News

How To Prevent Your Lenses From Scratching

If you wear glasses, then you know what a nuisance a scratched lens can be. Scratched or chipped lenses can interfere with your vision, making glasses uncomfortable to wear. Here’s what we recommend to keep your lenses scratch-free.

How to Avoid Scratching Your Lenses

Use a Protective Case

Using a sturdy eyeglass case will prolong the life of your lenses. No matter what kind of glasses you wear — standard, sunglasses, bifocal — you’ll want to protect them.

Be sure to choose a hard case with a soft inner lining and always have one on hand, either in your purse, backpack, or car.

When placing the glasses in their case, make sure the lenses are facing downwards, as this can reduce the risk of them being scratched. Additionally, avoid putting anything else in the case along with the glasses, especially sharp or metal objects.

Choose Anti-Scratch Lenses

Although no lenses are completely scratch-proof, there are certain coatings that can be added to the front and back of your lenses to make them more scratch resistant. Many lenses already come with this option, but sometimes it’s an optional addition. Anti-scratch coatings are particularly helpful for children’s glasses.

Remove Your Glasses Carefully

Handle your glasses by the temples (arms) and not the rims. This way, your fingers avoid the frame and lens area altogether, reducing the chance of inadvertently scratching them. Additionally, holding them by the temples with both hands ensures a better grip, so you’ll be less likely to drop them.

Set Them Down Properly

Never put glasses down with the lenses facing downward, unless it’s into a lens case. If you need to put them down and don’t have a case, rest them with the temples open and upside down — glasses tend to be more stable in this position.

Avoid placing them in a place where they’ll be easily knocked over or splashed on, like near a sink. Setting them down in the same place consistently will also reduce your risk of losing them.

Use the Right Lens Cleaner

It’s all too common for people to wipe their glasses with their clothing or other abrasive material. Doing so can scratch the lenses, especially if they’re dry.

Always clean your lenses with a soft microfiber cloth and specialized lens cleaning solution, items your optometrist’s office can provide.

When to Visit Your Optometrist

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely prevent your lenses from ever becoming scratched over their lifetime. Once they are scratched, there is little that can be done to repair the lenses. Most of the time the lenses need to be replaced.

At Eye Health Centre, we offer a wide array of frames and lenses, so you’re sure to find a pair to suit your eyes and needs.

Call Eye Health Centre in to schedule your eye exam or with any further questions.

At Eye Health Centre, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 780-419-7000 or book an appointment online to see one of our St. Albert eye doctors.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Samuel Boucher

Q: Can you request lenses made from glass? Is glass still used for lenses?

A: Yes. Opticians still sometimes use glass for lenses. However, glass is not used very often because they aren’t as safe. If these glass lenses breaks, they can shatters into many pieces and can injure the eye. Glass lenses are much heavier than plastic lenses, so they can make your eyeglasses less comfortable to wear.

Q: Can a coating be added to eyeglasses to protect them from further scratches?

A: A protective coating can’t be added to a lens after it’s scratched. The coating is applied when the lens is manufactured and can’t be put on later.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses In St. Albert, Alberta. Visit Eye Health Centre for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Diabetes and Your Eyes

Why You Shouldn’t Visit the ER for Eye Emergencies During COVID-19

15 Things You Do That Can Harm Your Eyes

REFERENCES

https://www.southparkoptical.com/how-to-avoid-scratches-on-your-glasses

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm#:~:text=To%20avoid%20scratches%2C%20blow%20any,you%20clean%20the%20cloths%20frequently

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-remove-scratches-from-glasses

Why Do Onions Make Us Cry?

Onions are one of the most common staple foods around the globe. Ironically, for a vegetable so delicious, they can often be tear-jerkers.

Read on to learn why onions cause your eyes to tear and sting, and what you can do to minimize discomfort.

Why Does Cutting Onions Cause Tearing?

Onions produce a sulfur compound called propyl sulfoxide that is stored in the cells of the onion bulb (the part of the onion we eat). Onions grow underground, where they can be eaten by all types of creatures. This odorous sulfuric compound acts as a deterrent to small animals with big appetites.

When one slices into an onion and breaks open its cells, the sulfur compound is released and mixes with the moisture in the air — turning it into smelly and irritating sulfuric acid. When this chemical rises up and comes in contact with your eyes, it stings!

