Pandemic eye strain – don't put off your eye exam
Since the start of the pandemic, adults have spent, on average, more than 13 hours a day looking at some type of technology screen. It’s not a surprise that this could be affecting our eyes.
Spending too many hours staring at a screen can cause eyes to be dry, irritated, and tired. This occurs because you tend to blink less while staring at the blue light from a screen, and the movement of the screen makes your eyes work harder to focus.
An eye exam can help detect those and other eye problems early, when they’re most treatable. They include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, which could cause vision loss.
During a routine eye exam, you’ll be asked about your vision and general health, your visual acuity will be tested (how well you can read an eye chart at different distances), and, if you wear eyeglasses, your prescription will be checked.
Your ophthalmologist or optician will also examine the optic nerve and retina after dilating your eyes with drops, and look inside your eyes with a microscope.
Even run-of-the-mill vision impairment, could be linked to poorer memory and a greater risk of depression. And after the difficult year we’ve all had, that’s just another reason not to neglect our eye health.
If you need new glasses, Consumer Reports says you might want to consider buying from an online store. It found that folks buying glasses online paid about $140 less than in traditional walk-in stores.
File from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.