Blue light lenses are gaining popularity as people become more aware of the potential damage caused by blue light to our eyes. These lenses filter out harmful blue light from digital devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. 

While there are not enough studies to definitively prove the effectiveness of blue light lenses in reducing digital eye strain, preventing dry eyes, or protecting against macular degeneration, they can still help regulate sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. This can have several benefits, including hormone regulation and increased alertness and may help manage depression and anxiety.

With these abilities, blue light lenses are excellent for those who spend a lot of time in front of screens, promoting better overall health and comfort for the eyes.

Understanding Blue Light & Its Effects on Vision

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and is emitted by the sun and digital devices like laptops, smartphones, and LED lights. It’s a high-energy, short wavelength. 

We need blue light from the sun as it provides many positive effects, including heightened attention, improved reaction times, and an uplifted mood. You may have heard that blue light emitted by electronics is bad for your eyes, but this claim lacks concrete scientific evidence.

However, excessive exposure to blue light, especially in the evening, can disrupt the delicate balance of your body’s innate sleep-wake cycle, affectionately known as your circadian rhythm.

Do You Need Blue Light Lenses?

Blue light lenses block blue light to minimize its impact on your circadian rhythm, which is particularly important for those who spend a lot of time using digital screens or in LED-lit rooms.

But it’s essential to be mindful of your total amount of blue light exposure, regardless of whether or not you use blue light glasses. A good rule of thumb is to limit device use in the evening and take frequent breaks during the day. 

Additionally, using dimmable lighting can replicate the soft hues of natural light and create a relaxing atmosphere that can help you fall asleep more easily.

The Benefits of Blue Light Lenses

Blue light lenses have become increasingly popular in our digital age. While there’s no proof they protect against certain eye conditions, there are well-documented benefits, particularly in regulating our sleep-wake cycle.

Hormone Regulation

Exposure to blue light, particularly during the evening, has been shown to disrupt melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. This disruption can lead to difficulties falling asleep and achieving restful sleep. 

Blue light lenses can help mitigate the impact of blue light by limiting how much reaches your eyes, supporting the natural release of melatonin and promoting a more restful and rejuvenating sleep.

Alertness

Blue light lenses can help signal to our bodies that it’s time to wind down and prepare for a restful sleep. This, in turn, can contribute to increased alertness and productivity during the day, as we give our bodies the essential rest and rejuvenation they require for optimal performance. So, incorporating blue light lenses into our routine can be a valuable step towards achieving a well-balanced and energized lifestyle.

Depression & Anxiety Management

Research has consistently indicated a connection between disrupted sleep and susceptibility to depression and anxiety. Blue light lenses can effectively regulate our sleep-wake cycle and indirectly support mental health. These lenses promote healthier sleep patterns and overall well-being.

Blue light lenses may contribute to improved hormone regulation and alertness and provide benefits for managing depression and anxiety.

But blue light lenses are not only helpful for those who spend time in front of digital devices—they can also be beneficial for outdoor use, such as when engaging in activities in direct sunlight. These lenses help reduce glare and make it easier to focus on your activity or enjoy the scenery around you.

Always consult an eye care professional for personalized advice and recommendations regarding your eye health needs.

Get the Most out of Your Blue Light Lenses

At River Heights Eye Care, our highly trained and experienced professionals are here to help you get the most out of your blue light lenses.

From comprehensive eye exams to custom fittings and ongoing monitoring, our team is trained to help you find the right lenses for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a daily lifestyle solution or glasses for work, we have the expertise and resources to ensure you get exactly what you need.Get in touch with River Heights Eye Care today to maximize your blue light lenses and enjoy improved vision and better sleep.

Additional Tips

In addition to wearing blue light glasses, there are some steps you can take to lessen the symptoms associated with too much blue light. This includes:

• Practice the 20-20-20 rule: Take a break from digital devices every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a break from the screen and helps them relax. 
• Use eye drops: Eye drops can keep your eyes lubricated throughout the day if you are experiencing dry eyes from blue light.
• Avoid too much screen time and sunlight: The best way to lower your exposure to blue light is by limiting how much time you spend looking at devices or in the sun. 
• Distance yourself from screens: To avoid blue light exposure, sit an arm’s length away from your screen. 
• Using screen filters: You can install or enable certain screen filters that lower blue light exposure on certain digital devices.
• Adjust your lighting: If you have LED bulbs in your home and you cannot change them, consider adding additional light sources that do not use LED bulbs.
• Wear sunglasses: If you spend a lot of time in the sun, your eyes will be exposed to large amounts of blue light. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. 

Taking care of your vision and eye health is a crucial component of your overall wellness. Book an appointment with your eye care professional to determine whether or not blue light glasses are the proper treatment for you.

The post What Are the Benefits of Blue Light Glasses? first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

Contact lenses are a popular alternative to eyeglasses, offering a more natural appearance and greater convenience. But are they the right choice for everyone?

Contact lenses offer numerous benefits, from better vision to greater convenience and freedom. However, they also come with some disadvantages that can make them unsuitable for some people.

In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of wearing contact lenses so that you can decide whether they're suitable for your eyes and lifestyle.

Pros of Contact Lenses

There are many advantages to wearing contact lenses:

• The primary advantage of contact lenses is that they provide a more natural, unobstructed view of the world.
• Unlike eyeglasses, which can fog up, slip down, or be affected by reflections, contact lenses stay in place and let your eyes move and see freely.
• They also offer a wider field of view since they're directly in your eye.
• Contact lenses allow you to wear non-prescription sunglasses or participate in sports and other physical activities without worrying about your glasses falling off.
• Another benefit is that many people find contact lenses more comfortable than glasses.
• Modern materials make lenses less likely to dry out or irritate your eyes, and daily disposable lenses are a hygienic option that eliminates the need for cleaning and storing.

