Clear answers to the questions our patients ask about vision, glasses, contact lenses and eye health.
The 11 eyewear brands at PrimeVision in Montréal, who makes designer glasses, what an authorized dealer is, frame size, putting your prescription in a designer frame or sunglasses, UV labels, frame materials and buying online or in a shop.
Shingles near the eye, or herpes zoster ophthalmicus: the early signs, what it does in the eye, why antivirals work better early, who is more at risk, complications, contagion, what NACI recommends for the vaccine and where to go for care.
What an eye stroke is, the signs of a blocked retinal artery or vein, the link with brain stroke, who is at risk, what to do right away with sudden vision loss, how it is diagnosed and treated, whether vision comes back and how to lower the risk.
Age-related macular degeneration explained: what it does to central vision, the early signs by stage, dry and wet AMD, risk factors, how to use the Amsler grid at home, when to see an eye doctor right away, how it is found with OCT, the treatments, and the habits linked to a lower risk.
In many plans, vision insurance benefits renew on January 1. Check your plan: what to look at, what to bring to the store and how to plan ahead before the end of the year.
The slit lamp exam explained: what the instrument is, how the exam goes, what the optometrist checks from the eyelids to the lens, why a yellow fluorescein drop is used, how the retina and optic nerve can be seen, whether it hurts, and what to plan if your pupils are dilated.
The "1 or 2?" part of the eye exam explained: what a refraction test is, how the phoropter works, what to say when two lenses look the same, why each eye is tested on its own, how near vision is checked after 40, why drops are sometimes used for children, and why refraction alone is not a complete eye exam.
The instrument you look into at the start of many eye exams, explained: what autorefraction and keratometry measure, how the readings are taken, why they are a starting point for your prescription, how keratometry differs from corneal topography, and why they do not check eye health.
MiyoSmart (Hoya) and Stellest (Essilor) side by side: how each myopia control lens works, what each clinical trial showed, why the studies cannot name a winner, how many hours a day to wear them, side effects, prescriptions, follow-up, and how the choice is made with the optometrist.
Laser eye surgery or staying with glasses and contact lenses: what LASIK is, who can have it, why it does not prevent reading glasses after 40, what results and side effects to expect, why glasses or contacts are sometimes the right choice, and the questions to ask before deciding.
Who does what for your eyes in Québec: what an optometrist, an ophthalmologist and a licensed optician each do, whether an optometrist can prescribe medication or use the title doctor, how a referral works, who fits contact lenses, and who to see when your vision changes or in an emergency.
The air-puff test explained: what tonometry measures, how it works, what a normal eye pressure is, why high pressure does not always mean glaucoma, why corneal thickness matters, how it compares with the contact method, and who should have their pressure checked more often.
The common causes of blurry vision: blurry far away or up close, blurry with your glasses, dry eyes, cataracts, diabetes, hormones and pregnancy, migraine, a child who sees blurry, how the cause is found and the signs of sudden blur that need emergency care.
How often to have an eye exam at every age, according to the Ordre des optométristes du Québec and the Canadian Association of Optometrists: children, adults 18 to 39 and 40 to 64, 65 and over, contact lens wearers, diabetes, other risks, and what RAMQ covers each year.
The common causes of eye pain, on the surface or deeper in the eye: dry eye, a scratched cornea, something in your eye, pain with contact lenses, uveitis, pain on waking, how the cause is found and the signs that need emergency care.
How diabetes damages the retina, why diabetic retinopathy often has no early symptoms, how often to have an eye exam with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Canada), what the exam checks, pregnancy, cataract and glaucoma risk, prevention and treatment.
What clear and transparent glasses frames are made of, whether they turn yellow, how they show lens thickness with a strong prescription, crystal colours, durability, skin allergies, frames for children and clear frames versus rimless glasses.
How to choose women's eyeglasses, the frame size for a narrow or small face, cat-eye glasses, large frames with a strong prescription, frames for progressive lenses, nickel allergy, vision changes in pregnancy, dry eyes and large sunglasses.
Whether men's glasses really exist, which frame size suits a wide face, the three numbers on the frame, how to check the fit, face shapes, titanium, acetate or metal, rimless frames, strong prescriptions, work and sports, sunglasses and colour blindness.
Why regular glasses are not protection, how common sports eye injuries are, the riskiest sports, possible injuries, lens materials, standards to look for, prescription options, hockey, skiing and cycling, work and home, children, weaker vision in one eye and what to do after a blow to the eye.
Who reimburses glasses in Québec, how much RAMQ pays for a child's glasses, who qualifies, eligible and excluded purchases, time limits, how to apply, the invoice, documents to keep, adults and people 65+, what RAMQ covers at the exam, insurance, taxes and the order of steps.
Can you buy prescription glasses online, what Québec law says, what you need to order, what an optician does, what studies found on accuracy, impact and fit, pupillary distance and height, progressives, who should avoid it, signs of poorly made glasses, price, the eye exam and what to do if your glasses bother you.
What 20/20 and 6/6 mean, how visual acuity is measured and on which charts, what 20/40, 20/15 and 20/200 mean, why 20/20 is not perfect vision, why you can see 20/20 and still need glasses, what the chart cannot detect, what else a full exam checks, children, age, online tests and legal blindness.
What the visual field is, what the test checks and why it is done, the kinds of tests, what happens step by step, why missing some lights is normal, how long it takes, how to prepare, how reliability is checked, why it is repeated, how to read the results, how often and what it means for driving.
