Vision and Learning

The kids are back in school! If your child is struggling in school, but you cannot put a finger one why, schedule an appointment today for a comprehensive eye exam!
1 in 4 children have a Learning Related Vision Problem that is often times undetected.

If you’re an educator and would like to learn more about how to help your students, Dr. Lee is available for presentations on the link between vision and learning for parent/teacher groups. Send an email to info[at]drclaudialee[dot]com or call the office at (905) 666-4848 to get your group on the calendar, as spaces on PD days for this academic year 2015-16 will fill up fast!

Here’s a really great video on vision and learning, with perspectives from optometrists, teachers, patients, and parents.

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Get Ready for Back To School With an Eye Exam!

Don’t forget an eye exam on the back-to-school list to make sure your child is equipped to reach his/her full learning potential!
1 in 4 kids suffer from a vision problem which can learning. Children are covered for a yearly eye exam by OHIP, and the first check-up should be done at 6 months to make sure the eyes are developing well. They don’t need to be able to read letters for the assessment.
Thanks to the Eye See Eye Learn program for students entering JK, glasses are provided at no charge to the parent if they are needed. Call the office for more info.
Watch the video at this link for more information about what to expect at your child’s eye exam!
Eye Exams Should Be On Back-To-School To-Do List

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Vision Therapy for Strabismus and Amblyopia

July has been a busy month! Dr Lee was away for a bit to get caught up on the latest research for treating eye turns (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia). Patching is old news – it helps turn the brain “on” to use the non-dominant eye, but it doesn’t teach the brain how to use both eyes together. New research shows that binocular training (vision therapy to train the use of both eyes together) can improve visual function beyond what was achieved with just patching alone! Developmental optometrists have been treating strabismus and amblyopia this way for a long time, but the results are just now becoming more well-known among neuroscientists as well. Very exciting progress! Improvements are possible even if you’ve tried patching in the past. Ask Dr. Lee for more information

vision therapy

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Eye Exams for Babies and Nonverbal or Special Needs Patients

This 10-month old baby is so happy after putting on her first pair of glasses! She can’t stop smiling when she sees her parents clearly for the first time 🙂
Babies can’t tell you if there’s something wrong with their vision. That’s why you should have your children’s eyes checked starting at 6 months of age. An optometrist can use handheld instruments to determine how the light focuses in their eyes, so young patients and patients with special needs can be examined without having to read the letter chart. Yearly eye exams are crucial to ensure that development is on the right track!

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UV Protection For Your Eyes

UV can cause some serious eye damage! Protecting your skin from sunburn and skin cancer is a no brainer, and it’s just as important to protect your eyes. Overexposure to UV rays has been linked to a variety of eye problems, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, corneal sunburn, and eyelid skin cancer. Here are some tips for staying safe in the sun:

  • Start with sunglasses that are 100% UV blocking for UVA and UVB. A close-fitting wrap-around style can help further cut down rays from the sides. Protection is important even on cloudy days and in the winter, because UV still gets through and reflects off snow, water, and pavement.
    • Children are at higher risk than adults! UV exposure is cumulative and it’s estimated that 50% of lifetime exposure occurs before the age of 18. Make sure your kids are wearing sunglasses + hats anytime they’re outside.
  • Avoid sources of UV – don’t stare at the sun, and stay out of direct sunlight during 10am – 4pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest. Add a wide-brimmed hat for extra protection!
  • Stay informed – get regular eye exams to monitor eye health, and maintain good vision. If you are potentially exposed to UV at work (eg. welders, hairdressers, lighting technician, paint and resin works, or outdoor workers), find out when you’re at risk and get protection.
  • Know the signs – If you experience pain, blurry vision, or an aversion to light, make an appointment to see Dr. Lee right away

Book an annual eye exam to identify early signs of UV damage to the eyes, and take the necessary precautions to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Dr. Lee can make recommendations to help you make sure your eyes are well-protected.

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