Cons of Contact Lenses

Despite their many advantages, contact lenses are not suitable for everyone:

• One potential drawback is the cost. Contact lenses can be more expensive than eyeglasses, especially if you require frequent replacements or custom fittings.
• They also require proper maintenance to prevent infections or other eye problems.
• Contact lenses can cause dry eyes, and if worn for too long, they can lead to discomfort or even injury.
• If you have pre-existing eye conditions, such as allergies or chronic infections, contact lenses may not be the best option.
• Additionally, some people find inserting and removing contact lenses challenging.

Types of Contact Lenses

Various types of contact lenses are available on the market, so you can find one that meets your specific needs.

The most common types are soft contact lenses and gas-permeable lenses.

• Soft contact lenses are a popular option, made from hydrophilic materials that make them comfortable to wear and contour to your eye's shape.
• Gas-permeable lenses are stiffer than soft lenses but offer better vision correction for people with astigmatism or other complex eye conditions.

Specialty Contacts

In addition to regular soft and gas-permeable contact lenses, there are specialty contact lens options for those patients with hard-to-fit or unique eyes.

• Scleral Contact Lenses: If you suffer from keratoconus, an irregularly shaped cornea, dry eye, or other corneal issues, scleral contact lenses can be a boon to your eyesight. Scleral lenses are specialty contacts designed to vault completely over your cornea and rest on the white of your eye. As a result, they offer more comfort than standard contacts and offer better vision-correction results.
• Hybrid Lenses: These lenses offer a hybrid design that combines gas-permeable centre lenses and soft lens surrounds. This unique construction provides crisp optics of rigid gas-permeable lenses while maintaining soft lenses' comfort. The hybrid lens works well for patients with astigmatism because it follows the shape of your eye's natural curve. The central rigid portion corrects astigmatism, while the soft surrounding part improves comfort.
• Multifocal Contact Lenses: Focusing on objects at different distances becomes more challenging as we age. Multifocal contact lenses are an excellent option for individuals with trouble switching focus between distances. These lenses have multiple prescriptions on a single lens to help you see clearly at various distances, from near to far.

How to Choose the Right Contact Lenses

Choosing the right contact lenses depends on your individual needs and preferences. You'll want to start by consulting with your optometrist to evaluate your eyesight with a contact lens exam and determine if contact lenses are safe and suitable for you.

Your eye doctor can also advise you on which type of lenses are best for your specific eye condition, prescription, and lifestyle.

Proper hygiene and lens care protocols are essential to avoid eye infections and other complications. Some people prefer to try out different types of contact lenses before making a final decision, while others succeed with their first pair.

Get Fitted for Contact Lenses

Contact lenses offer an excellent alternative to glasses, with vision correction and enhanced convenience. It’s important that contact lenses are properly fitted to suit your lifestyle and eye health needs.

River Heights Eye Care can help you have a positive experience when it comes to contact lenses. Our team of experienced staff provide comprehensive exams, fittings, and recommendations to help you get the right contacts for your eyes.

Take control of your eyesight today; book an appointment at River Heights Eye Care and speak to one of our team members about the pros and cons of contact lenses.

The post Contact Lenses: Pros and Cons first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

Dry eyes can be irritating and uncomfortable to deal with. You may assume you need your optometrist's help with this condition, but this isn’t always true. Did you know you can manage dry eye with a bowl, washcloth, and water?

You can use a warm compress by soaking a washcloth in warm water to help relieve dry eye symptoms and improve tear production. 

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition where your tears cannot effectively lubricate your eyes, leading to irritation. Many people assume that dry or tired eyes are expected after a long day, and while it can happen from time to time, consistent dryness is concerning. Dry eyes are more than an annoyance—they can affect your quality of life. 

You can experience several symptoms if you have dry eye, including: 

• Eyes that sting or burn
• Light sensitivity
• Red eyes
• Gritty eyes
• Blurry vision
• Eye fatigue
• Watery eyes
• Trouble wearing contact lenses
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye often occurs because of problems with your tear film, which includes 3 layers (mucus, water, and oil) that work together to keep your eyes clean and hydrated. When issues arise in the tear film, like decreased tear production or increased tear evaporation, it can lead to dry eyes.

Decreased Tear Production

Decreased tear production occurs when your body can’t produce enough tears to lubricate your eyes. There can be several reasons this happens, including: 

• Aging
• Medical conditions
• Medication use
• Desensitized corneal nerves

Increased Tear Evaporation

Increased tear evaporation happens when your tears dry out too quickly. A common cause of this issue is meibomian gland dysfunction, a condition where the meibomian glands become clogged which can prevent proper oil flow to the tear film. 

Some possible causes of increased tear evaporation include: 

• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Eyelid problems
• Eye allergies
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Preservatives in eye drops
• Infrequent blinking

How Can Warm Compresses Help with Dry Eye?

Warm compresses can help dry eyes by providing moisture and heat. These compresses can help you produce more tears, unclog the meibomian glands, and relieve pain and swelling. 

Research shows that heating devices like warm compresses on the eyes can help relieve dry eye symptoms. 

Are Warm Compresses Safe to Use?

Being safe with your eyes is always a good idea, so you may wonder if warm compresses can damage them. 

While compresses can have many benefits, it’s important to keep the washcloth at an ideal temperature. It’s essential that your compress is warm, not hot. A washcloth that’s too hot can injure the skin around your eyes. 

