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Rockyview Health Centre, 1011 Glenmore Trail SW Building #1 Suite 423, Calgary, AB T2V 4R6, Canada
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Seeing floaters?

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Eye floaters are a reason to see our Optometrists for a medically necessary visit now covered by Alberta Health Care for all age groups. Floaters look like spots, specks, flecks and/or “cobwebs” that drift around in your field of vision. Floaters can hinder your vision and be annoying at first onset.

So where do these floaters come from? Most of the interior of the eye is filled with a gel-like substance called the vitreous that helps the eye maintain its round shape. As we age, the vitreous begins to shrink and becomes stringy. These strands cast shadows on the retina causing you to see eye floaters. Floaters are more noticeable when you look at a clear or overcast sky or a computer screen with a white or light-colored background. They move as your eyes move and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.

When Are Eye Floaters and Flashes a Medical Emergency?

If these floaters are accompanied by flashes of light (lightning streaks) in your side vision it is important you are seen by our Optometrist right away. Flashes of light or photopsias can occur when your retina receives mechanical stimulation, which can happen when it is being tugged, torn or detached. These light flashes may appear as lightning bolts, flickering lights or random sparks.

The sudden appearance of these symptoms could mean that the vitreous is pulling away from your retina or what is known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). As the vitreous tugs on the retina, it might cause a tear, hole or detachment.A retinal detachment is a serious condition and should always be considered an emergency.

Posterior vitreous detachments are more common after the age of 50 years. In certain conditions such as nearsightedness or myopia, people are more likely to have a posterior vitreous detachment at a younger age. Most people have floaters and learn to ignore them over time.

Our Optometrists advise if you experience new floaters or flashes of light to call us right away. We will get you seen the same day and your visit will be covered by Alberta Health Care.

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image one credit to www.visivite.com
image two credit to www.londoneyehospital.com

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Advanced Myopia Control for Children

Recent randomized controlled clinical trial results presented at the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting showed promising results for children aged 4–12. Among the 196 children who completed the study, those wearing MiYOSMART iQ showed no average myopia progression after 12 months. The study also found that excessive axial eye growth was reduced to levels below or comparable to those seen in children without refractive errors.

Designed to Help Control Myopia Progression

Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, can progress during childhood as the eye grows excessively. Managing myopia earlier in life may help reduce the impact of continued progression and the associated risks of high myopia later in life.

MiYOSMART iQ builds on the established D.I.M.S. Technology used in MiYOSMART lenses and introduces a Triple Enhanced Design (TED). This design incorporates three key enhancements:

  1. Defocus Segments Closer to the Center: The segments are positioned closer to the geometric center of the lens to provide continued exposure to myopic defocus across the near-peripheral retina.
  2. Higher Defocus Power: The lens provides a stronger myopic defocus signal intended to support myopia control.
  3. Extended Treatment Zone: A larger treatment area provides broader coverage of the child’s peripheral visual field, including when larger frames are used.

Clinical Results Across Different Age Groups

The clinical trial included children between 4 and 12 years of age, with results demonstrating myopia-control efficacy across the age groups studied.

For children aged 4–6 years, MiYOSMART iQ demonstrated 65% efficacy in spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) and 44% efficacy in axial length over 12 months. For children aged 7–12 years, the lens demonstrated over 100% efficacy in SER and 94% efficacy in axial length during the same period.

The study also reported a high level of compliance with daily, all-day wear among children across the age groups studied.

Built on Established D.I.M.S. Technology

MiYOSMART iQ represents an evolution of MiYOSMART, a myopia-control lens technology backed by more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications. The updated lens design builds on research into how the eye responds to myopic defocus and focuses on delivering a stronger and more consistently positioned defocus signal.

Since its launch in 2018, more than 15 million MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have been purchased by parents across more than 50 countries worldwide.

Supporting Earlier Myopia Management

The clinical findings for MiYOSMART iQ include children as young as four years old, representing an important development in spectacle-lens-based myopia control. Early-onset myopia can progress during a critical period of childhood eye development, making appropriate management an important consideration for children with progressive myopia. MiYOSMART iQ provides an advanced spectacle-lens option for children who require myopia management. An eye care professional can assess your child’s vision and determine whether this type of lens is appropriate for their individual needs.
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