Detecting Eye Diseases Early
Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), develop without noticeable symptoms. By the time these conditions impact your vision, they have caused irreversible changes to your eyesight.
However, scheduling regular, comprehensive eye exams is a simple yet effective way to monitor your eye health and prevent avoidable vision loss. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that adults receive a comprehensive eye exam every 1 or 2 years for full assurance of vision and eye health.
At Thornhill Vision Care, our knowledgeable optometrists use thorough diagnostic technology to monitor your eyes for any potential health concerns. Safeguard your eye health today with a comprehensive eye exam.
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How Do Eye Exams Prevent Vision Loss?
Regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams involve thorough testing and diagnostic imaging of your eyes and visual system.
Because many eye diseases do not show symptoms during early stages, eye exams can catch small changes to your eyes or vision that may indicate an eye disease. By catching eye diseases before they impact your vision, we have more treatment and management options available to preserve your eyesight.
Eye Diseases We Detect and Manage
We understand it can be stressful to live with conditions that increase your risk of eye disease, such as diabetes, high myopia, or heart disease. Our experienced and compassionate optometrists are here to help you care for your eyes and protect your vision from eye disease.
Your optometrist will assess the health of your entire visual system, including the interior and exterior of the eyes and the connection between your eyes and your brain. We monitor for conditions such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, AMD, cataracts, and more.
Learn more about the common conditions we can detect, monitor, and manage.
Diabetic eye disease involves a group of conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. These conditions occur when the delicate blood vessels in the eye are damaged from elevated blood sugar levels over an extended period of time.
When left untreated, diabetic eye diseases can cause vision loss. However, diabetic eye diseases typically develop without noticeable symptoms, so people living with diabetes should schedule a thorough diabetic eye exam annually to monitor their eyes for signs of eye disease.
AMD is caused by a buildup of waste at the centre part of the back of the eye, called the macula. The macula is responsible for central vision and most of your colour vision. Over time, this buildup can cause irreversible vision loss.
During early stages, AMD can be symptom-free and only detected during an eye exam. The most common initial symptoms include blurred central vision, straight lines appearing wavy, or dark spots in your vision.
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD develops slowly over time and accounts for about 90% of AMD cases. Wet AMD is less common and can progress rapidly. It’s caused by weak blood vessels bleeding under the macula.
Glaucoma has been called “the silent thief of sight” because it has no symptoms during early stages. There are several types of glaucoma, all of which include damage to the optic nerve and could result in blindness. We monitor for glaucoma by checking your internal eye pressure and peripheral vision.
Cataracts often occur naturally as you age. The normally clear lens of your eye hardens and clouds, affecting your vision. In some cases, cataracts can also appear at birth. Systemic health conditions such as diabetes can also cause cataract growth.
During early stages, cataracts can be managed with corrective lenses. We will monitor your eyes and update your prescription as necessary.
However, if the cataracts begin impairing your vision and preventing you from driving, performing your job safely, or impacting your quality of life, it may be time to consider surgery. We will help co-manage your surgery and recovery, and provide a referral to a local ophthalmologist who will perform the procedure.
How We Monitor Eye Diseases
The first step in caring for your eyes is a comprehensive eye exam. Attending routine eye exams allows us to monitor your eye health and detect any changes before vision loss occurs.
We use diagnostic technology, including retinal imaging and OCT scans, to check on the health of your eye structures. We examine your retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue on the inside of your eye, as well as your macula, optic nerve, and blood vessels inside your eye. This allows us to catch small changes to your eye health.
We also use visual field testing, which checks the entire area that your eyes can see while fixed on a central point. This is also referred to as your peripheral vision. Because some eye diseases, like glaucoma, develop without noticeable symptoms or signs during early stages, changes to your vision, both central and peripheral, can be an important indicator.
As well, we perform ocular drug toxicity screenings for patients taking medications with known side effects that can impact vision. If you report taking any medications with these side effects, we will include a toxicity screening in your eye exam.
Keeping Your Eyes Healthy for the Future
Protecting your eyes from vision loss caused by eye disease begins with prevention and detection. That’s why our comprehensive eye exams include thorough imaging and diagnostic testing to catch early signs of eye disease.
If you are diagnosed with a condition, we will be with you every step of the way. We’ll provide guidance about your treatment options and work in collaboration with local ophthalmologists if necessary. You’ll receive compassionate care and important information to make informed decisions about your eye health.
Take care of your eyes today and book your comprehensive eye exam with us.
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Visit Our Location
We’re located in Wilshire Plaza just off Bathurst Street and New Westminster Drive. There’s plenty of parking available.
Our Address
- 8020 Bathurst St, Unit 4A-2, Building B
- Thornhill, ON L4J 0B8
Contact Information
- Phone: 905-889-2940
- Email: tvc@thornhillvisioncare.ca
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What Our Patients Are Saying
“I have had a wonderful experience with Dr. Yi and her team. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and always make me feel at ease. When I come here for my eye exams and contact lens fittings, I know my eye health is in good hands!”
Maria R.
“I had such an amazing experience with Dr. Clara Yi. She was extremely helpful and was so kind. All the staff were also very welcoming and helpful. I highly recommend coming to this clinic for any vision needs!”
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Thornhill Vision Care
- 8020 Bathurst St, Unit 4A-2, Building B
- Thornhill, ON L4J 0B8
- Phone: 905-889-2940
- Email: tvc@thornhillvisioncare.ca
