Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

AMD causes the breakdown of the macula, which is the part of the eye responsible for your central vision. Damage to the macula from AMD can lead to central vision loss, making it difficult or impossible to drive, read, write, or even recognize faces.

During early stages, AMD is often symptom-free and only detected through an eye exam. As the disease progresses, signs of AMD include blurry central vision even with glasses, dark or missing spots in your vision, and straight lines that appear wavy. If you notice these symptoms, book an eye exam right away.

Cataracts have many causes, but the most common is age. Cataracts form when the clear lens inside your eye becomes clouded and affects vision.

Other causes of cataracts include UV damage, trauma, and other conditions such as diabetes. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection whenever you’re outdoors can slow the development of cataracts.

In early stages, cataracts are treated with updated glasses or contact lenses to keep your vision sharp. When the cataracts begin to impact your daily life and cannot be corrected with lenses, your optometrist will refer you to a surgeon to remove the cataracts.

People with diabetes are at an increased risk for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Both of these conditions can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when prolonged levels of high blood sugar affect the blood vessels in the retina and cause bleeding, swelling, or abnormal blood vessel growth, which may impact vision. Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision, swells and impacts vision.

Both conditions can be detected through a comprehensive diabetic eye exam. Annual eye exams are an important preventive measure for people living with diabetes.

Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions affecting the optic nerve and is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada,  known as “the silent theft of sight”. Glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms during its early stages.

Symptoms of glaucoma in later stages include blurry vision, eye pain, light sensitivity, halos around lights, headaches, and vision loss, especially in side or peripheral vision.

We test for glaucoma by checking the pressure inside your eyes and inspecting the optic nerve for damage using diagnostic imaging tests such as OCT and fundus photography.

Dry eye disease, or ocular surface disease, is a group of conditions that impact the surface of your eye. Initially characterized by a scratchy, gritty feeling in the eyes, dry eye can cause damage to the outer surface of the eye, including the cornea, if left untreated.

Treatments for dry eye disease include medicated eye drops, warm compresses, and gentle cleansers that tackle the root cause of your symptoms and restore healthy tear production.

Flashes of light or spots floating in your vision can indicate changes to the vitreous gel inside the eye. While often harmless, flashes and floaters can sometimes signal a more serious condition, such as retinal detachment, which could lead to vision loss.

If you notice any changes to your vision, come in for an eye exam right away. We’ll check for any underlying causes and rule out any serious conditions before permanent damage occurs.