Cataract
Our clinic offers Cataract Screening and Cataract Surgery. Cataract surgeries are performed at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre located at Hotel Dieu Hospital. Measurements for cataract surgery are performed with the Pentacam AXL, a state-of-the-art multi-functional machine that measures axial length as well as acts as a corneal topographer. Our office also offers YAG Laser Capsulotomy after Cataract Surgery should this procedure be needed.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy leading to a decrease in vision. The most common cause of a cataract is due to aging. As a person ages, the protein found inside the lens starts to breakdown causing the lens (also called crystalline lens) to become foggy. Often, upon examination, patients will complain of blurry vision and the frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, a film over their eyes, doubling or ghosting of images, light sensitivity, seeing halos and/or glare at night around bright lights or complaining that they have a hard time reading small print under low lighting conditions. Some cataracts will develop gradually over a period of years, while others can develop quite quickly over a period of a few months.
Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed in North America; it is also one of the safest. Even so, we understand that you may be concerned about undergoing surgery. We are committed to providing you with the information you need to feel comfortable with your decision to have cataract surgery.
For more information regarding cataract surgery, please view our Cataract Surgery Information Guide For Patients below by clicking on the blue link titled “Cataract Surgery Booklet”.
Cataract Surgery Information Guide For Patients
After-Cataract related Laser Treatment
YAG Laser Capsulotomy (YAG Caps)
A YAG Laser Capsulotomy is an in-office laser procedure used to create an opening in a hazy or cloudy lens covering (capsule) located behind the intraocular lens (IOL) implant following cataract surgery. This haziness or cloudiness is referred to a Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO), which is a very common occurrence after cataract surgery. When this haziness starts to affect a patients vision, the Ophthalmologist will suggest having YAG Laser Capsulotomy done.
During the laser treatment, the doctor uses a specialized lens to apply laser energy to the capsule. This creates a small opening in the centre of the capsule, allowing light to pass though and thus clearing up a patients vision.
Glaucoma
Our glaucoma clinic screens and monitors patients with elevated intraocular pressure or patients who have risk factors for glaucoma. Regular monitoring is important so that timely referral to a glaucoma specialist is critical in preventing blindness.
We offer Visual Field Testing, OCT Imaging and Anterior Segment Imaging as screening and monitoring tools. We also offer Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) and Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) as treatment options along with ophthalmic glaucoma eye drops or when glaucoma drops are not an option.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve over time. This may lead to permanent vision loss and/or blindness. Glaucoma is caused by fluid build up inside the eye producing high intraocular pressure (IOP) and thus causing damage to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma related Laser Treatments
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
An SLT is an in-office laser procedure used to treat patients with glaucoma. The laser is usually used to treat patients who have glaucoma that continues to worsen despite medical treatment or for patients who are unable to apply eye drops due to allergies or for other reasons that do not allow them to apply eye drops to their eyes on a consistent basis.
With the SLT laser, energy is applied to the drainage tissue (trabecular meshwork) of the eyes, which results in better outflow of the fluid (aqueous humour) in the anterior chamber of the eye.
The resulting expected effect is to lower the patients intraocular pressure (IOP). This can take a few weeks to a few months to take effect.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (Yag PIs or LPI)
A Laser Peripheral Iridotomy is an in-office procedure used to treat patients who have narrow angles or narrowing angles due angle closure glaucoma.
During the laser procedure, a specialized lens is placed on the cornea and the laser energy is direct onto the iris, creating an opening and allowing the fluid (aqueous humor) inside your eye to flow more freely from the posterior chamber of the eye to the anterior chamber.
Retinal Disorders
In our retinal clinic we screen, monitor the progression of, and treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD/ARMD), Diabetic Retinopathy as well as Retinal Vein (CRVO/HRVO/BRVO) and Artery (CRAO) Occlusions. We offer OCT Imaging as well as Intravitreal Injections.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Also referred to as Macular Degeneration, AMD is a progressive, age-related degenerative disease of the macula leading permanent central vision loss over time. It can affect one or both eyes. There are two forms of the macular degeneration;
Dry AMD - occurs when drusen (white or yellow deposits) start to accumulate in the retina. This interferes with the retinal layer associated with receiving visual images from the lens causing blind spots in central vision.
Wet AMD - occurs when abnormal blood vessels start to grow under the retina and leak.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is a common condition that occurs in diabetic patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels causing progressive damage to the retina. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the retina start to swell and leak causing blurry central vision.
What is a Retinal Vein or Atery Occlusion?
A retinal vein or atery occlusion is when a vein or artery in the retina that moves blood away from the eye becomes blocked, usually due to plaque build up or a blood clot. This blockage can happen without warning, causing macular edema, blurry vision or even permanent vision loss.