Blog | Cowichan Eyecare

A person at a desk with their eyes closed, pressing fingers to both temples, in front of a computer monitor and keyboard at home.

Frames & Lenses • September 29, 2026

Do Blue Light Glasses Actually Work?

Key Takeaways Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, and the sun gives off far more of it than your screens do. Blue light glasses filter part of the blue wavelengths, and they come in clear or tinted lenses, with or without a prescription. Research on eye strain relief is mixed, and results…

A person in a grey T-shirt washing soapy hands at a bathroom sink with running water, with a contact lens case on the counter.

Eye Health • September 29, 2026

Contact Lens Hygiene: Common Mistakes That Put Your Eyes at Risk

Key Takeaways Wash and dry your hands before you touch a lens, every single time. Use fresh sterile solution, never tap water, saliva, or yesterday's leftovers. Rinse your case daily, air-dry it upside down, and swap it every 3 months. Take lenses out before showers, pools, hot tubs, and sleep. Redness, blurred vision, or a…

An optometrist adjusts a phoropter for a seated patient during an eye exam in a clinic room.

Eye Health • August 31, 2026

What Is Astigmatism?

Key Takeaways Astigmatism happens when your cornea or lens curves unevenly, which can blur vision at all distances. It's a common eye shape difference, not a disease. Signs include blurry vision, eyestrain, headaches, and trouble seeing at night. Kids often don't notice blurry vision, so regular screenings help catch it early. Glasses, contact lenses, and…

A person in a green coat and scarf wiping a tear on a coastal trail beside water and forested hills.

Dry Eye, Eye Health • August 31, 2026

Why Do My Eyes Water in Cold Weather?

Key Takeaways Cold air dries the surface of your eyes, so your eyes may flood with tears to protect themselves. Wind, low humidity, indoor heating, and allergens can all make your eyes water more in winter. Watery eyes often connect to dry eye disease, where poor-quality tears evaporate too fast. Wraparound sunglasses, a humidifier, and…

Older adult rubbing eyes while standing by a kitchen sink near a window, looking tired.

Eye Health • July 31, 2026

Can Diabetes Affect Your Vision? Signs to Watch For

Key Takeaways High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes over time. Early diabetic eye changes often show no symptoms, so yearly exams matter. Blurry vision, floaters, and faded colours can signal a problem worth checking. Steady blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol help protect your sight. A dilated exam can…

Optometrist examines a patient's eyes using a slit lamp during an eye exam.

Eye Disease, Eye Health • July 31, 2026

What Is Keratoconus and How Is It Treated?

Key Takeaways Keratoconus thins your cornea and reshapes it into a cone, which blurs your vision. It often shows up in your teens or 20s and can cause your prescription to change frequently. Corneal mapping helps spot problems early, before your vision shifts too much. Glasses, special contact lenses, cross-linking, and other treatments can help…

Adult in a teal sweater rubbing one red eye while standing by a window indoors.

Eye Health • June 18, 2026

Can Allergies Make Dry Eye Worse?

Your eyes can water, itch, and feel scratchy at the same time, making it hard to figure out what's actually going on. That confusion is common because allergies and dry eye share a lot of the same symptoms. Yes, allergies can make dry eye worse, because allergens spark inflammation that breaks down your tear film and leaves…

Person kneeling on a wooden dock with a hammer, repairing a metal bracket beside fishing boats, tools, and ropes; mountains behind.

Eye Health • June 18, 2026

What Is a Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye) and How Is It Treated?

You might notice a small pink or fleshy patch creeping across the white of your eye. Many people know this growth by the nickname "surfer's eye," but optometrists call it a pterygium. A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth of tissue on the clear surface of your eye that can spread onto the cornea, and most…

Adult in a navy sweater sitting at a desk, looking stressed at a laptop in a bright home office with a window view.

Eye Health • May 27, 2026

Ocular Migraines: Symptoms, Triggers & When to Seek Care

Key Takeaways Ocular migraines cause temporary visual disturbances that typically resolve within 30 minutes. Common factors include stress, dehydration, screen exposure, and hormonal changes. Symptoms like zigzag lines or brief blind spots are usually harmless, but still worth monitoring. Vision loss lasting over an hour or sudden vision changes in one eye need prompt attention.…

Optometrist in white coat examining a patient's eyes using a slit lamp in a clinical exam room with an eye chart on the wall.

Dry Eye • May 27, 2026

Why Eye Drops Alone Aren’t a Long-Term Solution for Dry Eye

Dealing with dry, burning, and irritated eyes is frustrating, especially when your go-to remedies stop working. A quick drop of artificial tears provides a temporary burst of moisture, but that familiar gritty feeling always manages to return. If you've been doing this on repeat for months, the drops might not be the problem. But they're probably…