How to Use a Warm Compress to Manage Dry Eye

You don’t need to visit your eye doctor for a warm compress. They’re available at your home if you have the right supplies. You can make a warm compress in a few simple steps. 

Use a clean bowl, washcloth, and warm water to complete the following steps: 

• Fill a bowl with warm water (ensure your skin can handle the heat)
• Dunk a washcloth into the bowl until it’s completely soaked
• Take the washcloth out of the bowl and wring out the excess water
• Fold the washcloth so it fits comfortably across your eyes

Give yourself around 5 to 10 minutes to relax with your warm compress. Lie back and completely cover your closed eyes with the compress. You can use a warm compress as many times as necessary during the day—just know that frequent use may dry out the skin around your eyes. 

Other Dry Eye Treatments

Warm compresses aren’t the only dry eye treatment available. Your optometrist at River Heights Eye Care has many tools to help relieve your symptoms, including at-home and in-office treatments. 

Some potential treatments they may recommend include: 

• Prescription eye drops: Prescription eye drops from your eye doctor can help stimulate tear production or relieve inflammation.
• Dietary changes: Dietary changes can benefit your eye health and help relieve dry eye symptoms. 
• Environmental changes: Your environment can affect your eyes, leading to dryness. Changing your lifestyle and improving your environment can help your symptoms. 
• Artificial tears: Artificial tears are eye drops that simulate real tears. They’re available over the counter and can help temporarily relieve dry eyes. 

Don’t Live with Dry Eyes

Dry eyes don’t need to be a life-long sentence. You can improve your symptoms with at-home remedies or help from your eye doctor at River Heights Eye Care. They’re here to help you enjoy clear, comfortable vision. 

Contact River Heights Eye Care if you experience dry eye symptoms. 

The post How to Use a Warm Compress to Manage Dry Eye first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

Vision is an important part of our everyday lives, and our eye health helps keep our vision clear. But sometimes, even when we take care of those aspects of our health, such as with regularly scheduled eye exams, there are some diseases that can still affect our eyes. 

These diseases are not to be confused with eye diseases. They are other diseases of the body that could potentially affect your eyes. For example, 5 diseases that can affect your eyes include Crohn's disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, Lyme disease, and diabetes. 

Learning about the diseases that can affect your eyes can help you make adjustments to support your overall health and your eye health. 

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a condition that mainly affects your bowel. This is an inflammatory disease that causes swelling of the tissues in your digestive tract and can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. While many of the symptoms of this disease affect your digestive tract, it can affect other areas of your body as well. 

Crohn’s is an inflammatory disease that affects other organs of your body, such as your eyes. In fact, Crohn’s disease can cause several different types of inflammation in the eye:

• Episcleritis: This is a common eye complication associated with Crohn’s. It involves inflammation that affects the white tissue of the eyes under the eyelids and can cause redness and sore eyes. Episcleritis often does not have any effect on your vision.
• Scleritis: This condition affects the white areas of the eye. This is a severe condition which can cause pain and reduce your vision. Scleritis is more common in older patients.
• Uveitis: With IBD, uveitis commonly affects the iris of the eye. Symptoms of this condition can include red, irritated eyes, sensitivity to light, headaches, and blurred vision.
• Cataract and dry eyes: IBD can be associated with blurred vision or ‘clouding’ of the eye caused by some steroid medications. If this occurs, you may need to change the treatment and medication you use for IBD. 

Kidney Disease

Your kidneys filter your blood and extra water from your system to get rid of any access waste. If you have problems with your kidneys, your blood may not be filtered the way that it should be.

For those who have kidney disease, eye complications and problems can come on without any warning. It is important to make sure that you are taking care of your eyes and speaking to both your kidney doctor as well as your optometrist to ensure you can take care of problems that arise early on. 

Some of the symptoms that can affect your eyes are sore, red, or dry eyes. This can be eased by controlling the phosphate and calcium levels in your blood. While kidney complications are not the only cause of dry eyes, they can be triggered or made worse by changes in kidney function. 

Retinopathy can be caused by kidney disease as well. It often occurs as a result of high blood pressure in the body. This can damage the small blood vessels in the retina and must be treated right away because it can lead to vision loss or blindness. 

Thyroid Disease

Thyroid eye disease is an immune system disorder which causes inflammation in the tissue and muscles around your eyes. 

There are many symptoms that you may experience with this disease, with some being quite mild and others being more serious. This condition can affect the area of your head where your eyes sit, causing your eyes to bulge out. One potential symptom is swelling that can make it difficult to close your eyes. 

Other symptoms that you may experience with thyroid eye disease are:

• Light sensitivity 
• Redness in the whites of your eyes
• Double vision 
• Watery or dry eyes
• Pain or pressure 
• Eye irritation

Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that is transferred to humans through bites of infected ticks. One of the potential initial symptoms of Lyme disease is a rash somewhere on the body that appears after being bitten. 

There are many Lyme disease symptoms that a person can experience, such as joint pain or headaches, but the exact symptoms can differ from person to person because there can be many diseases carried in one bite from an infected tick. 

When you have Lyme disease, your vision and your eyes can be affected during the early and later stages of the disease. Some of the symptoms you could experience include:

• Visual fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Double vision 
• Headaches associated with visual activity 
• Eye inflammation 
• Eye floaters
• Sensitivity to light. 

Diabetes 

When you have diabetes, your body is prevented from making and using insulin, which can result in increased levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes can affect your eye health in several ways. Some of the conditions associated with diabetes include:

• Nearsightedness and farsightedness 
• Premature presbyopia 

• Glaucoma
• Paralysis of the nerves that control parts of the eye 
• Cataracts
• Retinopathy

There are also specific visual symptoms that you may experience when you have diabetes. These symptoms could include:

• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Loss of visual field 
• Occasional double vision
• Flashes and floaters within the eyes

When you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk for complications and blindness. It is very important to schedule regular diabetic eye exams to ensure that your eye health is being monitored. 

