Eye conditions assessed by our optometrists in Gatineau

"Our optometrists at Altitude Optométrie in Gatineau diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions. Whether you have an eye emergency, a vision problem, or a chronic condition, our team is here to help—including emergency services available 7 days a week.

Below you will find simple explanations of the most common vision problems. Click on each condition to learn more about its symptoms, causes, and the treatments available at our Gatineau clinic.

Refractive errors

• Myopia : Difficulty seeing distant objects – blurred vision when looking at objects far away.
• Hyperopia: Blurred vision up close, sometimes also from a distance.
• Astigmatism : Distorted or blurred vision caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea.
• Presbyopia: Progressive decline in near vision with age, often around 40 years of age and older.

Eyelid disorders

• Blepharitis Inflammation of the eyelids.
• Chalazion : Blockage of the Meibomian glands.

Problems with the surface of the eye

• Dry eye : Problem with tear production or quality.
• Corneal abrasion: Scratch on the cornea, often caused by a foreign body or trauma.
• Pinguecula : A benign yellowish growth on the conjunctiva of the eye.
• Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, often caused by infection or allergy.
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage : Bleeding under the conjunctiva, usually painless, caused by a small ruptured blood vessel.
• Corneal ulcer : Open wound on the cornea, often associated with infection.
• Herpetic keratitis (ocular herpes): Infection of the cornea caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Disorders of the anterior segment (iris and lens)

• Cataract : Clouding of the lens, causing blurred vision.
• Uveitis : Inflammation of the uvea, often linked to autoimmune diseases.

Posterior segment disorders (retina and optic nerve)

• Posterior vitreous detachment : A common age-related condition in which the vitreous gel detaches from the retina, which can cause floaters and/or flashes of light.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) : Degeneration of the macula, leading to loss of central vision.
• Retinal detachment : An eye emergency in which the retina detaches, threatening vision.
• Diabetic retinopathy : A complication of diabetes affecting the retina.
• Glaucoma : A condition that damages the optic nerve, often linked to high eye pressure, but which can also occur with normal pressure.
• Ophthalmic migraine: A temporary condition that can cause visual disturbances such as flashes of light, sparkling spots, blurred vision, or partial vision loss. These symptoms may or may not be associated with headaches.