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7 Tips for Managing Dry Eyes in Winter

One simple tip to alleviate dry eyes in winter is to use a humidifier to help restore moisture to the air in your home. […]

December 17, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Can Myopia Be Cured?

The simple answer is that while myopia cannot currently be cured, it can be effectively managed and controlled […]

Can Dehydration Cause Dry Eyes?

Here are a few ways dehydration can worsen dry eyes:

The body may produce fewer tears when dehydrated, which can lead to decreased moisture on the eye’s surface.

Dehydration can trigger inflammation in the body, potentially affecting the tear glands and reducing tear production.

A dehydrated body may struggle to flush out irritants or allergens from the eyes, resulting in irritation and dryness. […]

November 28, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Does Dry Eye Syndrome Cause Headaches?

While headaches are not classified as a direct symptom of dry eye syndrome, the discomfort and strain resulting from eye irritation and vision problems can indeed contribute to tension headaches. […]

November 28, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

How to Unclog Meibomian Glands

While meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) can’t be prevented, there are effective ways to unclog these glands (both at home and with the help of an eye care professional) with a gentle massage. […]

October 7, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Why Am I Waking Up with Dry Eyes? 5 Tips for Relief

Typically, dry eyes in the morning are caused by an imbalance in your tear film. This can develop due to environmental factors, poor sleep quality, allergies, and even underlying medical conditions. […]

October 7, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Can Carrots Actually Help Your Eyesight?

Carrots are packed with beta-carotene, which is very good for your eyes! But they’re just one piece of the puzzle. A healthy diet and proper eye care are essential for maintaining good eyesight. So, when your world is blurry, it’s generally better to reach for your glasses than a carrot. […]

September 9, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Why Does It Feel Like Something Is in My Eye?

We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable sensation of feeling as though something is in our eye. You’re blinking like crazy, sure that there’s a speck stuck in your eye, yet no matter how much you look there’s nothing to be found.

This feeling is often called foreign body sensation and can occur for all sorts of reasons, including dry eyes, corneal scratches, conjunctivitis—or maybe something is actually in your eye. It’s a common irritation that can disrupt your daily activities and cause significant discomfort. Whatever the cause, your optometrist can help you figure it out and get you feeling comfortable again. […]

September 9, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Myopia Control Lenses: What Are Your Options?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a progressive condition that affects your child’s vision, often impacting their ability to learn, socialize, and play. With the help of an experienced optometrist, myopia control can manage this refractive error and help preserve your child’s vision. What Is Myopia? Myopia—commonly referred to as nearsightedness—is caused by a change in the […]

August 6, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Can a Sinus Infection Affect Your Eyes?

If you start to notice blurry vision, swelling, and pressure around your eyes, this could be due to a sinus infection. But remember: sinus infections aren’t the only condition that can affect your eyes, so if you’re dealing with vision changes, make sure to talk to your optometrist. […]

August 6, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Can I Use Expired Eye Drops?

Expired eye drops may not work as efficiently as they would when they’re fresh. Because they’re no longer effective, they might also lead to an infection. […]

July 16, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Are Eye Drops Safe for Kids?

Many parents have questions about the safety and efficacy of eye drops for their little ones. Most eye drops are safe for children with the guidance of a healthcare professional. Different types of eye drops serve different purposes, such as alleviating dryness, treating infections, or irritation and allergies. […]

July 16, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

How Do I Know If I Need Glasses?

Vision stands out as one of our most precious senses, playing a crucial role in how we perceive and engage with our surroundings. It enables us to enjoy the beauty of a landscape, recognize the faces of our loved ones, and navigate through the complexities of our environment. Despite its importance, many people find themselves […]

July 6, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Where Should Glasses Sit on the Nose?

When it comes to eyewear, it’s crucial that your glasses have a perfect fit. If your eyeglasses don’t fit well, then they might not correct your vision effectively. Whether you’re at your computer, enjoying the outdoors, or reading a book, a correctly fitted pair of glasses can be the difference between comfort and frustration. So […]

July 6, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Do Sunglasses Block Blue Light?

While all sunglasses are made to shield your eyes from UV rays, some come with lenses designed to block blue light. […]

June 13, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Are Blue Eyes More Sensitive to the Sun?

Blue eyes have less melanin, a pigment that provides some protection against the UV rays from the sun. Melanin helps to absorb light, and with less of it, blue eyes are more susceptible to damage from bright sunlight. […]

June 13, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

What Is an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Test?

