A lot of people say they’re going to the eye doctor when it comes time for their annual visit. For parents it’s easy to communicate what that means to their children. For adults it takes out the confusion of accidentally calling their eye doctor the wrong thing. We hear the word optometrist a lot but it’s not always clear what that actually refers to.

The most common word associated with an eye doctor is optometrist. There are other specialties and jobs encompassed within the office where you go for your eye exams including ophthalmologists and opticians.

Optometrists are doctors of optometry, which is the branch of health care concerned with the eyes, structures relating to the eyes, vision, visual information processing and visual systems. An optometrist can examine patients, diagnose, treat and help them manage eye conditions. They can prescribe medications for eye conditions. They are able to write prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. An optometrist can fit and adjust glasses and contact lenses. They can also recommend devices for subnormal vision.

They have extensive medical training. Optometrists must complete at least six years of education and often more. After two years in a Bachelor of Science program they can apply to a four-year Optometry program. Many will finish the Bachelor of Science before applying or being accepted. At the end of a four-year Optometry program a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) is granted. After their studies an optometrist will have extensive knowledge of the anatomy of human eyes, contact lenses, vision, light, neurophysiology, optics and pharmacology.

Optometrists perform the vast majority of eye exams in Canada. The most common treatments performed by optometrists are writing prescriptions for glasses and contacts, prescribing medications including drops, gels and ointments, removing foreign bodies from the eyes, treating tear ducts, treating focusing problems, treatment for low vision and referrals.

An ophthalmologist is a doctor who graduated from medical school and then spent several years in residencies and training in eye diseases. Ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat eye diseases. They can perform eye surgeries. They can perform eye exams and write prescriptions. Ophthalmologists may be involved in research.

The biggest difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist is the training they receive. One attends medical school and works in a clinical environment. The other attends a specialized optometry program and will become a part of an optometrists office. During medical school ophthalmologists receive regular medical training on all the parts of the body. They will also complete a standard medical residency program before specializing. An optometry program is much more focused on the eyes than the body as a whole.

Opticians fill prescriptions for glasses. They make lenses and fit them into frames. They adjust them and fit them on patients.

Some practices will have both optometrists and ophtalmologists at them. Others will refer patients and they will work together to care for their patients. Many practices will have opticians in their clinic to make and fit glasses on site. Some opticians will work independently.

There is one part of an annual optometrist visit that many people dread: having to get drops in their eyes. Not everybody gets them. If you do they can cause light sensitivity and leave you wondering why on earth you have to deal with it. Fortunately there is a good reason for the drops that makes them worth the temporary discomfort.

The eye drops are used so that your eye doctor can take a better look inside of your eyes. They are called mydriatics and enlarge the pupil. After the drops take effect your optometrist can see the lens, optic nerve and retina. They can also make it easier for your eye doctor to determine the correct prescription for your eyes. Some of them work by paralysing the iris sphincter muscle, which keeps the pupil small. Others will encourage the muscles that dilate the iris. Individuals with lighter eyes are more sensitive to mydriatics than those with darker eyes. Depending on your history, age, symptoms and which tests are being performed they may not be used.

The drops have the side effect of causing blurred vision and sensitivity to light. It is advisable not to drive afterwards. If you suspect you might be getting eye drops it is best to take transit or arrange a ride to your appointment. If you drove you may be given the option of coming back on another day or leaving your vehicle and coming back for it later. It usually takes between two and six hours for the effects to go away. Bringing sunglasses with you to wear after the appointment will help mitigate the effects of light sensitivity.

During surgery mydriatics can be used to keep the pupil dilated making it easier to perform certain procedures like the removal of a cataract. Mydriatics can be used following eye surgery to prevent the formation of scar tissue or to help the eye maintain its form following glaucoma surgery. They are sometimes given to children with lazy eye. The drops are placed in the good eye to force the bad eye to be used.

There are other types of drops that may be used in your eyes for different procedures or conditions. They can be used both during and after surgery as well as in other applications. Cycloplegics produce paralysis in the ciliary muscles and reduces the eyes ability to focus. It is used to measure farsightedness.

Either mydriatics, cycloplegics or both can be used to treat Uveitis, which is a type of inflammation of the eye. The uvea is the layer of the eye below the sclera and cornea. It includes the iris, choroid and ciliary body. Uveitis can be a serious condition. Symptoms include redness, pain and blurred vision. It has many different causes including infection, autoimmune disease and injury. Uveitis can cause vision loss and should be taken seriously.

During surgery anesthetic eye drops may be used. These numb the eye if it needs to be touched during the surgery.

Between colour, materials, shapes and decorative details, there must easily be thousands of different styles of glasses out in the marketplace these days. It’s hard to know exactly what to go for. Glasses are no longer just to help improve your vision and help nearsighted or farsighted see better. Glasses have become a fashion statement, a part of your wardrobe, and people sometimes have as many pairs of glasses as they do underwear. In fact, some have actually gotten in the habit of wearing non-prescription eyewear as an accessory. So it’s actually cool to wear glasses. Who knew?

Eyewear can be the pop of accent your wardrobe needs, or can be as inconspicuous as a simple pair of earrings. Regardless of the role you want your glasses to play in your style, it’s fun to learn about all the various styles you have to choose from.

Round Eye Frames

Circular-shaped lenses and frame made famous by a certain Beatle (John Lennon).

Mirrored & Polarized Lenses

Mirrored glasses have a mirrored coating on the exterior surface of the lens, which act as a barrier to light. Similar to mirrored glasses, polarized lenses provide a glare-free vision during instances of bright sunlight.

