Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management
in Richmond Hill

The macula is a small area in the middle of your retina responsible for your central vision. Central vision allows you to read, recognize faces, and see fine details.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that progressively damages the macula, reducing central vision. There are 2 forms of this disease:

• Dry AMD develops when fatty deposits called drusen accumulate around the macula, damaging macular cells and resulting in some loss of central vision.
• Wet AMD occurs when the delicate blood vessels in the retina become weak or damaged due to age. This can lead to bleeding or scarring around the macula, causing loss of some central vision.

Much like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration often develops without noticeable symptoms. The best way to detect and treat AMD early is through regular eye exams.

Inside your eye, there is a lens made of proteins. As you age, these proteins restructure, causing the lens to become increasingly opaque. This is called a cataract.

Cataracts are a natural part of aging; most people will develop them eventually. However, certain factors like smoking, excessive UV exposure, and laser eye surgery may increase your risk of developing them sooner.

Cataracts will increasingly impede your vision as they progress. Once their development reaches a certain point, you can have them surgically removed and replaced with a prosthetic lens. This procedure is relatively routine and generally produces good results.

Your eyes need tears for lubrication, protection, and hydration. Without enough high-quality tears, your eyes can become sore, red, and irritated. Without treatment, dry eye disease can lead to corneal abrasion, serious infections, and even vision loss.

Read more about dry eye disease and how we can help.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a common inflammation of the conjunctiva, the very thin membrane covering the outside of your eye and the inside of your eyelid.

There are several different types of conjunctivitis:

• Allergic conjunctivitis develops when the body detects an allergen like pet dander and creates an immune response. Antihistamines can help alleviate the itching, excessive tears, and redness that come with allergic conjunctivitis.
• Viral conjunctivitis develops due to a viral infection in the eye. The same virus that causes a cold, for example, could infect the eye. Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis include watery or stringy discharge, sensitivity to light, redness, and swelling.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when bacteria infect the eye. This infection is highly contagious and can cause symptoms like thick, yellowish discharge, swelling, and eyes crusting shut overnight. Your optometrist can treat this type of conjunctivitis with medication.

Each type of conjunctivitis requires a different treatment. Rather than attempting to self-diagnose, be sure to visit your optometrist for an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate course of treatment.