Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management at Westmount Optometrists

Prevention & Diagnosis Is Crucial

There are many types of eye problems that can affect your visual health. Whether the condition causes mild discomfort or vision loss, it’s crucial to detect and treat problems early. Prevention and early diagnosis can improve health and vision outcomes. 

Monitoring changes to your eyes and vision can also decrease other health risks, as some medical conditions can be detected in an eye examination.

Westmount Optometrists are here to help, from diagnosis to managing eye conditions. Regular comprehensive eye examinations can help us watch for changes in eye health and prevent eye disease. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is more common in patients over 55. However, macular degeneration can also be a complication from other conditions, including diabetes or degenerative myopia, which can occur in younger patients.

There are 2 forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet.

Dry AMD is milder and more common. The damage tends to progress more slowly. Wet AMD can progress faster, even suddenly. This typically results from leakage or bleeding around the macula, the part of the retina that helps us see central vision and fine details. 

Dry AMD typically has few symptoms until it develops into wet AMD, with symptoms that include:

• Blurry central vision
• Dark or blank spots
• Difficulty recognizing faces
• Lines appearing wavy or distorted

Although the risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age, other significant risk factors include UV exposure, smoking, high blood pressure, and a family history of AMD. There is currently no treatment for dry AMD, but healthy lifestyle habits can help slow degeneration.

Wet AMD can be treated with medication injections or surgery. Early detection is crucial to prevent vision loss caused by AMD. Book eye examinations regularly so our team can watch over your eye health and recommend appropriate treatment.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye or red eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is clear tissue covering the white of the eye and the inner eyelids. Irritation causes the blood vessels in the conjunctiva to dilate, leading to bloodshot eyes. 

Other common symptoms include light sensitivity, eye irritation, excessive tearing, and discharge (watery or mucousy).

There are 3 types of conjunctivitis:

• Infectious conjunctivitis: Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are infectious and are typically spread through touching your eyes or face. Although this type can go away naturally, it can also harm eye health. It’s crucial to confirm the diagnosis with an optometrist and discuss treatment.
• Allergic conjunctivitis: Allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction and is not contagious, however, it can be uncomfortable. Treatment can help alleviate symptoms.
• Chemical conjunctivitis: Chemical conjunctivitis is caused by chemical irritation. Your eyes may be irritated by perfume, smoke, or other chemical exposure. Flushing your eyes can help remove chemical irritants, but an eye examination can determine if the chemicals caused any eye damage and whether further treatment is necessary.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, causing vision loss. There are multiple types of glaucoma, with most occurring because of increased intraocular pressure (IOP). It’s the leading cause of blindness in Canada.

Early detection is crucial to preventing vision loss, but many patients do not observe symptoms in the early stages of development. By measuring IOP and assessing vision regularly, our optometrists can diagnose changes to eye health that indicate glaucoma.

Types of glaucoma include:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma: Fluid doesn’t drain effectively from the eye, building pressure inside the eye and damaging the optic nerve. This slow-developing type of glaucoma is the most common.
• Angle-closure glaucoma: A rare type caused by a sudden blockage or closure that prevents drainage in the eye. Eye pressure can build quickly and may cause sudden vision loss. The condition is a medical emergency.
• Secondary glaucoma: Glaucoma resulting from trauma, infection, or as a symptom of a medical condition. Fluid buildup and eye pressure can increase, deteriorating the optic nerve.
• Normal-tension glaucoma: Eye pressure levels remain in the normal range, but the optic nerve deteriorates. The cause is unclear, but it may be the result of an overly sensitive optic nerve. 

Flashes

Flashes of light appearing in the corner of your eye or side vision are often a symptom of an eye condition. These flashes, called photopsia, can affect one or both eyes. The shapes of the vision distortion can vary, and can sometimes be referred to as “seeing stars.”

The flashes occur when eye pressure or force, typically caused by the vitreous, pulls on the retina. Normally, the retina receives light gathered by the eye and sends it as electrical signals through the optic nerve. However, the sudden pressure or trauma can cause the retina to signal a sudden flash of light.

Flashes can indicate a significant health problem, particularly if caused by injury or head trauma. If you experience flashes without trauma or injury, contact us immediately. Sudden flashes can be a symptom of an eye emergency.

Prevent Eye Disease with Regular Visits

Many eye diseases and conditions can develop slowly but can affect vision and eye health over time. Early diagnosis and prevention can protect your health and sight. Visit us regularly for an eye checkup. The more often we see you, the better we can help you manage your eye health. Book your regular eye examination now!