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Rockyview Health Centre, 1011 Glenmore Trail SW Building #1 Suite 423, Calgary, AB T2V 4R6, Canada
587-353-5061 Book Appointment

How Has the Pandemic Affected Your Child’s Vision?

While we may not quite Appreciate the degree to which COVID-19 has impacted your lives, it is clear that things are different. Many of the activities that were done outdoors are no longer as accessible as before. Instead, people have had to adjust to doing everything within the confines of their houses. While for some this has become a comfortable experience, it is not the case all around for parents. For instance, the responsibility of caring for their children is even heavier.

Did you know that you now have to worry about the health of your child’s vision while indoors? The changes brought about by COVID-19 should make you a lot keener about the health of your child, even regarding their vision.

Eye Care Changes After COVID-19

The thing with vision health during this pandemic season in the world is that the effects are only realized gradually. You do not just wake up one day and realize that your vision is troubled. Instead, as you spend more time indoors, you may just be working against the healthy vision. In the end, the only way to determine for sure if you or your child have developed any vision problems is by visiting an optometrist near you for an eye exam. Otherwise, remaining keen about the eye strains and other symptoms can point you toward detecting an eye problem early.

Top 3 Common Vision Issues After COVID-19

Although the story is not the same for everyone, being in lockdown for several months has caused certain vision-related problems for many people. The problem arises as a result of changes in daily lifestyles.

  1. Digital Eye Strain

    2. It is the number one eye problem for children during the pandemic season. Many children today are enjoying more screen time than was the case before. It has become the most convenient way to kill time and enjoy leisure time. While it may be the case for your family, screen usage does present several consequences to the health of your eyes.

    Digital eye strain comes about when you are glued to any type of screen for long hours. The brightness of the gadgets, the flashy colors, as well as, the duration of use all play a role in sabotaging the health of your eyes. Ideally, using the screen for long periods makes the eyes work harder than they typically would. Some symptoms that result from digital eye strain are:

  2. Nearsightedness or Myopia

    3. It is a condition that presents problems when viewing objects at a distance. Technically, most of the screens in the household are held at a close distance. As your child gets used to such habits, they may develop blurry distance vision. Not only that, poor lighting in the house can lead to squinting when focusing on objects, among other issues. Further, studies in vision health show a relation between a lack of time spent outdoors and an increase in the chances of developing myopia.

  3. Dry Eyes

    4. It is a condition that features inadequate lubrication for your eyes. Ideally, the tears in your eyes are not enough to adequately lubricate your eyes. It happens as a consequence of staring at objects for too long without blinking as often as you should. The lack of breaks in between screen time can also play a big role in dry eyes.

Indicators of Vision Problems

Even before you see an eye doctor for an exam, there are tell-signs you can consider as indicators for vision problems. The signs you experience will differ, depending on how bad your visual habits have been over a certain amount of time.

  1. Headaches
  2. Dry eyes
  3. Blurry distance vision
  4. Eyestrain or eye fatigue
  5. Eye redness
  6. Flashes of light in one or both eyes
  7. Squinting – a need to squint or partially close your eyes to see clearly
  8. A need to sit closer to a television
  9. Scratchy sensation in your eyes

Summary

Whether you suspect it or not, make an effort to visit an eye doctor every few months. Be keen to identify any anomalies in your eyesight, whether regarding discomfort or deteriorating vision. Consider also other issues like neck, shoulder, or back pain that arise due to poor posture when glaring at screens. Book a consultation today!

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Supporting Ocular Surface Healing and Comfort

The membrane contains natural growth factors and anti-inflammatory properties. When placed over the cornea, it acts as a protective layer that supports healing and may help reduce inflammation.

Potential Benefits

  • Supports Healing: Helps promote natural healing of the eye’s surface.
  • Reduces Inflammation: Its natural properties may help calm inflammation.
  • Improves Comfort: May help relieve discomfort related to dry eye.
  • Supports Recovery: Helps support the healing of the ocular surface.

Who May Benefit?

Amniotic Membrane Therapy may be suitable for people with moderate to severe dry eye, particularly when conventional treatments have not provided enough relief. An eye care professional can assess your eyes and determine if this treatment is appropriate.

How Does It Work?

The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of the placenta and contains growth factors and anti-inflammatory properties. During treatment, a specially prepared membrane is placed over the eye’s surface to act as a biological covering and support healing.

What to Expect

Before treatment, your optometrist will examine your eyes and determine whether Amniotic Membrane Therapy is suitable for you.

  • Before Treatment: The eye is numbed with topical anesthetic drops, and the area is prepared.
  • Membrane Placement: The preserved and sterilized membrane is placed over the cornea.
  • After Placement: A special contact lens may be used to hold the membrane in place.
  • Post-Treatment Care: Antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops may be prescribed when needed.
  • Follow-Up: Regular visits help monitor healing and the membrane’s absorption or integration.
Some patients may experience mild discomfort, a foreign body sensation, or temporary blurred vision after treatment. Improvement in symptoms may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the individual.

