Emergency eye care

 

No matter the problem, Sherwood Park Optometry provides same day emergency eye care to patients of all ages.  We understand that certain eye related emergencies are time sensitive and want nothing but the best care for your eyes, so you can be seen on a walk-in basis with minimal wait time. Our clinic is equipped to diagnose and treat most eye-related emergencies that may arise, and our professional staff will do their absolute best to get you the treatment, products, or referral to a specialist as soon as possible.

Eye-related Emergencies include, but are not limited to…

  • Red eye
  • Eye pain or trauma
  • Sudden loss or blurring of vision
  • Flashes and/or Floaters
  • Foreign object removal
  • Dry or itchy eyes
  • Swollen eyes

What to expect:

  • Medically necessary eye checks are covered by Alberta Health Care, so have your card ready to go.
  • Depending on the problem, your examination may include drops that may blur your vision, so having a driver bring you to your appointment is recommended.
  • Although you can be seen on a walk in basis – it is best to call ahead to make sure there is a doctor available, and so we can recommended the best possible time to come to minimize your wait.

Diabetic health checks

 

Diabetes can have many effects on the eye. These effects range from fluctuating glasses prescription to ocular diseases such as retinal swelling, retinal bleeding, or early cataract formation. Many of these conditions are treatable if detected at an early stage, so annual diabetic health checks are recommended.

In order to properly see the internal health of the eye, your optometrist will use eye drops that increase your pupil diameter. Having a larger pupil diameter allows for proper visualization of the retina, however it can make your vision quite blurry and your eyes light sensitive. For these reasons, it is recommended that you bring sunglasses and a driver with you to your appointment. Diabetic health checks are covered with a valid Alberta Healthcare card.

Cataract evaluations and post-operative checks

 

Did you know that cataracts is the leading cause of blindness in the world? Over 90% of those over 65 will have cataracts, and over half of those between age 75 and 80 will have visual loss because of it. Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in Canada and has a high success rate.

Every eyeball has a lens inside of it that is used for focusing. It is called a “cataract” when this lens becomes cloudy due to age, certain medical conditions, or certain medications.

As a part of your comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will help determine whether or not your lens has a cataract and will go over management options. If deemed necessary, your optometrist can refer you for surgery and provide the necessary post-operative ocular health checks and refraction once your procedure has been completed.

Dilated Retinal Exam

 

Having both the external and internal health of your eyes examined regularly is very important to help screen for various ocular and systemic diseases. In order to assess the back of the eye, your optometrist must use a magnifying lens to look through your pupil. If the pupil size is too small, a dilated health check may be recommended.

A dilated health check involves the use of eye drops to expand the diameter of your pupil, allowing your optometrist to have a larger “window” to look through. Dilated retinal examinations are especially important in those who have diabetes, any type of retinal disorder, or even a high minus glasses prescription. Having larger pupils makes your vision blurry and your eyes light sensitive for 3-6 hours, so it is recommended you bring a driver to your dilation appointment. Dilated health checks are covered by Alberta Healthcare.