An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test may sound like a mouthful, but the process itself is more straightforward. An OCT is a non-invasive test that allows your optometrist to take detailed cross-section pictures of the back of your eye. Including an OCT test during your eye exam allows for early detection and monitoring of various […]

May 9, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

How Is a Contact Lens Prescription Different Than Glasses?

Contact lenses and glasses (regular and sun) require different prescriptions. But why?

Contact lenses sit directly on the eye requiring adjustments for factors like curvature and oxygen flow

Eyeglasses are positioned a short distance away from the eyes, requiring modifications to correct for the distance between the lens and the eye and the angle of light entering the eye […]

May 9, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Are Phone Screens Bad for Your Eyes?

Constant use of our phone screens can lead to digital eye strain, but there are ways to help reduce your risk of the uncomfortable symptoms and further eye damage. Here are 6 tips to prevent eye damage from your phone:

Screen position

Screen contrast

Reduce glare

20-20-20 rule

Don’t forget to blink

Get regular eye exams […]

May 9, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

10 Common Causes of Blurry Vision

Blurry vision is a common issue that can be caused by all sorts of factors. It might be a temporary issue caused by fatigue, dryness, or focusing on a nearby object, such as a computer or phone screen, for too long. Chronic conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or age-related changes in the eyes can also […]

May 2, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Can You Swim with Contact Lenses?

Exposing contact lenses to water can introduce various risks to your eye health, so it’s best to avoid swimming with contact lenses whenever possible. […]

April 11, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What Causes High Eye Pressure & How to Reduce It

Fluid buildup, eye trauma, medications, and other eye conditions are all potential causes of an increase in eye pressure. Typically, one of the keys to reducing it is treating the root cause. […]

April 11, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

What Can Cause Red Eyes in a Child?

Some common contributing factors to red eyes in children include:

Viral conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Corneal abrasion or foreign body

Blepharitis

Allergic eye disease […]

March 28, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Pink Eye vs. Stye: How to Tell the Difference?

Pink eye and styes are 2 common eye conditions that can cause redness and irritation. A couple of differentiating characteristics are the presence of a bump that could indicate a stye and more localized redness or swelling. […]

March 6, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

What Are the Early Warning Signs of Macular Degeneration?

Common early warning signs of macular degeneration include:

Blurry central vision or distorted lines

Difficulty recognizing familiar faces or reading

Empty or blind spots in the central vision […]

March 6, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Is Rubbing Your Eyes Bad?

Rubbing your eyes can be bad for you because it can increase your risk of infection, damage delicate tissue, and worsen dry eyes and allergies. […]

February 16, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What Is Myopia Control?

Severe myopia can increase a child’s risk of sight-threatening conditions developing later in life. For this reason, myopic control methods, such as specialized lenses and contacts, aim to slow myopia progression. […]

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February 9, 2024

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Astigmatism vs. Myopia vs. Hyperopia: What’s the Difference?

The difference between astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia is the physical shape of your eye and how that shape changes where your vision becomes blurry. […]

January 19, 2024

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Top 7 Tips to Improve Eyesight Naturally

It’s common for patients to experience little struggles with their vision when they’re younger, but age brings many changes to your vision and eye health. There is an increased risk of eye disease, but caring for your sight can help you enjoy comfortable, clear vision. Whether you have glasses or not, many patients want to […]

December 4, 2023

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Are Eye Exams Free in Alberta? Understanding Your Vision Coverage

Basic eye exams for children under the age of 19 and seniors 65 and older are covered by Alberta Health Care. Retinal imaging, however, which is a very important part of assessing ocular health, is not covered by AHC and is recommended at every full exam. Most ocular health exams done for medical reasons like eye infections, removing foreign bodies, diagnosing and managing eye diseases, etc., are covered by AHC for all ages. […]

November 27, 2023

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Why Does My Eye Hurt When I Blink?

There are many factors can cause pain when you blink, including conjunctivitis (pink eye), blepharitis, cluster headaches, dry eye disease, debris in the eye, optic neuritis, eye injuries, and styes. […]

November 6, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What Are the Early Warning Signs of Glaucoma?

The early warning signs for glaucoma include increased pressure in the eye, gradual loss of peripheral vision, and, on occasion, blurry vision. […]

October 17, 2023

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Types of Lenses for Glasses: What Are Your Options?

