Question: My son is starting Little League soon and normally wears glasses for school. Should I be looking to get him fit with some prescription sports goggles, or will his regular glasses be fine? Answer: With ski season ending and baseball season beginning, we are all spending more time outside working and playing, making it […]
Ask the Doctor: Are my environmental allergies getting worse?
Question: Am I just imagining it or are my environmental allergies getting worse every Spring? What can I do to alleviate the itchiness and redness in my eyes? Answer: Many of us appreciate that we live in a beautiful climate where Spring arrives earlier than anywhere else in Canada, with an explosion of flowers blooming […]
Ask the doctor: what is the air puff test for?
Question: When they do the “air puff” test at the eye doctor what is happening, and what information does it give you? I’m not a fan, but I realize it must tell you something useful. Answer: If you come in for an eye exam and we do that quick little “air puff” test, you’re experiencing […]
Ask the Doctor: How important is it to wear sun protection when outside in winter?
By Dr. Stephen Taylor Question: I’ve heard that sunglasses are important year-round but the UV index is so low right now. Is it really that big of a deal to wear sun protection when outside in winter, regardless of weather? Answer: While winter sun feels gentler and sunglasses may not be top-of-mind in February, your […]
Ask the Doctor: Driving in the Dark
By Dr. Stephen Taylor Question: Even though my distance prescription hasn’t changed much in recent years, I feel like I used to see better at night. Other people seem confident driving in the dark or walking at dusk, and I don’t. Can they see better than I do? Why, and what can I do? Answer: […]
Ask the Doctor: Eye Fatigue from Glasses
By Dr. Stephen Taylor Question: I wear glasses at the office for working on the computer, but my eyes still feel so tired and sore by the end of the day. Why, and what can I do about it? Answer: When you spend long hours at a computer, your eyes are working much harder than […]
Ask the Doctor: Is Holding Devices Too Close Harmful for Kids’ Eyes?
By Dr. Stephen Taylor & Dr. Stasiuk When my child uses a handheld device, he holds it really close to his face. I feel like this can’t be good for his eyes. Is that true, or just a myth? Answer: It’s understandable to be concerned about your child’s eye health, especially with the increasing use […]
Ask the Doctor: Why Does My Optometrist Need to Know My Medications?
By Dr. Stephen Taylor Question: I recently moved to town and have scheduled an eye exam with a new optometrist. While I was booking the appointment the receptionist asked me to bring a list of any medications I take. Why would an eye doctor need this information? Answer: My aim as an optometrist is to […]
Ask the Doctor: Contact Lens Exams
My contact lens order hasn’t changed in over eight years, and I feel like I am seeing clearly, so why do I need to have an eye exam before I can order more contact lenses? Answer: I get where you are coming from! If your vision feels fine and your prescription hasn’t budged in nearly […]
Ask the Doctor: Increased Risk of Disease for Blue Eyes
I have blue eyes and find them to be very light-sensitive. Are blue eyes at greater risk than brown eyes for any diseases because they have less natural protection from the sun? Interesting question! The “blue” colour stems from having less melanin in the top layer of the iris. Although this allows light to reflect […]
