Pregnancy and Your Eyes

Along with a host of other bodily changes, pregnancy can affect your eyes and quality of vision.  While these changes are usually due to hormones and temporary, they can also signal more serious conditions.  Here are 5 common pregnancy-related eye issues that women experience:

Pregnancy and Blurred Vision

Swelling that occurs during pregnancy can affect your eyes and may cause mild changes to your prescription. You may have trouble focusing up close, seeing at a distance or seeing with your peripheral vision. For most women, this is usually temporary and these vision changes are not enough to warrant a prescription change or new glasses during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Dry Eyes

Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, your eyes may feel very dry. The quality or quantity of your tears may change substantially while you are pregnant. Dryness can sometimes cause your eyes to itch, burn or feel like a piece of sand is in your eye. Your Optometrist will likely recommend the use of artificial tears several times a day to alleviate discomfort. 

Pregnancy and Contact Lens Wear

Many pregnant women find wearing contact lenses intolerable, even if they have worn them for years. During pregnancy, subtle changes occur to the shape of the cornea (the front transparent part of the eye). Contact lenses that once felt very comfortable may suddenly fit differently due to swelling and changes in the curve of the cornea.

Pregnancy and Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are susceptible to the development or worsening of diabetic retinopathy during your pregnancy. Pregnant women who suffer from diabetes may develop bleeding or fluid leakage in the back of the eye, which can cause blurred vision and in some cases, significant vision loss.  Women who have any type of diabetes should have at least one eye examination during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Floaters

Pregnant women who complain of ‘floaters’ in their vision are taken very seriously. These spots could be scotomata (dark areas in the field of vision where vision is diminished). Unlike floaters, which move across the visual field and are often normal (whether pregnant or not), scotomata are much more serious. In the majority of cases however, mild vision changes that occur during pregnancy are normal and will resolve on their own. 

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!  Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.

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Think Twice Before Purchasing Eyeglasses Online

When seven-year-old Julia was first examined by her Optometrist four years ago, she was diagnosed with amblyopia in her right eye. Amblyopia is a common condition in children that occurs when one eye is weaker than the other, and prevents the proper stimulation in the brain needed to develop clear vision.

If not treated early enough in childhood, it can lead to permanently blurred vision in the affected eye, inability to see in 3D, and difficulties in school.  Julia’s Optometrist prescribed glasses for her and instructed that she patch the better eye each day to strengthen the eye with amblyopia.  Julia followed these instructions carefully and attended many follow-up visits with her Optometrist to monitor her progress and ensure that improvement was being made.   Eventually, she improved from a poor 20/80 vision to almost 20/20 (perfect vision) in the weaker eye. 



Last year, Julia’s mother brought her to the Optometrist for an unscheduled appointment to check the accuracy of the glasses that she had just bought for Julia online.  She purchased two pairs on the internet for $50. After examining the glasses, Julia’s Optometrist discovered that the glasses were improperly manufactured and advised her mother not to allow Julia to wear either pair because they were a serious threat to her vision. The glasses were so far off from the correct prescription that Julia’s amblyopia was at risk of returning in the right eye. To make matters worse, the lenses of both eyes were not positioned correctly in front of her eyes.  

Julia’s Optometrist re-made the glasses with the correct prescription and took accurate measurements to ensure that the lenses were properly positioned in the frame.  He then adjusted the glasses so that they fit comfortably on her face and didn’t hurt her behind the ears.  The glasses were also re-made with polycarbonate lenses, a quality material that meets safety standards for breakage resistance.  


When glasses are purchased over the Internet, there is a significant risk that the glasses will not be made accurately or made according to the specified prescription. A recent study that showed nearly half of all glasses (44.8%) ordered online either had the incorrect prescription or did not meet physical parameters to provide enough protection to the wearer.  The lenses or frames may also not be suitable for the prescription or may not meet specific visual requirements. 


When purchasing frames and lenses, proper measurements should always be taken.  Your Optometrist should also inspect all frames and lenses at the time of dispensing so that they are custom fit for each person and the lenses have been evaluated for accuracy.  Only your Optometrist has the expertise to ensure that your eyewear is properly made and correct for your specific needs.  


