Whether you’ve been wearing corrective lenses for years or your vision needs have recently changed, you might be curious about laser eye surgery. We’re here to guide you through the process and talk through the best options for you.
Our team provides laser eye surgery co-management services to help ensure your experience is seamless. From determining if you’re a candidate for laser eye surgery to preparing you for your procedure and monitoring your recovery, we’ll work closely with trusted local surgeons to support your journey every step of the way.
Start your path to clearer vision by visiting us for an eye exam.
A laser eye consultation with us is all about you and your vision needs. Our team will take the time to thoroughly assess your eye health, measure your prescription, and check factors like corneal thickness to determine your candidacy.
We’ll walk you through every step, answer all your questions, and explain your options clearly. With our attention to detail and compassionate approach, you can feel confident about your options to enjoy clearer vision.
Determining if laser eye surgery is a good option starts with a consultation to assess your unique vision needs. Ideal candidates are typically over 20 years old, with a stable prescription for at least a year and generally healthy eyes.
However, not everyone is suited for this procedure. Factors such as corneal thickness, severe dry eye, certain eye diseases like keratoconus or glaucoma, extreme refractive errors, or uncontrolled diabetes can affect eligibility. Additionally, if you’re under 18 or planning a pregnancy soon, laser eye surgery may need to wait.
By booking a consultation, we can work together to see if laser vision correction is the right step for you.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, we’re here to guide you through the options. We co-manage a variety of procedures to help you achieve clear, comfortable vision, from LASIK to SMILE and PRK.
PRK is a popular laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to help improve vision. While recovery takes a little longer than LASIK, it’s great for those with thinner corneas and can significantly reduce your need for glasses or contacts.
Unlike LASIK, PRK removes the cornea’s outer layer (epithelium) before reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular vision correction procedure designed to address nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During LASIK, a thin flap is created in the cornea, allowing a laser to reshape the underlying tissue for clearer vision.
LASIK differs from PRK as it creates a flap, rather than removing the outer layer fo the cornea to reshape its surface.
This treatment is designed to be fast, effective, and have a quick recovery time. It can be a great option for those looking to reduce their dependence on glasses or contacts.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is designed to slow the progression of keratoconus, a condition that affects the shape and strength of the cornea.
Using a combination of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) eye drops and UV light, this procedure helps strengthen the cornea by creating new collagen bonds. The drops allow the eye to absorb UV light, leading to a chemical reaction that strengthens the cornea.
It’s normal to have a “corneal haze” for a few weeks after CXL, but then this blurring clears up. For every stage of your treatment, you can count on us to be part of your care team.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a laser eye surgery that provides a precise and minimally invasive solution for vision correction. Unlike LASIK, which requires creating a corneal flap, SMILE uses a femtosecond laser to create a tiny, lens-shaped piece of tissue (called a lenticule) within the cornea. This lenticule is then removed through a small incision, reshaping the cornea to improve vision.
One of the key distinctions of SMILE is its flapless technique. By avoiding the creation of a flap, SMILE reduces the risk of flap-related complications, such as displacement or irritation, and preserves the integrity of the cornea’s surface.
Reflective lens exchange is a surgical option for patients looking to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. We may recommend it if you’re over 40, dealing with vision changes from presbyopia as well as other refractive errors, and want to move away from glasses.
During this procedure, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens tailored to your specific vision needs. As a bonus, RLE can eliminate the need for cataract surgery later, since the natural lens has already been replaced.
Contact us today to schedule your laser eye surgery consultation and learn more about how we can help you achieve the vision you’ve always wanted.
Our compassionate team is here to guide you through every step of the process!
Book Appointment
*Closed on long weekends
Keep reading to learn what you need to know about wearing contacts with astigmatism, including the different types available, like soft toric lenses, rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses, scleral lenses, and hybrid options. […]
Read More… from What to Know About Wearing Contacts with Astigmatism
Astigmatism is due to an abnormally shaped cornea or lens, while myopia results from an elongated eyeball or curved cornea. […]
Read More… from Astigmatism vs. Myopia: What’s the Difference?
OHIP doesn’t cover eye exams for all age groups or conditions. OHIP coverage applies as follows: -Children aged 0–19 are eligible for one comprehensive eye exam every 12 months -Adults aged 20–64 with specific conditions, like diabetes and glaucoma, are eligible for one comprehensive eye exam every 12 months -Adults over the age of 65 are eligible for one comprehensive eye exam every 18 months, unless they have a specific condition, which would make them eligible for one comprehensive eye exam every 12 months. […]
To check if your sunglasses are polarized, look at a reflective surface through the lenses and tilt your head—if the glare diminishes or changes, the lenses are polarized. […]
Read More… from How to Tell If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized?
Here are some factors to consider when ensuring your eyeglasses fit correctly: frame size, temple length, bridge fit, lens height and width, nose pad comfort, frame weight, material durability, face shape compatibility. […]
Vision plays a crucial role in a child’s learning, development, and well-being. Regular eye exams for children are not just about prescribing glasses—they’re key to children’s success both in and out of the classroom. […]
Contact lens prescriptions account for the shape of your eye and the material of the lens. Meanwhile, eyeglass prescriptions are measured for lenses positioned at a distance. […]
Read More… from Contact Lens vs. Glasses Prescription: What’s the Difference?
It helps to make some adjustments to your immediate surroundings. Use a humidifier, aim fans away from your face, and avoid harsh winds and air. It also helps to stay hydrated and follow a healthy diet. This gives your eyes the nutrients needed to protect themselves. […]
A comprehensive eye exam lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the tests performed and your specific needs. […]
Daily contact lenses are intended only to be used for one day and should not be worn any longer than that. Wearing these lenses more than once can pose a risk to your eye health. […]
Read More… from Can You Wear Daily Contacts for More Than a Day?
