Optometry and Eye Care Blog

Did you know that many vision insurance plans are more like gift cards? Vision insurance includes wellness and health style programs that provide special savings that cover specific costs.  Here we review some of the benefits of vision plans and whether you should have or get one. Learn about vision insurance in Fort McMurray and how to make the most of it.

As of 2020, only 39 percent of children aged five and under had ever had their eyesight tested in some form. Finding an eye care professional you and your child trusts can be tough, and so can implementing daily habits to maintain your child's eye health. The Eyewear Place recommends getting regular eye exams to maintain your child's eye health. You can also implement daily habits into your schedule to help your child's eyes.

Here are six tips to improve your child's eye care in Lloydminster.

If you've been dreading the eye doctor, you're not alone.

The eyes are a sensitive place for most people, and the thought of having a doctor up close and personal with your eyes is a little scary.

However, your eye health is essential for your wellbeing. Even if you don't wear glasses or have a vision deficiency, you should still be making regular trips to see your optometrist. If you're looking to finally get that eye exam Lloydminster Eyewear Place is here for you!

If you need another push, here are 5 reasons to get a regular eye exam.

As one of your 5 senses, you should be taking care of your eyes regularly.

The health of your eyes should be just as important as going to the dentist or primary care doctor. If you're looking for eye doctors Lloydminster offers many great options including The Eyewear Place.

For a clean bill of health next time you visit the eye doctor, here are 5 tips on how to keep your eyes healthy and your sight sharp.

Getting an eye exam done once a year is crucial to make sure that your eyes are in good condition. Our eyes are fragile and complex; they help us see, and therefore need to be protected. Factors such as age and health have a major impact on eye disorders; thus, it is best to take care of your eyes and get them routinely checked. With age, your eye lenses lose flexibility, which makes it difficult to read and see things clearly. The Eyewear Place is here for all your eye care needs. We provide eyewear, contact lenses, eye exams and eye care services.

Eyewear shopping is not easy owing to the different styles, features and sizes of eyeglasses available these days. You can reduce the chances of short or long-term eye damage by wearing sunglasses that provide protection from (UV) ultraviolet rays. Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays increases the risk of cataract, eye cancer and temporary blindness, also known as photo keratitis. People with light-coloured eyes are more susceptible to eye damage from the sun.

Vision is something most of us take for granted. Protecting your eyes at work is very important as injuries are common in the production, transportation and service industries. Safety eye experts believe the right eye protection can lessen the severity or even prevent 90 per cent of such incidents. Proper eye protection should be worn at all times – during sports, play, work or hobbies. Statistics suggest thousands of employees suffer from eye injuries every year with some resulting in blindness. If your eyes are not protected with safety eyewear, you could be putting yourself at high risk.

Eye problems can be prevented easily by practicing certain essential eye care habits every day. You should visit a doctor for periodic eye examinations which allows early diagnosis and treatment of various eye problems, potentially preventing vision loss. The doctor will determine if you need a  prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you already have a prescription, the doctor will help determine if it needs to be updated.

It’s a common belief that reading in the dark will ruin your eyes—after all, mother always said so, right? Were you the type to curl up in bed with only the soft beam of a flashlight to guide your reading? Well, good news! Most experts agree that reading in the dark is safe, as far as eyesight is concerned.

Imagine living in a world of murky greens where shades of blue, brown and yellow take precedence over vibrant red hues. Now, imagine living in a monochromatic universe dominated by shades of gray, much like an old television set. For some people, discriminating between colours is a near impossible task. Do you fear you or your child may have a colour vision defect? We at The Eyewear Place can help with the diagnosis!

Between our smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and TVs, it’s not unusual for Canadian adults to spend nine or more hours a day looking at screened devices. But does our daily use of technology have a negative effect on our eyesight?

Growing up your mother may have told you, “don’t cross your eyes, they’ll get stuck that way,” or “eat your carrots and you’ll have good eyesight”. While some myths about eyes and vision have a thread of truth to them, more commonly, they’re completely erroneous. Our eye doctors in Lloydminster and Fort McMurray often need to set straight patients who still believe the inaccurate but well-intentioned advice they heard as children. Here are five of the most common myths and the truth behind them.

