Grande Prairie, AB
(780) 513-2020
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can have serious impacts on your vision. Let us help you address and manage it.
The best way to detect AMD is by having regular eye exams. As we age, it is important to practice preventative eye care. Vision quality lost to an eye disease like AMD cannot be restored. The best way to maintain a high quality of vision is to be proactive with your optical care.
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among Canadians age 65 and older. Currently, there is no cure for AMD (though there are promising studies and treatments in development).
There are two types of AMD:
Approximately 9 in 10 cases of AMD are the atrophic variant. Also called “dry AMD”, this version of AMD places yellow deposits (called drusen) on the macula. As the drusen grows in size and quantity, your vision will become increasingly dim and distorted.
Also called “wet AMD”, exudative AMD is marked by blind spots and distorted vision that is the result of blood and other fluids leaking onto the retina.
The first step in properly managing AMD is identifying the type and progression of your AMD. We will work with you to implement a beneficial diet and management program to help preserve your vision.
We can also help with:
Request an appointment to schedule an appointment for a day and time that is convenient for you.
AMD generally forms without specific symptoms to denote its progression. Unlike the flu, which is generally accompanied by symptoms (such as a fever or a runny nose), age-related macular degeneration is marked only by its impacts on your vision.
As the AMD develops you will notice changes to your central vision. As drusen is deposited on the retina, you will begin to notice areas of blurry, hazy, dim, or colour-deficient vision. As AMD progresses these areas will get larger and more numerous.
AMD has no cure. Treatment generally comprises of delaying further vision loss as much as possible (via diet/lifestyle controls). People with exudative AMD have a few treatment options available. Laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and treatment with Macugen can destroy or control the growth of the abnormal blood vessels in the macula- this is helpful for some people who have wet AMD.
Are you looking at cataract removal surgery? Our optometrists can help you manage your cataracts and determine surgical candidacy?
No longer simply a “part of getting older”, cataracts can be safely removed and your vision restored. If your cataracts are impairing your personal or professional life, ask us about whether or not you’re a candidate for cataract removal surgery.
Most commonly a result of aging, cataracts can also be influenced by UV radiation (from the sun) and by certain medications (such as medications used to treat diabetic retinopathy). Quite common, no one actually knows for sure why cataracts develop or what prompts them to begin developing.
Over time, as we age, the lens of the eye becomes discoloured and clouded. To date, the only approved and effective treatment for cataracts is cataract removal surgery.
If your cataracts are beginning to impair you (personally or professionally), you may be a candidate for cataract removal surgery. This safe surgical procedure is routine, with millions being performed in Canada and the United States every year.
Request an appointment to determine your candidacy.
Cataracts usually develop without pain. Symptoms include:
Cataracts are generally diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. During the eye exam we can detect the development of cataracts using several different tests:
In the cataract removal surgery, your eye’s natural lens is removed and a plastic intraocular lens (IOL) is fitted in its place. The IOL takes over all functions of the old lens; it is not seen or felt once inserted.
There are several variations of the cataract removal surgery. They all follow the same general process:
If you are experiencing the symptoms of conjunctivitis (AKA Pink eye or Red Eye), visit us for quick diagnosis and treatment.
Certain forms of conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious. When booking your appointment, please specify that you are coming in for treatment for your pink eye. Until diagnosis, we recommend staying away from crowded areas as you may be contagious.
Conjunctivitis has many causes, from environmental factors to pathogenic causes. Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on its cause. During the diagnosis we will work with you to determine what is causing your pink eye and provide treatment to alleviate the symptoms.
Pink eye that is the result of an allergen or environmental cause (such as smoke or wind) can not be “cured” via treatment. In these cases of conjunctivitis we will provide treatment for the symptom and provide direction on how to asses the root cause.
If you have pink eye, visit us for prompt diagnosis of its cause and our recommended treatment. Request your appointment and let us know you are coming in for conjunctivitis treatment.
Conjunctivitis has several causes:
Conjunctivitis has several symptoms, though the most obvious is also its nickname: pink eye. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include:
There are different treatments for conjunctivitis depending on the cause. Viral conjunctivitis will clear up on its own after one to two weeks, as will most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis. We may prescribe antibiotics if your case is serious.
In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, we recommend that you have an allergy test done. While it’s possible to determine the cause of your reaction without an allergy test, having the test done speeds the process along considerably.
Pathogenic conjunctivitis is contagious and can quickly spread to multiple people. If you or a family member has pink eye, follow some precautions:
Visit us if you have concerns about or experience a sudden onset of eye flashes or floaters.
Eye floaters are not generally harmful. The result of aging and the routine processes that come along with it, most people have seen floaters at one point in their lives. Despite being relatively harmless, eye floaters are one of the most common reasons that people seek out eye exams.
