The Advantages of Using Optomap Screening in Our Practice

When it comes to eyewear and eye exams, staying ahead of the curve with innovation and technology is an important part of providing exceptional care for our patients. At Eyewear Experts, we pride ourselves on utilizing state-of-the-art solutions such as Optomap screening technology to improve our overall patient experience. Whether you’re visiting us for a routine screening or monitoring ongoing conditions, Optomap ensures that you receive the best possible care.

What is Optomap Screening

Optomap is a revolutionary retinal imaging technology that provides a comprehensive, wide-field view of the retina. Unlike traditional methods that capture only a limited portion of the retina, Optomap delivers a 200-degree image in a single scan. This broader perspective allows our opticians to detect a variety of eye health issues early, including retinal tears, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even signs of systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension.

At Eyewear Experts, we use Optomap to ensure every patient has access to state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities. Early detection can make all the difference in preserving your vision and overall health.

Key Benefits of Optomap Screening

1. Wide-Field Imaging for Early Detection

Think of Optomap as a panoramic picture of your retina – the critical part of your eye that helps you see. Many eye problems don’t have obvious symptoms, but with Optomap, we can capture a much wider view and catch issues early on, like retinal detachments, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Early detection often means more effective treatment and can even prevent vision loss.

2. A Non-Invasive and Painless Experience

Eye exams can be a bit intimidating, but with Optomap, there’s no need for discomfort. The exam does not require dilation drops and offers a quick, painless experience for everyone, from young children to seniors.

3. Ongoing Monitoring for Eye Health

One of the biggest benefits of Optomap is that it allows us to track your eye health over time. We can compare images from each visit and spot even the tiniest changes. This is especially helpful for patients with conditions like glaucoma or those at risk for retinal problems. By monitoring these subtle changes, we can adjust your treatment plan right away and ensure you’re getting the best possible care.

4. Seamless Collaboration with Retinal Specialists

With Optomap, we can instantly share the images with retinal specialists if needed. This means you get a comprehensive evaluation quickly and efficiently, ensuring you receive the best care possible.

Why Choose Optomap Eye Exams at Eyewear Experts?

We’re always looking for ways to enhance your experience and provide the best possible eye care, which is why we’re excited to incorporate Optomap technology into our practice. Here’s how it benefits you:

You’re in expert hands: With over 40 years of experience, we’re dedicated to using the latest technology like Optomap to ensure you receive top-notch care during your eye exam.
A thorough approach to your eye health: Optomap helps us provide a more comprehensive and personalized approach to your eye care, ensuring we address your unique needs.
A comfortable and efficient experience: We want your visit to be as pleasant as possible. Optomap allows us to provide a non-invasive and efficient screening, making your experience more comfortable and beneficial. Plus, it helps us make sure your eyeglasses are perfect for you!

What Our Patients Are Saying

Our patients love the peace of mind that comes with knowing their eye health is being monitored with cutting-edge technology. One patient remarked:

“They have all the latest technology for eye exams…I am so happy with the service they provide, and will definitely keep coming back to them! ”

Investing in Your Eye Health

At Eyewear Experts, we understand that your vision is priceless. That’s why we’ve embraced Optomap as a vital part of our practice. By combining advanced technology with our personalized approach to eye exams, we strive to ensure the best possible outcomes for your eye health.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of Optomap screening, contact us to schedule an appointment today. Let us help you see the world more clearly and confidently.

The Heart of Eyewear Experts: The Importance of Educated Staff for Our Patients

Exceptional eye care goes far beyond providing eyeglasses or contact lenses. At Eyewear Experts, it’s about crafting an experience where every patient feels seen, understood, and supported. At the cornerstone of this experience is our team of licensed opticians, who each bring their unique backgrounds, expertise, and passion for helping others to the table, ensuring that every person we provide eyewear to has a positive experience.

Highly-Skilled Licensed Opticians

Whether we’re addressing complex prescription lens needs, teaching new contact lens wearers how to use their new eyewear, or simply answering questions about our frames or services, our expert opticians are here to help. With a team of 10 opticians boasting a combined experience of more than 200 years, you can rest assured that Eyewear Experts is equipped to handle your optical needs.

