FYidoctors

How UV Rays Affect Your Eyesight

You are probably aware of the effects that extended sun exposure can have on your skin, but you might not be as conscious of the damage that the sun can do to your eyes. The effects of UV rays to the eyes can be temporary or permanent, and in both cases physical discomfort to the eyes is likely to occur. Wearing proper protective lenses like sunglasses or UV protected eyeglasses can greatly reduce the risk of UV exposure from sunlight, which can cause damages like those listed below.

• Cataracts: UV light can accelerate the aging process in the eyes, causing cataracts to develop in younger individuals. Cataracts are extremely common in aging eyes, and they generally are not seen in patients younger than 60. However, prolonged sun exposure can cause cataracts to develop earlier in life and severely impair vision. A cataract is clouding within the lens that gradually blurs vision.
• Snow Blindness: This temporary condition is a painful sensation in the eyes that is causes by bright light reflecting off surfaces like water or snow, temporarily blurring vision and causing pain. Frequent snow blindness from UV exposure without eye protection can cause permanent damage to the retina. UV-related damage to the retina will result in permanent vision loss that is not correctable through glasses, contacts, or eye surgery.
• Conjunctivitis: Because UV light is absorbed by the cornea and conjunctiva, this tissue is more susceptible to inflammation after UV exposure. The results of this condition may include temporarily blurred vision, pain and swelling, and watery discharge from the eyes.

Get to know how you can better protect your eyes from UV damage by visiting FYidoctors. Schedule an appointment today with one of our many locations across Canada. Please see our website for a listing of locations.

FYidoctors Opens Three New Flagship Locations in Saskatchewan

How to Eat for Healthy Eyes

Maintaining your eye health is essential to promoting your overall wellness—and while some individuals are genetically predisposed to certain eye conditions, the things they do on a daily basis also directly impact the integrity of our optical health. Continue reading for eating tips to promote healthy eyes.

Add More Antioxidants

Antioxidants have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of macular degeneration—a condition responsible for approximately one in every three cases of vision loss in Canada. Help protect your eye health by adding more antioxidants into your diet including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc. These vitamins and minerals can be found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, avocados, nuts, turkey, oysters, and chickpeas.

Eat More Fish

Incorporating more fish into your diet helps to increase your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. This not only promotes your heart health but can also reduce your risk of macular degeneration. Consider eating oily fish such as sardines or salmon as these are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Go Green

Many green vegetables contain lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which can help improve your overall eye health and reduce the risk of central vision loss. These nutrients can be found in spinach, peas, and green bell peppers. Zeaxanthin can also be found in corn, orange bell peppers, and tangerines.

Limit Carbohydrate Intake 

Certain types of carbohydrates are digested and absorbed faster than others including corn chips, white bread, and refined grains. Try to limit your daily intake of these high-glycemic foods , as they have been linked to the development of macular degeneration.

Whether you’re interested in more tips for improving your eye health or learning more about your vision correction options, the optometrists with FYidoctors are here to help. Schedule an appointment today with one of our many locations across Canada. Please see our website for a listing of locations.

Condition Overview: Astigmatism

In a normal, healthy eye, light passes through the pupil and reflects off of the cornea, where it is focused onto the center of the retina.  Individuals with refractive errors such as astigmatism suffer from blurred vision due to irregularly shaped corneas that improperly focus light.

Astigmatism occurs when the surface of the cornea is warped and curves in more than one direction. This focuses light rays on several areas of the retina at the same time rather than directly in the center, causing objects to appear blurry or distorted at various distances.  While most individuals suffer from some degree of astigmatism, individuals with more severe corneal curvature can improve their vision through the use of prescription glasses and contact lenses.

For more information on improving your vision contact FYidoctors in Canada. We offer a number of eye wear products and eye care services. 

Are You Interested in Learning More About Diabetic Eye Care and Vision Correction? If So, Read Through These Great Resources For More Inform

Routinely visiting your optometrist for eye exams can help you detect, prevent, and treat disease that may cause damage to your eyes. If you have diabetes it’s important to have an annual eye exam to maintain healthy eyes. Approximately 60% of Canadians need corrective vision, learn more about how contact and glasses help correct your vision below! To learn more about diabetic eye care and vision correction contact an FYidoctors optometrist, visit our website for more information!  

• This extensive article from The Dr. Oz Show offers great information on diabetes, retinopathy, and protecting your vision with good eye care.
• Learn more about diabetic retinopathy stages, symptoms, causes and more by visiting this site.
• This pamphlet from the Canadian Diabetes Association offers information on how to keep your vision healthy with diabetes.
• This site offers a description of how contact lenses work and provides helpful diagrams about correction for different vision correction problems.
• To find out more about how glasses and contacts work and read about some of the advantages and disadvantages of each, check out this article.