Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common eye disease that generally occurs when elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) damages your optic nerve. But, it can also develop without raising your IOP levels.
There are 3 common types of glaucoma: open-angle, closed-angle, and normal-tension. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly, while closed-angle glaucoma can happen rapidly. Normal-tension glaucoma damages your optic nerve without raising your IOP levels.
For more information about glaucoma and how we detect it, please visit our glaucoma page.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that damages your macula, that part of your retina responsible for your central vision. Aging is a major risk factor for AMD, but diabetes and smoking can also increase your risk.
There are 2 types of AMD:
- Dry AMD is the most common form of the disease and is associated with aging. As it develops, small deposits of drusen form under the macula, thinning it and causing vision loss.
- Wet AMD is not as common as dry AMD, but it’s responsible for 90% of vision loss related to the disease. When you have wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels form in the retina, which can break and leak fluids into the macula, severely damaging your central vision. Wet AMD can occur suddenly, making it a medical emergency.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high glucose levels in your blood damage the blood vessels behind your retina, causing them to leak or swell. In severe cases, your retina may develop new yet delicate blood vessels, which could leak fluids into your vitreous humour or cause scar tissue, increasing your chance for retinal detachment.
Please visit our diabetes page for more information.
Cataracts
Cataracts are an eye condition that occur when your crystalline lens becomes rigid and opaque, turning them hazy or milky in colour. Cataracts develop as you age, but they can occur in young children as well.
Please visit our cataracts page for more information.