Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management | Dundas Optometry Clinic

Detecting & Diagnosing Eye Diseases

An eye exam is an important part of preventive healthcare. Not only will your optometrist update your lens prescription, but during an eye exam, they’ll also check for the development of eye diseases.

Many eye diseases can damage your vision permanently and progress without any noticeable symptoms, particularly in the beginning.

Early identification is crucial to the treatment and management of eye diseases. If your optometrist catches them early enough, they may be able to slow down progression or prevent vision loss.

Your sight is precious. Safeguard it today with a comprehensive eye exam.

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Imaging Technology for Early Detection

Early detection is key to preserving your vision.

At Dundas Optometry Clinic, we use imaging technologies like retinal imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to identify potential eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

These noninvasive tests can provide detailed images of your retina, allowing us to monitor your eye health and detect early signs of problems. Learn more about our technology by clicking here.

Diabetic Eye Diseases

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, which can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy often progresses slowly and, like many eye diseases, may not present visible symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. Diabetic macular edema is serious and can impact reading, writing, driving, and recognizing faces.

Both conditions can be identified early with a comprehensive diabetic eye exam. If you have diabetes, book your appointment now.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases generally characterized by damage to the optic nerve, usually by high intraocular pressure.

Pressure builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve and causing irreversible vision loss. Often, the progression of glaucoma is slow and not easily noticeable, earning the disease the nickname “the silent thief of sight.”

Management of glaucoma involves controlling internal eye pressure. High intraocular pressure (IOP) is a common risk factor for glaucoma, although not everyone with high IOP will develop glaucoma.

There are several types of glaucoma.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Fluid buildup caused by blockage of the eye’s drainage channels can increase intraocular pressure (IOP) and cause open-angle glaucoma. Generally, peripheral vision is the first thing impacted, followed by central vision.

When the optic nerve is damaged, but intraocular pressure remains within normal range, normal-tension glaucoma may be the cause.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the space between the iris and cornea narrows, trapping fluid in the eye. When the pressure rises as a result of this fluid, angle-closure glaucoma occurs.

Glaucoma can appear suddenly (acute) or progress gradually (chronic). Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. Sudden onset headaches, blurry vision, eye redness, or halos appearing around lights mean you should call your optometrist immediately.

Other Types of Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma occurs when intraocular pressure is caused by eye trauma, injury, or infection.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Glaucoma risk factors may include:

A family history of glaucoma
Extreme refractive errors
Past eye injury or trauma
Use of certain medications
Heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure

Cataracts

As you age, the clear lens of your eye can thicken and become clouded. This is called a cataract. They are often the result of the normal aging process, though they can be present at birth.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts generally develop without pain or redness. Some symptoms of cataracts might include:

Foggy or blurry vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Seeing halos around lights
Muted colour vision
Sensitivity to light

Preventing Cataracts

Cataract growth can be slowed by protecting the eyes from UV rays—a great pair of sunglasses can help! Eating foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, apples, artichokes, and dark green veggies like kale and broccoli may also help to prevent cataracts.

Cataract Treatment

Often, obstructions to vision as a result of cataracts can be remedied through corrective lenses. But, cataracts can increase in size and may get to a point where glasses or contact lenses no longer provide the vision you want. In this case, we may recommend surgery.

If you’re having difficulty driving or performing your job safely, are struggling to watch television or read, or are experiencing challenges with daily activities that are decreasing your quality of life, it might be time to explore surgery.

Cataract surgery is safe and effective, and we will help you understand the procedure and your options.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes the breakdown of the macula, the area of the eye responsible for central vision. Damage to the macula can lead to central vision loss.

The central vision is responsible for reading, writing, driving, and recognizing faces, so any loss of vision in this area may make day-to-day tasks difficult.

People with AMD may not experience any pain or symptoms as the disease progresses. If straight lines begin to appear wavy or your central vision blurs in a way that glasses cannot correct, it’s time for an eye exam.

There are 2 types of AMD. Click each title to learn more.

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most common type of AMD, accounting for 90% of cases. It occurs when parts of the macula become thinner due to aging and accumulate tiny clumps of protein.

Wet AMD

The less common type of the disease, wet AMD, is responsible for the majority of cases of blindness as a result of AMD. Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid into the macula.

We Can Help You Protect Your Long-Term Vision

Regular, comprehensive eye exams are the best defence against eye diseases that can cause irreversible vision loss.

Book your appointment today, and let us examine your eyes for early signs of eye disease.

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Come Visit Us

There’s ample parking at the back of our new, modern office that can be accessed from King St.

Our Address

160 King St W, Lower Level
Dundas, ON L9H 1V4

Contact Information

Phone: 905-628-5866
Fax: 905-628-5542
Email: dundasoptometry@cogeco.net

Hours of Operation

Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
**We’re closed Saturdays from June–August & on all holiday long weekends to allow our team to spend time with their families.