Driving Fitness - how to decide?

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  How can you feel confident that the drivers around you on the road are fit and capable of good driving?  Image courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

How can you feel confident that the drivers around you on the road are fit and capable of good driving?  Image courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What should you do if you are worried about you own driving fitness or the ability of a close friend or relative to be a safe driver? We have all heard stories of people who were injured or killed by a driver who should "not have been on the road".  It seems easy to make the judgment about who should or should not be allowed to drive but it is very difficult.  The decision to allow yourself or a loved one to keep on driving can be emotional and can cause huge rifts or arguments within families.  Losing your driver's license means a loss of independence, autonomy, self-respect and may even require moving from a home to a location more accessible for public transportation.  It can cause depression and stress among everyone involved in making the decision.

Yet, despite the difficulties, assessing driving fitness is an extremely important part of keeping our communities safe and confident on the road.  According to Transport Canada, the latest statistics from 2013 indicate that over 9 million Canadians over the age of 55 were licensed drivers and in one year alone, over 12,000 fatalities or serious injuries occurred as a result of driving accidents. Visual and cognitive impairment can affect anyone at any age and needs to be addressed sensitively and with measurable results.

  Driving allows us freedom to explore with curiosity and appreciation.  Keep our roads safe by making responsible choices for you and your loved ones.  Ensure driver fitness before it's too late.

 

Driving allows us freedom to explore with curiosity and appreciation.  Keep our roads safe by making responsible choices for you and your loved ones.  Ensure driver fitness before it's too late.

Vision standards for drivers in Alberta are determined by your visual acuity (how well you see either with or without glasses) and your visual field (how much peripheral vision you have).  More information can be seen on our link here:

However, driving fitness goes well beyond vision requirements.  More importantly, the driver's cognitive fitness can greatly affect his or her ability to be a safe driver.  In Alberta, we now have the ability to have experts take the decision out of our hands and to provide an objective evaluation regarding the patient's ability to drive.  DriveABLE is a private, independent assessment agency and is not affiliated with the Government of Alberta. The assessments include evaluation by a cognitive assessment tool which is predictive of actual on-road driving ability.  The results are standardized and measured objectively which can remove the emotional aspect of the decision and give clear direction regarding the driver's ability.  The assessment results are reviewed by the physician with their patient and can be provided to Alberta Transportation.

Driving is a privilege that many of us enjoy.  Let's keep the roads and our communities safe by using sensitivity and responsibility when deciding when it is time to relinquish that privilege. 

 

 

  

 

 

Eye Care Referrals: Royal Alex Hospital

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Why do I have to go to the Royal Alex Hospital after seeing my eye doctor?

Your optometrist is qualified to handle the majority of eye care conditions that may arise during a routine eye health exam or emergency eye exam situation. In some eye conditions however, more advance eye care or medical care may be warranted. Some eye findings are simply warming sings of more serious underlying health issues that need to be addressed in order to resolve the visual symptoms you may be experiencing.

Like your family physician, your optometrists can help to coordinate the appropriate eye care required by the most appropriate health care provider. Occasionally, this may be an ophthalmologist that specializes in certain surgical procedures or specific eye diseases.

Why the Royal Alex Hospital? The Royal Alex Hospital is considered the home of ophthalmology in Edmonton and most local ophthalmologist work regular clinic shifts within the eye clinic. Typically, patients must be referred into the Royal Alex Hospital eye care unit by an optometrist, family physician or emergency room physician. These referrals are reserved for urgent eye care needs only and not routine eye health examinations.

If your eye condition is less urgent, and you are still wondering why you were referred to the Royal Alex Hospital. It’s probably because many specialized ophthalmologists have their full time clinics stationed at Royal Alex Hospital and your appointment may simply be with one of them.

FYI: If you ever have any questions or concerns about where one of our optometrist refers you to, please do not hesitate to contact the office. Your optometrist will be happy to explain the reason behind the decision and can make any necessary changes to the appointment when possible.  

 

 Book your next eye exam in Sherwood Park with an optometrist at eye-bar optometrists, opticians & eyewear specialists 

What is a stye? How do I treat it?

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sherwood_park_eye_exam_optometrist_stye_treatment_glasses_eyewear_contact_lenses.jpg

A stye (also known as a hordeolum) is an inflamed/infected tear gland on the upper or lower eyelid which causes pain, redness and swelling.  It typically doesn't affect vision unless the eyelid is swollen to the point where it obscures vision.  

