Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in Vancouver

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that causes the slow breakdown of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for your sharp, central vision. AMD can lead to central vision loss and primarily affects those over 55.

AMD develops slowly and with few noticeable symptoms. However, the most common initial symptom is a dark or blurred spot in the central vision that can’t be corrected with glasses.

Treatments for early AMD include vitamin supplements and lifestyle changes, like increased exercise, sunglasses to reduce UV damage, and smoking cessation. Advanced AMD may be treated with medications injected into the eye.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve. There are many types of glaucoma, but they can all cause irreversible vision loss or blindness if left untreated.

Learn more about glaucoma and how we screen for it during our eye exams on our Glaucoma page.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease related to diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels in the blood vessels cause blockages and bulges in the tiny blood vessels in the eyes.

At first, diabetic retinopathy may not cause any symptoms. But if left untreated, it can lead to vision changes, blurry vision, holes in your vision, vision loss, and blindness.

Early diabetic retinopathy doesn’t require treatment but will be monitored closely by your optometrist. As the disease advances, it may be treated with medicine injections, laser treatments, or surgery.