How Do I Manage My Eye Health?  

Managing your eye health along with a disease can sometimes be difficult, but you can get help. During your regular eye exam, our optometrists at River Heights Eye Care can help answer any questions that you might have and provide guidance specific to your eye care needs. There are various levels of care needed depending on which condition you might be experiencing. 

Learn More

If you have questions about how your eye health can be affected by diseases, book your appointment with the optometrists at River Heights Eye Care. Your health is important, and we are here to help care for your eyes. 

The post 5 Diseases That Can Affect Your Eyes first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

When your eyes don’t get the proper amount of moisture they need, it can result in dry eye disease. Dry eyes can be a chronic issue and may affect anyone in your family. The first step to finding relief is visiting your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam to get to the bottom of your symptoms. 

Traditional contacts can be tough to wear with dry eyes. Your eye doctor can help manage your dry eyes with specialty contacts like scleral lenses to help you find relief.

Let’s take a closer look at how dry eye disease develops, how scleral lenses work, and how your optometrist can help.

Understanding Dry Eye

Dry eye disease can develop when your eyes aren’t producing enough tears, or your tears are evaporating too quickly. 

Your tear film consists of 3 layers:

• The oily outer layer
• The watery middle layer
• The inner mucus layer

Dry eyes can be caused by an inability of the tear film to lubricate your eyes effectively. An interruption to your tear production process can cause inflammation and result in meibomian gland dysfunction. When this happens, the small glands in your eyelids that produce the oily layer of tears become clogged and cause instability in the tear film. 

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye disease is becoming more prevalent, and that's due in large part to a variety of risk factors that include: 

• The natural aging process
• Increased digital screen time, leading to digital eye strain
• Allergies
• Ill-fitting contact lenses
• Laser eye surgery
• Diseases like diabetes, thyroid disease, and others

Your environment can also play a role, especially in a colder climate like Alberta. It’s important to look out for the symptoms of dry eye disease, which can include:

• A stinging, gritty, or scratchy feeling in your eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light

The good news is, your optometrist can help you find solutions to manage dry eyes and get relief. 

How Scleral Lenses Can Help

Scleral contact lenses are a specialty type of rigid gas permeable contact lens that sits on the sclera (the white of your eyes), unlike traditional contact lenses that rest directly on the cornea. Scleral lenses can be an excellent option for patients who may not be able to wear contacts due to issues such as dry eye, keratoconus, and hard-to-fit eyes.

Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and allow for more space, providing extra breathability by creating a fluid reservoir between the lens and the eye to keep your eyes hydrated. Due to the size of scleral lenses, the extra coverage can do wonders for your eye comfort while also allowing oxygen to reach your eyes.

There are different types of scleral contact lenses:

• Corneo-scleral lenses and semi-scleral lenses—these lenses are much larger than traditional gas permeable lenses and rest between the cornea and the sclera.
• Mini-scleral lenses—these lenses vault over the corneal surface and rest on the anterior sclera.
• Full-scleral lenses—these lenses are the largest type and provide the most amount of space between the back surface of the lens and cornea.

Visiting Your Optometrist for a Fitting

Scleral contact lenses can be an excellent option to help with managing dry eye disease, but you’ll need to visit your optometrist for a comprehensive contact lens fitting to get a safe and comfortable fit.

Your eye doctor can conduct a thorough contact lens exam to determine what specialty lenses are best for your vision situation. The fitting process involves discussing hygiene and proper insertion methods. 

A trial period will also be necessary to ensure your new contact lenses fit comfortably. When the trial period is over, your optometrist can discuss your experience with you in detail to ensure you’re satisfied with your new lenses.

Innovative Solutions to Manage Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be challenging to manage, and finding relief may be the first thing on your mind when dealing with the disease. With the dry Alberta climate playing a significant role, it’s important to schedule consistent eye exams with your optometrist to keep your eyes healthy.

Contact our team at River Heights Eye Care to schedule an appointment and see if scleral contact lenses can help you manage dry eyes.

The post Scleral Lenses for Dry Eye: How They Can Help first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

Healthy Eyes for Healthy Gaming

It’s all fun and games until someone feels eye strain. Whether you’re a casual gamer, completionist, or professional, protecting your eyes is essential to your gaming experience. Fortunately, you can improve your eye comfort in many simple ways, from blue light glasses to the 20-20-20 rule. 

Level up your eye care skills by discovering what causes eye strain and how to protect your eyes while gaming.

How Gaming Causes Eye Strain

Gaming is far from the only activity known for causing eye strain. Digital eye strain is common in those who spend a lot of time viewing digital screens, like computers, smartphones, TVs, and tablets.

Eye strain is also commonly caused by intensive or prolonged visual tasks, such as reading or long-distance driving. However, eye strain is more typical for close vision work, as those activities tend to keep your eyes focused in a fixed or limited position for long periods. 

Imagine you’ve decided to lift weights but only perform biceps curls. If you repeat the same exercise for hours, your biceps will feel exhausted. In some cases, overexerting yourself may even cause an injury. 

Intense visual work is similar: you repeat the same exercise or action with your eye muscles. While an injury is less likely with eye strain than with bicep curls, eye strain can lead to long-lasting eye issues, like dry eyes. Dry eyes come with their own risk, like eye infections and corneal scarring.

