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August 8, 2019August 7, 2019

Understanding Ocular Migraine

Ocular migraines are rare and benign, but the symptoms can be frightening and worrisome for the suffering patient. Ocular migraines are thought to be caused by the same mechanics as regular migraines and are characterized by a visual disturbance or aura. The patient can experience a blind spot in their visual field, zig-zag patterns, flashing lights, or an array of colours similar to looking through a kaleidoscope. They may see things that aren’t there, like transparent strings of objects, or see objects in their vision disappear and reappear.

One in six adults in the United states are affected by migraines. Around 20 per cent of migraine sufferers experience some type of visual disturbance.

In a recent published study (June 2018) from the American Headache Society, participants with chronic and episodic migraine were given questionnaires that evaluate vision-specific quality of life.

The researchers concluded there are significant adverse effects on the visual quality of life in sufferers of both sub-groups. Chronic migraineurs showed scores as poor as those patients with other neuro‐ophthalmic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and ischemic optic neuropathy.

Ocular migraine episodes can be concerning for the sufferer; however, most symptoms resolve on their own within an hour. They may or may not end with a migraine headache. Some ways to help relieve symptoms include:

Lying down in a dark room
Placing a damp cloth or cool pack on the forehead
Taking over-the-counter painkiller medication

Recent scientific evidence suggests that structural abnormalities in the visual cortex are the cause for ocular migraines. In a 2015 study, MRI data was taken from people with one-sided ocular migraine. In these subjects, the affected side showed different thicknesses in certain areas of the cortex. There is a possibility that the difference in these structures may account for higher sensitivity to neuronal activity. Researchers are still studying the causes in the brain for migraines. As of now there is no known cause for the onset of migraines. Some common migraine triggers include strong odours, certain foods, bright lights, fatigue, stress and hormonal changes. Patients can take measures to prevent the onset of migraines by adopting lifestyle habits such as:

Getting enough sleep
Staying hydrated
Managing emotional stress
Regular light exercise
Avoiding certain trigger foods

Patients who have had ocular migraine before are likely to have them again and can learn what remedy works for them and get back to their routine without problems. However, if a person with migraines has unusual symptoms of vision loss, loss of sensation or difficulties with speech, this can be a sign of more serious conditions and should not be ignored. Its best to get patients in to be checked by an optometrist to rule out serious conditions.

References:

https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/head.13330

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325733.php

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148373.php

https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm

August 7, 2019May 20, 2026

Gentle Fendi Sunglasses Capsule Collection

Fendi and Gentle Monster present the Gentle Fendi Sunglasses Capsule Collection. Designed by Fendi and Gentle Monster, this one-of-a-kind collection is manufactured by Safilo. The refined and lightweight construction is paired with colour contrasting details perfectly balancing Gentle Monster’s unpredictable aesthetic with Fendi’s playful spirit.

Distributed by Safilo: http://www.safilo.com/

August 7, 2019August 6, 2019

Elsa Lee Joins Blanchard Contact Lenses as Ontario Regional Account Manager

Blanchard Contact Lenses, a CooperVision specialty eyecare company and leading scleral lens designer and manufacturer, announces its recent hire of Elsa Lee as Regional Account Manager in Ontario. Lee is responsible for building professional relationships with and providing fitting consultation to eye care providers in the Ontario region for Blanchard’s scleral and GP lens portfolio.

Lee is a Registered Optician with nearly 20 years’ experience. Most recently, she worked as a Low Vision Therapist at Vision Loss Rehabilitation, as well as an Opticianry Program Instructor at Seneca College, and has extensive experience with specialty contact lenses. Lee received her Opticianry diploma from Seneca College, but also has a Bachelor of Arts in German Language from York University.

Jean Blanchard, President of Blanchard Contact Lenses states “We are very excited to have Elsa on our team. Her experience, knowledge and personality will help to strengthen our focus on customer relationships here in Canada.”

Source: Blanchard Contact Lenses

August 6, 2019August 26, 2019

Essilor Canada Launches Eyezen™+ Start, a Revolution in Single Vision Lenses

Essilor Canada is launching an innovative new single vision lens, just in time for back to school. Eyezen™+ Start lenses are based on an entirely new technology called Dualoptim and will advantageously replace standard single vision lenses for children and adults up to 40 years old.

