Lethbridge Vision Care

Category: Uncategorized

  • Have dry eyes? No need to fear contact lenses.

    Have dry eyes? No need to fear contact lenses.

    If you suffer from dry eyes, you might feel hesitant about switching your glasses out for contact lenses. Wouldn’t poking and prodding at your eyes each day only exasperate your symptoms?

    It makes sense to think that contacts would be hard on dry eyes. Traditionally, there has been a belief that contacts are irritating for even the healthiest eyes, but these ideas are based on old assumptions. Contacts have improved immensely thanks to advancing research and innovation. Today, Lethbridge Vision Clinic offers a range of contact lenses that won’t irritate eyes, and some that can even help alleviate the discomfort of dry eye syndrome.

    When you visit us for a pair of contacts, don’t be shy about discussing your dry eye symptoms. Depending on the cause and severity, our optometrists can make recommendations for the best treatment and corrective vision options.

    Scleral lenses

    Scleral contact lenses are a great solution if you have dry eyes. While most contact lenses only sit on your cornea (the coloured part of your eyes), scleral contact lenses are larger in diameter and sit on the sclera (the white part of your eyes).

    This offers advantages for dry eye sufferers. Your cornea tends to be more sensitive than your sclera, so avoiding touching this area can mean more comfort and less of a chance of accidentally irritating your eyes while taking contacts in or out. The unique shape of scleral lenses also means that they create space between your eye and the lens, which stores fluid. This helps to keep your eyes hydrated throughout the day. And because scleral contact lenses cover a larger portion of your eye, they also protect your eyes from dust, smoke, and other irritants.

    Daily disposables

    Daily disposable contact lenses are rapidly growing in popularity. Not only are they easy and convenient, but they also have a variety of other benefits.

    Improper care of contact lenses can not only irritate dry eyes, but can also cause other eye health problems. With disposable contact lenses, you won’t be concerned about ensuring your contacts stay clean or avoiding protein buildup. Each morning, open up a fresh, new pair of contacts and dispose of them at the end of the day.

    Another benefit of disposable lenses is that they’re already stored in contact fluid. You never have to worry about using too much or too little contact solution, which could cause irritation.

    Soft lens varieties

    Soft contact lenses are another option we offer to people with dry or sensitive eyes. Soft contacts are popular because they are easy to wear and generally easy to care for. These contacts are made out of silicone hydrogel, which is pliable, comfortable, and won’t scratch your eyes. Soft contact lenses allow oxygen to pass through, allowing for healthy tear production to keep your eyes moist.

    Advanced dry eye treatments

    There are several options for contact wearers with dry eyes, but depending on the severity of your symptoms, we also offer more advanced treatments that will address the actual cause of your dry eyes. Not all cases of dry eyes are caused by the same underlying issue, but we can offer personalized recommendations.

    The most common cause of dry eye disease is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). These are the glands that produce oil for your eyes, and when changes to the gland function occur, you’ll experience dry eye symptoms. At Lethbridge Vision Care, we offer a cutting edge Lipiflow treatment that can loosen and remove blockages in your meibomian glands. This can also be combined with light therapy for even better results.

    Blepharitis is another common eye disease that often occurs with dry eyes. It’s caused by bacteria that are out of balance, making your eyes irritated. BlephEx is a simple treatment for blepharitis, offering almost immediate relief.

    Book your appointment today

    Dry eye symptoms can be very uncomfortable and may even impact your quality of life. There’s no need to continue suffering. Our Dry Eye Clinic has a team of highly trained optometrists who are ready to help you find the best solution to treat your dry eyes.

    There’s no need to be afraid of contact lenses, even if you have dry eye symptoms. Modern contacts are comfortable and easy to wear, so everyone can enjoy the convenience of their daily vision correction. From our wide selection of contact lenses to more targeted treatments like Lipiflow, we can help you feel and see better in no time. Come talk to us today about what solutions are right for you.
  • It’s never too early (or too late) for an eye exam

    It’s never too early (or too late) for an eye exam

    When was the last time you went to the eye doctor? Was it a childhood checkup? Can you not even remember or aren’t sure if you’ve ever been at all? If this sounds like you, it might be time to schedule an eye exam.