To keep your eyes from potentially being damaged from this chemical exposure, your brain triggers your eyes to tear and flush out the irritating gas particles. Once enough tears have flushed out the sulfuric acids particles from the eye, clear vision and comfort is usually restored. Although your eyes may sting and feel unpleasant, symptoms are temporary and the sulfuric acid won’t damage your eyes.

How Can I Reduce Eye Discomfort When Chopping Onions?

Most experienced chefs will tell you that chilling your onions in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing them will reduce the amount of tearing they cause. Propyl sulfoxide escapes slower in cooler temperatures, reducing the amount of sulfuric acid in the air.

You can also try cutting the onions at arm’s length, or direct the odorous air away with a small fan. Some say that chopping onions immersed in water also helps. Another option is to wear kitchen goggles to protect your eyes.

Furthermore, try to use fresh onions whenever possible. The longer an onion has been stored, the more likely it will induce tearing and discomfort. Try to avoid slicing near the root end of the bulb, as that area has the highest concentration of sulfuric compounds.

Still Having Eye Problems Out of the Kitchen?

If you frequently suffer from eye irritation — and not just while cutting onions — we can help. At Eye Health Centre, we treat a wide range of eye conditions and can provide you with the treatment and relief you seek.

For further questions or to schedule an eye exam, call us today.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Sophie Jobin

Q: What exactly is glaucoma?

A: Glaucoma is a condition in which the eye’s intraocular pressure (IOP) is too high. This means that your eye has too much aqueous humor in it, either because it produced too much, or because it’s not draining properly. Other symptoms are optic nerve damage and vision loss. Glaucoma is a silent disease that robs the patient of their peripheral vision. Early detection is very important.

Q: What’s the difference between vision insurance and eye insurance?

A: Vision insurance” really isn’t insurance, but rather a benefit that covers some of your costs for eyewear and eye care. It is meant to be used for “routine” care when you aren’t having a problem but want to be sure everything is OK, like having an annual screening exam with your Primary Care Physician. It often, but not always, includes a discount or allowance toward glasses or contact lenses. It is usually a supplemental policy to your medical health insurance. Medical health insurance covers, and must be used when an eye health issue exists. This includes pink eye, eye allergies, glaucoma, floaters, cataracts, diabetes, headaches, and many other conditions. Blurry vision is covered medically if it relates to a medical condition, for example the development of a cataract. For some reason, however, it is considered non-medical if the only finding is the need for glasses or a change of prescription. Of course you can’t know this until you have the exam. In this case, with vision coverage, you would only be responsible for your co-pay, but with medical coverage without vision coverage, you’d be responsible for the usual charge.

Q: How does high blood pressure affect vision?

A: If the blood pressure is very high it can be called malignant hypertension and cause swelling of the macula and acute loss of vision. Otherwise hypertension can cause progressive constriction of the arterioles in the eye and other findings. Usually high blood pressure alone will not affect vision much, however hypertension is a known risk factor in the onset and/or progression of other eye disease such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration as well as blocked veins and arteries in the retina or nerve of the eye that can severely affect vision.

The Surge In Cosmetic Procedures During COVID Raises Eye Health Concerns

3 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Vision and Eyes

Flexible Spending Accounts & Vision Benefits

REFERENCES

https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-onions-make-you-cry

https://theconversation.com/why-do-onions-make-you-cry-129519

Flexible Spending Accounts & Vision Benefits

Prescription Eyeglasses & Eye Exam in St. Albert

Over 50% of consumers didn’t use their vision benefits last year! Make the most of your 2021 vision benefits by understanding what your Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account cover.

How Does FSA Work?

When you sign up for an FSA, money from each paycheck is automatically deposited into an account. An FSA provides you with tax-free dollars that can be used to pay for health care expenses, including eye care needs.

An FSA usually covers vision expenses like:

Copayments and deductibles (but not insurance premiums)
Routine eye exams
Contact lenses
Prescription sunglasses

But here’s the catch: You must use your FSA benefits or you’ll lose them since they don’t roll over to the next year, unless your employer offers a short grace period to use the previous year’s benefits. To take advantage of this valuable benefit, schedule your annual eye exam.

How Does HSA Work?

Depending on your insurance plan, your employer may offer an HSA instead of an FSA. An HSA, which also offers tax-saving benefits, is typically offered with high deductible insurance plans. The difference between your FSA and your HSA is that the money put into an HSA does not have a “use it or lose it” policy. It can be used the next year.

