Controlling & Managing Eye Diseases
Eye diseases may be more common than you think. More than 5.59 million Canadians have an eye disease that could cause sight loss. Fortunately, your eye doctor can help.
Vision lost to eye disease usually can’t be recovered, but an eye doctor can often help you maintain functional vision throughout your lifetime. Give them the best chance of helping you by seeing them often for regular eye exams so they can catch eye diseases early and act fast.
A Guide to Common Eye Diseases
Cataracts
Cataracts happen when proteins form clumps in the lens of your eye, eventually obscuring your vision. As cataracts grow, they can block your sight entirely.
Over 3.5 million Canadians have cataracts, which normally appear in older people. However, risk factors such as diabetes can cause cataracts to appear earlier in life. An ophthalmologist may be able to remove cataracts surgically and help you see clearly again.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a type of disease that occurs when the optic nerve sustains damage. This damage is often—but not always—the result of high intraocular pressure.
Some types of glaucoma occur rapidly and require emergency eye care, but others develop slowly over years with few (or no) signs before vision loss begins. Since all forms of glaucoma can cause blindness without medical help, letting your eye doctor check you for signs of glaucoma regularly is extremely important.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects over 1.5 million Canadians and occurs primarily in people over 50. It happens when the macula—a part of your retina essential for central vision—begins to weaken over time.
People with AMD may find it hard to see things in the middle of their visual field, which can make common tasks like reading and driving next to impossible. Frequent eye exams past age 50 can help detect AMD before it becomes severe so you and your eye doctor can take steps to manage it.
Conjunctivitis
Most people call conjunctivitis “pink eye” because it makes the whites of the eye look pink or red. Conjunctivitis can come in different forms, including:
- Allergic conjunctivitis, which is caused by exposure to allergens like dust and pollen.
- Viral conjunctivitis, a highly contagious form caused by the viruses that spread the common cold.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis, an extremely contagious form spread by close contact with infected people, animals, or surfaces.
- Chemical conjunctivitis, a non-contagious form caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, and a type of eye emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Different forms of conjunctivitis can cause different symptoms and require different treatments. If the whites of your eyes feel red or swollen, contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Diabetic Eye Disease
More than 3.3 million Canadians have diabetes, which can lead to:
If you have diabetes, it is vital that you see your eye doctor for eye exams that take these risks into account. Let us help by booking an appointment at our practice now.
Come See Us
We have plenty of convenient parking in the Southwood Corner shopping centre at the junction of Southland Drive & Elbow Drive.
Our Address
- 160-10233 Elbow Drive SW
- Calgary, Alberta T2W 1E8
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-355-7194
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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Southwood Eyecare
- 160-10233 Elbow Drive SW
- Calgary, Alberta T2W 1E8
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P: 587-355-7194
[email protected]
