What Is a Cataract and How Does It Affect Sight?

 A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear and transparent lens of the eye which lies behind the pupil. When the lens becomes cloudy from age, injury, or a birth defect, less focused light reaches the interior of the eye and vision gradually fails.

Symptoms of cataracts range from a barely noticeable loss of vision to virtual blindness. The first symptom may be difficulty in performing routine tasks. Fuzzy or blurred vision, frequent changes in glasses, double vision in one eye, problems reading, decrease colour perception and poor night vision are common symptoms. Night driving may fluctuate from normal to almost complete blindness under bright light or glare conditions.

How Is Visual Loss From Cataracts Evaluated?

A medical eye examination, including a check for glasses (refraction), is necessary. In the early stages of cataracts, a change in glasses may be all that is necessary to improve your vision. During the examination, your optometrist will determine if there are other causes of vision loss.

The usual test for visual acuity, the letter eye chart, may not reflect the true extent of your vision loss. Other tests which, measure glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, night vision, colour vision, and side or central vision may be useful. Some of these tests may help predict the degree of visual recovery after cataract surgery.

How Fast Do Cataracts Progress?

Most cataracts associated with aging progress slowly. Some patients do not notice the extent of their visual loss because of the slow onset. Other cataracts, especially in younger people and diabetic patients, progress rapidly over a few months and vision deteriorates quickly. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will progress in any given patient.

When Should Your Cataract Surgery Be Done?

Surgery is the only effective way to remove a cataract. When cataracts cause enough loss of sight to interfere with your work or lifestyle, it is time to remove them. You and your optometrist should decide together when surgery is desirable. The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is a consideration for some people.

Surgery is not necessary just because a cataract is present. Symptoms may be mild and well-tolerated. On the other hand, there is seldom a need to delay surgery when the vision loss from a cataract interferes with your daily activities. It is a misconception that cataracts need to be “ripe” before removing them. Surgery can be performed whenever visual needs require it.

What Can You Expect From Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure. Useful vision is restored in over 90% of the cases. However, it is important to understand that complications can occur. As with any surgery, a good result cannot be guaranteed.

There may be other reasons for visual loss in addition to the cataract, particularly problems involving the retina or optic nerve. If these problems are present, return of vision after cataract removal may not be perfect. If these conditions are severe, removal of the cataract may not result in any visual improvement. An examination by an optometrist can help predict whether visual improvement is likely.

What About A Second Opinion?

With cataract surgery, the best second opinion is often your own since you are in the best position to determine how much your cataract interferes with your daily activities.

However, if a second medical opinion is required or you feel that recommended cataract surgery may not be necessary, a second opinion may be obtained from another optometrist or ophthalmologist. Since the timing of cataract surgery is a personal matter, there is no right or wrong opinion, and optometrists may have differing recommendations.

Is Loss Of Vision The Only Criterion For Cataract Removal?

There are two circumstances in which removal of a cataract should be considered even though improvement in vision may not be expected. A cataract may be so advanced that diagnosis or treatment of the other eye disease cannot be performed properly. In this situation, it may be best to remove the cataract so the interior of the eye can be examined.

It is also possible for a cataract to become so advanced that the cataract itself causes other eye diseases, particularly inflammation or glaucoma. These rare situations are the only ones in which cataract removal may be considered an emergency.

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids which causes irritation, itching, and occasionally red eyes. The eyelids are composed of skin on the outside and mucus membranes on the inside. A cartilage-like plate, muscles, and glands are sandwiched in between. Blepharitis can be in early childhood producing “granulated eyelids”, and may continue throughout life as a chronic condition or it may develop later in life. It may appear in one of two ways:

Seborrheic blepharitis is characterized by redness of the lids, scales, and flaking around the eyelashes. It is often associated with dandruff of the scalp.

Ulcerative blepharitis is usually a more server condition caused by bacteria and is characterized by a matted hard crust around the eyelashes which upon removal leaves small ulcers that may bleed or ooze. The white part of the eye may turn red. In severe cases, the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) may become inflamed.

There may be a loss of eyelashes and distortion of margins of the eyelids, which can cause chronic tearing.

How is Blepharitis Treated?