Story courtesy of: The Ontario Association of Optometrists

If you do have any questions or concerns please contact Dr. Phil at Milton Optometry. 

Can My Child Wear Contact Lenses?

Have you thought about the possibility of contact lenses for your child, but maybe dismissed the thought assuming that they are too young? Contact lenses may be a viable option for your child and here are some questions and answers to help you decide:

Question: Does a child's prescription need to be stable before they can be fit with contact lenses? 

No. Most prescriptions continue to change as a child grows, and contact lenses can change with it. Children are often fit with daily disposable contact lenses, and any prescription changes can be easily updated.

Question: Can children handle wearing contact lenses?

Yes. Even young children can be fit with contact lenses. With appropriate instruction, most children can put contact lenses in their eyes and remove them easily. Children are also just as capable as looking after their contact lenses as an adult. An Optometrist will always consider a number of factors with a child's family to decide if contact lenses are appropriate, such as the child's maturity, their current activities and motivation to wear them.

Question: How do I know if contact lenses are a better option for my child than glasses? 

Ask yourself a few questions to help you decide. Is my child bothered by wearing glasses? Is my child responsible enough to care for contact lenses? Would contact lenses be easier for them during their sports and activities? Would their social quality of life be better with contact lenses instead of glasses?

Question: Is it safe for a child to wear contact lenses?

Absolutely, as long as they have been prescribed and fit by a regulated eye care professional such as an Optometrist.

REMEMBER - In Ontario, only a regulated health care or medical professional can prescribe and dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are a medical device and as such, anyone wearing contact lenses should receive regular exams and follow-up care to ensure that they are dong well.

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcomes infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office! Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.       

 

Think Twice Before Buying Cosmetic Contact Lenses This Year For Halloween

Thinking of buying a pair of really cool looking cosmetic contact lenses you saw in the store this year as part of your Halloween costume?  Better think twice before popping them into your eyes.   

 

We know that Halloween is a popular time for people to use decorative contact lenses to enhance their costumes. From blood-drenched vampire eyes to glow-in-the-dark lizard lenses, decorative contacts can certainly add a spooky, eye-popping touch.  But very few people know the risks that come with these types of lenses. Most people believe that decorative lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over-the-counter or on the internet.  Consumers need to know that contact lenses are a medical device, and that there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ contact lens.  There are a whole range of ocular problems associated with improperly fitting lenses and lenses purchased without a prescription from an Optometrist.  In some cases, severe eye infections have been reported in as little as 24 hours of wear time.  

Tips for parents and consumers about cosmetic contact lenses for Halloween: 

• Go to an Optometrist for a proper contact lens assessment to ensure you have contact lenses that fit properly and are the right type for your eyes.  Lenses that are not properly fitted can scratch and cause damage to the eye.

• Never buy decorative contact lenses from someone that does not ask for a prescription. 

• Never wear lenses that are torn or discoloured. Contact lenses should always be inspected to make sure that they are safe to wear. Cosmetic contact lenses purchased from a non-regulated source could be defective, used, expired or not approved for wear in Canada.  

• Never share lenses with someone else. Swapping contact lenses significantly increases the risk of contamination and the spread of infection.  
  
  
• Do not sleep in contact lenses unless your Optometrist has provided you with an appropriate extended wear lens.  Over-wearing contact lenses can cause oxygen deprivation to the eye, which can cause long-term vision problems. 

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!  Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family. 

 

Help Your Child Succeed In The Classroom

Have Your Child’s Eyes Examined By An Optometrist! 

Wondering what you can do to help your child succeed in the classroom this school year?  Success starts with GOOD VISION!  Take your child to have their eyes examined by an Optometrist.  Did you know that 80% of learning is visual?  If a child cannot see properly, they will not learn properly.  Vision problems affect literacy, and a child’s ability to copy, print, read, and track objects.  It also affects their ability to participate in play, the development of good hand-eye coordination and their self-esteem. 

 

1 in every 6 children has a vision problem significant enough to impair their ability to learn.  Many parents mistakenly believe that “their child sees fine”.  Even if you think your child sees well, you should ALWAYS take them to have their eyes examined regularly to be sure they are healthy and working well together.  Only an Optometrist can tell you for sure!    