Styes are caused by bacteria very common in the body and isn't considered contagious except through direct contact.  Treatment is usually a mild antibiotic ointment a 2-3 times per day and warm compresses twice per day for a few days.  After this time it will come to a head and drain on its own.  Never attempt to drain or "pop" a stye as it can cause serious damage to the eyelids and surrounding tissue and can occasionally cause the infection to go deeper into the tissues.  Recurrent styes can indicate chronically clogged tear glands and lid scrubs can greatly aid in reducing the frequency of styes.

*Image found here

Book your next eye exam in Sherwood Park with an optometrist at eye-bar optometrists, opticians & eyewear specialists

Visual Changes During Pregnancy

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Expectant mothers have often been told that their vision may change during pregnancy and that they should put off seeing their optometrist until after delivery. But nine months is a long time to go without seeing properly (and dangerous)!

In general, most women experience minimal to no visual symptoms throughout their pregnancy. Common minor vision changes include: dry eye symptoms, contact lens intolerance, difficulty focusing or reading for extended periods, or a change in one's eyeglass prescription. These prescription changes are usually the result of cornea edema (thickening) caused by normal fluid retention during pregnancy, and may reverse post pregnancy or can become permanent. Depending on the severity of your symptoms or vision changes, you may want to talk with your optometrist about treatment options or about updating your eyeglasses.  

More serious visual problems that should never be ignored include: blurred vision, halos around lights, headaches, neck pain, changes in colour perception, or distorted vision. Should you ever experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your optometrist as soon as possible and call your doctor. If you feel it is an emergency, then proceed directly to the hospital. These symptoms may be secondary to preeclampsia, which is a potentially serious condition caused by an elevation in blood pressure. These symptoms may also be related to a less serious medical condition called central serious chorioretinopathy, which is an inflammation of the central retina.

Special consideration should also be given to mothers with diabetes, as they require vision care throughout the duration of their pregnancy. It’s recommended that any mothers with diabetes receive a thorough dilated eye exam prior to conceiving as well as monthly to bi-monthly eye exams throughout the course of their pregnancy, depending on how well controlled her blood sugars are. These eye examinations are used to monitor visual fluctuations along with diabetic retinopathy.

Dry or Watery Winter Eyes

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In the cold and wind your tears can often evaporate and cause symptoms of dry eyes.  The lacrimal gland then produces reflex tearing - an increase in tear production intended to wash out dust or irritants (ie: cold and wind).  
 
A pre-existing dry eye problem is often made worse in the cold or wind - this will cause the eyes to water excessively because instead of staying on the eye the extra tears spill out onto the cheeks.  Treatment is often the use of an artificial tear drop such as Systane Balance which can help to stabilize the tear film. You can find artificial tear drops at a drug store (no prescription needed).

What exactly is pink eye?

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To start, there are a few different types of pink eye:

Pink eye related to bacterial eye infections can cause a lot of swelling and produce sticky green discharge, resulting in eyes that are often ‘glued’ shut in the morning. Bacterial eye infections are more commonly seen in contact lens wearers and can result from our skins own bacteria.

Pink eye related to viral infections is by far the most common cause, and is caused by the same virus that results in the common cold. Viral pink eye will usually result in a watery eye with little to no discharge, but may still be crusted shut in the morning. Viral pink eye is the most contagious of all pink eyes, which is why it hangs out in preschools, daycares and work environments.

Pink eye related to allergies is more common after coming in contact with allergens and is often associated with other physical symptoms like stuffy nose, itchy skin or swollen eyes. People often complain of itching and may want to rub their eyes.

Pink eye can also be related to some more serious eye conditions like scleritis, uveitis, or iritis. These conditions require more urgent care, and will generally not resolve on their own if left untreated.

Regardless of the cause of your pink eye, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis by your optometrist to ensure that the treatment matches the condition. Please don’t touch anyone until you see us, and we’ll let you know if you are contagious.

Please Note: Alberta Health Care now covers the cost of emergency eye care visits to your optometrists office – there is no charge to you as a patient. 

What do I do if I get metal in my eye?

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If you’ve sustained an eye injury, it is important not to panic but to try and see an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) as soon as possible. If you feel that your eye injury is severe, please have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room. If you don’t feel that your injury is severe, please read on.

Most metal foreign body injuries occur accidently with metal fragments falling off an eyebrow or somehow getting around safety wear and landing gently on the surface of the eye. The metal or other foreign object can easily adhere to the wet surface of the eye and result in a scratchy, irritating sensation. As your eye is a moist environment, metal can start to rust and result in further irritation. Left untreated, metal foreign objects can eventually result in a large eye infection and may result in partial or permanent vision loss.