In view of the long-term nature of the condition, strict lid hygiene is necessary. The following regimen may be useful:

1. Blephaclean wipes are preservative free, Health Canada approved daily lid hygiene wipes (click here for instructions on how to use)
2. Blephagel is a preservative free daily lid cleanser (click here for instructions on how to apply)
3. Bruder mask daily to decrease inflammation (click here for instructions on how to use)

In more severe cases, various antibiotics and even cortisone preparations may be necessary to alleviate the condition. Once the acute phase is controlled, lid hygiene, as described above, and the use of ointments may be sufficient to maintain control of blepharitis.

While cortisone preparations often hasten the relief of symptoms, long-term use can cause side effects. Some susceptible individuals may develop glaucoma or virus infection from prolonged steroid use.

What is a Chalazion?

The term chalazion (pronounced kah-la’-ze-on) comes from the Greek word meaning small lump. It refers to a swelling in the eyelid caused by chronic inflammation of one of the small oil-producing glands (meibomian glands) located in the upper and lower eyelids.

A chalazion is sometimes confused with a stye which also appears as a lump in the eyelid. A stye is an acute inflammatory infection of a lash follicle and forms a red sore lump near the edge of the eyelid. A Chalazion is usually a reaction to trapped oil secretions and is not caused by bacteria, although the site can become secondarily infected by bacteria. Chalazions tend to occur farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes (although a gradual swelling can be felt near the edge of the lid) and tend to “point” towards the inside or nose side of the eyelid. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.

How are Chalazions and Styes Treated?

When a chalazion is small and without symptoms, it may disappear on its own. Usually, they do not disappear without treatment. If the chalazion is large, it may cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of the eye.

A chalazion or stye may be treated with any one or a combination of the following methods:

1. Antibiotics and/or steroid ointment
2. Hot Compress; Hot compresses can be applied in a variety of ways. The most effective way is to use a Bruder mask which is able to maintain adequate heat for 10 minutes. This should be applied at least twice a day against the closed lid.  (Click here to watch a video on lid warming)
3. Massage or expression of the glandular secretions (Click here to watch a video on lid massage)
4. Surgical incision or excision

Chalazions and styes usually respond well to treatment, although some people are prone to recurrences and may require continued therapy. If a chalazion or stye recurs in the same place, your optometrist may suggest in office heat and expression to unclog the glands. Please contact the office if you require this type of treatment.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

 The macula is the central most part of the retina and is responsible for detailed central vision, used when reading and recognizing people’s faces. The retina is the inner layer at the back of the eye which is sensitive to light. Macular degeneration is a condition that causes the center of your vision to blur while the side or peripheral vision remains unaffected. It is generally related to aging, which is why it is also commonly referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of blindness in North America in adults over the age of 55.

What Are The Symptoms of AMD?

In the earliest stages, macular degeneration is entirely symptom free but can be detected during routine eye health examinations. The most common initial symptom is slightly blurred central vision when performing tasks that require seeing detail. Glasses cannot correct this blurred spot or sense that there is an obstruction in the way of clear vision. Over time, the blurred area may increase in size and interfere with reading and recognizing faces. Other symptoms of AMD can cause straight lines to look wavy or distorted, and dark spots may blank out portions of the central vision. Patients experience no pain with AMD and there are no signs that can be seen by a casual observer. 

Are There Different Forms?

There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The most common is the dry form. In the early stages, this is the milder form where there is a gradual degeneration of the central retinal tissues that make up the macula. Symptoms generally develop slowly over time, but at very old age, vision loss can eventually be greater with this type. The wet form involves a sudden leakage, or bleeding, from new, weak blood vessels under the macula. Symptoms of dry AMD progress rapidly. Wet AMD accounts for approximately 10 per cent of all cases, but the dry form can develop into the wet form over time. Any sudden change in vision should be assessed by your optometrist as soon as possible. 

Who is at Risk of Developing AMD?

The risk of developing AMD increases with age. High-risk groups include smokers and people who have had extensive UV exposure. AMD is also associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, obesity and those with a family history of AMD. Individuals with diets high in fat, cholesterol and sugar, and low in antioxidants are more likely to be affected by age-related macular degeneration. Light eye colour has also been linked to an increased risk of developing AMD.

