Protecting Your Eyes Against the Silent Thief of Sight
Do you ever feel like your vision isn’t quite what it used to be? Maybe you’re bumping into things more often or having trouble reading. Glaucoma–often called the “silent thief of sight”–can slowly erode your vision, often without noticeable discomfort or dramatic vision changes.
However, glaucoma can be detected. At Island Eyecare, we’re equipped to identify the early signs of eye disease to help you safeguard your vision. Schedule your eye exam with us today.
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What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause significant vision loss or even blindness by damaging the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries information from the eye to the brain, creating the images you see.
It’s called “the silent thief of sight” because its symptoms are so gradual that they are often unnoticed. A thorough eye exam is the only way to detect early signs of glaucoma.
Types of Glaucoma
There are 3 main types of glaucoma. While increased eye pressure can be a significant risk factor for most forms, other forms can develop even with normal pressure, necessitating a comprehensive eye exam.
Our eye doctors consider not just eye pressure but also your optic nerve, corneal thickness, and overall eye health to create a personalized plan to manage glaucoma and protect your sight.
Our team is here to answer your questions and work with you through every step.
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. Typically, this type of glaucoma occurs when fluid in the eye cannot drain fast enough, causing intraocular pressure to rise. The increased internal eye pressure puts stress on the optic nerve and can damage it.
Normal-tension glaucoma is a bit of a mystery in the eye care world. It is a type of open-angle glaucoma that occurs when eye pressure is still in the normal range. You may be at a higher risk of normal-tension glaucoma if you:
- Have a family history of normal-tension glaucoma
- Have heart problems, like an irregular heartbeat
- Have low blood pressure
Angle-closure glaucoma is severe and is considered an eye emergency. If you experience any symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma, go to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Symptoms typically include:
- Intense pain
- Nausea
- Extremely red eyes
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Halos
Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the iris’s outer edge blocks fluid from draining out of the front of the eye. The fluid builds up rapidly, causing a sudden increase in eye pressure. Without treatment, angle-closure glaucoma can cause blindness.
Testing for Glaucoma
At Island Eyecare, we use various diagnostic tests in our comprehensive eye exams to detect early signs of glaucoma and other eye diseases.
A tonometer is a diagnostic tool used to measure the pressure inside your eyes (IOP). Each type of tonometer flattens the cornea momentarily to measure the force necessary to do so.
The iCare tonometer uses the rebound principle, gently tapping the eye’s surface to measure response time.
Goldmann tonometry is the gold standard tonometer in eye care. The process involves numbing the eye with drops and measuring the force needed to flatten the cornea with a flat-tipped cone.
The Perkins tonometer is portable, designed for patients who cannot sit through a slit-lamp examination.
Pachymetry measures the thickness of your cornea, the clear, dome-shaped front part of your eye. It’s a helpful tool for tracking changes to corneal thickness.
Corneal thickness can affect eye pressure readings and the accuracy of tonometry measurements. For example, a patient with thin corneas may show lower eye pressure readings but could be at risk for glaucoma.
A visual field test measures the whole scope of your vision—what you can see straight ahead and out of the corner of your eye. The test can help us identify and monitor glaucoma.
The test involves focusing on a target while light flickers across your field of vision. When you see a flicker of light, you press a button. The results will tell us how much of your vision is unaffected, which is crucial if you are at risk for developing glaucoma.
Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, is a noninvasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section images of the retina and optic nerve. OCT lets us see distinctive layers and measure their thickness, giving us treatment guidance for glaucoma and other retinal diseases.
The test involves staying motionless while the machine scans your eye for 5 to 10 minutes. During the test, we may want to dilate your pupils. We’ll let you know beforehand so you can arrange a ride home.
Questions About Glaucoma? We’re Here to Answer
Our team is here to answer your questions about eye health and vision. Although glaucoma is a serious eye condition, we’re here to clarify things for you. Our goal is to help you maintain a healthy vision to keep you enjoying your favourite sights, from the rugged Cape Breton coastline to the friendly smiles of family.
Schedule an eye exam today, and let us create a personalized plan for your vision.
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Community Award
- Platinum in Administrative Services
- Platinum in Contact Lenses
- Platinum in Eyeglasses
- Platinum in Sunglasses
- Platinum in Opticians
- Platinum in Optometrists
Dry Eye Services & Diagnostics
At Island Eyecare, we work hard to find innovative ways to invest in your eye health and vision. We offer a range of modern technologies and treatment options to help alleviate dry eye and offer you genuine relief.
Our main goal is to get to the root of your symptoms, so you can enjoy longer-lasting relief from red, scratchy eyes.
Rediscover Clearer Vision with MacuMira
Island Eyecare is excited to offer MacuMira, a groundbreaking, noninvasive treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If you have vision loss caused by dry AMD, MacuMira could be the solution you’ve been waiting for.
This clinically tested technology uses microcurrent stimulation to help nourish and restore your vision, improving your ability to see and experience life with greater clarity. Schedule a consultation with us to learn if MacuMira can help you take the first step toward clearer vision.
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University Teaching Program
Dr. Shaun MacInnis is thrilled to serve as a Clerkship supervisor at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Clerkship program offers students invaluable hands-on experience, significantly enhancing their clinical, diagnostic, and management skills.
Our Location in Sydney
Find us in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on the corner of Welton Street and Spruce Street. Our office is down just from the Sydney Memorial Chapel. There is ample free parking next to our building.
Our Address
- 117 Welton Street
- Sydney, NS B1P 5R6
Contact Information
- Phone: 902-539-0800
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operations
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Our Testimonials
Super friendly services. Cleanliness and sterilization routines were impeccable! You will feel 100% safe and comfortable here. They also have very modern and numerous pieces of equipment to assure that every aspect of your eye care is investigated thoroughly!
Ron D.
Outstanding practice! Dr. Shaun MacInnis has totally re-vamped this facility with the most advanced technologies in eye care and vision needs. Extremely professional, knowledgeable, and courteous staff. I highly recommend Brittany, a tremendous optician, who is sure to provide you with excellent service for all of your eyewear needs! She is superior in her field! Well done Island Eyecare!
Elizabeth M
Professional and courteous staff, took time to explain and answer questions. Very thorough examination and use of the latest technologies to support the doctor.
Alan A.
It’s always a great experience going to Island Eyecare. Shaun and staff are extremely knowledgeable and always a great pleasure to deal with! Shout out to Jessica who made my visit today a little brighter with her awesome personality and helpfulness. 🙂
Deanna H.
Loved my experience. The inside was completely made over, which completely blew me away. The staff were extremely helpful and up to date with the latest trends and technologies. The eye care professional was professional and very thorough.
Roddie M.
