Eye Health

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye diseases and performs eye surgery. An ophthalmologist has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training. An optometrist provides primary vision care for people of all ages - from performing eye exams to diagnosing eye disease. An optometrist completes three or more years of college or university followed by four years of optometry school. Optometrists and ophthalmologists often provide similar primary vision care services.

Types of Eye Diseases Ophthalmologists Treat

• Amblyopia: Also known as lazy eye, this vision development disorder usually affects only one eye. 
• Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts usually develop slowly, causing a painless and gradual decrease in vision as the lens of the eye prevents light rays from properly passing through. 
• Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye called the conjunctiva. 
• Diabetic retinopathy: Also called diabetic eye disease, this diabetes-related complication damages the blood vessels of the tissue at the back of the retina. 
• Dry eye: This condition occurs when a person doesn't have enough quality tears to lubricate the eye.
• Eye cancer: Cancer can develop inside the eyeball (intraocular cancer) or spread to the eye from other parts of the body. 
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by a buildup of intraocular pressure (IOP). Your eyes have clear liquid that flows in and out, but if you have glaucoma, this liquid doesn’t drain properly, causing this buildup of IOP pressure. 
• Macular degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an extremely common eye condition. As the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over 65, it can affect near and distance vision. 
• Refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism

Symptoms & Treatment of Eye Diseases

There are certain symptoms you should see an ophthalmologist for:

• Sudden changes in vision such as spots, shadows, flashes, distortions or wavy lines, double vision or blurry faces 
• Loss of vision or decreased vision 
• Changes in colour vision 
• Redness, swelling or discharge 

Treatment will depend on the type and severity of eye condition you have. Your ophthalmologist will be able to help you with diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and management of your eye condition.

Talk to your family physician if you'd like more information on eye conditions.

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Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider

• A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts usually develop slowly, causing a painless and gradual decrease in vision as the lens of the eye prevents light rays from properly passing through.

• Diabetic retinopathy, also called diabetic eye disease, damages the blood vessels of the tissue at the back of the retina.

• Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by a buildup of intraocular pressure (IOP). Your eyes have clear liquid that flows in and out, but if you have glaucoma, this liquid doesn’t drain properly, causing this buildup of IOP pressure.

• See an ophthalmologist if you experience sudden changes in vision such as spots, shadows, flashes, distortions or wavy lines; double vision or blurry faces; loss of vision or decreased vision; changes in colour vision or redness, swelling or discharge.

• Treatment will depend on the type and severity of eye condition you have. Your ophthalmologist will be able to help you with diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and management of your eye condition.

Adherence:
Adhering to your medications, prescribed exercises or lifestyle changes (such as dietary changes, smoking cessation, reduced alcohol consumption, etc.) is essential to improving health outcomes successfully. Compliance to any prescribed treatment is the number one thing you can do to ensure positive changes and optimal treatment outcomes.

 Healthy eyes depend on regular visits to your optometrist for eye exams, and if necessary, an ophthalmologist for certain eye conditions and surgeries like diabetic retinopathy . You can also protect your eyesight with proper nutrition, eating foods that contain the right vitamins. Local Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, provide laser eye surgery consultations, and test for diseases.  Local Ophthalmologist  can help with many facts of eye diseases. Getting a referral from your optometrist to a local ophthalmlogist is crucial to eye care.

The physicians asscoiated with this site are in  good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the Canadian Medical Association