Your eye is filled with a jelly-like substance called vitreous. This vitreous is clear and is present since birth. As we age, microscopic fibres inside the vitreous (called collagen fibres) clump together, forming structures that float inside the vitreous. When light enters the eye, these structures cast a shadow on the retina and form what we see as floaters.
The vast majority of people with eye floaters will never require treatment for it. As annoying as floaters are, most people simply choose to ignore them as best they can.
In rare cases, eye floaters may increase during the development of certain eye diseases. A sudden increase of eye floaters – especially if accompanied by small flashes of light – should be investigated by an Optometrist as soon as possible.
A sudden increase in floaters may be indicative of retinal detachment, a retinal tear, or of bleeding from within the eye.
Like floaters, in most cases eye flashes are harmless and no cause for concern. However, you should still investigate a new instance of flashes. Flashes are less common than floaters and are the result of some type of physical stimulation of the retina.
Often described as small sparks of light, specs of lightning, or floating dots of light, eye flashes can be confusing the first time you experience them. Flashes are generally the result of physical stimulus of the retina; this often occurs when the vitreous becomes more gel-like and tugs on the retina.
Eye flashes may come and go for weeks or months at a time and may be more prevalent when transitioning from light to dark (such as to a dark bedroom from a light bathroom).
See one of our Optometrists if you notice eye flashes, especially if it is the first time. A sudden onset of flashes may be indicative of a retinal tear or detachment and should be investigated immediately.
We use advanced technology to diagnose and manage glaucoma’s development.
Glaucoma, arguably the most famous eye disease, is a serious condition that can have major impacts on your vision. With proper diagnosis and management, most people can successfully manage their Glaucoma and prevent further vision loss. We will work you in creating an effective management plan for your case of glaucoma.
More than 250,000 Canadians have chronic open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, though it is just one of several varieties of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a serious and frustrating disease because of its asymptomatic development. For most people, glaucoma will develop while they are totally unaware- it rarely presents obvious symptoms (such as pain or sudden vision loss). Instead, glaucoma chips away at your peripheral vision. By the time you notice something has changed, you may already have some level of tunnel vision.
Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. The only effective way to manage glaucoma is to detect it early and embark upon a management program before glaucoma robs you of your vision.
Glaucoma is a serious disease that requires diligence in identifying and managing it. We are your partners, guiding you every step of the way from diagnosis to management. Request an appointment for a day/time that is convenient for you and we will get the process started.
90% of glaucoma cases are of the open-angle variety. More than a quarter million Canadians live with chronic open-angle glaucoma. The most common versions of glaucoma in Canada are:
During a comprehensive eye exam conventional testing and advanced imaging equipment is used to diagnose the type and severity of your glaucoma.
Specific tests include standard visual acuity and visual field testing, dilating your eye to allow for full inspection and imaging of the eye, tonometry (to determine eye pressure), and using optical coherence tomography (OCT imaging) to image and measure the optical nerve.
First, it’s important to understand that the goal of treatment is to prevent further vision loss and preserve as much visual acuity as possible. It is not possible to reverse vision already lost to glaucoma.
Glaucoma management usually centres around normalizing eye pressure. This is typically done via eye drops and oral medication, though surgical options are available as well.
Note: we have run into situations where a patient has discontinued their management program as prescribed due to a perceived lack of need. Successful management of glaucoma requires strict adherence to the treatment plan provided. If your eye drops or medication are causing uncomfortable side effects, see us prior to discontinuing use.
Sunglasses are about more than just style: they’re about protecting your eyes. A quality pair of sunglasses will be labeled as 100% UV blocking with the UV blocking built right into the lens. Unsure if yours block harmful UV light? Bring them in and we’ll test them for you!
Are Your Sunglasses UV Safe? +Visit our online store for easy purchase of Contact Lenses, Eye Drops and Sunglasses!
Buy Online +Using the Zeis iProfilier Plus, we are able to generate more accurate prescriptions for your corrective lenses. The iProfilier takes a topographical map of the front of your eye and allows us to compensate for some of the eye irregularities each of us have. The result is a more customized and accurate prescription.
More Accurate Corrective Lens Prescriptions +Sunglasses are about more than just style: they’re about protecting your eyes. A quality pair of sunglasses will be labeled as 100% UV blocking with the UV blocking built right into the lens. Unsure if yours block harmful UV light? Bring them in and we’ll test them for you!
Using the Zeis iProfilier Plus, we are able to generate more accurate prescriptions for your corrective lenses. The iProfilier takes a topographical map of the front of your eye and allows us to compensate for some of the eye irregularities each of us have. The result is a more customized and accurate prescription.
Location Information
We are located on the east side of town in the Cobblestone Plaza, beside the TD Canada Trust and Shoppers Drug Mart on 100 Ave and 92 St. There is ample parking available on-site.
Aurora Eye Care
