Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in North York

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the central retinal tissues, called the macula, begin to thin and break down. There are 2 forms of AMD, dry and wet.

Dry AMD causes the macula to degenerate. Additionally, small clumps of a protein called drusen begin to grow. This type of AMD is more common and can slowly steal your central vision. However, dry AMD can evolve into wet AMD without proper treatment.

Wet AMD is less common but much more serious. New, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and may leak, scarring the macula. This type of AMD can cause significant, rapid vision loss.

Symptoms of AMD include:

• Blurry vision
• Straight lines appearing wavy or distorted
• Difficulty seeing in low light
• Sensitivity to glare

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, often referred to as the “silent thief of sight.” Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to degeneration of the optic nerve, causing irreversible vision loss and potential blindness.

The most common types of glaucoma are primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. This type occurs when the fluid in the eye does not drain properly, elevating intraocular pressure and slowly crushing the optic nerve.

Angle-closure glaucoma does not happen as often and is considered an eye emergency. This type of glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle in the eye closes completely or becomes blocked, causing intraocular pressure to spike. This type of glaucoma can cause rapid vision loss, so it is vital to seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms include:

• Severe eye pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sudden vision loss
• Halos around lights
• Redness in the eye