Protecting Your Eyesight with Early Detection
Taking care of your eyes starts with preventive care. That’s why we screen for any eye conditions that could impact your vision during our comprehensive eye exams. Our team is dedicated to caring for your eyes and protecting your vision for years to come.
During our eye exams, we use innovative diagnostic technology to monitor and detect any signs of eye disease. By proactively screening for eye conditions, we’re often able to diagnose problems before they cause noticeable symptoms.
Your eye health is important. Book an eye exam with us today to stay ahead of eye disease.
Request AppointmentWhy Early Eye Disease Diagnosis Is Key
Did you know that up to 90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable? With early detection, you’ll have access to more treatment options and better outcomes.
Unfortunately, many eye diseases start to impact your vision before you notice symptoms, making it harder to catch problems before they cause damage.
That’s why regular eye exams are key. With routine comprehensive eye exams, we can assess your ocular health and screen for potential conditions. Often, we can detect signs of eye disease or conditions before you’ve noticed any changes.
Common Eye Diseases We Diagnose & Manage
We understand the stress of living with a family history of eye diseases or with conditions such as diabetes or high myopia that raise your risk of disease. Our team is a compassionate and knowledgeable resource for your questions and concerns.
At Dr. Black Optometrist, we combine powerful diagnostic technology with experience for accurate and effective results. Our connection with our patients helps us to understand further any concerns or issues that arise.
Learn about the conditions we can detect, monitor, and manage.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve. One of the key diagnostic indicators of glaucoma is high intraocular pressure, or high pressure inside the eye.
Glaucoma progresses slowly and silently, often not showing symptoms until vision loss occurs. Regular eye exams can screen for signs of glaucoma before your vision is damaged.
There are several types of glaucoma. Some risk factors of glaucoma include a family history of the disease, extreme refractive errors (high prescription), past eye injury or trauma, and heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Diabetic Eye Disease
If you’re living with diabetes, you have an increased risk of developing eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.
Diabetic retinopathy progresses slowly and may not present noticeable symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. It is characterized by swelling and bleeding of blood vessels in your eyes and can be detected through retinal imaging.
Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula swells. The macula is part of the retina and is responsible for our central vision. Untreated, diabetic macular edema can lead to blindness.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration causes the macula to break down. Your macula is part of your retina and is responsible for your central vision. Damage to the macula can lead to central vision loss.
As with many eye diseases, AMD does not typically show symptoms during the early stages. Maintaining a regular eye exam schedule can help catch signs of AMD that you might miss.
Cataracts
As you age, the clear lens of your eye that focuses light on your retina can thicken and cloud, called a cataract. Although cataracts are often a result of aging, they can also be present at birth.
Taking care of your eyes is a good way to slow cataract growth. Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing UV-blocking sunglasses. As well, eating foods rich in antioxidants such as blueberries, apples, artichokes, and kale may also help to prevent cataracts.
If your cataracts are impacting your vision and quality of life, it may be time to consider surgery. Our doctors can discuss and recommend suitable options for you depending on your ocular health, including a referral to a cataract surgeon. We can also assist with your post-operative care.
Diagnosing & Managing Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an eye condition that occurs when the cornea thins and bulges out into a cone shape. It can cause symptoms such as blurry vision, double vision, light sensitivity, and an increase in your nearsightedness or astigmatism.
Our doctors have experience identifying and managing keratoconus. We can fit patients with keratoconus with special contact lenses.
Usually, keratoconus stabilizes after a few years without severe vision issues, but our team will assist you in monitoring your keratoconus and finding effective methods for vision correction.
Powerful Diagnostic Technology for Eye Care
We use various diagnostic tools to help us monitor and manage your eye health. Depending on your age, risk factors, and vision concerns, we’ll decide which scans and examinations are necessary to get a complete picture of your visual health.
Our diagnostic tools and technology allow us to detect small changes that the naked eye might miss. Some of the tests we perform include:
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Provides detailed scans of your retina to monitor for conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
- Retinal imaging: Captures high-resolution images of your retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels to help detect and monitor changes from conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes.
- Humphrey visual field analyzer: Measures peripheral (side) vision to help spot early signs of glaucoma or diabetic eye disease.
- Corneal topography: Creates a map of the shape of your cornea, necessary for fitting contact lenses for keratoconus and monitoring corneal conditions.
- Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT): Uses a special laser to take 3D photographs of the optic nerve and surrounding retina for glaucoma and other conditions that impact the optic nerve.
Early detection and accurate diagnostics are the foundation of effective treatment and management of eye diseases. We’re proud to use tools that give us an in-depth understanding of your eye health.
Stay Ahead of Eye Disease & Protect Your Vision
Regular, comprehensive eye exams are your best defence against eye diseases. By attending regularly scheduled appointments, we can help you detect and manage any emerging conditions before you experience vision loss.
Take proactive steps for your eye health and book your eye exam today.
Request AppointmentOur Vision Services
In-House Lab: Your New
Glasses Made Fast Right Here
Get your new glasses fast with our swift turnaround on most single vision prescriptions and a wide range of in-stock lens options. If you’re replacing your lenses, but keeping your current frames, we won’t need to send your glasses away. You can continue wearing your glasses until the lenses are ready.
In-House Lab: Your New
Glasses Made Fast Right Here
Get your new glasses fast with our swift turnaround on most single vision prescriptions and a wide range of in-stock lens options. If you’re replacing your lenses, but keeping your current frames, we won’t need to send your glasses away. You can continue wearing your glasses until the lenses are ready.
Visit Our Oshawa Eye Clinics
Simcoe Office
Vision Care Centre
We have convenient free parking just behind our building.
- 136 Simcoe St N
- Oshawa, ON L1G 4S7
Hours of Operation
*Saturdays once a month
Glazier Office
Medical Centre
Find us in the Glazier Medical Centre. Our Glazier eye clinic is accessible, with convenient ramp access and powered doors.
- 11 Gibb St.
- Oshawa, ON L1H 2J9
Hours of Operation
*Saturdays once a month
