Lifetime Eyecare: Vision Shaped By Technology And Experience
December 15th, 2010 01:22 PM
For those who need them, glasses and contacts are a small inconvenience compared with going through a life fuzzy and blurred.
But they come with their own inconveniences, prompting many people who wear glasses to get contacts, and some of those who wear either to have surgery.
“In many cases, new technologies can now provide other alternatives,” says Dr. Bart McRoberts. “And there are technologies that will soon be available that affect patients’ vision care choices now.”
Dr. McRoberts has been helping people on the North Shore see better for more than three decades as a Doctor of Optometry. Two years ago, looking to relocate back to the North Shore, he asked a West Van optometrist about sharing clinic space. The owner decided to sell, and McRoberts established Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Centre just east of Park Royal North on Marine Drive (off Clyde Avenue.)
There, he has created his own clear vision of quality eye care, based on his experience, the latest diagnostic equipment and his study of advanced optometric treatments.
Vision Shaping
Also known as Optimal Orthokeratology or VST, this is when specially fitted contact lenses are worn through the night, changing the shape of the cornea enough so that sight is perfect without any correction throughout the following day or two.
Exact measurements of the corneas are used to make high-oxygen-transfer lenses that gently alter their shape by just microns – not by pushing directly on them, but by distributing tear film pressure. There may be a set of temporary lenses and some adjustments, but within two weeks regular overnight wear produces corrected vision. When eye-shaping contacts are no longer worn, the eyes return to their former shape.
“It’s a good option for most people who are nearsighted,” Dr. McRoberts says. “Patients who play sports, swim or scuba dive can often enjoy these activities more without glasses or contact lenses. And those who get dry eyes at work – your blink rate slows down when you’re staring at the computer – or who work in smoky or dusty environments, can use vision shaping instead of wearing contact lenses. And of course it’s an answer for people who just don’t want to wear glasses or contact lenses.” It can now be used for prescriptions up to minus six diopters and can correct mild astigmatism.
For those who might consider laser surgery but are apprehensive, vision shaping treatment can provide similar, though non-permanent, benefits. “In several years, based on current advances in technology, intraocular implants will be available and superior to laser surgery,” he notes. “Vision shaping appeals to those who may want to wait for this.”
For some who would otherwise need both distance and reading glasses, or bifocals, each eye can be shaped to a slightly different prescription.
Children’s eyes
Kids lose contacts and break eyeglasses. Eyewear can also get in the way of being fully active and involved. And children can’t get laser surgery until they’re adults and their eyes have matured.
“There’s also another advantage of vision shaping for children,” McRoberts points out. “They tend to maintain the level of sight they start with. For example, a child who starts vision shaping with a prescription of minus one or two, and whose families tend to progress to a minus seven or eight or more by adulthood, tend to revert back to minus one or two should they decide to discontinue VST when they’re in their 20s.”
While nearsightedness is caused by a change in the length of the eye, he explains, recent research is showing there is feedback from vision shaping that slows or stops that change.
Dr. McRoberts notes he requires that children, not just their parents, must truly want vision shaping treatment. “If the child is not really interested, they might not make the needed effort to wear the lenses overnight or most important – not take proper care of the lenses.”
Special therapies
Dr. McRoberts works with Dr. Clark Bowden. Together, they take on an array of eyecare challenges including:
• Diabetic eyecare. This includes examination of all ocular structures which can be affected by diabetes, such as measurement of ocular pressure as well as checking for vascular deterioration in the back of the eye which could lead to blindness. Newly added digital imaging allows for better long term monitoring of ocular health.
• Multifocal contact lenses. These are for people who need correction to read but don’t want to wear glasses.
• Dry eye therapy. This can be caused by a number of things such as age, medications or even environment. Treatments can include drops, supplements or a very simple plug which keeps more of the tear film on the eye longer.
• Keratononus. This disease affects about one in 1,000 people, causing their eyeballs to become cone-shaped and distorting their vision. Specialized contact lenses are often part of the treatment they require.
• Cataract pre- and post-operative care – in collaboration with the Lower Mainland’s best eye surgeons in both hospital and private clinic settings.
• Laser surgery co-management. This involves obtaining the exact measurements the laser clinic requires to provide the surgical correction and then monitoring the eyes for vision and any adverse conditions after the surgery.
Experience
Dr. McRoberts grew up in an optometrists’ household. His grandfather and father were both Doctors of Optometry. His father’s practice was in North Vancouver, on Marine Drive near the former Avalon Hotel.
A graduate of the School of Optometry at University of Waterloo in Ontario, Dr. Bart McRoberts has headed the British Columbia Association of Optometrists. He’s also been on the Board of Examiners in Optometry – the regulatory body governing optometrists’ practice – and was chair of the organization for two years. As well, he serves on the board of Optometric Services Inc. of Montreal, a national optometric multiservices group of 1,450 doctor members. He publishes in several Optometric journals.
As part of his optometry career, McRoberts has been Professional Services Director of a refractive laser clinic. “It’s important to have a good understanding of all the options that could benefit a patient,” he says.
His spouse is Janet Southam, who is a former teacher, now working in private practice as a Certified Management Accountant. He has two university-age children and one in high school on the North Shore.
As well as providing a wide range of expert diagnostic and treatment services, Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Centre offers an extensive selection of fashion frames and high-tech lenses.
Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Centre. 604-922-0413
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Jun - Jul 08
But they come with their own inconveniences, prompting many people who wear glasses to get contacts, and some of those who wear either to have surgery.
“In many cases, new technologies can now provide other alternatives,” says Dr. Bart McRoberts. “And there are technologies that will soon be available that affect patients’ vision care choices now.”
Dr. McRoberts has been helping people on the North Shore see better for more than three decades as a Doctor of Optometry. Two years ago, looking to relocate back to the North Shore, he asked a West Van optometrist about sharing clinic space. The owner decided to sell, and McRoberts established Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Centre just east of Park Royal North on Marine Drive (off Clyde Avenue.)
There, he has created his own clear vision of quality eye care, based on his experience, the latest diagnostic equipment and his study of advanced optometric treatments.
Vision Shaping
Also known as Optimal Orthokeratology or VST, this is when specially fitted contact lenses are worn through the night, changing the shape of the cornea enough so that sight is perfect without any correction throughout the following day or two.
Exact measurements of the corneas are used to make high-oxygen-transfer lenses that gently alter their shape by just microns – not by pushing directly on them, but by distributing tear film pressure. There may be a set of temporary lenses and some adjustments, but within two weeks regular overnight wear produces corrected vision. When eye-shaping contacts are no longer worn, the eyes return to their former shape.
“It’s a good option for most people who are nearsighted,” Dr. McRoberts says. “Patients who play sports, swim or scuba dive can often enjoy these activities more without glasses or contact lenses. And those who get dry eyes at work – your blink rate slows down when you’re staring at the computer – or who work in smoky or dusty environments, can use vision shaping instead of wearing contact lenses. And of course it’s an answer for people who just don’t want to wear glasses or contact lenses.” It can now be used for prescriptions up to minus six diopters and can correct mild astigmatism.
For those who might consider laser surgery but are apprehensive, vision shaping treatment can provide similar, though non-permanent, benefits. “In several years, based on current advances in technology, intraocular implants will be available and superior to laser surgery,” he notes. “Vision shaping appeals to those who may want to wait for this.”
For some who would otherwise need both distance and reading glasses, or bifocals, each eye can be shaped to a slightly different prescription.
Children’s eyes
Kids lose contacts and break eyeglasses. Eyewear can also get in the way of being fully active and involved. And children can’t get laser surgery until they’re adults and their eyes have matured.
“There’s also another advantage of vision shaping for children,” McRoberts points out. “They tend to maintain the level of sight they start with. For example, a child who starts vision shaping with a prescription of minus one or two, and whose families tend to progress to a minus seven or eight or more by adulthood, tend to revert back to minus one or two should they decide to discontinue VST when they’re in their 20s.”
While nearsightedness is caused by a change in the length of the eye, he explains, recent research is showing there is feedback from vision shaping that slows or stops that change.
Dr. McRoberts notes he requires that children, not just their parents, must truly want vision shaping treatment. “If the child is not really interested, they might not make the needed effort to wear the lenses overnight or most important – not take proper care of the lenses.”
Special therapies
Dr. McRoberts works with Dr. Clark Bowden. Together, they take on an array of eyecare challenges including:
• Diabetic eyecare. This includes examination of all ocular structures which can be affected by diabetes, such as measurement of ocular pressure as well as checking for vascular deterioration in the back of the eye which could lead to blindness. Newly added digital imaging allows for better long term monitoring of ocular health.
• Multifocal contact lenses. These are for people who need correction to read but don’t want to wear glasses.
• Dry eye therapy. This can be caused by a number of things such as age, medications or even environment. Treatments can include drops, supplements or a very simple plug which keeps more of the tear film on the eye longer.
• Keratononus. This disease affects about one in 1,000 people, causing their eyeballs to become cone-shaped and distorting their vision. Specialized contact lenses are often part of the treatment they require.
• Cataract pre- and post-operative care – in collaboration with the Lower Mainland’s best eye surgeons in both hospital and private clinic settings.
• Laser surgery co-management. This involves obtaining the exact measurements the laser clinic requires to provide the surgical correction and then monitoring the eyes for vision and any adverse conditions after the surgery.
Experience
Dr. McRoberts grew up in an optometrists’ household. His grandfather and father were both Doctors of Optometry. His father’s practice was in North Vancouver, on Marine Drive near the former Avalon Hotel.
A graduate of the School of Optometry at University of Waterloo in Ontario, Dr. Bart McRoberts has headed the British Columbia Association of Optometrists. He’s also been on the Board of Examiners in Optometry – the regulatory body governing optometrists’ practice – and was chair of the organization for two years. As well, he serves on the board of Optometric Services Inc. of Montreal, a national optometric multiservices group of 1,450 doctor members. He publishes in several Optometric journals.
As part of his optometry career, McRoberts has been Professional Services Director of a refractive laser clinic. “It’s important to have a good understanding of all the options that could benefit a patient,” he says.
His spouse is Janet Southam, who is a former teacher, now working in private practice as a Certified Management Accountant. He has two university-age children and one in high school on the North Shore.
As well as providing a wide range of expert diagnostic and treatment services, Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Centre offers an extensive selection of fashion frames and high-tech lenses.
Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Centre. 604-922-0413
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Jun - Jul 08
