One of the most common questions we hear at ERC Optometry is: “How often do I really need an eye exam?” The answer depends on your age, overall health, and risk factors—but one thing is clear: regular eye exams are essential for protecting both your vision and your eye health, even when everything seems fine. Below, we break down Ontario eye exam guidelines, what’s covered by OHIP, and why local insights matter for patients across Durham Region. Why Regular Eye Exams…
Many people in across Durham Region believe an eye exam or vision test is only necessary when their glasses or contact lens prescription changes. In reality, an annual comprehensive eye exam plays a much bigger role in protecting both your vision and your overall health. At ERC Optometry in Brooklin, we often remind patients that eye exams aren’t just about seeing clearly—they’re about detecting eye disease early, monitoring vision changes, and supporting long-term eye health at every age. We strive to be the…
Seeing sudden flashes of light in your vision can feel unsettling, especially if you don’t know what’s causing them. While these brief flickers might seem harmless, they can be your body’s way of signalling a deeper health concern. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can affect more than just your heart. It can damage the delicate blood vessels in your eyes, sometimes leading to vision changes like flashing lights or floaters. The retina is especially fragile, and these symptoms may be one of…
Sunglasses do more than complete an outfit or shield your eyes from bright light. Many are equipped with features that contribute to long-term eye health, polarization being one of the most popular. But while polarized sunglasses help improve comfort outdoors, people often wonder: do they also block UV rays? The short answer is no, not automatically. Polarized lenses and UV protection address different issues, and not all sunglasses offer both. To protect your eyes and see more clearly in sunny conditions, it’s important to understand…
When you hear terms like 20/20 or 20/40 vision during an eye exam, you may wonder what they mean for your sight. In simple terms, 20/40 vision means you can see at 20 feet what someone with “normal” vision can see from 40 feet. While 20/40 vision isn’t a severe impairment, it does indicate that your vision is slightly less sharp than average. In this article, we’ll break down how 20/40 vision impacts your daily life and explore ways to improve your clarity.…
Millions of people experience myopia (nearsightedness), a common refractive error, but leaving it unmanaged can increase the risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life. While you can’t cure or reverse myopia, we can prevent it from getting worse through myopia control therapies and a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes. Annual routine eye exams help detect myopia early, encouraging timely intervention for these therapies for more effective results. All About Myopia Management Myopia is an eye condition that makes distant objects appear blurry…
When thinking about maintaining good eye health, it’s easy to focus solely on regular eye exams or wearing the right prescription glasses. But did you know that your diet plays a major role in protecting your vision? At ERC Optometry, we believe in a holistic approach to eye care, which includes understanding how what you eat can impact your eyes. While plenty of foods are celebrated for their eye health benefits—like leafy greens, fish rich in omega-3s, and citrus fruits—it’s just as important to…
Migraines are more than just a headache. They can be debilitating and accompanied by vision disturbances. While medication and lifestyle adjustments can help, did you know your eye doctor might have another solution? Avulux migraine glasses have lenses that are designed specifically to help those with migraines manage light sensitivity and reduce potential triggers. Your eye doctor can recommend these glasses for migraine-related vision symptoms. At ERC Optometry, we can add Avulux lenses to any frames that we carry in our extensive in-house collection. What…
Dry eye syndrome is a common condition. It can affect almost anyone at any point—if you’ve ever noticed a constant stinging sensation, you may have dealt with this. However, it isn’t just about temporary discomfort. Dry eye syndrome compromises the integrity of your tear film, but tears are essential for clear vision. When the tear film is unstable, it can lead to blurry vision, distortions, and more. If you’ve noticed these symptoms, visit your optometrist as soon as you can to discuss dry…
Dry eyes can be a persistent and uncomfortable condition that affects many people’s day-to-day eye health. Whether caused by environmental factors, prolonged screen time, or underlying health issues, dry eye is an eye condition that often impacts quality of life. While artificial tears and specific medications are commonly recommended as treatments for dry eye, there is growing interest in nutritional supplements as a natural approach to alleviating dry eye symptoms. In this blog, we’ll explore some supplements that may help manage dry eyes…