Understanding Dry Eye and Your Treatment Options

Dry eye can develop for several reasons, and understanding the underlying cause is an important part of managing symptoms. Our team can assess your eyes and help develop a management plan based on your individual needs.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye can affect both eyes and may cause different symptoms, including:

  • Stinging or Burning – A burning, stinging, or gritty feeling in the eyes.
  • Eye Redness – Red or irritated eyes.
  • Light Sensitivity – Increased sensitivity to light.
  • Excessive Watering – Eyes that water more than usual.
  • Blurred Vision or Eye Fatigue – Blurry vision or tired, strained eyes.
  • Foreign Body Sensation – A feeling that something is in your eye.

What Causes Dry Eye?

A healthy tear film has several components that work together to keep the surface of the eye comfortable and protected. Dry eye can occur when tear production decreases or when tears evaporate too quickly.

Several factors may contribute to dry eye, including:

  • Aging
  • Allergies
  • Hormonal changes
  • Eyelid problems
  • Gland dysfunction
  • Certain health conditions
  • Living in a dry climate
  • Extended screen time

One common factor is blockage of the Meibomian glands, which produce the lipid layer of the tear film. When these glands are not functioning properly, tear evaporation can increase and contribute to dry eye symptoms.

A Personalized Approach to Dry Eye Management

Managing dry eye involves more than simply using eye drops. Our team can help develop a personalized plan that may include targeted in-office treatments, nutritional guidance, and home care based on your needs. 

Home care may include:

  • Warm Compresses: Used as part of a regular eye-care routine.
  • Lid Hygiene: Keeping the eyelids and surrounding area clean.
  • Artificial Tears: May be recommended to help manage dryness and discomfort.

In-Office Treatment Options

For patients with more severe dry eye symptoms, targeted in-office treatments may be considered. Available options include:

  • Radiofrequency
  • Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
  • LipiFlow Therapy

These treatments may be used as part of dry eye management for symptoms such as burning, itching, redness, and irritation. The appropriate approach depends on the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms.

Managing Your Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye can have several contributing factors, so treatment is not the same for everyone. A thorough assessment can help identify factors affecting your tear film and determine which management options may be appropriate.

If you are experiencing persistent dryness, irritation, redness, light sensitivity, or other symptoms, speak with our eye care team about your dry eye management options.

Deep Cleansing for Healthier Eyelids and Lashes

ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is an in-office eyelid cleaning and debridement treatment developed by Zocular®. It is designed to clean the eyelids and lashes while helping address concerns associated with dry eye, blepharitis, and demodex.

The treatment uses a natural, okra-based gel to remove oil, debris, and residue from the eyelid margins and lashes. By improving eyelid hygiene, ZEST can help reduce the buildup that may contribute to irritation and inflammation around the eyes.

What Is ZEST?

ZEST works like a deep cleansing treatment for the eyelids and lashes. During the procedure, the okra-based gel is applied along the eyelid margins and lashes using a cotton swab. The gel is gently worked into a lather using circular motions before being rinsed away with saline solution.
The gel contains a refined extract of okra, an edible green seed pod. According to the provided product information, okra helps lift and clear oil, debris, and residue while being gentle around the eye area.

How Can ZEST Help?

Keeping the eyelids, eyelid margins, and lashes clean is an important part of eye hygiene. Buildup along the eyelid edges can contribute to symptoms such as itching, burning, gritty sensations, redness, and irritation.

ZEST is designed to address this buildup through thorough cleansing and debridement.

  • Removes Debris: Helps clear dirt, oil, and residue from the eyelid margins and lashes.
  • Supports Eyelid Hygiene: Provides a deeper cleansing treatment than routine eyelid cleaning.
    Addresses Demodex: The treatment is designed to help remove demodex mites and associated debris.
  • Helps Reduce Inflammation: Cleansing the eyelid area may help address buildup associated with irritation and inflammation.
  • Supports Dry Eye Care: ZEST may help relieve symptoms associated with dry eye and poor eyelid hygiene.

ZEST for Dry Eye, Blepharitis, and Demodex

Dry eye and blepharitis can be associated with inadequate eyelid hygiene. Debris along the eyelid margins can enter the tear film with blinking, potentially contributing to redness and irritation.

Demodex mites can also be present in the hair follicles around the eyelashes. According to the provided information, they may contribute to inflammation and dry eye symptoms by blocking the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes.

ZEST provides targeted cleansing of the eyelid margins and lashes to help remove this buildup and address demodex-related concerns.

A Simple In-Office Treatment

The ZEST procedure is performed in the office and involves applying the cleansing gel to the eyelid margins and lashes, working it into a lather, and then rinsing the area with saline solution. The treatment is designed to provide thorough eyelid and lash cleansing without requiring a lengthy procedure.

Is ZEST Right for You?

ZEST may be considered for patients experiencing symptoms associated with dry eye, blepharitis, demodex, or eyelid debris. An eye care professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether ZEST is appropriate for your eye care needs.
587-317-2134