Diseases and Procedures

Patients referred to an ophthalmologist may find information on common eye diseases and procedures useful. These educational sections are highlighted by videos, photos, illustrations, and downloadable handouts.

Diseases

Pterygium

A pterygium is a benign raised growth of the conjunctiva (the thin membrane that overlies the white of the eye) that extends to cover the cornea

Cataract is the most common cause of curable blindness in North America and cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure.

Glaucoma is a chronic disease where progressive irreversible damage to the optic nerve results in gradual permanent loss of the peripheral vision.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in North America and one million Canadians will have some form of the disease.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy

Progressive damage to the blood vessels in the retina from diabetes leads to diabetic retinopathy and is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population.

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Blockage of a vein in the retina can lead to sudden painless blurry vision in adults. Chronic damage to the retina can lead to macular edema, a condition that is managed with eye injections.

Strabismus

A misalignment of the eyes can be seen in childhood and requires a comprehensive eye exam. Strabismus is often managed with glasses, patching and sometimes surgery.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is the most common chronic eye disease and is the main cause of dry eye. Blepharitis can often be managed without medicines by adopting daily eyelid hygiene and eye health routines.

Procedures

Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The light entering the eye scatters and images can become blurry. When cataracts interfere with your daily activities then it is likely time to consider cataract surgery, the only effective treatment.

Related Cataract Procedures

Cataract surgery steps

Cataract surgery steps

A step-by-step summary of a routine cataract surgery with photo illustrations.

Optional non-insured testing and special feature IOL implants

Optional non-insured testing and special feature IOL implants

Laser Capsulotomy

Laser Capsulotomy

Posterior capsular opacification is a cloudy membrane that forms in the months to years after cataract surgery and causes blurry vision and glare. This condition is cured with a procedure called laser capsulotomy.

Laser iridotomy

Laser iridotomy

Laser iridotomy is an outpatient eye procedure performed on patients with narrow angles to reduce their risk of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty

Selective laser trabeculoplasty

Selective laser trabeculoplasty is an eye procedure performed in an office setting to lower the eye pressure in patients with certain types of open angle glaucoma.

Anti-VEGF intravitreal injection

Anti-VEGF intravitreal injection

Anti-VEGF medications are regularly injected in eyes with wet age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusions, diabetic macular edema, and myopic degeneration. These treatments often improve or stabilize vision in patients with potentially blinding chronic eye disease.

Laser retinopexy

Laser retinopexy

Patients with retinal tears usually present with flashes and floaters. To reduce the risk of retinal detachment treatment with laser retinopexy should not be delayed. Laser retinopexy is an eye procedure performed in an office or outpatient setting.

Panretinal Photocoagulation Laser (PRP)

Panretinal Photocoagulation Laser (PRP)

PRP is a type of laser treatment used in patients who develop new abnormal blood vessels in the retina or drainage system of the eye. This treatment is indicated in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, ischemic retinal vein occlusions, or neovascular glaucoma.

Blocked tear ducts in babies

Blocked tear ducts in babies

Babies are sometimes born with a blocked tear duct, where a small membrane in the nose persists and closes off the drainage pathway. This is usually a mild condition that resolves spontaneously. If it persists after age 1, then treatment is with nasolacrimal duct probing under general anaesthetic.

Strabismus Surgery

Strabismus Surgery

Patients with strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes, often require surgery if their eyes are not straight after treatment with glasses and patching. Strabismus surgery is an elective outpatient day procedure performed under general anaesthetic.

Incision and Drainage of a Chalazion

Incision and Drainage of a Chalazion

A persistent chalazion can be drained as an office-based procedure. Incision and drainage of a chalazion in an adult is not an OHIP-covered procedure and patients pay out-of-pocket for this service.

Superficial Keratectomy

Superficial Keratectomy

Superficial keratectomy removes scarring and opacities in the superficial cornea, often seen in epithelial basement membrane dystrophy.

Cornea Transplant

Cornea Transplant

If your cornea is scarred then surgery with corneal transplantation may be required. There are three main types of cornea transplantation.

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