Eye Disease Management & Diagnosis

How Bayview Vision Can Help

Vision is commonly referred to as the most valuable and cherished of our five senses. Therefore, it is vital to keep our vision in check and work to avoid and/or detect common eye diseases. Routine eye examinations help in detecting eye conditions. If we spot irregularities during your exam, our team will work on a plan to manage your eye condition.

Types of Eye Diseases

There are many types of eye diseases, but some of the most common are:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

  • AMD results when the central portion of the retina responsible for detail and colour vision, known as the macula, deteriorates. It is currently the leading cause of blindness in North Americans over the age of 55 years old.

  • This condition is caused by the natural ageing of the eye and results in vision loss, distortions in vision, and blind spots

  • Although there is no cure, at Bayview Vision, we are devoted to detecting and managing AMD in a proactive manner.

Glaucoma

  • Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that results when the optic nerve, responsible for relaying visual information from the eyes to the brain, becomes damaged. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canadians over the age of 60 years old.

  • If left untreated, glaucoma can result in irreparable vision loss. Therefore, if you are over the age of 60, it is crucial to have an annual eye exam, as glaucoma may progress silently without evident symptoms, and may also progress quickly once symptoms do arise.

Cataracts

  • Cataracts form when the lens of the eye starts to age. As the eyes age, the lens becomes thicker, less flexible, and less transparent. Over time, the lens tissues begin to break down and cluster together, resulting in cloudy and hazy spots that can ultimately impair vision.

  • Thankfully, cataracts can be cured with a quick, pain-free procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. 

Conjunctivitis

  • Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an eye condition resulting in red and irritated eyes. It occurs when the conjunctiva (the thin, transparent layer of the white portion of the eye) and the inner eyelid become irritated or infected. This ultimately results in the blood vessels of the conjunctiva dilating, leading to the “pink” eye appearance.

  • Some forms of conjunctivitis can become serious if left untreated. Our optometrists may prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection.

Keratoconus

  • Keratoconus is a progressive disease affecting the cornea, which causes it to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This ultimately results in poor vision that cannot be fully corrected by glasses.

  • This condition is caused by low antioxidant levels in the eye, which leads to reduced collagen, causing the cornea to bulge out.

  • However, certain lenses such as scleral contact lenses, have been shown to effectively manage keratoconus. In addition, keratoconus is a genetic condition, therefore it is crucial to have you and your family tested on a regular basis

To learn more about the common eye disease listed above, please speak to one of our optometrists during your next appointment.