Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in Alliston

There is a popular misconception that losing your eyesight is an inevitable consequence of ageing. In reality, 75% of vision loss is preventable. Cataracts are especially treatable with a safe and routine surgical procedure. Cataract surgery restores your vision by removing your opaque natural lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial lens.

Surgery sounds scary, but cataract removal surgery is the most common surgical procedure performed worldwide. It’s a staple of modern eye care and something that our optometrists—and associated ophthalmologists—are well versed in.

An ophthalmologist replaces your clouded lens with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL is made of plastic and closely emulates the function of your original lens. The successful result of this procedure is the significant improvement of your vision.

If you’re considering cataract surgery, request an appointment to see us for an eye exam to determine your candidacy. We’ll perform routine tests and assess the status of your cataracts, overall eye health, and determine other variables that influence the outcome of your surgery.

Assuming that you are a candidate, we will then refer you to an ophthalmologist who will perform the procedure.

Cataracts develop slowly. If you have mild cataracts, you may not be aware of changes to your vision. However, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Vision becomes hazy or cloudy, like looking through a cloudy shower door
• Colours appear faded, or you may not be able to distinguish between them at all
• A coloured “haze” slowly developing
• Glare from light sources, especially at night

Nearly everyone will develop cataracts. But there are also several risk factors that increase your chances:

• Prior eye injury
• Prior eye surgery
• UV radiation (from sun exposure or other UV sources)
• Extended use of corticosteroid medications
• Family history/genetics

There are many types of cataracts, but the 3 most common are:

• Posterior subcapsular Cataract: This type of cataract is a small, opaque area that forms at the back of the lens. They interfere with your ability to read, reduce your vision in bright light, and cause halos and glare around lights.
• Nuclear Cataract: This type of cataract forms in the centre of the lens. At first, it may cause increased nearsightedness or even “second sight,” where your visual acuity is temporarily improved. This effect wears off as the cataract develops.
• Cortical Cataract: This type of cataract begins as whitish, wedge-shaped opacities around the centre of the lens, like spokes on a wheel. As they progress, these “spokes” or “streaks” extend towards the centre of your eye and interfere with your vision.

At this time there is no permanent solution for glaucoma. However, depending on the type of glaucoma you have, there are various management therapies that can slow or stop the progression of the disease.

These treatments include eye drops, oral medication, and laser or traditional classical surgical techniques.

Glaucoma initially develops asymptomatically. Most types of glaucoma progress over time, slowly damaging your optic nerve. If left untreated long enough, you may develop “tunnel vision,” where your peripheral vision becomes greatly reduced.

Certain types of glaucoma—notably, acute angle-closure glaucoma—are considered a medical emergency and can present sudden symptoms, including:

• Eye pain, often significant
• Nausea, vomiting, acid reflux
• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to lights, halos
• Red-eye
• Pupils of different sizes

Glaucoma comes in 2 main versions, each with its own subtypes: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

Variations of open-angle glaucoma include:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma
• Normal-tension glaucoma
• Pigmentary glaucoma
• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
• Secondary glaucoma
• Congenital glaucoma

Variations of angle-closure glaucoma include:

• Acute angle-closure glaucoma
• Chronic angle-closure glaucoma
• Neovascular glaucoma

Glaucoma Has No Clear Cause

The cause and effect of glaucoma damage has never been fully understood. Therefore, glaucoma is not categorized by a specific cause so much as by the nature of the damage it does to your optic nerve. This damage is irreversible—it can only be prevented, not repaired.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Glaucoma testing is an integral part of your eye exam. We’ve invested in advanced diagnostic equipment to serve you better.

Using a tonometer, we measure your intraocular pressure (IOP). We also use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure the retinal nerve fibre layer and macula’s health. Additionally, visual field testing gives us perspective on your field of vision and uncovers any blind spots or dim areas in your peripheral vision.

Conjunctivitis can be very contagious. Should you suspect having it, call our clinic as soon as possible and request an appointment.

Wait times at our clinic are generally substantially shorter than a walk-in clinic or emergency room. Not only that, but we perform the same medical services and procedures you would receive at the hospital.

Conjunctivitis can be irritating and uncomfortable, but most forms of conjunctivitis respond quickly to treatment. There is no need to suffer through symptoms any longer than you have to. Request an appointment to see us for testing, diagnosis, and treatment.

Environmental factors (dust, smoke), allergens (pollen, etc.), chemicals (found in soaps/shampoos, cleaning products, etc.), and pathogens (bacteria/viruses) can all cause conjunctivitis.

Your optometrist can easily diagnose conjunctivitis, so your safest bet is to come see us.

Symptoms include:

• Itchy, scratchy, and irritated eyes
• Watery eyes or excessive tearing
• A persistent or intermittent burning sensation
• Sensitivity to light, especially the sun
• Redness or pinkness of the eye and eyelid or surrounding areas

Treatment depends on the cause of conjunctivitis. Once we have diagnosed your pink eye, we can treat it appropriately.

Bacterial infection requires antibiotics to eliminate the infection. But a viral infection must be left to run its course, although treatments can help reduce symptoms.

Identifying environmental causes or allergies can help you reduce your exposure to irritants. Alternatively, treating an allergy will also reduce conjunctivitis symptoms.

Regardless of what causes of your conjunctivitis, we can help you manage the symptoms and provide you with a personalized treatment plan. Request an appointment to have your conjunctivitis diagnosed and treated.

If you currently suspect you have conjunctivitis:

• Remove your contacts and don’t put them back in until all signs of conjunctivitis have passed
• Wash your hands frequently
• If your eyes feel gunky or sticky, use a soft, moist cloth to wipe it gently cleanse your eyes
• Call us immediately