Eye Strain Symptoms

Symptoms of eye strain can include:

• Blurry or double vision
• Burning or itchy eyes
• Dry eyes
• Eye fatigue or discomfort
• Eye twitching
• Frequent squinting
• Light sensitivity
• Poor concentration

Eye Tips for Gamers

Set your game time up for success by implementing these eye care tips.

20-20-20 Rule

The 20-20-20 rule is designed to help prevent screen time from overtaxing your vision. It takes at least 20 seconds for your eyes to relax, so focusing on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds helps rest your eyes. It’s recommended you do this every 20 minutes.

These frequent breaks can be impractical whether you game for fun or views, but the most crucial takeaway here is to just take breaks. You may commit to looking away every time you complete a level or when your character fails. Or, on replays, try looking away during cutscenes or dialogue.

Drink More Water

The average human body is more than 50% water, so unsurprisingly, staying hydrated has multiple health benefits. 

Water is the main component of tears. Blinking spreads a thin layer of tears across your eye, cleaning away debris and providing much-needed moisture. Dehydration can impact your tear quality and cause dry eyes. Eye strain and dry eye disease often go hand-in-hand, sharing similar symptoms like eye irritation and fluctuating vision.

Staying hydrated can support tear production to help maintain healthy, moisturized eyes.

Remember to Blink

The average person blinks 12 times per minute but only 5 times per minute when viewing a digital screen. When you blink less, your eyes can dry out and tire more quickly. Remembering to blink more can be tricky when you’re focused on gameplay. 

You may find setting an alarm for stretch and water breaks helpful, but reminders to blink every minute may be irritating. So instead, try to force yourself to blink more when gaming, and add a few more blinks during your breaks. You can also try artificial tears to prevent dry eyes.

Stretch It Out

How long has it been since your last stretch break? When your head is in the game, hours can pass frozen in the same position.

Sitting for 4 or more hours—gaming or working—can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot formed in a deep vein (usually a leg). Any prolonged inactivity, even lying with your legs up in the same position, can increase your risk.

Neck, shoulder, and back pain are commonly associated with eye strain. Taking a stretch break is a chance to change the focusing position of your eyes and relieve body tension.

Try Blue Light Glasses

Blue light waves are short, high-energy light waves closest to UV light on the visible light spectrum. Fortunately, like UV radiation, our atmosphere protects us from the most powerful source of blue light—the sun. Blue light scatters in the atmosphere, making the sky look blue. 

Artificial sources of blue light, including digital screens, light bulbs, and LED technology, emit significantly weaker amounts of blue light, but we often use these sources of blue light for long periods and at close range. 

Some eye health experts have concerns that blue light may increase the risk of digital eye strain and macular degeneration. As blue light scatters more easily than other light wavelengths, it can be challenging for your eyes to focus. As a result, your eyes work harder and feel tired more quickly when exposed to blue light.

Currently, there is no clinical evidence that blue light causes harm to your eyes, but studies are limited, and we don’t know the long-term health effects of digital screens. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends limiting children’s exposure to blue light. They also recognize there may be accumulated eye damage from long-term exposure, resulting in adult eye problems.

Adding blue light filters or wearing blue light glasses can limit your exposure and possibly reduce your eye health risks. They can also help prevent late-night screen time from affecting your sleep.

Adjust Your Set Up

The position and distance of your screen relative to your eyes can negatively impact your eye comfort. While PC gamers can be more at risk, platform users should also be wary of sitting too close to their screens.

Your monitor should be about arm’s length from your eyes. The top third of your screen should be eye level, with the bottom no further than 30 degrees below eye level. Rest your upper back on your chair with shoulder blades pulled in and towards each other. Armrests should allow a 90-degree elbow position with arms close to your sides.

Get Outside

Like the 20-20-20 rule, getting outside helps change your visual focus. Indoor activities tend to be predominantly close tasks. Whether you’re a tabletop or digital gamer, your eyes need time to exercise long-distance visual skills. A 20-second break resets your focus in the moment, but you can enjoy more long-term relief by regularly giving your eyes more to look at.

Try adding outdoor activities or games with an emphasis on farther distances. It can be as simple as looking ahead while taking a walk. Sports and other outdoor hobbies can also offer a chance to stretch your visual skills, so you have a go-to break idea when you experience eye strain.

Discover More Eye Care Tips

Our team at River Heights Eye Care is committed to providing the best possible eye care to Cochrane families. Visit us when you have an eye problem or if it’s time for a routine eye exam. We take the time to get to know your and your vision needs.

Book an appointment today for personalized, compassionate care.

The post How to Reduce Eye Strain While Gaming first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

The Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

Sunglasses can be as crucial to eye care as glasses or eye exams. Why? Because like comprehensive eye exams, sun safety is part of preventative care. Sunglasses can also make your visual experience easier, from driving without glare to shielding your eyes from the wind.

Yet, every pair of sunglasses can have unique features, changing how your eyewear serves your vision and eye health. For example, polarized lenses are one type of treatment you may want for your shades. But how can you tell if your sunglasses are polarized? What are the benefits?

What Are Polarized Lenses?

Polarized lenses filter reflected light or glare. A chemical is applied to the lens to create vertical openings and block horizontal light.

Light sources, like the sun, scatter in all directions. However, when light strikes reflective surfaces, the light becomes polarizedand travels in a uniform (horizontal) orientation. Horizontal light bounces off reflective surfaces, such as water or metal, focusing light intensity and affecting visibility. 

Polarized sunglasses (anti-glare sunglasses) reduce how much light reaches your eye by blocking reflected light. As a result, images can seem darker, but details are generally clearer. 

