Keep up-to-date on the latest vision-related news and eye care events in our Practice.
High myopia – severe nearsightedness – is associated with an increased risk of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can cause severe vision loss, but early detection can help preserve your vision.
Here's how eye exams helped save Katie's vision and quality of life. Call Thompson Optics to schedule your appointment.
Switching from glasses to scleral contact lenses can take several weeks. your Edmonton eye doctor will provide instructions on how to properly insert, remove, and care for the lenses, as well as how to monitor for any potential complications. Read on to learn more.
Discover why experts say there’s a myopia epidemic, and learn what you can do to keep your kids’ eyes healthy. Thompson Optics proudly offers myopia management treatments to nearsighted children for healthy and clear life-long vision.
Your eye experts at Thompson Optics have compiled our top 7 tips for keeping your eyes healthy and safe this holiday season. Let us know how else we can help!
Aging comes with many blessings but also certain challenges. Having a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of them. Fortunately, a formulation of vitamins and minerals called AREDS2 may slow the progression of vision loss from AMD. We at Thompson Optics in Edmonton offer treatment for macular degeneration and other eye diseases.
Did you know that a risk factor for developing myopia (nearsightedness) is living in an urban area? But don’t worry – the myopia management program at Thompson Optics can help.
World Keratoconus Day is celebrated every year on November 10 to raise awareness of this rare eye condition. Read on to learn about keratoconus and how it’s treated.
Genetic testing can help determine whether you have a genetic variant that may put you or your children at risk for certain diseases. Read on to learn about genetic testing for keratoconus.
It's Contact Lens Safety Month, which makes it the perfect time to brush up on ways to keep your eyes and vision healthy when wearing contact lenses. Here are our top contact lens safety tips to keep your peepers happy.
Glaucoma in children is rare, but when it occurs, it must be treated with surgery to prevent vision loss. Read on to learn more about congenital glaucoma symptoms and treatments.
Traditional myopia correction uses glasses to improve visual acuity, but they are not a solution for controlling myopia’s progression and may even contribute to worsening myopia. Myopia management is an effective treatment program to slow or halt myopia progression.
Seeing floaters is common and usually nothing to worry about. Yet there are times when floaters are a sign of a serious eye condition. Here’s what you need to know about eye floaters, and how Thompson Optics can help!
The most important reason for choosing myopia management is to protect your child’s precious gift of sight from sight-threatening eye diseases. But here’s an added benefit: it may save you money in the long run!
If you have corneal dystrophy, it will become increasingly difficult to wear standard contact lenses. Scleral lenses are an excellent choice for patients with many types of corneal irregularities, including most types of corneal dystrophy. Read on to learn how Thompson Optics can help.
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions in the world, yet many people put up with the discomfort, even though it's very treatable. Here are tips to help you deal with your dry eye symptoms, along with treatment from your eye doctor.
Unfortunately, glaucoma doesn't show any symptoms until its advanced stages. Read on to learn what you can to preserve your vision and live your best life.
Here are 5 eye symptoms that you should never ignore. Call Thompson Optics without delay if you or a loved one experiences any of these eye or vision problems.
Have you or a loved one have experienced complications following LASIK or any other type of refractive surgery? Scleral lenses may be just the solution you need! Read on to learn how scleral contact lenses can help restore clear and healthy vision.
Childhood myopia — nearsightedness — is reaching epidemic proportions. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to reduce their child’s risk of developing myopia.
Every child should have a comprehensive eye exam before the start of the new school year. Just as you wouldn’t consider sending them to school without a backpack or a lunch box, make sure their eyes and vision are ready for the challenges ahead.
Custom contact lenses are specially designed to fit irregularly-shaped corneas. If you find wearing regular contact lenses uncomfortable, ask your optometrist if custom contact lenses are right for you.
High myopia isn’t just difficulty seeing faraway objects. It can actually increase the risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life. Read on to find out how you can slow or halt your child’s myopia progression.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you're at risk of developing certain eye diseases. Read on to find out how to protect your vision.
Did you know that Nerf® guns, a supposedly safe children’s toy, have been shown to cause eye injury in certain cases? What makes them so dangerous?
Hyperopia affects near vision in children and young adults. Want to know more about hyperopia? Here we explain ways to recognize the condition and help your child if they have it.
Although cataract surgery is low-risk and very effective, here are 5 things to discuss with your eye doctor before having the procedure.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge, resulting in blurry and distorted vision. Here are the most commonly asked questions about keratoconus.
Cataract surgery not only improves vision. Research suggests that cataract surgery may also prevent cognitive decline.
Macular degeneration is a disease that can threaten your sight as it progresses, but early diagnosis and treatment can delay and even lower your risk of vision loss.
Myopia management, an optometrist-developed program, can slow and even halt the progression of a child’s myopia. Read on to learn more.