 

Here are 2 common and preventable conditions that Dr. Phil sees in children:

Amblyopia ("lazy eye") is poor vision in an eye that may appear to be normal.  Parents may think their child sees well but in fact their eyes are not working equally.  Two common causes are crossed eyes and a difference in vision between the two eyes. If untreated, amblyopia can cause irreversible visual loss in the affected eye.  Amblyopia is best treated during the preschool years.

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes; they may turn in, out, up, or down. If the same eye is chronically misaligned, amblyopia may also develop in that eye. With early detection, vision can be restored by patching the properly aligned eye temporarily, which forces the misaligned one to work. Surgery or specially designed glasses may also help the eyes to align.

Milton Optometry recommends that children have a comprehensive eye exam every year.  Early identification of a problem is the key to successfully correcting a child’s vision.  We welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!  Phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.

 

 

 

Is An Eye Exam On Your “Back to School” List?

Backpack… ✔  Lunch bag… ✔  New running shoes… ✔   Don’t forget the most important tool you can give your children this year – healthy vision!

1 in 6 children have a vision problem significant enough to impair their ability to learn.  80% of learning is visual, so if a child cannot see properly, they will not learn properly.  Vision problems affect literacy, and a child’s ability to copy, print, read, and track objects.  It also affects their ability to participate in play, the development of good hand-eye coordination and their self-esteem.   

Undiagnosed vision problems are one of the major causes of learning difficulties in school-age children. Unresolved eye issues can lead children to exhibit a lack of attention, make them seem fidgety during the school day and can often be misinterpreted as behavioural issues or learning disabilities. Monitoring your children's vision will help them succeed in the classroom!

Can you ALWAYS tell if a child is not seeing well?  NO!  Some children exhibit obvious signs like squinting, holding reading objects close to their face and rubbing their eyes but others show absolutely no signs at all.  You may believe that your child sees well, but in fact, they may not. 

Why take a chance? Your Optometrist can tell you for sure. 

For Junior Kindergarten (JK) students in the Halton Region, the Eye See…Eye Learn Program provides OHIP insured eye examinations and a FREE pair of prescription glasses (if necessary).  The program is funded by the Ontario Government to raise awareness among parents of the importance of having their children’s eyes checked before they start school. Milton Optometry is a proud supporter and participant in the Eye See, Eye Learn Program! 

Milton Optometry recommends that children have a comprehensive eye exam annually starting at 6 months of age.  Early identification of a problem is the key to successfully correcting a child’s vision.  Set your child up for success in the classroom and have a comprehensive eye exam done by an Optometrist today!

We welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!   Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.

 

Milton Optometry educates momstown Milton moms about Child Vision

How much do you know about your child's vision?

Parents, test your "Eye-Q"! 

As many as 1 in 6 children has a vision problem serious enough to impact their learning and development. TRUE! Often parents are totally unaware.  

My child will tell me if he or she has a vision problem. FALSE! Children under 9-10 years old do not know what normal vision is and assume they are seeing well.  

A vision screening performed in a school is the same as an eye exam done at an Optometry office. FALSE! School vision screenings can help identify children with vision problems but are very basic and are NOT the same as a comprehensive eye health exam. 

Conditions such as lazy eye (amblyopia) should be corrected by age 6 in order to have the best chance of correcting the problem. TRUE! If eye problems like lazy eye or turned eye (strabismus) are detected early, there is an excellent chance they can be fully corrected.

Rubbing eyes, squinting or tilting head to one side are all symptoms of a possible vision problem in your child. TRUE! These are noticeable problems. Other less obvious things such as avoiding close work, sitting close to the TV and hand-eye coordination problems are also signs.  

Babies are not able to have a full eye examination. Only children who can read letters are able to have one. FALSE! Babies as young as 6 months of age should be examined by an Optometrist. Children do not have to be able to read to have an eye exam.

Children should have their eye examined only when they say they are not seeing well. FALSE! It is recommended that children have their eyes examined annually by an Optometrist. 

After an eye examination, a parent should know if their child's eyes are coordinated, see colour and have good depth perception. TRUE! A comprehensive eye exam will tell you all of these things.

