Saskatchewan has begun reopening the province and Optometry clinics are among the first business to reopen. Nexus Vision Centre has made changes in accordance with the government’s Reopen Saskatchewan plan.

Here’s what you can expect for your eye exam at Nexus Vision Centre.

• We will be keeping walk-in traffic to a minimum and are requesting all visits to our clinic to be made by appointment (including picking up glasses or getting adjustments)
• At this time, wearing a mask is encouraged, though not mandatory
• Hand sanitizer will be provided when you enter the clinic
• All testing and pretesting equipment will be wiped down thoroughly in between patients as they always have been. Additionally, all surfaces of the exam room, including chairs and counter tops will be sanitized in between patients.
• Dr. Patterson will be wearing a surgical mask at all times during the appointment.
• The phoropter (machine that checks prescription) and the slit lamp microscope (for assessing eye health) have been outfitted with clear plexiglass shields to act as a barrier between the doctor and the patient.
• All frames in the frame gallery will be sanitized every time they are touched or worn by a patient. We are happy to still fit you in a new pair of glasses!
• Appointments will be spread out to minimize patient to patient contact.

If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call 811 if you suspect you have any symptoms of COVID-19. Please stay home if you have traveled outside the country in the last 14 days.

We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care to our patients in this unprecedented time.

ZEISS has released a new portfolio of Myopia management lenses that can help reduce the progression of near-sightedness (Myopia) in children. Watch this video to learn more!

 

Do your eyes burn? You may be suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome. You don’t have to live with discomfort and irritation. There are simple environmental and dietary solutions:

Use preservative free moisturizing drops – artificial tears, or lubricating eye drops, will help your dry eyes feel better. * Don’t confuse artificial tears with formulas that “get the red out.”

Hot compresses with a heat mask can heat masks will sooth dry eye symptoms.

Improve indoor air quality – an air cleaner filters out dust and other particles from the air, while a humidifier adds moisture to air that’s dry because of air conditioning or heating.

Wear well-fitted sunwear – when outdoors, always wear sunglasses to reduce exposure to sun, wind and dust.

Drink more liquids – mild dehydration can make dry eye problems worse. Experts agree that about 20% of the water your body needs comes from the food you eat, while the rest originates from the liquids you drink. The best choices are water, 100% fruit and vegetable juices, and milk.

Add supplements and boost your diet – studies have found that nutritional supplements with certain essential fatty acids can decrease dry eye symptoms. Eat more cold-water fish such as sardines, cod, herring and salmon, which contain omega-3 fatty acids.

A prescription medication for dry eye may be a good choice for you. Doctor Patterson will help prescribe the right dry eye regimen for your total eye health!

Pop in and see us about the many changes that will turn your desert into an oasis!

For some, driving at night can become a serious challenge as distortion and glare become important factors. Headlights and streetlights cause glare, and light from night traffic can make taillights and brake lights hard to differentiate. Aging, smoking, vision problems, and certain diseases will add to the difficulty of night driving.

Car maintenance is important: ensure headlights are clean, properly aimed, and in good working order. Windows that are dirty, pitted, or scratched further distort your vision. Windshield wipers shouldn’t leave streaks and mirrors need to be clean and adjusted. Simple maintenance can make a huge difference in helping you drive at night.

Maintenance of your vision is also important. We will be happy to discuss any of your vision concerns, whether the problem occurs at night or during the day.

Doctor Recommends® lenses offer a product called the Drive Lens – a lens specifically designed to enhance the low lighting conditions of night driving. This product is exclusive to EyeRecommend clinics like Nexus Vision Centre!

It’s allergy season in the prairies! Itchy and puffy eyes are commonly caused by an allergy to something in your environment. Mild itching can be helped with lubricating eye drops. Cool compresses or ice packs can also help reduce the symptoms.

Eye knew that: Avoid rubbing your eyes, which releases chemicals called histamines that increase the itchiness. Also, keep your car windows rolled up when pollen counts are high.

More severe itching may need extra help, such as prescription eye drops or oral antihistamines.

If itchy eyes are bothering you, book an appointment with Dr. Patterson. We can help.

Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is one of the most frequently seen eye diseases, especially in kids. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or even allergies to pollen, chlorine in swimming pools, and ingredients in cosmetics, or other irritants, which touch the eyes. Some forms of conjunctivitis might be quite transmittable and quickly spread in school and at the office.

Conjunctivitis is seen when the conjunctiva, or thin transparent layer of tissue covering the white part of the eye, becomes inflamed. You can identify conjunctivitis if you notice eye redness, discharge, itching or swollen eyelids and a crusty discharge surrounding the eyes early in the day. Pink eye infections can be divided into three main types: viral, allergic and bacterial conjunctivitis.

The viral type is usually a result of a similar virus to that which produces the recognizable red, watery eyes, sore throat and runny nose of the common cold. The red, itchy, watery eyes caused by viral pink eye are likely to last from a week to two and then will clear up on their own. You may however, be able to reduce some of the discomfort by using soothing drops or compresses. Viral pink eye is transmittable until it is completely cleared up, so in the meantime maintain excellent hygiene, remove eye discharge and try to avoid using communal pillowcases or towels. If your son or daughter has viral conjunctivitis, he or she will have to be kept home from school for three days to a week until symptoms disappear.

A bacterial infection such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops or cream. One should notice an improvement within just a few days of antibiotic drops, but be sure to adhere to the full prescription dosage to prevent pink eye from recurring.

Allergic pink eye is not contagious. It is usually a result of a known allergy such as hay fever or pet allergies that sets off an allergic reaction in their eyes. First of all, to treat allergic pink eye, you should eliminate the irritant. Use cool compresses and artificial tears to relieve discomfort in mild cases. When the infection is more severe, your eye doctor might prescribe a medication such as an anti-inflammatory or antihistamine. In cases of chronic allergic pink eye, topical steroid eye drops could be used.

Pink eye should always be diagnosed by a qualified eye doctor in order to identify the type and best course of treatment. Never treat yourself! Keep in mind the sooner you begin treatment, the lower chance you have of giving pink eye to loved ones or prolonging your discomfort.

 

We invite you to take a look around our new site to get to know our practice and learn about eye and vision health. You will find a wealth of information about our optometrists, our team, and our services, as well as facts and advice about how to take care of your eyes and protect your vision.

Learn about our Practice specialties including comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, vision therapy, and the treatment of eye diseases. Our website also offers you a convenient way to find our hours, address and map, schedule an appointment online, order contact lenses or contact us to ask us any questions you have about eye care and our Practice.

Have a look around our online office and schedule a visit to meet us in person. We are here to partner with you and your family for a lifetime of healthy eyes and vision. We look forward to seeing you!

Picking out new eyeglasses can be a daunting task, whether you’re getting your very first pair or you’ve worn them nearly all your life. The sheer volume of eyeglass choices can be torture to work your way through if you don’t have any idea what you’re looking for.

Not only are there many different shapes and colors in eyeglass frames, but advances in technology have also brought us a variety of new materials, for both the frames and the lenses, which makes eyeglasses more durable, lightweight and user-friendly. Eyeglass frames are now created from high-tech materials such as titanium and “memory metal” for the ultimate in strength and style, while the lenses are now thinner and lighter than ever before, even in high prescriptions.

Lens options, such as anti-reflective coating, light-changing tints, progressive lenses and new high-tech, light weight materials such as Trivex(TM) and polycarbonate, let you choose a pair of eyeglasses that enhances your vision, no matter what you like to do.