Do You Have One of the Following Eye Diseases?

Many serious eye conditions don’t have obvious symptoms at first. Regular eye examinations by a qualified optometrist are the best way to detect them. Count on Dr. Stanley Eng and his team to thoroughly asses the following eye conditions before they become serious:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma affects roughly 250,000 people in Canada (1). It’s the second most common cause of vision loss for those over 65. While there are several types of glaucoma, most are characterized by damage to the optic nerve or retina, caused by high pressure inside the eye. If left undetected, glaucoma can lead to severe loss of vision.

Symptoms include:

• Loss of peripheral vision
• Blurred vision
• Coloured rings or halos
• Pain or redness of the eye

The following are risk factors:

• Hereditary
• History of glaucoma
• Over 40
• Very nearsighted
• Diabetic

Cataracts

There are more than 2.5 million Canadians living with cataracts (2). As you age, the lenses in your eyes naturally harden and may turn cloudy, resulting in blurred vision. Fortunately, cataracts can be safely removed most of the time with simple treatment.

Symptoms include:

• Halos around light
• Blurry/hazy vision
• Glare
• Distorted vision
• Difficulty seeing in dim light
• Altered colour perception

The following are risk factors:

• Age
• Exposure to excessive UV
• Smoking
• Can be congenital
• Diabetes
• Some diseases/medications

Macular Degeneration

As you age, macular degeneration may occur because of the wearing down of the retina. It’s estimated that there are approximately one million in Canada who are affected by age-related macular degeneration. This condition can also occur as a result of diabetes, affecting an additional 60, 000 Canadians (3). While lost vision cannot be fully restored, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the severity of vision loss.

Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Black spots in central vision
• Straight lines appear wavy or distorted

The following are risk factors:

• Advancing age
• Family history of macular degeneration
• High blood pressure
• Vascular disease
• Smoking
• Excessive UV exposure
• Excessive weight/obesity

*If you experience symptoms for any of these conditions, please call us to schedule an assessment.

1, 2, 3 Source: CNIB