Protecting Your Vision from Eye Disease
At Downtown Eye Care & The Contact Lens Department, we have provided Ottawa with specialized eye care for over 30 years. No matter what care you need, we’re here to help.
Your eyes are vital to how you experience the world, but many serious eye diseases develop quietly with no early symptoms. Regular eye exams are essential to catch conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration before they affect your vision.
Our team uses diagnostic technology and personalized care to detect and manage eye diseases effectively. Protect your vision by staying proactive. Schedule an eye exam today and let us help you maintain healthy eyesight for the future.
Why Early Detection Matters
Many eye diseases develop without obvious symptoms, which means vision can begin to decline before you notice any changes. Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy often progress quietly, but early detection gives us the best chance to protect your sight.
We use tools like OCT, fundus photography, and visual field testing to spot early signs of disease. These technologies help us detect subtle changes and start treatment before vision loss occurs.
Scanning the Back of the Eye in Detail with OCT
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive technology that captures detailed images of your retina. OCT scans use light waves to take cross-sectional (layered) pictures, helping us assess your eye health by identifying irregularities and measuring layer thickness.
OCT is a powerful tool, but its true value comes from a skilled eye care professional’s interpretation. Our doctors are trained in analyzing the complex details of your OCT scan and can identify the often subtle signs of eye disease. Thus, it’s crucial to have your OCT scan performed and reviewed by an experienced professional.
Eye Conditions OCT Can Help Diagnose
OCT scans can be invaluable for diagnosing and managing a range of eye conditions, including:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular edema
- Retinal detachment
We also combine OCT with other tests, such as visual field testing and intraocular pressure (IOP), to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Glaucoma Management
Glaucoma is a group of diseases damaging the optic nerve, often linked to high eye pressure. It is one of Canada’s leading causes of blindness. The different types of glaucoma include:
- Normal-tension glaucoma: Optic nerve damage without elevated pressure, with unclear causes.
- Open-angle glaucoma: Gradual pressure buildup causing peripheral (side) vision loss, detected early with visual field testing.
- Angle-closure glaucoma: A sudden, serious rise in eye pressure that requires emergency care.
- Secondary glaucoma: Caused by trauma, infection, or medications.
Cataract Management
Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens in your eye hardens and becomes opaque. They are a relatively common part of the aging process.
Sometimes, vision loss from cataracts can be helped with glasses, but when that is no longer enough, surgery is an option. Surgery for cataracts is a safe and effective treatment. The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens that restores your vision.
Cataract symptoms include:
- Light sensitivity
- Colours that look muted
- The sense that there’s a “film” over the eye
- Foggy vision
- Decreased night vision
- Halos around lights
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects central vision needed for reading, driving, and recognizing faces. There are 2 types of AMD:
- Dry AMD: The most common form, involving gradual degeneration of the macula and possible blind spots.
- Wet AMD: Less common but more severe, caused by abnormal blood vessel growth and bleeding under the retina.
Watch for wavy lines or dark spots in your central vision and seek care promptly.
Diabetic Eye Diseases
For people with diabetes, it is especially important to have regular, comprehensive eye exams. Almost 1 in 3 people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition brought on by consistently high levels of glucose in the blood.
Diabetic retinopathy damages the tiny, delicate blood vessels that feed the retina, and in its early stages, the vessels weaken, bulge, and leak fluid and blood into the retina. The excess fluid in the eye can lead to a rise in eye pressure, causing glaucoma as well.
Helping You Manage Pink Eye
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common eye infection that can cause redness, irritation, and discomfort. While it’s usually not a serious condition, it can be quite contagious, depending on the type. If you’re experiencing symptoms of pink eye, we can help.
Our experienced team can determine the specific type of pink eye you have (viral, bacterial, or allergic) and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Our online assessment can help you determine if your symptoms are consistent with pink eye and guide you toward the most appropriate next steps.
Keeping Your Vision Clear & Healthy
Whether you are managing an existing eye condition or simply staying on top of your routine care, support makes all the difference. At Downtown Eye Care, we take the time to understand your needs and offer personalized guidance every step of the way.
Your eyes deserve attention today to protect your vision for tomorrow. Book your comprehensive eye exam and let us help you see clearly for years to come.
Come visit our team
We’re located in Suite 216 in the 350 Sparks Street Office. We share an underground parking garage with the Hilton Garden Inn at 361 Queen Street. The parking garage can be accessed via Queen Street.
Our Address
- 350 Sparks Street, Suite 216
- Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
Contact Information
- Phone: 613-238-5960
- Fax: 613-800-0385
- Email: info@downtowneyecare.ca
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Downtown Eye Care & The Contact Lens Department
- 350 Sparks Street, Suite 216
- Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
- 613-238-5960
- 613-800-0385
- info@downtowneyecare.ca