We Look for Eye Diseases During Every Eye Exam

The risk of developing an eye disease is different for everyone. However, in nearly all cases, it’s important to detect eye diseases early to prevent or minimize permanent vision loss.

We test for eye disease during every eye exam using an array of optometric technology. If you have a family history of eye disease or are concerned about your risk, book an appointment with one of our doctors to discuss things you can do to keep your eyes healthy.

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Common Eye Diseases & Conditions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that cause vision loss by damaging your optic nerve.Usually, glaucoma is characterized by high intraocular pressure (IOP); however, some types of glaucoma can occur even when your IOP is normal.

Glaucoma is a common eye disease in Canada. Over 250,000 Canadians currently live with chronic open-angle glaucoma, the most prevalent type. You may not notice or experience any symptoms from glaucoma until your vision is permanently affected, but our team can detect it in the early stages with a comprehensive eye exam.

There are 3 common types of glaucoma:

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common. It occurs when your IOP rises over time due to an imbalance between the rate at which fluid is produced inside your eye and the speed with which it drains out. The “open-angle” part of the name just means that there is no identifiable blockage in the drainage system with this type of glaucoma—fluid still drains, just not quickly enough.
Closed-angle glaucoma is one of the most serious forms of the disease. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the area closes where fluid drains out in the “angle” between your iris and cornea. This traps the fluid inside your eye and can result in a rapid rise in IOP that causes vision loss, nausea, eye pain, and eye redness. We consider sudden closed-angle glaucoma a medical emergency.
Normal-tension glaucoma causes optic nerve damage and vision loss even though your IOP is within the normal range. Doctors aren’t sure why this disease develops, but we can detect it during a comprehensive eye exam, and it still responds to treatments that lower IOP.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease affecting adults over 55. AMD causes deterioration of your macula, the crucial central part of your retina responsible for the detailed vision you need for reading, writing, driving, and recognizing faces.

There are 2 types of AMD:

Dry AMD is the most common form. As it develops, it slowly thins your macula, which eventually affects your vision. While doctors aren’t sure why AMD develops, things that increase your risk include aging, having family members with the disease, smoking, being overweight, and suffering from cardiovascular disease.
Wet AMD is not as common as dry AMD, but it’s responsible for over 90% of all AMD-related vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels in your retina break and leak blood and fluid into your macula. This makes the macula swell and usually causes fairly sudden vision loss.
Medicine can be injected into the eye to stop the bleeding, but the injections often have to be repeated every month or so long-term to keep the bleeding from returning. Without these injections, people with wet AMD usually develop scar tissue and permanent, irreversible central vision loss.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes can cause several different eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Generally, the more poorly controlled your diabetes is, the greater your risk of eye problems.

Learn more about diabetic eye diseases on our Diabetic Eye Exams page.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a common eye condition and the leading cause of blindness in Canada. Cataracts develop because your eye’s natural lens becomes more rigid with age. This rigidity, in turn, causes the lens to become hazy and affect your vision.

Glasses and contacts can correct blurry vision from early cataracts, but poor vision from more advanced cataracts can only be fixed with cataract surgery—a safe and effective procedure.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is commonly known as pink eye, and there’s a good chance you or someone you know has had this condition at some point in your life.

There are several types of conjunctivitis. Some are infections caused by viruses or bacteria, but conjunctivitis can also be from allergies, chemical exposure, or even dry eyes.

If you have conjunctivitis, you may experience symptoms like:

Red eyes
Itchy eyes
Irritation
Mucousy discharge or crustiness
Sticky eyes

If your eyes come into contact with a chemical that’s causing these symptoms, please flush your eyes with cool, clean water for 15 minutes. Then call us for help or visit your nearest emergency room.

Testing for Eye Disease

We use specialized optometric technology to catch eye diseases as early as possible. Our equipment helps us detect the conditions mentioned on this page and many others.

Learn more about the tools we use on our Technology page.

We’re Ready to See You!

Are you ready to learn more about your eye health? book an appointment with one of the doctors at Vista Eyecare and see the difference our team can make.