- - modity. All contact lenses are not alike:
~ just because ‘the. name of a. particular?

= ‘health of the’ eyes: and Neteimine: ho

To mike: -ehildren

Key Contact
~ Lens Tips

Hygiene - many studies show that only
25-30% of contact lens wearers follow
all the directions of their eye doctor and
the lens manufacturer in caring for their
“lenses. To avoid eye health problems, it.
is recommended that contact iens wear-
-ers get their eyes checked annually by an
eye doctor to.make sure no ee
- tions develop..
Trends - Contact lenses: are‘a medical
: device, but © according to the.-B:C:.

“Association of Optometrists, there is a

disturbing trend to treat them as.acom-*)

_contact lens is on everyone's. lips. doesn’t
_ mean it will work for-everyone. Various.
; bane are. enue and. merce

me they. react and adjust toa particular pair.
of lenses.
~ Expectant. mothers need’ to work closely’
~ with ‘cheir optometrist to avoid contact :
lens wearing problems and to maintain’.
good vision: hormonal changes, water
‘retention, and a reduction in tears can
‘bring slight changes) in vision during.
pregnancy: and affect: contact lens wear-
ing. Disposable contact lenses can’ “bea
good choice for women in their child-
bearing years. The lenses can be adapted
~ easily to changes in the eyes and/or
vision. experienced: during pregnancy.
‘For some women, however, it is neces-
sary to limit wearing time or even dis-
continue wearing contacts during preg:
nancy.

5, F ree “Get Visible”:

Reflective Stickers:

A

7 Darkness and traffic cnn place children:

“ar risk ns they. set: out trick-or-trenting
on Oct. 3) or any time of the years.
more
optometrists. are giving, out free reflec:

tive stickers as part of their "Get. Visible”
campaigns The ste ker can be affixed to”

clothings: plastic. and metal, and will
_otefleer light ap. to 300. times more e tbr
‘plain, ¢ lothing,

Rneerenee recat Pere ee

Richmond — To mark the national launch of Eye Health Canada —

one’s eyesight, the

Health ( Canada

eye “Quner’s Manual”

This is one owner's manual you can’t afford not to read!. For your
copy, contact your local optometrist, or the B. C. Association of
Optometrsis (604) 270-9909.

Month in October, doctors of optometry across Canada have pub-
lished a brochure on vision care, entitled “Your Eyes - an Owner's
Manual”. Recognizing that few things are more precious than
“manual” addresses how to take care of the
youngest eyes in the family, and what happens as people’s eyes age.

os

British Columbia Association of Optometrists a>
(website : www.optometrists. tbc.ca) — EYBNEALTI

eatin ane
nee erent aes;

“visible,

ee ee

The eye is the only part of the body
where blood vessels can be examined:
~ directly without using an invasive pro-
cedure. When the optometrist dilates
the pupil to examine the inside of the
eye, he or she can detect not only the
eyes’ health and vision conditions, but
also early signs of diabetes, high blood
pressure, and other diseases of the body.
By scheduling regular checkups with
their optometrist, patients can be sure
-that vision and ocular health condi-

ems that may impair their ability to”
As early detection of such condi-
tions ‘is essential for’ successful ‘trea’
, B.C: doctors Of: optometry, recom
“mend: that all children have : a thorough
eye: examination at age -
‘three, “and 5 - again :
before’ entering
school. The ‘child
does not need. :to
‘know the alphabet.
AS ‘comprehensive.
“eye” examination
will, assess eye &
health, and 4
identify vision
problems such. as
near-sighted-
ness; far-sighted-
ness, crossed-*
eyes, “any eye” and colour perception,

Vision First Check

Vision First Check for children age 2
{and 3, in conjunction with local health
units, BC. optometrists are working

inay well precede thickening waistlines
‘and graying hair as the first.sign of mid-
dle age,
Telltale signs:-a tendency to hold read-
ing material at arm's length to focus bet-

work, including computers,
The Vision Problem of Middle Age

lem that affects almost. everyone. after
40, and brings about the need for rend:
Ang glasses and bifocals, Preshyopin pro-
‘presses for a number of years, and: thus
requires regular eye exams, beyond aye
40, Because: eye health, prable ms aire
“more, common” ant this SHOE We wall. the

ee a eee ae oan ee

The Eye -

tions, an even certain:systemic diseases, ree

Three candles on the cake ?
Fall eye exam advised at age 3

: “About as 20% ‘of children ‘have visio “with ‘government to offer this program

province-wide. Another benefit’ is. the.” |:
“general. awareness - it creates of the: need

