Preserve Your Eyesight With Cataract Management

More than 3.5 million Canadians live with cataracts. This disease is a leading cause of vision loss in Canada and commonly develops as we age.

Your natural, crystalline lens sits just behind your eye and focuses light by changing shape. However, this lens can become stiff and clouded as you age. This clouding prevents light from reaching the retina, gradually obscuring your vision.

Cataracts are a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. We can arrange referrals to a trusted ophthalmologist who can remove your cataracts and restore your vision to its former clarity. If you have questions about your cataracts, please call us to book an eye exam.

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms of cataracts include:

Blurry or foggy vision
Decreased night vision or halos around lights
Colours appearing dull or muted
A persistent film over your eye that doesn’t go away when you blink
Increased sensitivity to light, including sunlight

Risk Factors

While anyone can develop cataracts, there are a number of risk factors that increase your odds, including:

Age
Family history
Other health problems, such as diabetes
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Excessive sun exposure
Medications
Eye injury, like a puncture, cut, or chemical burn to the eye

Can Cataracts Be Prevented?

Many factors determine whether a person will develop cataracts, but there’s no proven way to prevent age-related cataracts. However, you may be able to slow their growth by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a diet rich in eye-friendly foods, protecting your eyes from injury and UV rays, and undergoing regular eye exams.

Your Eye Care Centre optometrist can help by offering recommendations on good nutrition and vitamins and providing tips for protecting your eyes. A comprehensive eye exam can also reveal early signs of cataracts, enabling you to take a proactive approach to your treatment.

Can Children Get Cataracts?

While cataracts are unusual in children, they do happen. It’s estimated that nearly 20,000–40,000 children are born each year with congenital cataracts, which are accountable for 5–20% of pediatric blindness worldwide. Children should undergo regular eye examinations to rule out cataracts and other eye diseases.

Cataract Surgery

Fortunately, surgery to remove cataracts is extremely common and effective. Mild cataracts can be managed with glasses or contact lenses. However, if cataracts start to interfere with your daily life, your optometrist will refer you to an experienced ophthalmologist for surgery. Our team will work closely with your surgeon and provide you with pre and postoperative care in our clinic.

Proactive Optometry Can Prevent Cataracts

The Eye Care Centre is committed to helping you regain and maintain the best vision possible throughout your life. If you’d like to learn more about cataracts and cataract removal surgery, please call us to book an appointment.

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Our Locations

Red Deer Eye Care Centre

4402 49th Avenue
Red Deer, AB T4N 3W6

Hours

Mondays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fridays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sundays: Closed
Closed on all Statutory Holidays.

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Rimbey Eye Care Centre

5010 50th Avenue
Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0

Hours

Mondays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: Closed
Sundays: Closed

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Rocky Eye Care Centre

5040 B – 50th Street
Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1A5

Hours

Mondays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursdays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: Closed
Sundays: Closed

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Our Services

Dry Eye Therapy

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Children’s Eye Exams

Start your child’s eye care journey with the help of our team.

Adult & Senior Eye Exams

Protect and preserve your vision throughout your life.

Contact Lens Exams, Fittings, & Brands

Give your eyes the gift of clearer vision.

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