For contact lenses wearers, there’s the simple rule of basics soft contact lens care: Clean, Rinse and Disinfect. The optometrists at The Eyewear Place take your vision seriously, and while contacts provide a lot of convenience for wearers, they also require proper handling and care.

Canadians take their vision seriously - the eye sends back signals that let humans navigate through the world successfully. We know that visual health is important, and that regular visits to an optometrist, like the professionals at The Eyewear Place, can detect eye issues and diseases early on, as well as get you a new prescription for eyeglasses or contacts during an eye exam.

Astigmatism is a big word that affects almost everyone to some degree, but it simply means your eye isn’t completely round. At The Eyewear Place, we understand that your visual health is important and that regular visits to an eye doctor can detect eye issues early on, like an astigmatism.

Contact lenses are a medical device which require a prescription for vision correction, and they also provide a lot of convenience for wearers, however, contacts also require proper handling and care. According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), most contact lens-related infections are a result of poor habits or lens hygiene. While daily disposable contact lenses are designed to be thrown out after each use and require no cleaning, other types of lenses come with a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule to prevent discomfort and infections. And all lenses come with usage guidelines as well. Most contact lens infections are part of a category of infections called keratitis or an inflammation of the cornea. Keratitis can be caused by trauma to the cornea (such as a scratch caused by your fingernail while taking off or inserting your lenses) or by bacteria or fungus from a dirty lens.

Health issues are always troubling, and eye problems are no different. Sometimes what begins as minor discomfort or a small concern can progress into a vision problem or infection. Keeping track of your symptoms is important to determine when to see your eye doctor. Scheduling regular eye exams in Fort McMurray and Lloydminster is essential for staying up-to-date with your eye health. If you have prolonged symptoms or concerns about your eye health, visit an eye doctor at The Eyewear Place today.

If you are new to eyewear correction or have had glasses for a long time and are interested in exploring other, more subtle options for vision correction, contact lenses are a popular alternative. There are a lot of factors to consider when determining if this is the right solution for you. Separate the myths and legends from the truths below and work with the team at The Eyewear Place for contact lenses plus all your eyewear needs in Lloydminster and Fort McMurray.

See your eye doctor in Lloydminster or Fort McMurray — your quality of life depends on it!

When we think quality of life, we rarely think optometry. But it remains true that not seeing well can have a serious impact on how much pleasure you get out of life. If you’re not completely satisfied with your eyewear in Edmonton, Fort McMurray or Lloydminster or if your natural eyesight is poor, chances are your quality of life is impacted far more than you imagine.

Thinking about Updating Your Glasses in Lloydminster and Fort McMurray?
Are you thinking of updating your eyeglasses in Fort McMurray and Lloydminster?

Give us a call at The Eyewear Place! We have hundreds of the finest brand name models on display for you to choose from. Plus, all our locations offer buy one complete pair get a second pair at 50% off.

Are you due for an eye exam in Lloydminster or Fort McMurray? If it’s your first time seeing an eye doctor in Lloydminster or Fort McMurray you’re probably curious as to what to expect.

Here are 6 reasons your contact lenses may be bothering you and tips to make you more comfortable.

If you've been following trends, you'll find that today's glasses and sunglasses styles make use of many trends from the past century. Vintage styles have gained popularity to combine with modern trends and technologies. But do you know which decades today's popular vintage styles come from?

In this blog, we'll go over trends from the last century of eyeglasses. Maybe you'll see or discover a trend that will inspire your own personal style.

In “The Origin of Species,” Charles Darwin wrote about eyes as being nearly useless to moles and a few other burrowing rodents. He noticed that these animals’ eyes were small and often covered by skin or fur, and he considered this evidence for natural selection.

