Tag: annual eye exams

The Canadian Association of Optometrists has declared October Children’s Vision Month. In their words, “Regardless of your age or physical health, an annual comprehensive eye exam helps detect vision issues at an early stage, improving treatment options.” That is why they recommend that a child’s first visit to the optometrist should be between six and nine months of age, the second visit at age three, the third just before he/she begins school, then annually thereafter until age 18.

Why Should my Baby Visit the Optometrist?

March 23rd is World Optometry Day, an excellent time to get to know your Optometrist. Question 1: What do you know about your Optometrist? Do you know what they do?  Question 2: When was the last time you saw yours?  Question 3…Wait! Why don’t we work on questions one and two first, and that sneaky Question 1.5 I snuck in the middle.

What is an Optometrist?

February has been dedicated to raising awareness of AMD and Low Vision in Canada. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in those over 50 and often comes on so slowly that people generally don’t notice it until their vision has been severely impaired.

What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?

The macula is a tiny piece at the back of the retina which controls your sharp central vision. This is the area affected by AMD, beginning by attacking your ability to see fine details. It may begin with having trouble reading fine print, or possibly a blur in your central vision. Eventually you will have trouble reading, driving, or doing an activity which requires the ability to see clearly. Left untreated, it will very likely cause total blindness.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation has declared January to be Glaucoma Awareness Month. So exactly what is Glaucoma? Called the “sneak thief of sight” Glaucoma is considered one of the leading causes of blindness and comes on with virtually no early symptoms. It is the common name for a group of eye diseases that attacks the optic nerve and leads to permanent vision loss and blindness.

What are the Types of Glaucoma?

Currently, there are four known types of Glaucoma:

So when should you be scheduling that eye appointment? If you are an adult under 40, you should make an appointment to get your eyes tested at least every two to three years. Over 40 you should get in every one to two years, and over 65, you should see your optometrist every 12 months.

Eye Exams for Children

Children’s eyes are usually tested at birth and during visits to the pediatrician. Their first visit to the optometrist should be at six months, then at age three, and again before they begin school. Between the ages of six and 19, they should get their eyes tested annually.

At Nowlan and Moore Optometric we can help treat Computer Vision Syndrome. We know computer screens are everywhere yet as an industry, Opticians everywhere are still learning about what the specific health effects are for spending prolonged periods of time in front of them are.