How Can I Prevent AMD?

Lifelong UV protection and good nutrition are believed to play a key role in preventing AMD. Living a healthy lifestyle by keeping your blood pressure down, reducing your intake of fatty foods and not smoking are all recommended. A diet high in antioxidants such as beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A), vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids may help prevent AMD. Most of these antioxidants are found in green leafy vegetables, yellow and orange fruit, fish, and whole grains. Regular eye examinations by an optometrist are also important in the early detection of AMD. Early signs of AMD may be found during an eye examination even if no symptoms are noticed. Your optometrist can discuss ways to minimize the possibility of vision loss due to AMD.

Is There Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Currently, the progression of certain stages of dry AMD is slowed with ocular vitamin supplementation. The search for the best antioxidant for the macula has been ongoing now for over 30 years. The characteristics of an optimal antioxidant should meet the following criteria: highly localized in the macula, potent, be able to protect the macula from blue light photo-oxidation, and be difficult to obtain from the diet. The common AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) formulation found in drug stores did not meet any of these criteria. There are only 3 antioxidants found in the posterior segment of the eye. They are lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. All three of these antioxidants are critical, and meso-zeaxanthin is likely the most important. The properties of meso-zeaxanthin supporting its role in protecting the macula are extensive. 1) Meso-zeaxanthin is localized predominantly in the foveal and macular region where the signs of macular degeneration typically manifest. Lutein and zeaxanthin localize more peripherally. 2) Meso-zeaxanthin is the most potent antioxidant of the three, and when combined with lutein and zeaxanthin, the antioxidant potency is even stronger than meso-zeaxanthin alone. 3) Meso-zeaxanthin is not readily available in the western diet, creating a potential for deficiency in many patients. 4) Lastly, the concentration of meso-zeaxanthin diminishes with age. These properties clarify the role of meso-zeaxanthin as a critical macular protectant that needs to be replenished.

The use of vitamins will not reverse any vision loss that has already occurred, nor will it stop the progression of AMD completely. The progression of many cases of wet AMD can be prevented with medications injected into the eye to stop leaking blood vessels. Early detection and prompt intervention are crucial to addressing wet AMD. Regular eye examinations and counselling from your optometrist will let you know what treatments or preventions are best for you and when new treatments become available.

Is There Help Available?

Your optometrist may train you to use an Amsler grid at home, which is a sensitive tool that can alert you to the progression of AMD. It is important to contact your optometrist if you notice any changes in your central vision.  Many patients with sight loss due to AMD can benefit from low vision devices. Your optometrist can prescribe magnifying devices to enhance both distance and reading vision. Higher levels of lighting and increased contrast can also help and your optometrist can advise about this also. Nowadays, there are many accessibility options on electronic devices (computers, tablets, cell phones) which are helpful. These devices and strategies will not restore sight to normal levels, but they allow people to maximize their remaining vision. If loss of vision does progress more, there are optometrists and clinics which specialize in full low vision rehabilitation.

Seddon JM, Ajani UA, Sperduto RD, Hiller R, Blair N, Burton TC, Farber MD, Gragoudas ES, Haller J, Miller DT, et al. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group. JAMA. 1994 Nov 9;272(18):1413-20. Erratum in: JAMA 1995 Feb 22;273(8):622. PMID: 7933422.

Insertion

• Make sure contact packaging is completely sealed and unbroken before using lens.
• Remove from packaging and place on the TIP of your DRY index finger (use your dominant hand)
• If you are right handed, you will have the lens on the tip of your right index finger. Use the middle finger on the same hand to pull your bottom lid right down.
• Use your middle finger on the other hand to pull your top lid up. You need to keep the lids out of the way and your eye nice and wide to make room for the lens to be inserted.
• Look into the mirror and place the contact lens on the eye – don’t be afraid to be firm. Then take away your finger, look around to allow the lens to settle, and then blink.
• You can place the lens directly onto the coloured part of your eye, or if it’s easier, place it on the white.
• Allow a few seconds for the lens to settle into place.