Various lens options exist that cater to different requirements. These include:
– Single-vision lenses
– Bifocal and Trifocal lenses
– Progressive lenses
– Photochromic lenses
– Polarized lenses
– Hi-Index lenses […]

September 12, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

ZEISS Lenses: The Complete Guide

Whether you’re looking for eyeglasses for everyday wear or prescription sunglasses to keep your eyes safe in the sun, quality matters. ZEISS has been making quality prescription lenses for over 160 years. They have lens options for many lifestyles, regardless of your vision needs. We all have different vision needs. For example, some people may […]

August 11, 2023

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

How to Tell if a Contact Lens Is Still in Your Eye

Many Canadians wear contacts as an alternative to eyeglasses or laser eye surgery. Contacts can offer comfort and convenience while you’re moving through your daily tasks. You could even forget you’re wearing them—until suddenly something changes. Maybe they fell out, or worse, maybe they got stuck. You may panic, rub your eye, try to blink […]

July 12, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

How Do Contact Lenses Work?

When it comes to vision correction, there are several options available, including contact lenses. These small and versatile lenses offer an alternative to traditional eyeglasses, allowing you to have clear vision without compromising your comfort or style. But how exactly do contact lenses work? Contact lenses work by correcting your natural refractive error. They bend […]

June 29, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What Does 20/20 Vision Mean?

When it comes to maintaining clear vision, there’s a certain term often thrown around during eye exams that may not be well understood—20/20 vision. It’s used by optometrists to describe optimal vision or visual acuity, but what does this term actually mean? 20/20 vision is the term used to describe normal visual acuity (the clarity […]

June 29, 2023

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses All the Time?

As our lives become increasingly dominated by screens, more and more people are seeking ways to mitigate the negative effects of extended screen time. One popular solution is blue light glasses, which are designed to filter out the blue light emitted by digital devices and may help reduce eye strain, headaches, and other symptoms commonly […]

April 28, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Is Glaucoma Hereditary?

Glaucoma can be a risk for your vision, especially with time. This eye disease can lead to severe vision loss if untreated, but many people don’t know its dangers. Several factors can make you more likely to develop glaucoma. You may be more at risk of glaucoma if your immediate family has a history of […]

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January 12, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What to Expect at a Kids Eye Exam

Children rely on their eyesight to learn, explore, develop, and grow. A child’s eyes change rapidly as they age, which is why experts recommend regular eye exams for growing kids. But what happens during a kid’s eye exam? Simply put, an eye professional will go through a series of tests to ensure your child’s eyes […]

December 20, 2022

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Do Contact Lenses Dry Your Eyes?

Contact lenses can be a great alternative to glasses. They can be more convenient when playing sports, help you look polished, and don’t fog up like glasses in cold weather. Switching between glasses and contact lenses helps keep your vision crisp and clear in any environment. But contact lens care can be high maintenance compared […]

December 20, 2022

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What Can Video Games Do to Your Eyes?

Think back, and you may recall when children and adults spent more time outdoors. But with the increase in digital device usage, more people are spending their time in front of a screen, resulting in digital eye strain. In 2020, 61% of Canadians played video games, with the average age being 34. And with the […]

October 11, 2022

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Do Contact Lenses Get Thicker with Prescription?

Everyone deserves quality eye care, and regular eye exams play a critical role in preserving eye health and vision. For those people with vision correction needs, glasses and contact lenses provide staple choices. Eyeglasses for refractive errors include a lens prescription. With significant refractive errors, one may need a stronger prescription and a thicker lens. […]

September 13, 2022

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

What Does Retinal Imaging Show?

Early detection of vision issues is key in protecting the health of your eyes. Comprehensive eye exams, like digital retinal imaging, are quick, painless, and effective ways for eye doctors to view inside the eyes and record any changes that might point to vision or other health issues. Early eye disease detection makes it possible […]

August 16, 2022

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

How Often Should Glaucoma Patients Be Checked?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60, but it can occur at any age. Sometimes, glaucoma can develop without any symptoms or warning signs, and can only be detected during an eye exam. Eye exams are crucial to keep your eye health and vision on the […]

July 12, 2022

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

How To Tell if a Baby Needs Glasses

Vision Health for Infants Infants experience a lot of growth in their early years. They’re learning how to use their bodies, including their eyes. Visual skills are necessary for many everyday things your baby is learning. Visual skills include tracking object movement, recognizing faces, and hand-eye coordination. Every child develops differently. But vision development milestones […]

June 22, 2022

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Can an Optometrist Tell if You Have Diabetes?