    I know what you’re thinking. I’m young! I have perfect(ish) vision! Why waste time and money going to an optometrist for no reason? Going to the optometrist can seem silly if you don’t have concerns about your vision. But not going to the optometrist because your vision is clear is like not going to the dentist because you don’t have a toothache. Just because the problem hasn’t affected your life yet, doesn’t mean it won’t. When it comes to your health, the old adage “it’s better to be proactive than reactive” is the best advice.

    But why should you get your eyes checked out during that long and awkward period between childhood and old age? Here’s why we think you should book an appointment at Lethbridge Vision Care even if you aren’t experiencing issues with your vision:

    Eye health changes over time

    The human body is fickle. Just because you got the all-clear at your last exam in grade five doesn’t mean your eyesight hasn’t changed for the worse since then. Regular eye exams can help catch vision changes and correct them before they impact your long term vision or become a bigger, costlier problem.

    It’s common for vision to change with age. If it’s been happening slowly, you may not have noticed or realised how bad it’s gotten. Without preventative care, you could find yourself being the person squinting and shining your camera light on the dinner menu.

    Safety

    If one day you woke up, unable to see, and decided to go about your day to day activities, that would be pretty dangerous. While your vision changes won’t be this drastic, wandering around with eyesight capabilities different from what you are used to is dangerous. If you bump into things and people more than usual, it could be a sign that your vision has deteriorated slightly, and it’s time for a checkup. Regular eye exams are especially important if you drive. Developing near or far-sightedness could be putting you or others at risk.

    Glaucoma

    You’ve definitely heard the term glaucoma before, especially in relation to the elderly. But what is it? Glaucoma is actually a group of eye diseases that can cause total vision loss. Catching glaucoma early on means you can start treatments that will prevent blindness and prevent more painful, invasive treatments in the future. One of these treatments even includes inserting a tiny tube into the white of your eye while you’re awake…yikes. So while glaucoma typically affects an older demographic, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on top of your status so you can get early treatment if necessary.

    Sun damage

    Do you love laying out on the beach or sitting on patios in the summer? That’s great, but these activities can put you at risk for severe vision damage. The sun is one of the most significant external factors that can cause damage to your eyes. And, just like sunscreen, UV glasses and goggles can’t stop all the sun’s rays from getting to you.

    Diseases like cataracts and eye cancers can take years to develop and can cost you your vision if caught too late. In addition, it’s not uncommon for people in their 20s or even teens to develop growths on their eyes if they spend lots of time in the sun.

    And you winter sports lovers aren’t off the hook! Skiing and snowboarding put your eyes at significant risk with the combination of snow blindness and the harshness of UV light that bounces off the bright reflective surface of snow.

    If you spend long periods outdoors, no matter the season, you should be getting your eyes checked regularly, even if nothing seems wrong.

    Underlying health issues

    “Eyes are the windows to the soul.” But more importantly, they are the windows to your health. Getting an eye exam isn’t just about treating vision problems. Your eyes can reveal all kinds of things about your overall well being. An eye exam can detect health problems that have nothing to do with your eyes. High blood pressure, diabetes, and numerous cancers can all be caught early through eye exams. This is because of the vessels in your eyes. The way they behave reveals details about your overall health.

    If it’s been years since your last eye exam, or if you’ve never had one – don’t worry. It’s never too late or too early to start looking after your eye health. Lethbridge Vision Care makes looking after your eyes and overall health easy and simple. If you have health coverage, we’ll even direct bill your insurance company.

    There’s nothing to be nervous about when booking an overdue eye exam with one of Lethbridge’s friendly optometrists. We look forward to keeping you and your eyesight as healthy as possible!