Aviator & Pilot Glasses

Aviators were originally developed in 1936 by Ray-Ban for pilots, these glasses have a triangular-oval lens with very thin metal frames. Pilot glasses are similar to aviators, but are just not made by Ray-Ban.

Square

Jackie O made this style of sunglasses famous. They are described as squared glasses and are available in different sizes, colours and materials.

Wayfarer

Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan eternalized these medium-squared shades with thick plastic frame.

Rimless Glasses

Partially or totally rimless with a single “eye wire” running along the top of the frame connecting the nose bridge and temples (arms). For those who prefer something a little less obvious.

Butterly & Cat Eye Glasses

These two styles might sound different, but are actually a lot alike. Both offer a top outer edge pointed upwards, or have a butterfly wing shape. Generally oversized with plastic frames. Marilyn Monroe wore these best.

Oval Glasses

Oval shaped glasses are very popular in all sizes, colours and materials and generally appeal to a simpler style.

Pantos

These quintessential masculine frames from the 50s and 60s, feature keyhole bridge and thick acetate rim.

Clubmaster

Known for the bold upper part of the frames which frame the lenses in the same way that eyebrows frame the eyes.

Wrap, Shield & Biker Glasses

Glasses that wrap around the side of the face with big wide lenses for protection against ultra violet rays. Shield and Biker glasses are a variation of wrap glasses with extremely wide monolenses also designed for protection. The latter is also designed to protect against high speed winds and various weather conditions.

Dining in the dark, or “dark dining” as it is more commonly referred as, is the latest craze in restaurant experiences. The basic concept of these restaurants is that there is no light so you don’t see your food, leaving your other senses to heighten the culinary experience for your tastebuds.

The original concept came about in 1999 in Switzerland where a blind clergyman, Jorge Spielmann, from Zurich wanted people with sight to know what it was like to be blind. He started off by blindfolding his dinner guests in order to have them experience what it is truly like for the blind to eat. His guests were amazed at how their sense of smell, taste, touch and sound were heightened, thereby enhancing the flavours and textures of your food.

How It Works

Most ‘dark’ restaurants around the world operate the same way. Guests come in to a lit room where they pre-order their meal. Most places also offer ‘surprise’ menu items for those who are truly adventurous. Once you enter the dining area, all sources of light are removed, that includes cameras, flashlights, cell phones or even luminous watches are allowed. The restaurants’ wait staff are more-often-than-not blind or visually impaired as they are best suited to work in such conditions. The idea is truly to focus entirely on your meal.

Dark Table In Kitsilano

As described on their website, “An evening at Dark Table will take you on a culinary journey through uncharted territory, where the familiar—food, drink and friends—becomes a wonder to be explored and discovered, as if for the first time.” Dark Table has been brought to Vancouver by the same owner as O.Noir restaurants in Montreal and Toronto. There are set service times, so making a reservation is highly recommended. Expect your dining experience to last about an-hour-and-a-half. And of course, be sure to come with a sense of adventure and an empty stomach!

Shining A Light On Awareness

Though the experience is something rather unique, there is also the point that you’re learning first-hand what it is like to be blind or visually impaired. The experience is one that cannot be talked through, so living it first-hand over a meal is considered, by some, to be priceless. Most of these dark dining restaurants consider that the ultimate goal of their venue, and donate part of their revenue to charities that work with the blind and/or visually impaired.

What You See Is Not Always What You Get

Often times, people are guilty of eating with their eyes. The pleasure we get from seeing a beautiful and plentiful dish served in front of you. You salivate, you enjoy how it looks before you have even tasted a single bite. So is it really worth it to sacrifice the sense of sight involved with eating when dining in the dark? No one can determine that for you, except for you. Even if you don’t enjoy not seeing your food, you can’t argue that dark dining allows for an interesting evening and something that will have you talking with your friends and family for weeks to come.

Roseanne Barr is known for her comedic stylings, her crass language and no-holds-barred storytelling techniques. And now, she’s becoming the face of something new. Again. Roseanne has macular degeneration and glaucoma, ocular diseases that will leave the celebrity with vision loss.

Macular degeneration is caused when there is damage to the retina resulting in vision loss in the centre of the your visual field, eventually leaving patients blind. Glaucoma is when there is increased pressure to the eyeball, gradually causing blindness.

You may have seen recent tabloid and celebrity gossip magazines featuring Roseanne with large black glasses. And that’s why. She’s in paint. Macular degeneration and glaucoma come with severe discomfort and pain. Roseanne has publicly supported marijuana and touts its medicinal properties as helping her deal with pain she feels from the pressure in her eyes.

How is she dealing with her looming blindness? “I just try and enjoy vision as much as possible — y’know, living it up. My dad had it, too.” (From the Roseanne Bar interview with The Daily Beast.)

Good advice, but she brings up a good point as well. These diseases can be inherited, so it’s important to know your family history of vision health when speaking with your eye doctor.

Dame Judi Dench, known for her work in the James Bond films, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Chocolat, The Shipping News, Shakespeare in Love and much more, is also suffering from macular degeneration and is losing her eyesight.

Celebrities bringing to light vision health and vision loss is important, especially in May, during Vision Health Month. Approximately 80 percent of vision loss is preventable or treatable if caught at an early stage. Visiting your eye doctor to receive regular eye examinations, as well as eating healthy and living an active lifestyle help mitigate the risks of eye disease. And of course, knowing your family history as some diseases, like cancer and heart disease, can be inherited from your parents.