Supplements that may support the aging eye

As we age, our risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases. Fortunately, along with conventional treatments, certain inexpensive vitamins have also been identified that can slow down the process of macular degeneration: The AREDS vitamins, so named after the studies that obtained and refined the research data around these nutrients. AREDS vitamins contain antioxidants and other nutrients that can help stave off the aging process for the eyes – at much higher doses than those found in an ordinary multivitamin. There are two versions of the AREDS vitamins: the original, which contains

• 500 milligrams of vitamin C
• 400 International Units of vitamin E
• 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (or 25,000 International Units of vitamin A)
• 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide
• 2 milligrams of copper as cupric oxide (copper is necessary to prevent copper deficiency anemia, which could occur as a result of consuming high levels of zinc)

And the AREDS 2 formula, which was developed later and contains all of the above except the beta-carotene – which, because it can increase the chances of developing lung cancer in high doses, was contraindicated for smokers – and also adds 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of the eye-healthy antioxidant zeaxanthin.

It’s important to note that no evidence exists to suggest that taking AREDS vitamins will actually prevent the onset of AMD; it has been shown to slow the disease progression and severity in people who already have the disease.

Supplementation for other eye conditions

Apart from AMD, where most of the studies have been focused, there is little evidence that taking supplements can help with specific eye conditions or prevent them from developing in the first place. One supplement that may help people with dry eyes is Omega-3, the fatty acids found in oils from coldwater fish like salmon (and other marine sources, such as shrimp and krill). These long-chain fatty acids are closely linked to proper eye development in utero and correct cell function. However, eye doctors like Richard Gans, MD usually recommend that patients obtain Omega-3s and antioxidants from food sources wherever possible, which provide the best bioavailability and absorption because of the other nutrients they also contain. Eating at least two servings of coldwater fish like sardines, salmon, halibut and herring each week is said to provide sufficient Omega-3s.

Your bottom line on supplements and eye health

If you are eating a diet that you already know is very low in lutein, Omega-3s or certain vitamins such as Vitamin A, which is important for retinal health – or if you have been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration already – supplements may be a good idea; but despite the widespread availability of such vitamin formulas, you should to speak with an optometrist first before embarking on a new course of supplements. Depending on your health history and other factors, a dietary change, rather than supplementation, may be indicated.

Not sure whether the vitamins you’re currently taking are doing anything for your eyes? Book an appointment to discuss nutrition with an eye specialist at one of our downtown Toronto optometrist locations.

No one likes to have red eyes.

Whether caused by fatigue from an overnight flight, allergies, or captured in a photo due to a camera’s improper exposure, if we have red eye, we want to get rid of it!

When the whites of our eyes are red or bloodshot, we don’t look or feel our best.

Red eye is caused by dilated blood vessels on the surface of the eye. If enough blood vessels are present, bringing extra blood into the eye, it can give the entire surface of the eyes a pinkish or reddish cast.

These blood vessels can appear for a number of reasons:

• Infections, like pinkeye
• Allergies
• Inflammation
• Pressure building up inside the eye, such as that caused by sudden glaucoma

If you suffer from red eyes and are tired of others guessing at the reason, read on to find out more about red eyes and how to defeat them.

Symptoms of Red Eyes

When your eyes are red, that’s probably not the only symptom.

Most people also feel itchiness in their eyes or the feeling that there is something ‘in there’ even when a thorough mirror search reveals nothing. It may feel like rubbing your eyes is imperative to relieve the itching, stinging sensation.

Other symptoms that tend to go with red eyes include:

• Tearing up
• Pain and soreness
• Sensitivity to light
• Symptoms elsewhere in the body, like cold and flu symptoms, nausea or vomiting

It’s important not to think of the degree of redness as being indicative of how serious the problem is.

Usually, red eyes do not indicate a serious problem and the redness should go away on its own. But whether your eyes are completely bloodshot or not, the two indicators you should not ignore are accompanying eye pain and vision problems.

If your eyes actually hurt (as opposed to being itchy or feeling dry) and if your vision is actually impaired at any point, that is when you should take red eyes very seriously and seek medical attention.

Common Causes of Red Eyes

Eye redness is no fun, but as mentioned, it is often nothing more serious than common pinkeye – clinically known as infectious conjunctivitis – or an allergic reaction that has caused inflammation.

Thinking of the moments prior to your eye redness…

Did you touch an animal, plant, flower or fibrous material, and then touch your eyes?

Have you been exposed to dust through cleaning, or pollen from newly budding trees?

If you have come into contact with these things or any other known allergens, try taking an antihistamine and resting your eyes for 30 minutes.