While some moles have evolved to thrive underground despite being totally blind, most animals need some eyesight to survive. They use eyes to monitor prey and watch for predators. Like humans, animals have evolved to have eyesight that will suit their environment. This blog examines eyesight in various animal species and how it compares to human eyesight.

Many people have never heard of the eye condition age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But it's really a common disease. Over a million Canadians have symptoms of macular degeneration. That's more than the amount of people with prostate cancer, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease—combined.

Read on to find out more about macular degeneration. We’ll go over everything you need to know, from risk factors and symptoms to treatment and prevention options.

You rub your eyes. They feel tender to the touch. After several minutes of itching, they begin to water. You look in the mirror, only to see your eyes have become red and swollen. You fear the worst—is it pink eye?

While most makeup products are safe for use near the eyes, they do pose a threat if you don’t use them properly. Improper use of makeup, as well as lax eye care, can lead to eye irritation and infection. Even worse, it sometimes causes permanent eye damage, including blindness.

According to statistics provided by the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada, glaucoma affects more than 400,000 Canadians and 67 million people worldwide.

Wake up, take a shower, pick an outfit, put in your contacts, eat your breakfast, brush your teeth, and head out the door. The morning routine is fairly simple. You probably know exactly how much time it takes to get from your bed to school or work.

When you are accustomed to a routine, you run the risk of forgetting important details. Contacts are medical devices and require specific, consistent care. The way you handle your contacts impacts not only the lifespan of the contacts, but the overall health of your eyes. Improper care of contacts can lead to infections, cuts, abrasions, ulcers and more.

Are you seeing spots? Floaters are those little specs or spots you can sometimes see when you look at a bright computer screen or into white light. In most cases floaters are completely harmless. However, if your vision is blurred, blocked, or you have noticed a sudden increase in the amount of floaters, it could be a sign of a more serious condition.

When you get your first contact lens prescription, it comes with a long list of instructions from your eye doctor. As a contacts wearer, this list tells you how to clean and maintain both your lenses and your eyes. But how many of these steps do you skip, forget, or ignore?

Whether it's your first or fiftieth time getting glasses, it is always important to find a pair that matches your style. There are so many choices when it comes to glasses that it can be difficult to narrow your selection. Your lifestyle, personal style, and facial shape should all play a role in your decision.

Your style says a lot about you. You use your clothes, makeup and hair to deliver a message to those around you. These outward expressions aren’t the only ways to display your personality.

Cosmetic contacts can act as your next bold fashion statement, but take time to learn about them before you invest in a pair. This blog post will discuss the benefits and risks that you might come across, so read on to find out if cosmetic contacts are right for you.

With winter on its way, not many people think about the damage the sun outside does to their eyes. Shortened days and cold weather encourage people to stay indoors during the winter months.

First we'll explain what kinds of medical conditions are caused by excessive sun exposure. Then we'll describe tips you can use to keep your eyes protected from sun damage.

Think of at least one food that promotes healthy eyesight. Chances are you included carrots in your list. That orange vegetable receives a lot of positive publicity for contributing to healthy vision. However, you may not know beta carotene is the nutrient in carrots that actually makes eyes more resistant to vision loss.

Your child is the main focus of your life and it is important to care for their vision. Their sight and eye care are essential to leading a happy and healthy life.

A child’s vision has an impact on their learning, health and social involvement. Taking control of their vision and scheduling an appointment for an eye exam is the best route to go.

Our team of eye doctors and optometrists are experts in eye health in Alberta. Here is what you need to know when it comes to your child’s vision.

Noah had a hard time in school. He couldn’t see the board well and wasn’t catching on in his kindergarten class as easily as he had hoped. His mom took him to the optometrist to assess his sight; that’s when Noah heard the news.

When you have diabetes, you know how important it is to take care of yourself and your health. You know that you can develop decreased sensitivity in your extremities, you have to watch your blood glucose levels, and you have a higher chance of developing other medical conditions.

We use our eyes every day—from the moment we wake up to the moment we close our eyes to sleep, we use them to navigate the world around us. You probably never think about your eyes unless you start to get a headache or misplace your glasses. But have you ever stopped a moment to think about how your eyes work?

