Eye Care Services

The importance of a regular eye exam for adults:

During your eye exam the doctor is not only evaluating your eyes for visual correction (if you need eye glasses or contact lenses), they are also checking the overall health and function of your eye.

Most eye diseases have very little or slow symptoms and cannot be detected unless you have a comprehensive eye exam. It is important to catch eye diseases early as some diseases, like Glaucoma, are not reversible, but they can be managed and prevented.

Examples of what the doctor is looking for:

• Refractive error: This refers to your prescription and is corrected with eye glasses, contact lenses or (laser) surgery
• Strabismus: This has to do with the muscular function in the eye
• Eye Diseases: These can be detected by looking at the eye’s blood vessels, retina and so forth. Diseases include Glaucoma, Cancer, Cataracts, Retinitis Pigmentosa and many others.
• Eye problems like dry eyes or computer vision syndrome

How often should I get an eye exam?

Children: An assessment between six and 12 months of age is recommended to determine if an infant is at risk for eye or vision disorders. Children should at least have had one eye examination by the age of three, and then every year after that.

Adults: We recommended every two years, especially after the age of 40 as age increases the risk of many eye diseases.

Seniors: Over the age of 65 an annual eye exam is recommended.

The importance of an eye exam for children and Infants

Since many eye problems arise from conditions that can be identified by an eye doctor in an infant’s first year of life, a parent can give an infant a great gift by seeking an eye assessment.

Retinal Camera

A retinal camera is a specialized low power microscope with an attached camera designed to photograph the interior surface of the eye, including the retina, optic disc, macula, and posterior pole (i.e. the fundus).

OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography):

Optical Coherence Tomography is an advanced eye scan for people of all ages. Similar to ultrasound, OCT uses light rather than sound waves to illustrate the different layers that make up the back of your eye. The OCT machine captures both a fundus photograph and a cross-sectional scan of the back of the eye at the same time. The scan is painless, non-invasive, simple and quick. What’s more, the software can automatically detect even the most subtle changes to the retina with every eye test you take. This gives you an invaluable ongoing record of the health and condition of your eyes.

Common conditions identified through regular OCT screening include:

1. Age-related macular degeneration
   Macular degeneration causes the gradual breakdown of the macular (the central portion of the eye). OCT can identify this condition and its type (there are two types – wet and dry) and also monitor its progress, for example if you are undergoing treatment for such a condition. Unfortunately the risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age, and it is the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over the age of fifty.
2. Diabetes
   Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of visual impairment among adults. Here in Canada, more than 3.3 million people have been identified as having diabetes. OCT examination enables early detection, which greatly improves the success rate of treatment.
3. Glaucoma
   Glaucoma damages the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye. Recent statistics suggest that some form of glaucoma affects around two in every 100 people over the age of 40. The danger with chronic glaucoma is that there is no pain and your eyesight will seem to be unchanged, but your vision is being damaged. An OCT examination will confirm if you are at risk, or indeed what stage of glaucoma you may have.
4. Macular holes
   A macular hole is a small hole in the macular – the part of the retina which is responsible for our sharp, detailed, central vision. This is the vision we use when we are looking directly at things, when reading, sewing or using a computer. There are many causes of macular holes. One is caused by vitreous detachment. The vitreous pulls away from the back of the eye and sometimes it does not ‘let go’ and eventually tears the retina, leaving a hole. Extreme exposure to sunlight (for example, staring at the sun during an eclipse) can also cause a macular hole to develop.
5. Vitreous detachments
   Vitreomacular traction can clearly be diagnosed through OCT providing invaluable information about the current relationship between the vitreous and the retinal surface of the eye. As people get older, the vitreous jelly that takes up the space in our eyeball can change. It becomes less firm and can move away from the back of the eye towards the centre. In some cases, parts do not detach and cause ‘pulling’ of the retinal surface. The danger of a vitreous detachment is that there is no pain and your eyesight will seem unchanged but the back of your eye may be damaged.

Diabetic Retinopathy:

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or the body is unable to process it properly. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Diabetes can affect children and adults. The effect of diabetes on the eye is called diabetic retinopathy.

How does diabetes affect the retina?

Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma, but the disease’s affect on the retina is the main threat to vision. Most patients develop diabetic changes in the retina after approximately 20 years. The onset of diabetes can cause bleeding in the retina.

Choosing contact lenses?

Contact lenses are medical devices which, like medications, provide benefits while posing certain risks. Many people wear contact lenses to correct their vision. The reasons for choosing contacts over glasses or refractive eye surgery (which corrects the shape of the cornea) include lifestyle, sports and appearance.

With all of the convenient and healthy options available today almost anybody can wear contact lenses, including bifocal and progressive eye glass wearers as well as those with astigmatism.

In order to use contact lenses you will require a contact lens examination, please ask our staff to set up this appointment for you.

Laser Surgery co-management

Some people with vision correction issues want to know more about laser surgery and whether it is right for them. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the appropriate surgeon and procedure for you.

Here is a brief description of the procedure:

A flap is surgically cut in the cornea and gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea into a flatter shape (this is much like a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea). The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage. The healing process is quick and the discomfort level is quite low.

People will often say that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have improved vision in 24-48 hours, but it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, often continues to improve for some weeks, even months afterwards.

Laser surgery is not for everyone. Eye conditions vary and only after a comprehensive examination will we be able to decide if laser surgery is the best course of treatment for you.

Eyeglass Frames and selection:

We have a wide range of frames, including the most popular brands and styles. See our brands page for a complete list of the eyewear brands that we carry.

Our optical staff and optician would be happy to guide you to choose the best lens design for your visual needs and the best frame that complements your features. We would be happy to discuss the many different frame options available to you. You do not need an appointment to look at glasses. Don’t forget to come in to have your glasses adjusted and maintained as needed.

Currently due to COVID-19, we are operating by appointment only. Please feel free to book an appointment to have your glasses adjusted and maintained as needed.

Sunglasses and UV Protection:

Ultraviolet radiation reaches the eyes not only from the sky above but also by reflection from the ground, especially water, snow, sand and other bright surfaces. Protection from sunlight may be obtained by using both a brimmed hat or cap and UV absorbing eyewear.

Ultraviolet radiation may play a contributory role in the development of various ocular disorders including cataract, pterygium, ocular cancers, photokeratitis (flash burns) and corneal degenerative changes. It may contribute to age-related macular degeneration.

As your eye care professional we consider UV protected sunglasses to be an integral part of your eye care needs.

We carry the best sunglass brands (check them out!). You can also make your own pair from our selection of eyeglass frames!