococcus or “staph” which is usually found on human skin. This eye infection may result to permanent loss of vision or worst, loss of the eye.

Avoid These To Prevent Cataract

Although the exact cause of cataract is unknown, there are ways to slow cataract development. Here are 3 things you should avoid to lessen the chances of getting cataracts.

  • Avoid smoking.Smoking does not only cause heart disease and lung cancer, it can also lead to loss of vision. Research suggests that smoking increases the risk of developing cataracts.
  • Avoid direct eye contact to sunlight. Ultraviolet rays can certainly damage your eyes. Using sunglasses blocks the wavelengths of light that can hasten the formation of cataracts.
  • Avoid high-sugar food and low-quality carbohydrates. Studies have shown that those with diabetes are at high risk of developing cataracts. That is why eating healthy and maintaining your blood sugar are necessary.

Cataracts can be prevented and even if you get them, it can be treated. To ensure you are diagnosed as early as possible, always consider getting regular eye exam. Your Ottawa optometrist or eye doctor will be able to help you prevent cataract.

Common Eye Tests Done During A Regular Eye Exam

Common Eye Tests Done During A Regular Eye Exam

A lot of vision loss cases are due to macular degeneration. This is an age related vision problem which is more commonly referred to as AMD or ARMD. What makes this a serious eye problem is the fact that our eyes rely big time on the health of the macula to be able to see clearly.

Macula is the small part in the middle of the retina. It plays a vital role in our vision because it is the one responsible in controlling visual acuity. If the macula degenerates, you will be limited in your everyday activity. You will not have the sharpness of vision to see small details even in everyday objects.

Dry And Wet Macular Degeneration

There are two types of macular degeneration. They are termed dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration, which is non-neovascular, is the atrophic type while the wet macular degeneration, which is neovascular, is the exudative type.

If you get checked by an optometrist or eye doctor and you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, chances are you get the dry type. This is because between these two types, the more common is the dry macular degeneration.

What Causes Macular Degeneration and Who Are At Risk?

While the causes are to be studied further, most macular degeneration cases are brought about by aging. There are also studies that point to heredity and environment as potential causes. As we age, the cells of the macula starts to degenerate thereby causing vision problem.

Because this eye problem is related to aging, older people are at greater risk. In most cases, this vision problem is experienced by people 55 years old and above.

Aside from age, other risk factors include genetics, race, and lifestyle. If someone in the family has AMD, other members of the family may be diagnosed with AMD as well. In terms of race, it seems that more Caucasians are diagnosed with AMD compared to other races. This may have something to do with the light colour of the eyes.

Lifestyle also affects the risk of getting AMD. It is observed that smokers are most likely to get macular degeneration than non-smokers. Furthermore, obesity is also said to affect AMD. In a study published in Archives of Ophthalmology (June 2003), it showed that obese people who are diagnosed with early AMD are more likely to develop a more advanced form of this eye problem.

Progression Of Macular Degeneration

This eye problem has different stages which can be divided into early, intermediate, and late. Some people discover they have this condition when it is already on the late stage. This is the reason why a regular eye exam is very important. A visit to your optometrist or eye doctor will help prevent this condition and if you are already diagnosed with early stage of AMD, the eye doctor will be able to help you slow the progression of the disease.

Little can be done to cure it as until now, there is no known cure for macular degeneration. However, there is something that the eye doctor can do to help you cope with it or slow its progression.

Before it’s too late, visit your Ottawa eye doctor today to get a comprehensive eye exam.

Macular Degeneration – What You Need To Know

Macular Degeneration – What You Need To Know

A lot of vision loss cases are due to macular degeneration. This is an age related vision problem which is more commonly referred to as AMD or ARMD. What makes this a serious eye problem is the fact that our eyes rely big time on the health of the macula to be able to see clearly.

Macula is the small part in the middle of the retina. It plays a vital role in our vision because it is the one responsible in controlling visual acuity. If the macula degenerates, you will be limited in your everyday activity. You will not have the sharpness of vision to see small details even in everyday objects.

Dry And Wet Macular Degeneration

There are two types of macular degeneration. They are termed dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration, which is non-neovascular, is the atrophic type while the wet macular degeneration, which is neovascular, is the exudative type.

