As we age, our eyes naturally undergo changes, and one of the most common age-related vision issues is presbyopia. This condition generally starts to affect people in their 40s and early 50s and can be quite unsettling as it progresses. If you’re noticing early signs of presbyopia, understanding what it is and knowing how to manage it can help maintain your vision and quality of life. Ophthalmologist Dr. Raymond Stein offers this guide on what to do when presbyopia starts.
Makeup is often considered an essential part of a daily routine, allowing users to express themselves and enhance certain features. However, for those who suffer from dry eyes, using eye makeup can raise concerns about eye irritation or prolonged eye dryness. Highly experienced and respected ophthalmologist Dr. Stein wants dry eye patients to experience optimal eye health and comfort. Ahead, learn more about dry eyes and if it is possible to safely enjoy makeup with the condition.
Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the cornea, which is the transparent, curved outer layer of the eye. With keratoconus, the cornea begins to bulge outward into a cone shape, which makes vision blurry and distorted. Keratoconus is a progressive condition that often shows up when a child reaches their teenage years, and the corneal changes and symptoms worsen over time if the disease is not treated. Because this condition can threaten your child’s vision, it is essential to become familiar with the signs of keratoconus.
As we age, the risk of developing certain eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), increases. This condition is a leading cause of vision loss, and risk factors include lifestyle choices and diet. Genetics can also play a significant role in the development of AMD and how it progresses in an individual. Continue reading to learn how genetics affects your risk of developing AMD.
Vision is one of the most important senses that help us process, observe, and interact with the world around us. For many individuals, low vision has impacted their lives in a number of ways. Low vision can result from injuries to the eye, as well as conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. Whatever the cause, declining vision can impede the ability of an individual to perform everyday tasks, such as writing, reading, walking, and socializing. It is important to schedule regular eye exams to monitor the health of your eyes. Here, Dr. Stein discusses how quality of life is impacted by low vision.
The good news is that keratoconus rarely results in total blindness. However, this degenerative condition can lead to extensive vision loss. Dr. Raymond Stein, the Medical Director of the Bochner Eye Institute and Professor of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto, discusses the signs and symptoms of keratoconus and treatment options.
While there is no perfect age for laser vision correction with LASIK or PRK, some age groups are less likely to qualify for the procedure for several reasons related to eye development and health. Our eye surgeon, Dr. Raymond Stein, in Toronto, will discuss your eye health, vision prescription and medical history during your eye exam. He will recommend the vision correction options to help you eliminate glasses and contacts.
Many eye surgeons prefer LASIK patients in the 25 to 40 age range because they’re more likely to have stable prescriptions and aren’t at risk for age-related eye diseases and vision changes.
While deciding to have laser vision correction is a big decision, choosing your eye surgeon is the most important part of the process. You rely on your eyes for virtually every task throughout your life. Therefore, you need a LASIK eye surgeon with the experience and skill to improve your vision safely and effectively. Your chosen surgeon is directly responsible for your LASIK results and handling any post-operative concerns.
Other staff may assist the LASIK surgeon during your procedure. However, the surgeon is in charge of all aspects of the process, including determining if LASIK is the right option for you and confirming the measurements that guide the laser during the procedure. The surgeon is also the one who will provide follow-up care and handle your questions and concerns.
The average worker spends seven hours a day on the computer for work purposes. In many cases, one or more of these hours is spent on a smartphone or tablet. Screens are so engrained in our society that there is an umbrella term for eye issues caused by excessive exposure.
Computer vision syndrome involves two main concerns for people who spend most of their days in front of a screen: dry eyes and eyestrain. Dr. Raymond Stein and our eye doctors at Bochner Eye Institute explain what causes these screen issues and how to prevent them.
Dry Eyes Caused by Screen Use
Whether you work with images or text, your eyes are overwhelmed by the stimulating screen in front of you, and you forget to blink. The average blinking rate goes from 15 times per minute to just five to seven during computer usage. Your eye’s surface depends on a thin layer of liquid to protect it that is replenished by blinking. A lower blinking rate leads to dry eyes.
Digital Eye Strain
There could be a few culprits behind digital eye strain — one being the glare or brightness emanating from the screen, and the other that your prescription is out of date. People who don’t use reading glasses when they need them or need a new contact lens or glasses prescription have a harder time focusing on the text or images on a screen. Research suggests this is because the screen uses pixels with blurry edges unlike a piece of paper or book with defined print.
Tips to Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer vision syndrome symptoms may involve headaches, eyestrain, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. These concerns are often caused by a combination of issues associated with long-term computer use, such as poor lighting, inadequate viewing distance and uncorrected vision. Luckily, the symptoms are temporary, and there are several ways to alleviate and prevent computer vision syndrome including:
Regular eye exams to adjust your prescription if necessary and look for early signs of eye disease.
Sit two feet away from the computer screen.
Center the computer monitor lower than your eye level, approximately 20 degrees from the center of the screen.
Use a screen filter to decrease the glare on your computer, smartphone or tablet.
Adjust the settings for a larger font to reduce eye strain.
Switch your office light bulbs out for softer, low-wattage bulbs to help screen glare.
Use the 20/20/20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
Rest your eyes for 15 minutes for every two hours of computer use.
Use glasses with special tints to reduce screen glare and blue light exposure.
Talk to our eye doctors about eye drops and other options for computer vision syndrome.
Schedule an Eye Exam
If you’re experiencing signs of computer vision syndrome, call or email our team at Bochner Eye Institute in Toronto to schedule your eye exam today.
Dr. Raymond Stein is pleased to announce that Bochner Eye Institute is an official partner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dr. Stein and his colleagues are proud to personally handle any laser vision correction or ophthalmological needs for the Maple Leafs and show them the exceptional care patients have come to expect from him. Bochner Eye Institute has worked with other professional sports teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Marlies.
The Benefits of Laser Vision Correction for Professional Athletes
Athletes and laser vision correction are a natural fit. Athletes have always needed clear, detailed vision to excel in their sport. Hockey players in particular require great hand-eye coordination — especially when a puck can reach speeds of over 100mph and players can move across the ice at speeds of up to 30mph.
But glasses and contact lenses are an imperfect vision solution for athletes, as they can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Professional players do not have the time to spend wiping off their glasses or adjusting a dislodged contact lens in the middle of a practice or game. Sports goggles are effective but do not always provide good peripheral vision. There are also some safety concerns with corrective eyewear; for example, moving at high speeds with cloudy glasses or goggles can be risky, or dirt and sweat can get trapped under contact lenses, possibly causing infection.
Laser vision correction provides the clear, independent vision athletes need to focus on their performance (not their visual aids) and gain a performance-boosting edge. Today’s laser eye procedures are quick, extremely precise and require minimal recovery downtime. The majority of players are able to hit the ice or the field quickly after surgery, with dramatically improved vision and no need for contacts or glasses.
Bochner Eye Institute’s History of Excellence
Bochner Eye Institute has been a leader in eye care since the center’s inception in 1929. Not only do the eye surgeons at Bochner Eye Institute help countless patients enjoy clearer sight, they also make regular, valuable contributions to further the ophthalmology profession.
Dr. Stein, the medical director of Bochner Eye Institute, is well-known for pioneering new technologies and techniques to treat refractive errors as well as other eye diseases such as keratoconus and age-related macular degeneration. He has traveled internationally to train other ophthalmologists and present at refractive surgery meetings about the technology he uses and the results he has achieved. Dr. Stein has also published a large volume of articles and books about his areas of interest.
To learn more about Bochner Eye Institute’s legacy or any of the services we offer, please visit www.bochner.com today.
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