Like an FSA you can usually utilize your HSA dollars to purchase glasses and pay for other vision-related expenses like eye exams, prescription sunglasses, and contacts.

The Importance of Eye Exams

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor can not only determine whether you need prescription glasses or contact lenses, but can also check for common eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts.

Regularly scheduled eye exams keep you and your eye doctor up to date with changes in vision and general health as you age. During a typical eye exam, your eye doctor will perform a series of tests designed to catch eye conditions and diseases early, before they cause irreversible damage.

After the age of 40, the risk of eye diseases increases, making regular eye exams even more important. Early detection is key to preventing and detecting eye health problems.

Visit your Eye Doctor Today!

The importance of a yearly eye exam is not only about safeguarding your vision; it’s also about safeguarding your general health. By observing changes in your vision and the eye itself, your eye doctor can detect early warning signs of health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure before serious symptoms may occur. Start the new year looking great with clear, healthy vision by using your FSA and HSA benefits Go ahead and schedule that exam with Eye Health Centre to keep your eyes healthy.

15 Things You Do That Can Harm Your Eyes

Eye health isn’t just about going for that yearly eye exam. Certain actions you take (or don’t take) in your daily routine can also have drastic effects on the health of your eyes and vision. Here’s our list of 15 things you may be doing that could pose damaging risks to your eyes.

It’s important to note that before changing any of your habits, consult with a medical professional to make sure they are right for you and your overall health.

1. Smoking

We all know that smoking can cause heart disease and cancer, but its effects on the eyes are far less known to many. The truth is that smoking can actually lead to irreversible vision loss by significantly increasing the risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. It can also cause dry eye syndrome. If you are a smoker, do your eyes (and body) a favor and try to kick or reduce the habit.

2. Not Wearing Sunglasses

Exposing your eyes to the sun’s harmful UV radiation can damage the eye’s cornea and lens. Overexposure to UV rays can also lead to cataracts and even eye cancer. That’s why it’s important to always wear 100% UV-blocking sunglasses while outdoors, all four seasons of the year. Always check the sunglasses have FDA approval.

3. Sleeping with Makeup On

When you sleep with eyeliner or mascara, you run the risk of the makeup entering the eye and irritating the cornea. Sleeping with mascara on can introduce harmful bacteria to the eye and cause an infection. Abrasive glitters and shimmery eyeshadow can scratch the cornea as well. Be careful to remove all makeup with an eye-safe makeup remover before going to bed.

4. Buying Decorative Contact Lenses Without a Prescription

Although ordering decorative lenses without first visiting your optometrist may sound more convenient, purchasing them without a prescription isn’t worth the long term risks. Decorative contact lenses are sometimes made by unlicensed manufacturers who tend to use poor-quality or toxic materials that can get absorbed through the eyes into the bloodstream. They also may contain high levels of microorganisms from unsanitary packaging and storage conditions.

5. Not Washing Your Hands Thoroughly

Frequently washing your hands helps to reduce the possibility of bacteria and viruses entering the eye. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) and corneal ulcers are common eye conditions that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. When washing your hands, be sure to use warm water, soap, and thoroughly wash in between each finger and over the entire palm area. If you plan to insert or remove your contact lenses, wash and then dry your hands completely with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

6. Overwearing Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses for longer periods of time than intended can lead to inflammation of the cornea (keratitis), conjunctivitis, eyelid swelling, and contact lens intolerance. Always follow the recommended wear time as instructed by your optometrist.

7. Being Nutrient Deficient

Poor nutrition can cause permanent damage to the visual system. Try to include lots of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet, along with adequate amounts of Omega-3. Some of the best vitamins and nutrients for eye health include Vitamins A, C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc.

8. Using Non-FDA Approved Products

Whether it’s eyebrow enhancers, eye makeup, or eyelash growth serums, always choose products that have been FDA approved and/or meet government safety regulations. Non-approved products have been known to cause infections or allergic reactions in or around the eye area.

9. Not Cleaning Your Contacts Properly

If you are wearing contact lenses that need to be replaced once every two weeks or once a month, maintaining the highest level of contact lens hygiene is essential. Optometrists will tell you that a common reason patients come in to see them is due to an eye infection from contact lenses that haven’t been properly cleaned or stored. Some patients use their contact lens cases for too long, which can also cause eye irritation. To avoid eye infections, carefully follow your eye doctor’s instructions on how to clean, store, and handle your contact lenses.

