Eye Care

Saskatchewan Health Authority Eye Centre provides specialized ophthalmic (eye) services to residents of southern Saskatchewan.

Located within the Pasqua Hospital, the Eye Centre provides general eye care, diagnostic eye tests, specialized therapies, minor eye procedures, ophthalmic resources and patient education. The Eye Centre also offers several clinics that focus on specific ophthalmic needs of clients. The Orthoptic Clinic and Low Vision Clinic are located in the centre. The Eye Centre participates in ongoing national and international research and educational projects. 

Information for Eye Centre Clients

Eye Centre hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Closed on all statutory holidays. 

Arriving for treatment

• All clients/patients may need to report to Registration/Admissions, located on Level 1 of the Pasqua Hospital, before coming to the Eye Centre.
• Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Ophthalmic Assistants, Orthoptists and Office Administrative Assistants staff the Eye Centre.
• Ophthalmologists utilize the specialized equipment located in the Eye Centre for their patient care.

Eye Centre Services

Assessments

Consultations

Full diagnostic ophthalmic examinations are performed by ophthalmologists on referral from family physicians, emergency physicians, optometrists, as well as other ophthalmologists and specialists

Pre-Operative assessments

Ophthalmic professionals perform assessments for patients undergoing ophthalmic surgical procedures. For patients requiring cataract extraction, with an intraocular lens implant, biometry procedures are performed and care instructions are given.

Biometry

measures the cornea and other ocular structures. It is often performed on both eyes and is used to determine a range of intraocular lenses, from which the ophthalmologist selects the most appropriate lens for each person.

Post-Operative assessments 

All patients are monitored following ophthalmic surgery by the ophthalmologist, with the assistance of a nurse, orthoptist or ophthalmic assistant.

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing is on referral to an ophthalmologist,  performed  by ophthalmic professionals such as nurses and ophthalmic assistants.

Visual Field Testing

This is a diagnostic procedure that uses specialized equipment to map vision centrally and peripherally in order to monitor a client for visual field changes in both or either eye. Also maps vision loss related to eyelid problems/droopy eyelids.

Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Ocular Coherence Tomography is an innovative, non-invasive, diagnostic procedure.  It uses light waves to produce an image of the delicate structures of the retina/back inside of the eye. This cross-sectional image allows your ophthalmologist to map and measure the thickness of the retina. 

Pachymetry

Pachymetry  measures the thickness of the cornea, the clear front tissue at the front of the eye. This is useful for ongoing evaluation of  LASIK surgery and other conditions such as glaucoma.

Corneal Topography

Corneal Topography is a diagnostic procedure, which maps the surface of the cornea in order to monitor and detect corneal irregularities and disorders.  The cornea/front surface of the eye, may be too flat, too steep or irregular shape.

Ophthalmic Photography

Ocular photographs are taken by ophthalmic medical photographers at the request of an ophthalmologist. These photographs are to determine and document pathological ocular changes, especially prior to treatment.

Fluorescein Angiogram

A diagnostic aid for ophthalmic assessments of the back of the eye; circulation, edema, tissue growth.  A dye called fluorescein is injected through intravenous by a nurse and is distributed throughout most body tissues, concentrating in the back tissue of the eye.  Retinal pictures are taken by an ophthalmic medical photographer with an ophthalmic camera as the dye circulates.

Treatments, Therapies and Minor Procedures

Ophthalmologists to perform with the assistance of an ophthalmic nurse.

Lasers

Ophthalmic Lasers are used for treatment of  patients requiring laser therapy for multiple conditions associated with the eye. Retinal detachment and glaucoma may require laser treatment. Lasers are housed in the Eye Centre for staff ophthalmologists to use.

Ultrasounds and Scans

Ultrasounds and scans are often used in conjunction with diagnostic testing. Ophthalmic ultrasounds use high frequency sound waves in the eye to aid in diagnosis of normal and abnormal eye tissue.

Cryotherapy

Therapeutic treatments for patients with specific ocular problems. When required, cryotherapy, which is the use of extreme cold, can be used for treatment of retinal holes, retinal detachments, retinal tears and removal of eyelashes. 

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic Therapy may be used as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The ophthalmologist uses a specialized laser light with a light-activated drug to treat abnormal blood vessels that are p resent in AMD.              

Serum Tears

Autologous (cells obtain from same individual) serum preparation in artificial tears in treatment of persistent dry eyes.  Patient will have blood collection/drawn in Eye Centre as per lab technician.  The ophthalmologist will draw off  the serum to add to bottle of specific store-bought artificial tears. 

Intraocular Injections

Also known as intravitreal injections or eye injections.  This procedure is for various eye conditions and is performed to introduce medicine directly into the jelly-like fluid – near the retina at the  back of the eye.

Minor Surgery 

Minor ocular surgery in the Eye Centre encompasses  many procedures such as excision of lesions and chalazia/enlargement of oil gland in the eyelid, suture removal, and more. 

Clinics

The Orthoptic Clinic

Orthoptists are ophthalmic health professionals who perform examinations to detect anomalies of binocular double vision and the oculomotor system. They provide therapy to restore comfortable binocular double vision for both children and adults. 

The Low Vision Clinic

The Low Vision Clinic provides examinations, patient teaching and low vision aids to people with vision loss. A community optometrist and vision rehabilitation professional from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) provide this professional service. 
To learn more about the Low Vision Clinic, visit the CNIB web site.