There are indeed hereditary aspects of glaucoma. However, knowing the ways in which these aspects can manifest can help with prevention and management of the condition. […]
In moderated usage, screens won’t cause any significant problems. However, in excess, they can lead to a significantly higher risk of nearsightedness, sleep disorders, and more. It’s essential to make sure your child uses screens in moderation and follows healthy visual habits to improve their visual development. […]
Sometimes, spending a day out in the sun is one of the most pleasant ways to enjoy your time. However, the sun isn’t harmless; it can quickly damage your eyes if you aren’t careful. Exposure to the sun’s rays increases the risk of all kinds of long-term eye conditions, but there’s one thing often forgotten […]
A yellowish bump on your eyelid could be a number of things: a stye, a chalazion, a milia or xanthelasma. They likely come from the buildup of protein or fats under the skin on the eyelids. […]
Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are worn while sleeping to temporarily reshape the cornea. This provides temporary vision correction and reduces the need to use glasses or contacts during the day. […]
But amid this excitement, it’s paramount that we discuss an aspect often overshadowed by the eclipse’s awe: eye safety. Staring at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause severe and permanent vision damage. So, it’s critical that you take steps to protect your eyes by using specialized solar-viewing glasses or a pinhole projector. […]
Read More… from Solar Eclipse Eye Safety: Prepare for the April 2024 Eclipse
Blurred vision is a common symptom associated with dry eyes. When the eye does not have enough moisture, it can lead to a disturbance in the visual pathway, resulting in blurred or distorted vision similar to that experienced with allergies. This may be temporary or chronic, depending on the severity of the dryness. […]
Meibomian glands are tiny oil glands that line the margin of the eyelids. They are crucial for maintaining the health of the ocular surface by producing an oily substance, meibum, that prevents the evaporation of the eye’s tear film. Keeping these glands unclogged is vital to ocular health. A blockage or dysfunction, called meibomian gland […]
If you are looking for contact lenses that provide sharper vision and more durability than soft lenses, RGP lenses might be the perfect fit for you. RGP lenses, referring to rigid gas-permeable lenses, are a type of contact lens made of a relatively hard, durable and deposit-resistant material that may allow more oxygen to reach […]
Whether you find yourself squinting at the fine print or struggling to read road signs from afar, you’re not alone. Many of us have been there, questioning if it’s time to think about buying glasses. Fortunately, your optometrist can help! With an eye exam, we can help you and your family figure out if glasses […]
Read More… from Do I Need Glasses? Here are Some Signs That You Might
OHIP continues to cover for pediatric eye exams up until age 19, diabetic eye exams, seniors eye exams and comprehensive eye exams for patients age 20-64 with certain eye conditions. […]
Blue light glasses can shield your eyes from the effects of blue light emitted by screens. Blue light can affect your circadian rhythm and make it harder for you to sleep at night. […]
When seasonal allergies affect your eyes, your vision can become blurry as you try to see through swelling and tears. […]
Polarized sunglasses can provide crisper, clearer vision, and reduce glare. […]
Read More… from Are Polarized Sunglasses Better for Your Vision?
During an eye exam, your eye doctor can look for changes in the blood vessels in the retina that may indicate high blood sugar levels, which can be a sign of diabetes. […]
One of the best ways to protect your eye’s long-term health is with regular comprehensive eye exams. A comprehensive eye exam allows an optometrist to look at your entire eye and visual system, allowing them to diagnose various eye diseases and disorders. These exams involve tests designed to detect early signs of eye disease, such […]
Many Canadians are familiar with dry and itchy eyes. The trouble with dry and irritated eyes is that the cause can be hard to narrow down. Chronic dry eye disease is a common culprit, but other common reasons for irritated eyes include allergies, eye infections, or contact lens wear and care. An over-the-counter (OTC) lubricating […]
For those with dry eyes, it can seem like there’s no end. The stinging, burning, and redness are ever-present. It doesn’t just affect your eyes; it can affect your entire life. That’s why there’s nothing better than getting those dry eyes treated by a professional. While you may have heard about treatments from eye drops, […]
Read More… from Vitamins & Supplements for Dry Eyes: What are my Options?
It’s not always obvious when you need glasses. Vision changes can be misleading—they rarely suddenly appear one day as blurry vision, difficulty reading fine print or street signs, or difficulty with night vision. If you never had to use glasses as a kid, you may believe that you don’t need them as an adult. This […]
Putting on a new pair of glasses for the first time can be exciting for many people. A lot of us are interested to see how our new frames will suit our faces, and others are just relieved to finally have better vision. Almost everyone who begins wearing glasses for the first time goes through […]
Myopia Management: What Does It Involve? Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, affects about one-third of children in Canada, and its prevalence is rising globally. By 2050, it is estimated that more than 50% of the world will be myopic. Myopia is an eye condition that causes blurry vision at a distance. Fortunately, recent developments in […]
Dry eyes are a prevalent condition that affects many Canadians. In many cases, wearing contacts can be an additional irritant that increases dry eye symptoms if you’re already prone to those itchy, burning eyes. If you’re experiencing any unusual and uncomfortable symptoms when wearing your contact lenses, it’s a good idea to book an exam […]
Whether it’s allergies or some other reason, eye drops are a pretty common tool for eye care. As with anything medicinal, paying attention to expiry dates is part of using the eye drops properly—even over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops. You may have fought hard to put eye drops in your eyes, so we want to make […]
The feeling of something being stuck in your eye is especially annoying. But what do you do if there’s nothing actually in your eye? It could be a sign of seasonal or perennial ocular allergies. Ocular allergies can affect anyone and can make daily activities uncomfortable and frustrating. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage […]
Old South Optometry
