Come See Us in Markham for Your Eye Care

Why have an Eye Exam ?

Most of us take our health for granted. We take our vision for granted, too. We think nothing of booking our dental checkups and cleanings, and go for our annual physicals, but give little thought to the health of our eyes. The truth is that many eye problems sneak up on us. Many eye diseases, like glaucoma, have no symptoms. Many systemic diseases, like diabetes, affect the health of the eyes. In most instances, loss of vision is gradual and goes unnoticed for some time before the situation is addressed, like the gradual loss of near vision that comes with middle age. Just like when the dentist says “no cavities” there is comfort in knowing that you see well and that your eyes are healthy.

Children’s Vision

It is said that 80 percent of learning is visual, and that one-in-six children has a vision problem that is significant enough to impair learning. Children younger than nine will rarely admit to difficulty with their vision even though they may have significant difficulty seeing clearly or comfortably. There has been many a parent surprised to learn their child needed glasses or had an eye coordination problem, when nothing was suspected. Be certain that your child sees as well as possible. Bring your child in for an eye exam. The examination is child-friendly (using pictures) and children can be seen as early as six months of age.


Myopia (near sightedness) is a growing problem among children. It causes not only blurred distance vision but increases the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment later in life. New technologies are available to help to slow the progression of myopia. We can discuss these options with you to determine what is best for you and your child.

Seniors

It would be nice if we had the eyesight of a teenager throughout our entire life. The truth is that most of us do not. As we age, we lose the ability to focus clearly on near objects. We need longer arms and reading assistance. Some of us develop age-related conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Systemic illnesses and medications sometimes cause annoying side effects. We deal with dry eyes, and perhaps allergies. The eye examination of the older adult is designed to assess and address the changes that come with the approach of the golden years.

Dry Eye Disease

Tears are not just for crying. They help to keep the surface of your eye (cornea) healthy. They provide lubrication to keep you comfortable, protect against disease and allergens, and assist with clear, consistent vision.

Dry eye disease has many causes and is more common as we age. It is also more common among women. In all cases, tears do not stay on the cornea between blinks to maintain comfort and a healthy eye.
Symptoms of dry eyes are often hard to describe, but include:
  • A gritty or sandy sensation
  • Redness and irritation
  • Burning and stinging
  • Inconsistent blurry vision
  • Watery eyes, tearing
  • Contact lens intolerance
Please talk to us about how your eyes feel. While there is no cure for dry eyes, there are treatment options available to help you manage your symptoms.

Eyeglasses

After your eye examination we would be more than happy to fit you with an eyeglass prescription that will help to improve your vision. We will take care to help you find a frame that complements your face, matches your style, and is fashionable. The frame should fit you comfortably and be suitable for the lenses that will go in it. We will assess your wants and your needs, your hobbies, your occupation and the intended use of your glasses. We can make prescription sport glasses, swimming goggles and sunglasses, too.

Sunglasses

The beneficial effects of sunshine feel wonderful but we all know that it is possible to have too much of a good thing! The UV rays from the sun can cause skin and eye damage, including the following:
  • Cataracts and macular degeneration
  • Snow blindness (inflammation of the cornea)
  • Skin cancer of the eyelids
  • Migraine trigger
  • Pterygium and pinguecula (fleshy growths on the eye surface)
In addition to filtering out harmful UV rays, sunglass lenses are made to reduce glare as well (polarized lenses), which is especially comfortable when driving and when out on the water or snow. Many frame styles are available to suit your needs and preference.

Treat yourself! Invest in a quality pair of sunglasses. You won’t regret it!

Contact Lenses

There are many reasons to consider wearing contact lenses. A gymnast or basketball player will appreciate good eyesight with freedom from glasses, and eyeglasses do not always fit well under a hockey helmet! Contact lenses provide better vision for certain types of vision problems. Some people simply do not like the look of themselves in glasses. 

Contact lenses can be fitted across all age groups to improve vision for a number of conditions, including near and far sightedness and astigmatism. Multifocal contact lenses address the needs of patients who need help with both near- and far-distance vision. Type of lens and lens material will depend on individual needs; complex cases may require rigid gas permeable lenses. We are also able to fit lenses that have been scientifically proven to reduce the progression of myopia (near sightedness) in children. 

Laser Vision Correction and Refractive Lens Exchange

Many of our patients have a desire to have laser vision correction. After a comprehensive eye examination, and a discussion of your needs and expectations, we will be able to tell you if you are a suitable candidate for laser correction.


Refractive Lens Exchange is another refractive surgical option designed to eliminate or reduce the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is a surgical procedure where the lens in the eye is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. The procedure is very much like cataract surgery, without having a cataract. The intraocular implant lens is designed to eliminate your refractive error (need for glasses). Single vision or multifocal lens implants are available for consideration. The procedure is usually reserved for those individuals who can no longer read without the help of bifocal/progressive or reading glasses. 


If the decision is made to proceed with refractive surgery, you will be referred to a trusted refractive surgery centre and will return to us for expert follow-up care.

Book Your Appointment

 For eye care in Markham, choose Heritage Optometry.

Give us a call today to set up your next appointment!
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