Here’s how you can celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27.
Scleral contact lenses provide the perfect fit and maximum comfort for people with keratoconus, other corneal irregularities or severe dry eye syndrome. Discover how scleral lenses can provide comfort and improved vision.
Working at home has many benefits, but it can also trigger computer-related eye strain. Here are some proven ways to reduce digital eye strain, whether at home or in the office.
Myopia — nearsightedness — affects your ability to see faraway objects. Unless myopia is managed during childhood, it raises the risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases later in life. Find out more about myopia management.
Many retinal conditions can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed early and treated promptly. If your optometrist notices signs of retinal disease, they’ll manage the condition until it's necessary to refer you to a retina specialist.
At some point in our lives, we've all had our eyes examined using an eye chart – whether during a school screening or at the optometrist's office. But what exactly is the chart and what does it measure? Read on to find out!
Covid-19 patients have a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes than people who haven’t had the virus. Diabetes-related diseases can cause severe vision loss, so anyone who has recovered from Covid should have regular comprehensive eye exams.
Bloodshot eyes can be harmless, but may also be a sign of an underlying eye condition.
Can you pass myopia, or nearsightedness, onto your kids? According to research, there is definitely a genetic component. Fortunately, myopia management can slow myopia progression.
Macular degeneration is a major cause of vision loss. Here are 6 ways to help lower your risk of developing this sight-threatening condition.
Vision supplements are a great way to add to your diet in a way that supports the long-term vision and eye health. Unfortunately, not all vision supplements are created equal. Many of them contain poor-quality ingredients or make claims about their benefits that are not backed up by science.
In people with certain eye conditions, regular contact lenses may be uncomfortable—even impossible— to wear. Here's why scleral lenses may be a better option.
When you think about high cholesterol, what do you think of? Most people would say something like “heart problem” or “cardiovascular disease.” But did you know that high levels of cholesterol can also have an effect on your body that goes beyond your heart? You may be surprised that high cholesterol can also have an impact on your eyes.
With technology making life more and more convenient every day, there’s a growing trend toward online healthcare appointments. And eye care is no different. But what exactly can you get out of an online eye care appointment, and what should you still expect to visit your Edmonton eye doctor in person for? Let’s find out!
In this day and age, you simply can’t escape the glow of smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs. Unfortunately, this can have some very damaging effects on your eyes.
Scleral contact lenses are tailor-made for people with keratoconus, irregularly shaped corneas and severe dry eyes, as well as patients recovering from certain eye surgeries. But did you know that they’re also ideal for people who live active lifestyles?
If your child spends too much time in front of screens, it’s important to set limits and establish routines to protect both their general health and their eye health and help prevent the development or progression of myopia.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, your optometrist will monitor its progression and manage your symptoms. Once you need surgery, your optometrist can direct you to an eye surgeon.
This March, in honor of National Save Your Vision Month, we’ve compiled a list of 5 essential ways to help you keep your eyes healthy and strong.
There are many reasons why your eyes may feel itchy and sore. However, new research suggests that these symptoms can also be linked to COVID-19.
With scleral lenses, you’ll experience consistently clear vision—even if you have an irregular cornea and dry eye syndrome. Here are some of the benefits of wearing scleral lenses.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to give your eyes some love. Here are 10 ways you can give your eyes the attention they deserve, to protect them both now and in the future.
Research suggests that children who are obese may have a higher risk of developing high myopia. Read up to learn why and discover what you can do about it.
An eyelid twitch can develop for a number of reasons, and most of the time it’s not a cause for concern. Find out what may be causing your eye to twitch and what can relieve it.
Keratoconus is an eye disease that changes the shape and function of the cornea. Here are 6 facts about keratoconus that you should know.
For many children, COVID-19 restrictions have meant more time indoors, and more time spent on digital screens. According to research studies, this has led to a worrying increase in myopia progression. Fortunately, there are ways to slow and sometimes stop myopia from worsening.
Your children's vision is their primary window into the world around them. Keeping their eyesight healthy is an important part of allowing them to experience life to the fullest. Read these 5 tips!
If your child spends a significant amount of time playing online video games, here’s what you need to know about how it can contribute to the onset and progression of myopia — nearsightedness.
Did you know that pregnancy hormones can affect your vision? Read on to learn about the possible visual changes that some women may experience while expecting, and what warning signs to look out for.
Have you or a loved one just been prescribed scleral contact lenses? If so, here are a few tips for making the transition a little smoother.
Schools across the country are learning virtually, which means kids are spending long hours staring at a computer screen. This has prompted eye care professionals everywhere to question the impact of prolonged screen time on children’s eyes.
For many children, learning via a digital device has become routine, and their eyes are paying the price. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize digital eye strain while your child is studying.
Not sure if you should have LASIK surgery? Here are a few reasons why ortho-k lenses make a great alternative to refractive surgery.
