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HEALTH & WELLNESS

vision conditions may help improve prognosis with monitoring and/or management. Children who have a family history of amblyopia or lazy eye should be seen at an early age. You can turn to your optometrist for help if you develop any new issues or concerns with your eye health or vision.

What is patient-centred care?

Meet Dr. Adam Drake, Optometrist

Tell me a bit about yourself.

Patient-centred care puts the patient at the forefront of decision making about their own care. This is achieved after understanding symptoms and concerns, taking a careful case history, and performing necessary examinations. Providing advice and taking time to answer questions is the most important part of the eye exam because it helps ensure best outcomes.

I was born and raised on PEI. Studying for my optometry degree at Aston University in Birmingham, England was a fun adventure, but it made me realize how nice it is to be home. I live with my wife and two young children in Stratford.

SPOTLIGHT ON EYE CARE

What is an optometrist?

What are some common eye health conditions?

An optometrist is a health care professional who provides primary eye care services to members of the public.

Photos Evan Ceretti

People develop cataracts as they age and symptoms may include increased glare and reduced clarity. UV protection is important, and polarized lenses can help with glare reduction. Some people develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and your optometrist can advise if you have dry AMD or wet AMD. If you ever notice sudden onset of wavy lines or distortion in your vision, report this straight away as sight- saving treatment could be needed. Glaucoma is less common, however, it can be thought of as the silent thief

Why should I attend for an eye exam?

Dr. Adam Drake, Optometrist, introduces himself and answers your questions about how to care for your eye health and vision.

When you attend for regular eye exams, your optometrist can establish a baseline and monitor for changes to your eye health and vision. Some serious eye health conditions may have little to no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. People who live with diabetes or who have a family history of glaucoma should be seen regularly. Early detection of some eye health and

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