Glaucoma & Cataract Eye Exams
Dr. Jaffray has seen how eye disease can impact a patient’s life and livelihood and is passionate about eye health and preventative health care. Having suffered some vision loss related to her first pregnancy herself, she is acutely aware of how scary it can be. Thankfully for Dr. Jaffray, the damage to her eye wasn’t too severe. The team at Focused Optometry wants to ensure that all of their patients are seeing clearly and have the opportunity to have any ocular health concerns addressed in a timely fashion. A comprehensive eye examination with Dr. Jaffray is the first step in that process.
Many eye diseases and conditions do not have obvious symptoms like pain or blurred vision. Therefore, Dr. Jaffray utilizes modern equipment as well as her clinical experience to help screen and monitor patients for eye conditions ranging from dry eyes to diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Many genetic and systemic health conditions, such as arthritis, can also have ocular manifestations. Through careful history gathering, Dr. Jaffray can identify and help explain the ramifications of your eye health concerns and provide referrals to other specialists when needed. Dr. Jaffray believes in collaborative care for all of her patients!
In the world of eyes, there are many factors to consider and good vision is just one. In Canada, you may be surprised to learn that the leading causes of blindness are cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma, and diabetes, with cataracts leading the way. Luckily, less than 5% of the population in Canada suffers from any form of blindness.
FOCUSED OPTOMETRY
Glaucoma & Cataract Eye Exams – Calgary NW587-353-6287Call us to schedule an eye exam or book online
Focused Optometry is conveniently located in Northland Plaza. With free parking, you can feel at ease while having your eye examination or shopping for glasses and sunglasses. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Cataracts
With Cataracts, patients often describe that their vision has slowly been declining or that there is a fog or haze over everything. The lens in the eye does slowly change from being completely transparent at birth to become translucent or even opaque later in life. Certain medications such as high dose steroids, trauma to the head or eyes, and metabolic disease such as diabetes can all increase the rate of change of the ocular lens. Protecting your eyes from the sun, starting from a young age, and maintaining good overall health can help delay the onset of vision problems related to cataracts. Dr. Jaffray can help monitor these changes and provide a referral to an ophthalmologist when the time comes for intervention.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
Age-related Macular degeneration or ARMD is a disease that mainly afflicts the elderly. There are two forms (wet and dry), but there is no cure for either one. In both cases, there is a change to the central portion of the retina, which corresponds to our central vision. It can be very devastating to many patients to lose the ability to see what is straight ahead of them. Risk factors for ARMD include advancing age, UV exposure, smoking, family history, gender, ethnicity, and other overall general health factors. A proper diet including the use of targeted multivitamins, use of sunglasses, and getting regular eye health examinations can help prevent vision loss later in life.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is often referred to as a silent disease because it does not have any symptoms in its early stages. For this reason, it is critically important that all patients be properly evaluated for glaucoma on a regular basis. Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure inside the eye is too great, either due to excess production or a lack of proper drainage of the aqueous fluid in the eye. Typically there is no pain and vision loss is not obvious to the patient at the onset of this disease. The vision changes begin in the peripheral vision and until the gaps are very large, indicating massive damage, the patient is generally unaware. Glaucoma is treatable, but generally not curable. Utilizing modern equipment like Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) and computerized visual fields, Dr. Jaffray can help detect and treat and manage glaucoma, referring to an ophthalmologist for co-management when needed.
Diabetes
Like glaucoma, diabetes can also have initially insidious effects on the eye. Whether a patient has been diabetic since childhood or has had adult-onset, the cumulative effects of blood sugar fluctuations can be devastating to the ocular tissues. If left undetected or treated, the damage can be irreparable. Having regular check-ups with a family physician as well as an annual comprehensive eye examination can help patients monitor their eyes for any diabetic changes. In most cases, treatment for diabetic changes does require a referral to an ophthalmologist, but Dr. Jaffray can facilitate that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Alberta, the costs of any eye health, or medically necessary examination are covered by Alberta Health Care. This includes everything from styes and pink eye, to glaucoma management and diabetes evaluations.
For most eye health examinations there is a need to dilate the eyes. The analogy is that when looking through a small hole such as a keyhole, it is difficult to see the whole “room” on the other side. The same is true for the pupil of the eye. Without making it artificially larger, it is difficult to see the entire retina and ocular tissues behind the pupil.
Protection from harmful UV rays is a very important part of maintaining good eye health. Blue protection filters on indoor glasses can also be beneficial to those spending large amounts of time on computers and other digital devices. The effects of UV are cumulative so early prevention is best!
It is encouraging that most Canadians enjoy excellent eye health. When ocular disease does occur, keep in mind that vision losses are generally preventable and treatable. For most patients, cataract surgery is available, and good vision can be restored. However, to a large degree, the treatment options aren’t as simple for ARMD, Glaucoma, and Diabetes. Early detection and management are key to preventing further vision loss. Dr. Jaffray and the Focused Team strive to ensure that all patients have access to detailed examinations and treatment options in a timely fashion.
In Alberta, the costs of any eye health, or medically necessary examination are covered by Alberta Health Care. This includes everything from styes and pink eye, to glaucoma management and diabetes evaluations.
For most eye health examinations there is a need to dilate the eyes. The analogy is that when looking through a small hole such as a keyhole, it is difficult to see the whole “room” on the other side. The same is true for the pupil of the eye. Without making it artificially larger, it is difficult to see the entire retina and ocular tissues behind the pupil.
Protection from harmful UV rays is a very important part of maintaining good eye health. Blue protection filters on indoor glasses can also be beneficial to those spending large amounts of time on computers and other digital devices. The effects of UV are cumulative so early prevention is best!
It is encouraging that most Canadians enjoy excellent eye health. When ocular disease does occur, keep in mind that vision losses are generally preventable and treatable. For most patients, cataract surgery is available, and good vision can be restored. However, to a large degree, the treatment options aren’t as simple for ARMD, Glaucoma, and Diabetes. Early detection and management are key to preventing further vision loss. Dr. Jaffray and the Focused Team strive to ensure that all patients have access to detailed examinations and treatment options in a timely fashion.
FOCUSED OPTOMETRY
Calgary NW Optometrists & Eye Clinic
587-353-6287
Call us to schedule an eye exam or book online
Focused Optometry is conveniently located in Northland Plaza. With free parking, you can feel at ease while having your eye examination or shopping for glasses and sunglasses. We look forward to seeing you soon!