Perhaps as you've gotten a little older, you’ve noticed changes in your vision. Perhaps your family has a history of eye problems. Or maybe your children have shown signs of vision problems, and you don't know if they need an optometrist's help yet.

Correcting your vision has never been so simple with contact lenses. Contact lenses are ideal because they are comfortable, effective and versatile.

Few things are more annoying than persistent, uncontrollable eye twitches. One of your bottom lids might spasm at seemingly random times, or one of your upper lids might blink involuntarily. In any case, you might wonder if the twitch is indicative of a more serious issue.

The good news is eye twitches are fairly common and rarely serious. They also tend to go away on their own. However, there are a few things that could contribute to your twitch. We've put together a list of common causes of eye twitches, as well as information to help you treat and prevent them.

Do your eyes ever burn, itch, or feel tired at the end of the day? Does the pain in your eyes ever lead to headaches? Does it ever prevent you from working, driving, or going outside? If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you might be suffering from eye strain.

When your eyes are healthy, you probably don't give them a second thought. But when your eyes hurt, cause headaches, or develop blind spots, you may wonder what's happening. In this blog, we'll go over a few of the most common eye conditions so you can take the appropriate steps to keep your eyes in good shape.

When kids struggle in school, they could have any number of problems. Some kids have undiagnosed learning disabilities, behavioural disorders, or they may just be bored in class. But some kids fall behind because they simply can't see well enough to perform in class.

If your eyesight dictates wearing glasses, you’ve probably considered buying contacts lenses in Lloydminster and Fort McMurray. Maybe you were once told you couldn’t wear them. Or perhaps you now need glasses, but worry they’ll cramp your active lifestyle.

Contacts are lightweight and convenient. No hassle when it rains and you can pop on sunglasses when necessary. After the initial adjustment period, you probably won’t notice them. You won’t have bulky frames obstructing your view either.

With technology advancements, most people can wear contact lenses. It’s worthwhile to consult with eye doctors in Lloydminster or Fort McMurray. If you qualify, your optometrist will recommend your best options based on your prescription and cornea shape.

Many spies in movies need only their eyes to enter highly classified areas. As the spy approaches a top-secret room, a laser beam shines into the spy's eye, scanning it to verify identity.

Amazingly, eye recognition technology like this actually exists. It's one of the most reliable and hard-to-fool identification methods, and it works because our irises are unique and unchanging.

The iris is the pigmented part of the eye. Even if you don't want to gain entrance to top-secret government rooms, you probably consider your irises and their colour a big part of your identity. Get to know your irises better by discovering five fascinating facts about eye colour.

When you think of your health, your eyes don’t usually enter the picture, until you literally see a problem. Since our eyes often change gradually over time, you may not notice anything happening. That makes it all the more important to book regular eye exams. During your first eye exam, your eye doctors in Fort McMurray will perform a number of tests to determine your eye health and vision. Best part, it won’t hurt.

If you wear glasses you’ve experienced the annoying haze or glare caused by smudges or streaks. (Wouldn’t it be nice if glasses came equipped with mini built-in wipers?) You can protect your lenses from dirt and scratches with minimal effort. These tips can save your glasses and maintain your clear view.

Do you squint when reading signs? Do you hold books up to your nose, or wish your arms were longer? It may be time to book an eye exam with a Lloydminster or Fort McMurray

Your vision changes as you age. Eyeglasses can correct some issues, others may require medical interventions. Headaches, nausea, fatigue and eyestrain may signal vision problems. If you are experiencing double vision, halos or seeing wavy lines, these are more serious. They may indicate glaucoma, macular degeneration or other conditions. Consult an eye doctor in Lloydminster or Fort McMurray.

As fashionable as glasses are these days, do you find they interfere with your active lifestyle? Are they always slipping? Do you find them bulky, or just dislike wearing glasses? Do you imagine the freedom of contact lenses? A few simple eye exams performed by one of Edmonton’s optometrists can determine if they are suitable for you.