Common Eye Problems and Diseases

Blepharitis is a common eye problem that causes eyelid inflammation, redness, dry eye, and a gritty sensation in the eye.

It usually occurs when tiny oil glands near the base of the eyelashes become clogged, leading to inflammation and irritation of the eye's surface and eyelids. It can occur on its own or in combination with other factors that lead to dry eye.

However, it can be difficult to treat. Make an appointment with an FYidoctors optometrist if you notice any symptoms.

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over 40 and an unwelcome effect of aging.

Usually painless, cataracts develop over many years as the lens naturally hardens and becomes cloudy or white. This cloudy lens prevents light from reaching your retina (the part of your eyes that transmits visual information to your brain). This results in vision loss—much like looking through a dirty windshield.

While cataracts naturally form with age, you are more at risk of developing them if you are diabetic or suffer from high blood pressure, if you are obese, if you smoke, or if there is a family history of cataracts.

It is essential to treat cataracts as soon as they form to maintain adequate vision. Schedule regular eye exams if you notice any symptoms.

Computer Vision Syndrome is one of the most common workplace complications. It is caused by staring at a computer screen for extended periods. Pixellated images force the eyes to constantly refocus on different objects, leading to eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, neck, and back pain.

Computer Vision Syndrome is easy to avoid if you follow a few tips from your optician. We offer lenses specifically designed for computer use. They can help you improve your vision and eliminate eye strain.

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people 65 and older. AMD is the deterioration of the macula (the part of the eye that allows you to see clearly). A person with AMD would be able to see a calendar on the wall, but the numbers and letters would appear blurred.

This is why it is so important for people aged 60 and over to have an eye exam at least once a year.

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss. Glaucoma can be hereditary and may not present symptoms until later in life, making it important for children and adults to receive regular eye exams. The National Eye Institute recommends that individuals over the age of 40 with health conditions such as diabetes or a family history of glaucoma receive an annual eye exam. During the exam, an eye care professional can monitor for the onset of symptoms such as night blindness, light sensitivity, and central vision problems, and prescribe eye drops or corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses to protect and improve vision.

About 1 in 1,000 people are at risk of developing this degenerative eye disease. Teenagers are most at risk.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that slowly develops when the normally round cornea (the transparent outer part of the eye) thins and begins to bulge, taking on a cone shape. This bulging curves the light entering the eye, which blurs vision. Although the exact causes of the disease remain unknown, many optometrists suspect it is due to a mixture of genetic and environmental conditions.

Early detection is the best way to avoid the most severe symptoms of the disease.

If you have diabetes (type 1 or type 2), you could develop diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness in adults in North America.

This disease is caused by changes to the blood vessels in the retina (the part of your eyes that transmits visual information to your brain). In some cases, blood vessels can swell and leak fluid. In other cases, abnormal new blood vessels can grow on the surface of the retina.

If you have diabetes, you could develop diabetic retinopathy without even knowing it. In its early stages, symptoms often go unnoticed, but they gradually worsen and can cause vision loss and even blindness in one or both eyes.

There is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, but if detected early, the disease can be treated and symptoms can be slowed and controlled. If you have diabetes, you should have an eye exam at least once a year.

Up to 29% of Canadians suffer from dry eyes, which can cause red eyes and discomfort, in addition to impairing vision and overall visual health. And with the significant increase in the use of digital technology (e.g., smartphones), the number of young people struggling with this visual disorder continues to grow.

Learn more about the causes, risks, and symptoms of dry eye disease, and how FYidoctors can help you find appropriate relief.

Computer Vision Syndrome is one of the most common health problems in the workplace. This syndrome is caused by long periods of exposure to a computer screen. Pixilated images force your eyes to constantly adjust to different objects, causing eye strain, blurred vision, headaches, and neck and back pain.

It is easy to avoid suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome by following a few guidelines provided by your optometrist. We offer glasses specially designed for computer use. They can help improve your vision while eliminating eye strain.