Our team’s wealth of experience isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about perspective. Each of our opticians has honed their craft by working with patients of all ages, lifestyles, and vision needs, giving them a broad understanding of how to deliver solutions as individual as the people who walk through our doors.

Beyond Eyewear

Our opticians are experts in selecting, fitting, and customizing eyewear, but they offer much more than technical expertise. They’re problem-solvers, listeners, and educators who prioritize understanding each patient’s unique needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for eyewear that complements an active lifestyle or need assistance managing your new prescription, we’re here to offer personalized solutions.

Our opticians are passionate about making a difference. Whether helping a child see clearly with their first pair of glasses or ensuring that you feel confident in your new frames, each success story inspires our team to deliver the highest level of care.

The Value of Education and Expertise

Our team is always learning about the latest advancements in lens technology and frame design. Our dedication allows us to offer cutting-edge options like progressive lenses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses that are high-performing and comfortable.

Our opticians also excel at recommending the perfect eyewear to suit your lifestyle, whether you need impact-resistant lenses for work or athletics, stylish frames to keep up with the latest trends, or lenses designed for long hours in front of a computer screen.

Our Commitment to Excellence

We’re all about building relationships. We’re not just here to sell you eyewear; we want to ensure you’re confident, comfortable, and seeing clearly. That’s why we’re here to support you long after you’ve taken your eyewear home, helping ensure a consistent, comfortable fit and addressing any questions you may have.

Visit Eyewear Experts Today

Whether you need a routine prescription lens update, are exploring contact lens options for the first time, or want expert advice on specialized eyewear, our expert opticians are here to help. With over 200 years of combined experience and a passion for helping our patients look and see their best, we’re confident you’ll notice the Eyewear Experts difference the moment you step through our doors.

Stop by Eyewear Experts or contact us and discover how our educated staff can transform your vision experience. Because for us, it’s not just about helping you see better—it’s about helping you live better.

Protect Your Vision: Tips for a Sun-Safe Canada Day Celebration

Every July 1st, Canadians from coast to coast gather to celebrate our nation’s birthday – Canada Day. This annual holiday marks the union of three colonies into a single Dominion within the British Empire on July 1, 1867. Since then, it has evolved into a day of national pride, unity, and vibrant festivities that showcase the diverse cultural fabric of the Great North.

As a proudly Canadian company, Eyewear Experts wants to wish you a safe and festive Canada Day. With outdoor Canada Day celebrations approaching, we encourage you to prioritize one aspect that is often overlooked: your eye health.

How to Protect Your Eyes During Outdoor Festivities

Many Canada Day celebrations take place outdoors – from barbecues and community gatherings to fireworks and performances. Extended exposure to the sun’s rays can lead to conditions like photokeratitis, cataracts, and even certain eye cancers.

Just as you’d protect your skin from sunburn, shielding your eyes from these harmful rays is equally important. Here are some of our top tips for protecting your vision:

Wear sunglasses with complete UV protection – Perhaps the most effective way to protect your eyes from UV exposure is by wearing sunglasses. But not all sunglasses are created equal. When purchasing sunglasses, look for a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Choose the right lens – Polarized lenses are a good option, as they reduce glare from reflective surfaces, improving comfort and visibility. But remember, polarization does not equate to UV protection, so make sure the lenses also offer UV protection. Photochromic lenses, which automatically darken in sunlight, could be beneficial for people sensitive to light or those with certain eye conditions.
Consider wraparound-style frames – Sunglasses that wrap around your eyes can protect your vision from the side, blocking UV rays that might slip in from the edges. This style is handy for activities with high glare, like at the beach or in the snow.
Don’t forget the kids – Children’s eyes are more susceptible to UV radiation, as they have larger pupils and clearer lenses. Make sure they’re equipped with appropriate sunglasses and hats when playing outside.
Wear protective eyewear even on cloudy days – UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so it’s important to wear protective eyewear even on overcast days.
Opt for a wide-brimmed hat or cap – For additional protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap to shield your eyes from the sun. This is especially useful during the mid-day sun when the rays are strongest.
Regular eye exams – Regular eye exams are crucial to detect early signs of eye damage due to UV radiation. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, inform your eye doctor so they can assess your risk and recommend protective measures.

