In this episode of Hear Me Out with Belinda, Belinda Waites sits down with Dr. Nikki Umscheid of Eyes 360 for a practical and eye-opening conversation about vision, eye health, kids’ eye exams, cataracts, astigmatism, dry eyes, contact lenses, and the future of hearing and vision technology.
They discuss the differences among opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists, why regular eye exams matter even when nothing feels wrong, and what parents need to know about early intervention for children. They also explore how eye exams can catch health issues early, the reality of dry eyes in Alberta, and the overlap between hearing and vision care in a smaller community.
If you have ever wondered when kids should get their first eye exam, what astigmatism actually is, or how eye health connects to overall health, this episode is packed with helpful information in a clear, relatable way.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
● The difference between an optician, optometrist, and ophthalmologist
● Why Dr. Nikki chose optometry
● Small-town care versus corporate care
● How hearing and eye care both build long-term relationships
● What cataracts are and how lens options work
● The future of AI, hearing aids, and sound-amplifying glasses
● Astigmatism explained simply
● Why sunglasses and safety glasses matter
● How diabetes, medications, and overall health affect the eyes
● Why kids should get eye exams starting as early as 6 to 9 months
● What Alberta Health covers for eye care
If you found this helpful, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe. And share this episode with someone who has kids, wears glasses, or has been putting off an eye exam.
#EyeHealth #EyeExam #Astigmatism #KidsEyeExams #VisionCare #HearingHealth #BelindaWaites #Okotoks #AlbertaHealth #Eyes360
Host: Belinda Waites
Instagram: @belindawaites Belinda Waites - Hear Right Canada – Okotoks: where better hearing starts with listening.
🌐 hearrightcanada.ca
Guest: Dr. Nikki Umscheid Eyes 360 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyes_360/ Website: https://www.eyes360.ca/drnikkiumscheid
03:05 Optician vs Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist
06:03 Why Small Town Care Feels Different
10:14 How Hearing and Vision Care Build Relationships
11:09 Cataracts and Lens Options Explained
15:08 AI Glasses and the Future of Hearing Technology 1
6:22 Astigmatism Explained Simply
19:19 Eye Protection and Preventative Care
25:13 Dry Eyes in Alberta 27:07 Why Kids Need Eye Exams Early
