Establishing Healthy Vision
Eye exams are the foundation of strong eye and vision health. No matter your age, it’s important to keep up with regular visits to the optometrist. Every eye exam is your opportunity to know your eyes are safe from eye diseases and your prescription is up to date.
During your eye exam, we’ll run a variety of comprehensive tests to check your visual acuity, and identify any refractive errors, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If you have any questions during your appointment, our team is always happy to take the time to answer them.
When Should I Get an Eye Exam?
The importance of eye exams shouldn’t be underestimated. Your eyes help you see the things you love most in your life. An eye exam ensures any issues are identified early and proper management or control methods are used.
Eye diseases can be tricky, as they don’t always show early warning signs or symptoms. This means eye exams are one of the only ways to identify and treat problems early.
To best support the health of your eyes, the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following eye exam frequencies:
- Adults (ages 20–64) should have an exam every 2 years.
- Adults with diabetes or other health conditions assessed by your optometrist should have an annual exam.
- Seniors over 65 should have an annual exam.
Common Eye Diseases
Even though patients aren’t always able to identify eye diseases, it’s important to be aware of the common eye diseases facing Canadians and which individuals are at higher risk.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a normal part of the eye’s aging process but are mostly found in patients over 60. They occur when the natural lens of the eye begins to cloud and become foggy. This clouded lens makes it hard for patients to see clearly and can often make colours dull and muted.
To help manage vision affected by cataracts, stronger lenses can be used. However, to be treated, cataracts require surgery. Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s clouded lens and replacing it with a new artificial lens.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60 years of age. Even though the disease has very few early symptoms, it can still cause damage without patients knowing. Glaucoma targets the optic nerve, the area responsible for transferring visual information to the brain.
For early glaucoma diagnosis, eye exams are crucial. If glaucoma management is started early, vision loss or blindness can be prevented.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is developed in patients with diabetes. The disease is caused by the effects of diabetes on a patient’s blood vessels. Since the blood vessels in the eye are very delicate, they have a high chance of breaking. If broken, they can cause blurry vision, vision loss, or even blindness.
Patients with diabetes require special and more frequent eye exams to make sure their eyes are getting the care and support they need.
Schedule Your Next Visit
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Our Location
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From our practice’s architecturally stunning office to our warm and welcoming staff, visiting Total Focus Optometry is always an enjoyable experience.
Our team can’t wait to meet new patients and see friendly returning faces!
Our Address
- 3352 Gateway Blvd. NW
- Edmonton, AB T6J 6V1
Contact Information
- Phone: 780-988-3937
- Fax: 780-988-5809
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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Luckily, you can protect your eyes from sun damage regardless of their colour. By consistently wearing sunglasses and hats to shield your eyes from the sun, you reduce your risk of developing eye diseases caused by sun exposure.
[…]
Is Glaucoma Hereditary?
Many people wonder if glaucoma is hereditary and can be passed from parents to children. The answer isn’t simply yes or no as several factors influence an individual’s risk of developing glaucoma. Genetics do play a role, as a family history of the disease raises the chances of getting it. Other factors like age, ethnicity, and overall eye health also affect susceptibility. Regular eye exams are essential for early detection and management, especially for those with a family history or other risk factors. […]
How to Choose Eyeglass Frames that Are Right for You
Choosing eyeglass frames that are right for you includes a few considerations:
Frame material
Frame design and shape
Frame colour
[…]
Are Blue Eyes More Sensitive to Sunlight?
Having to squint your eyes or use your hand to shield your eyes from the bright sun is a universal experience, but do some people have it worse than others? There is some evidence that people with blue eyes are more sensitive to sunlight than people with brown eyes. People with blue eyes are more likely to develop certain eye conditions.
Luckily, you can protect your eyes from sun damage regardless of their colour. By consistently wearing sunglasses and hats to shield your eyes from the sun, you reduce your risk of developing eye diseases caused by sun exposure.
[…]
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Total Focus Optometry
- 3352 Gateway Blvd. NW
- Edmonton, AB T6J 6V1
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P: 780-988-3937
F: 780-988-5809
[email protected]