phone Book Now
phone Book Now
Rockyview Health Centre, 1011 Glenmore Trail SW Building #1 Suite 423, Calgary, AB T2V 4R6, Canada
587-353-5061 Book Appointment
Mission
We are passionate about your eyes, and about building long-lasting relationships. Our goal is to ensure your eyes remain healthy throughout your life. We are all about service, love, kindness and a belief in strong community. Through our holistic approach to caring for you and our dedication to learning, we pioneer carefully researched new treatments, technology, and products to help ensure eye health.

Although researchers have not found a definitive cause for AMD, a number of factors may put you at greater risk for developing the disease.

Although researchers have not found a definitive cause for AMD, a number of factors may put you at greater risk for developing the disease.

  • a family history of AMD,
  • age is the greatest risk factor for AMD.  An estimated one million Canadians have some form of AMD, and the majority are people over the age of 50.  Prevalence increases as you get older, 
  • gender, estrogen and early menopause; a higher incidence of AMD appears in women who experience early-onset menopause,
  • cigarette smoking;  smokers are as much as four times more likely to develop AMD compared to the general population, and people who smoke and have family history of AMD have 144 times the risk of the general population!  Exposure to secondhand smoke also contributes to the risk of developing AMD; by quitting you’ll also reduce the risk to people close to you,
  • high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
  • overexposure to sunlight; mitigate risks by 
    • wearing sunglasses with a high UV rating,
    • cover up with clothing and a hat,
    • stay in the shade,
    • sun exposure occurs even on moderately bright or overcast days, and in winter,
  • diet may be a contributing factor in developing AMD 
    • a high consumption of linoleic acid, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and vegetable fats is associated with double the risk of developing wet AMD,
    • eating red meat increases the risk,
    • those who eat two or more servings per week of fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids have a lower risk,
    • other studies show that eating fruits may reduce the risk of AMD, as do diets rich in carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, found in dark green leafy vegetables and some berries.

Symptoms

  • blurred or fuzzy vision; an early sign of AMD that, in some cases, might become less apparent under brighter lighting conditions,
  • straight lines appearing wavy or crooked; this symptom is particular to wet AMD and can affect both lines seen in near vision, such as sentences on a page, as well as those farther away, such as telephone poles and the sides of buildings,
  • decreased contrast sensitivity; people with AMD might have difficulty seeing objects that are the same color as the background (for example, black coffee in a black cup), 
  • a small but growing blind spot in the center of vision; someone with AMD might be able to see the numbers on the circumference of a clock, but not the hands in the middle, 
  • decreased ability to distinguish colors,
  • difficulty seeing at a distance.

Genetic Test Available for AMD

If you have AMD or a family history of AMD, we offer MaculaRisk and VItaRisk testing to help assess your genetic predisposition for developing the disease, as well as vitamins recommended for prevention. 

Treatment Options

Treatment options can include the vitamins with the AREDS formulation, wearing sunglasses, anti-VEGF treatments for the more severe stages, along with eating a plant-based diet. 

Recommendations

If left untreated, AMD causes a growing area of vision loss in your central vision. Coming in for regular eye exams is the single most important thing you can do to prevent it.

Coverage

As Optometrists, we can monitor patients and recommend preventative measures, follow-up with patients at risk of developing AMD, and co-manage care with Ophthalmologists when required. Alberta Health Care covers these visits.

Areas We Serve

phone Call NowBook Now

Deep Cleansing for Healthier Eyelids and Lashes

ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is an in-office eyelid cleaning and debridement treatment developed by Zocular®. It is designed to clean the eyelids and lashes while helping address concerns associated with dry eye, blepharitis, and demodex.

The treatment uses a natural, okra-based gel to remove oil, debris, and residue from the eyelid margins and lashes. By improving eyelid hygiene, ZEST can help reduce the buildup that may contribute to irritation and inflammation around the eyes.

What Is ZEST?

ZEST works like a deep cleansing treatment for the eyelids and lashes. During the procedure, the okra-based gel is applied along the eyelid margins and lashes using a cotton swab. The gel is gently worked into a lather using circular motions before being rinsed away with saline solution.
The gel contains a refined extract of okra, an edible green seed pod. According to the provided product information, okra helps lift and clear oil, debris, and residue while being gentle around the eye area.

How Can ZEST Help?

Keeping the eyelids, eyelid margins, and lashes clean is an important part of eye hygiene. Buildup along the eyelid edges can contribute to symptoms such as itching, burning, gritty sensations, redness, and irritation.

ZEST is designed to address this buildup through thorough cleansing and debridement.

  • Removes Debris: Helps clear dirt, oil, and residue from the eyelid margins and lashes.
  • Supports Eyelid Hygiene: Provides a deeper cleansing treatment than routine eyelid cleaning.
    Addresses Demodex: The treatment is designed to help remove demodex mites and associated debris.
  • Helps Reduce Inflammation: Cleansing the eyelid area may help address buildup associated with irritation and inflammation.
  • Supports Dry Eye Care: ZEST may help relieve symptoms associated with dry eye and poor eyelid hygiene.

ZEST for Dry Eye, Blepharitis, and Demodex

Dry eye and blepharitis can be associated with inadequate eyelid hygiene. Debris along the eyelid margins can enter the tear film with blinking, potentially contributing to redness and irritation.

Demodex mites can also be present in the hair follicles around the eyelashes. According to the provided information, they may contribute to inflammation and dry eye symptoms by blocking the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes.

ZEST provides targeted cleansing of the eyelid margins and lashes to help remove this buildup and address demodex-related concerns.

A Simple In-Office Treatment

The ZEST procedure is performed in the office and involves applying the cleansing gel to the eyelid margins and lashes, working it into a lather, and then rinsing the area with saline solution. The treatment is designed to provide thorough eyelid and lash cleansing without requiring a lengthy procedure.

Is ZEST Right for You?

ZEST may be considered for patients experiencing symptoms associated with dry eye, blepharitis, demodex, or eyelid debris. An eye care professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether ZEST is appropriate for your eye care needs.
587-317-2134