Dealing with diabetes can be difficult and might leave you feeling overwhelmed. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can give you the power to manage your diabetes with confidence. There are many ways to diagnose diabetes early, including through regular eye exams. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in Canada, so regular eye exams and […]

April 12, 2022

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Do Contact Lenses Expire?

Many people choose contact lenses over glasses when they need vision correction. These lenses can help you see clearly without needing frames, but they require more maintenance. Because contact lenses rest on your eyes, do they have an expiration date? Continue reading to learn more about contact lenses, including if they can expire and how […]

January 19, 2022

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Are Floaters in the Eye Dangerous

Eye floaters are a normal part of ageing, but can they be dangerous? Understanding why eye floaters occur can help you know whether or not you should visit your optometrist for an emergency. Continue reading to learn more about eye floaters, including what they are, how they develop, and if they’re dangerous. What Are Eye […]

January 10, 2022

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

Does My Child Need Glasses?

Healthy Vision for Our Little Ones We all want our children to be happy and successful in their endeavours, and healthy vision can play a massive part in a child’s overall wellness. Our kids grow up fast, and their eyes develop right alongside them. How can you tell if they’re hitting the correct visual milestones? […]

November 1, 2021

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

What Happens If I Wear My Contacts Too Long?

Contact lenses can be a great alternative to glasses. For many people, contact lenses are easy to wear, more comfortable, and more aesthetically pleasing than traditional eyeglasses. Even though many people prefer contacts over glasses, they do require more maintenance and care. Contact lenses can be a lot more work than glasses and need to […]

September 28, 2021

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

How Do Optometrists Test for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, and you may not even notice anything is wrong until vision loss occurs. If you have undiagnosed glaucoma, how do you identify this disease before your vision is affected? A series of tests used during a comprehensive eye exam can detect any eye problems. […]

July 13, 2021

Dr. Chelsea Gerlitz

How Too Much Screen Time Impacts Kid’s Eye Health

Are you worried about how screen time is affecting your child’s eye health? The truth is, most children are getting too much screen time, and it can lead to poor eye development and puts your child at risk for developing certain eye conditions, such as digital eye strain. If you’re concerned about the effects of […]

June 7, 2021

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

COVID-19 Update – Our promise to you.

Our promise to you. Wow! What a whirlwind these last few months have been; we’ve all seen some challenges during these unprecedented times. On April 30th our government made the announcement that allied health services can return to offering non-urgent routine care. We are beyond happy to announce that we are open once again, doing […]

July 6, 2020

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

COVID 19 and Eye Emergencies

At Calgary Family Eye Doctors we are hoping you and your family are staying safe during these unprecedented times. If you are on our email list you will already know that we are seeing eye emergencies only, at the moment. We are currently not providing routine eye exams. We are dispensing glasses and contact lenses […]

April 1, 2020

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Options for elective corrective eye surgery

Have you ever thought about getting elective eye surgery to correct your vision? Many people decide to have corrective surgery to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. The most well-known type of surgery is laser eye surgery. There are also non-laser surgery options, such as implantable lenses (or ICLs). Types of corrective laser surgery: […]

August 8, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

10 things to remember when wearing contact lenses

Contact lenses are a popular option for vision correction; many people prefer them to glasses. Contact lenses do have several benefits, such as being able to wear non-prescription sunglasses and having better peripheral vision. However, contact lenses are a medical device that sit on your eye (they sit on a layer of tear fluid on […]

June 24, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Presbyopia: an overview

Getting reading glasses sometimes feels like a rite of passage – or, at least, a rite of aging. It’s common to hear of people with perfect vision having to need glasses when they’re in their 50s or 60s. Why does this happen? Do our eyes suddenly worsen after a certain age? Well…sort of. The culprit […]

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June 7, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

May is Vision Health Month

May is Vision Health Month! Throughout the month, eye care professionals in Canada and around the world will work to raise awareness about eye health. Good eye health is important for everyone, regardless of age. In fact, we recommend that children go for their first comprehensive eye health exam at six months of age, and […]

May 22, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Eye See You education program launch