An optometrist, ophthalmologist and my family doctor all have different roles in helping my child's vision. TRUE! Family doctors are often one of the first professionals to see a child and recommend an eye exam with an Optometrist. Optometrists are primary eye care providers that perform full eye health examinations and prescribe medications when necessary. Ophthalmologists are eye surgeons.

As much as 80% of learning in the early years is visual. TRUE! Vision plays a HUGE role in the growth and development of a child's brain.

Bring your child into Milton Optometry today for a full comprehensive eye examination! It is full insured by OHIP for all children under 19 years.

www.miltonoptometry.ca

 

 

 

Dr Phil will be conducting an in-office tour for our momstown members on March 15th and July 9th. He will also be joining us as a guest speaker at our Baby Basics program on May 8th to educate our moms and to address any questions they might have.

 

momstown Milton offers a variety of info sessions and educational seminars throughout the year. If you are a business that would like to participate in our sessions please contact sam.kassam@momstown.ca. If you are not a member yet please click here to register for a 6 week FREE trial membership.

Think PINK…Let’s Talk About “Pinkeye”!

It’s cold and flu season….aka Pinkeye season 

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.

Pinkeye can be alarming because it makes the eyes extremely red and can spread rapidly. But it's a fairly common condition and usually causes no long-term eye or vision damage. Still, if your child shows symptoms of pinkeye, it's important to see an Optometrist ASAP!  Some kinds of pinkeye go away on their own, but others require treatment.

Causes 

Bacterial - Red, sore eyes with thick discharge that may make your eyelids stick together, especially after sleeping. This is very contagious.

Viral – Often occurs with a cold or flu. It is also highly contagious, and antibiotics don't help.

Allergic - Kids who have allergies already are more likely to get pinkeye than other children.  This type of infection is not contagious.  Artificial tears, antihistamine eye drops and oral medications are helpful.

Symptoms 

·         Discomfort in the eye (a “sandy” eye)
·         Redness of the eye and inner eyelid
·         Discharge from the eyes
·         Swollen eyelids
·         Sensitivity to bright light
·         Itchiness
·         Burning
·         Tearing

Preventing Pinkeye

·         Teach your kids to wash their hands OFTEN AND WELL with warm water and soap
·         DO NOT rub the eyes!
·         DO NOT share eye drops, tissues, washcloths, towels, or pillowcases
·         Wash your own hands thoroughly after touching an infected child's eyes
·         Throw away items like tissues or cotton balls immediately after they've been used to wipe the eye.
·         Wash towels and other linens that the child has used in very HOT water separately from the rest of the family's laundry
·         Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get plenty of sleep
·         Keep windows and doors closed on days when the pollen is heavy
·         Dust and vacuum frequently to limit allergy triggers in the home

Treatments 

·         Antibiotic eye drops or ointment
·         Anti-allergy medication
·         Cool or warm compresses
·         Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
·         Removing contact lenses and throwing them away (for older children)

When to Call Your Optometrist 

If you think your child has pinkeye, it's important to contact your Optometrist ASAP to learn what's causing it and how to treat it.

If you or your children have an eye problem or would like a comprehensive eye examination, Milton Optometry welcomes all infants, toddlers and children (and their parents!). 



 

Free Eye Examinations for Junior Kindergarten Students!

Kids are  back in school...is an eye exam on your "to-do" list?

Here's why it should be!

1 in 6 children have a vision problem significant enough to impair their ability to learn. Children don't know they have a vision problem because they don't know what signs to look for. You can't count on your child to tell you they don't see well. 

80% of learning is visual! If a child does not see well, their performance in school will suffer. Vision problems affect literacy, and a child's ability to copy, print, read, and track objects.

Early identification of a vision problem can lead to success! It is recommended that babies as young as 6 months should have their eyes examined by an Optometrist.

For children in the Halton Region, the Eye See...Eye Learn Program provides free eye examinations and prescription glasses (if necessary) for all Junior Kindergarten (JK) students. Milton Optometry is a proud supporter of the Eye See, Eye Learn program and welcomes infants, toddlers and all children to their practice!

Contact us today to reserve an appointment for your child! 

Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca

 phone 905-636-9500

email info@miltonoptometry.ca