Glaucoma Treatment in Ottawa

The eye is often the window into our bodies and can be a good indicator of overall health. Like many other health conditions, eye conditions in adults and children can be treated if detected early enough. For this reason, children and adults should have regular eye examinations.

Complete eye examinations include:

• Automated pre-testing equipment
• Glaucoma testing (with intra ocular pressures)
• Binocular vision assessment
• New prescription for glasses or contact lenses
• Dilated health assessment of the eye
• Peripheral vision,
• Visual field assessment
• Colour vision testing

Our office is committed to having state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. OHIP covers the fee for a basic comprehensive eye examination (Only ages 19 and under, and 65 and over). Newer diagnostic tests are useful in the early detection of disease but are NOT OHIP insured services.

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of legal blindness in North America. It usually has no early symptoms, and by the time people experience problems with their vision, they have usually lost a significant amount of their vision. Conroy Optometric Centre provides professional treatment for glaucoma in Ottawa.

Corneal Pachymetry is the measurement of central corneal thickness. It is useful in determining the risk of developing glaucoma and in interpreting unexpected intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements.

The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (results published in 2002) found that central corneal thickness measurements/pachymetry was the strongest predictor for the development of glaucoma. People with thinner central corneas are 3.5 times more likely to have permanent vision loss, resulting from glaucoma.

Central corneal thickness measurements (pachymetry) need to be done only once as they do not change with time. The measurements are not an OHIP insured service, and not included in our basic exam fee (non OHIP insured age group, 20 to 65).

One of the other diagnostic tests our office provides is retinal digital imaging. Our computer assisted digital retinal camera enables us to provide a more thorough record of the health of your eyes by taking pictures of the inside of your eyes. Digital imaging can assist us in early detection of ocular problems including: central retinal diseases, optic nerve disease, macular degeneration, hypertensive retinopathy, and diabetic retinopathy.

This type of testing also allows us to keep these images stored, to compare with the results of future tests. This will allow us to see minute changes that we may not have been able to identify without these tests. We strongly recommend this test to all of our patients.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

At Conroy Optometric, we are proud to offer one of the newest and most advanced diagnostic tools in the eyecare industry. Similar to an ultrasound, this instrument employs light rather than sound waves to achieve high resolution images of the retina, optic nerve and cornea. These scans will provide your doctor with information that aids in the early detection and treatment of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, macular edema, and epiretinal membranes.

The OCT is also useful in the early detection of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve that requires careful examination of the nerve for subtle changes. The OCT scan provides a 3-dimensional view of the optic nerve and allows for detection of structural changes to the optic nerve over time.  Your doctor will use this information to determine the presence of the condition, or if you have the condition, this information will be used to monitor stability with your current treatment.

The acquisition of OCT scans is quick, taking only a few minutes and it is completely painless. If this test is recommended by your doctor, or if you choose to add OCT to your routine examination, the additional costs willl be explained prior to any testing.

Contact Us Today

For professional glaucoma treatment in Ottawa, book an appointment with Conroy Optometric Centre.