Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes blurred distance vision usually beginning in childhood and increasing dramatically, with estimates of half the world predicted to have myopia by 2050. We know that more near work and time indoors contributes to the lengthening of the eyeball that causes myopia. This lengthening of the eye not only blurs the vision, […]
Why AI Can’t Do It All
A lot has changed in my 37 year career in optometry but the subjective refraction (otherwise known as the dreaded “Which is better 1 or 2?”) remains virtually unchanged. So why, with all of our sophisticated equipment, do we still go through this? We do hear you all groan as we pull over the phoropter […]
What is all that equipment at Pierce Family Vision?
OCT Optical Coherence Tomography is now an indispensable part of our adult eye exams. Using regular light, it allows 3D and cross-sectional detailed images of the macula and optic nerve as well as the cornea and iris. OCT is quick, easy and comfortable to do. As well as assisting diagnosis and management of macular degeneration […]
How Can Ortho-K Help My Child’s Vision?
Orthokeratology is a process that uses overnight therapeutic lenses to correct myopia, also known as nearsightedness. It has been around for over 50 years, and these contact lenses work in 2 ways. Also known as “ortho-k,” these lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight (while the patient sleeps) and are removed in the morning, leaving the […]
Are Online Contact Lenses Dangerous?
Contact lens sales and fitting are theoretically regulated in Canada and yet they are now readily available online. So why should you see a licensed optometrist or optician for your contact lenses? Firstly, a full eye exam every year or two is important to make sure that your eyes are healthy and your prescription is […]
Pickleball, Sports, & Eye Protection
Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in Canada and the USA. Similar to tennis but slower-paced and easier to learn, it uses smaller hard paddles and hard plastic wiffle-type balls. Its popularity is due in large part to its fun, social nature, and great exercise. However, along with other racquet sports like squash, racquetball, tennis, […]
What is the Avulux tinted lens for migraine and light sensitivity?
I made the decision to bring the Avulux lenses to our patients at Pierce Family Vision on a day when I had a migraine myself. That familiar ache behind my right eye made it difficult to concentrate on what the Avulux rep was saying but I was very interested to try the lenses myself. I […]
April 8th Solar Eclipse: What will it look like in Waterloo Region and should I be concerned?
On Monday April 8, 2024 Southern Ontario will experience either a partial or total solar eclipse. Some school boards, including the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, are scheduling a PD day that day as the peak of the eclipse is at 3:18 pm, and the Waterloo Region District School Board has now decided to close […]
Suggestions for Visually Impaired Family or Friends
In the past, the optometrists at Pierce Family Vision have referred visually impaired patients to the UW School of Optometry Low Vision Clinic or the CNIB/Vision Loss Rehabilitation for both low tech and high tech assistance. We can now also give families some newer options to consider beyond spectacles: Feel free to share this with […]
Is Your (OHIP) Ontario Health Card Expired?
For years, we all had those red and white OHIP cards that never expired. Most of us now already have one of the new green Ontario health cards with the photo ID on it. And now, they EXPIRE! The last thing you want to have happen when you need healthcare, whether it is for an […]
