What's new
Kids Growing Program
New in 2022. Second pair of lenses FREE within 16 months of first purchase.
Cataract Awareness
Our optometrists will co-manage the treatment of your cataract(s) pre- and post-surgery with the ophthalmologist.
- Prevention - While no one presently knows how to prevent cataracts, you can slow their growth by wearing sunglasses that protect from UV rays and eat foods rich in antioxidants.
- Treatment - In the early stages of a cataract, where vision is minimally affected, your optometrist can sometimes prescribe new lenses for your glasses to give you the sharpest vision possible. When the cataracts start to interfere with your daily activities and glasses cannot improve this vision, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) who may recommend the surgical removal of the cataracts.
Part of your eye exam includes retinal imaging!
Clarus scans allows the Optometrist to get a wider view of the back of the eye.
Because of their delicate structures, including nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues, the eyes can show signs of many significant health risks in the early stages. Such as diabetes, high blood pressure and multiple sclerosis.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV)
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is an invisible component of sunlight that is most commonly known to cause sunburns and skin cancers. While some UV is filtered by the ozone layer, increasing amounts are reaching the earth as the ozone layer steadily diminishes.
Exposure to UV is cumulative, and direct contact with sunlight for even short periods of time can lead to several long-term eye health problems – many of which begin symptom-free. Because children spend more time outdoors than the average adult, they receive approximately three times the annual adult dose of UV. Additionally, because the crystalline lens in children’s eyes has less capability to filter UV than in adult eyes, they are at a greater risk of internal eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration, later in life. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that up to 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to damaging UV radiation occurs before age 18.
Luckily, good sunglasses protect both the skin around the eye as well as the eye itself. Before choosing sunglasses for your child, it is important to see your Doctor of Optometry for a thorough eye examination to ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and take any current eye conditions into consideration.
If your child requires prescription glasses, consider:
- Variable tint or transitions lenses that darken when exposed to UV light
- A separate pair of spectacles with tinted lenses and UV400 protective coating for outdoor use
- Contact lenses with UV protection. They can be an added layer to help protect harmful UV radiation from reaching the cornea and into your child’s eye.
If your child does not require prescription glasses, choose over-the-counter sunglasses with:
- A close-fitting, wrap around style frame
- 100% UVA and UVB blocking lenses
- Impact resistant lenses
While tests have shown that inexpensive sunglasses can provide full UV protection, the quality of materials and consistency of the tints may be inferior. Such imperfections can distort vision, causing a mild headache or eyestrain when sunglasses are worn. To ensure that your child is wearing a good quality product, buy from a reputable professional or retailer, or have the glasses assessed by your Doctor of Optometry.