Winter 2006/2007
Bladeless LASIK
Laser vision surgery involves sculpting the cornea (the transparent dome covering the pupil and iris) to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Typically, during the surgery, a flap is created at the front of the cornea using a precision blade. The flap is then folded back to allow laser treatment on the inner layer of the cornea. Following laser treatment, the flap is replaced. Intralase® technology allows the surgeon to create the corneal flap using a laser. This method of flap creation improves the safety, precision and predictability of the flap. Intralase® may allow a wider variety of patients to benefit from laser vision correction, including individuals with thinner corneas who may not have been previously suitable. In addition, Intralase® technology may decrease the incidence of potential side effects of laser vision correction such as dry eye. Intralase® is now available at TLC London; your doctor can advise you if you could benefit from this technology.
Cancer and the Eye
Primary eye cancers are rare (less than one percent of cancers) and arise from the tissues of the eye itself. Secondary (metastatic) cancers are cancers that originated elsewhere in the body that have spread to involve the eye or the orbit (eye socket). Treatment of primary and secondary eye cancer may involve combinations of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the situation.
Skin cancers of the skin around the eye and eyelid are the most common eye-related cancers. Like other skin cancers, reducing ultraviolet light exposure (using sunglasses and other sun protection measures) are the most effective means of prevention. New lumps, bumps or pigmented areas around the eye should be brought to your optometrist's attention (www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin/SN99999). Regular eye examinations can help ensure that skin cancers around the eye are detected early when minimally invasive treatments can be offered to preserve eye function and cosmesis.
Cancer treatments can also affect the eye. For instance certain drugs like tamoxifen or steroids can potentially affect visual function. Some types of chemotherapy treatments can be associated with eye irritation. Radiation treatments around the eye can contribute to eye dryness, cataracts or rarely vision loss due to nerve injury. Your optometrist can help monitor and treat ocular side effects of cancer treatment and can be an important part of the cancer treatment team.
Laser vision surgery involves sculpting the cornea (the transparent dome covering the pupil and iris) to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Typically, during the surgery, a flap is created at the front of the cornea using a precision blade. The flap is then folded back to allow laser treatment on the inner layer of the cornea. Following laser treatment, the flap is replaced. Intralase® technology allows the surgeon to create the corneal flap using a laser. This method of flap creation improves the safety, precision and predictability of the flap. Intralase® may allow a wider variety of patients to benefit from laser vision correction, including individuals with thinner corneas who may not have been previously suitable. In addition, Intralase® technology may decrease the incidence of potential side effects of laser vision correction such as dry eye. Intralase® is now available at TLC London; your doctor can advise you if you could benefit from this technology.
Cancer and the Eye
Primary eye cancers are rare (less than one percent of cancers) and arise from the tissues of the eye itself. Secondary (metastatic) cancers are cancers that originated elsewhere in the body that have spread to involve the eye or the orbit (eye socket). Treatment of primary and secondary eye cancer may involve combinations of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the situation.
Skin cancers of the skin around the eye and eyelid are the most common eye-related cancers. Like other skin cancers, reducing ultraviolet light exposure (using sunglasses and other sun protection measures) are the most effective means of prevention. New lumps, bumps or pigmented areas around the eye should be brought to your optometrist's attention (www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin/SN99999). Regular eye examinations can help ensure that skin cancers around the eye are detected early when minimally invasive treatments can be offered to preserve eye function and cosmesis.
Cancer treatments can also affect the eye. For instance certain drugs like tamoxifen or steroids can potentially affect visual function. Some types of chemotherapy treatments can be associated with eye irritation. Radiation treatments around the eye can contribute to eye dryness, cataracts or rarely vision loss due to nerve injury. Your optometrist can help monitor and treat ocular side effects of cancer treatment and can be an important part of the cancer treatment team.
Look Beautiful, See Well!
Cosmetics have been around for thousands of years … think of Cleopatra during Egyptian times! In modern times, many cosmetic products are in use including make-up, skin and hair products, perfumes, deodorants and shaving products. Use of these products may be associated with ocular allergic reactions, irritation or infections and can produce deposits on contact lenses. Following are some suggestions to minimize your chance of eye problems from cosmetics:
• To reduce the chance of bacterial contamination, do not keep cosmetic products (especially mascara) longer than three months
• Apply eyeliner just below the lower lid lashes or above the upper lid lashes, not on the inside rim of the eye (this avoids blocking tear glands on the inner eye lids as well as reducing the chance of scratching the eye)
Cosmetics have been around for thousands of years … think of Cleopatra during Egyptian times! In modern times, many cosmetic products are in use including make-up, skin and hair products, perfumes, deodorants and shaving products. Use of these products may be associated with ocular allergic reactions, irritation or infections and can produce deposits on contact lenses. Following are some suggestions to minimize your chance of eye problems from cosmetics:
• To reduce the chance of bacterial contamination, do not keep cosmetic products (especially mascara) longer than three months
• Apply eyeliner just below the lower lid lashes or above the upper lid lashes, not on the inside rim of the eye (this avoids blocking tear glands on the inner eye lids as well as reducing the chance of scratching the eye)
• Do not share cosmetics
• Do not apply cosmetics in a moving vehicle
• Close your eyes when using aerosols
• Apply makeup after inserting contact lenses
“Eye-Q Test”: Myth's and Facts about Children's Vision
Myth: Children should have their eyes examined only when they say they are having problems seeing well.
Fact: Before the age of 9, children do not have the experience necessary to know what is normal as far as their vision is concerned; they often assume that everyone sees things the way they do. There are signs a parent can watch for such as trouble reading signs in the distance, squinting or tilting the head frequently, and complaining of headaches, dizziness or nausea. Just as often, however, there are no signs that a child is having visual problems. As a result, regular eye examinations are very important. (Source: Ontario Association of Optometrists)
Myth: Children should have their eyes examined only when they say they are having problems seeing well.
Fact: Before the age of 9, children do not have the experience necessary to know what is normal as far as their vision is concerned; they often assume that everyone sees things the way they do. There are signs a parent can watch for such as trouble reading signs in the distance, squinting or tilting the head frequently, and complaining of headaches, dizziness or nausea. Just as often, however, there are no signs that a child is having visual problems. As a result, regular eye examinations are very important. (Source: Ontario Association of Optometrists)
Congratulations to our summer colouring contest winners and thanks to all those who submitted entries. Our prize winners received gift certificates from the Toy Shoppe of London.
First prize: Megan K.
Second prize: Maddie R.
Third prize: Irelyna T.
