Routine Eye Exams Preserve Vision
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55. AMD impairs central vision, which is the area of your sight used to focus on details, such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces.
Both lifestyle and genetic factors can increase your risk of AMD. While practicing healthy habits can help to reduce your risk, regular, comprehensive eye exams are still a vital part of your defence against AMD and its progression. Early detection and management can make a big difference in your prognosis.
If you have been diagnosed with AMD, our team is here to support you through advice, treatments, and management options.
Let us help you support your eye health. Book your eye exam today.
What Is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that affects central vision. Impaired central vision can lead to difficulty reading, writing, seeing faces, and driving.
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD accounts for approximately 90% of all AMD cases and progresses slowly over time. Wet AMD can occur independently or develop as a progression from dry AMD.
Risk Factors for AMD
Several factors can put you at an increased risk for developing AMD, including:
- Obesity
- Age: risk increases with advancing age
- Family history of AMD
- Women are more susceptible to AMD
- Smoking
- A diet low in antioxidant vitamins and minerals
- Excessive exposure to sunlight (UV rays)
- High blood pressure
Symptoms of AMD
The symptoms of dry and wet AMD differ. Symptoms of dry AMD include:
- Blank or blind spots in your central vision
- Blurred central vision
Symptoms of wet AMD include:
- Blurred central vision
- Dark sports or blind spots
- Difficulty seeing detail in low light
- Straight lines appear bent or wavy
- Sensitivity to bright light
How We Monitor for AMD
Like many other diseases, during the early stages, AMD does not cause pain, and visual impacts can be subtle, if present at all. Individuals with AMD may notice blurred central vision, particularly while focusing on detail, such as while reading. Glasses or contact lenses cannot correct for this blurred spot.
As AMD progresses, this blurred area may expand and begin to interfere with daily tasks, such as reading or driving. During later stages, central vision may be lost entirely.
We monitor for AMD through routine screening using our Optos Monaco device. This device has combined retinal imaging and OCT, allowing our optometrists to view an image of the inside of your eye and a cross-sectional image of the layers of your eye.
These scans help your optometrist detect microscopic changes in the structure of your eye that may indicate AMD. If you’ve been diagnosed, regular monitoring through these scans helps us keep an eye on any progression of the disease, as well as to monitor the efficacy of your treatment plan.
AMD Management and Treatment Options
Your treatment plan will depend on the type of AMD you have and how far your condition has progressed by the time of diagnosis. Treatment is most effective during the early stages. Regularly attending comprehensive eye exams is the most effective way to detect AMD early, as symptoms often don’t appear until later stages.
We offer MacuMira treatment for Dry AMD. This treatment is noninvasive, using no medications or injections. Instead, MacuMira delivers gentle microcurrent stimulation to your closed eyes. MacuMira has been shown to improve vision and enhance contrast sensitivity within the first 10 days of treatment.
We also provide Arunalight, a photobiomodulation (low-level light therapy) treatment that uses red light wavelengths to stimulate healing, improve blood circulation, and protect retinal cells from damage.
Additionally, nutrition plays an important role in AMD management. While eating a diet rich in antioxidants, such as berries, beans, pecans, and dark leafy greens, can help, we also recommend specific supplements formulated for eye health to support individuals at high risk for AMD or with early stages of the condition.
Compassionate Care Designed Around You
Being diagnosed with an eye disease can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Our compassionate team will guide and support you every step of the way, from the initial diagnosis to developing your ongoing treatment and management plan.
With new treatment technologies such as MacuMira and Arunalight available, there are more options than ever before to support your eye health and manage the impact of AMD. Take a proactive step for your eye health today and book your eye exam with us.
CAN YOUR GLASSES DO THIS?
For individuals ready to step into the future, we carry Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta AI glasses. Listen to music, take a phone call, or capture a video, all from your glasses.
Or enhance your connections with Nuance Audio Glasses for directional hearing amplification.
OUR FEATURED EYEWEAR BRANDS
Visit Our Location
We’re located on First Street, just across from the Lord Dufferin Centre. Parking is available behind the building with an accessible parking stall beside the entrance to the lot.
Our clinic has an accessible exam lane to accommodate individuals with wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 519-941-6761
- Email: info@orangevilleoptometrists.ca
Our Hours
*Open on alternating Saturdays. Book an appointment in advance.
Our Google Reviews
What Patients are Saying
Amazing Doctors. Friendly and knowledgable staff. Makes the whole experience a pleasure. Highly recommended.
– Maureen
Prompt diagnosis of uveitis. Saved my vision. Forever greatful, thank you Dr. Costanzo
– G B
I have been seeing Dr Leblanc for years and now bring my son to see him as well. He is such a pleasure to deal with and although we only see him yearly, he remembers what’s going on in our lives and asks questions. He’s the best!
The reception staff are great as well!
– Trina
I’ve been going here for years. The staff are extremely helpful and very friendly. I especially find they answer all my questions and any concerns that I may have regarding eye care or even the right lenses to choose from. It’s always a pleasure to go there whether replacing my out dated frames or purchasing new frames and lenses for my eye care. They always inform me of specials too so I can add an additional option if desired.
– Kim
We drove from London for our appointment because they had my fiancé’s files. It was very worth the drive there. They were thorough, professional and friendly. We are very happy with our visit and look forward to returning soon to pick up the four new pairs of glasses!
Thank you to all the staff, Dmytro and Marlene
– June
