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

Ocular Migraines

ocular-migraine

Have you ever experienced blurred vision or an enlarging blind spot in the center of their vision, flashes or flickering of light, wavy or zigzag lines out of the corner of the eye that blocks part of their vision?

You may be experiencing a visual aura or ocular migraine. These symptoms often present when working in front of a computer screen and prevent you from continuing your work. They can last up to 30 minutes affecting your central vision and then moving outwards to your peripheral vision. Ocular migraines are painless, usually visual in nature and can affect one or both eyes. If the ocular migraine is followed by a throbbing headache, this is called a Migraine with Aura and can be accompanied by light sensitivity, noise sensitivity and/or nausea. These visual disturbances can be alarming and it is important to call our office and be seen by one of our Optometrists the same day.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), migraines have a genetic basis where up to 70% of suffers have a family history of migraines. Women are three times more affected then men. Triggers can include stress; certain foods such as aged cheeses, caffeinated drinks, red wine, smokes meats, and chocolate; food additives such as MSG and artificial sweeteners; low blood sugar; cigarette smoke, perfumes and other strong odors; glaring or flickering lights; and/or a lack of sleep. In Calgary, a change in barometric pressure such as a Chinook is a common cause of many migraine sufferers. For women in particular, hormonal changes with cycles or menopause can trigger migraines.

It is important to note, flashes of light can also related to retinal detachments or various other conditions. Please contact us whenever you notice changes to your vision or eye health so your condition can be properly diagnosed and treated.

recent post

phone Call NowBook Now

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