Contact Lenses Discomfort

Do you ever feel like your contact lenses just don’t feel right?  If so, you are not alone.

There is no reason to stop wearing contact lenses or to suffer in silence.  It’s likely that a simple change to your lenses, care products or daily habits will make you feel much comfortable.

To accurately determine the specific causes of your contact lenses discomfort and appropiate recommendations, you would need to see your optometrist.  A visit to your eye doctor also rule out the possiblity that your discomfort indicates a more serious underlying problem such as a corneal infiltrate, corneal neovascularization or even an ulcer.

Here are some common examples

1. Eyes are red, painful and swollen and sometimes produce discharge – Could be a bacterial infection

2. My eyes burn when I put in my lenses – Could be unintentional contamination such as skin lotions, soaps, makeup.

3. Feels like there is something in my eye when wearing contact lenses – Could be the wrong diameter or base curve on your contact lenses.  Also protein or lipid deposits

4. I can’t wear my contacts as long each day as I’d like – Could be the lack of oxygen from your contacts.  Maybe a new-generation soft contacts (silicone hydrogel lenses) may solve that problem

5. I have allergies and my eye itches when I wear my contacts – Could be your contact lenses are absorbing the allergen.  Possibly changing to daily contact lenses may help.

If your eyes dont’ feel good, look good, or see well, you need a checkup by an eye care professional.  Sometimes a minor contact lenses irritation, if left untreated, may develop into a more serious problem – occassionally one that can be sight-threatening.

Dr. Sherman Tung OD FAAO drtung@avenueeyecare.com

Source: allaboutvision.com

Eye Exam Coverages by Medical Service Plan (BC Care Card)

Gong Hay Fat Choy!  Happy Chinese New Year everybody!  Recently, many of our patients have been asking if their child’s eye exam is covered by their BC Care Card.  So today, I’ll take some time to talk about what BC Care Card covers at our clinic.

FULLY COVERED

1. Children( 6months – 18 years): Comprehensive eye exams at the age of 18 and younger are ALL covered by BC Carecard.  We start seeing children at the age of 6 months to check their ocular motor functions, vision, and also ocular health. (e.g. retinoblastoma, ocular tumour in the eye).  Children are entitled to have 1 full exam annually and is FULLY covered by BC Care Card.

2. Ocular Emergencies: Here are some examples but not limited to

• Red Eyes – we can diagnose/treat these conditions with medications.  You can avoid the long line ups at your family doctor or at the ER
• Sudden Onset of Flashes/Floaters – we will dilate your eyes to rule out any retinal holes or detachments (best done within 3 days)
• Foreign body removal – we are trained to remove any metals or wood chips with our special equipment
• Eye Pain/Dry Eyes

PARTIALLY COVERED

1. Seniors(Age 65 or older) : At Avenue Eyecare, the senior eye exams are PARTIALLY covered.  At Avenue Eyecare we conduct a complete eye health examination not just an eye test or screening.  We provide our patients with an accurate, up to date prescription to match their vision needs.  We also examine the health structures of the eye, including ocular  surface structures, and the back structures of the eye.  We use the latest technology to search for any early signs of eye health issues or in some cases, signs of other systemic health concerns.  Our newest equipment includes a digital retinal camera, digital slit lamp(photographs ocular surface structures) and computed visual fields(peripheral vision analysis).  This sets us apart from other optometry clinics because we take our time educating our seniors with the latest technology.  Seniors are entitled to a PARTIALLY covered eye exam annually.

2. Adults (Age 19-64) Routine examinations are not a BC Carecard covered benefit for people between 19 and 64 years old. However, if you have an underlying medical condition, your eye exam may be PARTIALLY covered(not limited to):

• ocular disease, trauma or injury (e.g. cataracts)
• systemic diseases associated with significant ocular risk (e.g. diabetes)
• medications associated with significant ocular risk (e.g. Plaquenil)

NOT COVERED

• Recommended treatments such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and eye co-ordination exercises
• Contact lens fitting
• Eye examinations that are required by potential employers or other third parties (with the exception of DMV)
• Laser refractive surgery co-management (pre- and post-operative visits)

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact our office at 604.558.1133 or email us at maincontact@avenueeyecare.com

Dr. Sherman Tung OD FAAO drtung@avenueeyecare.com