Happy Holidays from Airdrie & Innisfail Eyecare Centre

This holiday season the Optometrists, Opticians and Optometric Assistants from Airdrie and Innisfail Eyecare decided to donate time and the usually funds for a team gathering, towards some local charities.  This year we were able to help:

Airdrie Food Bank

Airdrie Lioness Club Hamper Foundation's Adopt-A-Family Christmas Hamper Program

In From the Cold Airdrie

In From the Cold Calgary

Tails to Tell Animal Rescue Shelter

Innisfail & District Food Bank

Innisfail & District Christmas Bureau

We wish health and happiness to all our patients and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

The Optometrists at Airdrie and Innisfail Eyecare would like all contact lens wearers to read the following article.

To lower your risk of complications such as infections and corneal ulcers while wearing contact lenses, please follow proper handling techniques.  The linked article explains why this is so important.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/13/143444214/dirty-little-secret-almost-nobody-cleans-contacts-properly

Varilux Exclusive Day

November 30, 2011 is a Varilux Exclusive Day.  During this day you will receive a $50 discount on orders of the following lenses: Ipseo, Physio F-360, 360, Physio Short 360, Comfort 360, Ellipse 360 and Single Vision 360 when ordered with the following coatings: Crizal Forte, Sapphire, EZ clean, or Sun.  For more information and to discover which lenses will best compliment your lifestyle, please stop by and talk to us.

Halloween Hazard: The Hidden Dangers of Buying Decorative Contact Lenses Without a Prescription

Halloween is just around the corner, and if you are thinking about a costume that includes decorative contact lenses, read the link below and think again.  Last year I treated a patient that found out the hard way about these dangers.

Halloween Hazard: The Hidden Dangers of Buying Decorative Contact Lenses Without a Prescription

Children are settling into school, but how are their eyes doing?

Last week Eye See… Eye Learn package were sent out to school boards which will pass them along to parents with children in Kindergarten.  This program was designed to encourage parents to have children’s eyes examined as they enter school.  A pilot study showed 80% of children in Alberta will begin school without a comprehensive eye examination even though there is not cost, as it is covered by Alberta Health Care.  In this age group 14% of children will have some form of vision problem.  Often children are unable to express their vision problems unless it become severe, at which point learning will have already been affected.  With the help of the programs sponsors, a free pair of glasses is available should they be recommended and last year over 1600 were provided across the province. 

 

http://www.optometrists.ab.ca/parents

In general children should have their first eye exam around 6 months, then at age 3 and annually thereafter.

 

http://www.opto.ca/en/optometry/exam-frequency.html

We can all image how difficult it would be for us to function in the world with reduced or no vision.  So ensuring a child’s vision is functioning normally, will allow them equal opportunity to learn with their peers.  In Alberta children are covered up to their 19^th birthday for routine eye examination as well as visits to deal with red eyes, injuries or monitoring for problems associated with systemic disease such as diabetes.

Our children are our future, and our world is becoming more visually demanding, so book your child’s examination today.

Save $2.00 on Systane Products for Dry Eyes!

Until the end of 2011, save $2.00 of your purchase of Systane lubricating drops from our office.  The Systane Family now includes:

Systane Ultra

Systane Balance

Systane Gel drops

Symptoms of Dry Eye can include:

• Eye dryness
• Eye irritation
• Scratchy eyes
• Burning or stinging eyes
• Foreign body sensation (Feels like something is in your eyes)
• Gritty eyes
• Tired eyes
• Fluctuating or blurry vision
• Photophobia (Your eyes feel sensitive to light)
• The impulse to blink more than usual
• General eye discomfort
• Excessive tearing

If you experience one or more of the symptoms above, you may have dry eye. To find out for sure, it's best to see your Optometrist.  Once your doctor determines the 

type of Dry Eye, a treatment plan can be formed.  

Check out Systane's website to learn more about Dry Eyes and to take the Non-Invasive Tear Break-up Time Test.

http://www.systane.com/Dry-Eye-Syndrome.aspx

Wiley X has arrived

We are proud to now carry an assortment of Wiley – X Safety Frames.  No more boring safety glasses, these sunglass styled plastic frames are available with prescription lenses, and removable sweat liners. And good news, they are eligible frames in the OVC Work Safety program!

Exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity Impact Safety & Optical Standards

  

Most Frames are Rx-Ready & All Rx-Ready Frames Carry the ANSI Safety Marking

Exceeds Military Specifications For Ballistic Impact Protection.

Wiley X – Rout with gray sunglass lenses