Most metal objects can be safely and quickly removed by your optometrist saving you a trip to the emergency room. Your optometrist will evaluate your eye by instilling numbing eye drops to ease any discomfort. Once located, the metal can often be easily removed with specialized magnetic instruments with little to no discomfort.

If the metal has been left in the eye to long, a small amount of rust may be left over after the removal. This rust can lead to similar eye problems and a continued foreign body like sensation in the eye. Your optometrist will quickly remove this rust with an Algerbrush, a fast moving instrument that gently polishes the surface of the eye.

Your eye doctor will provide you with a prescription for topical antibiotic eye drops or ointments along with lubricating eye drops, which must be used for a few days.

Please Note: Alberta Health Care now covers the cost of emergency eye care visits to your optometrist office – there is no charge to you as a patient. If you should ever experience a serious eye injury after normal eye-bar clinic hours, please proceed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, where there is an on-call ophthalmology resident on site.

Prevent vision loss with Vitamin E

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Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant for the body. In particular, it plays an important role in eye health by preventing age related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 years old). Studies show that it can reduce the progression for those who have AMD, and also prevents the formation of cataracts. 

Delicious sources of Vitamin E include nuts, vegetable oils, sweet potatoes, and salads.

*Image credits: salad, sweet potatoes, nuts.

Vitamin C for Healthy Eyes

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Vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) is a major player in eye health. It maintains lens transparency, prevents cataracts, and fights against age-related macular degeneration. The retina needs to be surrounded by vitamin C to protect itself from free radicals and promote healing if damaged. Our bodies do not naturally create vitamin C when needed, so including this in your diet is a critical part of keeping your eyes (and virtually all cells in your body) functioning properly.

Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, peppers, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and broccoli. There are many tasty vitamin C supplements available from the drug store, too.

*Image credits: broccoli, tomatoes, citrus fruits.

health: Is It Time to Quit?

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Smoking is a leading contributor to many serious eye health conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, vascular eye disease and optic neuropathy. Smoking contributes to early atherosclerosis which results in pre-mature hardening of the arteries throughout the body and reduced blood flow to the eye.

To help reduce your risk of sever vision loss in the future, it may be time to consider quitting or at least reducing how much you smoke on a daily basis. With your permission, your eye-bar optometrist can sign you up for the free AlbertaQuits Helpline by Alberta Health Care. The AlbertaQuits Helpline will pair you up with a smoking Cessation Counsellor who will guide you through the process and act as a resource. They will help you with quitting methods and aids, how to handle withdrawal symptoms, stress management, cravings, preventing weight gain, and getting through temporary relapses.

To learn more about this program please visit AlbertaQuits.ca.

Eat your way to healthier eyes

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You know the age-old idea of eating carrots to maintain healthy eyes? Well, there is a reason for it. Beta-carotene is an important anti-oxidant that keeps eyes working correctly, and happens to be responsible for the orange color of carrots and other produce. Beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A in your body which is used in the process of converting light into the actual images you see, and keeping your cornea moist. 

This antioxidant is easy to find: carrots, apricots, cantaloupes, peaches, blueberries, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, and most of the dark green leafy vegetables.

*photo credits: carrots, peaches, winter squashes.

I have diabetes, how often should I have my eyes examined?

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Patients with diabetes understand the importance of seeing their primary care physician and undergoing routine blood testing on a regular basis. But many patients with diabetes don’t know that diabetes is still one of the leading causes of vision loss amongst North Americans. As such, routine eye health examinations with an optometrist are crucial for the early detection and intervention of any eye problems that may arise.  

Regardless of whether patients have Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes, the visual or ocular complications are often the same.   Patients with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing early cataract changes, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and diabetic retinopathy (bleeding within the eye).

Did you know?

Alberta Health Care now covers patients with diabetes for a detailed ocular health examination by their optometrist every year. This ocular health examination includes a review of any vision concerns, eye pressure testing (glaucoma screening) and a detailed dilated retinal health examination. These visits however, do not include a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, so a routine eye exam is still recommended every 1-2 years.  

To book your next annual diabetic eye health examination with an optometrist at eye-bar, please call us @ 780.467.3341.

eye-bar optometry in Sherwood Park - Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, Emergency Visits & Ophthalmology Referrals

 

Eye Care Question of the Week: #4

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Question:

What is pink eye?

