Patient Resources
Visionary Care for Your Eyes
Welcome to the Retina Centre of Ottawa – we’re pleased to be part of your care team. On this page, you can find resources about a variety of eye diseases, treatment information, and diagnostic testing. If you have any questions before your appointment with us, or at any point in your treatment, please give our office a call.
The Retina Centre of Ottawa is dedicated to providing exceptional care for patients with retinal diseases. With a team of highly skilled specialists and state-of-the-art technology, we offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our patients through innovative therapies and compassionate care.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Our team will give you a call before your appointment to remind you of the date and time. We will give you the name of the provider you will be seeing and where your appointment will be.
On the day of your appointment, please:
- Refrain from wearing any perfume or cologne – we are a scent-free space.
- Bring your OHIP/PQ card with you.
- Prepare to be at your appointment for up to two hours.
- Provide a list of your current medications and any allergies you have.
- Bring your prescription glasses with you if you have any.
- Refrain from wearing your contact lenses.
- Be prepared to have your pupils dilated at most appointments. This can cause blurry vision and light sensitivity for 3-4 hours. Please arrange for transportation to get you home safely.
- Bring a translator with you if English is not your first language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Drive to My Appointment?
If possible, we advise that every new consultation has someone drive them to their appointment and/or has a family member with them at their consultation with the doctor. Typically, both eyes will be dilated, and it is possible that if needed, treatment may be started on the same day as the consultation. We recommend that you bring a driver.
Will My Treatment be the Same Day?
Depending on the results of the appointment and the confirmed diagnosis there is a potential that treatment may be the same day. At your appointment, the doctor will do a full assessment and discuss findings and treatment options at that time, and then it is up to the patient and doctor to decide on an appropriate treatment plan.
Will There be Fees at My Appointment?
The consultation is covered by OHIP as long as the patient is an Ontario resident and has a valid, unexpired OHIP card. If the patient is a Quebec resident living in a border zone area (Outaouais region), the consultation is covered under their provincial health plan. If the patient lives outside of these areas, there are varying fees for the consultation. There may be fees depending on treatment options; some medications may not be covered by OHIP, but are covered by private insurance. All fees will be discussed beforehand once the patient is assessed and a treatment plan is discussed. If you require any further information on potential fees please call the appropriate office.
Does This Qualify for the Northern Health Travel Grant?
You must live in one of the following districts:
- Algoma District
- Cochrane District
- Kenora District
- Manutoulin District
- Nipissing District
- Rainy River District
- Sudbury District
- Thunder Bay District
- Timiskaming District
You must be a Northern Ontario resident and have a valid Ontario Health card.
Patients must be referred by a northern Ontario health provider (physician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist).
The medical services provided must be OHIP insured.
Diagnostic Tests
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
OCT is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of your retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the back of your eye). This test allows a view of the retina’s distinctive layers. There is no preparation for the test or any after instructions. Your eyes will be dilated.
B-Scan (Ultrasound Biometry)
B-Scans are diagnostic tests used to produce a two dimensional cross-sectional view of the eye and the orbit.
A-Scan
A-Scans are diagnostic tests used to measure the length of your eye. This is used to calculate your intraocular lens power.
Eye Disease
Choroidal Nevus
A Choroidal Nevus is a flat, benign, pigmented area that appears in the back of the eye, and is basically a freckle on your eye.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. The loss of central vision can interfere with simple everyday activities, such as the ability to see faces, drive, read, write or close-up work. The disease progresses at different rates, varying from person to person.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. It is the most common diabetic eye disease. Blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. Diabetic Retinopathy usually affects both eyes.
Dislocated or Retained Lens
A dislocated or retained lens means the eye’s natural lens has moved from its normal position, either partially completely, often falling backward into the vitreous. This can cause blurry vision, eye pain, redness, and sensitivity to light, potentially leading to severe inflammation, high eye pressure (glaucoma), or permanent vision loss if untreated.
Endophthalmitis
Endophthalmitis is an inflammatory condition of the intraocular cavities usually caused by infection. In most cases, this occurs following a surgical procedure or intravitreal injection.
Epiretinal Membrane/Macular Pucker
An Epiretinal Membrane/Macular Pucker is scar tissue that forms on the eye’s macula, located in the center of the eye’s light sensitive tissue called the retina. This will usually affect the central vision.
Floaters
Floaters are like “cobwebs” or specks that float around in your field of vision. They are small, dark, shadowy shapes that look like spots, squiggly lines, or thread-like strands. Floaters can be normal, however, a sudden increase in floaters, possibly accompanied by flashing lights can be the start of something more serious.
Macular Edema
Macular Edema is the build up of fluid in the macula, an area in the center of the retina. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight ahead vision. The build up of fluid can cause the macula to swell and thicken, which distorts vision. This is usually seen in people with diabetes or following surgery.
Macular Hole
A Macular Hole is a small break in the macula, located in the center of the eye’s light sensitive tissue called the retina. The macula is responsible for our sharp, central vision. The most common cause of a Macular Hole is related to the normal aging process. As we age, the vitreous gel in the eye becomes thinner and separates from the retina – this causes a hole.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment
There are millions of fine fibers within the vitreous attached to the retina. As we age, the vitreous slowly shrinks and these fibers pull on the retina and can separate. This is a common condition for persons over the age of 50.
Retinal Detachment
The retina is the light sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. These are treated promptly to prevent permanent vision loss.
Retinal Tear
A Retinal Tear occurs when part of the retina separates from the outer layers of the eye. If the vitreous pulls away from the retina, it can tear. Fluid may pass through the tear lifting the retina. Treatment is done promptly to avoid the retina from detaching.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
A Retinal Vein Occlusion is a blockage of small veins that carry blood away from the retina and back to your heart. It is usually a painless decrease in vision.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
A Subconjunctival Hemorrhage occurs when a tiny vessel breaks just underneath the clear surface of your eye. The conjunctiva doesn’t absorb the blood quickly so it may take a few weeks to clear. This is normally a harmless condition.
Vitreous Hemorrhage
A Vitreous Hemorrhage is the leakage of blood into the areas around the vitreous humor. The vitreous humor is the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina. This causes painless visual loss.