Celebrating Our Great Nation

For many Canadians, Canada Day is an opportunity to explore the country’s natural wonders. Parks, lakes, and outdoor spaces become gathering places for families and friends who engage in activities such as hiking, picnicking, and canoeing.

While Canada Day brings jubilation and excitement, it is also an occasion for reflection. Canadians take a moment to acknowledge our Indigenous Peoples and their rich cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation, fostering deeper understanding, and creating a more equitable future for all.

From all of us at Eyewear Experts, we’re wishing you all a Happy Canada Day. Let’s celebrate our heritage, unity, and ability to see and appreciate all the beauty our country has to offer!

Father’s Day Gift Ideas: Stylish Sunglasses for Men

Father’s Day is a time to recognize the efforts of the fathers in our lives. Whether you’re shopping for your own dad, your grandfather, your uncle, or another special man in your life, sunglasses are a gift that’s as thoughtful as it is practical. While they make a fashionable accessory, they also offer protection for Dad’s eyes whether he’s working outdoors or taking you on a fun adventure.

At Eyewear Experts, we pride ourselves on offering a wide array of sunglasses for men. We have styles to suit every man, ensuring you can find the perfect pair for the Dad in your life. Here are four of the most popular styles men are asking for this Father’s Day.

1. Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized lenses are designed to offer enhanced protection against UV-A and UV-B rays. They come in a wide range of shapes, styles, and colours, each designed to reduce glare and enhance vision while Dad’s spending time outdoors.

2. Timeless Aviators

Aviators have been in style for decades and continue to make a stylish addition to any man’s wardrobe of accessories. Whether you opt for a more neutral black frame or a more vibrant gold or silver, aviators will have the Dad in your life looking great and feeling more comfortable in the sunshine.

3. Sporty Wraparounds

Wraparounds are the ultimate choice for the Dad who loves skiing, hiking, cycling, or other outdoor sports. They offer a secure fit that stays put while he’s active, as well as comfort, style, and functionality.

4. Classic Rectangles

For the Dad who prefers something toned down, classic rectangle glasses make an excellent choice. This frame style suits almost any occasion, from casual afternoons out to formal outdoor affairs.

Find Sunglasses for Men at Eyewear Experts

If you’re looking for sunglasses in Red Deer this Father’s Day, look no further than Eyewear Experts. We have a huge selection of sunglasses for men in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and colours. From sunglasses with prescription lenses to non-prescription polarized sunglasses, we’ve got something your Dad is sure to love.

Visit us in-store or contact us for more information.

UV Protection: Why Sunglasses Are Important

We’ve all heard that wearing sunglasses protects our eyes from the sun, but what exactly does that mean? In this post, we’ll discuss how exposure to sunlight can cause damage to your eyes, and how sunglasses can help.

How UV Rays Affect Your Eye Health

The sun can affect our eyes in many different ways, and different types of UV rays can affect the eyes and other parts of the body. UV-B is the type of UV ray that’s responsible for sunburns and skin damage, and UV-A affects cells deep within the body, playing a role in aging and eye health. When choosing sunglasses, it’s important to select a pair that has built-in protection against both UV-A and UV-B radiation to ensure your eyes are properly protected.