The main benefits of polarized sunglasses are:

• Clearer vision in bright environments
• Decreased eye strain
• Increased contrast with minimal colour distortion
• Reduced glare and reflection

Polarized sunglasses work best when worn in environments with high light intensity. People who enjoy outdoor activities use polarized lenses to improve visibility, which can be a crucial safety feature. 

However, there are some situations where polarized lenses may decrease visibility. The chemicals reduce light and are ill-suited for low-lighting conditions. Therefore, you should not wear polarized sunglasses for night driving. While yellow-tinted night driving glasses exist, the evidence does not support any potential benefits for visibility or performance.

UV Protection vs Anti-Glare

Of course, there's a difference between UV-blocking and anti-glare lenses. Many polarized lenses are available with UV protection, but not all filter UV light. Unfortunately, the opposite is true: not all UV-blocking sunglasses are polarized. So before you buy, look at the label or ask the seller.

Ultraviolet light or UV radiation can affect health in multiple ways depending on the type and the intensity. Prolonged or intense exposure to UV radiation cause harm your eye health and vision. Avoiding direct sunlight and using UV protection can help reduce your risk for:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Age spots
• Eye growths (pterygium or pinguecula)
• Eye or eyelid skin cancer
• Photokeratitis (sunburned eyes)

Sunglasses with UV protection should block out 99–100% UV-A and UV-B radiation. Also, look for sunglasses that screen out 75–90% of visible light. The lenses should be free of any flaws or distortions. Lenses labelled with UV 400 protection block nearly 100% of UV light.

The colour or tint of your sunglasses is not relevant to UV protection. Any shade can be an option for polarized, UV-blocking sunglasses.

All Season Protection

Polarized lenses are available in various tints. Yellow or orange coloured sunglasses are popular for sports-related activities as they can increase contrast in hazy or foggy conditions. But the yellow-orange tiny can distort colours. Some tints, such as amber, rose, or green, can also effectively block blue light. Grey tints offer the most natural colour vision.

When choosing your outdoor eyewear, the type of filter and colour can significantly impact performance and safety. Sports or hobbies in high-reflective environments benefit the most from polarized sunglasses, including water or snow sports—such as fishing, boating, skiing, and snowboarding.

While you're likely familiar with the need for anti-glare lenses in the summer, the colder season can be equally blinding. UV light can reflect off snow and ice, potentially doubling your risk for UV exposure and increasing glare. 

Sports eyewear, from impact-resistant sunglasses to ski goggles, is available with polarized lenses. The sturdier materials, wider surface area, and anti-glare coating can give your performance and safety advantages.

How to Tell if Your Sunglasses Are Polarized

The good news is it's easy to tell if your sunglasses are polarized. Compare looking at a reflective surface without and with your sunglasses. You should notice a difference in glare and contrast.

Polarized lenses also make looking at LCD screens more challenging, usually appearing dark or black. To test visibility, you can look at an LCD screen, such as a TV or digital watch.

Another trick you can try before you buy is to compare sunglasses you know are polarized with the pair in question:

1. Hold one lens over the polarized lens about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) apart. Rotate the pair in question to a 90-degree angle. 
2. Where the lenses overlap, the contrast should be significantly darker than when the lenses do not overlap. If there’s no difference, the lenses are not polarized.

Discover More Eyewear Tips

Your optometrist is more than an eyecare expert; we can also offer advice about eyewear. When you need lenses for a task, we can help you find what you’re looking for. Computer glasses, sports goggles, or polarized sunglasses—we’re available to discuss all your vision needs.

Protecting your eyes is crucial for preventing eye diseases and conditions, but it can also support your comfort. Visit River Heights Eye Care today!

The post Are My Sunglasses Polarized? How to Tell and Why it’s Important first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

A Healthy Diet for Healthy Sight

Nutrition is essential for supporting your eye health and vision. There are countless benefits to adding specific vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into your diet. Maintaining nutrition can help prevent eye disease and reduce symptoms of dry eye. 

While a well-balanced diet can benefit your whole body health, some vitamins and nutrients are particularly notable for eye health and vision. But how do you know where to start? Read on to learn about 5 vitamins and supplements that benefit your eyes.

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Adding omega-3 fatty acids is a natural way to support tear production and help treat dry eye. While temporary dry eye can be irritating, chronic or severe dry eye can cause corneal scarring and impair vision. Dry eye also increases the risk of infection, as the tear film helps keep the eye's surface clean and nourished.

Omega-3 fatty acids can lower the risk of dry eye by 17%. In addition, omega-3s can reduce eye inflammation and promote meibomian gland production, responsible for the oily tear layer (reducing tear evaporation).

The cell membranes of your retina contain a high concentration of omega-3, supporting cell formation in the eye. In addition, omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Cold-water fish are a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Some of the best fish for omega-3 fatty acids are:

• Cod
• Herring
• Menhaden
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Tuna

Many supplements for omega-3 use fish oil, which can sometimes give them a fishy taste. If you consider the taste of fish or fish oil unappealing, some seeds high in omega-3 include:

• Chia Seeds
• Flax seeds
• Hemp seeds

2. Vitamin A

Vitamin A can benefit vision in multiple ways. It helps maintain a clear cornea (transparent front surface of the eye), allowing light to enter the eye correctly. Vitamin A is also a component of rhodopsin, a protein found in photoreceptors cells (rods), allowing vision in low light conditions.

While omega-3 might be the most recommended nutrient for dry eye, diets rich in vitamin A can also improve tear quality. Additionally, diets high in vitamin A also lower the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

Sweet potato is a significant vitamin A source, containing more than 200% of the recommended daily dose. Sweet potatoes also have additional health benefits, mainly due to antioxidants.

