Dr. Ema Hazra, OD
Optometrist, Spadina Optometry
A Toronto native, Dr. Ema Hazra earned her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo in 2018 and returned to Spadina Optometry — where she had previously interned — bringing experience from an ocular disease externship at Eye Associates of Pinellas in Florida alongside leading ophthalmologists specializing in glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal disease. Her clinical interests include myopia control, specialty contact lenses, dry eye disease, and refractive surgery, and she is passionate about providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages, especially children.
Articles by Dr. Ema Hazra (15)
Common Conditions
Eye Exam Guide for Patients with Diabetes
A practical guide for diabetic patients on how to prepare for eye exams, what to discuss with your optometrist, and why annual dilated exams protect your sight.
Common Conditions
How Diabetes, Blood Pressure, and Medications Affect Your Eyes
Many common health conditions and medications have direct effects on your eyes. Your optometrist can detect and monitor these changes — but only if they know your full health history.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
Can an Eye Exam Detect Health Problems Beyond Vision?
The eye is the only place in the body where blood vessels and nerve tissue can be observed directly without surgery. This makes routine eye exams uniquely capable of detecting serious health conditions early.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
UV Protection and Sunglasses: What Your Eyes Actually Need
UV radiation is a significant risk factor for cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. Not all sunglasses provide equal protection — here is what to look for.
Children's Vision
Children's Eye Exams in Ontario: When, Why, and What to Expect
Vision problems affect 1 in 4 children and are a leading cause of learning difficulties. In Ontario, children under 20 receive OHIP-insured eye exams — here is what parents need to know.
Common Conditions
Retinal Imaging and OCT: What the Tests at Your Eye Exam Actually Show
Retinal photography and OCT scans give your optometrist a detailed view of the back of your eye that a standard exam alone cannot provide. Here's what each test does, what it can detect, and why it matters.
Vision Correction
Myopia (Nearsightedness): Causes, Correction, and Slowing Progression
Myopia is the most common refractive error in the world, affecting roughly 30% of Canadians. It is highly correctable, and for children, progression can now be slowed with proven interventions.
Common Conditions
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A Guide for Ontario Patients
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of central vision loss in Canadians over 50. Early detection through routine eye exams can prevent progression to severe vision loss.
Common Conditions
Diabetes and Eye Health: What Ontario Patients Need to Know
Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable vision loss in Canadian adults. Annual dilated eye exams are OHIP-insured for diabetic patients and are the most important step in protecting your sight.
Eye Emergencies
Eye Floaters and Flashes of Light: When to Seek Emergency Care
Most eye floaters are harmless. But a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow in your vision can signal a retinal tear or detachment — a true eye emergency.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
Digital Eye Strain: Symptoms, Causes, and What Actually Helps
Digital eye strain affects anyone who uses screens for two or more hours a day. Learn the symptoms, what causes them, and evidence-based ways to find relief.
Children's Vision
What Is Axial Length and Why Does My Child's Optometrist Measure It?
Axial length is the physical length of the eye from front to back. In children with myopia, tracking axial elongation is the most accurate way to monitor progression and guide treatment decisions.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
Eye Health for Gamers and Heavy Screen Users
Long gaming sessions and extended screen use put real demands on your visual system. Here's what's actually happening to your eyes, and what you can do about it.
Vision Correction
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): See Clearly All Day Without Wearing Lenses
Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight and gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. The result: clear vision throughout the day without glasses or contact lenses — and one of the most effective methods for slowing myopia progression in children.
Eye Health & Lifestyle
Do Blue Light Glasses Actually Work?
Blue light glasses are widely marketed for eye strain and better sleep. The evidence is weaker than the advertising suggests — here's what the research actually shows.