Who Should I Go to For My Eye Exam?

There is often much confusion regarding whom to see for an eye exam – after all there are three different “O’s” that care for eyes in various ways. Who should you choose? To answer this question, let’s first define who the three “O’s” are:   

• Optometrists (O.D.’s) – A doctor of optometry receives his degree after four years of post graduate training in a college of optometry. Optometrists are licensed to perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses and to treat many types of eye disease including conjunctivitis (pink eye or red eye) and glaucoma. Optometrists typically do not perform surgery. Instead they receive additional training on understanding and treating the functional aspects of vision – how to help people see the best they can in their day to day lives.

• Ophthalmologists – Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.’s) or osteopaths (D.O.’s) who take a three to five year residency in eye care after they receive their medical degree. In addition to providing comprehensive eye examinations, ophthalmologists are able to prescribe eye medications and perform surgery. Some ophthalmologists go on for additional training and become specialists in certain areas such as retinal, corneal, cataract and glaucoma treatment.

• Opticians – Opticians are professionals specially trained to fit, fabricate and dispense eyeglasses. Many states also allow opticians to dispense contact lenses. Opticians do not perform comprehensive eye health examinations.

Which one should you choose for your routine comprehensive eye exams – an ophthalmologist or an optometrist? Obviously I may be biased, but I know today’s optometrists are well trained and skilled at detecting eye disease. If specialized medical or surgical treatment is ever needed, we will quickly arrange for you to see the right ophthalmologist who specializes in your particular eye care problem.

Have Your Eyes Examined Regularly

In a study by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, it was found that up to 25 percent of school-age children have some form of vision problem that may affect learning, but only a small percentage of children ever receive a comprehensive eye exam. With the new Eye See Eye Learn program by the Alberta Association of Optometrist, our clinic is working to change this, by improving patient education and public awareness.

Even people with known eye problems aren’t getting eye exams. A study conducted at Duke University showed that only 70 to 90 percent of patients with glaucoma had a yearly check-up. Glaucoma is an eye disease that can slowly and silently cause blindness over a period of time. These patients often need to be followed at least two to three times a year. And yet a full 10 to 30 percent of them aren’t even going to the eye doctor yearly.

Similar numbers were found in patients with macular degeneration and diabetes. Only 65 to 80 percent of patients with macular degeneration have yearly eye exams and only 50 to 60 percent of patients with diabetes have them. Many of these people will very likely become legally blind from their untreated conditions. With the new medically necessary vision testing under Alberta Health Care your optometrist is able to follow these conditions (glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration) at no charge to yourself.
The evidence speaks for itself – the number one recommendation is to make sure you have your eyes examined regularly!

Can my dog get an eye exam?

Yes, but not in one of my offices. Dog’s have eye problems just like humans do. They can develop glaucoma, cataracts and retinal eye disease. In fact many pure breed dogs are susceptible to genetic eye conditions from improper breeding practices.

When my own dog had eye problems, I didn’t know who I should visit? I knew that there was an ophthalmologist at the University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Hospital, but that was a long way to drive for watery eyes. In the end, the vet near our home referred us to a doctor at the Lessard-Callingwood Veterinary Hospital in the west end who specializes in animal eye care.

The nerdy eye doctor inside of me was curious as to what an animal eye care specialist would do for testing. He had all the same tools in his office that I use in mine, just the hand held versions and a couple of modified tools that were just for animals. In the end he gave my dog a very thorough eye health evaluation and irrigated my dogs tear ducts. My dog seemed happy and so were we.

So if you’re in need of a good small animal eye doctor, then check them out or drive to Saskatoon.

Lessard-Callingwood Veterinary Hospital
7414-178 Street NW
780.481.5678

Santa arrives at Kingsway Mall

Santa arrives at Kingsway Mall today @ 11:00am, and the first 250 kids will receive a free gift from Cookies by George. Check it out! Its located on the lower level of the mall, by The Bay. The best parking will be had by Entrance #4.

This is the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season at Kingsway Mall. Christmas tunes are blasting throughout, which only serves to remind men that there is only 42 days now remaining until you have to surprise your significant other with something she's actually going to like.

Good luck and let the shopping begin!

Are you at risk for Diabetes?

November is diabetes awareness month across Canada, and world diabetes day is November 14th (Sir Frederick Banting’s Birthday – The man who first discovered insulin). The goal of diabetes awareness month is to draw attention and recognition towards one of our countries biggest medical issues. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, nearly 9 million Canadians live with diabetes or pre-diabetes and 20 people are diagnosed every hour with diabetes. 
Diabetes alone will prove the biggest test for the Canadian health care system, as patients with diabetes have increased medical expenses and complications throughout their lives. Diabetes is also the single biggest cause of vision loss in our society, secondary to diabetic eye disease. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma.

As a frontline health care provider, I’ve learnt that there is a lot of mystery surrounding diabetes and the health impacts of this condition. Many patients fail to realize the significance of their condition, and the underlying cause of why they developed it. Yes family history can play a role in predisposing someone to developing diabetes, but much of the condition (especially Type 2 diabetes) is lifestyle based, and this is the one area that we all have control over. Making proper dietary choices, and living an active lifestyle can all help to reduce your overall risk of developing diabetes.

To learn more about diabetes and diabetes awareness month, please visit the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Did you Know?

People with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes should receive an annual eye health examination along with a dilated retinal examination by an optometrist.

(Image Courtesy of Canadian Diabetes Association)

Book an Eye Health Exam with Optometrist Dr. Ross McKenzie Today!