Your eyes are filled with a fluid made by the ciliary body. This fluid flows through the pupil, in front of the lens, and then out through a drain called the trabecular meshwork. Glaucoma is a disease where increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. It usually happens when the trabecular meshwork (drain) does not work and fluid cannot drain from the eye. Fluid buildup in the front part of the eye increases pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. This damage may at first caus…
Laser treatment uses a strong beam of light (laser) that can be focused to treat certain diseases of the retina. The 3 most common diseases treated with a laser are – retinal holes or tears, diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy), and other problems with retinal blood vessels. The pamphlet describes getting ready for a laser treatment, what will happen during treatment, and care after.
This pamphlet explains how to get ready for eye surgery. Topics include where to go, cancelling your surgery, and getting ready (what you can eat and drink, medications, and what to do if you have diabetes). Information about scents, valuables, and what to bring to the hospital is included. What to expect if you are having a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic is given. A map of the QE II Health Sciences Centre is included. The French version of this pamphlet 2014, "Préparation en vue d’un…
If the pressure inside your eye stays too high after using drops and/or laser treatments, you will need surgery to treat your glaucoma. You may have a trabeculectomy or a shunt procedure. This pamphlet explains what a trabeculectomy and a shunt procedure are, and what will happen after the surgery. Instructions for your care at home are provided, including discomfort, wearing an eye shield, using eye drops, and activity. A list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention is provided. T…
Your doctor has recommended Botox® injections for your blepharospasm (rapid eye blinking) or facial muscle spasms. Botox® blocks the chemicals that cause the spasms in your muscles. Botox® is not a cure. It helps relieve your symptoms for about 3 months. This pamphlet explains what Botox® is and how it works, how to get ready for your appointment, what will happen during and after the treatment, and side effects. The French version of this pamphlet 1783, "Injection de Botox®", is also availabl…
This pamphlet will help you learn how to care for yourself safely after surgery. This surgery is called a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). It is needed when the tear duct is blocked and tears cannot drain. During the surgery, your surgeon will make a new tear path so that your tears can drain into your nose. The pamphlet explains what will happen before, during, and after your surgery. Topics include pain, how to use a cold compress, your dressing, after care, and follow-up. Symptoms that need medi…
This surgery removes all or part of a damaged cornea (the clear, front part of your eye) and replaces it with healthy donor tissue. A corneal transplant can be done to improve vision, relieve pain, or treat a severe (very bad) infection. This pamphlet explains the 3 main types of corneal transplants, what to expect after surgery, things to remember, and how to use eye drops. A list of symptoms that need medical attention right away is included. The French version of this pamphlet 1718, "Greffe …
Diabetic retinopathy happens when changes take place in the blood vessels near the retina, causing leaks or bleeding. Diabetic macular edema is a swelling of the macula (very small centre area of your retina, which gives you the central vision needed to do things like reading, watching TV, and seeing faces) that may be caused by diabetes, happen after eye surgery, or happen for no known reason (idiopathic). The pamphlet describes these disorders, their treatment, and how to control them. The Fr…
Your health care provider has recommended laser iridotomy to prevent or treat your angle closure glaucoma (a specific type of glaucoma). This pamphlet explains glaucoma and laser iridotomy. It describes getting ready for the treatment, how the treatment is done, and care after. Possible risks are listed. The French version of this pamphlet 1945, "Iridotomie au laser", is also available.
Your health care provider has talked with you about why your eye or the contents of your eye must be removed. This pamphlet will help you learn how to safely care for yourself after your procedure. The medical term for eye removal is enucleation. The medical term for removing the contents of the eye and leaving the outer coat (sclera) behind is evisceration. Both procedures mean permanent loss of the eye. This pamphlet explains what will happen before and after your surgery, including wearing a…
This pamphlet will help you learn how to care for yourself safely after surgery. It explains why you may need eyelid surgery, medications to tell your surgeon's office you are taking before surgery, and what will happen during and after your surgery. Information on your dressing, how to use a cold compress, pain, and your follow-up appointment is included. A list of symptoms that need medical attention right away is also given. The French version of this pamphlet 2101, "Opération de la paupière…
During orbital decompression surgery, the eye surgeon will remove a large part of the bony wall in the orbit (eye socket). This pamphlet explains why you may need this surgery, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. It also gives information about your follow-up appointment and lists medical symptoms that need attention right away.
This pamphlet will help you and your family learn more about cornea donation. Palliative care patients may be able to donate their corneas. Some myths and facts about cornea donation are provided, as well as the reasons why some people may not be able to donate. Common fears and misunderstandings, what to do if you decide to change your mind, and information given to your family about your donation are outlined. Testimonials from recipients are provided. The French version of this pamphlet, 219…
The retina is the lining at the back of your eye. Your retina must be healthy for you to see well. The Retinal Acuity Meter (RAM) is a test used to measure how much vision you have in your retina. The test shows how much vision is possible even if you have blurred vision. For example, the RAM can show how much vision you will have after a cataract is removed. This pamphlet explains getting ready for the test, how the RAM is done, and what to expect after the test. The French version of this pa…
Blepharitis is a chronic (ongoing) inflammation (swelling) of the eyelids. It is a common problem. This pamphlet explains the symptoms of blepharitis and how it is treated. Topics include keeping your eyelids clean, how to use a warm compress and create a warm compress bundle, and how to clean your eyelids. Information about what you can do to help your symptoms is also included.
The retina is a very thin delicate tissue at the back of the eye that turns light into images. The macula is the very small central area of your retina. It gives you the central vision needed to do things like reading, watching TV, and seeing faces. There are 2 types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD): dry and wet. With dry AMD, changes happen slowly over months or years. There is no treatment for dry AMD. With wet (also called ‘exudative’) AMD, changes often happen quickly. It is possib…
La rétine est une membrane fine et délicate à l’arrière de l’œil. Elle transforme la lumière en images. La macula est la partie centrale et toute petite de la rétine. Elle vous donne la vision centrale nécessaire pour faire des choses comme lire, regarder la télé et voir les visages. Il existe deux formes de dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge (DMLA) : la forme sèche et la forme humide. Dans le cas de la dégénérescence maculaire sèche, les changements se produisent lentement, durant des mois …
La cornée est la membrane transparente située à l’avant de votre œil. Votre ophtalmologue a recommandé une greffe de cornée parce que vous ne pouvez pas voir clairement à travers votre cornée ou parce qu’elle vous cause de la douleur. La cornée d’un donneur sera utilisée pour remplacer la partie endommagée ou malade de votre cornée. Vous trouverez, dans la présente publication, des directives relatives au congé après votre intervention chirurgicale et aux soins à domicile. ; This is a French tr…
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a common eye condition that can cause floaters (dots or spots) and flashes of light in your vision. PVD happens when your vitreous humor (a gel at the back of your eye) starts to shrink and becomes liquid. A healthy vitreous humour is attached to a part of your eye called the retina. When the vitreous humour shrinks, it can detach (come apart) from parts of the retina. This pamphlet explains what causes PVD, the symptoms of PVD, and how PVD is diagnosed an…
Les injections de Botox peuvent être utilisées pour traiter votre blépharospasme (clignotement rapide des yeux) ou vos spasmes musculaires faciaux. Le Botox arrête les spasmes en bloquant les produits chimiques qui les causent. Le Botox ne guérit pas. Il offre plutôt un soulagement temporaire des symptômes. Le présent dépliant explique comment se préparer aux injections, traitements et effets secondaires. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Botox® Injection" pamphlet 0282. Botox injecti…