Some vitamin A foods include:

• Beef or lamb liver
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Leafy green vegetables
• Mango
• Pumpkins

There are also many supplements available with Vitamin A. When possible, try taking vitamin A supplements with healthy fat (such as avocado), as it absorbs better.

3. Lutein & Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids produced by plants. They give fruits and vegetables a yellow or reddish hue. However, the chlorophyll in some vegetables alters the colouring, resulting in dark green.

Lutein and zeaxanthin antioxidants are recommended by the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) to help maintain sharp vision. The carotenoids (in the macula and retina) also help filter blue light to prevent damage.

They can also help prevent multiple eye problems, including cataracts, UV damage, and dry eye. Lutein can also help to slow the progression of macular degeneration, which can lead to vision impairment and blindness. 

Foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin include:

• Broccoli
• Egg yolk
• Kale
• Kiwi 
• Parsley
• Red peppers

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals, unstable molecules that can harm cells. Diets rich in vitamin C help maintain clear vision and support the tear film by improving lubrication and production.

In addition, vitamin C is necessary to produce collagen, a structural protein that supports bone, skin, connective tissue, and tendons. In the eye, the cornea and sclera (front of the eye) contain high amounts of collagen.

Supporting collagen in the eye can reduce the risk of developing cataracts and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Vitamin C is found in various vegetables, particularly citrus fruits. For example, kiwi is high in vitamin C. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, kiwi is the top eye food in the fruit category. Some other natural sources of vitamin C include:

• Acerola cherries
• Cantaloup
• Chilli peppers
• Guavas
• Parsley
• Rose hips

Vitamin C is water-soluble. You can consume vitamin C supplements on an empty stomach or with a drink of your choice.

5. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with many health benefits. The vitamin has been used for decades for skin care as taking vitamin E can improve healing time. Other benefits include boosting the immune system and reducing the risk of blood clots. 

The most notable benefit for eye health is vitamin E's role as an antioxidant. Diets high in vitamin E can help reduce oxidative stress, preventing eye disease. In particular, some studies suggest vitamin E can lower the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AREDS, a supplement for treating AMD, contains 400 IU of vitamin E.

Some foods rich in vitamin E include:

• Almonds
• Broccoli
• Kiwi
• Mango
• Spinach
• Tomato

Vitamin E, like vitamin A, is fat-soluble. So when taking it in supplement form, it's best to add healthy fat. 

Want More Nutrition Tips?

While we've provided 5 vitamins that can benefit your eye health, there are many more! Adding omega-3, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin into your diet is a good start. Talk to your eye care team when you want more eye nutrition tips.Book an appointment at River Heights Eye Care to discuss nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits. We can personalize recommendations for your unique eye health needs.

The post 5 Vitamins and Supplements for Your Eye Health first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

If an emergency happens, you need timely medical attention. Your optometrist can help, but how do you know if your accident is an emergency? 

Continue reading to learn more about the 10 signs you need to visit your eye doctor. 

10 Signs You Require Emergency Eye Care

You typically know an emergency when you see one, but sometimes things can seem insignificant. Itchy or stinging eyes can feel normal, but they can be a symptom of something more serious. 

To protect your eye health, learn about these 10 signs you should seek out emergency eye care: 

Sudden & Unexplained Vision Loss

Certain conditions can lead to sudden and unexpected vision loss. Visit a medical professional for treatment as soon as possible if you lose some or all of your vision. There is typically a short window to prevent permanent damage to your eyes. 

Some of the causes of sudden vision loss include: 

• Keratitis 
• Conjunctivitis 
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Eye Pain or Discomfort Alongside Other Symptoms

Eye pain or discomfort is a common symptom for many eye conditions and diseases. It can be a symptom of corneal abrasions, styes, foreign bodies, and other complications. Eye pain on its own isn’t always a cause for concern, but other symptoms can mean you should visit your optometrist. 

Seek emergency care if you experience eye pain alongside other symptoms, such as: 

• Blurred vision
• Foreign body sensation 
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Eye redness
• Tearing 
• Clear or coloured discharge

Bleeding or Other Eye Discharge 

Bleeding is always concerning, especially in your eyes. You typically won’t have blood leaking from your eye, but you can experience broken blood vessels or a hemorrhage. Eye bleeding can happen for several reasons, including: 

• Injury or strain
• Hyphemas
• Medications
• Health conditions
• Infections

Besides bleeding, other eye discharge can mean you should see an eye doctor. You wash away mucus from your eyes each time you blink, but certain conditions can lead to an excessive amount of discharge developing. 

Some possible causes of discharge include: 

• Conjunctivitis 
• Dry eye disease
• Blocked tear duct 
• Keratitis

Flashes or Floaters

The occasional flash or floater isn’t an issue, but more of them than usual can be a symptom of several significant eye diseases. Flashes are bright spots in your field of vision that appear from time to time. Eye floaters are small hardened parts of your vitreous that float throughout the middle of your eye. 

Both flashes and floaters are more common as you age, but they can mean you have a more serious issue. You may have a detached or torn retina or diabetic retinopathy. 

You should visit your eye doctor if you notice:

• An abnormal amount of floaters
• Frequent flashes
• A shadow appearing in your peripheral vision
• A curtain-like shape covering parts of your vision

Itching, Burning, or Irritation

Eye irritation can occur during dry weather, but it can be a symptom of an underlying condition. While you can run a humidifier to keep your eyes moist, you should visit your eye doctor if your eyes feel irritated. 

