An optometrist answers our most commonly asked eye-related questions

Every year, more than 50,000 Canadians lose their sight, but according to the CNIB, 75 percent of vision loss can be treated or prevented. Since prevention is key, even if you think you have perfect vision, it's still important to see an optometrist. Although seeing a doctor is the first step to truly assessing the health of your eyes at a medical level, it's safe to assume we all have some questions about how our eyes actually work and what is cause for checking in with the eye doctor. That's why doctor of optometry Dr. Jerry Nolfi stopped by The Goods to answer our most pressing questions about vision and the health of our eyes.

Why are my eyes so dry?

Dry Eye is a common condition caused by not having enough tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. This issue is becoming increasingly common due to excessive screen time, which results in inadequate blinking and tear evaporation. One study measured that while sitting and having a conversation, the normal blink rate is roughly 21-22 times per minute compared to only 6-7 times per minute while reading on a computer screen. Not blinking enough actually causes your tear film to evaporate much faster than it should. Dry Eye can also happen when eyes don't produce enough fluid, which can also be caused by screens, as well as dry air, dehydration and certain health issues and medications. Dr. Nolfi explained that although Dry Eye is super common, you should always treat it or it could eventually lead to vision loss.

Are reading glasses from the dollar store okay?

Dr. Nolfi says yes, but only for very few people. They're a low-cost, low-quality magnifier that can be effective for some patients even though they aren't precise, and although they won't harm your overall eye health, their low quality may cause severe eye strain and headaches.

The doctor also cautions against picking out your own eyewear prescription for glasses such as this because sometimes people assume they need stronger glasses, when in reality, they may have something more serious impacting their eye health. In general, most tend to ignore changes to their vision — especially those who already wear glasses or contacts — but even if you assume your eyes are getting weaker, it's important to check with a doctor to differentiate between optical versus medical changes.

This is why comprehensive eye examinations are an important part of preventative care and are an effective tool to potentially assess systemic health when ocular manifestations arise in parts of the eye.

Can cataracts come back?

Cataracts are natural, inevitable changes in the human lens that cause reduced and cloudy vision, poor night vision, glare, light sensitivity, poor depth perception, and eye strain. But thankfully, once they're gone they don't come back! Laser cataract surgery completely removes the cataract and replaces the cloudy lens with a clear plastic implant and the results are immediate. Dr. Nolfi did clarify that although cataracts don't return, the lens implant can become cloudy over time, but a simple in-office laser treatment can fix this permanently.

What exactly are those floater-things in my vision and should I be worried?

The eyeball is like a soccer ball, but instead of being filled with air, it's filled with gel. Light enters the front of the eye and travels through the gel, and if there are imperfections in the gel it will create a shadow in the retina. These shadows become more visible when you're looking at blue skies, snow or white walls. Dr. Nolfi reassured us that's they're always there and are acquired throughout your lifetime. In most cases, these shadows are benign, but can sometimes lead to more something more serious, so if you're experiencing peculiarities that look similar to lightning flashes, then the properties of the gel are changing and you should get assessed. Some more serious symptoms may include defects in peripheral vision, a curtain feeling over your vision obscuring your sight, and distortion or rippling effect in some part of your vision. Benign floaters are annoying, but the good news is that they require no treatment and most patients learn to ignore them.

Why does my eye keep twitching?

Eyelid twitches are very common. Thankfully they are mostly benign and usually come and go over time. They tend to appear during bouts of stress, lack of sleep, or simply from aging, and certain eyelid structures. More serious spasms may indicate underlying neurological problems though, so Dr. Nolfi recommends you see your doctor if you're concerned.

What exercises can I do to slow down the development of eye disease?

The eye is primarily an organic optical device. That also means its performance is influenced by genetics, age, health, and refractive error. Generally, eyesight declines over time accelerating in the 50+ demographic, but staying healthy, exercising, eating well, protecting against UV and avoiding smoking are some helpful ways to reduce your risk.