Removal

• Removal is usually easier than insertion. Using the same process to insert, hold your lids open nice and wide.
• Using the pad of your index finger, get a grip of the contact lens and firmly slide out of position down towards your lower lid.
• Dragging the lens down to the bottom of the lid will allow it to crease up. Keep a hold of the lens, look up and pinch it out.
• The lens cannot go behind your eye. The only place it can go is under your lid into the crease if it gets dislodged. In this case, massage the lid to encourage the lens back into position and don’t panic.

Do’s & Don’ts

• DO always wash your hands with soap and water before inserting and removing contact lenses
• DO always check the blister packs they come in are completely sealed and undamaged
• DO change the solution every day if you are a re-usable contact lens wearer
• Do keep a spare pair of contact lenses in your bag. You never know when you will need a backup
• DON’T sleep in lenses, DON’T bathe, or shower in lenses
• DON’T rub eyes when they are in – it’s possible for them to dislodge this way
• DON’T reuse daily contact lenses, they are to be thrown away at the end of each day!
• DON’T use tap water to clean lenses
• DON’T keep wearing the lenses if something doesn’t look or feel right
• Stick to a wearing schedule when first using lenses. Wear them for 2-4 hours the first day and increase wearing length by 2 hours each day to allow your eyes to get used to them.

What is a Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

The vitreous is a semi-solid to liquid material that occupies up to 75 per cent of the eye’s volume. It is contained within a thin sac that is tightly adhered to the retina (the inner layer of the eye). One role of the vitreous is to keep the eyeball inflated much like air in a soccer ball. As we age, this shrinks and pulls away from the retina, causing a vitreous detachment.

What Are The Causes/Symptoms of a Vitreous Detachment?

Over time, the fibers of the vitreous become more mobile and clump together, forming floaters. The floaters cast a shadow on the retina, which may appear like a dust particle or a tiny insect floating in your vision. The vitreous may then pull away from the retina resulting in the sudden onset of flashing lights accompanying the floaters. These symptoms of vitreous detachment are similar to retinal detachment. However, a vitreous detachment does not have the same potential of vision damage that retinal detachment does. Vitreous detachment may occur spontaneously or after eye surgery, trauma to the eye or head, or due to an inflammatory process.

When Could a Vitreous Detachment Lead to Potential Vision Loss?

If the vitreous pulls away from the retina with excessive force, a retinal hole or tear may result. This has the potential to progress to a retinal detachment, which can result in significant vision loss. Seeing your optometrist can help with the detection of vitreous detachment and any small asymptomatic retinal holes, tears and detachments that could progress before you are even aware of them.

What is the Treatment for a Vitreous Detachment?

 Even though the appearance of flashes and floaters from a vitreous detachment can be more of a nuisance than anything, you should have your eyes examined by an optometrist right away if you notice any sudden changes in vision, such as new floater or flashes of light. You will need to have your pupils dilated to check the health of the retina. A cautious approach can go a long way towards preserving vision.

What Are Floaters and Spots?

Floaters (often called floating spots) are small, semi-transparent cobwebs, specks or squiggles that appear in your field of vision. They are actually small particles within the gel inside the eye that become noticeable when they fall within the line of sight. They move when you move your eyes, but tend to drift or lag behind your eye movements. They may also appear along with flashes of light.

Does Everyone Have Floaters?

Almost everyone sees a few floaters at one time or another. They can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as you grow older. If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of floaters, you should contact your Doctor of Optometry right away, so you can be sure they are not the result of a more serious problem, such as retinal detachment. 

What Causes Floaters?

The inner part of your eye is made up of a clear, jelly-like fluid known as the vitreous. Occasionally, small flecks of protein and other matter become trapped in the vitreous during the formation of the eye before birth and remain in the vitreous body. New floaters are caused by the deterioration of the eye fluid or its surrounding structures as we age, or by certain injuries or eye diseases.

What Do Floaters Look Like?

Floaters are generally translucent specks of various shapes and sizes. They may also look like bugs, threadlike strands or cobwebs within the eye. Since they are within the eye, they move as the eye moves and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.

Can Floaters Cause Vision Loss?

Most floaters are normal and rarely cause problems. But new or a sudden increase in floaters can be indications of more serious problems, such as a retinal hole, tear or detachment, and if you see them you should have a comprehensive optometric examination to determine the cause.