Itching, burning, or irritated eyes can be a symptom of: 

• Allergies
• Foreign object
• Infection
• Dry eye disease

Extreme Allergic Reaction 

You can suffer an allergic reaction when exposed to allergens like pollen, dander, and dust. Your reaction may be mild and go away with time, but don’t ignore a severe reaction. Seek treatment if you experience swollen eyelids, pain, or vision loss. 

Harmful Chemical Contact 

You should seek medical attention if chemicals come into contact with your eye. Before visiting your eye doctor, remove as much chemical residue as possible by rinsing your eyes with water for at least 20 minutes. 

Hold the lids of the affected eye open while running your eye under a shower or tap. After rinsing your eye, avoid rubbing or touching it—this will may cause further damage. Visit your optometrist right away to have your eyes assessed. 

Foreign Object in the Eye

Eyelashes, dirt, and dust can get into your eyes, but serious accidents can happen. You should seek immediate medical attention if a foreign object: 

• Has sharp or rough edges
• Is large enough to stop your eyes from closing
• Contains chemicals 
• Is stuck within your eye
• Is causing your eye to bleed

Never attempt to remove a foreign object yourself in an emergency. Restrict eye movement as much as possible and go to your optometrist’s office. 

Bruising Around the Eye

Black eyes can be a minor injury, but you should watch for other symptoms. Significant trauma to the eye area requires medical attention. A black eye can be a repercussion of a facial fracture, concussion, ruptured eyeball, or damaged blood vessels. 

You should visit your eye doctor if you notice these symptoms alongside bruising: 

• Blood on the surface of your eye
• Swelling
• Eye immobility 
• Blurry vision

Different Sized Pupils

Anisocoria is a condition where your pupils are of different sizes. Your pupil size can differ for many reasons, and some require emergency care. 

Depending on the cause of your condition, anisocoria can develop alongside blurry vision, headache, vision loss, and other symptoms. 

Some causes of this condition include: 

• Eye trauma
• Concussion
• Optic nerve inflammation
• Brain tumour

If you experience different-sized pupils, visit your eye doctor for an assessment. 

Protect Your Eye Health 

Accidents happen, and when they do, your optometrist can help. Don’t ignore pain, irritation, or other signs of a problem. Visit your eye doctor right away if you experience any symptoms of an eye emergency. 

The post 10 Signs You Need to Visit an Emergency Eye Doctor first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.

You envision nothing but the best for your child’s future. The steps you take to nurture them today shape the steps they’ll take into healthy adulthood. As a parent – or soon-to-be-parent – you probably have already identified your child’s pediatrician for general health needs, but what about the health of your child’s eyes? Keep reading to learn why establishing a relationship with a vision specialist for pediatric eye care in Cochrane, AB is equally important in giving your child every protection they’ll need for a happy, healthy future!

The Timing for Your Child’s First Eye Exam

When your baby is first born, there will be a natural period of time for them to make adjustments in their vision to the new world around them. The hospital pediatrician will perform standardized testing to monitor this adjustment, and then your pediatrician will continue the screening during your child’s regular visits. However, it is recommended that your baby receive a comprehensive infant eye exam from an optometrist in Cochrane who practices pediatric eye care when they are six months old.

Establishing a relationship with a vision specialist who can treat your whole family has many advantages to it. There is of course the convenience of only having to visit one medical office for multiple appointments, but beyond that, it’s also a great way to have your child watch how easy it is for you to have your eyes examined. Because children so often mimic the behavior of their parent, this is a perfect way to help them move past any anxiety they may exhibit in medical offices.

Also, because you will have an established relationship with this vision specialist, the practice will be ready to administer testing for your child’s preschool eye exam (between the ages of 2 and 5), and their school-aged eye exam (between the ages of 6 and 18), and any special sports-related eye exams.

At River Heights Eye Care, we’ve helped countless families in Cochrane, AB with their children’s eye care, and we’d love to do the same for your family, too!

Some Eye Health Tips for Your Whole Family

You might be surprised to read that the same eye health tips that you’d apply for your own eyesight are the same for your child. Their eyes benefit from exercise and a balanced diet, just as yours do. And just as you know not to spend too much time on your electronic devices, your child should not be parked in front of cartoons all day.

As a general rule for eye care patients of all ages, the 20/20/20 rule should be adhered to by giving your eyes a break every 20 minutes by looking at something in the distance at least 20 feet away, and staying focused on that for 20 seconds. You can easily practice this at work, but you can also easily interrupt your child from their electronic screen at home to help them adhere to it, as well!

Also, remember that eyes – of all ages – should always be protected from the sun’s rays by using eye protection that ensures that at least 99% of both UVA and UVB radiation is being blocked. We know that babies can’t wear sunglasses, so remember to put a hat on their head or keep them covered in other ways.

We mentioned earlier the importance of timing your child’s eye exams, including any sports-related required testing. In conjunction with that, you’ll also want to make sure that you protect your child’s eyes with protective eyewear, just as you shield yours while you’re engaged in your favorite sport or involved in any activity where vision needs to be protected.

What to Look for When Your Child Can’t Tell You: Common Signs for A Need to Visit Eye Care

There are five common signs that you should be aware of – and looking for – that indicate that your child may need to visit a vision specialist. These include frequent eye rubbing, squinting, covering one eye when trying to focus on something, a short attention span, and poor performance in school. In addition, you should also be on the lookout for frequent blinking, headaches, tilting their head to one side, and losing their place on a page when reading.

But instead of looking for signs and wondering what they might mean, you can instead take all of the guesswork out of your child’s eye health by visiting River Heights Eye Care’s state-of-the-art facility for a comprehensive eye exam for your whole family today!

The post What You Can Do Today to Protect Your Child’s Eyesight for Tomorrow first appeared on River Heights Eye Care.