In some regions, optometrists offer a fies

LSTA mete Tarwernercntarors news nig coe erm Pome

Presbyopia, a

A vision ‘condition called. presbyopia
say doctors of optometry, —

ter, difficulty reading in poor light, trous >
ble with small print, eyestrain. or
headaches after reading or other close i

Pr esbyopia is an ‘ive-related vision probs

te ee

are detected for timely treatment. |
The minimum recommended frequency
of eye examinations by the Canadian
Association of Optometrists is:
® infants: at six months;
° preschoolers (2-5 years): at age 3. and
again before entering school;
© school age (6-19 years): annually;
® adults (20-64 years):every oné to two
years;
© older adults (65 and over): annually,

The ‘optometrist will “detcuaine the. fre-

for eye care for pre-school « children

_ Annual Exam ‘Recommende
As-.a_child® advances, -school
-work puts more visual stress.

: “print size decreases.
‘As: ‘well, computer:
“ use,.can aggravate
existing» vision’
-problems: a small
refractive
which normally
does not need cor-
rection’ can sud-
i denly cause prob-
me lems if J somputer
use increases. ~ wee eh
‘Regular preventive eye exams can cor-
rect such conditions, before they inter-

fere with the child’s performance at .

school or rin sports,

1

qpeerinanranentnicoouananaveertenunteeaasasieasery

more important for optometrists to per-
form a thorat igh. eye health exam,

“after 40: it occurs: because, over time,
“the lens loses its ability ta hex and help
the eye focus

- Optometrists can ‘nels “aresbyopes see
» better by prescribing glasses or contact:

lenses, There | are many lens: choices,

TOYS CAN.

Every ent: umn of children: in, .
North America suffer eye injuries caused ;

hy projectile toys: guns, sling shots, or

roys that shoot missiles, arrows, balls,

te, Even if the projectiles tire. sponges

“pped, the speed at which they move is

A Window to the Body

_and visual status at the preliminary
examination. |

- No. proof. that. staring at a computer

~ on the eyes as more reading ||
is required while the |

error

as aaa nee eee fanapesgpioumnncoarenennnrmeaeeunpareneier tans aeat artes safes

Presbyopia ‘actually. begins. in. early
~ childhood, bur only becomes noticeable

de dain panes DB cop A eet AL po SE a ca ka gpa a Fp ae ean Gelae tie ge oe
mae : !

quency based on the patient's health

ws never

G0 EARLY FOR

Fook cHLD'S FIRST
Eve EXAM

| Computers & Vision

Can surfing the. net or elayiGe: ase

— games all night r ruin your, eyes? There is:

aggrav te minér visior

that are normally. not. treated, And | reed

~ean definitely cé cause bea strain.

“Ooar-concentrating on the! screen. can ; es ;

" make people: forget to blink, causing the.’

“eyes to dry out and start.to itch or burn.
Give the eyes.a 10 minute break every”
hour, perhaps doing: things. that don’t
require: near vision.

“Watch (or signs wich as s general discon. oe
“fort, headaches, blurred vision, or minor
vision problems that may surface due to
computer use, [f these persist, have an

eye exam by an eye doctor (optometrist:

or ophthalmologist). They will not only
“check your vision but. also, your eye ss

health.

‘It's important for: computer Users. of all
“ages to have regular eye exams.

save-st rmonrons sane 9 we Deere deneteactertopeteniatesel

sargennyannarirasnnvel atta e teueonsnesonial tae]

“Wshort- arm” dis sease

“today: ‘reading glasses for close work, .
multifocal lenses for near and far, bifocal
“contact lenses and mono-vision, where
one eye is corrected for distance and one
for neur vision, ;
 Ravsiice: in eye auirgery may nak tt Pee
possible in the near future to restore the a

a eye ey to > nd hist focus.

Gg

HURT. EYES Be os ue PERE
can still cause serious eye fnjury, . are
BC. doctors ‘of optometry issue i

Christinas list of toys considered partic:
ularly hazardous tothe eyes. ence

Call 270-9909 for more information. a

arena ee es

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