Common Eye Problems and the Role of an Optometrist

It is important to take good care of your eyes in order for them to work properly in the future. Many people experience eye problems from time to time. These eye problems tend to increase with age. An optometrist will take care of your eye problems before they progress and cause you to lose the ability to see completely.

You can find an optometrist open on Sunday in Vaughan, ON if you or your family member needs immediate eye care at the office of Dr. Allyson Tang.

The Role of an Optometrist

An optometrist takes care of the primary health care of your eye. They mainly focus on your regular vision and also:

• Conduct eye exams and vision tests
• Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Fit eyeglasses
• Monitor any eye condition that is related to medical conditions like diabetes
• Manage and treat eye conditions such as glaucoma and dry eye
• Provide vision therapy and low vision aids

Types of Eye Problems

Some eye problems might be minor and can go away after a few days, while some may need a specialist’s care. An optometrist can treat the following vision problems:

1. Eyestrain

Reading for many hours, working on your computer, or driving for a long period can cause a strain in your eyes. Your eyes are overused. They get tired and therefore need to rest like how your body gets tired after a long workout. If your eyes are strained, make sure you get some rest. If they continue being weary, you can visit an optometrist to see if specialty glasses can help reduce the eyestrain.

2. Red eyes

Your eyes have blood vessels, and they expand when your eyes are irritated or infected, making them look red. Red eyes can also be caused by eyestrain, lack of sleep, allergies, or injury. It can also be a sign of damage from the sun from not wearing sunglasses for a long time. Your optometrist can determine the cause and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

3. Dry eyes

This is a condition that causes you to not have enough good quality tears. You may feel that your eye has something in it or is burning. If it is severe, it may lead to loss of vision.

Your optometrist may recommend the following treatment options:

• Use a humidifier in your room or home
• Use special eye drops that look like your tears
• Use plugs in your tear ducts to reduce drainage
• Go through a procedure called Lipiflow, where heat and pressure are used to treat your dry eyes
• Use eye ointment
• Take supplements that contain fish oil or omega 3

4. Cataracts

Cataracts are clouding of the lens in our eyes. This blocks light from reaching the back of your eye, which prevents you from seeing very well. You may also notice a halo or glare around lights at night. Cataracts develop very slowly and do not come with any symptoms like pain or redness. Therefore, it is advisable to visit an optometrist as soon as you notice it.

5. Glaucoma 

It is a group of eye conditions that damages the optic nerve. It is caused by higher pressure in your eye, an injury to the eye, inflammatory disorders in your eye, or blocked blood vessels. It is the leading cause of loss of sight in people over 60 years. If not treated, it can lead to blindness. Visit your doctor if you experience some pain, headache, or blurred vision.

6. Diabetic Retinopathy

Medical conditions like diabetes can cause changes to the eyes, leading to changes in vision. It is the leading cause of loss of vision in working age adults. Therefore, it is recommended to have annual eye exams to catch these changes early.

Finding an Optometrist in Vaughan

Are you looking for an optometrist open on Sunday in Vaughan, ON? Visit the office of Dr. Allyson Tang. Our eye doctors and opticians are open on Sundays for your convenience.

We can treat a comprehensive range of eye problems. Let us do the same for you. Visit us any day of the week for quality eye care.