DETECTION of Eye Disease

Early Detection is Key

Doctors of Optometry train for a minimum of seven years to provide you with the best eye care available. All of our Calgary optometrists are TPA-certified, meaning they have the credentials to prescribe (topical) medications for the treatment of ocular disease.

Half of all blindness can be prevented, yet the number of people suffering vision loss continues to increase. Having an annual eye exam is crucial in protecting your and your family’s eyesight. These annual exams allow your doctor to detect changes in the front of your eye so alterations can be made to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription.

However, your doctor also needs to look at the back of your eye, the retina, to check that it is healthy and not damaged or showing signs of disease. Many eye diseases, if detected early, can be treated successfully without total vision loss. (The picture to the left is an image of a normal retina taken with our Digital Retinal Camera.)

Glaucoma. Detection of eye disease in the early stages is critical to the preservation of your vision. Certain eye diseases such as glaucoma have no symptoms early on, and are frequently diagnosed in our office during a routine eye exam. If you have a family history of eye disease, poor vision in one eye, a history of eye injury or are taking regular medication, speak with one of our optometrists to find out how often you should come in for a checkup. (The picture to the left shows optic nerve damage from glaucoma.)

Diabetes. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, yet only half of the people with diabetes know they have the disease. Bleeding inside the eye may be the first sign of its presence. The major cause of blindness in people with diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy, a term used for all the abnormalities of the small blood vessels of the retina caused by diabetes. (The picture to the left shows retinal damage from diabetes.)

AMD. The leading cause of non-preventable blindness in people over 65 is called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macula is located in the center of the retina (back of the eye) and is responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to see straight ahead. Aging can cause the macula to slowly degenerate and reduce central vision in people over 50 years of age. Talk to one of our eye doctors about measures you can take to reduce your risk of vision loss from AMD. (The picture to the left shows retinal damage from AMD.)

A cataract is a cloudiness of the lens of the eye. Most cataracts are seen as we age, and the lens undergoes a biochemical change which makes it less clear. However, certain types of cataracts are seen at younger ages, and there are types that are even present at birth. A cataract becomes a problem when it starts to cause noticeable blurriness, at which point an ophthalmologist removes the cataract surgically, usually replacing it with an artificial lens implant. This implant allows for light to reach the back of the eye without being blocked by the cataract, and vision is restored to normal levels.

We want you to keep 20/20 for life! Call us for an appointment so we can help you do just that.