10. Showering or Swimming with Contact Lenses

There is a significant amount of bacteria that can be carried in tap water and swimming pools. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that water and contact lenses don’t mix. If you need vision correction while swimming, it may be worth investing in a pair of prescription swimming goggles.

11. Not Following Medication Instructions

When it comes to eye disease, following the medication instructions is crucial. Forgetting to insert eye drops, or administering the incorrect dosage could dramatically reduce the effectiveness of treatment, or even do harm. Speak with your eye doctor if you’re not sure about when or how to take your medication.

12. Not Taking a Holistic Approach

Your eyes are just one part of the whole system — your body. Ignoring health conditions you may have, like high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar, can pose serious risks to your eyes.

13. Not Wearing Protective Eyewear

Shielding your eyes with protective glasses or goggles while working with potentially sharp or fast-moving objects, fragments or particles (wood working, cutting glass, welding, doing repairs with nails, certain sports) is the best defense against eye injury. In fact, 90% of all eye injuries could have been prevented by wearing protective eyewear.

14. Using Unsafe Home Remedies

Some might think that because something is “natural” that it is safe for use around the delicate eye area. Home remedies, like using breastmilk to cure pink eye, could introduce harmful bacteria to the eye and cause infection. If your eyes are giving you trouble, make an appointment to see your local optometrist.

15. Skipping Your Recommended Eye Exam

Your eye doctor will advise you how often you need to come for an eye examination. Adults should visit their eye doctor at least every year for a comprehensive eye exam to determine whether their optical prescription is up-to-date, and to check for the beginning stages of eye disease. Catching eye diseases in their early stages offers the best chance of successful treatment and preserving healthy vision for life.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Blepharitis and BlephEx™ – Your St. Albert Eye Doctor Explains All You Need to Know

What You Should Know about Diabetes and Your Vision

Does Obesity Impact Eye Health?

Look to Your Medications for the Cause of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome can be caused by a wide range of culprits, ranging from environmental conditions to the type of contact lenses you wear. One possible cause of dry eye syndrome that many people overlook is the medications they are taking. Various categories of drugs list dry eye syndrome as a possible side effect, either because they reduce the tear quantity or change the quality of the tear composition.

For personalised diagnosis and treatment of dry eye, visit our St. Albert optometrist. During your eye exam, we’ll discuss any medications you’re taking and whether it’s worthwhile to explore any alternate drugs.

What types of medications can lead to dry eyes?

Acne Medicine: If you suffer from severe and painful cystic acne, your primary physician may have prescribed a retinoid drug that works by diminishing the production of facial oils. Unfortunately for your eyes, this medication may also reduce the amount of lubricating oils in your tears.
Antihistamines: If you suffer from allergies, antihistamines may be your best friend – allowing you to live free from symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and swollen, itchy eyes. However, antihistamine drugs may also cause your eyes to produce fewer tears, leading instead to the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
Sleeping Pills, Certain Antidepressants and Medications for Parkinson’s: All of these types of drugs work by blocking some of the signals being transmitted between your nerve cells. At the same time, the drug may be interrupting the signals that tell your eyes to make more tears.
Hypertension Drugs: Beta-blockers help to lower blood pressure by blocking your body’s response to hormone adrenaline. Consequently, your heartbeat is slowed, which leads to your blood putting less force on your arteries. These drugs also cause a decrease in aqueous production, subsequently causing dry eye symptoms.
Hormones and Birth Control Pills: Certain hormone pills can lead to dry eyes; estrogen-only pills are particularly associated with dry eye syndrome.
Pain Relievers: Certain over-the-counter medications, such as large doses of ibuprofen, can lead to dry eye, namely because they can decrease tear secretion.

What can you do if your medicine causes dry eyes?

It’s vital to discuss your symptoms with both your eye doctor and primary physician – do not simply stop taking any of your medications! At our St. Albert eye care centre, we’ll evaluate your condition to determine the cause and the best customised treatment plan. Now that you know how medications can play a role in causing dry eye symptoms, you understand how essential it is to tell your eye doctor about any drugs you are taking. Together and in collaboration with your primary physician, we’ll figure out if any change in your systemic medications may be necessary.

