Education

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes blurring of the central vision as the macula, a specialized area of the retina, becomes damaged. To learn more abouut macular degeneration, click here.

Cataracts

2.5 million Canadians have cataracts, a clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye. As a cataract develops, vision may become blurry or dim as light is blocked from properly reaching the retina. To better understand how cataracts affect your vision, click here.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, describes an array of vision and eye-related problems that can arise from the prolonged, uninterrupted use of computers. Symptoms that arise typically include blurred vision, eye strain and headaches. A good rule of thumb to help reduce the symptoms of CVS is the ‘20/20/20’ rule: every 20 minutes give yourself 20 seconds to look 20 feet away. Want to know how to practice good ‘eyegonomics’? Click here.

Diabetes

Did you know diabetes is the single largest cause of blindness in Canada? Diabetic patients are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma. The main threat to vision, however, is diabetic retinopathy. It is estimated that approximately 2 million people in Canada have some form of the condition. We recommend a patient with diabetes be seen at least once a year for a comprehensive ocular health assessment. Learn more about diabetic retinopathy and see an example of how it affects your sight here.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve (which is responsible for carrying information from the eye to the brain). It usually has no symproms which is why it is also known as the “silent thief of sight”.

If it goes undetected or uncontrolled it can lead to severe vision loss and may cause blindness. In most cases it is associated with higher than normal pressure inside the eye, but can also occur then the pressure is normal. The nerve fibers of the optic nerve become damaged due to the increased pressure, which in turn causes peripheral vision loss.

If detected early, effective treatment with laser or eye drops can stabilize the condition and prevent further deterioration of vision. Unfortunately, glaucoma is painless and patients normally experience no symptoms until the disease is advanced; many people can have glaucoma without even realizing it. Glaucoma screening is a part of a comprehensive eye examination and is the only way to detect glaucoma. This is just one of the reasons a regular eye exam with a Doctor of Optometry is so important, even if you have 20/20 vision.