It’s the first day of World Glaucoma Week, and we’re shining a light on the importance of routine eye exams to ensure early detection and treatment of this disease, ominously called the "Silent Thief of Sight," which causes progressive and permanent damage to the optic nerve that, without early treatment, can lead to irreversible vision loss. We chatted with Ollie Quinn in-house certified optometrist Dr. Daniel Heimdahl, about glaucoma, eye health and (because it’s us) how to rock glasses with style. —Noa Nichol
Hi Dr. Heimdahl! Tell us a bit about yourself.
My love for optometry runs deep. I’m a second-generation optometrist, who’s always had a keen interest in health care. I work for the Ollie Quinn team in Vancouver, along with practicing in Maple Ridge. B.C. In my spare time, I provide eye care to patients in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The draw of the job for me is helping people of all ages see clearly and interacting with individuals from all walks of life. Above all else, the instant feeling of gratitude I receive when improving someone’s quality of life makes the job worthwhile.
At what age should kids get their first eye exam, and why?
We strongly recommend that children receive their first eye exam starting as early as six months of age. It is important for parents to understand that children are not born with perfect vision. In fact, babies see very little when first born. Great vision takes a long time to develop and starts with the brain relying on the eyes to develop itself and the cortical connections needed for vision and stereo vision (the ability for both eyes to work together to see objects 3-D). If this developmental process is interrupted—such as one eye having a high refractive prescription or turned in or out—lifelong consequences can occur as the brain does not develop the affected eye, causing Amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’. It’s important for parents to keep in mind that children do not necessarily understand what ‘proper vision’ is—they may think that everyone sees their world as they do. It is therefore important to detect any problems as early as possible to ensure proper vision development.
After that first appointment, how often/regularly should we be booking eye exams?
As optometrists, we recommend seeing younger patients (0-19) for annual eye exams. For those between 19 and 65 years of age, we recommend seeing them annually/bi-annually. For patients over 65 we recommend yearly eye exams. Patients should also see their local optometrist if they have any type of eye problem or concern, regardless of when their last eye exam was.
What is glaucoma and who does it affect? Only people over 60, or can it hit earlier?
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damages the optic nerve (the part of the eye that transmits all of the information to your brain) resulting in gradual, permanent vision loss over time. There are a multitude of risk factors for developing glaucoma, such as but not limited too: high minus/positive prescriptions, Hispanic or African heritage, family history of glaucoma, high eye pressures, thin central corneas, thinning of the optic nerve, a history of diabetes or high blood pressure. Patients over the age of 60 are more vulnerable because age-related changes can cause an increase of some of these risk factors and can result in the patient developing glaucoma. Although patients over the age of 60 are more at risk, younger patients with any of the mentioned risk factors are at risk as well.
What is the best way to detect/prevent glaucoma/vision loss?
The best way to detect glaucoma and prevent vision loss is by having regular eye exams from your local optometrist. Glaucoma is rightly known as the "Silent Thief of Sight" due the fact that the vision loss is most commonly painless and slowly starts out in the periphery. Many patients who have glaucoma don’t realize they have it until it’s too late. It’s important to remember that once the damage is done, it is permanent. So the best way to prevent vision loss is to start with early detection and prevention itself.
Besides regular eye exams, when should we see an optometrist to have our eyes checked (i.e., what kinds of symptoms)?
I would recommend seeing an optometrist for ANY eye-related issue especially if you’re experiencing any type of eye pain, blur, visual disturbances, discharge or have any general concerns with your vision. It’s important for the public to know that as optometrists, we are able to diagnose, treat and manage a vast array of problems and diseases and are positioned as primary health-care providers for your eyes and vision.
For some (stylish) people, the prospect of having to wear glasses can be frightening. Any advice?
With style and eye health at the forefront of Ollie Quinn’s collections, you’ll always find a wide selection of fashion-forward specs that also meet your eye care needs. There are 300 styles and colours to pick from, allowing you to discover the best fit for your personality, face shape and wardrobe. Also, our skilled stylists have a pulse on eyewear industry trends, helping you make the most fashionable pick for you. For those who are frightened with the prospect of wearing glasses, it is important to know that there are many ways to help you feel comfortable, while giving you great vision.
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