eye disease diagnosis and management

 
 
 

Many eye diseases don’t show symptoms until the late stages. By the time patients begin to notice changes in their vision, they may already have begun to suffer from significant and irreversible vision loss.

Regular eye exams allow us to track small changes in your eye health and give us the opportunity to begin any necessary treatments before significant and permanent vision loss occurs.

Don’t wait - request an appointment and schedule your annual eye exam today.

COMMON EYE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS

CATARACTS

Cataracts are a normal part of aging, and result from the proteins in our natural lenses to become opaque, clouding our vision. Symptoms of cataracts include blurry vision, as well as glare or halos around lights.

Almost everyone gets cataracts eventually, but factors such as sun exposure and smoking can increase your risk of developing cataracts earlier.

In the early stages, cataracts can be managed with a change in prescription eyeglasses. However, as the cataract becomes more and more opaque, it will need to be removed through surgery.

The surgery is effective and relatively simple, and in most cases, the patient can regain their pre-cataract vision.

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight”, gradually stealing vision without warning and often, without symptoms. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada; it is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the optic nerves. The precise cause of glaucoma is still under investigation. It was once thought that glaucoma was caused by elevated pressure inside the eyes; although elevated eye pressure is clearly a risk factor, we now realize that other risk factors must be involved, as even people with normal eye pressure can appreciate vision loss from glaucoma.

Risk factors:

  • Advancing Age

  • Race (certain ethnic groups will have a higher risk of particular types of glaucoma)

  • Family history

  • Myopia (nearsightedness) or Hyperopia (farsightedness)

  • Medical conditions (sleep apnea, migraines, hypertension, hypotension, diabetes, etc.)

  • Eye risk factors (high intraocular pressure, trauma, thin corneae, large optic nerves, history of retinal disease, etc.)

  • Corticosteroid use

Every patient should be screened for glaucoma. Glaucoma is a treatable and preventable eye disease. Our doctors use a variety of highly advanced technology to evaluate your optic nerves’ structure and function and to monitor for any changes over time. Testing may include: visual fields, optical coherence tomography (OCT), pachymetry, ultra-widefield fundus imaging, gonioscopy and more.

AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

The macula is the central area of the retina, responsible for seeing detail; it is used for reading, driving, and recognizing people’s faces. Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) causes blurring or distortion of your central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 years of age. There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet. The dry form is more common and generally results in a slow degradation of vision, whereas the wet form is characterized by a sudden leakage or bleed in the retina and causes a more rapid progression of vision loss. The risk of developing ARMD increases with age. Other risk factors include: family history, poor diet (specifically low intake of antioxidants such as those found in leafy greens), smoking, UV exposure, diabetes, and obesity. Early detection and prompt intervention is crucial in reducing the risk of vision loss in those with ARMD. Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment may include ocular vitamin supplementation to slow the progression and/or surgical injections of medication to stop the leakage in the retina.

PINK EYE

Conjunctivitis (also known as “pink eye”) occurs when the mucous membrane that covers your eye (called the conjunctiva) becomes irritated and red. Conjunctivitis can be caused by: allergies, infections (bacterial, viral), dry eyes, and even autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s and ankylosing spondylitis. Symptoms of conjunctivitis can include:

  • Redness

  • Tearing

  • Swelling

  • Itching

  • Burning or stinging

  • Light sensitivity

  • Green, white, or yellow sticky discharge

Each type of conjunctivitis requires a different treatment, so it is imperative that you see an Optometrist for a proper diagnosis.