We’re very excited to announce the launch of Eye See You, our community outreach and education program for children. It’s designed to complement the province-wide Eye See Eye Learn program, which provides free prescription glasses to children in kindergarten. Since Calgary Family Eye Doctors is a participating clinic in the Eye See Eye Learn program, […]

May 8, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Myopia in children: what you need to know

Approximately 30% of Canadians are myopic, and that number continues to rise. While myopia affects people of all ages, there has been a recent rise in the number of children who are myopic. Currently, about 6% of children between the ages of 6 and 8 are myopic; by the time kids reach the ages of […]

March 22, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Colour blindness: an overview

The world is full of colour. Life is permeated by vivid and brilliant colours, and colour can have an impact on what we see and how we perceive the world. But what if you see colours in a different way than most people? What is colour blindness? Colour blindness is the inability to distinguish between […]

February 22, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Why it’s important to wear sunglasses in the winter

Sunglasses are usually seen as a summer accessory, along with hats and sunscreen. But, just like hats and sunscreen, it’s important to wear sunglasses in the winter. Even though the weather is colder (and snowier) and the days are shorter, UV rays are still hitting us. Here are three reasons why it’s important to wear […]

February 12, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

2019 Prescription Eyewear Trends

New year, new glasses! (Right?) But before you head out to buy your new glasses this year (hopefully at our clinic, of course!), let’s take a look at some of the trends for prescription eyewear for 2019. Shapes A lot of people have glasses that are more neutral in shape (that is, shapes that are […]

January 22, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness; in Canada alone, there are over 400,000 people who suffer from glaucoma. It’s called the “silent thief of sight” because it usually occurs with no symptoms. What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve. Glaucoma occurs when there is […]

January 9, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Diabetes and your eyes

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you’ve likely been told that you need to get your eyes checked yearly. Have you wondered why your family doctor is telling you that you need to see your optometrist to help monitor your diabetes? The short answer is that in an eye exam, your optometrist […]

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January 4, 2019

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Introducing the Dry Eye Clinic

A note: if this post looks familiar to you and you’re a newsletter subscriber, that’s because this post was initially released as a newsletter to our patients. If you’d like to sign up for our newsletter, please sign up here. Do you suffer from dry eyes? Have you tried multiple drops and found only temporary […]

December 19, 2018

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Vision Coverage: What is Covered by Alberta Health?

Here is a brief overview of Alberta Health’s vision coverage. Children Alberta Health covers one complete eye exam for children and teens under the age of 19 every benefit year (a benefit year is July 1 – June 30). They will also cover one partial exam and one diagnostic procedure. Please note that Alberta Health […]

November 21, 2018

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

5 Ways Your Glasses Prescription Can Change Rapidly

Our eyes, and therefore our vision, can change over time. But if you notice your vision becoming rapidly blurrier, it’s time to visit your eye doctor for an eye exam and up-to-date prescription. There are a number of reasons you prescription might change rapidly, including: Diabetes This is probably the most common cause of temporary […]

November 7, 2018

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Children’s Vision Issues

While children may have symptoms that can indicate a vision or eye health problem, it’s also possible for vision issues to be asymptomatic. In these cases, the only way to detect them would be through a comprehensive eye health exam. […]

October 18, 2018

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Children and Eye Health: The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

October is children’s vision month, so throughout the month, we will be working to bring awareness to children’s eye health. This month, we wanted to talk about the importance of children’s eye exams, and why focusing on their eye health is just as important as focusing on our own. […]

October 1, 2018

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

Digital Eye Strain

It’s no secret that people are spending more and more time on digital devices. After all, we’re very much a plugged-in society. But how does all this screen time affect our eye health? Does it have an effect at all? […]

Blue Light

So…what exactly is blue light? Essentially, it is a high energy light that is visible to the human eye. All light that we see falls along the visible light spectrum (remember the acronym ROYGBV?). […]

Eye Care Missions

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to volunteer with VOSH International to perform ocular examinations for the underprivileged in Belize. It was one of the most incredible and memorable trips I have ever taken. Belize is a beyond-beautiful country with such friendly and kind people. The first few days were spent on the […]

International Eye Care Missions

Volunteering with international eye care missions has changed my life. My inaugural trip was serving as a translator for an eye care team in Guatemala. […]

June 10, 2018

Dr. Brent Hopfauf

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