Dr. Romie Dhaliwal, Doctor of Optometry
Dr. Dhaliwal has been practicing optometry in Manitoba since 2011. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and attended the University of Winnipeg where she completed her B.Sc. in Biology. She then moved to Chicago, Illinois to complete her doctorate of Optometry degree at the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Dhaliwal has done clinical rotations in pediatrics/binocular vision, cornea and contact lens, advanced care, and low vision. On her rotations, she worked in Chicago, IL, Albert Lea Eye Clinic-MayoHealth System, MN, Mid-Florida Eye Center in Mount Dora, FL, and the Veterans Association Medical Center in Providence, RI.
Dr. Dhaliwal has worked closely in clinical and surgical settings with many different Ophthalmologists all over the U.S. She has gained experience in many fields with the diagnosis, management and prevention of eye diseases, vision therapy, cataract pre-operative and post-operative management, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. She has a special interest in treating chronic dry eye and myopia management. With the growing concern of myopia in children, she recently completed her certification in CooperVision's Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program. It is the first and only one-day contact lens approved by the FDA, for slowing the progression of myopia in children.
She is a current member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, the Manitoba Association of Optometrists, Canadian Optometrists in Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation, the Awards Committee, and the Mentor Committee. She has completed her Practical Vision Therapy Accreditation Program with COVT&R. Dr. Dhaliwal helps mentor new grads and enjoys teaching and being observed by students who show a particular interest in optometry.
She enjoys seeing patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly and is passionate about educating her patients about their eye health.
Dr. Dhaliwal is a big advocate of supporting small businesses as you are supporting a dream, and growing your local community! So in her spare time, you can often find her with her husband and kids supporting local restaurants, breweries and markets in Winnipeg. To stay active, she enjoys Peloton workouts, boot camp, and kickboxing. She hopes to return to martial arts and complete her blackbelt in Taekwondo.
She offers comprehensive eye exams in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
Eye Exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
Did you know that 80% of our lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation occurs before the age of 18? Children receive 3 times the annual UV exposure than adults. The lens of the eye of a child under the age of 10 have not matured sufficiently to become effective filters of UV radiation and therefore allows more than 6 times the amount of UV radiation to penetrate more than an adult’s eye. Long-term exposure can result in cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal damage, pinguecula and pterygium growths and may increase the risk of eye melanoma.
The most important source of this damage is exposure to UV radiation at a young age. UV exposure peaks when you are at high altitudes, snow-covered landscapes, bright sandy beaches, or near reflective bodies of water. Reflected UV light is just as damaging as direct UV. Water reflects up to 100%, snow reflects up to 85%, dry sand and concrete reflects up to 25%, and grass reflects up to 3% UV radiation. Sunglasses are as important for protecting your eyes as sunscreen is for protecting your skin. Sunglasses should be worn between 10 AM and 4 PM, when UV exposure is the most dangerous. Melanin in dark-coloured eyes acts as a protection pigment. Blue irises have less of this pigment and are therefore at greater risk.
UV rays can also cause damage in tanning booths and higher in certain occupations such as farmers, lifeguards, welders, and construction workers. Regardless of eye colour, location or occupation; it’s important for everyone to wear quality sunglasses year-round. When looking for sunglasses, make sure the labels say 100% UV protection against UVA and UVB, or 100% protection against UV 400, in order for the most protection. Talk to your optometrist about early detection of eye diseases and appropriate sun protection.
