Vision loss is on the rise in Canada. More than a million Canadians live with significant vision loss that affects their quality of life, and each year the number of people in our country who lose their sight increases by 50,000.
The four most common eye diseases that can lead to vision loss in Canada are diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. The statistics show that one in seven of us will develop one of these conditions in our lifetime.
Fortunately, blindness and significant vision impairment are not necessarily the outcomes even for those afflicted with one or more of the common eye diseases. With diabetes, for example, our patients are increasingly aware that keeping their blood sugars below 7.0 greatly reduces their risk for eye disease. Lifestyle modifications in the form of exercise and diet can transform a diabetic patient’s risk factors, and new treatments are being used if eye disease is shown to be progressing. Many of these same treatments are being used for advanced macular degeneration, and are preserving vision for much longer (by many years in some cases) than what was the norm even a decade ago. New diagnostic equipment is now being used at both our clinics to help detect glaucoma, and new surgeries that involve a laser almost from start to finish are improving outcomes in our patients with cataracts also.
Please remember that early detection is the key. Our doctors are armed with the latest research and equipment to detect the smallest changes from year to year. Coming in for an annual eye exam is the best way to ensure that your vision is protected.
– Dr. Wilk