What a retinal detachment is, the warning signs and the curtain, why it is an emergency and why the macula matters, the three types, risk factors and diabetes, diagnosis, sealing a tear, the three surgeries, recovery and the gas bubble, results, glasses afterwards and who should get checked.
What lazy eye (amblyopia) is, how it differs from strabismus, its causes, the signs parents may notice and why it often goes unnoticed, why early detection matters, how it is found, glasses, the eye patch, atropine drops, screen-based treatments, how long treatment lasts, whether it can come back, teens and adults, and how to help your child.
What an OCT scan is, how it works, what it shows, the conditions it helps find and follow (glaucoma, AMD, diabetic macular edema, macular hole and pucker), whether it hurts, dilation, how long it takes, OCT vs fundus photo, limits, who needs it and how often, and how to read the results.
What floaters and flashes are, why they increase with age, who gets them more, when they are an emergency, retinal tears and detachment, migraine flashes, what to do, how they are checked and treated, follow-up and prevention.
What a cataract is, its symptoms, glare and night driving, age and risk factors, the types, how it is found, when glasses help, when surgery is discussed, what the operation involves, recovery and risks, glasses afterwards, cloudy vision after surgery and what may slow cataracts.
Why eyes water, how tears drain, why dry eyes can water, cold and wind, allergies, a blocked tear duct and tear sac infection, eyelid problems, something in the eye, other causes and medicines, babies, what helps at home, how the cause is found, treatments and when to get checked.
What glaucoma is, its symptoms and why it is not felt at first, the emergency signs of an angle-closure attack, the types, risk factors, heredity, eye pressure, how it is found, how often to get checked, young people, prevention and treatment.
What strabismus is, esotropia, exotropia and hypertropia, causes in children and adults, the signs, false strabismus in babies, why children do not outgrow it, its effect on vision, double vision in adults, the tests, treatments, surgery and when to get checked.
What blepharitis is, its symptoms, anterior and posterior types, causes including Demodex mites, whether it is contagious, the daily eyelid cleaning routine, the warm compress, makeup and contact lenses, treatments, complications and when to get checked.
What digital eye strain is, why screens tire the eyes, the 20-20-20 rule, screen distance and glare, dry eyes, blue light, computer glasses, contact lenses, children and screens, and when to get checked.
What double vision is, the close-one-eye check, causes in one eye and in both eyes, double vision when reading, stroke signs, when to get seen fast, children, the tests used, treatments and prism lenses.
What color blindness is, its types, why it mostly affects men, how it can appear later in life, how colour vision is tested, spotting it in children, cures and colour-blind glasses, jobs, daily tips and when a change in colour vision needs prompt care.
What presbyopia is, when it starts, its symptoms and cause, how it differs from farsightedness, whether it can be prevented, drugstore readers, glasses and contact lens options, drops and surgery, how often to update glasses and when a change in vision is urgent.
Why pupils are dilated during an eye exam, what it can find, how it works and feels, how long it lasts, driving afterward, what to bring, whether it is needed at every exam, who needs it more often, retinal imaging and the rare risks.
The common causes of red eyes, what a red spot on the white of the eye is and how long it lasts, red eyes with discharge or contact lenses, what helps at home, redness-relief drops, the emergency signs and when to book a visit.
What eyelid twitching (myokymia) is, what sets it off, whether it is serious, how long it lasts, what helps, the link with dry eyes and eye strain, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm, the treatments, and when to get checked.
Which vision problems can cause headaches, screens and the 20-20-20 rule, what an ocular migraine and a visual aura are, why one eye matters, the warning signs of angle-closure glaucoma and giant cell arteritis, and what the eye exam checks.
How to tell viral, bacterial and allergic pink eye apart, whether it is contagious, how to avoid spreading it, what helps at home, when antibiotics help, what to do with contact lenses, school and work, and when to get checked.
The difference between a stye and a chalazion, their symptoms and causes, how to use a warm compress, why not to squeeze them, makeup and contact lenses in the meantime, how long they last, the treatments and when to get checked.
What rimless and semi-rimless glasses are, how they hold together, their upsides and downsides, which lenses work in a drilled frame, whether drilling can crack a lens, and whether they suit strong myopia, children and sports.
Why lenses for myopia are thick at the edges and lenses for hyperopia in the centre, how prescription strength and frame size change thickness, what high-index, aspheric and polycarbonate lenses do, whether a thinner lens changes vision, and how to get thinner lenses.
What pupillary distance and fitting height are, monocular or binocular PD, how they are measured, what happens when the optical centre is off, whether an app or an online order can do it, and who takes these measurements in Québec.
What glasses frames are made of, how acetate, titanium, stainless steel, Monel, aluminum and memory metal differ, which is stronger, whether you can be allergic to a frame, what "hypoallergenic" really means, and which material suits children.
Which lenses a child needs, how to choose a frame that stays on, which material suits which age, how to check the fit, why everyday glasses are not enough for sports, and how to help a child get used to wearing glasses.
What UV400 means on a sunglasses label, why UV matters for your eyes, why a darker, pricier or polarized lens is not automatically safer, how to test quality, and why sunglasses matter in a Montréal winter and for children.
Polarized or photochromic lenses? How each one works, which suits driving, winter, water and screens, what they do for UV, whether a lens can be both, and why neither belongs on the road at night.
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