Preventing Vision Loss in Canada
Glaucoma and cataracts are among the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in Canada.
Known as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma progresses slowly and often without symptoms, making routine eye exams essential for early detection.
Cataracts, which cause clouding of the eye’s lens, can also impair vision over time and typically develop as we age. Regular eye exams can detect these conditions early, helping to prevent significant vision loss.
We want to help preserve your long-term visual health. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
Glaucoma Symptoms & Emergency Care
There are several types of glaucoma, each with distinct symptoms, including:
- Eye pain
- Redness
- Blurry vision
- Vision loss
- Halos or rings around lights
If you experience sudden eye pain or other acute symptoms, contact us immediately, as this may indicate angle-closure glaucoma, which requires urgent care. For all other symptoms, we can provide monitoring and management to help slow progression and protect your vision.
What Is Primary Glaucoma?
As glaucoma often has no known cause, it is divided into 2 main types: primary or secondary.
Primary glaucoma originates within the eye itself and is typically not associated with other health conditions or external factors. In contrast, secondary glaucoma occurs when a health condition outside the eye causes ocular damage.
The exact cause of primary glaucoma remains largely unknown, which can make it challenging to predict who might develop the condition. Despite its unknown origin, primary glaucoma can often be effectively managed with early detection and treatment.
Open-angle glaucoma is one of the more common types. It develops when too much intraocular pressure (IOP) builds up in your eye. The pressure pushes on the optic nerve, which is responsible for interpreting vision for our brain.
Over time, the pressure can damage the optic nerve, affecting vision and potentially leading to blindness. People with diabetes or high blood pressure are at higher risk for developing this type.
Normal-tension glaucoma or low-pressure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma where intraocular pressure is not elevated above normal. Instead, it occurs because of poor blood flow to the optic nerve.
Angle-closure glaucoma (also narrow-angle or acute glaucoma) is a sudden increase in eye pressure due to fluid building in the eye and requires immediate medical attention. It presents with typical glaucoma symptoms but can also cause:
- Severe headaches
- Intense eye pain
- Sudden blurry vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden loss of sight
- Pupils of different sizes
Congenital glaucoma is a rare condition in which infants are born with an eye problem preventing fluid from draining. The draining issue may be partial, allowing some drainage but not enough for healthy function.
Infants with congenital glaucoma typically exhibit the following symptoms:
- Cloudy eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Excess tears
- Larger than normal eyes
Early diagnosis and treatment can be effective in preventing permanent vision loss in infants.
What Is Secondary Glaucoma?
Secondary glaucoma is caused by a health condition outside the eye. Your eye health is connected to your overall health. If you have health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it can impact your eyes and vision.
Unlike primary glaucoma, which originates within the eye itself, secondary glaucoma is directly linked to broader health issues. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or eye injuries can all contribute to secondary glaucoma, as can the use of certain medications, particularly corticosteroids.
Extra blood vessels or abnormal blood vessel growth can block fluid drainage, which causes neovascular glaucoma. It’s typically caused by other medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Treatment requires a diagnosis of the medical condition that is causing the neovascular glaucoma. Then, our team can help treat your overall eye health to reduce risk factors.
Pigmentary glaucoma occurs when pigment (colour) from your iris (the coloured part of your eye) flakes off. The flake disrupts fluid drainage and increases intraocular pressure.
This eye condition typically presents with symptoms of blurry vision or rainbow-coloured rings around lights.
Uveitic glaucoma develops in people with uveitis, an eye condition that causes swelling and inflammation, sometimes appearing similar to conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Although uveitis is treatable, the longer your eye is inflamed, the more likely you’ll develop scar tissue which can prevent fluids from draining normally.
If you experience ocular redness, irritation, or swelling, see our optometrists for an eye exam. Assessing your changing eye health can protect your sight.
Our Cataract Exams
Cataracts develop gradually and lead to symptoms such as cloudy or blurred vision, sensitivity to glare, and poor night vision.
Regular eye exams can help track the progression of cataracts and determine the best time for treatment or surgery. Our team will assess your vision, discuss treatment options, and recommend strategies to maintain clear, healthy eyesight.
Our Technology for Diagnosing Glaucoma
When you book a glaucoma eye exam, you will likely come eye-to-eye with these diagnostic tools.
These technologies play an important role in detecting glaucoma, often before symptoms become noticeable, and can help your Optometrist assess the condition of your optic nerve and measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eyes.
The use of diagnostic technology in glaucoma exams allows for early detection and precise monitoring, checking for any signs of glaucoma or other related eye conditions so we can catch them as soon as possible.
The iCare EIDON is a confocal fundus imaging system used for taking images of your fundus, the area located at the back of your eye. The scan takes multiple pictures in different modes to provide better contrast and colour detail. The 3D images show sections of your eye, allowing your optometrist to visualize tissue depth. In addition, the noninvasive process is dilation-free.
Tonometry tests measure intraocular pressure (IOP), a significant indicator of optic nerve damage or glaucoma. A non-contact tonometer is a method of testing that doesn’t touch your eye. It’s also known as an air puff test since the machine blows a quick puff of air at your eye. It’s less invasive than other tonometry tests, which often place a probe or tool directly against your eye.
Frequency doubling technology (or FDT) is designed to help us detect loss of field of vision due to diseases like glaucoma.
The test places an image with one black and one white bar on a screen in front of you. When we alternate flickering the 2 bars at various frequencies, they should appear to double. If a patient can’t see the bars at a certain frequency, it may indicate vision loss.
Protect Your Vision & Eye Health
Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect glaucoma, cataracts, and other vision threats early. Our team at Dr. Bishop & Associates is here to protect your sight with personalized care.
Book an appointment with Dr. Bishop & Associates today.
Why Trust Us? We’re Advocates for Eye Health & Vision Needs
Dr. Bishop & Associates is committed to providing care that can make a positive difference in your life.
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Dealing with scratchy, red, tired eyes can be frustrating—but we’re here to help. At our dry eye clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing dry eye, focusing on your unique symptoms and lifestyle. We aim to address the root cause to achieve long-lasting relief, including innovative treatments with noninvasive IPL and radiofrequency technology.
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We want you to feel confident in your skin. Our aesthetic services are designed to help renew and replenish your skin with minimally invasive treatments and no downtime. With AlumierMD skincare and IPL, radiofrequency, and laser rejuvenation technology, we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan to address your skin concerns and reveal your natural beauty.
Myopia Management
Nearsightedness (myopia) is on the rise, and it can have long-lasting impacts on your child, from their success in the classroom to their eye health later in life. Myopia management is a personalized, proactive approach to slowing myopia progression to help support your child’s sight today and protect their long-term eye health. Your child’s vision is our top priority.
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- Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
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- Calgary, AB T2X 4S9
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- Calgary, AB T3R 1W5
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Willow Park Village
- 575 – 10816 Macleod Trail SE
- Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
- Phone: (403) 974-3937
- Fax: 403-509-4859
Legacy Township
- 230 – 200 Hartell Way SE
- Calgary, AB T2X 4S9
- Phone: (403) 974-3937
- Fax: 587-392-7365
Shoppes @ Beacon Hill
- 615 – 11877 Sarcee Trail NW
- Calgary, AB T3R 1W5
- Phone: (403) 974-3937
- Fax: 403-509-4854