McIntosh Optometry

08/24/2021

We have demonstration Enchroma lenses at Cowan's Optical in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador and Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador.
If you or anyone you know experiences a colour vision difference, get in touch to try out some colour perception - enhancing Enchroma lenses (call ahead to book a time). If you aren’t sure of your colour vision status, try out the test below!
Corner Brook 634-0060
Springdale 673-4559

If you have color blindness, our test can tell you if your color vision deficiency is mild, moderate, or strong — in less than two minutes.

03/17/2021

Thank you, Corner Brook, for all the wonderful glasses donations to the “Seeing well”.

These glasses will travel to regions of Amazonas, Brazil, that lack access to vision care services.

It would be awesome to bring children’s glasses to rural schools along the Rio Negro. If you have any outgrown children’s glasses at home- even if mangled, scratched, eaten and regurgitated by the dog- please feel free to throw them in the Seeing Well!

Add your email if you’d like to receive a photo of your glasses being donated. 🤓

12/18/2020

We’re growing! Our team at Cowan's Optical in Corner Brook NL now benefits from three full-time Opticians. Welcome Corwin!

Hey Corner Brook, help us welcome Corwin to our location! He has been a licensed Optician since 2006 with many years of experience in the industry. We are happy to have your knowledge on our team, Corwin! Valley Mall

11/11/2020

11.11.2020. Community eye care involves day-to-day interaction with people of various ages and walks of life. The different ages have the same general eye anatomy, but they have seen vastly different worlds. These differences in lived culture/ history are often so great that care must be sensitive to demographics.

One of the most interesting things to experience in this field is treating (and having a visit with) a school child right before seeing a patient in their 80s, 90s, and even 100s. As the child runs out of the exam room the senior carefully steps in, smiling at the former. It’s wonderful to observe and a great demonstration of the world experienced by young people having been built upon the generous contributions of older generations.

Today we say “lest we forget” in remembrance of the sacrifices and hardships of those who rose to the occasion to make the future world a better place. May we not only remember, but also follow their example!

07/11/2020

Check out this old phoropter and lens kit in working condition at the Twillingate Museum! In addition to the coastal beauty of Twillingate/Crow Head/New World Island NL, this region has a history of exemplary community heath care by notable doctors with truly multifaceted practices- providing everything from medicine to vetinerary care to dentistry and optometry. The pictured optical equipment was that of Dr. John McKee Olds, recipient of the Order of Canada and original pioneer of Medicare in North America.

After single-handedly serving Twillingate’s 90 bed hospital during WWII, Dr. Olds was joined by other doctors including Dr. Wood, who travelled over ice to treat patients at home and provided a broad scope of health care to local fishing communities not yet connected by roads.

Today Dr Wood’s grandson, Dr. Andrew Wood, is the successor of my practice in this region which I served from 2013-2015. Dr. Wood carries on the tradition, providing optometric care in the nearby hub of Lewisporte.

05/29/2020

The quote below has long been around in various forms, but it’s topical during lockdown: there are 40 hours of extra time per week, yet somehow it's still easy to "not have time" for exercise, health, and nature.

When established pillars of health find their way to the bottom of our priority lists, it's time to redefine our goals, manage priorities daily, and enrol in active decision-making to stay on track. Sometimes saying no allows us to say yes to what's most important.

“People are disconnected. They’re disconnected from community, and disconnected from nature. Nature has become a spectacle, something nice to look at or walk in, but there’s not that day-to-day hands on connection where you can actually feel and see that the health of the beings around you influences your own health.”

05/17/2020

05/12/2020

Little bryophytes at the edge of the earth with some Maui Jims.

05/07/2020

Six months of snow and ice couldn’t contain these shades of green. Winter makes the rest of the year even more special.

05/07/2020

Given the perfect conditions (such as those on the ocular surface), metal can rust very quickly! Rust in the cornea will not go away on its own and inhibits healing; if you happen to get a metal foreign body in your eye make sure to see your eye doctor to safely remove the FB as well as any secondary rust.

05/04/2020

Sometimes the closer you look, the more there is to see.

04/27/2020

Here’s an informative video from a colleague (and former classmate from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry) about Latisse for enhancing eyelash growth. With the popularity of eyelash extensions, this product might be worth looking into for people who want longer eyelashes but, for example, experience contact dermatitis from the glue used in eyelash extensions. A contraindication for Latisse is a history of cataract surgery/lens exchange. It may affect eye pressure measurement which has implications on glaucoma management plans. It may also cause pigmentation changes to exposed skin. Accordingly, check in with your eye doctor to become informed about options regarding eyelash extensions before making any decisions. Whether using pharmacological or glued-on extensions, an eye exam ahead of time helps to achieve safest and best possible results. Thanks Dr. Gerlitz for sharing your firsthand knowledge and experience! 😀👁

04/25/2020

This is a handy tutorial for photographing one's own eyes for tele optometry and other forms of tele health. Take away points are using the rear camera (higher resolution) on 2x - 2.5x magnification and a mirror for positioning / determining how close the camera can be held before the image blurs. Macro lens attachments can also be used (and are also great for plant, insect, small critter etc photography). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMmihE8V7yA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3NbbfunmDSL2Puujo93LvsbpPLn92A_kWcWaGm5tAKij3ljIz_C03i6Q4

This video is to assist people with taking pictures of their eyes for their doctor for use in telemedicine.

04/22/2020

Finding the best eyewear to enjoy the sights of the season. Photochromic lenses are hard to beat on days like this with variable sun/cloud. They're also great when you're working in and out of the house, or when you're looking for your next road side hike. UV light toxicity is cumulative, so it's important to protect the eyes even for those short exposure durations to UV light. Photochromic lenses ensure protection at all times and thereby mitigate the risks of chronic UV damage to ocular tissues.

Thanks to Cowan's Optical, Eastern Optical for the opportunity to sample this new colour from Transitions lenses (colour: "emerald"), as well as the frame from Nike.

04/10/2020

The spring in Newfoundland, Canada is synonymous with blue icebergs, shimmering whales, and all the greenery associated with this season of change. This stunning example of pathetic fallacy symbolizes challenge, change and opportunity for adaptation and new collaboration. We love reviewing glasses and eyewear in nature because this is where we see most clearly.