Eye Health Articles
Plain-language eye health information for Ontarians.
Eye Emergencies
Eye Floaters and Flashes of Light: When to Seek Emergency Care
Most eye floaters are harmless. But a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow in your vision can signal a retinal tear or detachment — a true eye emergency.
Vision Correction
Why You Need Reading Glasses After 40: Understanding Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near-focus ability that affects virtually everyone starting around age 40–45. It is not a disease — it is a normal change in the eye's lens.
Vision Correction
How to Read Your Glasses Prescription
A glasses prescription uses abbreviations that are easy to decode once you know what they mean. This guide explains OD, OS, SPH, CYL, AXIS, ADD, and PD in plain language.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
Digital Eye Strain: Symptoms, Causes, and What Actually Helps
Digital eye strain affects anyone who uses screens for two or more hours a day. Learn the symptoms, what causes them, and evidence-based ways to find relief.
OHIP & Coverage
Does OHIP Cover Eye Exams in Ontario?
OHIP covers routine eye exams for Ontarians under 20 and over 64, and for any patient with a qualifying medical condition. Everyone else pays out of pocket — and OHIP coverage doesn't always cover the full standard of care.
Vision Correction
Contact Lenses for Sports and Active Lifestyles
For most sports, contact lenses offer significant advantages over glasses — better peripheral vision, no fogging, and no frames to break. Here's what active wearers need to know.
Children's Vision
What Is Axial Length and Why Does My Child's Optometrist Measure It?
Axial length is the physical length of the eye from front to back. In children with myopia, tracking axial elongation is the most accurate way to monitor progression and guide treatment decisions.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
Eye Health for Gamers and Heavy Screen Users
Long gaming sessions and extended screen use put real demands on your visual system. Here's what's actually happening to your eyes, and what you can do about it.
Vision Correction
Getting Contact Lenses for the First Time: What to Expect
Contact lenses require a separate fitting appointment, a short learning curve, and a different approach to eye hygiene. Here is what first-time wearers need to know before and after their fitting.