At Eye Health Centre, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 780-419-7000 to see one of our St. Albert eye doctors.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Common Vision Problems that Kids Face

7 Tips and Tricks for People Who Wear Eyeglasses

Did You Pass the 40 Year Mark? Learn About Adult Vision from 41 to 60 Years Old

The Surge In Cosmetic Procedures During COVID Raises Eye Health Concerns

COVID-19 has indirectly impacted eye health in ways that few would have anticipated. With many classrooms, business meetings, and hang-outs being relocated to virtual settings like Zoom and FaceTime, people are spending more time scrutinizing other people’s faces — and their own.

For some people, the more time they spend watching themselves in the thumbnail, the more time they focus on real or imagined imperfections and features that make them feel insecure.

In fact, plastic surgeons and cosmetic doctors all over the world are reporting something called the ‘Zoom Boom’ — the recent surge in cosmetic procedures to perfect ‘Lockdown Face.’ Yep, it’s a thing.

What many don’t realize is that cosmetic facial procedures can pose serious risks to eye health and vision, and in some cases result in serious eye damage or vision loss.

While opting to undergo a cosmetic procedure is a personal choice that each individual should make for themselves, a fully informed decision requires a visit to your eye doctor. Also, those interested in having a cosmetic eyelid lift should consult with a reputable oculo-plastic surgeon who has experience in this particular procedure.

How Can Cosmetic Procedures Impact Your Eyes?

Before undergoing a cosmetic facial procedure, it’s important to know which procedures pose potential risks to your eyes and vision.

Eyelash Extensions

The adhesive used for eyelash extensions has been known to cause allergic lid reactions, infections, styes, and dry eye. Eye doctors unanimously agree that eyelash extensions should be the last resort for those who want fuller, thicker lashes.

Additionally, the addictive nature of eyelash extensions make them particularly risky. A side effect of lash extensions can be reduced eyelashes, which often drives the individual to have this procedure done repeatedly.

A safe alternative to getting eyelash extensions is using a medication called Latisse. This eyelash enhancing product can be prescribed by your eye doctor and may reduce the need for false eyelashes or extensions.

Laser Procedures

Lasers are used for various cosmetic procedures due to their high efficiency and accuracy. However, exposing the naked eye to a laser beam can be dangerous.

All laser procedures should be performed while the patient wears specialized goggles or corneal shields for protection. If the procedure is performed by an unlicensed individual, there is a much greater chance that effective eye protection won’t be used.

A study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that ocular injuries can occur even when protective shields are utilized correctly.

Episcleral Tattoos

This procedure is the tattooing of the whites of the eye. Dye is injected beneath the conjunctiva and into the sclera (the white of the eye) to make it appear the desired color.

Episcleral tattoos can cause headaches and severe light-sensitivity, and increase the risk of eye infections, conjunctival hemorrhaging, and permanent vision loss.

Botox Injections

Botox injections are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures offered today, but they can harm eye health and vision when injected around the eye area.

Some common complications include allergic reactions, blurred vision, and droopy eyelids. Most of these reactions are temporary, but if symptoms persist and if blurred vision is prolonged, see an eye doctor immediately.

Always choose a qualified and licensed doctor to perform the procedure.

When to Visit Your Optometrist

If you are considering having any facial or eye procedures done, speak with your optometrist about how to keep your eyes safe during the process.

An eye exam with Dr. Sophie Jobin will determine the state of your eye health and what risks would be involved with the procedure you want.

If you’ve already undergone a cosmetic procedure or surgery and are experiencing any eye health or visual symptoms, call Eye Health Centre in for a prompt eye exam.

We want you to feel confident in the way you look, while keeping your eyes healthy and safe. Call Eye Health Centre to schedule your eye exam today.

At Eye Health Centre, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 780-419-7000 or book an appointment online to see one of our St. Albert eye doctors.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

15 Things You Do That Can Harm Your Eyes

8 Ways to Protect Your Eyes at the Office

How to Disinfect Glasses to Help Prevent COVID-19

Vision Therapy is for Everyone – Even Adults

Vision therapy is often thought of as a treatment especially for children. But adults can often benefit from these eye exercises just as much as kids do! When children can’t focus for long periods of time without eye strain or headaches, the problem doesn’t usually go away on its own – and they often grow up into adults who still suffer from problems with their visual system. Our St. Albert eye doctor has provided vision therapy for many patients with eye conditions that were neglected during childhood.