“Living a connected life has modified our behaviour, posture and reading distances,” explains Martine Ahier, Senior Marketing Manager Brands & Products for Essilor Canada. “Unfortunately, standard single vision lenses don’t take these changes into account. That’s why Essilor created the Eyezen+ range of lenses and keeps innovating with technologies such as Dualoptim. We believe that people deserve to have the best possible vision for their connected life and that means Eyezen™+ Start lenses for single vision wearers.”

While standard single vision lenses are only optimized at their optical center, which creates power error and unwanted astigmatism in near vision, Eyezen™+ Start lenses with Dualoptim Technology are optimized for both far and near vision. Power error and unwanted astigmatism are reduced throughout the entire lens, with a 60% reduction in near vision allowing wearers to benefit from relaxed vision especially while using digital devices.

Like all the lenses in the Eyezen range, Eyezen+ Start lenses also offer advanced protection against harmful blue-violet light as well as better contrasts thanks to W.A.V.E. technology.

Wearers strongly endorse Eyezen+ Start lenses: 8 out of 10 wearers prefer them to their old lenses, 8 out of 10 felt a reduction of their eye fatigue and 3 out of 4 said they helped their eyes stay relaxed day after day.

Click HERE for the full press release.

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Think About Your Eyes Reveals Barriers and Misconceptions about Healthy Vision

Think About Your Eyes, a national public awareness campaign about the importance of scheduling an annual eye exam with an optometrist, conducted a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. parents of children aged two to 17 and uncovered key misconceptions about the importance of eye health this summer, especially when it comes to travel and caring for vision health. In fact, while 43% of families surveyed say they will take a road trip this summer, the survey also showed that families aren’t taking proper care of their vision and eye health before and during their time on the road.

Parents surveyed said they are more than twice as likely to wear UV eye protection whenever they leave the house as compared to their children (33% to 13%), and only 8% of parents and 9% of children wear eye protection when its overcast. What’s more, nearly a quarter (22%) of parents surveyed said their child never wears UV eye protection, compared to just 16% for themselves, and as it turns out, sun glare was the most common eye problem encountered by parents when behind-the-wheel. Nearly half (47%) of parents surveyed said their children would spend four or more hours using screens (tablets, smartphones) while traveling to and from their vacation destination and one third of parents said their kids will spend more than 6 hours with screens during the vacation itself.

Since the majority of parents (52%) surveyed agreed that road trips are a great way to see the country and agreed (61%) they allow for more quality family time, Think About Your Eyes is partnering with Airstream, innovative maker of the iconic “Silver Bullet” travel trailer, to highlight the important role vision plays in a life well-lived. Think About Your Eyes and Airstream will send YouTube family The Daily Bumps on an iconic summer road-trip in their Classic Smart Trailer, highlighting the importance of healthy vision in enjoying life’s moments and encouraging families to schedule a comprehensive eye exam before school starts.

The Daily Bumps, also known as the Lannings, will travel throughout the western United States in an Airstream trailer, chronicling their trip for their over four million subscribers on YouTube, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They’ll stop in Nevada, Utah, and Idaho to see natural beauty, famous attractions, and visit family and friends—all things their vision allows them to appreciate. To kick-off the trip, the entire family received an annual comprehensive eye exam to ensure they were aware of any vision and eye health needs in advance of the trip, and shared their experience with parents online.

“This partnership with Airstream and The Daily Bumps, the first of its kind for Think About Your Eyes, illustrates the wide-reaching nature of our message,” said Dr. Rick Weisbarth, chair of the Think About Your Eyes Advisory Board. “By amplifying the need for annual comprehensive eye exams, we’re able to further spread the word about the importance of overall vision health, and that regardless of your age or physical heath, it is vital to detect eye problems at their early stages when they are most treatable.”

In order to find a doctor near you to schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam, visit ThinkAboutYourEyes.com. To follow along with The Daily Bumps on our summer road trip, follow them on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For further information on Airstream and the Classic Smart Trailer please visit www.airstream.com.