Optometry 101

Sunglasses are more than a summer accessory. The right pair protects your eyes from bright sun and glare, helps you see more comfortably outdoors, and — if you need it — can carry your prescription too. Here is what to look for, and what we carry in store.

Why sun protection matters

Bright sunlight and the glare off water, snow, and pavement can tire your eyes and make it hard to see clearly. Over time, ultraviolet (UV) light can also contribute to eye problems. A good pair of sunglasses with proper UV protection shields your eyes while you are out enjoying the Okanagan sun — on the lake, on the road, or just walking around Kelowna.

Look for lenses that block UV light, a fit that sits comfortably without slipping, and coverage that feels right for how you spend time outdoors.

Polarized vs. non-polarized

Both types can protect your eyes from UV light. The difference is glare:

If you are not sure which suits you, try both in store — the difference is easiest to feel when you put them on.

Prescription sunglasses

If you wear glasses, you do not have to choose between seeing clearly and shading your eyes. Prescription sunglasses are made with your prescription, so you get sun protection and clear vision in one pair. We can help you choose a frame and lens that suit your prescription, your face, and how you use them — driving, sport, or everyday wear.

Brands in store

We carry brand-name sunglasses in store, including Ray-Ban, Etnia Barcelona, Oakley, and Guess. As our Eyewear page says: preview some of our brand name frames available in store — availability may vary, so come try them fast!

Styles change through the season, so the best way to see what is here right now is to come in and look. Our team will help you find a pair that fits well and feels like you.

Trying them on

Sunglasses should fit like your glasses do: comfortable on the bridge of your nose, sitting level, and staying put when you look down. We will help you check the fit, and adjust them if they need it.

A good pair of frames is about more than how they look. The right frame fits your face, suits your style, and feels comfortable all day. Here is how to think about it — and what we will help you find in store.

Face shape & style

Hint: opposites are attractive — round faces need angles, and angular faces need round shapes.

Frames work best when they balance your face. As a general guide:

• Round face — angular or rectangular frames add definition.
• Oval face — most shapes work well; look for balanced proportions.
• Square face — round or oval frames soften strong angles.
• Heart-shaped face — frames that are wider at the bottom, or rimless styles, balance a narrower chin.

Style is personal. Classic, bold, minimal, colourful — the best frame is the one that feels like you, and that you will actually enjoy wearing every day. Trying frames on in person is the surest way to know.

Four types of frames

How a good fit feels

Fit is what turns a nice frame into a pair of glasses you forget you are wearing. A few things we check when we fit frames for you:

• Bridge — the bridge should rest comfortably on your nose without pinching or sliding. A large or wide bridge suits a wider nose; a narrow bridge suits a narrower nose. Asian fit frames have a wider, lower bridge for a lower nose bridge.
• Width — the frame should be about as wide as your face, with your eyes roughly centred in the lenses. Too narrow and the temples pinch; too wide and the frame slides.
• Temple arms — they should rest gently behind your ears without pressing, and the frame should stay put when you look down.
• Comfort all day — no red marks on the nose or behind the ears, no slipping, and the lenses sitting at the right height for your vision.

Every frame we sell is fitted and adjusted in store, and we will adjust them again any time they need it.

Contact lenses give you clear vision without frames — for sport, for work, or just for the days you would rather not wear glasses. The right lens depends on your eyes, your prescription, and how you live. Here is how the options work, and how we fit them for you.

Daily or monthly

Most contact lenses are either worn for a day and thrown away, or worn for up to a month with cleaning and storage in between:

Your doctor will help you decide which wearing schedule suits your eyes and your day.

You can also have a mix of all three — some dailies, some monthlies, and some two-week lenses — and use whichever suits the day.

Lenses for astigmatism and for reading

Both types need a careful fitting, because the lens has to sit just right on your eye to work well.

Fitting and training

Contact lenses are fitted to your eyes and your prescription — they are not one-size-fits-all. At a contact lens fitting, we check the shape and health of your eyes, try lenses on, and make sure the fit, comfort, and vision are right for you.

If you are new to lenses, we will also show you how to put them in, take them out, and look after them, and practise with you until you feel confident doing it yourself.

Looking after your lenses

A few habits keep lenses comfortable and your eyes healthy:

• Wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses.
• Follow the wearing schedule your doctor gives you — do not stretch a daily lens into a second day, or a monthly lens past its month.
• Use fresh solution for cleaning and storing, and never top up old solution.
• Do not sleep in your lenses unless your doctor has specifically prescribed it.
• Come back if anything feels off — redness, discomfort, or blurry vision is worth a check, not a wait-and-see.

Brands we carry

We carry contact lenses from Acuvue, Air Optix, Bausch + Lomb (including Ultra), Biofinity, Dailies, and Proclear. Which brand and lens suits you depends on your prescription and your eyes — your doctor will recommend the right one at your fitting.

Dry, gritty, or tired-feeling eyes are a common complaint — and one of the things we help with in store. Our dry eye product is a simple, reusable compress mask you can use at home, with guidance from our team on how it fits into your eye care.

Hot & Cold Therapy Eye Compress Mask

Our dry eye product is the Bruder Hot & Cold Therapy Eye Compress Mask. The compress helps clear oil glands and allows natural oils to flow back onto the eye to relieve discomfort. It is great for dry eye disease, styes, and chalazia, as well as headaches and puffiness.

It is an easy-to-use compress that delivers an effective moist heat treatment at home.

Warm or cold

How to use it

Simply microwave the compress for 20–25 seconds and apply for 8–10 minutes, or as prescribed by your doctor. It can also be used cold.

If you are not sure how often to use it, or whether warm or cold is right for you, ask us in store — we will go through it with you.

When to ask us

A compress can help with everyday dry-eye discomfort, but dry eyes can have different causes, and some need more than a home compress. Come in and talk to us if:

• Your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or sore — especially if it keeps coming back.
• Your eyes water a lot — watery eyes can still be a sign of dry eye.
• Your vision blurs and then clears when you blink.
• You have a stye or chalazion that is not settling.

We can look at your eyes, talk through what is going on, and help you decide what will help — whether that is the compress, something else, or an eye exam.

An eye exam is about more than a new prescription. It is a check on the health of your eyes, and a chance to talk through how your vision is working for you day to day. Here are the exam services we offer, and the equipment we use before you see the doctor.

Our exam services

If you are not sure which exam you need, call us and we will help you book the right one.

Pre-test equipment

Before you see the doctor, we use advanced technology to get a clear picture of your eyes — including OCT and Optos digital imaging. These instruments take detailed images of the inside of your eye, including the retina at the back, so the doctor can check the health of your eyes thoroughly and keep a record to compare at your next visit.

The imaging is quick and comfortable, and it helps the doctor see things that are not visible in a standard eye check alone.

How often should you have an exam?

How often you need an exam depends on your age, your eyes, and your health. As a general guide, most adults benefit from a regular exam every one to two years, and children should have their eyes checked regularly as they grow. Your doctor will let you know what interval is right for you.

Some eye diseases develop slowly and without obvious symptoms, which is why a regular eye exam matters — at Mission Creek Optometry, Dr. Scott Percival and Dr. Manley March check the health of your eyes, including the retina at the back, at every complete eye exam. Here are four we watch for:

If you have any of these conditions, or a family history of them, let us know at your exam — and if you notice any change in your vision, book in rather than waiting for your next regular visit.

Eye injuries can happen quickly — a knock, a scratch, or something getting into the eye — and some need to be seen promptly. If you injure your eye, or notice a sudden change in your vision, call us at Mission Creek Optometry at 250-717-0086 and we will tell you whether to come in, and how quickly.