Eye Conditions and Treatments

A cataract is a cloudy natural lens that blocks the passage of light through the eye. This condition results in decreased foggy vision, halos around light sources, and glare. Cataracts can negatively affect your ability to drive at night, read or perform daily tasks.

Cataract surgery is rarely considered an emergency situation. An initial exam with one of our doctors can advise if you are a good candidate for the surgery and notify you of any potential risks.

The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes and involves a light sedative and a small incision (1/8 of an inch). No stitches required.

No liquids or foods can be consumed after midnight on the day of your surgery. You may also need to stop taking certain types of medication prior to going in. The majority of patients do experience clearer vision by the next day.

This condition is a leading cause of blindness in adults as it causes damage to the blood vessels within the retina. If left untreated, blurred vision will persist and may result in the retina detaching from the eye. If you’ve experienced the sensation of a “curtain” being pulled over part of your vision, contact your local Eye Centre right away.

This condition occurs when the retina pulls away from the inside wall of the eye which can lead to permanent vision loss. Light flashes, floaters, dark shadows, blind spots and watery vision are just some of the symptoms associated with a detached retina.

If your eyes are feeling irritated, scratchy, dry or uncomfortable, it may have nothing to do with the amount of sleep you got the night before and more to do with your age and environment. This particular condition affects the production of the preocular tear film which may lead to eye damage and possible infection. Excessively watery eyes can also be a symptom. If you’re experiencing discomfort on a regular basis, contact The Eye Centre for a proper examination.

Upon examination, our doctors can recommend a viscoadaptive eye drop to help moisten and lubricate the affected eye tissue.

Everyone is susceptible to seeing those little, flashing lights that blink through our vision from time to time. However, if you experience a sudden increase in the number or size of these floaters, it is important to have this looked at by an experienced optometrist.

Lazy Eye occurs when, for any number of reasons, one eye is used more than the other with the weaker eye gradually succumbing to reduced vision. What was once thought to be an incurable condition now has several treatment options. Talk with your optometrist to learn more.

Strabismus is recognizable when your eyes are not properly aligned and point in different directions. Although the cause of strabismus is not fully understood, the condition is treatable with eyeglasses, vision therapy and eye muscle surgery all viable options.

This condition occurs when there is an infection of the protective membrane covering the eyeball’s surface. It can be viral, bacterial or allergy based and should be examined by a doctor to determine the best course of treatment. Precautions should be taken to avoid its spread.

This disease affects adults over the age of 55 and includes two specific types of macular degeneration, wet or dry (the more common). Once diagnosed, its progression may be slowed with a proper diet and exercise.

Glaucoma actually consists of several eye diseases that damage the nerve fibers carrying information from the eye to the brain. Although there is no cure for Glaucoma, early detection can help avoid the onset of blindness. Once again, any sudden distortion, blurred vision or nausea should be reported to your Eye Centre doctor.

Allergies affect over 20% of the population and lead to swollen, itchy, red and watery eyes. If your daily routine seems to trigger these attacks, a consultation with an Eye Centre professional may prove beneficial.

CVS affects 3 out of 4 computer users resulting in headaches, neck aches, blurred or double vision and a sensitivity to light following prolonged bouts of computer usage. Visit The Eye Centre to learn if new eyeglasses are required or if anything else can be done to prevent further strain.

Although low vision is not considered blindness, it does mean an individual’s eyesight can no longer be corrected to better than 20/200 with lenses. A consultation with our staff can provide recommendations for living aids and systems that will help in your daily life.