Creating healthy living habits is a great way to preserve your vision throughout your lifetime. These can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that gradually causes the cornea to thin and change shape. Luckily, there are different contact lens options to treat it.
If you've noticed that your vision turns hazy after enjoying a meal, you may have an early stage of diabetes mellitus. Here's how your optometrist can help.
Astigmatism is a non-spherical cornea that causes blurred vision. Here are 7 frequently asked questions and answers regarding this very common refractive error.
Myopia (nearsightedness) is the most common refractive error in children. While glasses and contact lenses can help correct a person’s vision, they don’t cure or slow the progression of myopia.
Photophobia (light sensitivity) is a common side effect of certain eye conditions. This discomfort can be treated with scleral contact lenses.
Eye care is just as important for children as it is for adults. The sooner you teach your children how to care for their eyes, the more likely they will be to ingrain these habits for life. Here are some tips for kids!
Do your eyes become irritated and itchy when you wear contact lenses? Could be dry eye syndrome, allergies or the contact lenses themselves. Read on to find out what to do if you experience contact lens discomfort.
Mosquito bites are annoying but on the eyelid they can be particularly uncomfortable and even impact your vision. Find out what you can do to treat the bite at home, and when it's a good idea to contact your optometrist.
Are your contact lenses uncomfortable? It may be time to look into custom-designed scleral lenses, which provide clear and comfortable vision to people with keratoconus, corneal irregularities, severe dry eye syndrome, astigmatism and hard-to-fit eyes.
Dry eye syndrome can cause dry, red, itchy, irritated eyes. While eye drops or artificial tears provide relief to some individuals, they may not be effective for people with severe dry eye symptoms. For these individuals, scleral lenses may be a better option. Find out how scleral lenses can help relieve your dry eye symptoms.
Is your child nearsighted (myopic)? Here’s what you need to know about myopia and how it can lead to sight-threatening eye disease in the future.
As we age our eyes start to change, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle with declining vision. Find out what you can do to maintain eye health after the age of 50.
Although COVID is still present in our lives, we are slowly returning to a semi-normal life. With so many disruptions this past year, the one thing that should be consistent is your child's back-to-school eye evaluations.
If you wear contact lenses, you likely appreciate the freedom it provides. But did you know that wearing contact lenses in water or while sleeping can damage your eyes?
If you have recently been diagnosed with keratoconus, you’ll likely have many questions. We’ve compiled 5 frequently asked questions about keratoconus so you can better understand the disease and learn how to manage it.
Choosing the right eye drops to relieve dry eye syndrome can be a real challenge, as there are several brands and products on the market. Learn all about the types of artificial tears available and start feeling better today.
Since blue eyes contain very little melanin — a pigment that helps block out light, including the sun’s harmful UV rays and blue light — they often feel more sensitive to bright light. Find out more.
Scleral contact lenses are so much more than oversized contact lenses. Here are our top 4 reasons why patients and doctors are calling scleral lenses a ‘big deal.’
More and more children are being diagnosed with myopia, a common refractive error associated with developing serious eye diseases later in life, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. Find out what myopia is and how to prevent it from progressing
Here’s another reason for parents to send their kids out to play. Research shows that spending 2 hours or more outdoors lowers the risk of developing myopia and slows its progression.
Here’s a glimpse into the life of Kenneth, a keratoconus patient. Read on to learn about his struggle with this eye disease, and how scleral lenses opened up a world of opportunities to him.
Dilated eye exams make it possible for eye doctors to better assess your eye health and are the only way to detect certain eye diseases.
Multifocal contact lenses can help people with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) see clearly, whether focusing on close or distant objects.
Myopia is, unfortunately, becoming the new norm. Is that because more children are spending more time looking at computers? Learn more about myopia and ways to manage it.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more than just blurry vision. Here’s why parents of myopic children should consider myopia control, and what we can do to help.
Playing outdoors offers numerous benefits, including delaying the onset of myopia. Read on to learn why that is, and learn why slowing myopia progression is vital for your child’s eye health.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, can affect not only your child’s vision but their school performance as well. Fortunately, there are ways to slow and sometimes stop myopia’s progression. Learn more about myopia control and why NaturalVue Multifocal lenses may be a good option for your child.
Ever wonder why rock superstar Bono wears sunglasses, even when indoors? It's not due to his "look", but rather is related to managing his glaucoma.
How is sleep apnea, concussion, and vision connected? They share many symptoms and can impact each other adversely. Read on to learn more!
To succeed at their game, athletes need excellent binocular vision. Find out how sports vision training can improve their visual skills and boost their performance, no matter their sport.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and even blindness when left untreated. Get your eyes checked regularly to minimize damage and preserve your vision.
Myopia is an eye condition with increasing prevalence. While there is a lot of information out there on myopia, there are also many misconceptions. Read on to discover the REAL facts.