What are signs that an adult may need vision therapy?

If you regularly suffer from trouble with focusing for extended time, fluctuating vision, headaches, losing your place when reading, eye fatigue or headaches (especially when doing close work, such as using a computer or reading), you may benefit from vision therapy. Book a consultation with our experienced eye doctor in St. Albert.

How effective is vision therapy for adults?

Vision therapy is often very successful for adults, because adults are highly motivated to improve their visual skills and reduce any disturbing eye symptoms. Also, adults usually demonstrate more self-discipline and maturity, which keeps them committed to doing the necessary eye exercises.

While it can be more challenging to treat adults due to reduced adaptability, studies have shown that vision therapy can lead to noticeable improvements in depth perception, focusing and convergence. Although kids naturally have more adaptable brains, significant plasticity can still be coaxed with the right vision therapy program for adults.

A vision therapist can help diminish eye strain associated with doing near work, as well as address a range of other visual disorders. Eye exercises can make a significant improvement in an adult’s ability to function at work or play sports. To find out how vision therapy can help you, schedule an eye exam in St. Albert.

How long does vision therapy for adults take?

It tends to take longer for adults to see improvements than younger vision therapy patients. Children have a highly flexible visual system, which enables problems such as amblyopia, strabismus and other binocularity disorders to be corrected relatively quickly when treated early. In contrast, adults don’t share the same high level of neuroplasticity and will require more time and effort to overcome a problem with the visual system. Typically, patients come in for customised vision therapy sessions on a weekly basis, and it can take several months to achieve optimal results.

What conditions can vision therapy treat in adults?

Vision therapy is personalized and can treat a range of vision conditions:

Convergence insufficiency (eye teaming)
Strabismus (eye turn)
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Eye strain
Saccadic dysfunction (eye tracking)
Traumatic brain injury (concussion)

It’s never too late to address problems with your visual system! To find out how you can enhance your vision and ease visual discomfort – book a consultation with our St. Albert eye doctor.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

How to Disinfect Glasses to Help Prevent COVID-19

Why is State-of-the-Art Optometric Technology Important for You?

COVID-19: Protect Your Eyes From Too Much Screen Time

What Should I Look for When Buying Reading Glasses?

As you get older, you’ll probably need to add reading glasses to your shopping list. As soon as the words on a page that were once crisp and clear start to look fuzzy, it’s usually a sign the time for readers has come. But before you start browsing the selection of designer frames in our optical collection, be sure to visit our St. Albert eye care centre for an eye exam to determine the lens powers you need – and to rule out any other vision conditions.

Tips on Choosing the Right Eyeglasses for Reading

Stay in Style

Once you know your prescription, our optical staff can help you select the perfect pair of quality reading eyeglasses. Have no fear, the days when all readers made people look like they should be reclining in a rocking chair are gone! Now, we offer reading glasses in styles to rival the trendiest designer frames.

Try Them Out

A good way to test the effectiveness of your reading glasses is by bringing some reading material with you when you try them on. Reading eyeglasses come with lens powers that range from +1 to +4, in increments of +.25. Try the lens power recommended by your eye doctor first to test if it works for all the printed or digital materials you need to see clearly.

Start Big

While reading glasses come in a range of sizes, our St. Albert eye doctor suggests starting with one of the bigger pairs. Larger designs are easier to get used to, and you can always downsize once you adapt to wearing readers.

Check the Fit

As much as eyeglasses appear to come in only one-size, they aren’t really one-size-fits-all at all! To ensure comfortable wearing (so you won’t always rush to take your reading glasses off), have our experienced optical staff check the fit of your eyeglasses. They should sit snugly on your face without slipping, but not too tight that they pinch your nose or behind your ears.

Stop by anytime to browse optical collection in St. Albert. We’ll point you towards the right reading glasses for your unique vision, face and fashion.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

7 Tips and Tricks for People Who Wear Eyeglasses

What Will Optometry Practices Look Like Post-COVID?

Do You Know the Facts About Diabetic Eye Disease?

