Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in Woodstock

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve plays a vital role as it carries the information your retina receives to your brain, providing you with vision.

Glaucoma can occur at any age, but patients over the age of 60 are at an increased risk for developing the disease. Some forms of glaucoma can develop due to fluid pressure building up in the eye, known as intraocular pressure, which can disrupt image transmission to the brain.

Common signs and symptoms of glaucoma can include:

• Severe headaches
• Blurred vision
• Tunnel vision (in advanced stages)
• Patchy blind spots in peripheral or central vision

At Oxford Optometry, we use diagnostic technology to help diagnose and manage glaucoma:

• iCare tonometry—the iCare tonometer is a small device that helps detect intraocular pressure (IOP) in a patient’s eyes while seated or standing. This device is not as common as applanation tonometry but allows our team to perform successful measurements.

Cataracts develop when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes clouded. Cataracts develop in almost everyone as they age, most often those over the age of 60. Cataracts can develop slowly over years or form rapidly in a few months.

Some common signs and symptoms of cataracts can include:

• Clouded, blurred, or dim vision
• Fading or yellowing of colours
• Double vision in the affected eye
• Sensitivity to light and glare

While it’s presently unknown how to prevent cataracts completely, slowing the progression is possible—wearing proper eyewear such as sunglasses that protect from UV rays and switching to a healthier diet rich in antioxidants is a good start.

When cataracts begin to affect your daily life and prevent you from going about your daily activities—surgery is the only option to remove them. Please visit our laser eye surgery consultation page for more information on the cataract surgery process.

AMD is a progressive age-related condition that affects your central vision and damages your macula. This disease causes your central vision to blur while the side or peripheral vision remains clear.

AMD is usually classified as an age-related disease and is the leading cause of blindness in adults over the age of 55 in North America.

There are 2 main types of AMD:

• Dry AMD is the more common form of the disease and is caused by the macula thinning with age. Dry AMD generally progresses slowly over time.

• Wet AMD is the less common form and is classified as the later-stage form of AMD that causes faster and more severe vision loss. This form of AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula.

Early detection and lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet or increased physical activity can help lower the risk or slow the development of AMD. Our team will work with you to prepare a treatment plan that best meets your visual needs.