Generally, optometrists only treat myopia by testing visual acuity and prescribing the appropriate corrective lenses. A myopia management optometrist, however, will test far more than just visual acuity and measure the eye’s axial length in order to stop nearsightedness from worsening.
Many parents who come into our practices consider their children’s myopia as a simple vision problem that needs correction.
With summer vacation just around the corner, there’s no better time to choose LASIK surgery. Here are the reasons.
Certain contact lens wearers experience eyes that are dry, red, itchy, uncomfortable, and painful. Though eye drops can offer relief, it tends to be temporary. Scleral lenses offer permanent comfort and relief while providing vision correction and hydration.
Is your eyelid twitching again? Dry eye syndrome could be at the root of those little eyelid spasms. Treating your dry eyes can help reduce eye twitching. Here’s why.
Age-related cataracts are extremely common, with more than 50% of adults developing cataracts by the age of 65. Left untreated, cataracts may lead to vision loss and even blindness. By consuming foods or supplements high in antioxidants you may be able to prevent or slow the progression of cataracts.
Vision therapy is the ideal treatment for strabismus and offers long-term results because it targets the root of the issue — the brain.
Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is becoming the standard for myopia management in children today. There are several good reasons why many optometrists prefer this treatment to other methods.
Concussion or TBI patients can sometimes suffer from symptoms long after the injury occurred, but this doesn’t have to be the case. A neuro-optometrist can help relieve visual and non-visual symptoms with neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy.
Blurry vision can have many causes and may not always be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Insufficient tears or poor tear quality are often responsible for diminished vision clarity in people who spend much time on the computer.
Sports vision training for baseball is underutilized, despite its effectiveness in helping batters improve their averages, RBIs, and on-base percentages. Baseball is one of the most challenging sports to the visual system, yet few coaches ensure their players are adequately trained.
While vision may not seem to be the most important factor in maintaining balance, the brain relies on visual input to keep your world appearing both stable and leveled. Visual problems related to balance issues or dizziness can be effectively treated with neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy.
March Madness is approaching and every college basketball player is dreaming of scoring the last 3-pointer that will win the game. However, to beat the buzzer one needs exceptional skills, including above-average visual skills. Learn how sports vision training can help.
Your vision depends on your eyeball shape. A perfectly shaped eye will provide crystal vision, whereas any deviation in size or irregularity in contour will cause distortion. Read on to learn the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy eye shape.
Having LASIK surgery or other refractive surgeries does not prevent you from getting cataract surgery later in life. Here’s why.
Are you frustrated your bright child is not reading at the level you think they should be? They may actually be suffering from an issue in their visual system. Our practice can assess more than just 20/20 vision and use vision therapy to treat any vision-related learning issues that could be affecting your child.
Though many wouldn’t place “smoking” and “myopia” in the same sentence, the harmful effects they have on vision are comparable, as children with rapidly progressing myopia have a similar risk of developing eye disease later in life as smokers do.
Glaucoma patients in need of cataract surgery due to their hazy and clouded vision may wonder whether the procedure is a safe option, as it may impact intraocular pressure — which is already very high in those with glaucoma. Read on to find out whether they should have the surgery or not.
The use of heaters, as lovely as they are, can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Dry eye is one of the most common eye-health concerns and it’s important to be aware of the risks.
Though not always evident, a stroke almost inevitably affects vision. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation can treat the resulting vision deficiencies and improve the person’s functionality and quality of life as part of an integrative treatment plan.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can lead to severe health problems, and in 90% of cases, vision problems. Here are 5 things about TBI that you probably didn’t know.
This holiday season, offer the gift of perfect vision that will have your loved one thanking you every day. If you or anyone in your family is nearsighted (myopic), Ortho-K lenses is the perfect gift. Read on to learn why.
Whether you’re a pro-athlete or a 4th grader struggling to read, improved vision skills can boost confidence and success in life. Consider vision therapy this year and see the change for yourself!
Winter is entering full-swing, which also means that your eyes can experience unfavorable effects. This season's cool and arid winds may trigger dry eye symptoms, such as redness, grittiness, and stinging. Click here for tips on how you can prevent dry eye this winter season.
The sensation of burning eyes can have several causes - read on to find out what they are and which treatment options are available.
Those with excellent visual acuity may experience difficulty with visual processing or focus, which can impact various aspects of a child’s development, learning ability, and daily functioning. Fortunately, visual skills can be trained through vision therapy. Question is: how young is too young for your child to begin vision therapy?
Many teens who wear glasses are eager to try out contact lenses for convenience, fashion or to just provide another option for vision correction.
Your toddler may show every sign of good eyesight including the ability to see objects in the distance, however that doesn't necessarily mean that he or she doesn’t have a vision problem.
Make your resolution for healthy vision this year with increased awareness of the leading cause of blindness worldwide.