Approximately 3.5 million Canadians live with cataracts, an ocular condition that causes clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye. This leads to blurring of the vision, faded colours, light sensitivity, and double vision. This is because as a cataract develops, light is blocked from properly reaching the retina. Although this condition is associated with aging, there are some forms that can even occur in children.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also commonly called digital eye strain, 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. This is because digital screens are highly visually demanding on our eyes, and these additional demands can worsen eye health. A helpful strategy to reduce CVS is the ‘20/20/20’ rule: every 20 minutes give yourself 20 seconds to look 20 feet away.

Patients with diabetes can develop Diabetic Retinopathy, an ocular condition leading to vision loss or blindness. It is estimated that approximately 2 million people in Canada have some form of the condition. Diabetics are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma. We recommend a patient with diabetes be seen at least once a year for a comprehensive ocular health assessment.

Glaucoma is a collection of eye diseases that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying information from the eye to the vision centre of the brain. Most glaucoma cases are associated with high pressure inside the eye, but it can also occur when the pressure is normal. There are often no early symptoms and progression can be so slow that patients don’t notice them. There is no cure for glaucoma but if detected early, treatment with laser or eye drops can stabilize the condition and prevent further deterioration of vision. Unfortunately, most types of glaucoma are 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.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes loss of the central vision and a decreased ability to perceive details. This occurs because the macula, a specialized area of the retina controlling sharp, straight-ahead vision, becomes damaged. AMD is a condition more common in aging individuals, and causes everyday issues such as difficulty reading, driving, or doing detailed close-up tasks.