Vision Health Month

D8 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 mb-opto.ca DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT YOU'VE COME DOWN WITH A CASE OF RED EYE. A ccording to Doctor of Optometry Carmen Recksiedler, a red eye could be just the surface of a much deeper issue. "Red eye is something that affects all age groups," she says. "It's a generic term that refers to an eye that's become painful or irritated for some reason. Symptoms may vary, from general redness, to watering, light sensitivity, blurred vision or even mucus being discharged from the eye." As for causes, they range from simple to serious. "Your eye could become red due to logging too much screen time, environmental causes (allergies to dust, pollen), dry eye, infections (viral or bacterial), uveitis (inflammation of the eye) or even glaucoma. Red eye is not a true diagnosis. That's why you need to visit a Doctor of Optometry, as some of these conditions can indicate an underlying problem or be sight-threatening." That's the category in which the latter two conditions reside, adds Recksiedler. "Uveitis describes inflammation of the eye, but it can actually be a sign of an auto- immune disease, an inflammatory disorder or a systemic infection." Then there's glaucoma, which is often linked to a buildup of pressure inside the eye. "If the condition goes untreated, the pressure could damage the optic nerve," she says. "If the damage continues, the result can be permanent vision loss." While those conditions are worst-case scenarios, they underline how important it is to consult a Doctor of Optometry if red eye persists. "In some cases, red eye isn't something serious — it could simply be a viral infection that needs to run its course, or a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. The key to making sure it isn't serious is to get to a Doctor of Optometry to do an eye exam to differentiate the source of the condition." The only true way to do that, says Recksiedler, is to have a Doctor of Optometry look inside your eye with a slit lamp. "It's a standard diagnostic tool we use — basically a microscope with a very bright light — to look into your eye to detect diseases or injuries. If we find any abnormalities, we'll discuss them with you immediately." Conditions that can crop up include CLARE (Contact Lens Acute Red Eye), angle closure glaucoma (where the drain of the eye gets blocked), corneal ulcers, episcleritis, scleritis, acute iritis or even computer vision syndrome. The most important thing is that once identified, those conditions — whether mild or severe — can then be addressed. "Once we figure out what the problem is, we can go through the steps that will be needed to treat and fix the problem," she says. "Doctors of Optometry can diagnose the problem and come up with the required treatment plan and can prescribe antibiotic, lubricant or glaucoma eye drops or we refer you to a specialist who can treat the problem." If you're having any type of eye issue, you should immediately book an appointment to see your Doctor of Optometry. "We want to be the front line for emergency eye care," Recksiedler says. "If your problem occurs outside of normal office hours, go to Misericordia Health Centre to get examined. Otherwise, see your Doctor of Optometry." Recksiedler adds that you should see your Doctor of Optometry on an annual basis. "Many times a red eye evaluation will be covered by Manitoba Health," she says. "Also something many people don't realize is that children's eye exams are covered by Manitoba Health. Eye examinations for seniors, for certain eye conditions and for certain medical conditions are also covered to varying degrees, so there's no excuse for failing to book regular eye exams." It's a trip that can yield a very positive payoff. "We often detect problems in their beginning stages during eye exams," she says. "That means we can prescribe treatment that can take care of the problem before it has the chance to become a big one." Never think you're overreacting when an eye becomes inflamed, Recksiedler says. "We don't want you to think that you are overreacting if you have an eye issue. If something happens, don't hesitate to book an appointment with your Doctor of Optometry. We're dedicated to helping you maintain and preserve your vision, and will always make the time to provide timely care." PHOTO BY JASON HALSTEAD RED EYE, RED FLAG BY TODD LEWYS Dr. Carmen Recksiedler works with a slit lamp at Visual Eyes Optometry in Manitoba Clinic. "Also something many people don't realize is that children's eye exams are covered by Manitoba Health."

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