 

Answer:

Pink eye is a general term used to describe the appearance of a red swollen looking eye. An eye can become inflamed or ‘pink’ for a number of reasons including: allergies, viral and bacterial infections, chemical irritants, or because of an underlying disease process.

In general however, ‘pink eye’ is most often used to describe a viral eye infection. Viral eye infections are one of the most common eye infections that optometrists and ophthalmologists encounter. Patients often present with sinus infections, runny noses or other cold like symptoms. Eyes often take on a pinkish hue, water excessively and become light sensitive. Symptoms are usually the worst within the first 3-5 days, with most symptoms resolving within 1-2 weeks.

Because viral pink eye can be extremely contagious, therefore it must be detected and treated properly. Patients should not go to work, school, or day care until they visit an eye doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

 

eye-bar optometry - eye exams, contact lenses, emergency visits & ophthalmology referrals

Eye Care Question of the Week: #2

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Question:

How often should I have my eyes examined?

 

Answer:

One of the core beliefs behind eye-bar is that every patient wants to see they’re very best. However, far to often insurance plans, or government policies dictate our personal health care strategy. As Canadians, we also grew up believing that you only saw a doctor when you had a problem.

The concept of preventative health care however is starting to catch on across all areas of medicine. Research consistently shows us that early detection and diagnosis of medical problems helps to improve long term patient outcomes. Knowing your personal health and your risk factors empowers patients to make improved lifestyle choices.

So at eye-bar, we believe that everyone regardless of age should receive a comprehensive annual eye health examination. Annual eye exams by an eye doctor provide piece of mind, knowing that you truly are seeing your best and that your eyes are health.

 

eye-bar optometry – eye exams, contact lenses, emergency visits & ophthalmology referrals

 

Are you at Risk?

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Did you know that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the primary causes of vision loss in people over the age of 60? In fact, 1 in 4 Canadians may develop macular degeneration in their lifetime, compared to only 1 in 10 who may develop glaucoma. The reality is that most people have never even heard of macular degeneration, let alone know whether they are at risk.

Like many other eye diseases, macular degeneration is a slow painless process that tends to occur over a number of years, with very few warning signs. In fact, macular degeneration can only be diagnosed after a thorough comprehensive eye exam conducted by an eye doctor.

Macular degeneration affects the central portion of the retina, or the area of the eye responsible for fine detailed visual tasks like reading or driving. Patients often initially complain of blurred vision, or a spot in their line of sight. But the reality is that most patients experience no problems in mild and even moderate cases of macular degeneration.

Currently, there is no pill or vitamin supplement that can guarantee that you won’t develop macular degeneration and certain risk factors may be out of your control.

Risks that are out of your control

Age – AMD increase with age
Race – Caucasians are at a greater risk then African Americans
Family History – Higher risk of developing late stage AMD
Gender – Females are more likely to develop AMD then men
Eye Colour – Blue or light colour irises


However, there are still some risk factors that you do have control over, that play an equal role in the potential development of macular degeneration.

Risks that you can control

Smoking – Just quit
Heart Disease – Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol
Exercise – Regular exercise
Weight – Obesity increases your risks
Diet – Eat a diet high in green leafy vegetables and fish
Sunglasses – Sunglasses help to reduce harmful UV light exposure
Eye Exams – Book an annual eye exam with an eye doctor

 

Learn more about age-related macular degeneration by visiting the CNIB @ eyeconnect or talk to your optometrist at your next annual eye exam.

 eye-bar optometry - eye exams, contact lenses, emergency visits & ophthalmology referrals

Caffeine and Cataracts

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Could caffeine actually help to prevent or slow down cataracts from forming in your eyes? Recent research shows some potential promise in this area. The development of cataracts in humans is a normal age related change that most of us will face in our lives. Most cataracts develop because of an increase in free-radical formation within the lens structure. Typically this is caused by UV radiation from the sun, as the lens in our eye absorbs most of these rays. Caffeine is a natural free-radical scavenger, which may have positive effects for the eyes. Recently, scientists at the University of Maryland have shown that caffeine can slow down or halt the progression of cataracts. However, this research is only in its infancy, as all of these studies were conducted on lab mice. Many more studies will need to be carried out to determine the commercial viability for humans.

In the mean time, the only way to slow down cataract development is to wear quality sunglasses whenever you are outdoors, stop smoking, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (which are also high in anti-oxidants).

**Always discuss any medical treatment with your family doctor or with your eye doctors before starting any therapy to determine if it is right for you. 

 

eye-bar optometry - eye exams, contact lenses, emergency visits & ophthalmology referrals