There are several ways that too much exposure to UV rays can affect your eyes. These include:

Photokeratitis: This is essentially a sunburn on the eyes caused by UV-B rays. It can happen when you’re exposed to intense UV radiation. Photokeratitis is temporary and can result in blurred vision, light sensitivity, and pain. It most often occurs as a result of snow reflection/snow blindness, especially at high altitudes, from water reflections, or from exposure to artificial UV radiation resulting from tanning beds or welders arcs.
Cataracts: Cataracts cause clouding in the lens of the eye. Many factors contribute to the likelihood of developing cataracts, including aging, genetics, diabetes, and previous eye surgeries. That said, sunlight has been shown to contribute to cataract development, and while sunglasses won’t directly prevent this condition, they can prevent cumulative UV damage to the eyes and prolong cataract development.
Eye cancers: Ocular melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer. It occurs most commonly in the iris, choroid, or ciliary body, but it can also appear on the conjunctiva or the eye socket. While eye cancers are rare, UV radiation is considered to be a risk factor by some medical professionals. Eye cancers can lead to long-term vision loss.
Pinguecula and Pterygium: These non-cancerous growths occur on the conjunctiva as a result of UV exposure. A pinguecula is a raised white or yellow growth that can cause dryness, while a pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth that starts in the conjunctiva and grows into the cornea, potentially affecting the vision due to the resulting change in the cornea’s shape.

How Sunglasses Can Help

The best way to protect your eyes from potential damage and serious eye conditions is to wear sunglasses.

There are two types of sunglasses: tinted and polarized. While both offer UV protection, tinting doesn’t do as good a job at eliminating glare, especially when it’s coming off of water or snow. When light hits non-metallic surfaces like snow, water, and asphalt, the reflection vibrates in two directions-polarization eliminates these horizontal waves and stops them from entering your eyes. This makes it particularly important to wear sunglasses year-round.

The Benefits of Different Lens Colours

If you’re shopping for sunglasses in Red Deer, you’ll notice that polarized sunglasses are available in an array of colours and tints.

Grey: Grey helps to reduce glare, especially for individuals who have light sensitivity. It shields from bright light, making it helpful for sunny days. Grey is a great choice when selecting all-purpose sunglasses.
Green: Green can filter out some blue light, and golfers and tennis players often prefer green sunglasses when seeking to filter bright sunlight.
Brown: Brown tint increases contrast, making it ideal for cloudy days. Its ability to brighten dull landscapes may also help improve depth perception while driving.

Protect Your Eyes: Shop for Polarized Sunglasses in Red Deer

Sunglasses are a great way to keep your eyes safe year-round, offering protection from potentially harmful UV-A and UV-B rays. They’re available in many styles, tints, and colours, each with varying benefits and functionalities.

To learn more about what type of sunglasses best suit your needs, visit Eyewear Experts in Downtown Red Deer or Gasoline Alley. Our experts can help you select a style and tint that you’ll love! Contact us today or visit us in-store.

Does Eye Strain Mean You Need Prescription Lenses?

As common as it is, eye strain is never a good experience. It can cause your vision to blur, your eyes to feel fatigued, and headaches. While eye strain is rarely serious, frequent occurrences could indicate that you’re in need of prescription lenses. In this post, we’ll explore what you need to know about eye strain, including how to prevent it and when you need to schedule an eye exam.

Eye Strain Explained

Eye strain is a common issue that nearly everyone experiences at some point. In today’s world, the prevalence of this condition is much higher thanks to the ever-increasing use of screens for work, education, and entertainment purposes.

While eye strain can often be easily treated at home, ongoing occurrences or prolonged episodes of strain are best investigated by an eye care professional.

Eye Strain Symptoms

Blurred vision
Tired or sore eyes
Dry, watery eyes
Increased light sensitivity
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating

Why Eye Strain Happens

If you spend a long period of time focusing, especially on digital devices, you may suffer from eyestrain as a result of overusing your eyes. That said, there are several other reasons you may experience eye staring, including exposure to bright light, attempting to focus in low light, fatigue, dry eye, and of course, struggling to focus without proper vision correction.

Treating Eye Strain with Prescription Lenses

While eye strain can often be treated with drops and rest, some cases require vision correction. Frequent eye strain is often the first sign that a person requires prescription lenses, so when it occurs consistently, it’s important to schedule an eye exam.

While corrective lenses can help reduce eye strain, those who work on computers or frequently use screens may also want to consider blue-light-blocking glasses to prevent strain further. An optician can conduct a thorough eye exam to help you determine the right prescription lenses to suit your needs and lifestyle.