Eye pain can also indicate a foreign body in the eye or a corneal scratch. Rubbing the eyes vigorously can make these conditions worse and even cause permanent damage to the eyes.

Red eyes can, in rare cases, also indicate more serious types of infections or corneal ulcers.

If you are experiencing pain rather than simple irritation, and/or other symptoms like seeing halos, experiencing nausea or vomiting, or a rash over and above just having red eyes, please visit our optometrist clinic in Toronto right away for an advanced diagnostic test that will get to the bottom of what’s causing your red eye.

Here are the top 5 things that can affect your ability to see life to the fullest.

Eyestrain

Excessive near focussing, particularly from digital screens, creates unnatural ocular stress and can produce eye malaise, headaches, inconsistent vision and red uncomfortable eyes. To reduce strain, our eye doctors recommend following the 20/20/20 rule – every 20 minutes look at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, be mindful of conscious blinking to reduce staring which increases the risk for dry eye. Many eyeglasses now come with a special blue-light blocking filter to protect the eyes from the potentially damaging blue light emanating from digital devices such as computers, smart phones and tablets.

Bright Sunlight

Sunshine can cause discomfort glare, leading to squinting, sunspots and reduced visual performance. High quality UV blocking and glare reducing sunglasses are essential to better visual clarity and optimal health. Leading sunglasses brands like Maui Jim, Ray Ban and Oakley do offer high quality manufacturing, leading lens designs and stylish frames to ensure excellent visual clarity and consistency in bright sunshine. Be smart and wear your sunglasses.

Eye Makeup

Eye makeup and application brushes can accumulate bacteria which can cause infections of the glands in the eyelids, as well as eye infections such as pinkeye and conjunctivitis. If you area already suffering from an eye infection, we recommend throwing away existing eye makeup and either sterilizing or discarding application tools. Under normal circumstances, keep makeup brushes clean with a monthly washing with soap and water.

To take it a step further, keep away from eye makeup testers, don’t share your eye makeup or tools with anyone, and don’t wear false eyelashes no matter how tempted you are by an evening out; the artificially long lashes are a magnet for dirt and debris and can sweep it into the eyes.

Eye Fatigue

Lack of proper sleep can cause difficulty focusing as well as other irritations like dry eyes and eye spasms. Try to sleep at least 6-7 hours as a bare minimum in order to maintain optimum clarity of vision. Consider adding a small air mister or humidifier to your bedroom to reduce the risk of dry eye upon wakening.

Poor Eyeglass and Contact lens Prescriptions

Frequent eye exams are important to ensure precise prescriptions for the busy and demanding lives of the modern world. Our eye doctors will assess your visual system to provide excellent recommendations to ensure optimized vision and health.Poor Eyeglass and Contact lens Prescriptions

Frequent eye exams are important to ensure precise prescriptions for the busy and demanding lives of the modern world. Our eye doctors will assess your visual system to provide excellent recommendations to ensure optimized vision and health.

At Toronto Eye Care, our experienced eye doctors, helpful technicians, and advanced diagnostics can help you achieve optimized vision and maintain eye health.

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With decades of laser eye surgery behind us, most people accept the procedure as being safe and very beneficial in achieving perfect or near-perfect vision without the use of glasses or contacts. However, one of the things about Toronto LASIK laser eye surgery that still gives people pause is the fact that it’s…well…surgery. While laser eye surgical procedures have certainly come a long way since the first surgeries were performed with manually operated lasers in pop-up mall kiosks, questions remain about the technologies, risks and outcomes. And there are still ‘late adopters’ who won’t opt for any procedure until any risks are virtually eliminated. Read on to find out what we already know about laser eye surgery, and where it’s headed.

Refractive surgery has already had its share of breakthroughs

As in the case of most surgeries, although millions of people have already experienced good refractive error correction results from laser eye, the operation continues to be refined and perfected. As it stands now, conventional laser eye surgery corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, three very common forms of refractive error. In Canada, there are two kinds of commonly practiced procedures: LASIK, whereby a flap is cut in the cornea to remove tissue layers beneath, and PRK, which removes tissue from the top down to reshape the cornea and correct vision. The latter version is more typically employed for those with higher prescriptions and higher levels of astigmatism.

Later breakthroughs to the basic technology have included:

• Wavefront Technology, which uses 3D measurements of the eye’s surface to better direct the laser’s path as it corrects vision
• ReLEX SMILE (refractive lenticule extraction-small incision lenticule extraction), which reduces risks of corneal damage because it doesn’t cut a flap in the cornea
• A move from broad to narrow beam lasers, which has improved accuracy and reduced risks related to flap-cutting in LASIK
• The range of prescriptions that can be corrected has increased, and even presbyopia (which causes people to need reading glasses as they age) can often be corrected with laser eye surgery
• Laser blended vision has been developed as a procedure for people whose only eyesight concern is that they require reading glasses. The quick procedure heals in just a few hours.