7 Tips and Tricks for People Who Wear Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses lenses that keep fogging up. Fumbling to find your frames in the dark … If you wear glasses, you’re probably familiar with these and other common predicaments. To improve your relationship with your eyeglasses and help you cope with many more eyewear challenges, our optical staff in St. Albert offers the following tips:

1. De-fog your eyeglasses

Fogged-up lenses have always been a problem in different weather conditions or when exercising, and wearing masks has only worsened this nuisance. To clear your eyeglasses, we recommend anti-fog wipes or sprays, available at St. Albert eye care centres. Another strategy is to apply a drop of dish soap to a soft microfiber cloth and gently rub the soap over both sides of your lenses. Give your eyeglasses about out 15 minutes to dry, and then wipe lenses again with the soft cloth. The soap residue acts as an invisible shield against fog.

2. Find your glasses in the dark

There’s a really simple solution for this – apply a thin strip of glow-in-the-dark tape or paint to your glasses case. Of course, for this trick to work you need to be vigilant about storing your eyeglasses in the highlighted case before going to sleep.

3. Preserve the fit of your frames

After you wear your eyeglasses for a while, you’ll likely notice that they start to slip around more often. To prevent your frames from “stretching,” visit our St. Albert optical store for regular tune-ups. Plastic can change shape over time and screws can loosen.

4. Avoid scratched lenses

To store your glasses correctly, always place your glasses down with the lenses facing up. This simple move will prevent abrasions and scuff marks. Additionally, don’t leave your frames in a very hot or cold place, such as on the car dashboard. Extreme temperatures can expand or shrink lens coatings, leading to small scratches.

5. Put the brakes on slipping eyeglasses

If your frames constantly slip down your nose, an easy hack involves wrapping thin elastic hair ties around the temples. Push the bands back so they stay hidden behind your ears, where they’ll help keep your glasses in place. Remember, this is just a temporary solution to use until you can get to our St. Albert eye care centre, so our optical staff can tweak your frames to make them fit right again.

6. Replace a missing screw temporarily

Usually, you won’t notice exactly when the screw fell out – but you’ll know once it’s missing because your glasses will fall apart. If you don’t have an eyeglasses repair kit handy, use a toothpick as a short-term fix. Stick the toothpick into the hole, push it down and carefully break off the top so you can’t see the toothpick. It should hold fast until you can replace the screw.

7. Finding lost glasses when you can’t see

If you take your eyeglasses off and forget where you put them down, finding them can be tricky without clear vision. This is a timeworn problem that has an innovative, contemporary solution: use your smartphone camera to do a detailed search of the room!

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Vision Therapy is for Everyone – Even Adults

Are Floaters and Flashes Dangerous?

What Services Can I Get Using Tele-Optometry?

Why is State-of-the-Art Optometric Technology Important for You?

Technology advances continuously; whoever doesn’t keep up will naturally fall behind. This golden rule applies to every field, including professional eye care. That’s why choosing an eye doctor with top-tier updated technology matters. Nowadays, digital eye exams have upgraded eye care significantly, enabling high-precision results. To provide all our patients with detailed diagnoses and personalised treatments, we’re always on top of the latest innovative technologies for advanced eye exams in St. Albert.

Advantages of Our Digital Eye Exams

By equipping our office with the latest eye exam technologies, we give our patients the following benefits:

Evaluation of visual acuity, eye health and overall body health, all at the same time – digital eye exams can help diagnose common vision conditions and eye diseases, as well as detect other health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, tumors and high cholesterol
No more tedious guesswork (making you answer “Which is better, A or B?”) when determining your vision prescription
Superior accuracy for vision prescriptions and eye health checks
Kid-friendly digital eye exams that are comfortable and streamlined for efficiency, so even the most active, impatient children are happy to visit the eye doctor
Improved contact lenses eye exams, allowing more precise measurements of your lens power, eye shape and size; studies show contact lenses are fit properly 95% of the time when digital eye exams are used
Daytime and nighttime vision are evaluated; vision changes depending on the light conditions, and digital eye exam can enable a simulation of vision during all times of day so we can issue more comprehensive vision correction
Rapid eye exam results leave more time during your visit for us to answer your questions and address any individual concerns

Holistic Patient Care with Advanced Eye Exam Technology

The digital eye exam experience is immersive and personalised. As we assess your vision and eye health, precise information about your visual capabilities and ocular condition comes to light.

In line with our holistic approach, we combine your eye exam results with the unique information you share about your lifestyle and visual needs. Altogether, our St. Albert team takes what we know about you and your eyes and uses it to help ensure your vision correction and/or treatments are a perfect fit.