Dr. Dana Smart, Optometrist
435 Stone Road West N1G 2X6 Guelph, ON, Canada

With the help of information from the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE), today’s post is about a newly recognized phenomenon called Mask-Associated Dry Eye (MADE)! Widespread mask use has been deemed critical in combatting the spread of COVID-19 and there are multiple solutions to address MADE. Thus, the increasing attention surrounding MADE should NOT be used as support for anti-mask sentiments. ... See more

It’s spooky season! Today I’m providing tips for those considering two common Halloween accessories: glitter & decorative contact lenses. Have a fun weekend but please remember that safety comes first!

Weekend wisecrack

Wishing everyone and their families a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Not seeing the details on the Autumn leaves as clearly this year? Book an eye exam! We have plenty of openings available for the remainder of October. We look forward to seeing you

Is your comprehensive eye exam coming up? Remember to bring the following things; they will help out your optometrist and ensure that you receive the best care possible! Your current glasses and contacts A list of current medications Current eyedrops ... Knowledge of any family history of eye disease The name and location of your primary care doctor Health card and insurance information Visit my website for more information about the importance of each: http://drsmartoptometry.ca//comprehensive-eye-exams/your-/

Pencils New backpack Binders Eye Exam ... Back-to-school may mean something different for each family this year, but eye exams should be on everyone’s back-to-school to-do list! We have lots of openings for adult and children’s exams next week and throughout September. Looking forward to seeing you. See more

Woahhh, that’s one big pupil! You may think that having your eyes dilated is annoying but there are actually more benefits to dilation than you may be aware of. Swipe through to find out what dilation is and why it’s so important! #optometry #optometrist #ocularhealth #eyes #eyes #eyehealth #vision #visionhealth #womeninvision #guelph #guelphoptometrist #drsmart

When it comes to glaucoma, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions flying around. Today, I’m going to dispel some of the most common ones!

The NBA is back and other sports are returning veeeery soon! Remember to continue wearing your mask in indoor public spaces (like when buying your game day snacks ) and when you can’t maintain a physical distance of 6 meters! Go Raptors!

When a child is having trouble learning, parents often seek care from the optometrist to determine whether or not vision is a contributing factor. A common question is whether vision problems cause learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia, which accounts for 80% of learning disabilities. The relationship between vision and learning is complex but in today’s post, I discuss some of the basics and offer a simple, evidence-based answer for that somewhat controversial question! Swipe to the last slide for a summary of key points.

Is this how you feel when you hear the word astigmatism?? It’s not as bad you may think! Astigmatism is not a disease, but a common vision condition that frequently occurs with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Most individuals have some degree of astigmatism, but small amounts may not affect vision or require treatment. Larger amounts can be a significant source of blurred vision, headache and eye strain. It’s a common misconception that the term is a stigma or a stigmatism. HOWEVER, the word astigmatism is derived from the Greek stigma, which means point, dot or mark. Swipe through to learn how this ties into the optics of astigmatism and much more. Also, stay tuned to my story later for info about treatment options for astigmatism!!

Despite most large Canada Day celebrations being cancelled due to the coronavirus, many municipalities (including Guelph and Toronto) are allowing fireworks on private property without a permit this July 1st. If you decide to take part in private Canada Day festivities, please remember to celebrate responsibly Choose a wide, clear site away from the house, dry leaves and grass, and be mindful of other flammable items. All spectators should be a safe distance away. ...Refer to the safety label on the fireworks for minimum distances. Individuals lighting fireworks should wear fire-resistant safety goggles and gloves. Only ever light one firework at a time and never try to relight a dud firework. Never let children handle fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers are often overlooked when discussing firework safety but a single spark has the potential to cause serious ocular burns. If you or someone you know experiences a firework-related eye injury, do not rub the eye, apply pressure or attempt to remove any foreign objects. Seek professional medical attention immediately. Wishing everyone a safe and spectacular Canada Day!! See more

Blue light is getting a lot of buzz lately! Over the past decade, there has been a large increase in discussion and research regarding potential negative side effects of blue light. With that, there are also some false claims and myths to debunk! Swipe through today’s post to learn about sources of blue light and whether blue light from your phone is really going to make you go blind (spoiler: it isn’t).

Most contact lens (CL) wearers are aware of the association between poor hygiene practices and CL-related complications. What they likely overlook is the importance of CL case care. Studies have shown that up to 81% of CL cases are contaminated with bacteria, protozoa, and/or fungi. Swipe through today’s post to learn more about this case conundrum and how to keep yours clean.