How Are Floaters Detected?

As part of a comprehensive eye examination, your Doctor of Optometry will thoroughly evaluate the vitreous and retina of your eyes. Your Doctor of Optometry may use eye drops to dilate your pupils to make them larger. He or she will then look inside your eye with instruments called a biomicroscope and an ophthalomoscope to examine the health of the inside of your eyes. Your Doctor of Optometry will observe the floaters within your eye, as well as ensure that a retina problem has not occurred.

What is the Macula?

The macula is the special area at the center of the retina which is responsible for clear, detailed vision. The retina is the light-sensing layer of the tissue that lines the back of the eye. If your macula is damaged, your sight will be blurred.

What is Macular Pucker?

The macula normally lies flat against the back of the eye, like film lying on the back of a camera. If macular pucker is present, the macula becomes wrinkled. This condition is also known as epiretinal membrane or cellophane maculopathy.

What Are The Symptoms of Macular Pucker?

Vision becomes blurred and distorted, just as one would expect a picture to appear from a camera with wrinkled film. Straight lines like doorways or telephone poles often appear wavy. Vision loss can vary from barely noticeable to severe. One or both eyes may be involved. For most people, vision remains stable and does not get progressively worse.

What Causes Macular Pucker?

A thin transparent membrane grows over the macula. When the membrane stops growing, it contracts and shrinks, wrinkling the macula. Eye conditions that may be associated with macular pucker include:

• Vitreous detachment (aging of gel inside eye);
• Torn or detached retina;
• Inflammation inside eye;
• Severe injury to eye;
• Retinal blood vessel disorders

Macula pucker is not usually related to any medical problem outside the eye.

How is it Detected?

Your optometrist can detect macular pucker by examining your retina. A retinal scan called optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be done in order to tell the extent of damage to the macula.

Does Macula Pucker Need to be Treated?

Treatment is not necessary if your symptoms are mild. Eyedrops, medicines, or laser surgery do not improve vision. Strengthening your bifocals or using a magnifier may improve near vision if both eyes are involved.

Vitrectomy surgery is the only treatment that can remove macular pucker. During this outpatient procedure your ophthalmologist uses tiny measurements to remove the membrane which is wrinkling the macula. Usually, the macula flattens out and the symptoms slowly improve. Vision does not usually return all the way to normal. Cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens) may develop sooner.

Complications are uncommon, but may include:

• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• Retinal detachment;
• Re-occurrence of macular pucker.

Surgery is not necessary for everyone who has macular pucker. Many people who have mildly blurred vision are not bothered enough to need surgery. You should consider surgery if your blurred vision is interfering with your daily activities.

The eye is a very sensitive and important organ. While you may feel some pain in the eyes when you blink for reasons that shouldn’t concern you, this is not a symptom to ignore. In some cases, the pain may be a sign of a serious underlying eye condition.

Below we will explore everything there is to know from what you can ignore to what you should be careful about. Let’s get started.

Common Causes of Pain When You Blink

According to research, some of the most common causes include pink eye, dry eyes, and a stye (1).

1. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye is a common viral eye infection. The condition can also be caused by a bacterial infection or allergic reaction affecting the conjunctiva (membrane lining the eyeball and eyelid). As the name suggests, the condition causes the white part of the eye (iris) to appear pink or reddish (2).

Main Pink Eye Symptons 

• Pain when blinking
• Red eyes (on the iris)
• Eye Irritation (on one/both eyes)
• Gritty feeling (as if you have something in your eye/s)
• Tearing
• Light sensitivity

While pink eye is uncomfortable, it doesn’t affect vision in most cases. However, you may need treatment depending on the underlying cause.

Pink Eye Treatment

You should see a doctor immediately if you experience pink eye symptoms since the condition is contagious. If your eye doctor finds the cause to be a virus, the infection will go away on its own without treatment. If the underlying cause is bacteria, you should get antibiotic medication i.e., eye drops/ointment.

2. Dry Eyes

You could also be feeling pain when you blink because of dry eye disease – a condition that occurs when you don’t produce enough tears to effectively lubricate your eyes or when your tears evaporate faster than normal. 

The main causes are linked to the disruption of the eye’s tear film which has a mucus layer, aqueous fluid layer, and fatty oily layer. 