Shop for Prescription Lenses in Red Deer

If you’re suffering from frequent eye strain, Eyewear Experts can help. Schedule an appointment with our optician to check the health of your eye and determine the underlying causes of eye strain. If vision correction is needed, visit our team to find prescription lenses in Gasoline Alley or downtown Red Deer.

Prescription Eyewear & Sunglasses: The Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and finding the ideal gift to express appreciation for everything that moms do can be a challenge. This year, consider giving the gift of style, practicality, and eye care with prescription eyewear or sunglasses.

Showing Appreciation for the Mom in Your Life

Moms juggle a ton of responsibilities every day, often putting everyone else’s needs far ahead of their own. Prescription sunglasses or eyewear can elevate their style while prioritizing their eye health. Whether the mom in your life enjoys reading, working on her computer, or basking in the sunshine, the right pair of eyewear can enhance her comfort and visual clarity.

A Gift That Blends Fashion with Function

For the mom who loves outdoor activities, polarized sunglasses offer protection and style. Designed to shield her eyes from harmful UV rays while reducing glare, these sunglasses ensure she can enjoy her time outdoors with clarity and comfort.

Additionally, prescription eyewear can be customized to address specific vision needs, whether she needs glasses for reading, driving, or everyday use. By gifting her a stylish pair of glasses that suits her tastes and vision needs, you’ll be able to show thoughtfulness and care for her wellbeing.

Trust Mom’s Vision to Eyewear Experts

This Mother’s Day, go beyond traditional gifts and surprise your mom with something she’ll truly appreciate and use. Bring your mom to Eyewear Experts to find the perfect eyewear in Red Deer.

Reduce Eye Strain with Blue Light Glasses

The average Canadian spends about six hours per day using computers, tablets, and smartphones. Unfortunately, the blue light emitted by these devices can cause strain and fatigue in the eyes, leading to blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and even headaches. Blue-light glasses can reduce these symptoms and help you enjoy screens without discomfort.

What is Blue Light?

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, which means it can be seen by the human eye. It has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than other colours in the spectrum, ranging from about 380 to 500 nanometers.

While blue light is naturally emitted by the sun, it’s also produced by artificial light sources, such as LED lights, fluorescent lights, and digital screens, like those on smartphones, tablets, televisions, and computers. It plays an essential role in regulating our natural sleep and wake cycles, which is one reason excessive exposure can be harmful. Additionally, frequent, prolonged exposure to blue light can also be detrimental to eye health.

The Benefit of Blue Light Glasses

If you’re spending significant amounts of time in front of a computer screen or other blue light sources, blue light glasses can help reduce the negative effects associated with exposure. These specialized glasses are designed with lenses that filter out a portion of blue light to reduce the amount that reaches the eyes, helping to lessen eye strain and discomfort associated with long hours of screen use, known commonly as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome.

Wearing blue light glasses offers an array of benefits, including:

Reduced eye strain
Reduced risk of eye disease
Improved sleep
Reduced dry eye

Furthermore, wearing blue light glasses can help you work longer and increase your productivity while working on screens.

Blue Light Prescription Glasses in Red Deer

Using blue light glasses is a great way to ensure your eyes remain healthy, even with excessive exposure to blue light-emitting digital devices.

Whether you require prescription glasses with blue light blockers or simple non-prescription blue light glasses, Eyewear Experts can help you find a pair that works. Visit us today or contact us to schedule your appointment.

Contact Lens Tips for First-Time Wearers

Contact lenses are a great way to ensure optimal vision without the inconvenience of wearing glasses everywhere. That said, if you’re new to using contact lenses, they can come with their own set of challenges. Understanding proper care and maintenance, as well as potential risks and challenges associated with wearing contact lenses, is important.

Use the tips in this article as a guide to help you get acquainted with your new contact lenses.

Put Your Contact Lenses Carefully

Putting contact lenses in your eyes can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually quite simple.