If you get checked by an optometrist or eye doctor and you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, chances are you get the dry type. This is because between these two types, the more common is the dry macular degeneration.

What Causes Macular Degeneration and Who Are At Risk?

While the causes are to be studied further, most macular degeneration cases are brought about by aging. There are also studies that point to heredity and environment as potential causes. As we age, the cells of the macula starts to degenerate thereby causing vision problem.

Because this eye problem is related to aging, older people are at greater risk. In most cases, this vision problem is experienced by people 55 years old and above.

Aside from age, other risk factors include genetics, race, and lifestyle. If someone in the family has AMD, other members of the family may be diagnosed with AMD as well. In terms of race, it seems that more Caucasians are diagnosed with AMD compared to other races. This may have something to do with the light colour of the eyes.

Lifestyle also affects the risk of getting AMD. It is observed that smokers are most likely to get macular degeneration than non-smokers. Furthermore, obesity is also said to affect AMD. In a study published in Archives of Ophthalmology (June 2003), it showed that obese people who are diagnosed with early AMD are more likely to develop a more advanced form of this eye problem.

Progression Of Macular Degeneration

This eye problem has different stages which can be divided into early, intermediate, and late. Some people discover they have this condition when it is already on the late stage. This is the reason why a regular eye exam is very important. A visit to your optometrist or eye doctor will help prevent this condition and if you are already diagnosed with early stage of AMD, the eye doctor will be able to help you slow the progression of the disease.

Little can be done to cure it as until now, there is no known cure for macular degeneration. However, there is something that the eye doctor can do to help you cope with it or slow its progression.

Before it’s too late, visit your Ottawa eye doctor today to get a comprehensive eye exam.

Should You Let Your Kids Wear Contact Lenses?

Should You Let Your Kids Wear Contact Lenses?

Having eye problems is not limited to adults only. Even kids can have vision difficulties. A lot of kids nowadays wear eyeglasses to help them see clearly.

Aside from eyeglasses, another option to improve and correct vision is contact lenses. Most adults wear contact lenses but is it safe for kids? What’s the right age to have kids wear contact lenses?

There comes a time when kids start asking about contact lenses especially if they have been wearing eyeglasses for some time already. Most parents are adamant in letting their kids wear contact lenses because they appear to be less safe compared to eyeglasses.

Why Wear Contact Lenses?

 There are a number of reasons why your kids may need to wear contact lenses. Here are a few:

  1. If your kids are into sports, wearing eyeglasses can be limiting. Contact lenses will help them move freely. Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses are clearer because they don’t fog up if your kids are already sweaty. When they run, as most outdoor sports include running, contact lenses can’t get knocked off.

kids wearing contact lenses playing outdoor

  1. Wearing ortho-K lenses can help correct nearsightedness in kids. Orthokeratology is the use of gas permeable contact lenses that aids in reshaping the cornea provisionally. This helps correct nearsighted vision. What happens is that your kids will wear the contact lenses at night and remove the next day. It makes vision clearer and sharper even without eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  1. Most kids don’t want to wear eyeglasses because they don’t want to appear different compared to their friends and classmates. Wearing eyeglasses sometimes lower their self-esteem as they feel their blurred vision is a weakness. Wearing contact lenses will make their so-called “weakness” invisible, thereby, increasing their self-esteem.

 Are Contact Lenses Safe For Kids?

Your kids’ eyes can actually handle contact lenses even at an early age. You might be surprised that they can actually apply or remove the contact lens even without their parent’s assistance.

Yes, they are safe as long as they are applied and removed correctly. Always follow the instructions for the application of contact lenses. It is best to consult your Ottawa optometrist to ensure you are doing the right thing. The optometrist will also decide whether your child is already capable of using contact lenses.

Another thing to consider is the maturity of your child. Make sure that when you decide to let your child wear contact lenses, he is already responsible enough. If your child is not that responsible yet, chances are he’ll forget that he’s wearing contact lenses and this can lead to serious eye problems. Contact lenses also need to be properly taken care of so make sure your child knows how to do this.

So should you let your kids wear contact lenses? Yes, if they need to.