Still to come to the world of laser eye surgery

Despite all the advances that have been made in laser eye surgery technology, there is still room for growth in the field. At present, certain patients are not suited for the surgery; those at the extreme high end of the prescription range and people with chronic conditions such as dry eye, are not considered good candidates. As well, there is the risk of regression, which could necessitate another corrective surgery. Currently, there are also some side effects such as poor night vision, corneal infection, and weakening of the cornea that researchers are working hard to reduce or eliminate altogether in order to make laser eye surgery more accessible to all.

Are you considering whether laser eye surgery might be a great way to free yourself from dependence on glasses and contacts? Come to Toronto Eye Care for an eye exam to determine your suitability for the procedure. We’ll recommend the right specialist to make your dream of perfect vision a reality.

What are toric lenses?

In order to understand what makes toric lenses different, it’s important to first understand what astigmatism is and how it affects the eye. Astigmatism is not an eye disease, but is one of the refractive errors of the eye preventing light rays from bending correctly for proper focus. It’s caused by a deviation, usually in the cornea, from the typical spherical shape that the cornea normally takes; instead of being symmetrically round, the cornea is more cone or football-shaped. Many people with the condition may simply assume that their blurred or distorted vision is just part of their near-sighted or far-sighted prescription but astigmatism is actually another error which compounds their visual dysfunction.

A toric contact lens is a custom designed and shaped to conform to the eye and correct the astigmatism. Its unique shape creates different light-refracting powers on the vertical and horizontal planes of the lens to accommodate the differently-shaped cornea of patients with astigmatism, and thus properly correct the person’s vision. Simply increasing the power of your regular contact lens to correct the astigmatism is generally ineffective and a potential source of even greater eye strain.

How to find the right toric contact lenses for you

The experienced optometrists at Toronto Eye Care are toric contact lens experts and will help you choose the appropriate contact lenses that are the right power and fit for your eyes. Our specialized contact lens examinations will also advise you on the proper insertion, removal and care techniques to ensure optimal performance. Yes, this process involves more effort than clicking online but specialized contact lenses require professional care and attention.

If you suspect that your current contact lenses are underperforming, or if you have an astigmatism and are considering going from glasses to contacts, consult with one of our eye doctors for professional care that makes a difference. To book your personalized consultation, call us or send an email to contactlenses@torontoeyecare.com.

Our Eye Doctors can provide early detection of eye diseases like AMD

For patients who have spent a lifetime in glasses or contact lenses, changes to vision are sometimes dismissed; is it just the relentless progression of myopia, or perhaps a worsening astigmatism that’s making everything blurry? Accepting changes in vision as we age, without taking action, can be dangerous because vision loss could be symptomatic of a condition like age-related macular degeneration. A visit to Toronto Eye Care can discern the true reasons behind the vision loss. Our experienced eye doctors will perform a variety of diagnostic tests to confirm diagnosis and then recommend a customized treatment plan to reduce your risk of progression.

5 ways a optometrist can assist macular degeneration patients

The ‘dry’ form of macular degeneration has treatment options which include lifestyle changes and evidence based supplements.The more serious form or ‘wet’ AMD – has seen significant advances in new clinical treatments Here are some of the ways your we can help if you have already been diagnosed with AMD.

1. Monitor Disease Progression

Depending on pigment abnormalities in the retina and the number and size of drusen (tiny white spots under the retina) your optometrist can note the progression of the disease and estimate its trajectory, and help you plan for the future.

2. Refer to a Retina Specialist When Necessary

If patients progress to WetAMD then a referral to a retina specialist is necessary to administer eye injections that block the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye . As eye care leaders in downtown Toronto since 1993, we work closely with a network of the best retina specialists located in all the major hospitals.

3. Optimized Eyeglasses Prescription

Patients with AMD can often benefit from stronger prescription eyeglasses, especially for reading fine print.

4. Dry AMD Age Related Eye Disease Study Vitamin Supplements

Studies suggest it may be possible to slow the advancement of the ‘dry’ form of the disease by taking the AREDS 2 formulation (vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zinc and zeaxanthin). For more information, please book an appointment with one of our doctors.

5. Lifestyle Changes

Studies suggest that following a certain type of diet that includes plenty of dark leafy greens, fish and colorful fruits and vegetables, and not much saturated fat or processed foods is also good for eye health. Other lifestyle adjustments will include lowering cholesterol, maintaining a healthy body weight, protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays, and not smoking.

If you have concerns about your vision and whether you are doing all you can to protect it, please book an appointment with our clinic today.