Relax – If you’re shaking or stressed, getting the contact lenses to sit where you need them to can be difficult.
Wash your hands – It’s important to ensure your hands are clean so you’re not introducing harmful bacteria to your eyes.
Hold your eyelids open – Using your thumb and index finger on one hand, hold your eyelids open to prevent yourself from blinking.
Place the contact lens on your other index finger – Be sure to handle the lens carefully.
Look away from the lens – Avoid looking directly at the contact lens – instead, look upwards and place the contact lens near the bottom of your pupil.
Let go of your eyelids – Once the lens is securely sitting on your eye, let go of your eyelids and close your eyes to enable the contact to settle.

Keep Your Contacts Clean

Your contact lenses should be cleaned between every wear. You can do this by storing them in contact lens solution when you’re not wearing them—always ensure they’re stored in a case designed for contact lenses.

Additionally, you can use saline solution to rinse the solution and debris off your contact lenses before inserting them into your eyes.

Keep Your Contacts Hydrated

In addition to ensuring your contact lenses are clean, it’s just as important to keep them moist. While storing them in solution between wears does keep them moist when they’re not in your eyes, using contact lens eyedrops while wearing them, especially when working on screens or watching television, can ensure they don’t dry out during the day.

Change Contacts According to the Recommended Schedule

Your optician will recommend either continuous, daily or monthly contact lenses, and it’s important to ensure you’re changing them out as necessary. Daily contact lenses can be disposed of after each wear while monthly lenses should be stored in solution as outlined above.

If you’re prescribed continuous-wear contact lenses, it’s best to discuss recommendations with your optician to determine when they should be replaced and how long they can be worn.

Keep Glasses On-Hand

There may be times when your eyes become dry, irritated, or fatigued with contact lenses. When this happens, it’s important to take breaks from wearing them and stick with glasses for a day or two.

In the event that irritation, dryness, or blurred vision continues after taking a short break from wear, be sure to speak to an optician or optometrist.

Schedule a Contact Lens Specific Eye Exam

If you’re planning on making the switch from full-time glasses wearer to contact lens wearer, it’s important to schedule an eye exam specifically for contact lenses. While your prescription will be similar to your glasses, your optician will need to take measurements to ensure the right fit for your contact lens.

Contact Eyewear Experts to schedule an exam for contact lenses in Red Deer.

Prescription Safety Eyewear: Choosing the Right Pair for Work

The significance of protecting your eyes can’t be overstated—especially if you’re in an industry with a high risk of eye injuries. Prescription safety eyewear is a must when it comes to safeguarding your vision against potential hazards. Choosing the right pair of safety glasses or goggles can help you ensure you’re protected without sacrificing clear vision.

This guide will help you select the right prescription safety glasses for your job.

The Importance of Safety Eyewear

The workplace can pose various risks to eye health, including exposure to chemicals, dust, and even radiation, depending on your industry. The right safety eyewear acts as a barrier against these hazards, preventing injuries to your eye and ensuring that you’re able to perform your duties without the risk of vision loss. If you require prescription lenses, integrating vision correction into safety eyewear is essential to ensure your vision is clear and your eyes are protected.

Features to Consider

Finding safety eyewear with the right features is important. Here’s what to look for:

Material: The lenses should be made of a durable material that’s resistant to scratches and breaking. Polycarbonate is popular due to its high impact resistance and lightweight properties.
Design: The design you select should be comfortable and provide adequate protection around the eyes. Consider wrap-around styles or side shields for additional protection.
Lens Coatings: Anti-fog, anti-scratch, and UV protection coatings can enhance the functionality and longevity of your safety eyewear.
Compliance: It’s important to choose eyewear that meets the safety standards of Occupational Health and Safety, as well as your employer.
Customization: You may require custom lenses to suit specific vision needs—ensure the pair you choose can be customized accordingly.

Trust Eyewear Experts for Safety Eyewear in Red Deer

Choosing the right prescription safety eyewear is necessary to ensure your vision is protected at work. By considering factors such as the material, design, and lens coatings, you can ensure you find a pair that keeps your eyes safe and your vision clear.

For a selection of safety glasses and comprehensive eye exams, contact Eyewear Experts.