These layers may stop working effectively to lubricate the eyes because of hormonal changes, eye allergies, inflammation of eyelid oil glands, autoimmune conditions, aging, some medications, deficiencies (Vitamin A), etc (3). 

Main Dry Eye Disease Symptoms

• Pain when you blink
• Burning, scratchy, or stinging sensation
• Sensitivity to light
• Stringy mucus around/in your eyes
• Eye redness
• Gritty feeling (as if you have something in your eye/s)
• Eye fatigue and/or blurry vision

Given the variety of underlying causes and seriousness of some symptoms, it’s advisable to seek medical attention if you feel pain when you blink and experience many other symptoms above.

Dry Eyes Treatment

Your eye doctor may prescribe dry eye treatment based on severity. You may get special contact lenses that trap moisture and prevent/slow down drying. Procedures may be recommended i.e., vision therapy to ease symptoms (4).

3. A Stye

Your pain could also be due to a stye (hordeolum) – an infection of the eyelid gland. The main cause of the eyelid infection is bacteria (staph) (5). 

Main Symptoms of a Stye

• Pain when you blink
• Redness
• Swelling of the eyelid/s
• Tear production
• Gritty feeling (foreign body sensation)

Stye Treatment

Styes are contagious and come with many uncomfortable symptoms. As you take important actions like washing your hands and face regularly, you still need to seek proper treatment. In many cases, eye doctors prescribe antibiotic ointments or creams. In severe cases, you may need to see an eye specialist for further treatment.

4. Other Causes

Other not-so-serious but common causes of eye pain when you blink include eye debris and eye injury i.e. when you scratch your eye accidentally.

Serious Causes of Pain When You Blink

Pink eye, dry eyes, a stye, debris in the eye, or an accidental scratch shouldn’t be a strong cause for concern. If the symptoms persist, it’s advisable to see an eye doctor. However, you should be more concerned about the causes below.

1. Optic Neuritis

If you experience some serious pain, you could be suffering from optic neuritis which is a severe inflammation of the optic nerve (nerve connecting the brain to the eyes).

Most common symptoms of Optic Neuritis

• Severe eye pain (during eye movement including blinking)
• Temporary loss of vision 
• Loss of colour perception
• Flashing lights

Optic Neuritis Treatment

If you have a single episode of symptoms, such as temporary vision loss, you can recover without treatment. However, since there’s a possibility of optic neuritis leading to permanent vision loss if the condition isn’t treated, you should see a doctor immediately.

2. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that can cause blindness if left untreated. It occurs when the optic nerve is damaged. The damage happens over time and is linked to several causes/risk factors, among them being genetic causes, eye injury, some medication, and some underlying conditions i.e. diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, and high blood pressure.

Main Symptoms of Glaucoma

• Severe pain
• Severe headaches
• Blurred vision
• Eye redness
• Halos around light (coloured rings around lighting)
• Increased blinking (common among infants)
• Gradual side vision loss (6) 

Glaucoma Treatment

If you suspect your eye pain, among other symptoms, could be linked to glaucoma, you need to visit your eye doctor immediately to get an accurate diagnosis. Glaucoma is best diagnosed through a dilated eye exam (7). After the diagnosis, glaucoma management is recommended to manage the disease.

Final Thoughts

Clearly, there are many reasons for feeling pain when you blink. These reasons range from common (not so serious) causes that can be contained with a cool compress, to very serious reasons that require immediate medical attention.

Generally, you should be worried about pain that is accompanied by new, worsening, and/or unusual symptoms as such pain can lead to permanent damage or vision loss. If you are unsure of why your eye might be hurting, we recommend you seek medical attention immediately!

Luckily, if you reside in Toronto, you can visit Fairlawn Eye Care, a renowned eye clinic with 40+ years of experience (since 1982) caring for Toronto’s vision needs.

Get a comprehensive eye exam to establish the underlying cause of your eye pain. Fairlawn Eye Care also handles ocular emergencies just in case your eye pain is linked to any type of injury or related eye emergencies.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT. Email: info@fairlawneyecare.com or CALL: (416)-482-5352 to ask questions about eye pain. Google maps.

 References