Tips To Improve Your Vision Health

Healthy foods and eyeglasses promoting better vision and eye health

Tips To Improve Your Vision Health

Don’t take your eyes for granted. No one wants to live with an impaired vision when it could have been prevented. Not to mention that poor eyesight could lead to expensive surgeries or even blindness. As they say, prevention is always better than cure. Here are ways to keep your eyes healthy from known Ottawa optometrist, Dr. Zahiri.

Follow these 6 tips to improve vision health. You will be surprised how easy it actually is to take of your eyes – all that you have to do is start a healthy lifestyle. Value your eyes and never ignore your eye problems.

Understanding The Important Role Of Your Eye Doctor For Eye Health

Smiling father and children wearing sunglasses at the beach.

Understanding The Important Role Of Your Eye Doctor For Eye Health

Annual eye exam has many benefits. It helps ensure that your eyes are always healthy. It aids in detecting the onset of any eye problem. Early detection helps in making sure that your eyes get the proper medical service that you need to recover quickly.

A common misconception about eye exams is that it is only for adults. No, it is actually for all ages. Eye problems don’t choose victims. Whether you are a young student or a professional who has been working for many years already, you can both fall prey to serious eye problems. It is important then to be one step ahead when it comes to eye health.

This infographic from Ottawa Eye Clinic will explain why you need to see an eye doctor and what’s the role of the eye doctor in your vision health.

Don’t Forget Your Child’s Back-To-School Eye Exam

Parent holding their child’s hand while the child holds an eye chart, emphasizing back-to-school vision care.

Don’t Forget Your Child’s Back-To-School Eye Exam

Eye problems are not just for adults. In fact, it is quite alarming that every year, more and more children, particularly the school-age ones, are suffering from different types of eye problems.

If you want your kids to maximize their school experience, you have to make sure that they have perfect vision. Many activities in the school require them to be able to see clearly.

The perfect way to prepare your kids for school is to bring them to an eye specialist. An optometrist will be able to check your kids’ eyes and diagnose if they have vision issues or if they are at risk for some serious eye diseases. Want to know more about getting your child to an eye doctor? Check out this infographic from Ottawa eye doctor.

Blepharitis: How To Get Rid of Sore Red Eyelids

Illustration of an inflamed eyelid exhibiting signs of blepharitis such as eyelid redness and crusting along the lash line.

Blepharitis: How To Get Rid of Sore Red Eyelids

One of the most common eye problems is red eyelids or medically termed as blepharitis. This is the condition wherein one or both eyelids become sore and red. This is caused by either fluid retention or eye infection. Although not sight threatening on its own, blepharitis can signal other health issues.

Blepharitis can be painful and it can cause complications so it should be diagnosed and treated immediately. When it happens, a visit to your eye doctor should be considered. Ottawa Eye Clinic presents more information on this eye condition:

Signs It’s Time For An Eye Exam

Infographic listing key signs that indicate it's time for an eye exam, including blurred vision, frequent headaches, floaters, flashes of light, and persistent eye discomfort.

Signs It’s Time For An Eye Exam

To maintain perfect vision, you must have a regular eye exam. Most of the time, annual eye exam is recommended by optometrists. By doing so, you are able to stay informed regarding the status of your eye health.

During the visit to your eye doctor, your medical history will be reviewed. You will be asked about what you are currently experiencing with regards to your eyes. Visual acuity will be measured to see whether you need to wear graded eye glasses or contact lenses. This infographic will tell you if it’s already time to pay your eye doctor a visit.

What Does It Mean To Be Nearsighted Or Farsighted?

Illustration comparing nearsighted and farsighted vision with human eye anatomy

What Does It Mean To Be Nearsighted Or Farsighted?

How often have you heard someone saying they are either nearsighted or farsighted? What does it mean? These two conditions are opposites. Nearsightedness means that you can focus on items close to you while farsightedness means that your focus is only on far objects. These conditions can affect your lifestyle. Your activities will be limited only to what your eyes can focus on.

These condition can easily be corrected. The key is early detection. This can be done by a simple visit to an optometrist. Learn more about these eye conditions from this infographic prepared by Ottawa Optometrist, Dr. Zahiri.

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