Your Journey to Better Vision Starts Here
At Ottawa Ophthalmology, we are dedicated to providing exceptional eye care services tailored to meet your unique needs. Our team of experienced professionals is here to ensure your visit is comfortable and informative. Whether you’re here for a routine check-up or specialized treatment, we are committed to helping you achieve optimal eye health.
We understand that visiting an ophthalmology office can be daunting, and we strive to create a welcoming environment for all our patients. Our state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate staff are here to support you every step of the way. Thank you for choosing us as your trusted eye care provider.
Preparing for Your Appointment
You may have your pupils dilated for your exam. Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from your exam. You will be unable to drive if you are dilated.
Appointment is Scheduled
Our administrative team will reach out with an appointment date. We operate on a referral-only basis – contact your optometrist, family doctor or ophthalmologist if you have any questions.
Gather Necessary Information
Before your appointment, please compile a list of any medications you are currently taking, along with any previous eye-related medical records. This information will help us provide the best care possible.
Arrive Early and Relax
We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork and to allow yourself time to relax before your consultation begins.
Common Questions About Your Appointment
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your visit to Ottawa Ophthalmology.
How often should I have an eye exam?
We recommend having a comprehensive eye exam every year, or as advised by your eye care professional.
When should I see an ophthalmologist?
If you are experiencing any changes in vision, such as blurred vision, blind spots, or trouble seeing fine details, your optometrist may want to refer you to an ophthalmologist.
What should I do if I have an eye emergency?
If you experience sudden vision loss, eye injury, or severe pain, please seek immediate medical attention or visit an emergency room.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist provides primary vision care, while an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform eye surgery and treat more complex eye conditions.
Diagnostic Equipment at Ottawa Ophthalmology
Topcon Lensometer
Tango Neo SLT YAG Laser
Zeiss OCT Cirrus 1
iTrace
Zeiss IOL Master
Zeiss Humphry Visual Fields
Topcon OCT Maestro
Topcon Auto Refractometer
Types of Eye Disease
Cataracts
Cataracts are a cloudy area that forms in the lens of your eye, making vision blurry or hazy, like looking through a foggy window. They usually develop slowly with age but can also result from injury or other health conditions. The main treatment is surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a clear artificial one, restoring clear vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition where pressure builds up inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and slowly steal your vision, often without early symptoms. Treatments include prescription eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery to lower eye pressure and protect your optic nerve from further damage.
Graves' Disease
Graves’ disease can cause Graves’ eye disease (thyroid eye disease), where the immune system attacks tissues around your eyes, leading to bulging eyes, swelling, dryness, redness, and sometimes double vision. In severe cases, it can even press on the optic nerve and affect vision.
Treatments focus on controlling thyroid levels, using eye drops or steroids to reduce inflammation, special glasses or prisms for double vision, and sometimes surgery to relieve pressure or correct eye position.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an eye condition where the central part of your retina (the macula) wears down, making it hard to see fine details, read, or recognize faces. It’s most common as you get older and doesn’t usually cause total blindness but can greatly affect daily vision. While there’s no cure, treatments like special vitamins, lifestyle changes, eye injections, or laser therapy can slow its progress and help preserve your vision.
Optic Neuropathy
Optic neuropathy is damage to the optic nerve, which carries signals from your eye to your brain, causing blurry vision, blind spots, or even vision loss. It can happen from poor blood flow, inflammation, pressure, or toxins, and often affects just one eye at first.
Treatment focuses on addressing the cause—like reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, or lowering eye pressure—and protecting your remaining vision.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment happens when the thin layer at the back of your eye (the retina) pulls away from its normal position, which can cause sudden flashes of light, floaters, or a shadow in your vision. It’s an emergency because the retina can’t work properly when detached, and untreated detachment can lead to permanent vision loss.
Treatment is surgery—using lasers, freezing, or other techniques—to reattach the retina and seal any tears, often with good chances of restoring vision if caught early.
Strabismus
Strabismus is when your eyes don’t line up properly, so they point in different directions—one eye might look straight ahead while the other turns in, out, up, or down. This can cause double vision or make your brain ignore one eye, leading to weaker vision in that eye over time.
Treatment may include glasses, eye exercises, patching, or surgery on the eye muscles to help the eyes work together and improve vision.